Reverse osmosis water isn’t the same as distilled water. Reverse osmosis pushes water through a semipermeable membrane and filters, while distillation boils water and condenses the steam. Distilled water is nearly pure H₂O, while reverse osmosis water may retain some minerals. For Perth households, the reverse osmosis vs water distiller comparison comes down to your purification needs and how conveniently you want drinking water available.
It’s understandable to focus on which method removes more contaminants, but everyday convenience matters too. A domestic distiller typically produces around one litre of water per hour, so you’ll need to plan ahead. An installed reverse osmosis system can provide a supply from its tap and storage tank. This guide explains how each method purifies water, which contaminants it can remove, and how countertop and under-sink options compare. Production speed, maintenance and daily use all help determine the right fit for your household.
No. Reverse osmosis and distillation use different processes, so their purified water can differ in mineral content and taste. Distilled water is nearly pure H₂O, while reverse osmosis water may retain some minerals.
Neither method should be treated as a mineral supplement: both can remove beneficial minerals from water. Distilled water contains no minerals and may taste flat, while reverse osmosis water may retain some.
Reverse osmosis pushes water through a semipermeable membrane and filters, reducing dissolved material. The finished water may retain some minerals, depending on the system and source water. It isn’t identical to distilled water, which has fewer minerals. Reverse osmosis water can also be remineralised, changing its mineral content and potentially its taste.
Distillation boils water, then condenses the steam into a separate container. Many impurities and minerals remain behind as water changes from liquid to steam. The resulting water is nearly pure H₂O and contains no minerals. Compared with reverse osmosis, this process leaves fewer minerals in the collected water, which some people find gives it a flatter taste.
In Western Australia, installation and plumbing needs depend on the system: countertop distillers operate separately, while under-sink reverse osmosis units connect to household plumbing. Reverse osmosis also produces wastewater; the proportion varies by system, and most units reject 75 to 90% of raw water.
Perth tap-water quality and hardness can vary with the water supply and property. The right treatment depends on the concern: reverse osmosis treats drinking water, while softening before reverse osmosis can help extend filter life where hard water is an issue.
Adding minerals to reverse osmosis water is an option, not a required step. Remineralisation changes the mineral content; it doesn’t make the water the same as distilled water. Distillation leaves minerals behind during boiling and condensation, while remineralised reverse osmosis water has minerals added after filtration.
| Option | Purity and minerals | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Reverse osmosis | May retain some minerals; can be remineralised | Membrane and filters |
| Distillation | Nearly pure H₂O; no minerals | Boiling and condensation |
Choose based on the mineral content you want, your taste preference and whether a separately plumbed system suits your kitchen.
Reverse osmosis and distillation remove contaminants through different processes. Effectiveness depends on the substance involved, so neither method is a universal solution.
Reverse osmosis uses pressure to push water through a semipermeable membrane. It can reduce dissolved solids, bacteria and other contaminants, with reported removal of 90-99% of contaminants overall. For total dissolved solids, removal is estimated at 95-99%, depending on the membrane and system configuration. These ranges show why the specific contaminant matters when comparing purification methods.
Distillation heats water until it becomes steam, then condenses that steam into collected water. Bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, dissolved solids and minerals are left behind during this phase change. The method can remove a broader range of contaminants than reverse osmosis, including dissolved gases and volatile organic compounds. However, some volatile compounds can travel with the steam.
That limitation matters for volatile organic compounds, often shortened to VOCs. If a VOC evaporates at or below water’s boiling point, it may carry over into distilled water. Distillation therefore doesn’t remove every VOC in every case. How the substance behaves during heating affects whether it stays behind or reaches the collected water.
Reverse osmosis has a limitation too: it doesn’t remove all dissolved gases or VOCs. Many systems include activated carbon pre-filters, which can capture VOCs that distillation may miss. The membrane and pre-filter do different jobs, so the treatment stages work together rather than acting as interchangeable barriers.
Fluoride offers a useful example of how the methods compare. Both reverse osmosis and distillation are more than 99% effective at removing fluoride. Distillation leaves fluoride behind with other dissolved substances; reverse osmosis reduces it through membrane filtration. The outcome for fluoride is similar, even though the purification steps differ.
For reverse osmosis, contaminant removal varies with the membrane and system configuration. An overall percentage doesn’t mean every individual substance is reduced by the same amount. Distillation separates substances through heating and condensation, but some VOCs may carry over. Compare the contaminant you want to reduce, rather than relying on which method sounds more thorough.
In practice, match the treatment method to the contaminant of concern. For example, both methods remove fluoride effectively, while VOC behaviour requires closer attention to the process and filtration stages. System design matters too: activated carbon pre-filtration can address some VOCs that may pass through distillation.
Countertop distillers and under-sink reverse osmosis systems suit different kitchen layouts and routines. Compare their components, space requirements, water storage and purchase costs before choosing equipment for drinking water.
A countertop distiller is a standalone appliance. It heats water and collects the condensed output in a separate container, without an under-sink membrane assembly. Consider its footprint and batch size: a typical home distiller takes several hours to make a few litres. It suits households that are comfortable planning ahead and storing the finished water.
An under-sink reverse osmosis system uses a semipermeable membrane and a series of filters. A typical setup includes a sediment filter, two carbon filters, a membrane vessel and a storage tank. A common sediment filter handles particles of 5 microns or greater, while sediment filter ratings can range from 1 to 30 microns depending on the source water.
The storage tank is another practical difference. A common reverse osmosis pressure tank holds 10 to 20 litres, giving the system a reserve of filtered water. The assembly takes cupboard space and connects to household plumbing. If water pressure is low, the system may need a pump; source-water conditions can also call for pretreatment devices.
Materials matter because water passes through several components before reaching the tap. In an under-sink system, these include filter housings, tubing, the membrane vessel and the storage tank. In a countertop distiller, the appliance and collection container handle water at different stages. Compare the manufacturer’s stated materials for water-contact parts rather than assuming every system has the same construction.
More stages don’t automatically mean better-quality water. Reverse osmosis systems with extra filters still need components suited to the water source and intended treatment. A sediment filter captures particles, carbon filters treat other substances, and the membrane has a separate filtration role. The number of stages alone doesn’t show whether the design matches your needs.
Initial system costs vary with equipment type, capacity, included components and any required pretreatment. A countertop distiller is a standalone appliance, while an under-sink reverse osmosis setup includes several connected parts. Compare the full system configuration, not just the main appliance or membrane.
For a compact, separate appliance, consider countertop distillation. For filtered water from a kitchen tap, consider whether an under-sink system and its storage tank suit your cupboard and plumbing.
Daily demand affects whether filtration or boiling suits your routine. A domestic distiller typically produces around one litre per hour, while reverse osmosis production depends on the system and storage.
A standard 4-litre water distiller can use up to 3 kWh for one cycle. Reverse osmosis systems generally use less energy, but produce wastewater; the amount varies between systems.
Reverse osmosis moves water through filtration stages and a semipermeable membrane. A storage tank holds treated water, making it available at the tap without waiting for a new batch to finish boiling. Production and storage capacity depend on the system, water pressure and household demand. Filtration also sends wastewater to the drain.
A distiller boils water, collects the steam and cools it into purified water. The process takes time: a domestic unit typically produces around one litre per hour. That makes a distiller less suited to sudden high demand. A household needing water for cooking and drinking throughout the day, for example, must plan batches and keep clean storage ready.
For electricity use, the production process is the key difference. A standard 4-litre distiller may use up to 3 kWh in one cycle, and distillation is energy-intensive. Reverse osmosis generally uses less energy, but exact use depends on the equipment and operating conditions. Household electricity costs also depend on the tariff, so the kWh figure alone doesn’t determine the bill.
Water use differs too. Reverse osmosis sends some incoming water away as wastewater during filtration, and the ratio varies by system. Distillation doesn’t reject water through a membrane process, but it requires boiling and takes hours to produce a usable amount. Consider both the treated water you need and the water that won’t reach your glass.
Storage affects convenience and water quality after treatment. An RO tank provides a ready reserve, while a distiller’s output is collected after each batch. In either case, a contaminated system or container can introduce bacteria into purified water. Keep collection and storage vessels clean, especially when water won’t be used straight away.
Distillation’s boiling stage kills bacteria and viruses in the water being heated. However, clean handling still matters after cooling, when water enters its collection container. Reverse osmosis doesn’t rely on boiling, so hygienic maintenance and storage matter for the finished water. Neither system protects water from contamination introduced after purification.
If you need water ready at the kitchen tap, consider the convenience of an RO storage tank. If you prefer a standalone appliance and can plan batches, a distiller may fit your routine. Compare electricity use, wastewater and daily demand together.
The key difference is the separation step. Reverse osmosis uses pressure and a membrane; distillation turns water into steam, then condenses it.
In reverse osmosis, pressure pushes feed water through a semipermeable membrane. Water passes through while the membrane restricts dissolved solids and other contaminants. The system’s filters support this process, with carbon pre-filters capturing some volatile organic compounds. The treated stream becomes drinking water, while another stream carries rejected substances away. This is filtration, not boiling or evaporation.
That distinction helps explain what reverse osmosis can and can’t do. Its membrane reduces dissolved material, but reverse osmosis doesn’t remove all dissolved gases or volatile organic compounds. Performance also depends on the membrane and system configuration. For example, a system may reduce dissolved solids while some gases remain in the water. “Purified” doesn’t mean every compound has been removed.
Distillation follows a different sequence. First, the unit heats water until it boils and becomes steam. Next, the steam is cooled and condensed into collected water. Many impurities stay behind in the original vessel during this phase change, including dissolved solids, minerals, heavy metals, bacteria and viruses. Unlike membrane filtration, separation relies on how substances behave during heating and condensation.
Distillation can remove dissolved gases and volatile organic compounds that reverse osmosis may not remove. However, it isn’t a universal barrier for every compound. A volatile organic compound that evaporates at or below water’s boiling point may travel with the steam and enter the collected water. In contrast, activated carbon pre-filters in many reverse osmosis systems can capture some VOCs that distillation may miss.
Neither process should be judged by a single label. A membrane and a carbon filter perform different jobs in an RO system, while boiling and condensation define distillation. For fluoride, both methods are more than 99% effective at removal, despite using different steps. For VOCs, the comparison depends on whether a compound carries over during distillation or is captured by carbon filtration.
For a practical comparison, trace the substance through each process. Dissolved solids are reduced by the RO membrane or left behind during distillation. Some dissolved gases and VOCs may remain after reverse osmosis; some volatile compounds may carry over during distillation. The clearest takeaway is to match the treatment process to the contaminant, rather than assuming either method removes every chemical from drinking water.
The Elite Series 3 Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System from Great Water Filters is a practical option for households seeking filtered drinking water at home. Great Water Filters supplies and professionally installs the system, with Free Installation Australia wide.
As part of its Smarter & Healthier water filter systems range, the installation comes with Transparent upfront Pricing. There’s No Upfront Payment Required: you Only Pay when Fully Installed & Happy. The 100% No Risk approach means payment is made once the system is installed and you’re happy.
If you’d like to discuss whether this system suits your household, contact Great Water Filters for advice.
In Perth, choosing between reverse osmosis and a water distiller starts with how you use drinking water each day. Consider when you need it, where the equipment can sit, and how much time you’re comfortable allowing for production. These practical details turn a technical comparison into a decision that fits your household.
If you’re still weighing your options, Great Water Filters can help you consider which residential water-treatment system best suits your needs.
A clear next step can make choosing simpler. Take your time, focus on what matters most at home, and move ahead when you feel ready.
Distilled water is generally suitable to drink when it’s made and stored hygienically. Because it contains no minerals, it won’t contribute minerals to your diet, and some people find its taste flat. For everyday use, consider your taste preference and intended purpose. Water for a specific medical or laboratory process should meet that process’s requirements, which may differ from those for household drinking water.
Distillation separates water from substances that don’t evaporate in the same way. A home unit processes water in batches, so you need a clean container ready to collect and store each batch. The appliance’s output and your storage habits are useful considerations, especially if you want water available at different times of the day.
Osmosis describes water moving through a selectively permeable barrier towards a more concentrated solution. The term helps explain how a membrane can separate water from some dissolved substances. In a reverse osmosis unit, pressure is applied to drive the process in reverse. This distinction is useful when comparing membrane-based filtration with systems that treat water through heat.
The practical difference is how each system fits into your household. Consider whether you prefer a standalone appliance or a system connected beneath the kitchen sink, how much room you can allocate, and whether you’re comfortable planning batches. Taste matters too: distilled water has no minerals, while reverse osmosis water may retain some. These preferences can guide your choice without requiring a single “best” option.
A household may choose reverse osmosis to treat drinking water at a kitchen tap rather than process separate batches in a countertop appliance. An under-sink setup can suit people who want a fixed water-treatment point, provided the cupboard space and plumbing arrangement work for their kitchen. System selection and installation should account for the home’s water pressure and source-water conditions.
For everyday use, compare how each option fits your routine rather than treating them as identical. A distiller needs time to process batches, while an installed reverse osmosis system can make treated water available from its tap and storage tank. Taste may also influence your preference: distilled water contains no minerals, whereas reverse osmosis water may retain some. Consider your water use, space and preferred taste together.
The substances reduced depend on the method and system configuration. If you’re concerned about a particular contaminant, identify it first and compare it with the system’s treatment stages. A general claim about “purity” doesn’t describe every substance equally. Also consider whether the system includes carbon filtration, since different components target different compounds. Don’t assume any one method removes every possible contaminant.
Upfront costs in Perth depend on the equipment, installation requirements and system configuration. A countertop appliance and an under-sink installation involve different components and setup needs, so compare the complete systems rather than just the main unit. For a Great Water Filters product, pricing depends on the case and is provided after a quote request. Ongoing considerations include maintenance, replacement filters and electricity use.