The 5 Best Soda Makers, According to Our Testers

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Create your own sparkling beverages at home.

Soda water can be a creative and elevated way to increase your hydration throughout the day. Or maybe you’re looking to up your cocktail or mocktail game. A bottle of sparkling water used to be a splurge at a restaurant, but thanks to at-home soda makers, you can fizz up your own tap or filtered water whenever you like. And with a squeeze of lime or other fun natural flavors, your everyday glass of water can have a bit of a makeover.

The best soda maker machines should produce consistent carbonation and bubbles in mere moments. By investing in a soda maker, you’re most likely purchasing less soda water from the store, which, in turn, can save your household some money. And it even mitigates extra recycling efforts by cutting down on single-use bottles and cans.

We decided to put soda makers to the test, so we fizzed, spritzed and sipped on soda water to determine the best. See what our soda water experts discovered and which of the best soda makers made the list.

Our Soda Maker Recommendations

• Best Overall: Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker

• Also Great: SodaStream E-Duo

• Best Budget: Philips Sparkling Water Maker

• Best Splurge: Aarke Carbonator Pro

• Best Portable: OTE Portable Sparkling Water Maker
  

Best Overall: Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker

$120 at Amazon

$111 at idrinkproducts.com

What we like: This sparkling water maker can carbonate any beverage without spills or leakage.

What to know: The multi-step setup process can take some getting used to.

The Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker is renowned for its ability to carbonate any beverage, from water to juice to tea to wine and spirits. It can even recarbonate sparkling drinks that have become flat. This slim plastic soda maker boasts a small footprint, which saves precious counter space, and it comes in a variety of colors, including arctic blue, matte black, classic white and royal red. The machine also comes with a fizz infuser, which attaches to the bottle and uses a magnetic mechanism to lock it into place during the carbonation process.

Setting up your OmniFizz is a multi-step process. First, you’ll insert a CO2 cartridge (sold separately) into the back of the machine and fill the bottle with a beverage of your choice. (Drinkmate recommends using cold beverages as they carbonate better.) Mix in any syrups or add-ins you like, then place the fizz infuser over the bottle and insert it into the machine. Push the “carbonate” button in short bursts until you hear a carbonation hiss. Finally, you’ll remove the bottle, gently shake and swirl it and release the valve to finalize the carbonation.

When we tested this soda maker, we appreciated its lightweight, cordless design and how easy it was to take apart and clean. Simply rinse the fizz infuser with warm water after each use and wash the BPA-free plastic soda bottles with warm, soapy water and leave them to air dry.

We also loved how well the OmniFizz carbonated our beverages—when we made sparkling apple juice, it was just as foamy as an ice cold beer. Additionally, there were no spills when we were inserting and removing our soda bottles, and we found it easy to control and customize the carbonation level depending on our preferences.

Dimensions: 8”L x 5”W x 16”H | Carbonator Included? No | Capacity: 1 liter | Power Source: Manual

Also Great: SodaStream E-Duo

$200 at Williams-Sonoma

$200 at sodastream.com

What we like: The E-Duo’s three presets make it easy to fizz your beverages with the press of a button.

What to know: Certain older SodaStream bottles are not compatible with this model.

The SodaStream E-Duo is an automated, technologically advanced electric soda maker that allows you to create fuss-free carbonated beverages with just one press. It features three preset buttons that let you customize your carbonation levels. This model also comes with one CO2 cartridge and two bottles: one BPA-free plastic and one glass.

When setting up your SodaStream, the back panel of the soda machine pops off and a lever moves up and down to lock the CO2 cartridge into place. To make sparkling water, fill the bottle up to the maximum fill level. Place the bottle into the front-loading steel bin bottle holder, lower the top enclosure to seal the bin, and lock it into place. Press one of the three presets for mild, medium or extra carbonation. To remove, unlock the bin, let the upper enclosure lift up, and remove the carbonated bottle from the bottle holder bin.

When we tested this machine, we loved how easy it was to use and that it came with its own CO2 cartridges. However, we'll note that the cartridges are made for SodaStream models only, so they're not compatible with other soda makers. That said, you can exchange your used cartridges for new ones at larger retailers or via SodaStream’s website. The company also offers a limited two-year warranty for this machine.

When you're finished using your SodaStream, you can wash the soda bottles in the dishwasher, and the machine's base can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Dimensions: 11”L x 6.25”W x 17.25”H | Carbonator Included? Yes | Capacity: 28.4 ounces | Power Source: Electric

Best Value: Philips Sparkling Water Maker

$60 at Amazon

$74 at Walmart

What we like: This budget-friendly soda maker is compatible with any screw-in, 60-liter C02 cartridge.

What to know: The bottles are not dishwasher safe.

Looking for a slightly more wallet-friendly soda maker? The Philips Sparkling Water Maker is an affordable, easy-to-operate option. We love the slim and lightweight design of this device, which comes in both white and black stainless steel. This model has one 1-liter BPA-free PET plastic water bottle and a stainless steel cap.

To use your Philips Sparkling Water Maker, begin by inserting the CO2 cartridge into the machine. Note that the CO2 cartridge is not included. Fill the BPA-free plastic bottle to the marked filling lines with water (Philips recommends using cold water for best results), and twist the bottle into the soda maker. Press the large carbonating button located at the top of the soda maker for two to three seconds until you hear a buzzing sound, which indicates the release of the gas. Repeat as needed for more carbonation, then untwist the bottle and enjoy your drink.

When we put the Philips soda maker to the test, we found that adding extra carbonation was easy—simply hold down the carbonation button a bit longer to increase the fizz. Bubbles were consistent across all our drinks, and we did not encounter any leaking or spills when carbonating our beverages or removing the bottles.

At under $80, this machine is one of the most inexpensive soda makers we tested. One thing we’ll note, though: The CO2 cartridges and extra water bottles are sold separately, which can cause the price to go up a bit.

Dimensions: 9.4”L x 7.8”W x 18.6”H | Carbonator Included? No | Capacity: 1 liter | Power Source: Manual

Best Splurge: Aarke Carbonator Pro

$350 at Williams-Sonoma

What we like: We love that this machine gives us the ability to carbonate water with one hand.

What to know: Despite the steep price point, CO2 cartridges are not included.

If aesthetics are important and you have the budget, the sleek and modern Swedish-designed Aarke Carbonator Pro soda maker is an excellent high-end option. The stainless steel Aarke boasts a push-to-lock bottle function, so there is no twisting the bottle into place, and there's a convenient button that allows you to carbonate the water with just one hand.

This machine is manually operated, so there are no bulky cords, batteries or electrical components to contend with. Plus, the model is compatible with cartridges from multiple manufacturers (although you'll need to purchase them separately). It comes in a stainless steel or matte black finish and includes a microfiber cloth for cleaning. Plus, the glass soda bottles are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

To use the Aarke, fill the glass bottle with water up to the fill line. Place the bottle in the water tray and gently push the top enclosure down until it locks. Then, press the carbonation button to fizz your water and press the lever to release the glass bottle. Your soda water is ready to be enjoyed immediately or capped and saved for later.

Setting up the machine was simple, but we did incur a bit of trial and error when it came to carbonating the water. After a few tries, we found that one press of the button produces soft carbonation, two presses produce a medium carbonation and three presses create a strong carbonation. We noticed that the longer you hold down the carbonation button, the more intense and fizzy the bubbles get.

Dimensions: 6.7”L x 11.4”W x 20”H | Carbonator Included? No | Capacity: 800 milliliters | Power Source: Manual

Best Portable: OTE Portable Sparkling Water Maker

$50 at Amazon

$66 at otehome.com

What we like: The OTE is compact and efficient for on-the-go soda making.

What to know: This model uses single-use CO2 cartridges only.

If you’re attached to your at-home sparkling water system and can’t imagine traveling without bubbly water, why not bring your soda maker along for the ride? The OTE Portable Sparkling Water Maker is easy to transport and makes sparkling water in seconds. It comes in beige, black and blue, and its user-friendly operation leaves virtually no room for error.

This soda maker features a few portable parts: a portable water bottle canister, a mini CO2 cartridge, a cap and a pump. When you’re ready to use the OTE soda maker, fill the water bottle canister to the fill line, insert the mini CO2 cartridge into the cap, place the pump in the water bottle and seal with the cap. Then, twist the cap to activate the gas.

We were impressed with the quietness of this soda maker, which boasts an airtight seal to keep water from leaking. But while we found the carbonation consistent, the water never got quite as fizzy as other soda makers we tested, and it was often difficult to unscrew the cap. The model we tested came with eight single-use CO2 cartridges and is not compatible with other CO2 cartridges.

Those minor flaws aside, we think this device is a solid portable option that would be great for traveling, camping or spending a day at the beach.

Dimensions: 5.04”L x 4.09”W x 11.2”H | Carbonator Included? Yes | Capacity: 450 milliliters | Power Source: Manual

The Bottom Line: The Best Soda Maker

If you’re on the hunt to up your at-home bubbly water game, then we have you covered. After extensive testing, we chose the Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker (view at Amazon) as our first choice. The Drinkmate is designed to carbonate any beverage, and we found it simple to customize the amount of fizz. For a splurge, the Aarke Carbonator Pro (view at Williams Sonoma) boasts a simple one-handed approach, and its modern Swedish design makes it a conversation piece for your countertops. A slightly more affordable option is the Philips Sparkling Water Machine (view at Amazon), which is lightweight, simple to use and produces consistent bubbles.

Choosing a Soda Maker

Look At the Design

With a variety of sizes and styles of soda makers, there are many options depending on your needs and household. If you have a smaller kitchen, then choosing a slim and lightweight soda maker makes sense. On the other hand, if space constraints aren’t an issue and you plan on using your soda maker frequently, then you may wish to opt for a model with a larger footprint.

Soda makers also vary in terms of energy. Some soda makers rely on electricity, so these soda makers will need to live near an electrical outlet. Other soda makers are manual, so you have more flexibility where they can live on your countertops—and they’ll also come in handy if your kitchen has limited outlets to work with. And if unsightly electrical cords make you go nuts, you may opt for a cordless manual soda maker.

Note the Durability

Soda makers tend to be made of either stainless steel, plastic or a combination of both. Stainless steel is usually a bit more durable than plastic.

When it comes to durability, general wear and tear will eventually affect a soda maker’s life. For instance, most soda makers have some sort of mechanical element, whether it’s a button or lever to carbonate or a movable component to lock in and secure the soda water bottle in place. And don’t forget soda makers rely on CO2 cartridges that have to be inserted and removed, so there’s room for issues there. With any sort of appliance that has continual use, there is the possibility of breakage from use after time.

Is It Easy to Clean?

While it may be easy to fizz your water in seconds with a soda maker, there is always cleanup to think about. When selecting a soda maker, consider the various parts, such as the base, soda water bottles and any valves or water tanks that may need to be wiped down or cleaned. And if you have a soda water maker that can carbonate a variety of beverages, be sure to wipe down any sticky residue that may be left over.

Is It a Good Overall Value?

The soda makers we reviewed range from $55 to $350, so the appliance can certainly be an investment. Even if you go the less expensive route, you should still budget for CO2 replacement cartridges or cylinders. However, many companies offer discounts for CO2 exchanges, so there may be some cost savings available. Plus, in many cases you’ll save money on your weekly seltzer and sparkling water grocery bill.

Our Soda Maker Tests

We enlisted a product testing panel who researched and reviewed 11 soda makers to find the best. We carefully reviewed instruction manuals, assembled the appliance and utilized the various settings to make soda water. We tested every setting available, and we noted the carbonation levels of each one. We also noted the ease of usability and cleaning, performance and the quality of the soda maker, as well as the overall value and cost.

We Also Considered

CO-Z Sparkling Water Maker ($100 at Wayfair): We had a few qualms with this soda maker. First, we found it difficult to control the amount of carbonation, and we encountered various spills when testing the machine. Plus, it made a high-pitched sound during the carbonation process. We also noted that removing the back panel to install and remove the CO2 cartridges was awkward and the plastic components of the machine felt poorly made.

Drinkpod Fizzpod ($75 at Amazon): We had some trouble finding consistency with the carbonation with this soda maker, and the instructions were a bit clunky. During our testing process, we had some spillage, and the tall soda water bottles were not dishwasher-safe and tricky to clean.

SodaStream E-Terra ($160 at SodaStream): We were pleased with the included CO2 cartridge and liked how the appliance would light up when carbonating. But with its somewhat steep price point, we're not totally sure it’s worth the investment.

Common Questions

What is the best way to clean a soda maker?

Soda makers tend to be easy to clean. When it comes to the body of the machine, most can be cleaned and wiped down with a damp cloth. If there is a water tray or reservoir, make sure to frequently empty out the residual water and pat it dry to avoid mold or rust. Some soda makers have parts that need to be cleaned in warm, soapy water, especially if the soda maker can carbonate beverages other than water (think sweet and sticky juice). In terms of the soda water bottles, cleaning depends on the manufacturer. Some glass and plastic bottles are dishwasher safe (often on the top rack), while others need to be hand-washed. It’s a good idea to read the soda maker’s manual or FAQs to learn about proper cleaning.

Are soda makers worth it?

Soda makers can certainly be worth the investment if your household loves drinking soda water. Having an at-home soda maker means you can make bubbly water on the fly and even save time and money from schlepping to the grocery store to buy bottle after bottle. Not to mention, these machines often take up less space than bulky cases of carbonated drinks.

Typically, soda makers can last for years. However, as with any appliance with various parts, there is natural wear and tear with continued use. For example, glass soda bottles may break, or you may eventually lose various pieces, such as bottle caps. Sometimes, parts of the machine, such as levers, buttons, or interior valves, may break or no longer work.

There is also the CO2 factor. Soda maker machines rely on CO2 cartridges, which have a limited lifespan based on usage and capacity. So, the more you use your soda maker, the quicker the CO2 will deplete and need to be replaced. These are all things to remember when determining whether a soda maker is worth the investment.

Is drinking soda water healthy?

Drinking soda water can have certain health benefits. However, there are a few caveats. Increasing your soda water intake can help you stay hydrated throughout the day and may help with digestion, especially when you add natural ingredients such as fresh ginger. But be mindful of sweeteners and other sugar additives that can cause bloat and weight gain. While you may be increasing your water intake, excessive soda water drinking may harm your tooth enamel and eventually lead to decay.

How do soda makers work?

Soda water is made by infusing CO2 gas into water. Most soda makers include a soda maker base, a CO2 tank, a soda water bottle and caps to seal the finished product. Soda makers feature replaceable CO2 tanks that force the CO2 gas into a bottle of water, creating carbonated water.

Typically, CO2 tanks are inserted or twisted into the machine, and a soda water bottle is filled with water and attached to the soda maker. Using a button, a lever or even a twisting method, CO2 gas is released into the soda water bottle, producing carbonation. Once the soda water has reached the desired carbonation level, the bottle is released, and you can drink it immediately or cap it and store it in the fridge for later.

Are soda makers good for the environment?

Soda makers can certainly help cut down on the environmental impact and single-use plastic. By investing and using an at-home soda maker, you’re most likely buying fewer bottled and canned sodas from the store. By having less household waste, you’re also most likely recycling fewer items each week. A “sparkling” win-win!

And let’s not forget about the metal CO2 cartridges. Thanks to many exchange plans, CO2 cartridges can often be returned and exchanged for new ones, which also cuts down on waste.

Our Trusted Expertise

Our writer Marisa Olsen has over 10 years of experience writing and reporting on food, lifestyle and product reviews. She has written for multiple publications, including Chowhound, EatingWell, Southern Living, The Spruce Eats, Food & Wine, Byrdie and Liquor.com.

This article was edited by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and current EatingWell commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes. It was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, senior commerce editor, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content.

Read the original article on Eating Well.