So, you want to improve the quality of the water you drink and use for cooking (or other applications). You did a little bit of research and saw that some people recommend buying a water distiller while others tell you to get a water filter. What are the differences between a water distiller and a water filter?
Differences Between a Water Distillers and a Water Filter
To help you understand the differences between a water distiller and a water filter, we will explain to you how each of them works:
How Does A Water Distiller Work
Water distillers work by heating water to its boiling point, causing it to evaporate. Because various impurities have higher boiling points, they are in the boiling chamber. The evaporated water travels to the cooling chamber, where it condenses back into liquid form. The leftover impurities in the boiling chamber are discarded.
But what does a water distiller do? Water distillers can remove various types of impurities and contaminants, such as:
- Heavy metals (lead, mercury, and arsenic)
- Chemicals (chlorine, fluoride, and nitrates)
- Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and parasites)
- Dissolved solids (salts and minerals)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
As a result, water distillers remove almost all contaminants, making the water almost completely pure. This distillation process consistently provides high-quality water every time. Water distillers require minimal maintenance, such as cleaning the boiling chamber from time to time. Unlike traditional filters, there are no recurring costs for replacement cartridges or membranes.
How Does A Water Filter Work
Water filters use various types of filtering media to trap and remove contaminants from water. The filtration process depends on the type of filter, but most work by forcing water through layers of material that capture particles, chemicals, and microorganisms.
There are several different filtration principles. One is media-based filtration, which means that the water passes through materials such as activated carbon, ceramic, or sand. These materials trap the impurities while the clean water passes through.
There is also reverse osmosis, a process that uses a semipermeable membrane to filter water. Water passes through this membrane under pressure, allowing only the water molecules to pass through while the contaminants are left behind.
Finally, we have UV filters, and they use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in water. While UV doesn’t physically remove particles, it effectively sterilizes the water.
What kind of contaminants can you remove from your water with a water filter?
- Heavy metals (lead, mercury, and arsenic)
- Chlorine
- Bacteria and Viruses
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Sediments
Water filters, especially pitcher or faucet models, are rather affordable to purchase and maintain. They are an easy and simple way to improve water quality at home. Since they remove chemicals like chlorine, they improve the taste and smell of drinking water.
These filters can be tailored to remove specific contaminants like heavy metals, bacteria, or pesticides, making them effective for specific water quality issues. Unlike distillers, water filters keep the essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, etc.) in the water, which is also important for your health.
The Bottom Line
Overall, water distillers provide the highest level of water purity by removing almost all contaminants, including heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms. However, water filters are more convenient and versatile, offering faster filtration while retaining beneficial minerals.
Which One Should You Choose
Now that you know how each option works, it is time to make your decision. To do that, you need to ask yourself several questions. For example, do you need the purest water possible? In that case, you should get a water distiller.
Do you mind losing some essential minerals from your water? If not, buy a water distiller. However, if you want those minerals because they are important for your health, buy a water filter. You will get clean water without using these necessary minerals.
How quickly do you need your water to be clean and ready to use? If you are in a hurry, buy water filters, as they work much faster. If you have enough time to wait, a water distiller is also a good option.
Do you want to target specific contaminants in the water? If so, you should buy a water filter that specializes in removing these contaminants. Water distillers remove everything, and with them, you can’t choose what to remove and what to leave in the water.
Finally, how much time do you want to spend on maintenance? Water filters have filters that need to be changed relatively frequently. Buying and installing a new filter isn’t expensive or hard to do, but over time, it can become tiring. If this sounds like it could happen to you, choose a water distiller!
We also have some interesting recommendations, so make sure to take a close look at them:
4L Stainless Steel Water Distiller
If you are looking for a reliable home water purification system, take a look at this water distiller. It effectively removes impurities from the water, giving you pure water for drinking, cooking, and more. With durable stainless steel construction, a 4 l glass container, and an easy-to-use design, this compact distiller will last you for years. Click below to see more details and specs for this distiller.
Large 6L Water Distiller
If you need something bigger, try this 6l home water distiller. It has a 900W heating unit that purifies up to 1.6 gallons of water, processing almost 2 quarts per hour. It is perfect for healthier drinking, cooking, and more. This distiller is easy to use thanks to its one-touch operation, durable food-safe materials, and a convenient 1.2-quart pitcher. Learn more about this distiller by clicking below.
Conclusion
The goal of this article was to explain the differences between water distiller and water filter, and help you choose the option that better fits your needs. As you can see, both options have some advantages and benefits, so make sure to carefully weigh them before making your decision!
