Usually both type of water are used in preparation of microbial culture media. However the water source used for distillation and deionization process can make difference. the deionized water is free from ions but chances of non-ionic compound (e.g. glucose, O2 . etc.) may be there, (however these possibilities are rare). In distilled water (phase separation), also free from the salts as well as dissolved CO2 (distilled water generally has electrolytic conductivity and pH values similar to those of DI). 

I always, prefer to use, MiliQ water for all kind of media preparation, instead of DI or DW. 

Depend on your work, it does make a difference. For microbiology work, generally any one would suffice.

But yes Distilled and deionized water are not the same. Both are regarded as purified water but in most cases deionized is even purer. Theoretically after the distillation the absolutely pure water is obtained. Actually, organic substances, which have similar boiling point than that of water can slip in the distilled water. For example, if the water contains the oil drops they can be found also in the distillate. There are practically no salts in the distilled water, because the salt boils at a much higher temperature.

On the other hand,  DI systems do not remove molecular species (e.g. sugar, most other organics) from the product water. However, many systems include an activated charcoal (or similar) column that removes many organics.

For tissue culture work especially with mammilian cell culture work, there is a need for maintainance of dissolved CO2 conc and thus there might be effect of which type of water you use because of presence of dissolve O2 and equlibration with atmospheric CO2 (i have not work with tissue culture so i am not sure).

Hi there,

Deionized water is enough for culture media.

For the "downvoter" I have to precise I'm talking about  rich media for microbial culture...

In my opinion, either can be used. If your lab tends to use distilled, it shouldn't be a problem. Same goes if it's deionized. Anyhow, you'll be using a specific medium for it anyway. As long as it doesn't react with the medium's components (hence, compromising the content of the media), then it should not be a problem at all.

To Vievek, Mustafa and to whom it may concern:

since the issue “DI vs DW”, quality and differences, etc. has been mentioned I would like to point you to a long, but nevertheless interesting RG-thread to be found @

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_difference_between_distilled_water_and_deionized_water_DI_water

(and this perhaps not the only thread dealing with the matter).

As of Hina’s question I think it will depend also a bit on the scientific task and claim of the experimental work, so DW, if one has the possibility to use DW (bidestillate) + pyrogenfree/antibacterial filter system or also MilliQ = Ultrapure water (Millipore®Company, cf.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milli-Q) always are recommended.

Deionized water is not "clean" it is only free of ionic compounds. Thus other impurities obviously may make a difference depending on the system studied

Well,In my opinion i think its a way better if you try using Distilled water , which is free from salts and Carbon dioxide.

@Vivek, Mustafa & Dominique: Honestly to inform:  since today I was informed of the fact I was / am honored with the second / 2 upvote(s) in this thread for just only pointing to the other - long - thread I am at risk to be thought in favour of downvoting perhaps other posters here...  Normally I do not downvote anonymously...

For that reason (i.e. to prove the contrary) I will upvote/have upvoted all those authors having had one or more downvote(s) (irrespective of the 'quality' of  their replies). Best wishes and regards...WM