The Best Water For Coffee: A look at filters, distillers, and water additives.

Have you ever taken a sip of a painstakingly prepared cup of coffee, opened your eyes wide in disgust, and run for the sink to spit it out? As you pour the rest of the coffee down the drain, you think:  “Geez, I got the fancy coffee maker, high-end coffee beans, weighed it out to the gram, ground it to the right coarseness, heated the water to the right temperature, used the right filter… and it still tastes like crap! What am I missing here?”

The answer might very well be one thing: water.

If you use crappy water, you’ll end up with some crappy coffee. So what is the answer then? Filtered water? Distilled water? an additive? Where do you even get the best distilled water for coffee? That’s what we’ll answer here.

Let’s break down the options for the best water for coffee.

MY PICK

Megahome Countertop Water Distiller

This stainless steel distiller device saves you money over the long run.
It has an elegant distilling technology that boils your water in a small and light glass collection bottle, and makes your coffee taste AMAZING.

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The Best Water For Coffee  – 6 Options That Will HUGELY Improve Your Brew

Coffee water plays a significant role to make that perfect coffee and how to choose one. So let’s get into our top picks:

IMAGE	PRODUCTS	DETAILS
Best Overall Best Overall	Megahome Countertop Water Distiller	Established brand DIY distilled water Saves you money long-term	SEE ON AMAZON
RUNNER UP RUNNER UP	Brondell RO Circle	Compact Easy installation Efficient, water saving technology	SEE ON AMAZON
	iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage RO System	Water is available and ready to go whenever needed Rebalances minerals to a healthy alkaline pH level Comes with faucet	SEE ON AMAZON
	Big Berkey Water Filter System	Holds multiple gallons at a time Easy setup (no installation) Portable	SEE ON AMAZON
	Nestle Pure Life Purified Water	Good source for distilled water Affordable up front Purifying is done for you	SEE ON AMAZON
	Third Wave Water Mineral	Re-mineralises water to optimum level for coffee. Extremely controlled and balanced water Affordable	SEE ON AMAZON

1.  Megahome Countertop Water Distiller – Best water distiller for coffee brewing.

Things we liked

• Established brand
  
• DIY distilled water
  
• Saves you money long-term

Things we didn’t like

• Expensive upfront
  
• Takes time to let water distill
  
• Makes a light humming sound while distilling

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This sharp, stainless steel water distiller is an established and respected answer to one’s coffee water needs. If you’re looking for distilled water and don’t want to drop big bucks long-term, you might want to think about investing in a Megahome Countertop Water Distiller.

This device uses simple, but elegant distilling technology that boils your water and gathers it into the collection bottle. The collection bottle has been made out of glass rather than a cheaper plastic in order to prevent leaching (1), as the distillation process can take a while.

How long can it take? Believe it or not, it can take about five and a half hours to get a single gallon of homemade distilled water! ​But that’s just the reason it isn’t cheap to buy pre-distilled water. It’s a painstaking process that needs to be done right.

The unit is small and light (weighing in at around 11 pounds and standing just over a foot high). It is by no means a monstrous piece of equipment you’ll need to hide under the sink or in the basement. However, it can tend to make a gentle hum while cleaning the impurities out of your water. So you may want to set it up in an area where it can do its work without disturbing the peace.

Oh, and it comes with a warranty too. Score.

2. Brondell RO Circle Water Saving Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System – best reverse osmosis system for coffee brewing

Things we liked

• Compact
  
• Easy installation
  
• Efficient, water saving technology

Things we didn’t like

• Requires filters
  
• Must add minerals back to water for good coffee

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If you’re looking for an affordable reverse osmosis system, the Brondell RO Circle Water Saving Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System (wow, that was a mouthful!) is the perfect answer. This four stage reverse osmosis system is compact and can fit under your sink, out of the way. It’s easy to install and comes with a nifty chrome faucet. It has been designed to eliminate back pressure, allowing it to use much less water in the purifying process – and making it an environmentally-conscious choice, too!

The unit does not require electricity to run, and comes with a warranty. Best of all, its six litre tank refills in an hour, leaving you with a steady stream of good, RO water. However, this system does not come with a mineralising stage, which means the water comes out very clean, but also very flat and empty.

If you want to make coffee with it, you may want to consider remineralising.

3. The ISpring RCC7AK 6 Stage Reverse Osmosis System

Things we liked

• Water is available and ready to go whenever needed
  
• Rebalances minerals to a healthy alkaline pH level
  
• Comes with faucet

Things we didn’t like

• Requires setup
  
• Requires replacement of filters

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The iSpring RCC7AK Reverse Osmosis System is about as good as it gets with RO systems. It’s better than drinking bottled water. It’s not a quick fix for your coffee needs, but is a perfect solution for those interested in investing in some uber high-end drinking water for their home… and coffee.

These minerals include magnesium, calcium, and sodium – all important things to have in that perfect cup a joe (2). The fifth stage that this system includes uses coconut husks as a pure form of carbon to further enhance the water’s taste. All the benefits considered; I must admit its not cheap. But when compared with buying bottled water? Or water mineral packets? This thing will pay for itself within a few months.

4. The Big Berkey Water Filter System – best water filter for coffee

Things we liked

• Holds multiple gallons at a time
  
• Easy setup (no installation)
  
• Portable

Things we didn’t like

• Needs filter replacements
  
• Needs to be filled manually
  
• Only filters water, does not distill

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If you’re interested in cleaner coffee water, but not necessarily in retooling the water itself, a simple but powerful water filter like the Big Berkey Water Filter System can be something to consider.This popular system can provide some of the best filtered water for your coffee machine.

We like “popular” too, as it means it’s a device that you can depend on. Remember, this isn’t going to give you RO or distilled water. But it’ll do a heck of a job filtering the contaminants out of your water, cleaning it up and removing any junk that might be affecting the taste. It’s convenient to use, not too big (another one that can easily fit on the counter), does not require electricity, and is easy to set up.

The downside to this one is that you’ll need to refill it manually, and you’ll need to purchase new filters. But hey, no electricity means it can always be by your side, whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or outdoors camping. 

5.  Nestle Pure Life Purified Water – Bottled Water For Coffee

Things we liked

• Good source for distilled water
  
• Affordable up front
  
• Purifying is done for you

Things we didn’t like

• Expensive in the long run
  
• Shipping can be a factor
  
• Not environmentally friendly

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If you’re thinking of using purified water for coffee (or spring water for coffee), a classic fix is to get ready-to-use water in bottles. Unfortunately, there’s no one brand that is the best bottled water for coffee machines. Some purify, some filter, and some actually distill their water.

Nestle Pure Life Purified Water falls under the last category. This bottled water is distilled and clean.No processes, equipment, or filters necessary. They even say they’ve already re-added some minerals back into the water, though you may need to tinker with the amount by adding more of your own.

And the good thing is that it’s an Amazon Prime item too, making it cheap in spite of shipping, so that it can be one of the best bottled waters for a coffee in the U.K., U.S., China, Tibet, or wherever you may live.

Obviously the downside here is that you need to continually purchase it. AND THE USE OF PLASTICS. F-PLASTIC!!!

NOTE: Plastic bottles are obviously not an environmentally friendly option. If you go this route, please recycle responsibly! Here is some extra info on Nestle’s policies on using plastic bottle.

6. Third Wave Water

Things we liked

• Extremely controlled and balanced water
  
• Affordable

Things we didn’t like

• Long term cost
  
• Need a source of distilled or demineralised water

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This final option involves more than just purifying or cleaning your water. You’re officially making water for coffee at this point. But don’t worry, it’s a lot easier (and interesting) than it sounds.

Between a successful Kickstarter in January of 2017 and then an appearance on Shark Tank that October, Third Wave Water did not take long to turn into a national phenomenon. The idea? To make water perfect for your coffee.

The concept is simple. Add a capsule of Third Wave Water’s mineral-enhancing mixture to a gallon of distilled water and give it a shake. The resulting water is not void of minerals nor is it overloaded with them. Like Goldilocks, this mineral water is just right.

The Third Wave Water formula includes magnesium to bring out the sweetness and to help with extraction, calcium for a balanced body, and sodium to magnify the flavour profile. So whether you’re using one of the distilled water or reverse osmosis water options above, you can grab a package of Third Wave Water to give you a convenient and scientifically accurate way to get perfectly balanced water for the ultimate cup of coffee.

Everything You Should Know About Coffee and Water

So what is the best H20 for coffee in your machine, French press, Chemex, Keurig – or whatever method you use to brew?

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that go into your coffee water.

Q: Why Does Water Matter In Your Coffee?

Water is an important part of your coffee brewing experience. After all…

Coffee is 98% water.

With that said, the SCAA standards state that for a superior quality coffee extraction, your water should be clean, fresh, odour-free, clear in colour, and should have a mineral content of around 150 parts per million (ppm), while the best water pH for coffee is 7.0 (neutral) (3).

Notice it does not have a specific kind of water or filtering process, just general ranges. This isn’t a life or death scenario here. In other words, it’s safe to use tap water for coffee. In fact, there are coffee makers that can be connected directly to your water line. It just might not taste that great. For those who are not overly scientific about the process, a general rule of thumb for the water you use in your coffee is to use water you actually like to drink.

But if you want to take it one step further and make your coffee taste even better, you need to better than ‘drinkable water’. Okay, so you don’t have to use a water filter in coffee making. But there are many benefits to finding a good balance to your water.

Q: Do I Need A Special Distilled Water Coffee Maker?

No.

While there are some sources that argue you may want to be careful running distilled water through your coffee machine, there is not a line of distilled water coffee makers out there specially designed for the task.

Bed Bath and Beyond just haven’t gotten around to it yet… So for now you can probably stick with what you’ve got.

Q: How Can I Protect My Equipment?

Easy – by following the advice I’m about to give you.

It’s no secret that water can ruin your coffee equipment (4). An overabundance of minerals (which are not bad for your coffee itself – in moderation) can build up and wreak havoc on your equipment. Cleaning your machines can be a good idea, but distilled water for coffee machines, or other proper filtration options for your coffee water, can also be a preventative of future chaos.

I Think My Tap Water Tastes Funny…

The one that’s pretty easy to spot (or taste!) is the flavour of your coffee. If it’s got that hard water egg taste or chlorine flavour from city tap water, it will definitely make a difference. Try it. Do a taste test!

Try some water from friends who live in different areas than you. Notice a difference? Once you’ve gotten a good comparison, see what kind of water you’re working with. Does it hold up for making coffee, or do you need to find an alternative?

Q: Should I Use Soft or Hard Water?

The debate rages.

Hard water has more minerals – magnesium and calcium in particular – that can help with extracting the coffee (5). On the other hand, you want a certain amount of minerals (remember, about 150 ppm) versus potentially hundreds of ppms in unfiltered or unpurified hard water.

Okay, so hard water can be rough to work with. What about soft water? Well, while a water softener can be helpful for a good many things, this is not one of them. The main exception where water softeners can be best is for espresso machines, as espressos do not need minerals (6) for the brewing process and the machines can clog easier.

PRO TIP: If you’re feeling ambitious, have your water tested for hardness and get a good feel for the pH and mineral levels. Remember to check it against the SCAA standards.

Q: What About Distilled Water For Coffee Machines?

So, hard water seems alright, but has its problems. Soft water is a bad idea. Can you make coffee with distilled water, then? Once again the debate continues regarding whether distilled water is good for coffee or not.  However, the truth is, it’s just not as simple as a yes or no answer.

The reality is that straight-up distilled water can create a pretty sucky cup of coffee.Why? It’s missing the minerals!

That’s right. The very minerals filtered out of distilled water in bulk are actually needed in smaller amounts in order to get that ideal coffee taste. However, distillation (or reverse osmosis, as we’ll explain below) can actually be part of the process of getting the perfect coffee water. You just might need to doctor up that water a bit as one final step.

Distilling water is something you can do at home, as you can see below.

You should know by now, however, that this is a painstakingly long process. If you choose to go the distilled water route, it’s worth getting an automatic water distiller.

Before we move on, though, let’s take a quick look at reverse osmosis.

Reverse Osmosis Water For Coffee And How To Prepare Purified Water

In short, reverse osmosis is a complex process that removes all minerals from water (7). As we now know, this is no good, as it creates a flat cup of coffee, with absolutely no character. However, some systems can actually reintroduce a good level of minerals back into the water, thereby balancing it and making it just right for your coffee.

But even if you start with distilled water or a reverse osmosis system that doesn’t rebalance your water, you can work from there by adding minerals back in yourself (8), or using an option like Third Wave Water (we covered them above).

The Only 3 Coffee Water Categories You Should Be Looking In:

Before we look at the various water filters, purification methods, and distilled options below, let’s quickly recap the three kinds of water that are generally good to use with coffee:

• Filtered: This is simply water that has been cleaned of any major impurities but still remains fairly “natural” in its makeup, mineral content, etc.
• Purified: Purified water has been thoroughly cleaned up, and has all (or nearly all) of the elements – both good and bad – removed. Often, purifying systems like reverse osmosis can add good things like minerals back into the water.
• Distilled: Similar to purification, this method removes all good and bad particles from the water, cleaning it and leaving it void of anything but good ‘ol H2O. It is not great for coffee (unless you’re using a pressure brewing method, e.g. for espresso) but can be an important step toward getting the best water for your coffee.

THE VERDICT

So, is your head swimming with options? Remember to keep in mind that searching for the best water for your coffee machine is not the same for everyone. What kind of coffee are you making? What kind of water are you working with?

Just remember the goal: to clean up that weird water taste in your coffee.

Whether it’s coming from the chlorine content of your tap water, an overabundance of minerals, or another issue, getting your water balanced is the key to a good cup of coffee.

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That’s why our choice for the top water purifying system is the Megahome Countertop Water Distiller. Compact and easy to fit on the counter, this machine is tried and true.

Though the distillation process can be slow, once done, you get a perfect batch of distilled water, kept safe and untainted in the glass collection bottle. Whatever coffee you plan to make, if it requires distilled water, this machine won’t let you down. Just add water, wait for the collection bottle to fill and, hey presto, you’re equipped with the best distilled water for coffee.