There are many different types of water, each processed differently to meet specific needs. Two popular types are purified water and distilled water. Curious about the facts on purified water vs distilled water? There’s a lot of confusion about the difference between pure and distilled water, what each type is best for, and how they impact your health, taste experience, and even the environment. This guide answers your questions with simple explanations, data-backed insights, and practical tips so you can confidently pick the healthiest and safest water for your needs.
Quick Comparison Table: Purified vs Distilled Water
Is purified water the same as distilled water? Here’s a side-by-side chart showing the key differences. If you want a quick answer, this table sums up the essentials:
| Feature | Purified Water | Distilled Water |
| Process | Reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, deionization | Boiling & re-condensing steam |
| Mineral Content | May retain some minerals (varies by method) | 0 mg/L minerals (all removed) |
| Taste | Clean, sometimes slightly bland | Flat, “empty” taste |
| Common Uses | Daily drinking, cooking, bottled water, appliances | Medical, labs, humidifiers, devices |
| Environmental Impact | Moderate (depends on purification method) | Higher (energy for boiling/condensing) |
| Cost | $–$$ (varies with system/bottled) | $$–$$$ (often priciest) |
| Safety | High (meets EPA/WHO standards) | Ultra-pure, used for sensitive needs |
What Is Purified Water?
Regardless of the original water source, purified water goes through treatment to remove chemicals, bacteria, and solids. Purified water is a kind of water that’s been cleaned by removing chemicals, bacteria, and dissolved solids. The main goal is to make it as clean as possible for drinking or use in daily life.
How Is Water Purified?
Purification can happen through several methods, each removing impurities a bit differently:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filter: Water is pushed through a special filter that catches tiny particles, including lead, chlorine, and many chemicals.
- Deionization: Swaps out ions from dissolved salts and minerals, making the water very “clean.”
- Carbon Filtration: Uses activated carbon to trap chemicals, chlorine, and some metals from the water.
Water purification systems might combine these water treatments for even cleaner water.
Regulation and Standards
Purified water usually meets or exceeds standards set by organizations like the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) or the WHO (World Health Organization) for drinking water quality.
Does Purified Water Have Minerals?
Water and purified water differ mainly in their content of impurities and minerals, depending on the treatment used. It may retain some minerals like calcium or magnesium found in water, especially if the purification system is set up to let healthy minerals stay in the water. Some reverse osmosis (RO) systems remove nearly all minerals, while carbon filters may keep more.
Typical lab data:
- Calcium: 1–20 mg/L (varies)
- Magnesium: 0–8 mg/L (varies)
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): 1–30 ppm (very low but not zero)
Common Uses
- Everyday hydration: Many people choose purified water for its safety and taste.
- Reusable water bottles: Less risk of bacteria or bad taste.
- Cooking: Cleaner water can make recipes and drinks taste better.
- Appliances: Purified water reduces buildup in kettles, irons, and refrigerators.
Pros & Cons
Understanding the benefits of purified water is key when choosing a safe and convenient drinking option. Purified water offers cleaner taste and better affordability compared to other methods, making it popular for daily use. However, like any treatment, it has its drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of purified water to consider.
Pros:
- Safer than untreated tap water.
- Tastes cleaner and fresher.
- Usually more affordable and energy-efficient than distillation.
- Easy to make at home with a filter.
Cons:
- Not always 100% mineral-free.
- Needs maintenance (changing filters).
- Some methods create waste water (RO systems).
What’s Distilled Water?
Distilled water is made by boiling water and catching the pure steam. When the steam cools down, it turns back into liquid water—leaving almost everything else (minerals, salts, chemicals) behind.
Distillation Process—Step by Step
- Boil the water to make steam.
- Steam rises, leaving impurities behind.
- Steam cools in a separate chamber, turning back to water.
- Collected water is now nearly free of all dissolved substances.
Mineral Content in Distilled Water
Distilled water contains almost no minerals—virtually pure H₂O.
- Calcium: 0 mg/L
- Magnesium: 0 mg/L
- TDS: Less than 1 ppm
Laboratory and Medical Grade
Distilled water is often used in hospitals, laboratories, and certain industrial settings. This is because even tiny traces of minerals or germs can affect sensitive tests, medications, or machines.
Pros & Cons
When choosing the right water for your needs, understanding the benefits of distilled water can help you make an informed decision. Distilled water offers near-total purity, making it ideal for sensitive medical uses and certain appliances. However, it also has drawbacks such as higher energy use and a flat taste. Let’s explore the pros and cons of distilled water in detail.
Pros:
- Near-total purity—removes all bacteria, chemicals, and minerals.
- Essential for medical tools, labs, and some appliances.
- No risk of minerals building up in devices like humidifiers.
Cons:
- Uses a lot of energy (needs to boil and cool water).
- More expensive to buy or make at home.
- Flat taste, with no trace minerals.
- Not always ideal for daily drinking in the long-term.
Purified Water vs Distilled Water: Health, Taste, and Practical Differences
What is the difference between pure water and distilled water? Understanding the difference between purified and distilled water helps you make informed choices about your drinking water. Purified water and distilled water are two common options for clean drinking and household use. While both remove contaminants, they differ in mineral content, taste, and ideal applications. Understanding these differences can help you choose the best water for your health, appliances, and daily needs.
Mineral Retention & Health
- Purified water can keep some healthy minerals depending on how it’s made.
- Distilled water removes all minerals—so you get just H₂O.
- Scientific reports show that most healthy people do not need to get minerals from water because a balanced diet provides magnesium, calcium, and other essentials. For people with low mineral diets, every source may help.
- WHO guidance: Drinking low-mineral water is safe if your food has enough calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients.
Safety for Special Situations
- Both are safer than untreated tap water—great for areas with water quality issues.
- Immune-compromised, babies, or elderly: Distilled water is preferred because it removes even tiny germs or chemicals that might slip through other filters.
- Medical/public health: Hospitals use distilled water in IV bags and cleaning tools to avoid any contamination.
Taste and Everyday Experience
- Purified water: Clean taste, can be a little bland if most minerals are removed.
- Distilled water: Tastes “flat” or “empty” because there’s nothing left except pure water molecules.
- In recent user surveys, people who choose water for taste often prefer “purified” over “distilled,” especially for daily use.
Appliances & Humidifier Use
- Distilled water for humidifier: Always best! There’s nothing in it to cause white dust or scale buildup.
- For irons, CPAPs, aquarium top-offs, and labs: Distilled is the safest.
- Purified water can sometimes leave trace minerals, so it may leave minor residue over time.
Environmental Impact
- Distillation uses a lot of electricity or gas (all water must be boiled).
- Reverse osmosis (main purification method) uses less energy but can waste some water.
- Carbon filtration: Greenest option, needing the least energy and water.
- Lifecycle studies find distilled water has about double the energy use per liter compared to RO-purified water.
Cost Comparison
- Purified water (home filter): About $0.10–$0.25/gallon (including filter cost).
- Distilled water (store): $0.80–$2.00/gallon.
- Making distilled water at home costs more per gallon with electricity (especially if you need several gallons a week).
- Tip: Use a cost calculator to see your annual water expenses based on how much you drink/use.
Which Should You Choose? Use Cases & Expert Guidance
Which should you choose, distilled or purified water? It depends on what you need your water for. Try this quick guide:
Daily Drinking Water:
- Purified water is generally best for most people. It’s safe, clean, and often tastes better.
- If you need healthy minerals in water, choose a purification system designed to keep some minerals.
Immune-Compromised, Babies, Medical Devices:
- Distilled water is safest—no bacteria or minerals.
Humidifier or CPAP Machine:
- Distilled water only! Prevents scale buildup and keeps the air clean.
Cooking, Coffee/Tea, Bottles:
- Purified water works well—better taste and less residue in devices.
Lab, Aquarium, Industrial:
- Distilled water is required for scientific and technical accuracy.
Simple Flowchart for Deciding
Is purity or mineral content most important?
- Need 0 minerals? → Distilled
- Want some minerals and lower cost? → Purified
Is it for sensitive use (baby, medical, lab, humidifier)?
- Yes → Distilled
- No → Purified is fine
Regional & Cultural Notes
- In some countries, purified water may be easier to find than distilled.
- Taste norms: Some cultures prefer the taste of mineral-rich waters; others like ultra-pure, flat water.
Myths & Common Questions About Purified and Distilled Water
There’s a lot of confusion about whether minerals in water are necessary, if distilled water is harmful, or if water can ever be “too pure.” This section clears up those common questions and misconceptions, explaining when purified or distilled water is safe, how they affect taste and health, and their best uses for infants, pets, and household appliances.
Are Minerals in Water Essential?
You get most of your needed minerals from food, not water. Low-mineral water is fine for health if your diet is balanced.
Is Distilled Water Harmful Over Time?
Distilled water is safe for drinking for most people, but because it lacks minerals, some find it tastes “lifeless.” It won’t harm you unless your entire mineral intake is too low.
Can Purified or Distilled Water Be “Too Pure”?
No danger for healthy people. But, water with no minerals can taste odd and may not feel refreshing for some.
Safe for Infants, Pets, and Appliances?
- Infants: Sterile distilled water is safest for mixing formula—prevents germs and harmful buildup.
- Pets: Both purified and distilled are safe, but pets often prefer mineral-rich tap water.
- Appliances: Distilled water prevents mineral deposits.
- Teeth and dental health: If your only water is distilled (no fluoride or minerals), ask your dentist about mineral or fluoride supplements.
Key Takeaways: Purified Water vs Distilled Water
- Both purified and distilled water are much safer and cleaner than untreated tap water.
- Distilled water has zero minerals and is best for babies, medical use, humidifiers, and some appliances—but has a flat taste.
- Purified water may keep some healthy minerals and is usually best for drinking, cooking, and most daily uses.
- A balanced diet gives you nearly all the minerals you need, so either water is safe.
- Choose distilled water when total purity is needed; otherwise, purified water offers a healthy, eco-friendly, and cost-effective choice.
- Store water safely, test your water when in doubt, and talk to your doctor or dentist if you have special health concerns.
By learning the key differences, you can make a safe and healthy choice—while also considering the impact on your budget and the planet. Drink with confidence!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is better: purified or distilled water?
Purified water is considered a good choice for daily hydration for both children and adults. It is specially treated to remove chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria and other harmful things from tap water, and often retains or adds beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals not only make the water taste better, but also have health benefits. Moreover, pure water can be bought everywhere, the price is not expensive, whether it is the usual drink, cooking, or brewing coffee and tea, are very suitable. Distilled water is different, it is made by boiling and condensing, which removes almost all impurities from the water, even minerals. Because of this, it is particularly suitable for special occasions where absolutely pure water is required, such as the use of medical equipment, brewing baby formula, work in laboratories, and appliances like steam irons and humidifiers, which tend to accumulate minerals. However, also because there are no minerals, distilled water tastes like nothing, unless specifically recommended by healthcare professionals, or really not suitable for long-term as daily drinking water. Overall, daily drinking water choice of pure water is right, and distilled water is more suitable for those who need ultra-pure, non-mineralized water situation.
2. Can I use purified drinking water in place of distilled water?
Many times, it is perfectly fine to use purified water instead of distilled water, especially when cooking, drinking or mixing drinks. Purified water is water that removes most of the pollutants and is safe for people to drink, so it's a good substitute for distilled water on a daily basis. However, it may still have a little bit of dissolved minerals in it. It will leave some residue after a long time. But there are still times when you can only use distilled water, especially in certain water purification systems. For humidifiers, continuous positive airway pressure ventilators, steam irons, lab equipment, it's best to use non-mineralized water. Otherwise, it can build up limescale, harbor bacteria, and possibly damage the equipment. Distilled water is also usually preferred when making infant formula. This reduces the risk of trace contaminants. If you want to avoid residues, ensure sterility, or have strict purity requirements, it's safer to use distilled water.
3. Do I need distilled water for my humidifier?
Indeed, distilled water is highly recommended for humidifiers. Distilled water has no minerals in it, which prevents limescale from building up inside the unit and creating white dust, and it also prevents that dust from drifting into the air and landing on the furniture. It also reduces the likelihood of mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms growing in the tank, making for a cleaner mist and healthier air for people to breathe. Pure water is a little safer than tap water, but it still may have trace minerals that can leave a residue over time. So there's no better way to extend the life of your humidifier and keep your air quality at its best than with distilled water.
4. Can you drink distilled water?
Distilled water is often considered safe to drink. It is free of contaminants, bacteria, and minerals, that makes it one of the purest waters available. But the step of distillation removes calcium and magnesium, minerals that are good for the body, so the distilled water doesn't have much flavor to drink. And those with minerals or pure water than, many people feel that the taste of distilled water is far worse. Occasionally drinking distilled and purified water has no effect on health, but if you drink only distilled water for a long time, you may miss those usually from the drinking water or meals can get the necessary minerals. For daily hydration, many people would prefer to drink water that has retained its natural minerals. But if purity is the most important thing, distilled water is still a safe and clean choice.
5. What’s considered purified water?
Purified water is considered water that has been thoroughly cleaned and treated to remove all the contaminants like chemicals, bacteria, viruses and other impurities from it. Common purification methods include reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, distillation, and UV treatment. Unlike distilled water, purified water may retain some natural minerals depending on the filtration technique used. These minerals help make the water taste better and also provide some health benefits. The main feature of purified water is that it is exceptionally clean and safe, and it's great to use for everyday drinking, cooking, and other areas of the home where clean water is needed.
6. Is it good to drink purified water?
Yes, drinking purified bottled water or other types of purified water is indeed a good choice. It has no chlorine, bacteria, heavy metals and other harmful contaminants in it, making it both safe and clean to drink on a regular basis. Many people feel that purified water tastes better than regular tap water because the purification process removes impurities and odd flavors. However, some of the purification process removes beneficial minerals from the water, so it is important to eat a balanced diet and get enough calcium and magnesium, which are essential nutrients, from other sources. Overall, purified water is a reliable and refreshing hydration option for most people.
7. How do you store purified or distilled water safely?
To safely store purified or distilled water, you must use clean, food-grade containers, and you have to keep the caps on tightly to prevent contamination. Glass bottles or BPA-free plastic bottles are good choices. When storing, keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Light and heat make it easier for bacteria to grow, and may cause the container to deteriorate. Pure and distilled water can be safely stored for 6 to 12 months if properly sealed. If it's been stored for a longer period of time, it's important to keep an eye on it before drinking it, and periodically check to see if there are any changes in the odor, taste or appearance of the water.
8. Should you remineralize purified or distilled water?
For most people who eat a well-balanced diet and get enough minerals, there is usually no need to add minerals to purified or distilled water. However, if your diet is deficient in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, adding mineral drops or natural salts to your water can make it taste better and be more nutritious. Others will choose to remineralize their water just to make it taste better or to meet their specific health needs. In the end, whether or not you want to remineralize all depends on your overall dietary intake and personal preference. For most people, though, drinking plain or distilled water without added minerals is not at all harmful to their health.
9. How can you test water at home?
There are quite a few off-the-shelf test kits and digital meters that can be used when you want to test your water quality at home. Home test kits typically contain test strips or reagents that can detect minerals, total dissolved solids, bacteria, chlorine, pH and other common contaminants in water. These kits are easy to use, produce results quickly, and help you stay on top of the safety and purity of your water. For more accurate measurements, the digital TDS meter quickly calculates the concentration of dissolved solids in your water, so you'll know your overall water quality right away. While home testing is convenient and suitable for daily checks, if you need a detailed analysis or suspect that the water is seriously contaminated, it is still recommended to go to a professional laboratory for testing.