10 Best Water Distillers Reviewed: Our Top Picks & Buyer’s Guide

by Jay | Updated on May 6th, 2023

Water distillers are appliances that are used to purify water and remove contaminants. Distilled water has been used for many years as a way to remove bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted substances from drinking water.

There are many types of water distillers available on the market today, but they all have the same purpose – to provide you with clean drinking water. No matter what kind of water distiller you’re looking for, there is one that meets your needs.

There are different models available depending on how much space you have in your kitchen and how often you intend on using it.

Below you will find our top 10 picks for the best water distillers, along with detailed information about each model so that you can make an informed decision before buying one for yourself.

	EDITOR’S CHOICE	2ND PICK	3RD PICK
	CO-Z	Megahome MH943SBS	Megahome’s MH943TWS
Ratings			4.6
Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel, Plastic
Capacity	1 Gallon	1 Gallon	1 Gallon
Item Weight	13.65 Pounds	‎13.12 pounds	11 pounds
Product Dimensions	23 x 19.7 x 28.5 inches	16.61 x 12.09 x 11.5 inches	9 x 9 x 13 inches
	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE

Below is our personal take on 10 of the best models we have encountered so far along with their specifications and other essential information. 

The Best Water Distillers

CO-Z Water Distiller

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The CO-Z Water Distiller can provide around 6 gallons of distilled water in a single day with an estimated hourly yield of 0.25 gallons. When it comes to safety and reliability, it does not disappoint with its premium stainless steel material and automatic shut-off feature that activates whenever the water supply is low to stop the main boiling container from overheating. 

This model can remove the volatile substances, bacterial content, and even the most dissolved solids from your water, resulting in safer, more purified drinking water. In addition, the receiving glass pot has a wide opening for easier cleaning. It is approved by the FDA and passed the regulatory standards for overall consumer safety.

Megahome Heavy Duty Distiller MH943SBS

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When it comes to overall performance, Megahome MH943SBS impressed us the most. Nutriteam has been known to be a leading performer in the water purification industry and has been satisfying customers for more than 20 years.

Their trademark brand of water distillers, Megahome, is well-known for its top tier efficiency in water distillation. This particular model is their flagship entry.

Megahome’s MH943TWS Water Distiller

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The MH943TWS comes a close second to its relative, the MH943SBS, the one mentioned above. 

It would have been perfect if only it did not have this issue that some units have a defect that affects the odor and taste of the distilled water product. Nevertheless, it remains a strong contender because it has more positive features that outweigh the negative. 

Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller

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The Waterwise 4000 unit consists of a 304 stainless steel condensing chamber, a distiller, a glass receiving pot, and a detachable cover. The spout is lined with an activated carbon filter that needs to be replaced every 2 months or for every 6-8 gallons of water that has been distilled.

There are filter packs available in the market for a cheap price. This is the only regular maintenance expense you must allocate a budget for, provided the unit is well taken care of. Approximately 1 gallon of water is produced every 4 hours, making the total daily yield 6 gallons of distilled water. 

The boiling tank of the Waterwise 4000 can be filled with mineral deposits and other solid particles from the water supply, which is why it needs to be cleaned regularly. The brand also offers their cleaning product for the unit, but you can also use your own just as long as it complies with what is advised by the manufacturer. 

The system automatically turns itself off after it has produced the maximum 1-gallon yield to prevent overheating. Then, you have to refill the distiller for it to start again. 

H2o Labs Best-In-Class Stainless Steel Water Distiller

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If you’re looking for an effective distiller to remove volatile compounds from your water supply, the H2O Labs Best-In-Class Stainless Steel Water Distiller may be right. It consumes 565 watts of power for every distillation cycle.

In addition, it comes with an additional activated carbon filter for further entrapment of impurities that lasts for a while. A free one-year supply of replacement filters is also included in the package and the unit.

Aside from that, various cleaning crystals also come with the unit for easy cleaning and scale residue removal. It can be operated simply with the push of a button and does not require much work for initial installation.

The size of the appliance is engineered perfectly for its function and easy placement on a kitchen counter. The main boiling container can hold and distill a gallon of water in 5 hours. 

Waterwise 3200 Water Distiller

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In just 4 hours, you can have 1 gallon of distilled water with the Waterwise 3200. Power consumption is 800 watts. Even with its petite size, the opening measures 7 inches which is already enough to make for easier cleaning.

However, you will also need to do occasional maintenance to keep the device running smoothly. This involves scrubbing of the interior of the boiling pot and replacement of the carbon filters. 

With just a press of a button, the device will start the distillation process. You might be a little intrigued that it looks a little different compared to the conventional water distillers that were listed previously but that only adds to its compact size that makes it easy to place especially in small spaces.

Also, the exterior is made of plastic material. Still, the boiling pot is stainless steel so you don’t have to worry about your water being exposed to plastic throughout the process.

Pure Water Mini-Classic CT Counter Top Distiller

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You can rely on the Pure Water Mini-Classic Distiller for your distillation needs especially if your water supply has a lot more impurities. This unit can strip your water of inorganic ions like chlorine, fluoride, and lead. It can also get rid of volatile compounds and bacteria.

In addition, it has a designated placement for the boiling pot that’s already one with the unit itself, which minimizes the space it takes up. 

It is made of 304 stainless steel material and has an average yield of 0.8 gallons in a span of 3 hours. The main container is made of glass. Due to the size of the unit and small capacity compared to other models, it is suitable only for individual use or just a few household members.

However, the unit comes partially assembled, so that’s one less thing to worry about during installation, and you also do not need to connect it to a water outlet.

This model is also powered by electricity so the added expense for that is something that you should consider. Other than that, there aren’t other major expense factors since this product is low maintenance. You just have to allocate a budget for the replacement of the carbon filters. 

H2o Labs Model 200 Water Distiller

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This one is another H2O Labs product with a lighter weight and a more compact design. It weighs less compared to other models because it is mostly made of plastic material instead of the usual stainless steel used in conventional, pricey models but the efficiency is still top notch nonetheless. With just a 5-hour waiting time, you can enjoy 1 gallon of distilled water. 

We recommend this to those who are on a tight budget but are still looking for great quality. You can easily operate the device with the help of its LED indicator that tells you when to reset and refill the device. Power consumption is efficient as well. 

Installation and refilling won’t be much of a hassle because of the lightness of the unit and also because of the provided instruction manual that contains the relevant information you need to successfully get the device running and how to properly maintain it. 

The plastic material used is guaranteed food-grade and BPA-free so there’s not much to worry even though the water may be exposed to it during the distillation process. However, there might be people who are still hesitant and may not prefer this kind of unit. If you are financially capable, it is best to opt for the stainless steel unit. 

CNCShop Water Distiller

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The 750 watt output of the CNCShop distiller makes for a rather quick distillation process. It has a 4 liter or equivalent to a little over 1 gallon of volume capacity that it can distill. Its hourly yield is 1 liter which is equal to 0.2 gallons. When the boiling container has run out of water supply, it turns itself off automatically so as not to use up unnecessary power. 

When you’re done setting it up, you can just fill the boiling chamber with 4 liters of water and turn the unit on. That’s all it takes to get it running. In addition, you can be assured that the resulting distilled water is free from microbes and other impurities.

During maintenance, you will need a special cleaning powder which already comes with the unit package. This will help clean the appliance of the residue that may have been left by mineral deposits. There is only one carbon filter included in the package though so you will definitely have to purchase the replacements.

ROVSUN Stainless Steel Countertop Water Distiller Machine

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This last model on the list is not the least. However, this is a strong contender when discussing great value for money. It is packed with the basic features, top quality, and a shockproof glass container for a much lesser price than the Megahome countertop brand. The drawback is that it is vulnerable to having oily deposits lodged in the interior spaces. 

Types of water distillers and their cost

Water distillers in the market commonly come in three types:

1. Household water distiller – From the term itself, this type is suitable in a home or office setting. The volume output can be 1 gallon for every 4-6 hours and after every operating cycle, you need to refill the tank yourself.

Cost: $80 to $300

2. Plumbing distiller – This one needs to be installed to the main plumbing system of the house or a specific water outlet. It’s distilled water on demand and probably one of the most cost-effective water distillation systems there is. 

Cost: $400 to $1000 and more

3. Commercial Distiller – For heavy duty use commercial or industrial use. 

Cost: Price varies upon request. 

What to look for in the Right Water Distiller

Quality Materials (Plastic vs. Stainless Steel vs. Glass)

Your water distiller will always be exposed and subjected to heat and high temperatures. Therefore, high-quality material is vital for the unit’s durability and the quality of your water. The best material is without a doubt, food-grade stainless steel. Aluminum and plastic could mean lower prices but there is a high tendency of material leaching from the container into the water. 

It is important that the water should never touch any plastic part of the device as much as possible to lessen the risk of recontamination and maintain the purity of the water even if the plastic material is BPA-free and food-grade. 

Stainless steel is rust-proof and generally more sturdy and of premium quality. It is also easier to maintain and sterilize. 

The container that collects the distilled water should be made of glass.

You will really have to anticipate paying more for premium quality but it is better than compromising durability and safety yet still ending up spending more in the future for repairs and health problems.

Activated carbon filter

Activated carbon filters are not common in all water distillation units. There are models that do not have this feature. However, it is still highly recommended that you choose a unit that includes one. Your water supply is most likely contaminated with substances that could survive the evaporation and condensation and the only way to remedy that is by the use of a carbon filter. 

Remineralization 

Because distilled water is completely free from essential ions, there is a noticeable difference in the taste compared to the regular drinking water.

Furthermore, the absence of essential calcium and magnesium ions will deprive you of the energy that these electrolytes provide. If this concerns you, then there are water distillers that have a built-in remineralization filter that pumps your distilled water with only these minerals to improve the taste and give you the nutrition you need from drinking water.

If a filter costs too much for you, you can use mineral drops. However, you can still get calcium and magnesium content from other food sources. If the taste of distilled water does not bother you that much, you do not need to concern yourself with this.

Certifications

The WQA (Water Quality Association) and the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International are trusted organizations for thorough quality testing of devices that deal with water filtration like softeners, reverse osmosis, UV systems, microbiological purifiers, and distillers.

Some manufacturers of these units subject their products to testing by these organizations to be awarded with certifications that can attest that their products are of high quality as they claim. It is always a bonus when a product has certifications from either or both of the mentioned authorities because the tests that they conduct have very high standards and the fact that the particular product passed them says a lot about the overall reliability of the model and the manufacturer.

NSF International

The National Sanitation Foundation is highly recognized in the US as a trusted certifying body for water treatment technology. Majority of manufacturers in the industry subject their products to testing by the NSF and strive to be awarded with a certification because it adds to building consumer trust. 

Manufacturers are required to provide relevant information and a unit of their product to be evaluated and tested by the organization. Once results come out positive, the manufacturer is obliged to sign a contract before the product model gains an NSF mark. The manufacturing plant will then be subject to annual site inspection and products will be retested on a regular basis.

WQA

The Water Quality Association specializes in ensuring the provision of safe and quality drinking water for every household. They are also one of the leading authorities when it comes to the regulations and standards for water filtration systems. In addition, they help ensure that the actual product performance coincides with what the manufacturer declares on the product specifications and prints on the packaging. 

Similar to the process with the NSF, manufacturers also need to apply for a certification request and submit paperwork containing all the data that they claim about the product from general information down to the specifications such as capacities, flow rate, and power consumption, among others. The unit will then go through different tests and should pass the set standards before it is issued a certification. 

Warranty

A product warranty is important when it comes to these kinds of devices. No matter how reliable the manufacturer is or how high the quality of a particular product is, it is still in your best interest to choose a product that has a service warranty in the case of a unit defect.

Though it rarely happens, it remains a possibility nonetheless. You will never discover the defect in a unit unless you start using it and if in the circumstance that it is dysfunctional, you still have the option to return it or have it checked out without any additional cost. The minimum warranty length you can get is 6 months but the longer the better.

Energy consumption

Low wattage products do not mean lower electricity bills. As a matter of fact, it means that the distillation process could take a lot longer. So it does not have that much of an impact on the overall cost. But still, considering that water distillers are powered by electricity, expect a few dollars to be added to your usual bills especially if you use it frequently. 

Water Distilling Capacity & Speed

Distillation is a generally slow process. You have to wait for the water to boil, evaporate, and condense. And it will take much more time especially if you have a gallon of water to distill. A single cycle takes around four to six hours. That equates to four to six gallons of distilled water in a span of 24 hours, depending on the unit. 

You don’t have to use it for the entire 24 hours. It still depends on how much your household usually consumes on a daily basis. 

We suggest that you start the first distillation cycle before going to bed at night so when you wake up there is already a gallon of distilled water ready for consumption. A unit with an automatic shut-off feature can do the trick. 

Budget

For as low as $100, you can already have a water distiller. However, you have to be wary because quality should be your main priority. All the things we listed above are listed at the top for a reason. There are good quality models that do not cost a lot. You just have to be critical in the specifications and the features that you need in a water distiller. 

Manufacturer support

Good customer service by the manufacturer can help especially if you have concerns that are unanswerable by the information given on the product manual or guide. In addition, some companies can assist their customers any time of the day with their 24-hour availability.

But the bottomline here is that they should be responsive to customer inquiries. You can look up customer feedback online to get an idea on the efficiency of their customer service department.

How to install your water distiller

Distillers are probably the most simple and hassle-free water filtration system units to install. In fact, they do not need to be “installed.” They just need to be situated in an optimal location near an electrical outlet and then assembled if the unit does not come pre-assembled. 

Product models are built differently so they might have specific assembly instructions that can only be found in the product instruction manual. But basically, this is how a typical water distiller is set up:

1. Unbox your water distiller package. You should find the unit box, the instruction manual, a pack of carbon filters, the water container, and an electrical lead. There are models wherein the distiller unit and the water container are already assembled as one. 
2. If the water container’s handle is not attached yet, you have to screw it on. The screws usually come with the package already and all you need is a screwdriver. Depending on the unit as well, there are some handles that do not need screws but can just be fastened on or slid into place.
3. Prep the carbon filter. Instructions for the proper flushing of the filter can be found in the product guide. Flushing usually involves running the filter under tap water for a few seconds to rinse off some stray carbon deposits. 
4. Find the slot for the carbon filter and put one piece of it into the designated housing. It can either be in a compartment on the exterior of the unit or by the spout. 
5. Connect the power cable to the unit. Plug it into an outlet and switch it on. Your unit should be ready for its first distillation. 
6. Try it out for one cycle. Fill the tank with the right amount of water up to the line mark that most tanks usually have. Remember that the distilled water produced from this first cycle should not be consumed. This is only to prepare the unit and wash out some extraneous debris that could be in the interior. 
7. Clean the distiller after the initial cycle with the scouring pad. Then, the distilled water from the succeeding cycles can be consumed.  

Cleaning the distiller

The non-volatile substances that do not undergo evaporation upon boiling are left in the container as solid deposits. This usually manifests in the form of a fine, white limescale residue from hard water calcium and magnesium ions.

Over many uses, this can accumulate inside the boiling tank. That’s why it is important to clean the tank regularly and as much as possible after every distillation cycle. 

You can detach the lid of the boiling tank and soak in a solution of warm water and vinegar for a few minutes then wipe it with a clean piece of fabric. The boiling tank can be cleaned with the same solution and a cloth or a scouring pad for stains that cannot be removed with cloth alone. Fill the tank with warm water and leave it overnight. Rinse it the next day with clean water.

Commercial cleaners, detergents, bleach, and other disinfectants are in no way applicable for cleaning water distiller units. Therefore, you will risk leaving remnants of the strong chemicals in those substances inside the boiling tank where the water is contained. It could become a potential contaminant and damage the unit itself. 

Changing the carbon filters

Activated carbon filters have a limited lifespan. Their function is to perform the last filtration for the water to remove the contaminants that survived the distillation. Unfortunately, this is usually where the solid particles and sediments end up and the filter can run out of space where these particles can adhere. That is when the filter is at its maximum capacity and needs to be replaced. 

One filter can usually last up to a month if you only conduct one distillation cycle a day but that also depends on your water quality, efficiency of the distiller, and sometimes as recommended by the manufacturer.

Carbon filter replacements can be bought online or from the manufacturer of the unit or from other manufacturers as long as the filter is compatible with the unit. 

FAQs

How much electricity does a water distiller consume?

It varies on the unit and how it operates. The general wattage of the conventional water distillers is between 500 to 850 watts or 0.5 to 0.85 kilowatts per hour. For the average 12-cent fee for every kilowatt hour, that’s around 40 cents for every gallon and a single distillation cycle.

Is distilled water the same with bottled water?

The term “bottled water” is very broad and can pertain to a lot of types of water. There is purified water, spring water, mineral water, and distilled water. Any water that is contained in a bottle can be referred to as bottled water. So unless the water inside the bottle is labeled as distilled, then it’s most likely not the same with the water that is produced by water distillers because first of all, it does not undergo the same water treatment process.

Is distilled water safe for infants?

Yes. We mentioned above that distilled water is the most favorable type of water for preparation of infant formula because of the absence of microorganisms and other contaminants, making it safe for babies. 

How long can I store my distilled water?

Distilled water lasts a long time provided that it is stored in suitable containers and environments. The distilled water that you get from your water distiller should be consumed within the week or else it will go stale. Bottled distilled water can also last quite a while as long as no leaching occurs. You will know that the water isn’t safe anymore if it has an unusual taste that is usually attributed to issues with the container and not the water itself.

Final Words

Distillation remains a timeless method of water treatment. From then until now, it is still a reliable way to obtain clean drinking water for consumption even with the new methods and technologies that have emerged. 

Now with the aid of modern engineering, devices and machines are now available to make distillation a lot easier. So even though it takes a bit of time, it takes the burden of actually doing it manually off our shoulders. 

Water distillers are an investment. They cost a lot initially. However, it is important to us that every dollar you spend is worth it so we compiled this small product guide for you so you can have as much information as you need.

Aside from this post, you can also scroll through some product reviews online for the model that you have set your mind on. That’s a good way to gauge general consumer feedback. 

Jay

Jay is a health and wellness enthusiast with expertise in water quality and nutrition. As a knowledgeable advocate for holistic well-being, Jay successfully manages Type 2 Diabetes through informed lifestyle choices. Committed to sharing reliable and authoritative insights, Jay combines firsthand experience with a passion for enhancing health."