Small Berkey Water Filter: Travel Berkey Size, Capacity & My Experience

If you’re looking for a small Berkey water filter, the Travel Berkey is probably the model you’re looking for. It holds 1.5 gallons, measures just 7.5 inches across, and takes up noticeably less counter space than the Big Berkey.

I own both the Big Berkey and the Travel Berkey. I use the Travel Berkey in my 5th-wheel camper, where counter space matters. For one or two people, I’ve found its smaller capacity to be quite practical. It’s a nice fit for a small apartment too.

There is an even smaller Go Berkey, which I’ll explain below. But for a normal countertop Berkey system with enough capacity for everyday use, the Travel is the smallest choice.

Pleasant Hill Grain isn’t new to me. I’ve been a customer for decades, and I’m pleased to now have an affiliate relationship with a company I’ve trusted for many years.

→ Travel Berkey – Check Price and Availability at Pleasant Hill Grain

Travel Berkey Size and Capacity

Here are the main Travel Berkey specifications:

The 7.5-inch diameter is what really separates this model from the larger Berkeys. It doesn’t take up much counter space.

Current Berkey specifications list it at about 18 inches tall. But if you include the lid cover knob, it’s around 19 inches. I would allow a little more room than that, especially beneath an overhead cabinet. You need enough clearance to remove the lid and pour water into the upper chamber.

The system uses two Black Berkey filter elements. The same type of elements are used in the larger stainless Berkey systems.

Is the Travel Berkey the Smallest Berkey Water Filter?

Technically, no.

The Go Berkey is smaller. It holds only one quart and uses one filter element. It is primarily a personal and portable system.

The Travel Berkey is the smallest standard household-size Berkey countertop system. It holds six times as much water as the one-quart Go Berkey, so these are really two different types of products.

If someone tells me they’re looking for a “mini Berkey” for their kitchen, apartment, RV, or cabin, I would generally assume they’re talking about something like the Travel Berkey rather than the much smaller Go model.

Travel Berkey vs. Big Berkey

I have both, and there is a noticeable difference.

The Travel Berkey holds 1.5 gallons. The Big Berkey holds 2.25 gallons. The Big is also one inch wider, at about 8.5 inches in diameter.

That extra three-quarters of a gallon doesn’t sound like much, but it matters if several people are using filtered water throughout the day. You’ll refill the Travel more often.

For my 5th-wheel, though, I like the Travel Berkey. Space is more valuable there than extra storage capacity.

I’ve found 1.5 gallons to be enough drinking-water capacity for one or two people and sometimes three, provided you keep filling the upper chamber as you use the water. It isn’t difficult. You simply get into the habit of topping it off.

If I were choosing one for a larger household and had plenty of counter space, I would lean toward the Big Berkey.

How Fast Does the Travel Berkey Filter Water?

With two filter elements installed and the upper chamber full, the published maximum flow rate is about 2.75 gallons per hour, but it can be slower depending on filter element condition.

I have not had an issue with flow rate, however as an example, a friend of mine had less than an ideal water source and the filter elements would slow – requiring more frequent cleaning.

The Travel only holds 1.5 gallons in its lower chamber, so under ideal conditions it can replenish its stored water fairly quickly.

Actual flow slows as the water level in the upper chamber drops. Filter condition and the water you’re putting through it also make a difference.

If flow becomes too slow, the elements may simply need cleaning.

👉 How To Clean Berkey Filters The Right Way

Where the Small Travel Berkey Makes Sense

This is where I think the Travel model earns its place.

An RV or camper is an obvious use because countertop space is limited. The same applies to a small apartment, cabin, dorm room, office, or small kitchen.

It also operates entirely by gravity. There is no plumbing connection and no electricity required. Fill the upper chamber and let gravity do the work.

The upper chamber can be nested inside the lower chamber when the unit is empty, which also makes the system considerably shorter for storage or transport. Just make sure it’s dry before doing this.

One thing I’ve always liked about both of my Berkeys is the stainless steel construction. These aren’t plastic countertop pitchers. The stainless chambers are simple and durable.

One Accessory I Would Consider

Because you cannot see through the stainless lower chamber, it isn’t always obvious how much filtered water is left inside.

A sight-glass spigot solves that problem. It replaces the regular spigot and gives you a visible indication of the water level.

This is particularly useful with the Travel Berkey because the lower chamber only holds 1.5 gallons. You tend to refill it more frequently than a larger model.

👉 Berkey Water Filter Accessories

What About the Filter Elements?

The Travel Berkey accepts two primary filter elements.

Those elements occasionally need cleaning as flow begins to slow. I’ve written a separate article showing how I clean them rather than duplicating all of those instructions here.

I also have separate information about Black Berkey elements versus the older white ceramic style, along with instructions for priming Berkey filters.

👉 How To Clean Berkey Filters The Right Way
👉 How To Prime Black Berkey Water Filter Elements
👉 Berkey Black Filter Elements vs. White Ceramic

Is the Travel Berkey Big Enough?

For me, the answer has been yes in the camper.

For one person or a couple, 1.5 gallons of stored filtered water can be plenty if you refill the upper chamber regularly. Three people can certainly use it, but you’ll be filling it more often.

A larger household will probably appreciate the additional capacity of the Big Berkey.

The main reason to buy the Travel isn’t maximum water capacity. It’s getting a normal Berkey countertop system into a much smaller footprint.

If 7.5 inches of counter width and 1.5 gallons of capacity sound about right for where you intend to use it, the Travel Berkey is the model I would look at.

→ Travel Berkey – Check Price and Availability at Pleasant Hill Grain (Affiliate)