Both are incredibly pure, but they achieve it in opposite ways. RO water is typically 99% contaminant-free, while distilled water is closer to 99.9%—it’s the pristine, slightly obsessive cousin. But here’s the kicker: because distillation removes all minerals, it tastes flat and lifeless. RO water keeps a few minerals, so it actually has a little bit of taste—kind of like the difference between a blank white wall and one with a faint, pleasant texture.
Speaking of taste, you’ve probably noticed that distilled water makes your coffee taste weird. That’s because those missing minerals also affect flavor and pH. RO water is generally better for drinking because it’s less acidic and doesn’t leach heavy metals from your pipes. Distilled water is perfect for things like steam irons, CPAP machines, or car batteries—where you don’t want any mineral residue left behind. Your car battery won’t complain about the taste; your coffee will.
