WIRED has tested a new generation of large stainless steel, gravity-fed water filters built to remove nearly all plastic contact points, with retail prices ranging from $199 to $549. The comparison, published by WIRED writer Matthew Korfhage, comes as new research on microplastics in bottled water pushes buyers toward plastic-free filtration equipment, according to the article.
Steel Filters Target Plastic Contact Points
WIRED reported that most water filter pitchers are made of BPA-free plastic, but new research shows bottled-water drinkers ingest tens of thousands of excess microplastic particles. In response, a newer generation of gravity filters has removed all—or nearly all—points of contact with plastic.
Most water filter pitchers are made of BPA-free plastic. But as new research shows that bottled-water drinkers ingest tens of thousands of excess microplastic particles, wellness lovers have begun to look askance at water filters that are themselves made of plastic.
The three stainless steel systems in WIRED’s head-to-head testing were the Boroux Legacy Water Filter System, the Culligan MaxClear Gravity Water Filter System, and the Rorra Countertop System.
Tested Systems and Price Points
| System | Retail price | WIRED’s assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Boroux Legacy Water Filter System | $419 | Top pick for most people |
| Culligan MaxClear Gravity Water Filter System | $199 | Best-performing and best-certified overall; slow filtration and expensive replacement filters |
| Rorra Countertop System | $549 | Newer-school, celebrity-endorsed system from a trio of serial entrepreneurs; sensors for filter and water levels |
According to WIRED, the Culligan MaxClear system was added in the July 2026 update and named the best-performing and best-certified water filter overall, while Boroux remained the top pick for most people.
Design and Performance Trade-Offs
The systems are described by WIRED as imposing statement pieces as much as water filters—multi-gallon devices that hold a gallon or more and take up significant counter or table space. Key trade-offs reported in testing:
- They are difficult to fill and slow to filter.
- They do not fit in a refrigerator, so water is served at room temperature.
- An overnight refill can provide a day’s worth of water for most families for sipping, cooking, and coffee.
- The large jugs can be easier than the constant filling and waiting cycle of smaller pitchers.
WIRED added that, in early testing, the new gravity-fed filters do not necessarily filter water better out of the box than plastic pitchers that fit in a fridge door or in-line filters installed under a sink.
Berkey’s Regulatory Troubles Shape the Market
The gravity-fed filter category gained its biggest prominence in the United States with Berkey, whose makers began in 1998 as a distributor for the older British Berkefeld system. According to WIRED, amid regulatory troubles for Berkey’s classic black filters, a newer generation of gravity filters has risen to prominence.
The Boroux Legacy Water Filter System comes from a former Berkey distributor whose livelihood was disrupted by Berkey’s fight with federal regulators, WIRED reported. WIRED also named Phoenix Gravity Filters, a brand recently endorsed by Berkey for use in its filter systems.
What the Testing Measured
WIRED reported that in each system it assessed:
- Ease of setup
- Plastic content
- Total chlorine reduction
- Changes to dissolved solids or pH
- NSF/ANSI certifications
- Independent testing results
Testing and Update Timeline
Korfhage reported he has been testing water filter types, including reverse-osmosis filters and filtered water pitchers, for more than a year. The stainless steel systems were tested beginning in March, and the comparison was updated in July 2026, when WIRED added the Culligan MaxClear system. As of that update, Culligan MaxClear held the best-performing and best-certified position, while Boroux remained the recommendation for most buyers, according to the article.
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