Best Atmospheric Water Generators | Make Water From Air
Atmospheric water generators (AWGs) have been in high demand, and it’s easy to see why. Swapping energy for clean drinking water is useful anywhere in the world. Tons of companies have sprouted up, taking their shot at making the best atmospheric water generator. Creating water from thin air is nothing new, but being able to do it efficiently, at scale, and have it taste great is the challenge these AWGs have to meet. There are several options to consider when it comes to atmospheric water generators: capacity, filtering, energy needs, etc.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best water generators, compared them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget DIY option, and an upgrade option. If you need to generate water from the air, one of our recommendations will keep your thirst quenched.
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Top Pick
Best Water Generator
Pure AirWater
Compact, Efficient, and Effective
Pulling water out of thin air like magic, this AWG makes it all easy and serves it to you hot or cold.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
AirWater makes water generation effortless. It’s the smallest you’ll find and fits right on a countertop, RV, or camper. The low wattage requirement makes it ideal for these types of emergencies and off-grid setups.
Specifications
- Maximum Generation: 2.7 G/day (10L)
- Minimum Humidity: 35%
- Filtration: Air, UV, activated carbon, UF membrane, and carbon block.
- Reservoir: 0.4 gallons
- Energy Requirements: 110V, 200W running (475 W/liter)
- Noise Level: 52 dB
- Size: 10″ W x 17″ D x 15″ H
- Weight: 31 pounds
If you have energy, you have water. Integrated filtering produces great-tasting water and serves it up cold. With ideal conditions, it can support a couple, pulling a few gallons per day out of the air.
Because of its smaller size and capacity, the low energy needs aren’t the most efficient for producing water, but are still a significant improvement over power-intensive dehumidifiers from our DIY setup.
With specs like these, it’s easy to see how the Pure AirWater Atmospheric Water Generator is the best atmospheric water generator.
High-Capacity Pick
High-Capacity Water Generator
Innovaqua Nube
Effective, Efficient, and Great-Tasting
Providing a family with a consistent water source is easy with this model, which brings high output.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
The NUBE is one of the earlier residential AWG models to hit the market, and it still reigns as one of the more efficient water generators that comes with plenty of bells and whistles.
Specifications
- Maximum Generation: 8 G/day (30L)
- Minimum Humidity: 35%
- Filtration: HEPA air, UV, reverse osmosis, and activated carbon
- Reservoir: 3.5 gallons
- Energy Requirements: 110V, 450W max (350 W/liter)
- Noise Level: 55 dB
- Size: 18″ W x 18″ D x 44″ H
- Weight: 108 pounds
Besides the comprehensive filtration, the model also lets you serve up water both warm and cold. It comes with optional hoses to hook up to an external supply, but those are not needed to generate water with a low humidity requirement every day.
The 3.5-gallon reservoir can fill quickly in humid environments, but there is a drain on the back that you can use to gravity feed an external water tank for a much larger storage capacity.
If you are looking for the best of the best, pick up a NUBE Atmospheric Water Generator.
DIY Water Generator
Seaira Global WatchDog NXT60
DIY Project, Effective, and Inexpensive
If you are willing to tackle a project and a few extra hassles, a modded dehumidifier can save you a lot of money or generate even more water.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
I understand that the price point or the capacity of an AWG can rule some out, but there is some hope if you have some spare time and are willing to hack/DIY some things together. To create a budget atmospheric water generator, or an even stronger generator that makes more water, you’ll need to snag a dehumidifier.
WARNING: An off-the-shelf dehumidifier is NOT an atmospheric water generator- the water it condenses can be dangerous to consume without additional filtration and purification.
Specifications
- Maximum Generation: 9 gal/34L per day
- Minimum Humidity: 50%
- Filtration: Dust only
- Reservoir: None, gravity drain
- Energy Requirements: 110V, 469W running (600 W/liter)
- Noise Level: 43 dB
- Size: 16″ W x 12″ D x 20″ H
- Weight: 36 pounds
To make a dehumidifier more usable for water generation, there are still several storage and filtration steps. These can require manual changeovers, additional energy needs, and will result in a less efficient system overall, but it is still possible.
How I Made My AWG
I stacked the dehumidifier above on top of a 50-gallon rain barrel that it drained into, using this as the reservoir for collected water. Then I threaded the feed end of a portable reverse osmosis filter into the barrel as well. This lets me run the dehumidifier as much as I want, using the rain barrel as a storage tank, and then I filter as I need the water.
- RTS ECO 50-Gallon Rain Barrel (from my best rain barrel review)
- ITEHIL Portable Reverse Osmosis Filter (from our best emergency water filter review)
The total cost of this solution is $1,478, since I already had the transfer hoses for both the dehumidifier and powered RO filter.
While a typical AWG does all of this for you, doing it manually yourself will still total less than the equivalent-performing cost of an atmospheric water generator. All of the components from this project are versatile on their own as well- use the rain barrel to store water from multiple collection sources, or take the powered RO filter camping.
Lastly, there are some limitations to this DIY hack besides all of the manual filtering and additional components. Dehumidifiers are not meant to run at low humidity and have much more trouble pulling water out of low-humidity environments, so this will be much less efficient (or will not even turn on, depending on your model settings) if you live in a less humid climate. They also do not run well in cold temperatures (< 40°F). Consider these limits before you go out and build an AWG on your own.
Comparison Table
| Atmospheric Water Generator | Recommendation | Price* | Water Generation | Minimum Humidity | Filtration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure AirWater | Best Overall | $1,398 | 2.64 Gal/day | 35% | UV/RO |
| Innovaqua Nube | Best High-Capacity AWG | $1,949 | 7.93 Gal/day | 35% | UV/RO |
| Sean’s Modded Humidifier | Best DIY Water Generator | $1,478 | 9.0 Gal/day | 36% | RO |
| LifeWell | $999 | 2.64 Gal/day | 35% | UV/RO | |
| Waiea WR-2 | $1,590 | 2.64 Gal/day | 35% | UV/RO | |
| Solaris WaterGen A20 | $1,990 | 5.28 Gal/day | 35% | UV/RO | |
| Air to Water H2O | $3,499 | 18.0 Gal/day | 35% | RO |
What to Look For
The best atmospheric water generators have several important features to look for:
- Value
- Capacity
- Filtering
- Energy Needs
- Quality
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a water generator that will consistently pull gallons of water out of the air. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the AWGs that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like an atmospheric water generator shouldn’t blow out your entire budget, although that can be a tough ask at these price points. Don’t go overspending or overdo it. Going with our DIY budget pick isn’t the end of the world. Budget according to your risk and your needs, rather than just spending lavishly.
On the flip side, you don’t want to go too cheap or just plain get the wrong thing. Handheld and portable AWGs do not exist, though you may see a few claims here and there online. Don’t go out and get something scammy- you may need to rely on it for water in a real-life situation.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like an appliance. It’s better to diversify your preparedness gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Capacity
There are many types of AWG models, and they have a large range of capacities.
Our suggestions are on the lower end of the spectrum, starting at 8 gallons/day.
But AWGs can go all the way up to 1,580 gallons/day. To grab a model capable of this, like the WaterGen Gen-L, you’ll need to pony up at least $68,000. That may be easily worth it for a community and is still much cheaper than desalination.
Filtering
One of the main features of an AWG is that it doesn’t just produce water- it gives you drinkable water. It does this using multi-stage filters, usually including carbon and reverse osmosis to make the water safe to drink, pH-balanced, and natural tasting.
Some models use UV light and electrolysis as well. If you are considering the DIY budget plan, you will need to seriously filter and purify your water because even water from the air can carry persistent bacteria and viruses.
Energy Needs
Our picks are some of the smallest AWGs on the market, and also pull the least amount of energy. Even still, there are serious energy needs for any powered system that is separating water from the air.
If you plan to power it using conventional generators in an emergency, you can end up using A LOT of fuel for just a little bit of water in return.
Plan how you will provide 300-600 Watts to power these sustainably in an emergency.
Quality
When you invest in an appliance, quality is important. Especially if that appliance is a part of your emergency plans. Besides the manufacturing quality inherent in the AWG, the service quality is important too.
You’ll also need a reliable supplier for your AWG because there are replaceable components inside of them that you will either need to have on hand or be able to get quickly. These include various filters, UV lights, and replacement parts. All of our picks are reputable brands with excellent service departments that were able to answer all of our questions.
How to Use an AWG
AWGs make water collection easy- they are the ‘fire and forget’ option to sourcing water in an emergency if you have the proper equipment, supplied power, consumable part stock, and know how to use and maintain them.
Using an AWG is easy, but maintenance takes a little more know-how. There are several filters to stay on top of, and it’s best to have several spares on hand.
Who Needs a Water Generator?
Water generators are slowly pushing the entire world forward by solving water demands across the globe. But do you need one for your personal use? Sure!
In our context, we consider water generators to be great solutions if you are energy-independent and have spare energy for emergency use. Practically, this greatly reduces the number of people (and preppers) who can access ARGs as a solution.
Nevertheless, a water generator is a great solution installed in your home as part of your:
It is worth noting the equipment limitations and that a few select threats (such as an EMP) could disrupt your plan to use AWGs as your primary water source.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best atmospheric water generator is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience:
Shafeian, N., et al. (2022). Progress in atmospheric water generation systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Volume 161. (Source)
Shourideh, A., et al. (2018). A comprehensive study of an atmospheric water generator using Peltier effect. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress. Volume 6. Pages 14 – 26. (Source)
Raveesh, G., et al. (2021). Advances in atmospheric water generation technologies. Energy Conservation and Management. Volume 239. (Source)
Conclusion
You can’t live long without water- it’s necessary for survival. Atmospheric water generators are an excellent way to have another self-reliant water source. Even if you have a well or city tap, remember the rule of thumb: two is one, and one is none.
Here are a few other reads our subscribers have also found helpful:
- The Survival Rule of 3 | Air, Shelter, Water, & Food
- The Best Emergency Water Pouches and Bagged Water
- How to Store & Treat Water for Emergencies
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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Thank you for the reviews, is their a difference between the Airiver your recommending and the Airiver 30 other than the price? I have emailed Airiver twice asking but have only gotten crickets!
No, they are the same model: AR30. I’m not sure why it is a higher price on Airiver’s website versus Amazon, but we see that in some reviews.
Could you comment further on the Watergen unit you tested? Their website makes it sound exceptional however they don’t respond to emails or phone calls, making me think they’re bankrupt.
Limited experience with the GEN-L from several years ago. That is a commercial model though- their website shows that they have several residential models ‘coming soon’ so we’ll be checking those out once they are available.
Your thoughts on Airiver Worlds Smallest 10L Family Atmospheric Water Generator.
We are 6 mos in one place anc 6 mos in another. Would be nice to just need one to take
back and forth.
How do you ensure the water is safe if you are no longer able to get filter replacements for this units?
Nice review. Can you recommend sources of info the DIY option?
Thanks.
Hello I am a student researching the field, there seems to be problems in running a dehumidifiers as a water source(freon, bacteria, dust, ect.) How do you overcome these things, and or how is this dehumidifier safe to drink from?
Please get back to me via email.
Best Regards,
Peter Millard
Hi Sean,
We have been looking the Aquaria Hydropixel, which produces 25 gallons of water a day if running continuously and uses 1.2 kilowatts per hour according to the manufacturer. I can’t seem to find any independent reviews and wanted to know if you are familiar with this system.
Thanks,
Rich
Hi Rich, I haven’t had the chance to try any of the Aquaria models. It looks like the Hydropixel has been sold out/unavailable until this month. Many companies are backordered or sold out- I’ve been meaning to try the Spout and it’s backordered until 2025.
Looks like the Hydropixel is available again and seems to have superior specs and works down to 25% min. humidity, superior to equiv. Watergen Genny.
Hi Sean–
Your Newsletter is the best in the Prep field, so many others are just out to scam you.
Question: did you ever get to test Watergen’s “Genny” residential air-water generator now that it’s available for sale? Also curious your thoughts on the new Source Water generator (source.co). Thanks.
1 more question: since both air conditioning and heating can lower indoor humidity (especially in a desert environment) wouldn’t it make more sense to have one of these water generators outdoors or in a garage? Thanks.
No, with the Genny at a $4K price point I’ll have to wait until I can find a used one or tinker with someone else’s. The Source looks closer to a solar still than a water generator, so it’ll have performance impacted by humidity, dew point, weathering, etc. It’s an interesting option though so I’ll look into it more.
Taking an indoor AWG outdoors adds a few things to consider- different dewpoints and lower energy efficiency: it’s similar to putting a fridge in your garage. I’m not sure if the tradeoffs add up if you are running the AC, but it might if you are running heat and it’s too dry inside.
Hmmm…well just as a practical matter of making water would prob have to take the energy hit. Just considering implications of using it in New Mexico where the humidity is already below 35% for half the day. Maybe keep it by an open window? I know even in “humid” NY, winter indoor heating will bring humidity down to 35%. Would be much lower in NM (not to mention what summer AC would do to humidity).
Obvious problem(s):
(1) All systems noted require electrical service availability. No electricity, no clean water.
(2) For electricity you need a generator. Most generators require fuel of some kind be it, gasoline, diesel fuel, coal, or wood (to generate steam and a steam engine to utilize it). All such fuels are of unfortunately limited availability, especially in emergency circumstances.
(3) Solar energy is another possibility in limited circumstances. In the worst case nuclear attack scenario the resulting extensive and long duration cloud cover will make this energy source unavailable.
(4) Some people will make a lot of money selling all the above but in the end,
considering the worst case scenario, they are dead too.
(5) A few people will no doubt survive the worst case scenario, not particularly because of being fully prepped. More likely, their location, and the type and coverage of the disaster will be the telling component. Not how well prepped they were.
hi ive been trying to purchase a watergen mobile unit for several years, on their wait list,9/24 not available and put on genny waitlist.with a $899 deposit that i paid.delivery date constantly pushed back, now october 2025.hard to contact them, little responses.ive even called directly to israel….. does anyone actually have a unit or am i dreaming of one be fore i die of old age!!!!!
Their support is horrible. I didn’t put down a deposit because I’m researching alternatives but they took months to answer simple questions–and only after numerous attempts.
Is there a water generation system that will work below 35%?
Being in Northern Arizona, we very seldom see 35% humidity.
Need to find something?
Thanks
Metal-organic framework (MOF) water harvesters have pulled water out of low-humidity environments, but they have not been commercialized yet. Berkeley has been working on them since 2019.
Hi…guessing no update on the Watergen Genny or Hydropixel? Thank you.