The Travel Berkey Water Filter

Clean Fresh Tasting Water On The Go

When I was offered the opportunity to review the Travel Berkey Water Filter, I was immediately interested because of how central water is to my daily life and travels. My primary drink is water, and I’ve learned from experience that not all water sources taste good or feel refreshing. Traveling for long periods in a camper, I usually rely on two five-gallon jugs that we fill whenever we come across water that tastes decent. From there, I run it through a standard RV filter before drinking. While this system works, it takes up a lot of storage space and still doesn’t always deliver consistently good-tasting water.

Because of this, I was curious to see whether the Travel Berkey could simplify the process and improve the quality of water we drink on the road. A system designed to be portable, compact, and effective at reducing a wide range of contaminants seemed like a natural fit for the kind of travel we do.

The Travel Berkey Water Filter

The Travel Berkey Water Filter is the smallest system in the Berkey line, designed to provide safe drinking water in a compact and portable form. Constructed from polished stainless steel (AISI 304), it balances durability with a space-saving design, making it well-suited for small homes, apartments, RVs, or travel. With a storage capacity of approximately 1.5 gallons, the system is intended to meet the daily needs of one to three people in normal use.

The system measures 18 inches in height when assembled and 7.5 inches in diameter, with the upper chamber nesting inside the lower chamber for transport and reducing the height to about 12 inches. Weighing just over six pounds when empty, the Travel Berkey is light enough to carry yet sturdy enough for repeated use. Each unit includes upper and lower stainless steel chambers, two Black Berkey filter elements, a stainless steel lid, spigot, wingnuts, washers, a priming button, and a rubber gasket to protect the base.

The Travel Berkey can produce up to 2.75 gallons of filtered water per hour with two Black Berkey Elements. These filters are designed to process approximately 3,000 gallons of water each before replacement, for a combined capacity of about 6,000 gallons. The system requires no plumbing or electricity, operating instead through a gravity-fed process.

Independent testing shows reductions in contaminants such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, chlorine, fluoride, and radiologicals, among others, while retaining beneficial minerals. Optional fluoride and arsenic reduction filters can also be added if desired. Due to state regulations, Berkey systems are not available for sale in California or Iowa.  From some research I did, the reason for this is that while Berkey has done independent testing, they have not tested the filters to meet standards in those states. 

My Experience

I set up the Travel Berkey by following the included directions, and found the process was straightforward. The filters were simple to install, and the kit even came with red dye to test whether they were working properly. At first, I was hesitant to use the dye since I have family members who are sensitive to it, but I decided to try the test, and it worked exactly as described, filtering out all the red dye.  That gave me confidence that the system was functioning correctly before we set out on our trip.

One adjustment I needed to make was raising the Berkey off the counter. I ended up reusing a platform I had previously used for my kombucha brewing jar, and it turned out to be the perfect height. This small change made it much easier to fill cups and bottles from the spigot. 

We tested the Travel Berkey during a two-week trip in our recently remodeled camper. Our travels took us through Door County, Wisconsin—a scenic peninsula along Lake Michigan known for its charming small towns, cherry orchards, and lakeshore views—and then onward to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a rugged region of the United States with dense forests, waterfalls, and long stretches of shoreline along both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

At one of our first campsites, we arrived to find the local water supply had just been flagged for contamination. We were able to rely on the water we had brought from home and filtered through the Berkey, but the situation was a clear reminder of how quickly a “safe” water supply can become questionable. It reinforced my belief that filtering water, even when it’s labeled potable, is a good habit.

The Travel Berkey performed well when we were stationary, but I found it challenging to pack and unpack each time we moved campsites, which was every day or two. If I were to use it regularly in a camper, I would want a more secure built-in setup. One improvement I wished for was the ability to fill the upper chamber separately without needing the bottom attached. That way, I could fill it at an outdoor spigot or another source more easily before setting it back on the base.

My Recommendation

After using the Travel Berkey on our trip, I can say it offers many benefits, but there are also a few practical considerations to keep in mind if you’re thinking about adding it to your setup.

Pros:

• Effective filtration: The system worked exactly as promised, and the red dye test gave me peace of mind that it was functioning correctly. I felt confident that our water was safe to drink, especially when we encountered a campsite with a contaminated supply.
• Great taste: The filtered water was noticeably better than what we usually get through a standard RV filter. Since water is my main beverage, this made a real difference.
• No power or plumbing required: Its gravity-fed system is simple to use anywhere.
  

Cons:

• Set up during travel: Because we moved campsites frequently, taking the Berkey apart and putting it back together became inconvenient. A built-in or secured spot would be ideal. 
• Counter space: It takes up a fair amount of room, and I needed to raise it on a stand for easier use.

Limited Availability: Berkey Filters are not available in all US states due to testing requirements. 

Overall, the Travel Berkey is an excellent choice for ensuring safe, good-tasting water. For stationary use or longer stays, it’s especially valuable, though frequent movers may want to plan ahead for storage and setup.  You can check out the Travel Berkey and other filters for yourself at https://theberkey.com/. 

Your thoughts?

Have you used the Travel Berkey Water Filter on your outdoor travel adventures? What do you think of the features and benefits of this for safe water consumption away from home? Please share your ideas or experiences below.