Water Distiller vs Water Filter (What’s the BEST for Drinking Water?)

Being passionate about sustainable living, and having an eco-friendly way to get drinking water is essential. So, water distiller vs water filter, which is best? Let’s take a closer look at distilled water vs filtered water, how they are made, and weigh the pros and cons of each!

A water distiller and a water filter are both common methods of purifying drinking water. A water distiller is initially more expensive than a carbon filter or reverse osmosis system, but it is also the most effective method. While carbon and reverse osmosis filters can only reduce some contaminants in your water, distillation can remove over 99% of them. However, it’s important to note that each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Water Distiller vs Water Filter

The main difference between the two is that distillers actually boil water and condense the steam to remove impurities, while filters use media like activated carbon to trap contaminants as the water passes through.

Distillers remove more contaminants, including chemicals and heavy metals, because they boil away everything but H2O. The downside is they’re slower, use more electricity, and remove beneficial minerals.

Here’s the best water distiller for you:

Filters are more convenient, cheaper, and preserve healthful minerals, but they don’t remove all chemicals and metals. Activated carbon filters are best for reducing chlorine, pesticides, mercury, and lead.

Here’s the best simple water filter for you:

There are also more complex water filtration systems based on reverse osmosis, which can actually purify your drinking water rather than just filtering out some chemicals and heavy metals. Here’s the best countertop machine to do this:

So which is better? It depends on your water quality and needs. If you have really contaminated well water or live in an old house with lead pipes, a distiller is the way to go for purer water. But if you just want to improve tap water’s taste and reduce some chemicals, a filter will do the trick nicely. Let me know if you need any other details!

Distilled water VS Filtered water

When it comes to choosing between distilled water and filtered water, it’s important to understand the differences between the two.

Distilled water has been purified through a complex process of boiling and condensation, which removes almost all impurities and minerals from the water.

On the other hand, filtered water is purified through a process of physical and chemical filtration to remove impurities and contaminants present in the water.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is the purest form of H2O. Because the distillation process eliminates most impurities present in the water, including minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants. While distilled water is exceptionally pure, it lacks minerals such as calcium and magnesium that are essential for good health.

How Is Water Distilled?

The process of distilling water involves heating water to its boiling point, which causes it to evaporate and become steam. The steam is then captured and cooled down, causing it to condense back into a liquid form.

The resulting water is free from most impurities, as they are left behind during the boiling process. While this process is effective at removing many contaminants from the water, it also removes minerals that are essential for our bodies to function properly.

Is Distilled Water Safe to Drink?

Drinking distilled water isn’t harmful, but because it lacks essential minerals, it’s not the ideal choice for everyday drinking. While distilled water is free from many impurities and contaminants, it’s also free from minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are important for our bodies. If you consume only distilled water for a long period of time, it can lead to mineral deficiencies and other health problems.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Drinking Distilled Water

Here’s a table with the pros and cons of drinking distilled water:

Distilled Water	Pros	Cons
Taste	Neutral	No minerals, can taste flat
Minerals	No impurities	No beneficial minerals
Purity	Absence of contaminants	May leach container materials
Health effects	May benefit those with kidney issues	May cause mineral imbalances
Environmental impact	Saves water	Uses more energy
Cost	Low cost to purchase	May increase utility bill

The main benefit of drinking distilled water is that it’s free from many impurities and contaminants that can be present in tap water. However, because it lacks minerals, it may not be the best choice for everyday drinking.

Some of the drawbacks of drinking distilled water include its high cost and the fact that it may not taste as good as other types of water due to the lack of minerals. Additionally, drinking only distilled water can lead to mineral deficiencies, which can eventually cause health problems.

What is Filtered Water?

Filtered water is water that has been purified using a physical or chemical process to remove impurities and contaminants. Filters can be made from various materials, including activated carbon, ceramic, and reverse osmosis membranes.

Types of Filters

There are several types of water filters available, including activated carbon filters, ceramic filters, reverse osmosis filters, and ultraviolet (UV) filters.

Activated carbon filters remove impurities by adsorption, while ceramic filters remove impurities through a process of physical filtration. Reverse osmosis filters remove impurities by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane, while UV filters use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.

The Effectiveness of Different Filters

Different types of filters have different effectiveness at removing specific contaminants from the water.

• Activated carbon filters are relatively effective at removing chlorine and other organic compounds from the water.
• Reverse osmosis filters are effective at removing minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants.
• Ceramic filters are good for removing sediment and other impurities, and UV filters are effective at killing bacteria and other microorganisms.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Drinking Filtered Water

Here’s a table with the pros and cons of drinking filtered water:

Filtered Water	Pros	Cons
Taste	Clean, crisp taste	May not remove all impurities
Minerals	Retains beneficial minerals	May not remove harmful contaminants
Purity	Removes many contaminants	May not remove all contaminants
Health effects	May reduce risk of illness	May not remove all potential toxins
Environmental impact	Reduces need for bottled water	Filters need to be replaced
Cost	Low cost to use	May require initial investment

How to Purify Water At Home

There are several methods you can use to purify water at home, including using a water filter, a reverse osmosis system, or a water distiller. Filters can be easily attached to your faucet or installed under your sink and require little to no maintenance.

Reverse osmosis systems are more complex and require professional installation, but they can remove almost all impurities from your water. Water distillers are the most effective method for purifying water but are also the most expensive.

Deionizer

Are you in search of a method to eliminate ions from your water supply? The answer could be a deionizer. Deionized water is pure and free of any ions that potentially seep into the water from various sources such as soil, pipes, and contamination.

When using a water deionizer, tap water is passed through two different resin filters that are oppositely charged, effectively removing all ionized substances.

These uncomplicated resin filters contain small beads that have the capability to entice both positively and negatively charged molecule pollutants present in your water.

However, if you wish to cleanse your drinking water, deionizers are not the ideal solution. This is because deionizers can strip the body of minerals that are essential for nourishment, such as calcium and magnesium. Furthermore, although deionization can get rid of certain chemical pollutants, it isn’t as effective at eradicating bacteria and other biological contaminants as other methods.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a highly effective water purification method that can remove up to 99% of contaminants from water. The RO process involves pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane that traps and removes contaminants.

This type of filtration system can remove impurities like lead, arsenic, and fluoride, as well as chemical and biological contaminants. One advantage of the reverse osmosis system is that it can improve the taste and odor of your water by removing chlorine and other dissolved chemicals.

I wrote an in-depth comparison of water distiller vs reverse osmosis, just click the link to dive deeper into this interesting topic.

Water Softener

Water softeners are primarily used to remove mineral ions like calcium and magnesium that can leave behind soap scum and cause damage to plumbing.

This method of water purification uses a process called ion exchange, which replaces hardness-causing minerals with sodium ions.

While water softeners may remove some impurities from water, they are not effective at removing contaminants like bacteria and viruses. Additionally, water softeners can increase your sodium intake and are not recommended for those on low-sodium diets.

Water Filter

A water filter is a popular method for at-home water purification. There are several types of filters available, including carbon filters, sediment filters, and ceramic filters. Carbon filters are the most common and work by trapping impurities in the pores of activated carbon.

Water filters are great for removing chlorine, sediment, and some chemical contaminants from water. However, they are not as effective as reverse osmosis systems at removing harmful contaminants like lead, arsenic, and fluoride.

Water Quality Factors

Here are the key factors that determine water quality:

• Physical Characteristics: This includes factors such as temperature, color, taste, odor, and turbidity (cloudiness).
• Chemical Characteristics: Various substances can affect water quality, such as minerals (like calcium, magnesium, and sodium) and chemicals (such as pesticides, fertilizers, and disinfectants).
• Biological Characteristics: This refers to the presence of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause health problems.
• pH: This measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water, with levels ranging from 0 to 14. Drinking water should ideally fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on the pH scale.
• Total Dissolved Solids: This includes all minerals, salts, and other substances that are dissolved in water. A high level of TDS can make water taste salty or bitter.
• Hardness: This describes the amount of dissolved minerals in water that can interact with soap and create a cloudy appearance.
• Alkalinity: This measures the ability of water to neutralize acids and maintain a stable pH level.
• Conductivity: This measures the ability of water to conduct electrical current. Higher conductivity can indicate the presence of minerals or other dissolved substances.
• Dissolved Oxygen: Living organisms in water rely on dissolved oxygen to survive. A low level of dissolved oxygen can indicate pollution or other issues.
• Turbidity: This describes how cloudy or murky water appears due to suspended particles.

Water quality is determined by a combination of these factors, and it’s important to regularly monitor and test the drinking water to ensure it meets safe and healthy standards.

Various elements like minerals that can dissolve in water, substances that can get dissolved like organic and inorganic, and microorganisms that are harmful contribute to the quality of water.

In order to maintain the desired levels of quality of water, the Environmental Protection Agency governs municipal water systems. This ensures that people who utilize public water distribution systems have access to clean water. For more information regarding the purity of your tap water, you can make a request for a report on local water quality.

Comparison of Distilled, Purified, and Filtered Water

When it comes to choosing between distilled, purified, and filtered water, it’s important to understand the differences between the methods. Here are more detailed comparisons between the different types of drinking water:

• Distilled Water Vs Tap Water
• Distilled Vs Spring Water
• Purified VS Distilled Water
• Purified Vs Spring Water

Distilled water is free of minerals, contaminants, and impurities, but it can also be lacking in essential minerals that our bodies need.

Purified water has gone through a rigorous filtration process, while filtered water has been passed through some form of filtration media to remove impurities. Filtered water, like spring water, is good for your health because of its electrolytes and essential minerals.

Which is the Best for Drinking?

Water is essential for life and it’s crucial we drink clean and safe water. That’s why choosing the best option for drinking water is vital.

Overall, the best choice for drinking water depends on your needs and preferences. If you need to remove contaminants and minerals from your water, reverse osmosis or distillation may be the best option.

FAQ

Is purified water superior to distilled?

When choosing between purified and distilled water, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Purified water often still contains beneficial minerals, while distilled water has those minerals removed during the distillation process. Both types of water go through thorough filtration and purification processes to remove impurities such as bacteria and viruses. It’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences when selecting the type of water to consume.

Does distillation purify all water impurities?

Distillation is a process that involves boiling water to separate it from contaminants and minerals. While it can remove a vast range of impurities from water, it may not remove every impurity present in it. Factors such as the boiling point of contaminants and minerals determine whether they will be removed or not during the distillation process. However, distilled water is generally considered to be one of the purest forms of water available.

Does distilled water support bacterial growth?

Distilled water undergoes a process where it is boiled to isolate the water molecules from any impurities, such as minerals and microorganisms. As a result, distilled water is free of bacteria and other microorganisms that may be present in regular tap water. Therefore, it is unlikely for bacteria to grow in distilled water as it lacks the nutrients and minerals necessary for their survival.

Are purified and distilled water the same?

Purified water and distilled water share many similarities, yet there is a distinct difference. While both types of water undergo a filtration process to remove impurities and contaminants, purified water still contains beneficial minerals, whereas distilled water does not. Therefore, purified water can provide additional health benefits compared to distilled water.

What sets apart a water purifier from a distiller?

While both water purifiers and water distillers are methods of cleaning and filtering water, the main difference between the two is in the process and the results. Water purifiers typically use a combination of filters and/or chemicals to remove impurities from the water, while leaving healthy minerals intact. On the other hand, water distillers use heat to vaporize the water, then condense it back into liquid form, effectively removing all impurities, including minerals. Overall, the choice between a water purifier and a water distiller will depend on individual needs and preferences.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! Water distiller vs water filter, the ultimate showdown for the best drinking water purification method. While distillation is the best to remove contaminants, it’s important to consider your health needs, budget, and specific needs. A water filter may be the more practical option for some households, Also, filtered water will still keep most of the healthy minerals that instead are eliminated by distillation.

Regardless of which method you choose, one thing remains clear: clean drinking water is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and using any of those methods will help the environment to reduce the pollution caused by bottled water.

So whether you prefer the simplicity of a water filter or the thoroughness of a water distiller, make sure you’re taking the necessary steps to ensure that your H2O is clean and healthy. Your body (and taste buds) will thank you!