Filtered Water vs Distilled Water: What’s the Difference?

Filtered water and distilled water are both cleaner than straight tap water — but they’re produced differently and suit different purposes. Here’s a clear comparison to help you choose the right option for your home.

Browse our water distiller range and benchtop water filters, or see our full guides: Water Distillers Guide and Benchtop Water Filters Guide.

How Each Is Produced

Distilled Water

Water is boiled into steam, then condensed back into liquid in a separate clean container. Contaminants, minerals, bacteria, heavy metals, and most chemicals don’t evaporate with the water — they’re left behind. A carbon post-filter removes any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that carry over with the steam. The result is extremely high purity water — essentially pure H₂O.

Filtered Water

Water passes through one or more filter media — activated carbon, KDF, ceramic, reverse osmosis membranes, or a combination — that remove specific contaminants while allowing water and dissolved minerals to pass through. The result depends on the filter type: a basic carbon filter removes chlorine and improves taste; a reverse osmosis system removes up to 99% of contaminants including fluoride.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Is Better for Daily Drinking?

For everyday drinking water, filtered water is the better choice for most Australian households. A quality filter removes harmful contaminants while retaining the beneficial minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) that contribute to taste and health. Our 8-stage KDF benchtop filters and reverse osmosis systems are both excellent options.

Distilled water is ideal for applications requiring maximum purity — CPAP machines, steam irons, aquariums, laboratory use, and baby formula preparation. For daily drinking, remineralise distilled water with prill beads or mineral drops to restore beneficial minerals and improve taste.

Frequently Asked Questions