Can You Use Reverse Osmosis Water Instead of Distilled Water?

Although both reverse osmosis and distillation are methods of purifying water, they differ in certain areas. While reverse osmosis filters water by pushing it under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane, distillation involves turning water into steam and then allowing it to condense and return to liquid again. While reverse osmosis removes up to 98% of all contaminants, including the essential minerals in the water, distilling water also removes nearly all impurities, as well as 99.9% of all essential minerals. Despite their differences, we'll look into whether reverse osmosis water can be used instead of distilled water.

» Want to filter your water? See which water filter you should use.

Can RO Water Replace Distilled Water?

Despite the difference in their filtration processes, it's possible to use reverse osmosis water instead of distilled water—and some will argue that it's the better choice. Nevertheless, both filtering processes remove trihalomethanes and many other potentially harmful contaminants.

However, while both reverse osmosis water and distilled water are considered pure, they both remove the minerals from the tap water that the body needs to function properly. Therefore, it's important to remineralize RO water to avoid mineral deficiencies down the line.

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RO Water Vs. Distilled Water: Which Is the Better Choice?

Although both filtration systems have their benefits and drawbacks, reverse osmosis water typically tastes better than distilled water because it's less "flat." Distilled water is great for those suffering from kidney issues because it pulls out toxins from your system, but reverse osmosis filters are easier to install in your home than a distillation filtration system. At the end of the day, as long as you remineralize your water, it's best to pick the healthiest water for you and your lifestyle.