Water Distiller vs Reverse Osmosis – Which is BETTER?

I’m constantly seeking out ways to live a greener lifestyle. One aspect of eco-living that often goes overlooked is water purification: though many of us rely on tap water, not all water is created equal. So, water distiller vs reverse osmosis, which is better?

Water distillers and reverse osmosis systems are two methods of water purification. Distillers remove impurities by heating water to create steam, which is then condensed to produce distilled water. Reverse osmosis uses pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane, which filters out impurities. While both methods remove contaminants, distilled water is purer due to the boiling process, while reverse osmosis systems are more efficient and don’t require as much energy to operate. The choice between the two ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences.

Water Distiller vs Reverse Osmosis Overview

Selecting a water purification system can be perplexing since there are many options available. Two common choices are water distillers and reverse osmosis purification systems. Distilled water vs reverse osmosis: both are effective at eliminating impurities and contaminants from water, but they employ different methods that contribute to a relatively similar conclusion. Knowing the distinctions between these methods will aid you in choosing the most appropriate system for your home.

Here’s a quick comparison table for reverse osmosis vs water distiller:

Comparison Factor	Reverse Osmosis	Water Distiller
Water Quality	Removes 99% of impurities	Removes 100% of impurities
Installation Cost	Relatively high cost	Relatively low cost
Maintenance Cost	RO membrane, filters replacement	RO membrane filters replacement
Water Waste	Produces wastewater	Does not produce wastewater
Electricity Consumption	Electricity is required	Higher electricity consumption
Portability	Not easily portable	Easily transported
Filtering Speed	Relatively slow filtering	Relatively slow filtering
Water Taste	Improved	Neutral-tasting water
Effectiveness Against Specific Contaminants	Effective against many impurities	Effective against many impurities
Cost-effectiveness	More cost-effective long-term	–
Sustainability	More sustainable than bottled water	May be more sustainable than RO

Here’s some additional interesting information that you might find useful about reverse osmosis water vs distilled:

• Reverse osmosis is generally considered to be one of the most effective purification methods available and can remove impurities as small as 0.0001 microns.
• While reverse osmosis produces wastewater, some systems are designed to minimize this by incorporating a permeate pump or other technology to reduce water waste.
• In terms of energy consumption, the exact amount will depend on the specific system, but distillation typically requires more energy than reverse osmosis.
• In terms of sustainability, using a water filtration system at home rather than buying bottled water can help reduce plastic waste. However, it’s also important to consider the environmental impact of the manufacturing and disposal of the filtration system components.

Water Purification and Why the Right Method Matters

Water purification is essential for ensuring that the water you consume is free from contaminants and impurities. So, is reverse osmosis water the same as distilled water?

Purified water is used for drinking, cooking, and other household purposes. However, purified and distilled water are not the same, especially because distilled water will not have any minerals, not even the good ones for your health. So, the first thing to do is choose the right type of drinking water for your needs.

After making your choice between purified water vs distilled water, then you can choose the right purification system for your needs. This will ensure that your water is safe and healthy to consume. However, choosing the wrong method can lead to health risks and other problems.

is reverse osmosis water distilled? No, it is not the same. Distilled water gets boiled, and then condensed to remove all minerals and impurities. Instead RO water is just purified by being forced to go through a membrane that cleans it up.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse osmosis is a water purification method that involves the use of a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities and contaminants from water. The process works by applying pressure to force water through the membrane, which filters out impurities such as bacteria, viruses, salts, and minerals.

How Reverse Osmosis Works and What Contaminants it Removes

Reverse osmosis works by using pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane filters out impurities and contaminants based on their size and charge.

This process removes a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, salts, minerals, and other contaminants.Reverse osmosis is effective in removing impurities that are harmful to health, such as arsenic, lead, fluoride, and nitrates. The process also removes minerals that can cause hard water, such as calcium and magnesium.

Reverse Osmosis Pros and Cons

Here’s a table with the main pros and cons of reverse osmosis systems:

Pros	Cons
Removes up to 99% of impurities and contaminants, including minerals, bacteria, and viruses	Produces wastewater (up to 4-5 gallons for every gallon of pure water)
Effective against dissolved salts, metals, chemicals, microbes, and some organic compounds (VOCs)	May remove beneficial minerals that affect taste
Improves the taste, odor, and appearance of water	Relatively slow filtering process
More cost-effective in the long run, as the membranes need to be replaced only every 1-2 years	Relatively high installation cost
Minimizes the use of plastic and contributes to the conservation of natural resources	Requires electricity to operate
While not perfect, it is more sustainable than bottled water and produces less plastic waste	May not be sustainable due to wastewater production and energy consumption
Easy to maintain with periodic cleaning and replacement of filters and membranes	May remove some minerals that affect taste, resulting in slightly acidic or bland water
May remove beneficial minerals that affect the taste	Can be installed under a sink or countertop, and is a convenient way to have purified water on demand
–	May require to use of a carbon filter to properly remove all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Here is the best reverse osmosis system for your home, effective and affordable:

If instead, you prefer a countertop version of the reverse osmosis system, here’s the best one for you:

Overall, reverse osmosis is an effective way to purify drinking water and remove impurities and contaminants. However, there are some potential downsides to consider, such as the production of wastewater, the removal of beneficial minerals, the slow filtering process, and the relatively high installation cost. Despite these cons, reverse osmosis remains a popular and effective choice for many people who want to improve the taste and quality of their drinking water at home.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is another water purification method that involves the boiling of water to create steam, which is then cooled and condensed, creating pure, distilled water. The process of distillation removes impurities, such as minerals, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from the water.

How Distilled Water is Produced and What Contaminants it Can Remove

Distilled water is produced by a water distiller. This works by boiling water to create steam, which is then condensed into pure, distilled water.

This process removes contaminants and impurities, such as minerals, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities. Distillation is effective in removing impurities that are harmful to health, such as lead, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.

However, some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may not be removed by the distillation process. The VOC can then be removed by filtration using a carbon filter.

Distillation can easily be used to treat tap water in your house. You can learn the differences between tap and distilled water here.

Water Distiller Pros and Cons

Here’s a table with the main pros and cons of a water distiller:

Pros	Cons
Removes 100% of impurities and contaminants, including minerals, bacteria, and viruses	Higher electricity consumption than some other methods of purification
Produces clean, pure and neutral-tasting water	Expensive upfront costs for initial purchase
No wastewater is produced during the distillation process	Distillers may require frequent cleaning and maintenance
Can improve the taste, odor, and appearance of water, especially if the local water has a high amount of impurities	Slow purification process
Highly reliable with very little need for replacement parts	May remove beneficial minerals from drinking water
Effective against many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and other impurities that other methods may not remove	Distillers require a power source and can be costly to operate
Can help reduce plastic waste by reducing the amount of bottled water produced	Some distillers may not be as portable as other types of water purification systems
–	May require to use of a carbon filter to properly remove all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Water distillers can be a good option for some individuals who want pure, clean-tasting water, especially if the local water source has a high amount of impurities. Here’s the best water distiller for your home:

However, there are some potential downsides to consider, such as the upfront costs, the need for electricity to operate the distiller, and the slow purification process. There is also some concern that distillation removes beneficial minerals from drinking water. Despite these potential drawbacks, using a water distiller may still be a good option for those wanting to reduce their use of single-use plastic bottles and reduce their environmental impact.

If instead you are used to drinking spring water and you are considering switching to distilled water, then you can read a detailed comparison here.

Reverse Osmosis vs Distilled Water Systems

When choosing between reverse osmosis and distilled water, there is no “one size fits all” solution. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Let’s compare reverse osmosis vs water distiller systems more in detail:

Cost

Distilled water machines are generally less expensive than reverse osmosis systems. The cost of distilled water machines ranges from around $70 to $300, while reverse osmosis systems can cost $300 to $1000 dollars or more. However, it’s important to note that reverse osmosis systems may provide better value in the long run due to their efficiency and effectiveness.

Efficiency

Reverse osmosis is generally more efficient than distillation, as it requires less energy and time to produce clean, purified water. Unlike distillation, which requires the heating and cooling of water, reverse osmosis can produce clean water immediately, without any waiting time.

Maintenance

When deciding between water distillers and reverse osmosis systems, it’s important to keep in mind the level of maintenance required. Traditional distillers need to be frequently cleaned to get rid of mineral buildup and to descale the boiling chamber.

In contrast, reverse osmosis systems tend to be less demanding when it comes to upkeep. However, it’s worth noting that the membranes in reverse osmosis setups should be swapped out every 1 to 2 years, depending on how often they’re used.

Taste and Odor

Taste and odor are important considerations when choosing between water distillers and reverse osmosis systems.

Distilled water generally has a flat taste, as it lacks the natural minerals found in water. However, the distillation process can remove impurities that cause unpleasant odors or tastes, such as chlorine or sulfur.

On the other hand, reverse osmosis systems can also improve taste and odor, but some people may still detect a slight chlorine taste. Adding a post-filter to the reverse osmosis system can further improve the taste and quality of the water.

Environmental Impact

Environmental sustainability is another key factor when comparing water distillers and reverse osmosis systems, especially if you are environmentally conscious.

Distillers are energy-intensive and require a significant amount of electricity to operate. Additionally, distillers produce hot wastewater that can harm aquatic life when disposed of improperly.

Reverse osmosis systems require less energy to operate, but they waste a significant amount of water. For every gallon of purified water produced, a reverse osmosis system can waste up to five gallons of water. Consider the environmental impact of both methods when choosing which one to use in your home.

Luckily, there are some new green technologies examples being researched that could lead to much more efficient water purification systems in the future. However, for the time being, we will have to deal with the existing tech until something better will become available.

Which Should You Choose?

Both water distillers and reverse osmosis systems are effective water purification methods, but which one you choose depends on your individual needs and preferences.

What Factors Should You Consider?

When choosing between water distillers and reverse osmosis systems, consider factors such as the initial cost, maintenance requirements, replacement costs, taste and odor of the water, and environmental impact. Understanding the pros and cons of each method can help you make an informed decision.

Tips for Choosing the Right Method for Your Needs

To choose the right water purification method (distilled vs reverse osmosis) for your home, start by assessing your water quality and identifying the contaminants you want to remove.

Then consider the initial cost, maintenance requirements, replacement costs, taste and odor of the water, and environmental impact of each method.

Look for recommendations from trusted sources and consult with a water treatment professional if you have any questions or concerns. Taking the time to research and compare water purification methods can help you choose the best one for your needs.

FAQ

Is distilled water superior to reverse osmosis?

There are certain benefits to drinking distilled water over reverse osmosis water. Distillation removes all impurities, including minerals and chemicals, while reverse osmosis only removes some impurities and then adds back in some minerals. Distilled water is also free of any taste or odor, making it ideal for cooking and baking. However, it should be noted that distilled water lacks essential minerals, which some people argue makes it less beneficial for overall health.

What’s the advantage of reversed osmosis over distillation?

When compared to distillation, reverse osmosis emerges victorious in eliminating unstable compounds such as chloramines from water. Not to mention, reverse osmosis systems are often more affordable as they can generate a larger volume of water. Another perk of reverse osmosis is its ability to replenish the purified water with valuable minerals, an amenity that distillation can’t provide.

Is reverse osmosis or distilled water healthier?

When it comes to safe and clean water, both reverse osmosis and distillation methods get the job done. However, there is a debate on which is healthier. In terms of removing volatile chemicals, reverse osmosis is more effective than distillation. On the other hand, some argue that due to reverse osmosis adding minerals back into the water that were removed during filtration, it may be the healthier option. It ultimately depends on personal preference and specific needs.

Which costs less, reverse osmosis or distillation?

In terms of financial considerations, it’s worth comparing reverse osmosis and distillation when it comes to water filtration methods. Looking at the output of water, reverse osmosis systems are comparatively more cost-effective than water distillers. Hence, if your budget is tight, it would be a wise decision to go for reverse osmosis filtration.

Conclusion

RO vs distilled water: after this water purification face-off of water distiller vs reverse osmosis, which method would come out victorious? Well, it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want the purest water possible, then a water distiller might be the way to go. But if you’re looking for convenience and sustainability, reverse osmosis might be the winner.

Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to prioritize clean water for you and your family. And who knows, maybe in the future we’ll have even better and more efficient methods of water purification. Until then, let the battle between distilled vs RO water continue!

You may also be interested in reading:

• Is Spring Water Good For You? (Spring, Mineral, Purified, Distilled & Tap COMPARED)
• Purified Vs Spring Water: Pros & Cons
• Water Distiller Vs Water Filter: Which Is The Best For Drinking Water?