Important: Countertop products use very different filtration methods. A gravity carbon filter, ion-exchange dispenser and reverse-osmosis appliance should not be treated as equivalent. Check the manufacturer’s exact claims and maintenance requirements before buying.
How we compare countertop systems
AVERQUA compares filtration type, capacity, heating or chilling features, installation requirements, replacement-filter schedule and current UK availability. We do not claim to have independently laboratory-tested these products.
FiltrationRO, carbon, ion exchange or combined approaches.
ConvenienceGravity dispense, hot water, chilled water and refill-tank size.
MaintenanceFilter life and replacement format.
FitCounter space, power requirement and plumbing needs.
More no-plumbing options: a gravity system or a filter jug?
A tap dispenser and a pour-from jug suit different routines. These two additions use ordinary manufacturer or retailer links. Product information and listed prices below were checked on 2 October 2026; prices and local stock can change.
Stainless-steel gravity system
British Berkefeld 6L with two Ultra Sterasyl filters
£166.95*
This is an option for a refillable worktop dispenser without a power socket or plumbing connection. The 6L bundle includes two Ultra Sterasyl ceramic filters and a dispensing tap.
Why consider it?- Tap dispensing rather than lifting a jug
- Longer scheduled cartridge interval than the Marella
- Separate filter elements can be replaced while keeping the vessel
Trade-offs- Allow space for its height and refilling
- Gravity filtration takes time
- No hot or chilled dispensing
Cartridge budget: Ultra Sterasyl 8674 is listed at £23.95 for one. At two filters per change, a replacement set costs £47.90. Two changes a year would cost £95.80 at that unit price, excluding delivery and discounts. This is an ongoing annual estimate; the initial bundle already includes a pair.
View the 6L bundle at Doulton
*6L / two Ultra Sterasyl bundle. Sources: Doulton system specifications and Ultra Sterasyl 8674 replacement cartridge. The Ultra Sterasyl bundle is a different configuration from Ultra Fluoride.
Pour-from filter jug
BRITA Marella XL, white 3.5L
£24.00 at Argos*
A lower upfront-cost choice if you prefer pouring water from a jug. The XL has 3.5L total capacity, but holds 2L of filtered water. The Argos bundle includes one MAXTRA PRO cartridge.
Why consider it?- Lower purchase price than the Berkefeld bundle
- No permanent installation or power connection
- Easy to move between the table and kitchen
Trade-offs- Less filtered water ready at once
- Frequent cartridge changes add to the cost
- Measure your fridge shelf or door before buying the XL
Cartridge budget: At one cartridge every four weeks, allow about 13 cartridges over 52 weeks. To estimate ongoing annual cost, divide a MAXTRA PRO pack price by its cartridge count, then multiply by 13. The litre limit can require earlier changes, and the included cartridge reduces first-year purchases.
Check Marella XL price and stock at Argos
*White XL jug, Argos item 308/6306; delivery charges may apply and availability depends on location. Sources: BRITA Marella specifications and Argos listing.
Our view: choose by how you serve water
The Marella XL makes sense for someone trying a filter jug with a small initial budget. The Berkefeld is worth comparing if you want a larger ready-to-dispense supply and fewer scheduled cartridge changes. Neither offers the hot or chilled features of a powered appliance. A longer cartridge interval does not automatically mean lower annual cost: compare the number of filters needed at each change.
These are specification-based comparisons. We have not carried out hands-on or laboratory testing of either product.
| Product | Best for | Current position | Filtration | Capacity / format |
|---|
| British Berkefeld 6L | Stainless-steel gravity dispenser | £166.95 / checked 2 Oct 2026 | Two Ultra Sterasyl ceramic filters | 5.6 L filtered capacity |
| BRITA Marella XL | Lower upfront-cost filter jug | £24.00 at Argos / checked 2 Oct 2026 | MAXTRA PRO carbon / ion exchange | 3.5 L total / 2 L filtered |
| BRITA Flow | Large simple dispenser | Check retailer | MAXTRA PRO cartridge | 8.2 L total / 5.2 L filtered |
| ZeroWater 5.2L Ready-Read | TDS-focused gravity filtration | €64.95 direct listing | 5-stage ion-exchange system | 5.2 L dispenser with TDS meter |
| Aqua Optima Aurora Hot & Cold | Hot and chilled filtered water | From about £149 at UK retailers | Evolve+ 5-step filtration | 3.8 L powered dispenser |
| Philips ADD6921DG/10 | Hot, cold and ambient RO | Check retailer | Reverse osmosis | 6 L tap-water tank |
| Waterdrop K19-H | Instant-hot countertop RO | £239.99 | 6-stage RO | 5 L feed tank / 75 GPD |
| Frizzlife WB99-H | Alkaline countertop RO | Currently unavailable | 0.0001 μm RO + remineralisation | Portable pitcher / instant hot |
Large gravity dispenser
BRITA Flow
Check retailer
A large-capacity countertop or fridge-friendly dispenser using BRITA MAXTRA PRO cartridges, with a dispensing tap and a simple filter-change reminder.
Pros- Large capacity
- No electricity or plumbing
- Widely familiar cartridge format
Consider- Not reverse osmosis
- Needs manual refilling
- Filter replacement is relatively frequent
Manufacturer information checked 1 October 2026. Illustrative product graphic.
TDS-focused gravity filter
ZeroWater 5.2L Ready-Read
€64.95*
A 5.2-litre gravity dispenser using a five-stage filtration system with ion exchange and an integrated TDS meter in the lid.
Pros- No power or plumbing
- Built-in TDS meter
- Compact horizontal format
Consider- Direct listing is priced in euros
- Filter life depends heavily on source-water TDS
- Ion exchange removes dissolved minerals as well as unwanted dissolved substances
*Direct European listing checked 1 October 2026; the distributor states UK orders ship from a UK warehouse. Illustrative product graphic.
Hot + chilled
Aqua Optima Aurora Hot & Cold
From ~£149*
A powered countertop appliance combining filtration, instant hot water and chilled dispensing, using Aqua Optima’s Evolve+ cartridge.
Pros- Hot and chilled water from one appliance
- No plumbing required
- Multiple dispense volumes
Consider- Requires electricity
- More counter space than a simple tank
- Not reverse osmosis
*UK retailer pricing checked 1 October 2026; manufacturer specifications checked separately. Illustrative product graphic.
Hot + cold RO
Philips ADD6921DG/10
Check retailer
A countertop reverse-osmosis dispenser combining ambient, heated and chilled water from a six-litre refill tank.
Pros- RO filtration without under-sink plumbing
- Hot and chilled dispensing
- Large refill tank
Consider- Powered appliance
- Higher complexity than gravity filters
- Check current UK retailer availability and replacement-filter costs
Manufacturer specifications checked 1 October 2026. Illustrative product graphic.
Instant-hot RO
Waterdrop K19-H
£239.99*
An installation-free countertop reverse-osmosis system with instant hot water, a five-litre feed tank and a smart TDS display.
Pros- No plumbing or drilling
- Instant hot water up to 95°C
- Current UK direct pricing available
Consider- Requires electricity
- Feed tank needs manual refilling
- RO produces reject water
*Manufacturer-listed UK price checked 1 October 2026. Illustrative product graphic.
Alkaline countertop RO
Frizzlife WB99-H
Currently unavailable
A countertop RO system combining 0.0001 μm membrane filtration, alkaline remineralisation, instant hot water and a portable filtered-water pitcher.
Pros- No under-sink installation
- RO plus remineralisation
- Portable filtered-water pitcher
Consider- Currently shown unavailable on Frizzlife UK
- Powered appliance
- Check stock before relying on it as a purchase option
Manufacturer availability and specifications checked 1 October 2026. Illustrative product graphic.
Which countertop format makes sense?
Simple filtration
Gravity dispensers are inexpensive, need no power and are easy to move, but they do not offer hot/chilled dispensing and are not automatically equivalent to RO.
Hot or chilled convenience
Powered dispensers can replace a kettle or chilled-water appliance, but they cost more, use electricity and take up more worktop space.
Countertop RO
Countertop RO avoids permanent under-sink plumbing, but still needs filter changes, feed-tank refills and management of reject water.
