Is Brita Filtered Water the Same as Distilled Water?

January 12, 2026 •

3 min read

According to water experts, Brita filtered water and distilled water are fundamentally different products created by distinct purification processes. While both provide a cleaner water source than unfiltered tap water, the end results have major differences in mineral content, taste, and intended purpose.

Quick Summary

Brita filtered water uses activated carbon to reduce contaminants like chlorine and some heavy metals while retaining beneficial minerals. Distilled water is produced by boiling and recondensing steam, which removes nearly all minerals, salts, and contaminants.

Key Points

Different Processes: Brita uses activated carbon filtration to trap impurities, whereas distillation involves boiling and condensing steam to separate pure water from contaminants.
Mineral Content: Brita filters retain beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, while distillation removes all minerals.
Taste: The presence of minerals gives Brita water a familiar taste, whereas the lack of minerals makes distilled water taste flat.
Uses: Brita filtered water is best for drinking and cooking, while distilled water is required for appliances, laboratories, and medical equipment to prevent mineral buildup.
Purity vs. Mineral-Free: Brita water is purified but not mineral-free; distilled water is highly pure and completely demineralized.
Health Impact: Brita filtered water supports daily hydration with essential minerals. Long-term, exclusive consumption of distilled water is not recommended for daily drinking due to the absence of these minerals.

What is Brita Filtered Water?

Brita filtering systems typically employ a combination of activated carbon and ion-exchange resin to purify tap water. As water passes through the filter, the activated carbon adsorbs substances that can affect taste and odor, such as chlorine. The ion-exchange resin, meanwhile, reduces certain heavy metals like lead and copper. While effective at improving the aesthetic quality of drinking water, this process is not designed to remove all dissolved solids and beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. For this reason, Brita filtered water is not considered fully demineralized.

What a Brita filter removes and what it leaves behind

Removes: Chlorine, some heavy metals (like lead, mercury, and copper in certain models), and sediment.
Leaves Behind: Beneficial minerals (calcium, magnesium), dissolved salts, and may not remove bacteria, viruses, or certain pesticides. Filters can also become breeding grounds for bacteria if not replaced regularly.

What is Distilled Water?

Distillation is a centuries-old purification method that mimics the natural water cycle. The process involves heating water to its boiling point, which turns it into steam. The steam is then captured and condensed back into a liquid form in a separate, clean container, leaving behind virtually all impurities, minerals, salts, and other contaminants with higher boiling points. The result is exceptionally pure H₂O. This purity makes distilled water essential for specific applications where mineral buildup or impurities would be harmful.

The distillation process step-by-step

Boiling: Water is heated in a boiling chamber, creating steam.
Evaporation: The steam rises, leaving behind inorganic compounds, minerals, and other substances.
Condensation: The steam is cooled in a separate chamber or coil, turning back into pure water droplets.
Collection: The condensed, distilled water is collected in a clean vessel.

Brita vs. Distilled: A Comparison Table


Feature	Brita Filtered Water	Distilled Water
Purification Method	Filtration using activated carbon and ion-exchange resin.	Distillation via boiling, evaporation, and condensation.
Purity Level	Removes some contaminants and impurities; retains beneficial minerals.	Highly pure; removes virtually all dissolved solids and impurities.
Mineral Content	Retains beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium.	Removes all minerals, both beneficial and harmful.
Taste	Often preferred for drinking, as retained minerals can enhance flavor.	Known for a bland or flat taste due to the absence of minerals.
Cost & Convenience	Inexpensive and convenient for daily use. Requires regular filter replacements.	Can be expensive and energy-intensive to produce. Can be purchased or made with a countertop distiller.
Common Uses	Everyday drinking, cooking, coffee, and tea.	Laboratory experiments, medical sterilization, car batteries, and humidifiers.

Health Implications and Best Uses

From a health perspective, the differences between Brita filtered water and distilled water are significant. Brita filtered water is generally considered more beneficial for regular hydration because it retains natural, healthy minerals. These minerals contribute to taste and are important for the body's electrolyte balance. Distilled water, while safe to drink, provides no mineral benefits. As the World Health Organization (WHO) has noted, demineralized water can potentially lead to health issues if consumed exclusively for extended periods without a mineral-rich diet.

For practical purposes, the choice depends on your application. For daily drinking, Brita is the clear choice. For appliances like CPAP machines, irons, or humidifiers, where mineral buildup can cause damage, distilled water is necessary. Additionally, distilled water is used in laboratory and medical settings where absolute purity is required. The EPA regulates municipal tap water, ensuring it is safe, but Brita filtration offers an extra layer of protection and improved taste, while distillation provides a level of purity beyond what is needed for daily consumption. For more information on drinking water standards, see the EPA website.

Conclusion

In summary, Brita filtered water is not the same as distilled water. The distinction lies in the purification method and the resulting water composition. Brita filters reduce specific contaminants while purposefully leaving in healthy minerals for better taste and daily consumption. Distillation, conversely, removes virtually everything, resulting in mineral-free water ideal for technical applications. Understanding these differences allows you to choose the right type of water for your health and household needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it is not harmful in the short term, consuming distilled water daily over a long period is generally not recommended as it lacks the beneficial minerals essential for health.

No, you should not. Brita filtered water still contains minerals that can cause damaging scale buildup in humidifiers, irons, and other appliances. Distilled water is required for these applications.

Standard Brita filters do not remove bacteria or viruses. They are designed for use with municipally treated tap water that is already considered safe to drink.

Distilled water tastes flat because the distillation process removes all dissolved minerals and gases, which contribute to the taste of tap and spring water.

Filtered water can be healthier than tap water by removing chlorine and some heavy metals, which improves taste and may reduce exposure to certain contaminants. However, tap water is typically safe, and filtered water's benefit depends on your local water quality.

No, Brita water is not demineralized. Its filters are designed to reduce specific impurities while allowing beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium to pass through.

The key difference is the method: Brita uses activated carbon and ion exchange, which is a physical filtration process. Distillation uses evaporation and condensation, which is a physical separation process that leaves everything but pure water behind.