Propur Nomad, Big & Co Gravity Systems Review (+ ProOne G2.0 Water Filter)

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Propur offers a variety of gravity-based water filter systems that make use of 1 or more ProOne® G2.0 ceramic filter elements to provide drinking water of exceptional purity.

The systems are simple to use and work “with just about any water source including tap, lake, stream, river, pond and rain water”, says Propur.

What’s more, they don’t require any electricity which is great for outdoor use and in an SHTF scenario.

Sounds like a no-braine, but is it?

Propur Big

Propur Big

Price: $$$
Serving: 2-4 people
Flow Rate: 0.26 gal/h per filter
Storage Capacity: 2.75 gallons
Warranty: Lifetime
NSF: 42, 53, 401, P473, P231

Our Rating

Propur Traveler

Propur Traveler

Price: $$
Serving: 1 person
Flow Rate: 0.18 gal/h per filter
Storage Capacity: 1.6 gallons
Warranty: Lifetime
NSF: 42, 53, 401, P473, P231

Our Rating

Propur Gravity Water Filters – Choosing the Right Size

There are 5 system sizes for you to choose from. And since they all achieve the same level of water purity the only question you have to ask yourself is: How much purified water do you need per day?

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Model Serving Storage Capacity Fully Expanded Maximum Flow Rate with ProOne G2.0 Filter Maximum Flow Rate with ProOne G2.0 SLIMLINE Filter
Propur Scout 1 person 55 oz 1x 5” filt. element 0.58 gal/h*
Propur Traveler 1 person 1.6 gal 1x 5” filt. element 0.18 gal/h* 0.58 gal/h*
Propur Nomad 1-2 people 2 gal 2x 5” or 7” filt. elements 0.18 gal/h* 0.58 gal/h*
Propur Big 2-4 people 2.75 gal 3x 7” filt. elements 0.26 gal/h* 0.74 gal/h*
Propur King 4+ people 3.75 gal 4x 9” filt. elements 0.5 gal/h* 0.9 gal/h*

*Based on a single filter

As you can see, the larger the system, the higher the number of filtration elements it can employ for a faster flow rate. You don’t have to use all available filter slots, though. Plugs are supplied with each system to plug any holes that are not being used.

On a side note: As these Propur systems are gravity-fed, their flow rate also depends on how much water is in the top reservoir. More water results in higher pressure which in turn increases filtration speed.

In a Nutshell

The Propur Big is probably the most popular unit. It has the perfect size to provide enough clean water for a whole family and is not too bulky for most kitchens. Another benefit is that it’s still portable and can be moved around without problems.

Propur’s Scout is the smallest in size and ideal if you are on the go, be that indoors or outdoors.

Or you might want to opt for the Propur Traveler which can hold about 3 times the amount of water that goes into the Scout. Also, unlike the Scout, the Traveler is compatible with regular ProOne G2.0 filters and not only their SLIMLINE version (more on this in a bit).

Next in line is the Propur Nomad that has been sized between the Propur Traveler and the Propur Big for good portability in combination with higher flow rates. You can choose between 5” and 7” filters and whether you want to use 1 element or 2 simultaneously.

Last but not least, the Propur King: Going that large is only really necessary if your water consumption is very high and you want to eliminate long waiting times (can be expanded to 4 filters).

Of course, if you were to ask a dealer he’d probably tell you that bigger is always better, because storage capacity and flow rate increase and you will need to refill less often for added convenience.

However, the cost for a system gradually goes up with its size, too, and a Propur King is significantly more expensive than a Scout. Bottom line, make sure to choose a large-enough unit so that you have sufficient water at times of peak consumption while not going overboard wasting your money.

By the way, no matter which model you go for they all feature 304 stainless steel containers (polished or brushed finish) for longevity. The only difference is that the Scout does not come with a stainless steel spigot because it’s small enough to pour.

On top of that, all steel components are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, the Propur Scout being the exception with only 2 years warranted.

ProOne G2.0 Filter Elements

We have already mentioned that Propur gravity water filter systems rely on ProOne G2.0 ceramic filters to make water safe for consumption. Thereby, we need to distinguish between the regular and the SLIMLINE variant.

Generally speaking, SLIMLINE filters were specifically designed for emergency cases, whereas the regular version has a longer lifespan perfectly suited for daily use. And yes, the filters can be used interchangeably and will remove the same contaminants.

In addition, there are different filter sizes, namely 5, 7 and 9 inches.

Where is the difference between a ProOne G2.0 5” and a 7” cartridge for example? You will find that the latter will usually last longer due to a larger surface area.

Lab Reports

One thing is for certain, if the lab tests on propurusa.com are to be trusted then Propur’s ProOne G2.0 elements provide a very, very thorough water filtration without the need for add-on filters.

They combine granular activated carbon (GAC) based media with silver-infused ceramic (the silver helps to prevent bacterial growth).

Here is a summary of the testing conducted by an independent lab certified by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection:

ProOne G2.0 filter elements reduce/remove

  • Dozens of VOCs – some to more than 99.9% but at least 95.0%
  • TTHMs (chloroform, bromoform, …) – 99.0% on average
  • Aluminum – 98.0%
  • Arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) – 99.7%
  • Lead – 99.9+%
  • Mercury – 99.9+%
  • Sodium fluoride – 97.5%
  • More than 40 different pesticides – at least 98.0%, except for endrin (86.9%), heptachlor epoxide (85%), PCBs (93.3%)
  • More than 50 semivolatile contaminants – 97.0% or more
  • Chlorine and Chloramines – 99.9+%
  • Nitrites/nitrates – 99.9+%/98.2%
  • About a dozen herbicides – more than 90.0%
  • 16 tested pharmaceuticals – e.g. Ibuprofen (95.6%) and Acetaminofen (96.0%)
  • Coliform bacteria, cryptosporidium, giardia – 99.999+%
  • Radium 226/228, uranium and other radiological contaminants – 81.6% (84.1%)
  • Fluorinated organic acids including PFOS & PFOA – 99.9+%
  • Various parasites – think spirulina – 99.999+%

*Testing requirements for NSF standards 42, 53 and P231 were met.

What’s more, the filters reduce at least 99.9% of bacteria (Klebsiella Terrigena), viruses (Poliovirus 1 and Rotavirus) and cyst (Giardia Lamblia), but only for the first 50 gallons of use as per NSF Protocol P231.

Testing according to NSF Standard 401 for emerging contaminants has shown a reduction of BPA (99.9+%), estrone (86.5%) and linuron (99.9+%) among a couple of others.

Meanwhile, almost 100% of magnesium and potassium are retained in the water adding to your daily nutritional intake. Calcium on the other hand is reduced by about 80% which, in our opinion, is not that big of a deal.

About TDS

Filtering your water with a Propur ProOne G2.0 filter, it might read higher in TDS afterwards. This is due to the filter releasing minerals into the water and does not necessarily indicate an underlying issue.

Generally speaking, we don’t consider TDS the best way to measure contamination anyway.

Setup

Setting up a Propur gravity filter system couldn’t be simpler:

  1. First, clean the system using water mixed with good old dishwashing detergent. Scrub with the yellow side of the sponge that is included in the package. Rinse well afterwards.
  2. Next, remove the filter(s) from the packaging and let cold water run over the white ceramic surface for about 2 minutes. Scrub the ceramic with the rough (green) side of the sponge. Rinse well when done.
  3. To assemble the system, start by attaching the knob to the lid using the screw.
  4. Remove the nut from the spigot. Place one stainless and one white washer on the threaded stem. Insert the spigot stem through the hole of the lower container. Secure the spigot with the remaining washers and the nut. Tighten with pliers.
  5. Place the non-slip pad underneath the system to prevent scratching.
  6. Now you can install the filter(s) with the black washer and wing nut. Be careful not to overtighten!
  7. Plug any remaining holes if necessary.
  8. Lastly, place the upper on top of the lower container.

The whole process shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes.

FYI: It is recommended to discard the first 2 to 3 cycles before you start using the water.

Parts List

  • Upper container
  • Lower container
  • Spigot with washers and nut (does not come with Propur Scout)
  • Lid + knob with screw
  • Filter element(s) with wing nut and washer
  • Filter hole plugs (not all systems)
  • Non-slip pad
  • Sponge

Filter/Membrane Replacements

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Model Filter Lifetime
ProOne G2.0 5” Up to 6 months*
ProOne G2.0 7” Up to 10 (12) months per pair*
ProOne G2.0 9” Up to 12 months per pair*
ProOne G2.0 5” SLIMLINE Up to 4 (6) months*
ProOne G2.0 7” SLIMLINE Up to 8 (9) months per pair*
ProOne G2.0 9” SLIMLINE Up to 10 (12) months per pair*

*May vary depending on the condition of the feed water and water use

If you notice a change in taste, smell or flow rate the filters need to be cleaned. If you’ve cleaned a few times already replacement is the next logical step.

Speaking of cleaning, all you have to do is rinse with cold water for 2 minutes while scrubbing the white part with the dark green side of the sponge as explained above. Rinse well and reinstall.

How often should you clean your filter(s)? About every 2 to 3 months on average. The same goes for washing the steel containers.

Manual

Manual: https://propurusa.com/assets/images/Propur%20Instructions%202015.pdf

Cons

For the majority of users, Propur gravity systems seem to work as advertised. Still, browsing through dozens of customer ratings we repeatedly stumbled upon the following complaints:

  • Slow filtration – While some reviewers said that a gallon of water is processed within a reasonable amount of time, the filtration is definitely a bit slow. To be fair, though, thorough filtration takes time. Pro tip: Get yourself a couple of glass pitchers for extra storage so you can filter water 24/7 (especially overnight). Also, make sure to condition filters according to instructions (see above). And if the lid sits too tight it might not allow air to flow inside for pressure compensation, which is something you want to keep an eye on.
  • Unpleasant taste – Some customers reported that their filtered water had a funny or unpleasant taste. Again, make sure to condition filters according to directions.
  • Rust – The third most common complaint were ruts spots that developed on the stainless steel containers or the lid after a couple of weeks/months of use.
  • Leaking spigot – A handful of users struggled with a leaky spigot.

That being said, it can be challenging to get a response from the Propur customer service team, according to Amazon customer feedback.

A minor inconvenience is that you need to lift the upper container to find out how full the bottom storage tank is.

Our Verdict + Best for

All in all, we are looking at a solid product line of gravity water filter systems that do an outstanding job at removing even the most stubborn contaminants. The result: Clean drinking water that tastes great.

Most customers are pleased with their purchase and would buy again.

Taking into account the flaws listed above and the relatively high purchase price and cost for replacement filters, our final rating is 3.5 stars!

Propur gravity filters are best for people who don’t mind slow filtration speed and paying a bit more for NSF-tested contaminant reduction.

More Reviews:

This completes our review of Propur’s gravity water systems. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

About the Author Gene Fitzgerald

Gene Fitzgerald is one of the founders of BOS and currently head of content creation. She has 8+ years of experience as a water treatment specialist under her belt making her our senior scientist. Outside of BOS, Gene loves reading books on philosophy & social issues, making music, and hiking.
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Gene

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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