Distilled water is considered one of the purest forms of water when compared to other filtration options you can find and the distillation process has been around for centuries. It is an effective solution for those wanting to remove harmful contaminants and other materials from their water source, but it does also require more care when buying a water distiller. This is because of its unique process and resulting taste may not be for everyone.
Simply put – distilled water is the outcome of putting normal water through the distillation process, during which substances in the water are separated.
Contents
- Our Top Picks
- Best Water Distillers of 2021:
- Water Distillers that are worth mentioning:
- 1. Pure Water Mini-Classic CT Counter Top Water Distiller
- 2. Waterwise 3200 Water Distiller
- 3. Best-In-Class Stainless Steel Water Distiller
- 4. Megahome Countertop Water Distiller
- 5. H2oLabs Model-200 Countertop Home Water Distiller
- 6. VEVOR Countertop Water Distiller
- 7. CNCShop Water Distiller Water Distillation Purifier
- 8. Mophorn Countertop Pure Water Distillation Purifier
- 9. OLizee 5 Gal Stainless Steel Water Alcohol Distiller
- 10. ROVSUN 4 Liter Countertop Water Distiller
- Distilled water – What is it?
- How the best water distiller works
- Buying considerations
- What can you use distilled water for
- The advantages of distilled water
- Common concerns about distilled water
- How to clean a water distiller
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
Our Top Picks
Best Water Distillers of 2021:
Water Distillers that are worth mentioning:
Water distillers used to be less widely available for home use but are increasingly becoming an option for homeowners who care about the quality and safety of the water they use in the home. We’ve put together our top-performing water distillers into the list below, with a brief description of their features and performance levels.
1. Pure Water Mini-Classic CT Counter Top Water Distiller
We start off our best water distillers list with a fantastic option for smaller households who want a solution that arrives ready to go. The pure water mini classic CT counter top is a fan favourite with fantastic water distiller reviews online.
Installation:
This water distiller is designed to sit on the work surface in the kitchen, already assembled when it arrives to save both time and frustration of trying to put it together!
Ease of use:
It is designed for smaller households so for larger households or those with high water usage, it may not be the best choice for you. This affordable unit is very simple to use and by following the simple instructions, you can switch it on and leave it to do its job.
Noise:
As an added bonus, it is very quiet and the small amount of noise it generates shouldn’t annoy or interrupt your day to day activities.
Performance:
The only real issue here, aside from the size, is that it can take quite a while to distil the water, up to around three hours per container. This isn’t an issue if you switch it on before going out or at quiet moments but don’t expect quick filtration when you’re in a rush. Even the best water distiller models will have this issue with speed, it is just part of the process.
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2. Waterwise 3200 Water Distiller
The Waterwise 3200 is the next water distiller on our list and once more, offers clean filtered water for you and your family to drink.
Performance:
The speed of water distillers are never going to amaze people and this one operates at roughly one gallon of water per four hours, but it works quietly and effectively so you can just set it going and forget about it.
Quality:
Primarily made from BPA-free plastic and plus straight into any normal outlet, it’s simple, lightweight design fits into most kitchens and is easy to move around if needed. Other materials, such as stainless steel may be more hardwearing but the plus point of using plastic is that the water will cool down quicker.
Maintenance:
One reported issue here is the potential for damage and a reduction in performance, so it is important to regularly clean the unit, removing any limescale and replacing the filter on average, every few months.
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3. Best-In-Class Stainless Steel Water Distiller
This model looks a lot less like a big counter unit and more like a coffee machine and so we think it blends in a bit better to your kitchen. It’s a mixture of classic stainless steel and BPA-free plastic that is also a food-grade material, so you know you’re getting a quality stainless steel water distiller when you buy it.
Build Quality:
We love the fact that the water is distilled through a nozzle into a water tank, ensuring the distilled water doesn’t touch any other surface along the way, adding to the cleanliness and filtration.
Maintenance:
This distiller is one of the easier to clean, with large openings on the devices making it a lot easier to clean properly
Portability:
In light of its stainless steel body, it is on the heavier side, so for those wanting to use it whilst travelling, might find it a bit more cumbersome to do so.
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4. Megahome Countertop Water Distiller
We continue our best water distillers list with a fantastic option for smaller households who want a solution that arrives ready to go.
Design:
This water distiller is designed to sit on the work surface in the kitchen, already assembled when it arrives to save both time and frustration of trying to put it together!
Performance:
It is designed for smaller households so for larger households or those with high water usage, it may not be the best choice for you. This affordable unit is very simple to use and by following the simple instructions, you can switch it on and leave it to do its job.
Noise:
As an added bonus, it is very quiet and the small amount of noise it generates shouldn’t annoy or interrupt your day to day activities.
Speed:
The only real issue here, aside from the size, is that it can take quite a while to distil the water, up to around three hours per container. This isn’t an issue if you switch it on before going out or at quiet moments but don’t expect quick filtration when you’re in a rush. It is also a common issue for each water distiller you can buy.
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5. H2oLabs Model-200 Countertop Home Water Distiller
One of the cheaper options on our top list of best water distillers, it is made of lightweight materials and a relatively straight forward design, which will appeal to many.
Design:
However, it is not the most attractive looking water distiller and so it won’t blend in with your stylish kitchen, which may annoy some of you! H2o labs haven’t gone for the looks with this model.
Performance:
When compared to other models, despite it being at the budget end of the scale, it performs well with a capacity to produce up to 4 gallons of distilled water per day. Keep in mind, it’s more like three because you won’t want to get up in the night to switch it on.
Features:
It’s simplicity also wins our vote because it makes it easier to use for the older generation and those without an interest in technology, with indicators to tell you when the process is finished.
Overall results:
As mentioned, the main downsides relate to its design, not being the most attractive and it can be a bit awkward to move around, but for a budget water distiller, you can’t go far wrong with this model.
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6. VEVOR Countertop Water Distiller
This water distiller from VEVOR is a great little unit and will fit perfectly into most modern kitchens. Water distillers come in all shapes and sizes and this one shows that they all do a fantastic job.
Capacity:
It has the capacity to distil up to 6 gallons of distilled water per day, beating some of the other models by almost double the amount. This is a big win for VEVOR because there is nothing more frustrating than wanting clean, healthy water and it not being ready.
Build Quality:
It has been built using aluminium, stainless steel and glass, creating a quality feel and improving the performance of its temperature control feature.
Features:
On the topic of temperature, it has a handy little digital display to help choose the temperature you want the water to come out as.
Longevity:
Sadly, keep in mind that the quality feel doesn’t correlate that well into durability or longevity, as we feel potential poor manufacturing of certain parts will fail over time. So whilst it will give you great, clean water, you may find it doesn’t have the lifespan of other models.
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7. CNCShop Water Distiller Water Distillation Purifier
Another budget choice that makes it onto our best water distiller list is this one and despite the price, we feel this really is good value for money.
Design:
It is made primarily from plastic, which makes it lightweight and easy to move, but does feel lacking in terms of durability when compared to the pricier models that use stainless steel and glass. The internal workings do include stainless steel which helps with the filtration process.
Performance:
This model is able to filter water at a rate of one gallon per 4 hours, which puts in right in the middle of the pack, so in reality, you will get around 3 gallons per day unless you wish to get up at 2 am to maximise your per hour ratio.
Longevity:
Overall, a fantastic budget solution for anyone wanting a water distiller but question marks over its longevity, although we would still expect you to get a good few years out of it.
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8. Mophorn Countertop Pure Water Distillation Purifier
This fantastic water distiller has been designed to fit in with modern, stylish kitchens thanks to its colours and aluminium exterior. Throw in the fact that they’ve made sure its compact enough to fit into smaller kitchens, then you have a fantastic choice for any household wanting a water distillation purifier. Check out any best water distiller reviews and you will often find this one near the top.
Design:
The core components are all food-grade and have the feel of quality about them, with a stainless steel inner cap and aluminium fan. The water container is glass so you can see the levels of water and it has a handle perfect for carrying and pouring.
Performance:
It has some fantastic programmable features, has a 750W power that means you can distill up to 6 gallons per day, more than enough for most households. It will even perform for those wanting to brew alcohol, with a digital display showing the temperature to ensure you reach the desired results.
Features:
Whilst this model doesn’t have an on/off switch, it does have a thermostat and auto shut-off, protecting the distiller from overheating and letting you go to bed at night knowing that it won’t overheat.
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9. OLizee 5 Gal Stainless Steel Water Alcohol Distiller
The next best water distiller to make it on our list is this one from OLizee, which is sold with a focus on alcohol distillation but is certainly a multi-purpose machine. It is one of the best for home alcohol distillation.
Capacity:
It is a stainless steel distiller with a capacity of 5 gallons.
In-the-box:
When you buy this water distiller you get an awful lot of equipment in one box, getting everything you need to get going including a stainless-steel boiler, thermometer, thumper keg, air valve and copper cooler, to name just a few!
Quality:
This is clearly not really a water distiller designed for the kitchen counter but we just love the build quality of this distiller. Thanks to its complex design, it does lack the capacity and performance of some others but we don’t think that it will let you down.
Performance:
The only real concerns we have relate to steam that can leak from the gaskets, which in turn wastes water and some of the efficiency. Furthermore, it can be a bit slow to cool.
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10. ROVSUN 4 Liter Countertop Water Distiller
We’ve got yet another fantastic countertop water distiller for our best water distiller list, with this model from ROVSUN. Straight away you will notice the durable, impressive build-quality, in particular, the stainless steel tank and the shock-proof glass carafe that comes with it. You hopefully won’t need to worry about it being dropped but should it happen, it is pretty strong.
Capacity:
It has a 4 litre capacity and uses three activated charcoal sachets which removes harmful contaminants, making for a clean, healthy and safe to use water supply. It fits nicely in any kitchen and is small enough to fit in small flats or offices with limited space.
Features:
One of the best features on this countertop water distiller is its automatic shut off mode. This means you can set the water distiller to distill water and not worry about it overheating or overloading anything.
Quality:
As with many distillers on our list, the materials are BPA-free and food-grade so you can trust in what you are using and drinking water from.
Maintenance:
Easy to clean, set up and maintain, this is a fantastic choice, but do be aware that it is slower than some others at 4.5-5 hours per 1 gallon of water.
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Distilled water – What is it?
Distilled water is the water that you get after the distillation process has taken place. This is the process which separates components via evaporation and condensation. Depending on the type of distillation process, you can get partial or complete separation, with the latter resulting in almost pure distilled water.
As a result of the distillation process, it is normally the case that distilled water lacks oxygen, as well as minerals. This results in a plain taste and water that loses both good and bad minerals, so many choose to add minerals back in via a filter or other solution. This will add good minerals to your water supply as well as improving the taste. The best water distillers will sometimes even have this option built-in.
There are many out there that have chosen to create home water distillers and whilst this is possible, you should only consider this if you don’t wish to go for a tried and tested product. It is a useful process to learn, particularly for those that are keen to get outdoors and ensure they have a clean water supply, even in the most remote regions or during a potential disaster. There are some fantastic guides out there on how to create a home made water distiller.
The pH level
Distilled water often has a low pH level and whilst it isn’t that important to understand how it reaches this level, we believe it’s useful to know and can often provide some peace of mind to those uncertain about whether to choose this type of water distiller.
When water has been distilled, it will normally have a pH level of 7 directly afterwards, which is neutral (neither acid or alkaline). However, the process of being exposed to the air around the water causes it to dissolve carbon dioxide molecules, which in turn lowers the pH level to a more acidic 5-6 on the scale.
Conductivity
One of its most important uses is in the world of science and as a result, we want to touch on the conductivity of distilled water. Many minerals have a high level of conductivity, such as silver or copper, but pure water is actually a poor conductor of electricity. This makes it a great choice for certain experiments or tasks and even home businesses will have a water distiller to hand.
For those that are interested, the formula of water is H20. The molecule for distilled water consists of two hydrogen atoms and a single oxygen atom. It is these ions that represent both acid and alkaline and in theory make distilled water a 7 on the pH scale, neutral.
How the best water distiller works
The fundamental way that the best water distillers work is simple and yet effective. Each distiller uses a heating element to heat up the water to boiling point inside the boiling chamber, causing the water to change into steam. At this point, the steam goes through the chamber and gets cooled down, condensing back to liquid. This liquid is collected in some form of container, normally a glass carafe that can be used to pour the water.
It is this process that leaves the vast majority of contaminants and minerals found in the original water supply, back in the distiller, leaving the distilled water as pure as possible.
Some of the water distillers will include filters, such as carbon filters (activated charcoal filters are the most common type) to help remove some of the chemicals that remain in the distilled water, to further purify the water supply before you use it. You wouldn’t get that with normal tap water.
Buying considerations
With so many water distiller choices available to you, even with our helpful top 10 best water distiller list, you need to consider certain factors before buying one. Ultimately, we believe there are three top factors to think about and these have been explained below.
Materials used
You have a few options to choose from in terms of materials used to build these distillers, with the vast majority now using BPA-free plastics or stainless-steel. Whilst these are both great choices, if possible then make sure none of the plastics touch the water at any point, just to ensure maximum health benefits and minimise risk. It may cost a little more money but if you’re buying a distiller then you want purified, distilled water, so it makes sense to go with this. Remember to check wherever possible that the distiller is fda approved, as this is a stamp of authority and safety.
Flow rate
Whilst the majority of distillers have similar capacities, the flow rate can vary and this is important to think about. The distillation process is generally slow anyway and wouldn’t be like tap water that runs through a filter. You will need to understand this will be the case no matter what, but some are better than others. Look at the flow rates and see whether they meet your requirements for water usage, otherwise it will be a wasted purchase.
Manufacturer warranty
Always a good factor to consider when making a purchase, no matter the product in question. As these water distillers combine water and electricity it’s always good to check the warranty and build quality so that if you are unlucky and have a problem, you can get the help you need. Most manufacturers will provide a reasonable level of support nowadays and as a minimum, a 1 year warranty. As mentioned above, check if the distiller is fda approved, as this means you can trust the manufacturer even more.
What can you use distilled water for
If we look beyond the simple idea of having distilled water at home for your family to drink, then there are plenty of other uses for distilled water that will add value to your daily lives. It is widely used in a lot of industries, such as medicine, laboratories, the cosmetic industry and food manufacturing.
Humidifiers
For anyone who uses a humidifier at home, you will know that it is recommended that you use distilled or demineralised water, as it has a lower count of contaminants when compared to normal water from the tap. As a result, you want clean water being dispersed into the air and falling onto your skin and furniture.
Fish tanks
You should never fill a fish tank with just distilled water as it lacks some of the minerals that fish needs, but for large fish tanks, it is a useful way to top up a tank to reduce the hardness of the water. If you mineralise the distilled water, then it can be a great choice for fish tanks.
Home care products
Many devices use distilled water in the manufacture, use or maintenance of their products, such as CPAP machines, certain parts of your care (such as cooling down the engine) and products such as Neti Pots, which show recommended cleaning using distilled water. With any product, it is always important you check the instructions to find out the right solution to use.
Steam irons
You can use distilled water in a steam iron to ensure that you don’t get any marks from sediment on your clothes. This may not seem that important but for those expensive or special outfits, then it really does make a big difference.
Scientific usage
You may work from home, in an office or perhaps just have an interest in scientific experiments. No matter what reason, you are likely to need distilled water and these provide that for you.
Brewing alcohol
Some brewers choose to use distilled water initially to help with taste consistency, before adding in extra minerals. Home brewing is becoming more and more popular around the world.
The advantages of distilled water
You will find a wide array of reasons why distilled water is beneficial to your health, making buying a water distiller a great choice for any household. There are plenty of options out there when it comes to filtering water at home, so it can be a confusing and somewhat complex process to navigate.
Water purity
It is commonly believed to be the purest form of water, widely used in scientific industries, medicine and food processing, as well as the cosmetic industry and medicine.
Minimal microorganisms
If working correctly, the water distiller will remove almost all microorganisms as it heats the water up and the steam doesn’t transfer these to the separate container.
Chlorine-free
Due to its wide use in industrial cleaning and water treatment, water supplies often contain chlorine to varying degrees. With water distillation, you will remove chlorine from your water completely and so not have to worry about the potentially negative implications of drinking chlorine.
Cost-effective
Choosing a water distiller and distilled water as your main choice of drinking water is far more cost-effective than buying bottles of water all the time, from the supermarket. If you imagine the number of water bottles you buy and throw away, it is also a way of helping save the environment by using less plastic.
Removal of metals
You will find that the distillation process will remove metals such as copper, which have been linked to the increased risk of Alzheimer’s if ingested over a long period.
Removal of nitrates and nitrites
These can end up in your tap water, even if you get it from the proper utility companies and not a well and they can potentially cause harm to people. Distilling water is a way of removing these and consequently, removing the risk. Given how easy to use they are, it seems like the clear winner for anyone concerned about these problems.
Common concerns about distilled water
We do appreciate that with such a variety of water filters, distillers and softeners to choose from, that some customers may have concerns about which one is best and likewise, whether any have disadvantages. We’ve done our best to answer some common concerns that people raise about distilled water, but if you are ever in doubt then it is best to do further research or speak to an expert member of staff.
Does distilled water lack the minerals you require?
Unfortunately, this is correct, that distilled water does lack minerals when compared to standard water. However, it is important to note that normal or filtered water doesn’t actually supply a great deal of your daily required minerals, somewhere in the region of 15%. So it is always important to make sure that your food supply provides the minerals your body requires.
Does this type of water taste bad?
We don’t believe that distilled water tastes awful, but it will certainly taste quite dull or flat. This is because the distillation process removes minerals, as well as chlorine which many people will be used to tasting in their water supply, whether tap water or otherwise. This can be easily resolved by using a filter that adds minerals back in.
Is it more expensive than other methods of water filtration?
The short answer is no – each type of water distillation and filtration process has its advantages and disadvantages, as well as a range of products to suit every budget. Certainly, a water distiller uses a minimal amount of electricity, which will be less than the cost of buying bottled water from the supermarket.
Is distilled water okay for your teeth?
Yes, distilled water is fine for your teeth and doesn’t affect or remove any material from your teeth, such as fluoride. However, do remember that because the distillation process removes minerals, it will remove fluoride from the water. Given that most toothpaste brands include fluoride, this isn’t a big concern.
How to clean a water distiller
There are generally five simple steps needed to clean a water distiller but it is always important to check with the manufacturer’s instructions. Most follow this process:
- Unplug the water distiller from the power socket
- Fill up the distiller tank with hot water
- Add 3 tablespoons of cleaner to the tank (always check with your manufacturer or cleaning documentation)
- Leave this solution to do its work for between 24-48 hours
- Empty the distiller tank, fill it up once more and empty it out again to fully clear any remaining cleaning particles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you use distilled water for?
- What makes a water distiller such a fantastic purchase is the versatility of distilled water. You can use it for everyday purposes in the house, such as drinking water, washing or cooking, but also for more specialist purposes. The medical, scientific and manufacturing industries regularly use distilled water thanks to its lack of minerals that can interfere with other systems or surfaces. Give that distilled water is used in such a variety of industries, we do think it’s a great choice for the home too.
Does a water distiller just boil the water?
- Whilst this does makeup part of the process, where water boils within the boiling chamber, the other side to it is when the steam generated from the boiling process turns back into water again as it condenses. It is this final process of a distiller which then provides the distilled water.
Is there any chlorine in distilled water?
- This very much depends on the full water distiller system that you use. For a normal water distiller, 93-95% of any chlorine is removed when you distill water, but if you add in a carbon filter (such as an activated charcoal filter), then this can be increased to 99.99% of all chlorine in the water supply when you distill water.
Is sterile the same as distilled?
- Whilst both terms relate to pure water (pure H20), they are generally used for different purposes. Sterile water is more often used in medical environments, such as for IVs or cleaning wounds. As a result, sterile water often has a far more controlled and specific make up, such as a particularly pH level.
Is distilled water okay for babies?
- Yes is the short answer! Babies and young children can drink distilled water and if you research it online, there are some experts who recommend it. We do want to explain that if you are considering this, please do your own research or speak to the manufacturers to confirm its fits your requirements.
Can you get distilled water in bottles?
- The vast majority of bottled water you buy in the shop will be filtered, as opposed to distilled. Whilst this does mean it is far healthier and safe to use when compared to drinking water from a normal tap water supply, it will have different minerals within. Furthermore, you are wasting plastic by buying bottles when you can just have a continuous supply at home and then put it in your own reusable water bottle.
Summary
A very traditional, efficient way of getting clean, healthy water and one that has been used for centuries and will continue so. As technology improves and the demands for cleaner water increase, many will turn to water distillers as the solution for their household. Despite the advances in other types of water filtration, there is a place for a water distiller for those who truly care about getting the purest possible water.
This is no longer just for laboratories and factories who need pure distilled water, it can be for you and your family to enjoy at home.
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