We like to share product recommendations with you and hope you like them! Just to make you aware Water Filter Data may collect a small share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
Looking for an effective and affordable way to purify your tap water? A home water distiller is a great option. These units are affordable, efficient and highly effective in reducing contaminants. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best countertop water distiller on the market!
Distillers come in various shapes and sizes, but the most popular are counter-top distillers that sit on your kitchen counter. These units are easy to use and require no installation. They do take up some counter space, but many of the units we recommend are pleasantly compact. Keep reading for countertop distiller reviews of products we recommend!
Quick Picks for the Best Countertop Water Distillers of 2020
-
- Top Pick — Megahome Countertop Distiller
- Budget Pick — Mophorn Pure Water Distiller
- Luxury Pick — Waterwise 3200
Our Research
Our Picks for the Best Countertop Water Distiller
To help make your choice easier, we’ve narrowed our recommendations down to three categories: top overall, budget-friendly, and luxury. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions about finding the best countertop water distiller for you!
The Megahome is perhaps the very best countertop water distiller on the market. It features a durable, high-quality composition that utilizes nontoxic materials. The internal components and water collection container are made of a combination of glass and stainless steel, which means you don’t have to worry about harmful things seeping into your already-distilled water. Most comparable models have at least some plastic in the internal components – but not the Megahome! So if you’re worried about the potential of plastics leaching into your water, this is the best countertop water distiller for you.
This is also one of only a few distillers we’ve seen to have third-party certification. The Megahome is UL-certified (Underwriters Laboratory), meaning an independent testing facility has tested and evaluated the product for safety and efficacy.
One thing to note is that this certainly isn’t the fastest countertop distiller out there. It filters at a rate of 1 gallon per 5.5 hours, so it’s best for smaller households.
This unit is made by a very trusted manufacturer, and it even comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty to protect your purchase!
The Mophorn 4L Pure Water Distiller is the best countertop water distiller for those on a budget. It’s offered at a very reasonable price – around 1/3rd of the price of some higher-end models – yet it is equally effective at removing contaminants from your water. If you’re not looking to spend a fortune but still want a great unit, this is a really good option.
The Mophorn holds just over 1 gallon (4 liters), so the capacity is enough for a small household. It takes around 4 hours to distill a gallon, so it’s also relatively quick – particularly given the compact size of this unit. If space is an issue in your home, you will appreciate the compact design of the Mophorn!
One of the many factors we looked at when choosing models to recommend was their customer reviews. Looking at countertop water distiller reviews for this model is telling: customers gave it an average of 4.3/5 stars!
The Waterwise 3200 is a high-end distiller for countertop home use. It has a 1 gallon capacity, and takes only 4 hours to distill a whole gallon (which is faster than average for this size unit). And when its done distilling, it automatically shuts itself off, to save energy.
The Waterwise 3200 is rated for effective removal of bacteria, viruses, mercury, arsenic, chlorine, nitrates and more. The unit comes with a BPA-free serving pitcher, which also doubles as the storage container for the distilled water.
Looking at countertop water distiller reviews, you’ll find that this model consistently earns great ratings from customers and experts alike. And it’s no big surprise – the company behind this unit has been in the water purification business for over 40 years!
Benefits of Water Distillation
Distilling water for purification is centuries-old, although the devices available to the common person have certainly changed over the years. It’s considered one of the most effective ways to purify water. It’s a very simple process – basically, water is boiled until it becomes steam, then the steam condenses back down into water. This leaves all the contaminants trapped in the distillation setup, instead of in your drinking water!
Effective Filtration – Distillation is one of the most effective forms of water filtration. The CDC notes that distillation can be quite effective in removing viruses, bacteria and protozoa. They are also good for removing or reducing common chemical contaminants, including chlorine, chromium, arsenic, lead, sulfate and more.
Reduced Contaminants – The water flowing from your tap could contain a surprising amount of contaminants. Water distillers are effective in removing these contaminants, some of which can be harmful over time.
Cost Savings – There are many different types of water filters (see our best water filters guide for details), but some of the most effective are distillers and reverse-osmosis systems. Of these two, distillers are quite a bit cheaper – both in terms of upfront cost and ongoing maintenance costs. With a distillation system, the only ongoing costs are the electricity it takes to run the machine – and all the models we recommend are very energy-efficient. Plus, if you’re buying bottled distilled water now, a home distillation system can save you even more!
Distilled Water FAQs
What is distilled water?
Distilled water is normal water that has been run through a water distiller, which essentially boils the water and condenses the steam produced back down into water. This removes many contaminants and leaves you with a cleaner, more purified water.
What is distilled water used for?
Distilled water has many uses. Some people drink it, while others use it in their CPAP machines, use it in humidifiers, for cleaning, automotive applications, and more.
What is the pH of distilled water?
Pure distilled water will be completely neutral, with a pH of 7. However, distilled water starts absorbing carbon dioxide from the air around it, which will eventually acidify it slightly to a pH around 5.6-6.0.
Is it safe to drink distilled water?
Yes, you can drink distilled water. However, you should be aware of a few things:
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Distilled water can absorb minerals from materials it comes into contact with
- Thus, it’s best to keep distilled water in a stainless steel or glass container
- If you store it in plastic, make sure it’s BPA-free.
- Distilled water tastes different than tap water
- Some find it has a plain, “flat” taste that some people find unpleasant
- It’s a good idea to buy a bottle of commercially distilled water to taste, before you pick up a distiller for countertop home use
- Distilled water does not contain healthy minerals like magnesium and calcium, which are usually in tap water. You’ll want to ensure you’re eating a balanced diet if you drink distilled water
How to make distilled water
The basic process of water distillation is quite simple. You boil water, capture the steam, and condense that back down into water. In reality, though, this is a bit difficult to do efficiently without specialized equipment. You’ll want to pick up a water distiller for easy distillation.
Where to buy distilled water
Do you just need a small amount of distilled water? If so, it’s probably not necessary to get a water distiller. Fortunately, you can buy distilled water at most grocery stores, usually for around the same price as a bottle of drinking water.
How We Chose
Capacity: Each distiller for countertop has a set amount of water it can hold. It’s nice to have a larger capacity, because otherwise you have to regularly refill the unit with fresh water. Most units we looked at have a capacity of around 1 gallon. If you have a very large family, you may have to spring for a larger unit.
Flow Rate: Distillation takes time – usually 3 to 5 hours to process 1 gallon of water. Unless you spring for a huge industrial-size distiller, it’s tough to get much faster than this. We picked models that displayed reliably quick flow rates that could accommodate the needs of an average household size. Luckily we were able to find compact countertop units that still offered high flow rates.
Filter: Distillers are different than water filters, yet they do a pretty good job of filtering out impurities. That said, some people don’t like the taste of distilled water. For some, running the distilled water through a secondary filter can help improve the taste. So, we stuck with models that had a post-distillation filter setup for tastier water!
Materials: Distilling produces very high temperatures. Thus, it’s really important to get a countertop distiller that’s made using high quality, non-toxic materials. Generally it’s best to choose units with glass or stainless steel internal components – although plastic in external components is fine.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out our guides to the best home water distillers and the best water filters.
Austin is the lead water consultant and blogger for Water Filter Data. With 10 years of experience in the water quality industry, Austin can instantly pinpoint the cure and the cause for the water pollutant.
