Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 4, 2023
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Berkey is well known for being a brand of countertop water filtration systems that rely entirely on gravity to purify water and make it ready for drinking.
The question we want to answer in this guide is whether or not you can expect the same high quality and thorough filtration from Berkey’s shower filter. Which can either be used with your existing shower head or with the optional Berkey massage shower head.
Filter only: Click
Berkey Shower Filter |
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| Price: | $ |
| Capacity: | 20,000 Gallons |
| Annually: | $$ |
| Warranty: | 6 Months |
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Our Rating
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Basically, the Berkey shower filter is meant for people who want the benefits of showering in cleaner water with less contaminants, first and foremost chlorine.
Apart from 95% chlorine reduction, the unit will also remove or reduce hydrogen sulfide, water-soluble heavy metals such as lead, scale and rust, says the manufacturer.
Now some of you might be wondering, why would I care about removing impurities like chlorine from my shower water? There are a couple of reasons actually:
Generally speaking, not treating your shower water can worsen conditions like asthma and eczema. Furthermore, if you live in an area with hard water your hair might become dull and your skin dry and itchy.
By the way, the Berkey shower filter does not have any effect on fluoride. However, it’s supposed to help with mold and fungi, and kill bacteria to inhibit their growth thanks to the KDF-55 media.
How long will one cartridge last? They were designed for up to 20,000 (25,000) gallons or 1 year, whichever comes first.
The Berkey Shower is effective for both hot and cold water. And not only that, it’s also made from BPA-free materials. That’s another plus!
We also like that in most cases they do not reduce water pressure noticeably, although some customer complained about clogged units.
In order to prevent premature clogging, Berkey has provided a simple backflush feature that allows you to remove all debris that accumulates over time.
Furthermore, you can attach any handheld shower head that uses a hose to the filter as long as they are the same size – works great!
And lastly, you get a 6-month warranty from the manufacturer who will replace or repair any product that does not function as intended.
The Berkey Shower Filter – learn more on berkeywaterfilter.com
If you are worried about installing the Berkey shower filter, don’t be, it’s super easy.
You simply have to screw it between the shower pipe coming out of your wall and your existing shower head and you’re good to go.
The threads are supposed to be self-sealing, however, using a couple wraps of plumber’s tape as an extra safety layer might be a good idea.
If you prefer video, here is a short clip explaining how to install and backflush the Berkey shower filter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4TmkbWVwwo
As always, there are a couple of things that we don’t like (sorry, that’s just how we are: Always complaining).
First of all, the filters do not always reach their claimed capacity. This is bad since more frequent replacements will add to the costs.
What’s more, a few customers reported that they saw no difference in their water’s chlorine content before and after the filtration. Berkey says that chlorine reduction can be impacted by high chloramine content which may be present in your water, too. In fact, more and more water suppliers are substituting chlorine with chloramines for water disinfection due to cost savings.
Other users said that they couldn’t make out any difference in how their water smelled or felt either.
Our last issue is that some buyers received a damaged product.
All in all, online feedback for the Berkey shower filter is outstanding. Most customers would recommend the product to their friends and family. It’s not only best for removing chlorine odor, it also does a great job at reducing hardness and gives water a fresh feel. Our verdict: 4 stars!
This completes our guide for the Berkey shower filter. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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I purchased the shower filter for my son and it cut the pressure in half and miserable to take a shower now!
ReplyHi Deborah,
I’m sorry to hear that. Are you on well water or is your water high in hardness minerals?