5 Best Home Water Distillers: A Look at the Top Brands

The WaterLovers Advanced Design distiller made the list of the best home water distillers because it is CE Certified, which is mostly relevant to those in Europe. However, that
certification does bear some weight with us here in the US.

I also like the warranty and the fact that it claims all parts and labor
are included.

The WaterLovers distiller features advanced technology, and I really like
the fact that it does not boil all of the water out, leaving enough behind to
prevent limescale buildup and deposits that commonly occur on home water distillers.
This can help cut down on cleaning time–a common complaint with many
distillers.

It also vacillates between 500 and 750 watts, moving to the lower wattage so
evaporation is achieved without overheating the machine / heating element or using too much
energy.

And lastly, this home water distiller has the highest overall flavor rating
of the 5 selected. 

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#4 Pick – CO-Z 1 Gallon Water Distiller

Distillation Speed: 1 gallon every 3 ½  hours
Country of Origin: China
Overall Flavor Rating: 4.0 
Warranty: One-year warranty, 24/7 customer service
Materials: Brushed stainless steel, glass carafe (can opt for plastic model)
Size: 15.5” H x 9.5” W & glass carafe is 7” wide; 13.8 Pounds
Wattage: 750

CO-Z Pros

• Auto shutoff when cycle completes, or at high temps.
• Contains rubber/plastic tube to use during dispensing to help prevent spillage.
• Contains rubber/plastic tube to use during dispensing to help prevent spillage.

CO-Z Cons

• Only comes with one filter (but does include cleaner).
• Uses a lot of counter space (perhaps more than others).
• Cannot remove collection container lid.
• If carafe breaks, replacements might be difficult.
• Not a lot of info on what the warranty covers.

The CO-Z 1 Water Distiller landed on the best home water distillers list because of its high ratings, seemingly long-term usage, and the fact that it includes a tube that helps prevent water spillage, as this is a common issue with several distillers.

The reason it’s at the #4 spot is because there isn’t a lot of info on what the warranty covers. If you go directly to the CO-Z website, you’ll see that they only guarantee a 3 month return/replacement for defective parts. This could be a difference that stems from whether you purchase directly from them versus an authorized seller, but I think this is worth mentioning.

The overall flavor rating was not as high, but it’s also important to note that water distillers should not be used primarily for drinking. Yes, you can drink distilled water, but honestly, there are water purification systems that are much more efficient and faster than a distiller and provide you with clean water (more on this in the FAQs).

Side Note: For nearly ALL of models of best home water distillers, it’s recommended to purchase an auto shutoff switch that plugs into your outlet. For this model, it should be timed at 3 ½ to – 3 ¾ hours in order to help prevent baked-on sediment. Also, use the supplied tube to prevent spillage into the collection bottle. 

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#3 Pick – DC HOUSE 1 Gallon Water Distiller Machine

Distillation Speed: 1 gallon every 8 hours
Country of Origin: China
Overall Flavor Rating: 4.3
Warranty: One-year warranty on service; 60 days to replace if quality issues arise.
Materials: Stainless steel, polypropylene carafe 
Size: 15.4”H x 9.65”W; 11.35 lbs (carafe = 7.16”W)
Wattage: 750

This one falls into the #3 position of best home water distillers. The DC House company has been around for about 15 years now, and they seem to have a good reputation for quality. This seems to be a great little distiller, and I genuinely like the overall feedback on this model.

While they do have a cheaper alternative with a plastic BPA-free carafe, the best I can tell is that it does NOT have an on/off switch, and that seems to be the main difference between that model and this one.

It DOES have an automatic shut-off at 320 degrees to protect you and the heating element, however, as do most.

The manufacturer recommends replacing the carbon pack once a week for optimal taste, which can bump up the overall cost effectiveness of this distiller when compared to others.

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#2 Pick – Best-in-Class Stainless Steel Water Distiller

Distillation Speed: 1 gallon every 5-6 hours
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Overall Flavor Rating: 4.6
Warranty: One year, parts and labor included
Materials: Stainless steel, glass carafe
Size: 16”H x 8”W (not including carafe)
Wattage: 565

The Best In Class Water Distiller is another high quality distiller made by the same manufacturer as Megahome (my top pick), but the warranty that comes with it is backed by H2oLabs, as is the customer service and carbon mega pods. There is a more budget-friendly version (model 200) but some state it’s not as easy to clean.

It made my list of best home water distillers because I like the fact that the porcelain nozzle from the distiller to the carafe seems to align easier than other brands, resulting in overall less spillage.

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#1 Pick – Megahome Countertop Water Distiller

Distillation Speed: 1 gallon every 5.5 hours
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Overall Flavor Rating: 4.6
Warranty: One-year warranty on parts and labor (covers malfunctions and defects that occur with regular usage).
Materials: Stainless steel, glass carafe
Size: 14.57”H x 9.84”W inches (not including carafe)
Wattage: 580

Megahome is a top selling home water distiller, and the company has been making distillers for 30 years now, earning consumers’ trust. This product is UL Certified and comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

When examining and researching the best home water distillers, the UL Certification is why it’s landed in the #1 spot.

This water distiller is so robust, the company claims it can distill ocean water.

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Overall concerns and Pros/Cons on countertop distillers

Most buyers have a few complaints or concerns that we want to address.

1. One concern, across the board, is that their water distiller stopped working after a few months. Unfortunately, this is a chance we as consumers take with literally every single electronic we buy. Some are going to be duds, which is why it’s important to examine the warranty and return policy.
2. Another issue can be poor customer service, mostly in the form of crickets when reaching out. I addressed this concern and highlighted companies that seemed to have stellar reviews in that department.
3. Due to the fans and cooling system, most distillers give off a lot of heat and tend to be noisy (like what you’d expect from a box fan), so if this becomes an issue, put it somewhere low-traffic like a garage, basement, or laundry room.
4. A glass carafe filled with water is heavy, and therefore often requires extra support underneath when lifting, making a BPA-free plastic carafe preferable to some.
5. Distillers need to be cleaned frequently, some after each use, especially if your water has a lot of impurities. Baked on sediments and impurities can generally be avoided if you use an auto shutoff switch, which most users recommend.
6. Some stated that their water tasted bad, weird, or different. This can be attributed to a faulty unit, but in many cases it just takes time to get used to mineral free, distilled water. If you’re concerned about something being wrong with your unit, it’s best to reach out to customer service.
7. Bear in mind that if you’re primarily looking for pure drinking water, one of these best home water distillers may not be the most viable option given the slow output time. You may want to think about a reverse osmosis system or some other alternative that uses less energy and gives more drinking water per day.
8. Pay attention to what the caveats are–as some require you to keep the original packaging for returns or replacements–and once again make sure you register your product if that’s required for the warranty.

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Best Home Water Distillers Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a home water distiller?

1. For pure water.

Water distillation is a process of purifying water to make it contaminant-free by boiling it and then condensing the vapor back into a clean container. If you want 100% pure water that’s free of microorganisms, distillation is the way to go.

2. For use in CPAPs, vaporizers, coffee pots, irons, watering plants, etc.

Because tap water, and even some filtered or purified water, can still contain trace elements that will build up over time, certain machines like CPAP, irons, vaporizers, and coffee pots benefit from distilled water.

In some cases, distilled water will increase the life of the machine while in others, like a CPAP or machines that clean medical supplies, distilled water is critical.

3. To save money.

While I’m not convinced that a home water distiller will save you a ton of money due to the increased cost of utilities, it will save you some over time, making it a cost-effective way to get great water..

4. To save plastic.

I firmly believe that distilling water at home is much preferable to purchasing plastic jugs from the supermarket, making a home water distiller a more sustainable choice.

What are the different types of water distillers?

A water distiller can be one of the following two types:

1. Manual. These are your countertop variety, like the ones listed above. They distill one gallon of water at a time, so you have to manually add the water for each cycle.
2. Automatic. These types of distillers connect to your water line and produce distilled water automatically, shutting off once the holding chamber is full.

What contaminants are removed from distilled water?

Whether you use one of these best home water distillers or you distill it yourself, the resulting water is pure because it doesn’t contain bacteria, viruses, and chlorine that might be in tap water. It also removes certain metals such as iron, lead, mercury, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are dangerous chemicals that end up in our water supply, like pesticides and other solvents. Since VOCs may not be entirely removed during the distillation process, you will need an activated charcoal filter to absorb these harmful substances.

Is distilled water better than filtered or spring water?

Distilled water is different from filtered or spring water. Whether it is better depends on your wants and needs.

Spring water, and water that is filtered by other means such as reverse osmosis or other purification systems, can still contain trace minerals or contaminants that can be harmful in large quantities or after prolonged exposure.

If you need distilled water for appliances, or if you have a health condition that requires you drink only distilled, other types of purified water are generally fine.

Why can’t I just boil my water?

You can! Boiling water removes chlorine and kills germs. However, it does not eliminate hard minerals and heavy metals like a water distiller does. These are removed through a vaporization process that can only be achieved with a high level of heat over several hours.

So, while boiled water is fine for a simple at-home purification process, it’s not the same thing as 100% pure, distilled water.

Is distilled water safe to drink long term?

According to health experts, drinking distilled water is perfectly healthy and risk-free. After all, water is vital to survival, no?

The concern is what will happen if you drink water that’s been stripped of essential minerals for an extended period of time. While there are studies that show some negative side effects of drinking only distilled water long-term, we cannot safely recommend this without encouraging you to talk with a trusted medical professional.

Are there any disadvantages to using a home water distiller?

There aren’t any major disadvantages to using one of these best home water distillers. However, there are a few negatives to think about.

• You’ll need counter space for the distiller, or a separate room if you’re concerned about noise/heat.
• Output time for one gallon is long (3-5 hours).
• Home distillers can increase your energy costs.

What is the shelf life of distilled water?

If it’s going to be used for drinking and you’re leaving it on the counter, it’s best to consume within a week. To avoid contamination, distilled water will last longer if stored in a sealed glass container as opposed to plastic, which can cause contaminants from the plastic to leak into the water.

If your distilled water is for an appliance, you don’t have to be as concerned about spoilage. Seal it tight and it will likely last for months.

Where should I buy a home water distiller?

If you don’t purchase one of these best home water distillers and you want to shop around further, where you buy is really up to you. Check out Amazon and ebay for a variety of distillers, as well as your local brick and mortar store. But keep in mind that if you buy directly from the manufacturer, there could be added benefits or different service plans.