Most of what people know about distilling a substance has to do with chemicals or alcohol. However, water can also be distilled as a means of purification and should be for reasons of health and safety.
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a distillation mechanism, and the means to purchase one, as there are many on the market currently, there are a few that will make your life easier.
After evaluating numerous distillers, we determined the best water distiller to be the Co-Z distiller, a compact system that is easy to operate.
Related: Is Purified Water the Same as Distilled Water?
- A quarter gallon per hour distillation speed
- Distills up to 6 gallons per day
- Easy to use and maintain
- Highly-purified water safe for drinking or cooking
- Fits perfectly on the Kitchen’s countertop
- Made in USA
- Distills an average of 1 gallon per 5.5 hours
- 1 year warranty and support
- Tested & trusted with UL’s approval
- Perfect distiller for Water and Alcohol
- Built-in thermometer for temperature measurement
- Manufactured with safe and non-toxic materials
- Comes at an affordable price
- Portable and easy to carry even during travels
- No installation or assembly required
The Best Water Distillers Reviews
1. Co-Z Water Distiller
If you’re looking for a compact water distiller that you can easily fit into your home or office, the Co-Z Water Distiller is an excellent choice. The interior container holds about 1/3 of a gallon, while the outer dimensions measure 11 by 11 by 20 inches. This small size is easy to transport.
It might be small, but it’s powerful. The Co-Z water distiller provides a distillation speed of over 1/4-gallon per hour, allowing for up to six gallons distilled per day. The high-quality distillation removes VOCs, bacteria, dissolved solids, and other contaminants, providing pure, safe water.
The compact distiller earns additional points for its user-friendliness. You can efficiently operate it thanks to the single-button startup. There are no dirty filter cartridges to replace, making for easy cleanup.
This water distiller also offers top-notch safety. It’s been rigorously tested and features a reinforced condenser cooling fan. The thermostatic controls include overheat-protection, and the distiller will automatically shut off when temperatures exceed 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
When water gets low, it will stop automatically. You have to refill the water and press the reset button to start it again. Note that the device starts working automatically as soon as it’s plugged in and doesn’t have an “off” switch — a fact some users flag as an issue.
The distiller’s entire steam chamber, dome, and condensing coil are all 100% grade 304 stainless steel. This is food-grade and FDA-listed, making for a safe and durable product. All in all, you can be confident you’re getting a top-quality product. It even comes with a one-year limited warranty. If you get a defective item, you can exchange it for free.
As a bonus, the distiller comes with a complimentary waterpot. The waterpot is likewise carefully constructed, made of premium glass. All plastic parts are BPA-free and food-grade.
2. Pure Water Mini-Classic CT Distiller
This compact water distiller is both affordable and functional. It is easy to use and will fit simply on any countertop. Its stainless steel make also allows it to fit in seamlessly in the kitchen with other appliances.
If you want any intro into using a distilled water system, this is probably a good product to start with.
Besides aesthetic value, this distiller also has a fair price and a pretty long life in it. It comes at an affordable price and produces more water than you’d imagine based on its compact body. This model is easy to install, easy to use and will supply you with water for drinking and for other uses in the house.
A whopping 68% of feedback we got have rated this distiller 5-stars.
3. Megahome Countertop Water Distiller
This distiller is even more compact and portable than the Pure-Water Mini Classic. In fact, it looks a little like a coffee pot.
The Megahome is easy to use and can fit anywhere because of its small size. It’s also one of the most affordable distillers on the market. This distiller is noted as being one of the highest selling in the world. Sometimes the best things come in small packages.
Megahome complies with Underwriters Laboratory standards, meaning that it’s one of the safest home distillers being produced, and is probably a good choice if there are a lot of kids or pets in your household (or both). Safety should always be first.
As far as efficiency goes, this product can distill water at a rate of one gallon every 5.5 hours. There is also the optional accessory of added activated charcoal, which has its own purifying qualities.
The distiller also comes entirely made out of stainless steel, which prevents any of your water being exposed to plastic. It will also turn off automatically after it is done with the distillation, so no energy is wasted.
The Megahome water distiller comes with a one-year warranty, but they are known for their long-lasting quality.
4. Seeutek 3 Gallon 12L Copper Tube Water Alcohol Distiller
If you’re looking for an all in one alcohol and water distiller, you’ve found it in the Seeutek 3 gallon model.
For the proficient chemist in you and the DIY maven, this distiller will open up a whole new beverage world. There are also so many options with this distiller specifically. If you prefer a larger distiller, this model also comes in a 5-gallon size (with optional pump), an 8-gallon size (with pump), a 13.2-gallon (with pump), and a Pro Electric Version.
This model is also very affordable. There is a multitude of positives that come with this distiller, aside from its many ways to distill substances. It also comes with a built-in thermometer, so it’s easy to monitor the temperature according to what liquid you want to distill. This is great for when you’re looking to serve room temperature water, or slightly more warm for a baby or tea purposes.
Perhaps the best thing though is the money back guarantee offered by Seeutek. Any and all parts will be replaced free of charge, and if you aren’t satisfied with the distiller, you can send it back for a full refund. That’s the type of guarantee all consumers are looking for.
5. Alexapure Pro Stainless Steel Water Filtration System
This beautiful distiller has a 5-gallon throughput capacity and looks as sleek as an espresso machine. It also claims to remove 99.9% of impurities based on 200 different substances, including chlorine, E. Coli, and fluoride.
The Alexapure functions as any distiller should: water from any natural resource can be poured into the distiller to be purified and used. This is truly a distiller for those of us who live a more holistic lifestyle.
It requires no boiling and no electricity. While it isn’t a handy size, it still can be brought anywhere with you for pure drinking water on-the-go.
Added to the list of positives with the Alexapure is its easy construction, gravity power, and faster flow rate. This distiller claims to give instant access to clean water. Unfortunately, this affordable product is a little difficult to get at the moment, as it is incredibly popular.
According to feedback we got , 67% of users gave it a 5-star rating, while some were less than satisfied with the actual distillation qualities of the Alexapure. It’s a great price for the quality of the product overall.
Be quick when purchasing this model as it seems to be out of stock in many cases.
6. Waterwise 9000 Distiller
The Waterwise 9000 is another favorite choice that comes at an affordable price.
The distiller comes in two parts: the collector/dispenser and the boiler.
There’s no need for installation or assembly, and it’s also lightweight and portable enough to use while traveling. It’s also plastic, so therefore shatterproof. While some consumers don’t prefer the plastic, the size of the machine makes the material seem less important.
This product can be brought on-the-go with you to the office, a friend’s house, or stay comfortable in your own home. More than 51% of customers gave the Waterwise 9000 a 5-star review, mostly due to its price.
7. OLizee 304 Stainless Steel Distiller
The OLizee is made entirely of stainless steel and is priced reasonably.
This distiller is small but may need installation if it ever needs to be replaced. However, it is able to distill water at any time and place and can be used to distill water that comes from various natural sources. This is a great option for those who hike or camp frequently and want to be sure to have safe, fresh water when needed.
This model seems to need a little bit more maintenance than others, and may not have a long-lasting life either. It might be a good place to start if you’ve never distilled before, and if you want to try it on a smaller scale.
Customers gave it an average of 3.1 out of 5 stars. Reading up on the best ways to keep your distiller in great shape is always a plus.
8. CNCShop Water Distiller
This is one of the most affordable distillers on the list.
There are multiple ways in which this product can be used, whether it’s while traveling, at the office, or at home. There is also a safety power off option so as to not overheat the water or the system. Overheating can also cause burning at the bottom of the distiller, which can affect the cleanliness of the water as well as the taste.
Another reason to distill water is simply to avoid the unknown substances that could be in your tap water.
9. ROVSUN 4L Countertop Distiller
Another distiller that looks very similar to a coffee maker is the ROVSUN. It’s more highly rated than some of the distillers we’ve already reviewed, with 60% of customers giving it 5-stars.
The food-grade level (making it approved by the FDA) stainless steel body and interior allows for spill-proof efficiency and no interaction with water and plastic. There’s no need to replace filter cartridges, and it is easy to clean and easy to use. There is also an auto-off, so you won’t have to worry about wasting energy or your water spilling or boiling over. Efficiency is key.
This distiller also has a leg up on the competition in that it has a subtler noise so as not to bother when it’s running at night or otherwise. It comes equipped with activated charcoal and a one-year warranty.
What Are Water Distillers?
A water distiller is an electric-powered device that turns water into steam, subsequently condensing it and returning it to a liquid state. In the process, contaminants like lead, arsenic, and fluoride are removed. This results in safer, purer water.
This process mimics the way that the Earth purifies and redistributes water. In the natural world, heat from the sun evaporates water from the ocean, lakes, ponds, and other natural bodies of water. This then turns into vapor, which rises and cools, condensing to create clouds. The water eventually returns to Earth as rain, snow, ice, or precipitation.
The water produced by distillers is of unrivaled quality in terms of purity. Water distillers are also an environmentally friendly alternative to bottled water. Plus, the one-time investment in a quality distiller is cheaper than repeatedly buying bottled water over and over again.
Water distillers are available in diverse sizes and models, from compact countertop designs to large automated systems. The water can be used for cooking, drinking, and cleaning, among other everyday household uses.
Do Water Distillers Remove Contaminants?
The water distillation treatment method relies on the conversion of water into vapor. That vapor is then condensed and returned to a liquid state. Throughout the evaporation process, contaminants are eliminated.
The water produced by water distillers is exceptionally pure. The distillation process can remove virtually all contaminants, including dissolved solids and salts. A high-quality, well-functioning water distiller can remove a diversity of impurities, including:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Heavy metals
- Arsenic
- Fluoride
- Lead
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
The contaminants are left behind in the boiling chamber as the water transitions from a liquid to a gas. The evaporated water is then cooled and returned to its liquid state, but now mineral-free and extremely pure.
Such contaminants are potentially hazardous to human health. For example, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. Significant exposure can also cause headaches, nausea, or damage to the kidney, liver, or central nervous system.
How Do Water Distillers Work?
If you’ve invested in a water distiller, you’ve made an excellent choice. You can now enjoy purer, cleaner, safer water in your home. If you’ve never used a distiller before, you may be uncertain how it works.
While the details of how to use a water distiller depend to some extent on the products you’ve purchased, they essentially all function in the same way.
First, you will have to pour water into the boiling chamber. The boiling chamber will have a heating element. Once the distiller is plugged in and turned down, the heating element raises the water temperature in the chamber to boiling level.
As the temperature climbs, steam is produced. The top of the boiling chamber has a vent. The rising steam will travel through this vent and into a condenser. Meanwhile, the contaminants will remain in the boiling chamber.
The condenser is a coiled tube, usually made of stainless steel. Inside the condenser, the steam is cooled, and the vapor converts back to a liquid state. This is accomplished with the help of a high-powered fan located at the top of the distiller.
The vapor converts to a liquid state gradually, forming water droplets that travel down the condenser tube. These droplets then pass through an activated carbon filter. This added level of filtration is needed because specific contaminants can exist in a gaseous state.
This final post-filtration step thus removes these contaminants that may still be in the water droplets. Finally, the water droplets are siphoned out of the distiller, where they are collected in a container, like a glass bottle or stainless steel reservoir.
Water Distiller Maintenance
Regular water distiller maintenance will help ensure the integrity of the device and keep your drinking water pure. Cleaning your distiller is the key. To this, first, turn off the distiller and unplug it. This is to ensure your safety.
Fill your kitchen sink with a mix of warm water plus 1/4 cup white vinegar. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can use a designated water distiller cleaning product, lemon or lime juice, or sulfamic acid.
Remove the top of the boiling chamber, detaching it if possible, and submerge it in the sink. Allow it to soak for two to three hours. If the lid isn’t detachable, use the cleaning solution to scrub the cover while it’s still attached. A hard-bristled brush should do the trick.
Next, pour a mix of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water into the distiller’s boiling chamber. This will help loosen the scale deposits inside. Let the solution sit for at least 12 hours. You may need to swirl the water inside slightly to ensure even distribution of the water-vinegar mix.
Finally, empty the water distiller’s boiler chamber and give it a rinse. Rinse it several times with warm tap water to eliminate the last bits of lime deposit and vinegar solution. Before you use the distiller again, let it air dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
This guide has covered a fair amount of information, explaining everything from how a water distiller works to what it takes to maintain one. The below frequently asked questions cover some other common queries people often ask when first getting a water distiller.
A water distiller is a worthy investment if you want purer, cleaner water free of contaminants. Distilled water removes impurities like bacteria, arsenic, fluoride, lead, and volatile organic compounds. Some of these contaminants can be harmful to your health. A water distiller is a small investment to make to enjoy this potential wellness benefit.
A good-quality, well-maintained water distiller can last for ten or more years. The key to this longevity is cleaning your filter regularly. You should also replace parts as needed. For example, the carbon-activated post-filter may need replacement on occasion. However, finding such replacement parts generally shouldn’t be a problem.
Cleaning a water distiller is relatively straightforward. You can use a solution of water and vinegar to clean the inside of the boiler. This removes sediment buildup. After letting the solution soak in the boiler overnight, you rinse out the boiler and let it air dry.
Filtered water and distilled water are not the same things. Filtered water has benefits, especially when compared to regular tap water. However, it doesn’t remove the same level of contaminants as distilled water. Distilled water is purified using a process that mimics the Earth’s natural means of water purification, the water cycle.
Distilled water lacks certain minerals generally contained in filtered water, such as calcium and magnesium. You may notice a slight difference in taste between filtered and distilled water as a result. Some people find that distilled water tastes “flat” and don’t like it for this reason.
It is possible to buy distilled water. However, it’s likely more cost-effective to invest in a water distiller and make it yourself at home. A water distiller can last upwards of ten years with the proper maintenance. This one-time investment will ultimately be cheaper than buying distilled water again and again.
Bottled water is generally filtered, not distilled. Most bottled water contains essential minerals that affect its nutritional value and taste. Distilling the water would cause it to lose this unique aspect. In contrast, distilled water is entirely pure. The distillation process removes all impurities, including minerals.
If you aren’t sure whether bottled water is distilled or not, read the label. This will generally indicate whether the water is filtered or distilled.
Yes, distilled water is safe for babies. It may even be preferable, thanks to the fact that it lacks contaminants like lead and VCOs. That said, it’s important not to add too much water to infant formula. Giving babies excess water can be dangerous.
Distilled water lacks the impurities found in unsafe tap water, such as lead and VCOs. However, distilled water is not necessarily healthier than clean tap water. Distilled water lacks certain minerals like magnesium and calcium found in other types of water.
It can be tough deciding on the best water distiller for you and your family. While there are endless options already on the market, with more on the way, we’re confident that we’ve selected the best for purchase. A water distiller is great to have if you’re wanting to flush harmful toxins from your body.
While it may seem like a big investment to purchase a water distiller, in the long run, it will actually prove to be much cheaper than purchasing bottle water for you and your family. A water distiller can also save time as it doesn’t require filter cartridges.
Also , while you will never have to buy filter cartridges again, you can feel confident in knowing that using the distillation process has actually been proven as more pure than drinking purified water.
After reading the summaries above, we urge you to check out the reviews listed on each page to be fully educated on each model. Making this decision could be tough, but we hope we’ve made it a little bit easier for you.
Either way, if you pull the trigger on any one of the above, you should feel confident in knowing it’s already a great decision!
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