The Best Soda Makers According to Pros (and Sparkling Water Fans)

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Best Everyday Soda Maker

SodaStream One Touch

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It’s no surprise that the brand that put at-home carbonators on the map is also one of our Test Kitchen’s favorites. While SodaStream makes many at-home soda machines, our pros love the SodaStream One Touch.

One of the many reasons our pros call this a favorite soda maker is the ability to customize the carbonation. On the top of the machine, you’ll see three buttons for different levels of fizz. Just fit the bottle in place and press. In seconds you’ll have a bottle of bubbly water that suits you. From there, you can add all the extras you want to make an Italian soda, wine spritzer or even an old-fashioned ice cream soda.

If getting the flavors right yourself isn’t quite for you (or you just want something flavorful and fizzy quick), SodaStream makes so many syrups and flavorings. This impressive product array, plus the ready availability of the brand’s accessories, are more reasons this model is a winner.

Pros

• Customizable carbonation levels
• Accessories like additional bottles, flavorings and carbonation canisters are easy to find

Cons

• Requires electricity, so this machine needs to be placed near an outlet

Specs

• Capacity: 33 ounces
• Price: $130

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Best Pro-Level Carbonator

Aarke Premium Carbonator

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For a top-of-the-line look and experience, our Test Kitchen recommends the Aarke Premium Carbonator.

Unlike many other models, this Aarke carbonator is made of stainless steel (not plastic). It comes in eight different finishes, and Peggy has nothing but good things to say about the copper finish. “It resists fingerprints really well,” she explains. If it does get smudged, the folks at Aarke already included a microfiber cloth in the box.

When it comes to performance, this Aarke soda machine feels just as luxe as it looks. In the words of Peggy, “Wowza, this is fancy!” But don’t let the looks fool you: This machine is so simple to use. Screw the bottle into place and push the lever. That’s it! And if you want more bubbles, just push the lever again. The result is crisp, fizzy water perfect for your vodka soda.

The only drawback to this machine that our team could find was the price tag. If you enjoy fizzy beverages on the daily or love to show off your mixology skills, this machine will be well worth it to you. If you’re more of a casual bubbly imbiber, you may prefer one of our Test Kitchen’s other preferred models.

Pros

• Beautiful, sturdy construction
• Customizable carbonation levels
• Smudge-resistant finish

Cons

• Pricey

Specs

• Capacity: 33 ounces
• Price: $230

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Best Budget Soda Maker

Phillips Water GoZero

$55.94 at Amazon

You don’t need to spend a lot to get a great at-home soda machine. For the price of a few cases of LaCroix, you can get the Phillips Water GoZero (and never have to buy sparkling water again).

This compact carbonator takes up very little space on your countertop. Since it requires no electricity, it can be stashed and used just about anywhere. But this machine is so much more than a streamlined design.

The Phillips Water GoZero allows you to customize the carbonation level of your drinks. That means fizz fanatics can go over-the-top bubbly if they’d like! This is a major feature if you’re a sparkling water fan. It’s also a nice option if you plan on using this carbonator to make club soda for cocktails; you may want more bubbles to compensate for uncarbonated ingredients like juices and syrups. Our Test Kitchen recommends giving it a try with this Sunshine Lime Rickey.

Pros

• Affordable
• Small footprint
• Customizable carbonation levels
• Requires no electricity

Cons

• Fitting the CO2 cartridge inside the machine may take some practice
• Should only be used with water

Specs

• Capacity: 33 ounces
• Price: $70

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Best Soda Maker for More Than Just Soda

Drinkmate Omni Fizz

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If you check out the manuals for most at-home soda makers, they’ll encourage you to stick to water only. But with the Drinkmate Omni Fizz, you can carbonate any beverage you like.

For fans of bubbly beverages, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities! Carbonate water, yes, but also juice, sangria, cocktails—the possibilities are nearly limitless. Just slot the bottle of whatever beverage you like into place and fizz away. The manual includes suggested times for different liquids, but feel free to experiment!

Another benefit to the Drinkmate soda maker is that the bottle doesn’t need to be filled to a certain level to add carbonation. “This would be useful if you wanted to carbonate a small volume of something, like just one glass of wine or a single serving of soda,” says Peggy.

Pros

• Can carbonate any beverage
• Customizable carbonation levels
• Can carbonate any volume of beverage; other machines require the bottles to be filled to capacity

Cons

• Construction doesn’t feel as durable as other brands
• Bottles need to be hand washed and should be replaced more frequently; here’s where to get more

Specs

• Capacity: 29 ounces
• Price: $99

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Best Old-Fashioned Soda Maker

iSi Classic Mesh Soda Siphon

119.9934% OFF$78.99 at Amazon

Looking for a carbonator to add to your vintage-inspired cocktail setup? Add an iSi Classic Mesh Soda Siphon to the bar cart.

This compact soda siphon is exactly the sort of gadget your grandparents would have had to make Tom Collins after Tom Collins at their famous cocktails parties. That’s exactly why this carbonator is so beloved by our Test Kitchen; it’s perfectly retro, unfussy and super easy to use.

To make your club soda for your favorite cocktail (may we suggest a mojito?), just fill up the bottle and give it a few vigorous shakes. This will pressurize the canister and makes it ready to use. It creates seltzer that’s just bubbly enough for these mixed drinks.

Because this gadget is so simple, there is no room for customization. The canister makes a perfectly bubbly quart of soda but doesn’t allow for over-the-top fizz; you also can only carbonate water. For cocktail and occasional use, this is just fine, but it’s something to consider for serious bubbly fanatics.

Pros

• Super-fun retro style
• Space-saving footprint
• Easy to use and clean

Cons

• Cartridges only carbonate a quart of water; you’ll want backup cartridges on hand
• Cannot adjust the level of carbonation

Specs

• Capacity: 32 ounces
• Price: $68

What to Look for When Buying a Soda Maker 

In our research and testing, we discovered that there are actually quite a few factors to consider when buying a soda machine. We’ve outlined the most important ones below.

Types 

Typically, soda machines fall into two categories: manual and electric. Manual machines are more traditional, requiring adding CO2 to a pressurized container. In contrast, electric machines are usually standalone devices that operate automatically (meaning you plug them into your wall and push a button to operate them). Manual machines offer more overall control and are usually cheaper but less convenient or consistent than automatic electric machines.

Ease of Use 

• Simplicity:  For the most part, the operation of soda machines are all pretty similar. Electric machines are a little easier, as you follow the instructions included by the manufacturer, which helps take the guesswork out. They’re harder to fix and/or replace if something goes wrong.

• Speed: Soda makers are also typically very speedy, depending on your recipe. The more ingredients you need, the longer it will take to make your soda. However, they really only take a few seconds, regardless of the type.

Carbonation Control 

As mentioned, manual soda makers offer the greatest control, including carbonation. However, automatic electric machines still offer some control over the carbonation, usually by pushing and/or holding a button down for a certain period. 

Build Quality and Design 

• Materials: Like many kitchen appliances, soda machines are usually made of plastic or metal (or some combination), with cheaper models favoring plastic constructions. Metal machines are sturdier, generally last longer and may be easier to clean. But they are a greater initial investment.

• Size and Footprint: Soda machines are much like coffee makers because they require a dedicated space on your counter, and moving them back and forth doesn’t make much sense. Larger, heavier-duty, more expensive machines take up more space but offer more versatility. Even then, they all take up around the same amount of space.

CO2 Cylinder Compatibility 

• Cylinder Capacity: SodaStream’s CO2 cylinders come in one size: 60L. There are a number of other styles of CO2 canisters (like those used to make whipped cream), but they are not necessarily compatible with soda machines. Make sure you’re getting cylinders that are made for your machine.

• Availability: CO2 cartridges are widely available for purchase and easy to replace, but not all are compatible with soda machines. You can easily get compatible cartridges on Amazon, but check compatibility beforehand.

Bottle Type and Quality 

• Material: SodaStream’s bottles are made from either BPA-free plastic (the cheapest option) or glass (sometimes with plastic or metal accents). The glass bottles are more expensive but are also more environmentally friendly and won’t leech plastic into your soda over time. However, the plastic bottles are dishwasher-safe.

• Connection Type:  Not every SodaStream bottle is compatible with every machine. Check the compatibility if you’re looking to get new or additional bottles.

Versatility 

Obviously, soda machines can make soda. But you might not be considering the huge variety of options available. SodaStream even has its own recipe book, available online. If you’re hoping to expand your horizons, we recommend checking out the huge number of possible drinks you can make with a soda machine. It might be a lot more than you’re expecting. Never put anything other than water into your soda machine—no juice or coffee—as it can damage the machine and void the warranty.

Maintenance and Cleaning 

If you add sugar and/or any ingredients other than water, cleaning your soda machine (including the internal lines) is important. Follow the manufacturer’s regular cleaning and maintenance schedule, or you could end up with a bigger, more disgusting problem down the line (be that bacterial growth, mineral buildup or worse). Thankfully, most soda machines are pretty easy to clean, and a lot of the containers are dishwasher-safe.

Environmental Impact 

Ultimately, soda machines are better for the environment because you reuse containers rather than buying mass-manufactured soda from a brand like Coke or Pepsi. However, there is still the potential for waste with packaging, shipping, replacing containers, etc.

Cost 

• Initial Investment:  Depending on the type, Soda machines can cost anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars. Set a budget and manage your expectations before pulling out your wallet.

• Operating Cost: CO2 refills, flavor cartridges, extra bottles, etc., all represent extra costs on top of the machine’s cost. Take these considerations into account before purchasing.

Warranty and Support 

Learn everything you need about SodaStream’s warranty and customer support policies. If you get a soda machine that SodaStream doesn’t make, check with the manufacturer for warranty and customer support information.

Why You Should Trust Us  

Lisa Kaminski has over six years of professional food writing experience with Taste Recipes, including leading the Taste Recipes Bakeable program, a guide-to-baking hub and social community of 20,000 home bakers. She has dedicated herself to finding and testing quality ingredients, kitchen gear and home products, as well as writing articles about the best-of beverages, snack foods, ready-made baking ingredients and more. She is more than qualified to speak on the subject of soda machines, as well as numerous other kitchen and home goods topics.

Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Taste Recipes, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.

10 Soda Makers Rigorously Tested

There’s only one way to find the best soda maker on the market: To try all the biggest names in the game! Peggy Woodward, senior food editor and sparkling water super-fan, took the lead on this test. With her guidance, our Test Kitchen put each at-home carbonator through its paces and made notes on the following:

• Carbonation: We want to know how well these machines work. Do they make perfectly fizzy drinks, or do they fall flat? Can you customize the carbonation for extra bubbles?
• Extra features: Like any gadget, soda makers vary from simple to fancy. Our team tested if any models have extra features to ensure they’re worth the fuss.
• Size: As much as we all like bubbly water, we don’t want to sacrifice too much counter space to the gadget that makes it. Our pros make sure that the fizz is worth the footprint.
• Price: Our Test Kitchen team ensures that budget and premium items perform well for their price point.

Our team tried 10 models, and in the end, they were happy to pick five models to suit the needs of every sparkling water fanatic. Check out the best soda maker options—the ones we call Test Kitchen-Preferred.

FAQ  

What is the best soda fountain? 

All of the soda machines on our list are worthy of consideration, and we tested them extensively to make sure. Our pick for the best overall is the SodaStream One Touch.

Do soda makers save money? 

This varies largely on how often you use your soda maker, but if you’re a regular soda/seltzer drinker, using a home machine could save you upwards of $600 a year (for a household size of two).

Are soda makers healthier? 

It’s easier to make “healthier” soda with a home soda machine, as you can control the ingredients that go into it — meaning you can add less sugar if desired. You’re unlikely to add chemical ingredients sometimes found in mass-manufactured food items.

What is the lifespan of a SodaStream machine? 

The manufacturer’s warranty covers a SodaStream machine for two years, but with proper care and maintenance, it could last much longer.