Water distillation is by far the most effective way to remove contaminants, so much so that regular water filtration doesn’t even come close.
However, there are a lot of water distillers out there, and most of them are similar in design. Coincidence? I think not.
If you’re confused by all the options and cheap marketing gimmicks, I’ve got your back. I’ve reviewed some of the best water distillers — and some not-so-best water distillers — based on authentic research, reviews, and my own test results.
Let’s get started.
1. Megahome Deluxe Water Distiller: 9.3/10
- Best bang for your buck
- $289.00
The Megahome Deluxe takes the lead as the best water distiller due to its exceptional water quality, performance, and easy-to-use design.
Pros
Megahome Corp. is a well-known UK brand and pioneer of home-use water distillers.
During my research, I noticed an uncanny similarity between Megahome Deluxe and H2o Labs, VivoHome, DC House, and many others, so I dug deep into this matter and found out that most water distillers are copies of this design.
Its stylish and ergonomic design fits right on the countertop and doesn’t make much noise. The outer body has some plastic parts, but the insides are all stainless steel.
The inner body, boiling chamber, and condensing coils are all made of 316 marine-grade steel, which is amazing considering all other water distillers use 304 grade. You see, 316 steel is corrosion resistant and more resilient against chlorides and acidity.
Even though the distillation process is simple, not every product delivers the same quality, so I had the sample tested. The results showed the absence of all organic, inorganic, biological, and radioactive contaminants — in short, everything except good old H2O.
The Megahome Deluxe distills one gallon every 5.5 hours, and the water also passes through an activated-charcoal filter, making drinking water pure and clear.
It’s energy efficient and consumes 580 watts per cycle, roughly costing 0.25–0.30 cents per gallon — much more economical than bottled water. The Megahome Deluxe also has a built-in shutoff valve that prevents the heating element from burning.
Moreover, it’s Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certified, which not only makes this distiller extra safe but will also help with insurance claims if any unfortunate accident occurs.
The Megahome Deluxe is priced at $289.00, and apart from the water distiller, you’ll get a glass collection bottle, six charcoal filter sachets, and a residue cleaner. You’ll also get two years of extended warranty on this product.
Cons
I might be nitpicking here, but there are a couple of minor design flaws that slightly bothered me.
First, you have to make sure that the spout and the narrow lid opening of the glass jug are precisely in line with each other. A minor nudge can displace it, causing water to spill. It takes 20 minutes for the first water drop to come out of the spout, so you may need to wait for it till then to adjust the bottom jug accordingly.
Second, the shutoff switch only triggers when all the boiling water evaporates. Even though it’s standard, this leaves a hard scale at the bottom that is difficult to clean.
I recommend setting up a timer for five hours and switching it off manually so that you have buffer water in the boiling chamber, making cleaning easy.
Overall
The Megahome Deluxe checks a lot of boxes. It’s a compact, durable, and energy-efficient water distiller that delivers pure drinking water 24/7.
The build quality is amazing, and with a UL certification to back it up, it’s certainly the best bang for the buck.
If you’re ready to begin drinking distilled water from the best-in-class stainless steel water distiller in the business, buy it today here.
2. Pure Water Mini-Classic CT: 8.6/10
- Best build quality but expensive
- $750
Pure Water Mini Classic CT has everything you expect from a high-functioning water distiller, but this premium quality comes at a huge price.
Pros
Pure Water is a name you can rely on when it comes to water distillation machines. It’s a US-based family business with over 50 years of experience in the industry. Its countertop water distiller is one of the finest machines for treating water.
It has a complete stainless steel body, and the jug fits right into the assigned space, much like a coffee maker, making it really compact.
I really like the safety mechanism that won’t allow it to heat past the minimum water level, unlike all the other distillers on my list. It saves heating elements from expiring early and makes cleaning easier.
The dual volatile vent in the condensing coil is Pure Water’s own take on distillation technology, which removes contaminants that can escape the regular distillation process.
The Pure Water Mini distiller runs on a standard distillation cycle involving evaporation and condensation, and it ends with activated-charcoal filters. Pretty standard. But what separates it from the rest is its steam-sterilization option, which you’ll not find anywhere else, except the AquaNui CT. This self-cleaning option prevents bacterial contamination.
It can distill 0.8 gallons per 3.5 hours (one cycle), which is pretty decent, and consumes 800 watts per cycle, not quite as energy efficient as the Megahome, but not bad. Moreover, it’s much quieter than the distillers down the list.
The Pure Water Mini costs $750, and the brand offers a 15-year warranty for the mechanical body and a 2-year warranty on electrical parts, which is the best warranty of any brand in the home distillation market.
Cons
The Pure Water Mini distiller costs almost three times that of Megahome distillers, but there isn’t any significant difference in performance that justifies such a price hike, except perhaps the warranty. The steam-sterilization is nice, but is it necessary? Also, I expected a UL certification from the brand but didn’t find any.
Overall
The Pure Water Mini Classic CT water distiller’s patented distillation technology keeps contaminants away from your drinking water.
The higher-quality condensing coils, sterilization function, compact design, energy-saving technology, and extended warranty make it a worthy second option.
If you’re willing to pay a lot more for a better warranty, learn more about this product here.
3. AquaNui 8G Automatic Distiller: 8.3/10
- Best for low-key commercial use
- $2,095.00
The AquaNui water distiller takes longer to produce distilled water than the above two options, but its capacity is much greater, so it might be useful for micro-breweries or other small commercial operations.
Pros
AquaNui is a subsidiary of the Pure Water brand I reviewed above. Even though the parent company is the same, the designs are a bit different.
The AquaNui is a sleek floor unit that comes with a stand. At 38 inches high, it’s probably too big for the counter unless you have no cabinets above. It also comes with a glass container for storing distilled water.
This water distiller produces up to eight gallons of purified water daily. Made of long-lasting stainless steel, it’s designed to provide excellent water for years to come. It is also automatic, which means it produces water as it is consumed, ensuring there is always fresh water available. This makes it perfect for restaurants and labs in need of distilled water, specifically.
AquaNui’s countertop water distiller features steam sterilization, which makes cleaning fully automatic. You can also refer to the maintenance schedule on its website, which keeps the efficiency consistent and the performance optimal — if you follow it.
Despite the fact that the AquaNui 8G is priced at $2,095.00, it’s a family-owned (American) brand that produces premium quality products and with a 15-year limited warranty — including a two-year full warranty on electrical parts — it’ll last you a long time.
The brand also provides a cleaning liquid for removing scale buildup as well as a polish to keep the body looking fresh and straight out of the box for years.
Cons
I’ve got a few problems with the AquaNui water distiller. The distiller is available with a saddle installation kit upon purchase. If you plan to run the distiller out of a faucet, you’ll need to ask for a faucet installation kit before purchase. Otherwise, you’ll be charged an extra fee to replace the kit.
Also, the spout is behind the water distiller, which means you need space between the distiller and the back wall. Not good for narrow counters or already-cramped spaces.
This is a high-quality product that costs a lot of money. That said, not a lot of people are willing to cough up over $2,000 on a water distiller, so it’s probably more suitable for commercial or industrial use.
Overall
AquaNui Countertop water distillers work efficiently and distill contaminated water effectively. The 8G is a long-lasting and durable product with numerous features like shutoff valves and steam sterilization. But its high price means it’s not well suited to home use unless you run a baking or brewing business from home.
You can learn more about this product here.
4. H2o Labs Water Distiller
The H2o Labs distiller looks similar to the Megahome, and it’s no coincidence. H2o Labs is an American company with exclusive rights to Megahome products and sells its rebranded version from the US.
As expected, most features are the same, and the performance is identical. It can distill one gallon in five to six hours and consumes 565 watts of power. However, it’s noisy compared to the Megahome water distiller.
Also, it has a white baked-enamel metal exterior, and its interior is made from 304 stainless steel, unlike Megahome, which uses 316 stainless steel, a superior version.
The water quality is superb, and the design is quite practical. It comes with a glass carafe and a post-charcoal filter spout.
H2o Labs water distillers cost $279, which is $17 pricier than the Megahome even though they are essentially the same. H2o Labs offers a one-year warranty, which is also less than what Megahome offers.
Even though both products come from the same parent company, I find Megahome a better option. Find out more about this product here.
5. VIVOHOME Water Distiller
Next up is the VivoHome water distiller, made from BPA-free plastic and brushed stainless steel, with an ergonomic design and user-friendly features.
It takes about four hours to distill one gallon of water and consumes 750 watts of power.
The four-bladed aluminum fan on the top is noiseless and efficient. However, the overall build quality could be better.
VivoHome is not breaking new ground when it comes to technology — it runs on a standard distillation cycle. It also doesn’t have a charcoal filter, which is a bummer.
I have mixed feelings about VivoHome’s temperature detector, which stops the distiller from overheating. Theoretically, it won’t stop when the water level is down (like Pure Water) or when the water evaporates (like Megahome) but will only shut off once the temperature reaches a certain threshold.
Though safe, it may impact the heating element and performance. Switch it off manually or use a digital timer outlet to stop it from running bone dry.
All the other water distillers down the list have a similar safety mechanism. Megahome and Pure Water have superior safety features.
VivoHome’s water distiller is CE certified, which is a European standard that monitors product quality. This unit will cost you only $139.99 with a one-year warranty, which is reasonable considering the price.
6. VEVOR Countertop Water Distiller
Securing the sixth spot is the VEVOR 1.1Gal Stainless Steel Water Distiller, which is lightweight and compact.
The VEVOR countertop water distiller is designed to produce pure and distilled water efficiently and quickly. The distiller has a power level of 1750 watts, which allows it to produce up to 0.3 gallons (1.1 liters) of distilled water per hour.
To help with overheating, the VEVO water distiller includes dry-burning protection, which shuts off the appliance automatically when the heat reaches 150°C. This machine’s upgraded time-setting function and classic temperature control are ideal for constant-temperature fermentation, enabling you to distill liquids like alcohol, hydrosol, and essential oils.
However, there have been complaints from users about malfunctions, but mostly, this is a small, slow machine. Less than half a gallon of distilled water per hour and all that energy output really limits what you can use this for.
This water distiller will cost you $104.99 and comes with a one-year warranty.
7. DC House 4L Water Distiller
DC House, a Chinese brand, makes a low-budget option with average distillation and build quality. Like other distillers, it has a stainless-steel lower-half body and a plastic upper body and fan. It comes with a food-grade plastic (polypropylene) carafe, which is fine, but I prefer glass.
Though the distiller is sturdy, the outlet spout becomes loose after some time. Also, the cap on the water jug doesn’t fix properly.
Most notably, the DC House distiller takes four hours to distill one gallon. It’s rated 750 watts, costing you $0.3 per gallon. It features an overheating safety switch and an activated-carbon filter.
It costs $105.99, but the brand offers only a two-month product warranty and a one-year service warranty.
Though the product functions as advertised, it’s not sturdy, and adding a poor warranty to the mix certainly makes it a less desirable option.
8. CO-Z Water Distiller
CO-Z’s water distiller has much in common with the DC House filter, from performance to looks. It can distill one gallon in four hours and shut down when it reaches the peak temperature.
I don’t like the pitcher design, but you can always replace it with your own. The distillation quality is good but not on par with my top recommendation. It also gets heated quickly, so keep it in a well-ventilated area.
CO-Z costs $129.99 with a one-year warranty. During my research, I found that some customers struggled with finding replacement parts for this product.
9. ROVSUN Water Distiller
Rovsun offers the same features and performance parameters as the previous two distillers, costing only $79.99. Its body is made of aluminum, and the insides are stainless steel.
The instruction manual says you must dump the first few gallons of distilled water, which I find inconvenient and wasteful. It generates a lot of noise, indicating its poor build quality. Also, the boiling chamber started to rust after a few distillation cycles. At this price range, I didn’t expect much.
10. Waterwise 4000 Countertop Distiller
The Waterwise 4000 distiller is the last product on my list. Not sure what’s the significance of the number 4000, but I couldn’t find any explanation on the website.
Performance-wise, it’s pretty average, with a distillation speed of one gallon in four hours. It requires 800 watts in each cycle, which is pretty energy inefficient.
Waterwise’s water distiller costs a whopping $369. In my opinion, the cost is unjustified, and you can find better value for money in the Megahome and H2o Labs water distillers.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, many water distillers are available with similar base designs. Still, there is a clear winner when it comes to performance, features, durability, and value for money — the Megahome Deluxe Water Distiller.
Its supreme distillation speed of one gallon per 5.5 hours makes it a viable option, consuming only 580 watts of power, which is pretty economical.
The Megahome is noiseless, and the seals are tight, preventing any leakages. It’s also UL certified, so you can trust it’s a quality product.
The design is sleek and sturdy and made from the most durable 316 stainless steel. No other distiller uses this. It also features a safety switch that stops the distiller once no water is left. An additional steam sterilization stage makes cleaning easy-peasy.
Megahome has excellent customer service, and all the spare parts are readily available online. The brand also offers two years extended warranty on all its products, which may not be as impressive as the Pure Water warranty, but at this price range, you can’t beat it.
If you want pure and distilled drinking water free from bacteria, germs, inorganic compounds, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and chlorine all year long, then the Megahome Deluxe Water Distiller is your best bet. Buy it now here.
Research Methodology
After reading my reviews, you might be interested in my research methodology. Here are brief details of my entire process, which helped me rank the best water distillers for drinking water.
Step 1: A list of water distillers
I find the first step is always the most daunting. But I had to start somewhere, so I visited the local stores and e-commerce sites and made a list of the best-selling water distillers.
Step 2: Product analysis
I first observed that most distillers have the same design and features. So, I needed a comprehensive ranking system to differentiate good from adequate.
There is a famous quote by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, “Begin with the end in mind.” I knew I had to define my end goal before moving forward. So, I came up with the following points to evaluate water distillers.
- Company details
- Product design
- Inner technology
- Features (capacity, distilling time, etc.)
- Power (watts)
- Certifications
- Safety
- Noise
- Price, shipping, and warranty
Each point has different scores depending on its importance.
Step 3: Online reviews
Next, I started actually going through hundreds of verified reviews by authentic customers. To name a few, I skimmed through Amazon, Google, Home Depot, Trustpilot, and Gizmodo. I also watched YouTube reviews to see what people were talking about.
There was a discrepancy between what companies claimed and what people experienced. I thought as much.
Step 4: Interviews with real customers
Even with utmost scrutiny, fake and bogus online reviews are always possible. So, I decided to interview people in person.
Thanks to social media, I managed to find customers who have been using water distillers for some time. This gave me great insights into the performance and durability of the product. I included all of this in my final ranking.
Step 5: Interviews with brands
To avoid bias, I allowed the brands to defend their products. I asked them about the regular complaints people brought up about their products. I also inquired about the certifications, availability of spare parts, and warranty policies.
Some brands were quite open about their policies and offered satisfactory answers. In contrast, some didn’t even bother to reply to me.
Step 6: Test drives
Finally, it was time to test all the water distillers and observe the distillation process myself. For that, I asked all the brands for a test sample. Luckily, I got all 10.
I then started running water distillers 24/7 with one hour of rest between each cycle for one week. I collected purified water samples periodically and had them tested. I observed, among other things, the distillation speed, power consumption, ease of use, and noise of each unit.
Step 7: Ratings
Once I got all the data, I organized it in a spreadsheet. The water distiller that scored the highest secured top positions on my list.
Here is a brief summary of the ranking criteria I used to review water distillers.
- Company details and origin
- Product ergonomics
- Online and in-person reviews
- Certifications
- My own testing
- Cost
- Warranty
- Customer service
Best Water Distiller for Drinking Water
Finding the right water distiller for pure drinking water isn’t child’s play. It demanded a lot of attention and time, but it was worth it in the end.
The Megahome Deluxe performed well in all areas I evaluated. With a reasonable price and superior performance, it’s simply the best water distiller for home use. The design is classy, and the build quality is certified. This distiller will remove all organic and inorganic contaminants from your tap water.
If you want a high-performance water distiller with modern features that can last years at a reasonable price, then my number one recommendation is Megahome Deluxe Water Distiller. If you’re ready to drink distilled water instead of contaminants, buy the best distilled water system here.