Water distillers are a wise investment, however, the upfront cost of a premium distiller isn’t the prettiest one to look at. The good news is there are options to fit everyone’s budget. If you’re accustomed to buying distilled water by the gallon, a home water distiller will pay for itself in no time. Welcome to my guide to choosing the cheapest water distiller that’ll get the job done.
In this comprehensive guide, I share:
- Top 5 Cheapest Water Distillers
- Distilled Water Machine Reviews
- Tips on How to Choose a Quality Cheap Water Distiller
| Product | Description |
| #1) Mophorn Countertop Pure Water Distillation Purifier
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| #2) CO-Z Countertop Water Distiller
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| #3) Rovsun Zokop 4-Liter Countertop Water Distiller
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| #4) VEVOR 750W Digital Panel Stainless Steel Distiller
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| #5) H2oLabs “The Most Convenient Water Distiller”
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Distilled Water Machine Reviews
What did you think of my Top 5? Have you already chosen the right one for your home? Compared to my guide on choosing the best home water distiller, there’s less variance between the top cheap models currently on the market. You probably already noticed that the top cheap water distillers are all countertop models.
Once you float into the larger distiller realm, such as the Durastill brand, the price jumps significantly. If your household is more than 2-3 people, a countertop distiller can still get the job done. The key is to schedule a couple of days a week to do multiple runs and store the distilled water for use during the week. One advantage of cheap distillers is they produce distilled water faster.
The distillers in my Top 5 make a gallon of distilled water in significantly less time than countertop Megahome, H20Labs, and Pure Water models. However, it’s important to note that more power isn’t necessarily better. Having said that, not everyone has 5-6 hours to wait around on a gallon of purified water. By scheduling a couple of days during the week with the cheap distillers in this guide, you can squeeze out an additional couple of gallons in the same amount of time.
Now let’s move on to taking a closer look at the distillers in my Top 5 in the reviews below. In each review, I offer my thoughts along with the pros and cons.
Mophorn Water Distiller
The Mophorn countertop model is the cheapest water distiller on the market that’s worth it. Compared to the other models in my Top 5, it costs significantly less across the board. Mophorn found a way to offer the same features found in premium and other budget distillers for a fraction of the price. Despite the savings, Mophorn feedback is mostly positive, with more than enough info to draw concrete conclusions.
The feature I like the most in this unit is the top handle. That’s a feature I have yet to see offered by premium brands, and it adds extra portability for people who want to make distilled water wherever they can find an outlet. You might have already noticed that every 750W distiller offers the same production rate of 4 hours per gallon. The top Megahome and H2oLabs countertop models both take 5.5 hours per gallon. Clearly, the 1.5 hours saved per run will add up quickly.
The biggest drawback – and one that is common among cheap water distillers – is the plastic collection bottle. On the bright side, the plastic is BPA-free, and there’s a stainless steel inlet where the water flows from the distiller into the collection tank. The last point I want to highlight is the lack of FDA approval with this model. The Mophorn countertop water distiller is CE approved, but not FDA approved like a couple of the other units in my Top 5.
- Quieter operation than expected
- Quite easy to use
- An excellent choice for Keurig, Nespresso, and CPAP use
- The descaling process is recommended once per month, and it’s much easier than the process for common coffee machines (vinegar works well)
- Great-tasting water, no bad plastic taste
- Approved for use with very hard well water
- Almost instantly recoup the expense of the machine when compared to buying gallons of distilled water
- Friendly customer service
- Worth the money
- Several reports of the unit not turning on after being stored
- A handful of bad taste reports
- Reported problems centering the collection tank with the drain spout
CO-Z Water Distiller
As you can see, the CO-Z countertop water distiller is very similar to the Mophorn unit. What’s the biggest difference? The CO-Z distiller is FDA-approved, and the Mophorn unit is not. There’s also no top handle on the CO-Z unit. Another key difference is the addition of activated charcoal sachets with the CO-Z model. The Mophorn model does not include activated carbon pre-filtration.
Does activated carbon really make a difference? Here’s the thing, if you’re on municipal water, it’s more likely to make a difference. Why? Because municipal water is treated with chlorine, and activated carbon does an excellent job of eliminating chlorine taste and odor before the water reaches the heating element. I have also read reports regarding a significant difference in taste between distilled water with and without the carbon pre-filters.
All in all, the upgrades with the CO-Z distiller are the FDA approval and the addition of activated carbon pre-filtration. This unit also may have a slightly faster production rate. According to CO-Z, it can make more than a quart of distilled water per hour. Those are the factors to keep in mind when you weigh whether the additional cost compared to the Mophorn distiller is worth it.
- Consistently makes a full gallon of distilled water in 4 hours (faster than Megahome and H2oLabs)
- An excellent portable water distiller for 5th wheel travels
- The included detergent works well for cleaning the boiling tank
- No rust
- Includes two lids with the collection bottle, 1 for distilling and 1 for storage
- Stands up to heavy daily use
- Positive reports after a year of steady use
- Improves the taste of food for cooking
- Approved by CPAP users
- Be sure to be careful when lifting the lid after each run (allow the unit to cool before opening)
- A handful of failed unit reports
- Reported problems with the top gasket failing to create a seal
Vevor Water Distiller
The Vevor countertop water distiller with a digital panel is the most versatile model in my Top 5. This unit offers temperature control for distilling more than just water, including whisky, brandy, vodka, and other distilled spirits. Other highlights of this model are the glass collection tank compared to the plastic ones in the previous models and the integrated top handle.
The one major qualm I have with this model is the vague warranty. There’s no warranty period listed in the product description and a recommendation to contact customer service about the warranty. If your heart is set on this distiller, it’s a good idea to contact Vevor customer service to clarify the warranty terms before you purchase.
Lastly, unlike the cheapest water distillers on the market, the Vevor distiller does have a 304 Stainless Steel body. If you’re not fond of plastic shells, this unit could be your best bet, especially for the price.
- Gets the job done, a good water distiller for the money
- Super easy to set up and start using out of the box
- Fast production rate (3.5 quarts in 3 hours)
- The digital temperature control comes in handy
- Reported quality control issues, including mediocre welds
- A rust report
- The fan might seem loud to you
- Limited instructions
H2oLabs 200
The 200 model is the cheapest water distiller in the H2oLabs collection. Although, it’s still pricier than the other four units in my Top 5, hence why I ranked it last. Compared to the other four companies, H2oLabs manufactures the most reliable water distiller. With the other four distillers, there’s more risk of buying a lemon. However, even if you do buy a lemon, the H2oLabs 200 distiller costs more than double the price of the Mophorm distiller at the time of this writing.
The 200 model is the most lightweight distiller in my Top 5 and is recommended for seniors who may have trouble lifting over 10 lbs. The major drawback to this unit is everything, including the boiling tank, is made of plastic. Since H2oLabs is a legit company, it’s fair to say that the company would not manufacture a plastic distiller that’s unsafe. The materials are food-grade, heat-resistant, and BPA-free. One clear advantage of plastic is no chance of rust, which is a common complaint associated with metal distillers.
- Super easy to use, and the automatic shut-off functions well
- H2oLabs customer service team has high marks
- Easier to clean than metal distillers
- The distilled water tastes great, no plastic taste
- More cumbersome than the other units in my Top 5
- Several leak reports around the bottom of the tank
- Takes 4-5 hours to make a full gallon
How to Choose a Cheap Water Distiller
In this section, I go over several key factors to consider before choosing a cheap water distiller for your home. By following these steps, you give yourself the best chance of avoiding a lemon.
- Warranty – Always check to make sure there’s at least a 1-year warranty. Once you confirm whether there’s a warranty, check to see if current owners reported a smooth transaction with customer service. Even a cheap water distiller should stand the test of time and pay for itself in under a year when compared to buying bottles of distilled water at the store.
- Customer Service – Does customer service appear responsive, friendly, and ready to fix problems? Even budget brands should stand behind their product and offer a certain level of customer support. You most likely won’t find the same quality as with premium brands, but it is comforting to know the company is there to help when needed.
- FDA Approval – The top water distillers on the market come backed by UL approval. UL Listed distillers typically cost the most since companies need to pay to keep their distillers UL approved. The next best thing is FDA-approved. While the Mophorn distiller is the cheapest on the market, it offers CE approval only. The cheapest water distiller with FDA approval is the CO-Z brand. When investing in a water distiller, it adds a level of comfort knowing that it’s FDA-approved at a minimum.
- Owner Reviews – Be sure to spend a few minutes skimming through the customer reviews to see what current owners are saying. I already did that part for you for the models in my Top 5. If you decide to go with a different brand, take a minute to check the reviews to see if there are any common problems to be aware of before you buy.
- Keep It Simple – The more parts a distiller has the more prone it is to failing. For example, the digital panel in the Vevor water distiller is a nice feature, but these extra features also lead to more chances for the unit to fail.
Other than these points above, use common sense when purchasing a cheap water distiller.
Bottom Line
Now you know the cheapest water distillers on the market that are worth the money. You also know what to look for when choosing one. By following the points above and sticking with the brands in my Top 5, you give yourself the best chance of picking a winner. Since premium water distillers can cost a pretty penny, these cheaper alternatives are certainly worth a look for most households. Happy distilling!
