No one wants to worry about what is coming out of their faucet. Water affects almost every part of life, from what you drink to how well your appliances hold up. When homeowners start looking at options beyond tap water, purified and distilled water often come up as alternatives. At first glance they sound similar. They are both treated to remove impurities, but they go about it in very different ways.
Interestingly, all distilled water is purified water, but not all purified water is distilled. That’s because “purified” is a broad term that covers many treatment methods—distillation is just one of them. We’ll walk you through more of what sets them apart below so that you can choose the option that best fits your home.
In This Article
- What Is Purified Water?
- Benefits of Purified Water
- Limitations of Purified Water
- What Is Distilled Water?
- Benefits of Distilled Water
- Limitations of Distilled Water
- How Purification and Distillation Processes Differ
- Choosing Between Purified and Distilled Water For Your Home
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Purified Water?
Purified water is water that has been treated to reduce many of the contaminants you don’t want, like chlorine, lead, sediment, or chemicals from pipes or soil. It’s treated to make it safer and better tasting, whether you’re drinking it, cooking with it, or filling up your pet’s bowl.
There’s no one way to purify water, and no one purification system removes 100% of contaminants. That’s why you may use layered or “stacked” treatment systems, especially in medical and scientific settings. There are many different ways to purify water, but the most common methods include:
- Reverse osmosis (RO): Forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to block contaminants.
- Activated carbon filtration: Absorbs substances that affect taste, odor, and some chemical content.
- Distillation: Heats water into steam, then condenses it back into liquid, leaving most impurities behind.
- UV filtration: Uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
- Deionization (ion exchange): Water passes through resin beads that remove electrically charged mineral ions to form nearly pure H₂O.
- Chemical disinfection: Uses oxidizing agents such as chlorine, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide to kill microorganisms and break down certain chemicals.
Most whole house filtration systems combine different methods to catch a broader range of impurities. You’ll find purified water in plenty of places, from store-bought bottles of water to your fridge’s built-in filter or a whole-home setup under the sink.
Benefits of Purified Water
Purified water gives you cleaner, better-tasting water, and the switch is easy. It’s a smart upgrade for families who want more control over their drinking water. Here’s why:
- Targets a wider range of contaminants. Purification systems go beyond chlorine. They help reduce lead, pesticides, and other things you might not want in your glass.
- Improves taste and smell. When you strip out the additives, water just tastes cleaner. That small change often makes it easier to drink more.
- Flexible system options. Pitcher, under-sink, or whole-home system: there’s an option for every home and budget. And if you’re dealing with something specific, like old pipes or local runoff, some systems can target that directly.
- Keeps helpful minerals (in most cases). Aside from distillation and RO, many purification systems leave in helpful minerals. That means your water stays clean, but not totally stripped.
- Customized protection: Some systems are built to address specific concerns like lead, sediment, or pesticide levels. This is especially helpful if you have older pipes or live in an agricultural area. The best way to know what your water needs? Schedule a free consultation with Leaf Home and get a customized recommendation for your home.
Limitations of Purified Water
Purification works well, but it does have limits. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you weigh your options:
- Maintenance is essential. Filters do not last forever. When they’re overdue for replacement, the filtration process stops working as intended and the system can even harbor bacteria.
- Some systems remove minerals that affect taste. This does not make the water unsafe, but it can change how it tastes, especially if you’re used to more mineral-rich water. Oftentimes, there’s an easy fix like adding a remineralization filter to your RO system.
- There is an upfront cost. While pitcher filters are an affordable first start to home filtration, larger water filtration systems require an upfront investment and ongoing upkeep. Many homeowners feel the benefits of in-home water treatment are worth it, but it is something to plan for.
What Is Distilled Water?
Distilled water takes a different route to purity. Instead of filtering, it consists of boiling water into steam and then condensing it back into liquid. The boiling process removes almost everything, including essential minerals, salts, electrolytes, and most contaminants. In fact, distillation can remove up to 99% of total dissolved solids (TDS). What you get is pure water, plain and simple.
Because it has no dissolved solids, distilled water is often used where scale buildup or impurities would cause problems. Without minerals like calcium and magnesium, it won’t leave behind residue or buildup over time, helping protect sensitive equipment and extend appliance life. You will also see it in devices like CPAP machines and humidifiers, laboratories, medical settings, and industrial work.
Benefits of Distilled Water
The biggest advantage of distilled water is how clean it is. Distillation removes nearly all dissolved substances, which makes it ideal when water quality needs to be completely controlled.
- Ultra-pure consistency: Distillation removes nearly everything, including minerals and contaminants, so it behaves the same way every time. This is perfect when cleanliness and control matter.
- Helps prevent scale buildup: Without calcium or magnesium, distilled water helps keep appliances like coffee makers, humidifiers, and steam irons free of limescale, saving you maintenance headaches and helping your appliances last longer. This is why distilled water is considered soft water.
- Ideal for sensitive equipment and habitats: Because it’s free from minerals and impurities, distilled water is often used in medical settings, labs, or appliances that need a spotlessly clean water source.
- Useful for aquariums, with preparation. Distilled water is sometimes used in saltwater fish tanks because it offers a clean slate without impurities. But it must be re-mineralized before use, as the lack of essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium can harm fish and plants. Regular testing and pH balancing are key if you go this route.
Limitations of Distilled Water
Distilled water offers purity, but it comes with a few practical and health considerations to keep in mind:
- Flat taste and mineral loss: Without minerals like calcium and magnesium, distilled water often tastes bland. These minerals aren’t essential for immediate hydration, but they do support taste and may offer subtle nutritional benefits. While drinking distilled water isn’t dangerous for people who eat a balanced diet, some may want to consider replenishing minerals through food, supplements, or occasional mineralized water.
- Energy-intensive and slow to produce: Distillation takes time and power, making it less practical for households that go through many gallons daily, especially compared to faster, low-energy systems like whole-house multi-stage filters.
- Not a catch-all for contaminants: Distillation removes most impurities (like heavy metals, minerals, bacteria, and organic compounds) but some volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, or solvents that vaporize at temperatures close to boiling points near water may remain unless additional treatment like activated carbon filtration is used.
- Potential long-term impacts: Some studies suggest that prolonged consumption of demineralized water may increase diuresis and electrolyte excretion (like potassium), which could influence mineral balance over time, especially if dietary sources are lacking.
How Purification and Distillation Processes Differ
Both methods produce clean water, but they work in very different ways. Purification covers a broad range of processes, including distillation. Distillation, on the other hand, relies on boiling and condensation to yield consistently mineral-free water.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Purified Water | Distilled Water |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Filtration (carbon, RO, deionization), UV, distillation, chemical methods, etc. | Boiling and condensing steam |
| Contaminant Removal | Reduces chemicals, metals, microbes, some solids | Removes nearly all minerals and most chemicals, metals, and bacteria |
| Mineral Content | Depends on treatment method
RO, deionization and distillation remove most if not all minerals. Most other methods keep some minerals. |
No minerals |
| Energy Use | Low to moderate | High (requires heat) |
| Production Rate | Fast with most systems | Slow |
| Common Uses | Drinking, cooking, general household needs | Appliances, labs, medical equipment, specialized uses |
Choosing Between Purified and Distilled Water for Your Home
Purified and distilled water both offer cleaner alternatives to untreated tap water. So which one should you choose? It depends on how you plan to use it. For drinking and cooking, purified water is often the better choice. It is cleaner, tastes good, and is easier to produce in the quantities a family needs.
Distilled water is excellent for appliances or any situation where minerals cause trouble. Many homeowners keep it on hand for specific uses while relying on purified water for daily hydration.
When it comes down to it, there is no one right answer.
If you are unsure which one fits your home, consider starting with a water test. A professional water test can identify exactly what’s in your tap water — like chlorine, lead, hardness minerals, or even PFAS — so you know what needs attention. With clear results, you can choose a system that targets your specific concerns. Leaf Home offers free in-home water testing, making it easy to skip the guesswork and take the first step toward cleaner, safer water. Knowing what is in your tap helps you make an informed choice. Leaf Home offers testing services that take the guesswork out of that first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is purified water the same as distilled water?
Not exactly. The big difference is in how they’re made. “Purified water” is a broad term for water that has been treated to remove impurities, using methods like reverse osmosis, deionization, or distillation. Distilled water is just one type of purified water. Distillation boils the water and collects the steam, stripping out everything—minerals included.
Which method removes more contaminants?
Distillation removes up to 99% of total dissolved solids, making it one of the most thorough purification methods available. Purified water, depending on the method used, can also reduce a wide range of contaminants including chlorine, lead, pesticides, and PFAS. The exact effectiveness varies based on the system, with reverse osmosis being one of the most comprehensive options in that category.
Can I use distilled water for drinking?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe. The only downside is the taste — people often say it feels flat because there are no minerals left in it. If that bothers you, purified water is usually a better choice for everyday drinking since it keeps a bit of flavor while still being very clean. In addition, research shows there are potential side effects from drinking distilled water long-term.
How often should I maintain a purification system?
Most systems need a little upkeep to keep working their best. Some filters need changing every few months, others might last up to a year. If your water starts tasting different or slows to a trickle, that’s usually your system telling you it’s time. When in doubt, a quick look at the manufacturer’s guide can help you stay on track.
Will my appliances benefit from distilled water?
Yes, and you’ll probably notice less buildup too. Coffee makers, humidifiers, and even steam irons stay cleaner and last longer when you use distilled water. Some manufacturers actually recommend it because it keeps the inside parts free of scale and helps prevent issues later on. Water softeners can also help reduce scale.
