Black Berkey Filters vs Coldstream FTO Plus Filters: Which is the Best Choice for Your Water Filtration?

When it comes to water filters, there are a lot of options available. Two popular choices for purifying drinking water are the Black Berkey Filters and the Coldstream FTO Plus Filters . Both are designed to remove unwanted substances from your water, but there are key differences in their technology, performance, and price. In this blog, we’ll explain what makes these filters unique and which one might be the best choice for you.

1. Filtration Technology: How Do They Work?

Black Berkey Filters utilize advanced multi-stage filtration technology. These filters combine activated carbon with a special patented blend that effectively removes heavy metals, viruses, bacteria, chlorine, and other contaminants from your water. The pore size of these filters is 0.2 microns , which means they can trap even the smallest pathogens, including bacteria and viruses that are invisible to the naked eye. This makes Black Berkey Filters great for emergency situations, traveling to areas with questionable water, or for households that want to get the most out of their water filtration system.

Coldstream FTO Plus Filters use a different technology: Far Infrared Technology (FTO) combined with activated carbon. The FTO technology helps to better trap contaminants, while the activated carbon focuses on absorbing organic substances such as heavy metals and pesticides. While these filters work well for removing chemicals and other larger particles, they offer less protection against viruses and bacteria than the Black Berkey Filters. They are ideal for households that are primarily concerned about chemical contaminants, but offer less protection against microbiological risks.

2. Removal of Contaminants: What is being removed?

When it comes to removing contaminants, Black Berkey Filters offer a much broader spectrum. They are able to remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury, chlorine, pesticides, organic chemicals, and even viruses and bacteria . This makes them particularly effective for purifying water in areas where microbiological contaminants are a risk, such as during travel or in developing countries.

Coldstream FTO Plus Filters are excellent at removing chemicals , heavy metals and pesticides. They are less effective at filtering out viruses and bacteria, making them less suitable for situations where microbiological safety of the water is crucial. However, these filters are ideal for households that are primarily concerned about chemicals or for areas where the risk of viral or bacterial contamination is less.

3. Lifespan and Capacity: How Long Can You Use It?

Black Berkey Filters have an impressive lifespan of approximately 11,000 liters per set of two filters . This means that they last much longer than many other filters on the market. The longer lifespan makes Black Berkey Filters a cost-effective choice in the long run, despite their higher initial price. This is a great advantage for families or people who filter a lot of water.

On the other hand, Coldstream FTO Plus Filters have a shorter lifespan, with a capacity of around 2,000 to 3,000 litres per filter . This means you will need to replace them more often than the Black Berkey Filters, making the cost a little higher in the long run, especially if you filter a lot of water.

4. Water Quality and Taste: What Do You Taste?

Both filters improve the taste of your water by removing contaminants that can affect its taste. Black Berkey Filters are often praised for the fresh, clean taste of water after filtration. They effectively remove chlorine and other odorous or flavorful substances, making your water not only safer to drink, but also better tasting.

Coldstream FTO Plus Filters can also improve the taste of water by removing chlorine and other substances, but some users report that their water can have a metallic or mineral taste , depending on the water source. This is often due to the activated carbon and FTO technology that the filters use.

5. Price: What Fits Your Budget?

In general, Black Berkey Filters are more expensive than Coldstream FTO Plus Filters , especially considering their more advanced technology and longer lifespan. However, the higher price is offset by the longer filtering capacity and the wider range of contaminants they can remove.

Coldstream FTO Plus Filters are often a more budget-friendly option . They offer excellent filtration for chemicals and heavy metals, but their lower capacity and shorter lifespan can lead to higher costs in the long run, especially if you filter a lot of water.

Conclusion: Which Filter Suits You?

The choice between Black Berkey Filters and Coldstream FTO Plus Filters depends on your specific needs:

• Black Berkey Filters are the best choice for those who want the highest quality filtration , including protection against viruses and bacteria. They are ideal for families, adventurers, and those who filter water regularly, especially in areas where microbiological contaminants are a risk.

• Coldstream FTO Plus Filters are an excellent choice for those primarily concerned with the removal of chemicals , pesticides and heavy metals. They offer a more affordable solution, but are less effective against bacteria and viruses.

Both filters are high quality and will help you get clean and safe drinking water. The most important thing is to consider which contaminants are most threatening your water and which filter is best suited to your budget and lifestyle.