No, and the difference is larger than the labels suggest. Filtered water has had specific things taken out of it and keeps its dissolved mineral content. Distilled water has been reduced to water and almost nothing else. They suit different purposes, and substituting one for the other causes problems in both directions.
What filtering actually does
Filtering is selective. A carbon filter adsorbs chlorine, taste, odor and a defined list of organic compounds while leaving calcium, magnesium, sodium and everything else dissolved exactly where they were. A sediment filter removes particles only. A ceramic element removes bacteria and cysts mechanically. In every case the dissolved mineral content survives, which is why filtered water still scales a kettle, still spots glassware and still tastes of its source.
What distilling does differently
Distillation changes phase, so the separation is not selective at all: water evaporates and essentially everything else stays behind, including minerals, salts, heavy metals, nitrate and micro organisms. The output is water with almost nothing in it, which is why it does not scale, does not spot and tastes flat. The exception is compounds volatile enough to boil near water, which can carry over into the condensate unless the still is vented or has a carbon stage.
Where substituting causes trouble
Using filtered water where distilled was specified, in a steam iron, a humidifier, a CPAP machine or a car battery, deposits the minerals it still contains and defeats the point. Using distilled water where filtered was intended, in an aquarium or a hydroponic system, removes the mineral content those depend on and needs deliberate remineralizing. And in a kettle or a coffee machine, filtered water still scales while distilled water makes noticeably duller coffee.
Which to choose for drinking
For everyday drinking, a good filter usually gives the better result: it removes what you do not want, keeps the minerals that carry taste, needs no energy and no waiting. Distillation is the right choice where the source is unknown or badly contaminated. Reverse osmosis sits between them, removing nearly everything like distillation but far more efficiently, and it is the usual answer where dissolved contaminants are the concern. Our filtered shower head guide covers the hardness side.
Questions people ask about is filtered water the same as distilled water
Is filtered water the same as distilled?
No. Filtering removes selected things and leaves the dissolved minerals. Distilling removes essentially everything that does not evaporate.
Can I use filtered water in a steam iron?
Not instead of distilled. Filtered water still contains dissolved minerals, which deposit as scale inside the appliance.
Does filtered water still scale a kettle?
Yes. Carbon and sediment filters do not remove calcium and magnesium, so scale forms exactly as before.
Which is better for drinking?
Usually filtered, since it keeps the minerals that carry taste. Distillation suits unknown or badly contaminated sources.