1. Megahome Countertop Water Distiller
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Megahome distillers are designed with safety in mind and therefore come with all UL-certified components. They operate at around 212°F, which is perfect for removing minerals and toxic contaminates. A series of optional charcoal filters can help to further remove chlorine and other additives that are commonplace in municipal water supplies. Since the interior is made completely of 304 class stainless steel, it shouldn’t add anything to the water either as this material resists oxidization to a large degree. As well as CPAP machine users, Megahome’s distillers have also become popular with serious culinary enthusiasts so you might find that it can pull double duty around your home.
Pros
- Optional charcoal filters make water exceptionally clean
- Nozzle is actual porcelain, which is easy to clean
- Water never comes into contact with plastic, so you don’t have to worry about impurities
Cons
- Deposits remove material on the bottom of the distiller
- May leak when pouring
2. Nutriteam Countertop Water Distiller
While the branding might be different, Nutriteam’s offerings are actually part of the same family of products as Megahome’s are. That means that all of the advantages found in Megahome’s equipment are also offered here, though you might be able to get a slightly better price or find that it’s a little bit lighter and takes up less space depending on how you lay out your distiller. That’s great news for those who who often find themselves on the road.
Pros
- Almost completely removes material from water
- Cuts out fluoride
- Quiet
Cons
- Carafe may leak
- Deposits collect at bottom
3. H2O 4 CPAP Ion Distilled Water System
Since the H2O device was designed specifically with CPAP users in mind, its got some features that other similar devices don’t. Perhaps the single most notable thing about it is its unique geometry. You shouldn’t have any trouble using the built-in pitcher to pour water directly into your CPAP machine when it starts to get low.
Pros
- Made for CPAP machines
- Easy to use
- Quick
Cons
- Mostly plastic
- Difficult to reassemble
4. H2O Labs Water Distiller
H2O Labs calls their unit the best in class option, and they certainly do have some room to brag. Its integrated carbon pods are three times stronger than most other competing filter technologies, so you can trust that it’s removing everything it claims to be.
Pros
- Removes VOCs
- Only uses food-safe plastics
- 565W heating element is fast
Cons
- Leaves debris in a pan
- May not remove all metals
5. Waterwise 4000
Being that it’s more of a commercial product, the Waterwise 4000 can produce quite a bit of distilled water. That’s made it a good choice for those who want distilled water for drinking as well as for use in their CPAP machine or even a traditional humidifier. It produces around a gallon with each cycle.
Pros
- Works quite fast
- Generates a fair amount of water constantly
- Relatively easy to clean
Cons
- Glass jug may spill over the side
- Could make a mess while working
What Can I Use Instead of Distilled Water in My CPAP Machine?
Other types of purified water can also be used in CPAP machines if you don’t have distilled water on hand, including water that’s been treated by reverse osmosis. You could use bottled water as well, especially if you have bottled water that’s been at least partially treated by distillation.
Jugged water purchased from a grocery store distillation machine should work well, though it can quickly become more expensive than distilling water yourself. These machines more or less do the same job that a household water distiller would do.
While rainwater is technically distilled in the most literal sense, it’s normally acidic and potentially contaminated. You should never use it in a CPAP machine despite what some people might claim online.
Tap water can be used without any difficulty as long as you have a properly functioning water distiller. Simply run the water through the unit and wait however long it takes.
While it could take upwards of four or five hours for some distillers to complete the process, it’s worth not having to constantly purchase jugs of distilled water. This is especially true of anyone with sleep apnea who has to travel on a regular basis.
What Happens if I Don’t Use Distilled Water in My CPAP?
Using straight tap water in a CPAP machine can cause mineral deposits over time, especially if you live in an area with hard water. Microorganisms that live in water can also become a problem, since you’d be breathing a steady stream of them in from your CPAP’s mask.
The pH of your water could also become a problem. Tap water in some areas is entirely too acidic for use in a CPAP machine, which could cause damage to the equipment over time.
It’s unlikely that you’d ever actually get hurt by a slightly low pH, since the human body’s internal pH tends to run to such extremes anyway. However, the gear inside of your CPAP machine is somewhat sensitive so this could be an issue.
Taste can also be an issue depending on the contents of your tap water. There’s always the possibility that iron oxide or some other compound can be found in water, and if this ends up in your CPAP mask it might end up tasting rather foul.
As a result, you may want to bring your water distiller with you whenever you travel so you don’t have to risk any of these things happening by using straight hotel water. Simply run faucet water through the appliance and you shouldn’t have any issues.
