This study investigated a new advancement in solar distillation that combines a modified stepped distiller (STSS) with two novel features: STSS with vertical wick still (STSS-VWSS) and STSS with finned wick absorber (MSTSS-FA). The rising water issue caused by population increase and loss of freshwater resources was the driving force behind the research. According to experimental data, MSTSS-FA generated the most freshwater, with VWSS showing a 191% improvement over the productivity of conventional solar stills (CSS). Water costs $0.028 per lire for CSS and $0.02 per liter for MSTSS-FA. This study investigated a new advancement in solar distillation that combines a modified stepped distiller (STSS) with two novel features: STSS with vertical wick still (STSS-VWSS) and STSS with finned wick absorber (MSTSS-FA). The rising water issue caused by population increase and loss of freshwater resources was the driving force behind the research. According to experimental data, MSTSS-FA generated the most freshwater, with VWSS showing a 191% improvement over the productivity of conventional solar stills (CSS). Water costs $0.028 per lire for CSS and $0.02 per liter for MSTSS-FA.