The 7 Best Soda Makers of 2023
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You can have sparkling drinks almost instantly.
Real Simple / Alli Waataja
Fact checked by Emily Estep
If you love carbonated drinks, a home soda maker is an appliance you’ll use daily. Plus, soda makers can help you save money, minimize plastic use, and experiment with new flavors.
“Soda makers can be used by anyone looking for an easy way to enjoy fizzy drinks without having to buy them in bottles or cans,” says Rebecca Novak, a chef and registered dietitian with Hungarian Chef. “They’re especially helpful for individuals who prefer naturally sweetened drinks and those who like to experiment with different flavor combinations. Soda makers also offer convenience since they don’t require special trips to the store; all you need is tap water in order to create your own bubbly beverages.”
To find the best soda makers, we spent hours researching different options and comparing their weights, sizes, and included add-ons. We also asked Novak to explain how a soda maker works and what you can use one for. Whether you need a simple machine to keep up with your seltzer habit or want to mix up all sorts of carbonated drinks, there are options here for every shopper.
Best Overall Soda Maker: SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker
What Stands Out
This soda maker can be used on any cold beverage, unlike other models that carbonate water only.
What Could Be Improved
The price point of this soda maker may be too high for some shoppers.
The SodaStream Terra is easy to use, so you can get seltzer with the push of a button. The soda maker’s quick-connect cylinder system allows you to insert a CO2 gas canister with one click rather than untwisting and replacing the used canister. This model comes with a one-liter carbonating bottle you can clean in the dishwasher. Available in black, red, misty blue, and white, it can match any kitchen decor—and doesn’t take up a lot of counter space. The bundle comes with a CO2 cylinder, a carbonating bottle, and some Bubly flavor drops, so you can try making flavored drinks.
Price at time of publish: $100
Type: Manual | Volume: 1L | Dimensions: 17 x 7.9 x 5 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Comes With: One 60L CO2 cylinder, one dishwasher-safe bottle, one 40ml bottle of Bubly flavor drops
Best Budget Soda Maker: SodaStream Gaia Sparkling Water Maker
What Stands Out
This no-frills soda maker comes at an affordable price point.
What Could Be Improved
This soda maker is only compatible with the SodaStream CO2 cylinder.
If you want a simple, reliable soda maker, opt for the SodaStream Gaia. This bundle comes with the machine, a CO2 cylinder, and a 1-liter bottle you can clean in the dishwasher. Like the SodaStream Terra, this soda maker is only compatible with SodaStream’s “quick connect” CO2 cylinder—other threaded-style cylinders that you twist into the machine won’t work. This may not be convenient for shoppers who already own other types of canisters, so be sure to check before purchasing.
Price at time of publish: $70
Type: Manual | Volume: 1L | Dimensions: 17.2 x 7.79 x 7.79 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Comes With: 1L bottle, one 60L CO2 cylinder
Best Splurge Soda Maker: Aarke Carbonator III Premium Sparkling & Seltzer Water Maker
What Stands Out
This sleek soda maker is made with metal components and has a minimalist design.
What Could Be Improved
The price point is relatively high compared to other home soda makers.
Unlike other soda maker models, which are often plastic, the aarke is stainless steel—a great option for people who want to use less plastic in their homes. It comes in a number of finishes, including white, black, stainless steel, chrome, copper, and gold, which you can match to the hardware in your kitchen or home bar area. We also like that this soda maker is compatible with other 60L CO2 cartridges, making this manual soda maker ideal for shoppers who prefer a minimalist, sleek design or want to splurge a bit. To carbonate your water, pull down on the aarke’s handle anywhere from one to three times—the more pulls, the more carbonated your water will be.
Price at time of publish: $260
Type: Manual | Volume: 1L | Dimensions: 16.34 x 6.02 x 10.16 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Comes With: One BPA-Free PET water bottle (CO2 cylinder sold separately)
Best Compact Soda Maker: FIZZpod Home Carbonation Soda Maker
What Stands Out
This compact soda maker, which can carbonate water and other beverages, is a good fit for people with small spaces.
What Could Be Improved
This model doesn’t come with CO2 cartridges, so shoppers will need to purchase them separately.
This soda maker can carbonate many beverages, not just water—juices, teas, and even alcoholic drinks can become a delightful sparkling treat. It has a tall, sleek design that doesn’t take up a large footprint on your countertop, which is ideal for smaller kitchens or people who want a soda maker for their offices. The CO2 cylinders aren’t included with the purchase, but the FizzPod is compatible with many standard 60L CO2 cartridges from other brands. Plus, this soda maker comes with three bottles.
Price at time of publish: $88
Type: Manual | Volume: Not listed | Dimensions: 19 x 9.25 x 9.25 inches | Weight: 4.39 pounds | Comes With: Three bottles
Best Siphon Soda Maker: iSi Classic Mesh Soda Maker
What Stands Out
A siphon soda maker is great for people who don’t want a standalone machine.
What Could Be Improved
The soda charger cartridges for this soda maker are sold separately, and you use a single cartridge per filling.
To use this soda siphon, fill the bottle with cold water up to the indicator line, then insert a seltzer charger cartridge into the bottle cap, close the bottle, shake it vigorously for about 15 seconds, wait for the gas to dissolve, then pour your drink. This soda maker is ideal for shoppers who don’t want a standalone appliance since you can store the bottle in the fridge. However, the CO2 charger cartridges (sold separately) are single-use, meaning you need to use a new one every time you make a bottle of seltzer.
Price at time of publish: $80
Type: Manual (siphon) | Volume: .9 Liter | Dimensions: 3.94 x 3.94 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 1.91 pounds | Comes With: One quart bottle, CO2 sold separately
Best-Designed Soda Maker: Carbon8 One Touch Sparkling Water Maker and Dispenser
What Stands Out
This soda maker dispenses seltzer directly into a cup or bottle of your choice and uses UV technology to kill germs.
What Could Be Improved
The price of this appliance is on the higher side, and it also requires electricity to work.
This one-touch soda maker dispenses seltzer directly from a 68-ounce water tank into a glass, bottle, or travel cup of your choosing—no special carbonating bottle is needed. It’s available in aluminum, matte black, and white to match your kitchen hardware or bar color scheme. One difference between the Carbon8 One Touch and other soda makers is that this model needs electricity—that’s due to the one-touch technology and because it uses built-in UV lights to “remove bacteria, viruses, and algae,” according to the brand. It’s compatible with most 60L CO2 cartridges, so you don’t need to purchase any Carbon8-specific equipment.
Price at time of publish: $300
Type: Electric | Volume: 2 Liter water tank | Dimensions: 5.5 x 13 x 16.75 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Comes With: Soda maker (CO2 cartridge sold separately)
Most Versatile Soda Maker: Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker
What Stands Out
This soda maker can be used on any cold beverage, unlike other models that carbonate water only.
What Could Be Improved
The price point of this soda maker may be too high for some shoppers.
This soda maker comes in many colors (including matte black, classic white, arctic blue, and royal red) and can be used to carbonate any cold beverage: water, coffee, tea, juice, coconut water, and even alcohol like wine or spirits. Plus, DrinkMate says you can use this appliance to make flat soda or beer fizzy again. Many other soda makers can only carbonate water—and in fact, in some cases, using anything other than water in your machine will void the warranty. The Drinkmate OmniFizz is ideal for soda water fanatics who want to use their machine for more than just flavored seltzers.
Price at time of publish: $120
Type: Manual | Volume: 1 Liter | Dimensions: 7.87 x 5.12 x 16.14 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Comes With: One 1L carbonating bottle, one 10L CO2 starter cylinder
How to Shop for Soda Makers Like a Pro
Size
When purchasing a soda maker, consider what size suits your space. If you have a large kitchen with plenty of countertop space, size may not matter. But people with small kitchens who need to maximize space might prefer a smaller, more compact soda maker.
Design
Soda makers come in many colors, so you can select a model that works with your kitchen color scheme. Most soda makers have a basic design: A main compartment with a CO2 canister, a carbonation spout, and a space for the machine’s carbonating bottle. If you want something more compact, consider a siphon soda maker or a one-touch model that dispenses soda directly into a cup.
Versatility
Before purchasing, think about what types of drinks you want to make. Are you purchasing a soda maker for at-home seltzers only? Or are you interested in carbonating other drinks, like juices or alcohol? Some soda makers can carbonate various liquids, while others are to be used for water only.
Questions You Might Ask
How do soda makers work?
“Most soda makers work by carbonating water with pressurized carbon dioxide gas,” says Rebecca Novak, a chef and registered dietitian. “When the user presses a button, the CO2 enters through a small valve and binds to water molecules. This process is known as carbonation and it creates effervescence or bubbles that are characteristic of soda beverages.”
Who should use a soda maker?
Plenty of people can benefit from having their own soda maker on-hand at home, including:
People who want to cut down on store-bought soda. That might be for budgetary reasons or health concerns about the sugar content of some store-bought fizzy drinks. Making your own soda at home is definitely cheaper, and you can create options with plenty of flavors without much added sugar.
People who want to use fewer bottles and cans. If you’re conscious of single-use plastics, you might benefit from a soda machine. The reusable bottles cut down on household waste.
People who are interested in experimenting with different drink flavors. You can purchase different flavor drops to create sodas or experiment with fresh fruit, herbs, or even cocktail bitters.
Can soda makers carbonate anything besides water?
“Yes, many soda makers can be used to carbonate almost any liquid including juice, tea, coffee, cocktails, and more,” Novak says. “However, some machines may require additional ingredients or specific types of liquids in order to work properly. Additionally, it’s important to note that not all soda makers are able to carbonate non-water liquids as effectively as they do with plain tap water. Therefore, research is recommended before attempting to use a machine for anything other than standard water carbonation.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Nina Bahadur, a writer who has covered food, home, culture, and health topics for over 10 years. To find the best soda makers, she spent hours researching different models, comparing options with different sizes, price points, and capabilities. She also spoke to Rebecca Novak, a chef and registered dietitian with Hungarian Chef, for her expert insight on finding the right soda machine for you.
Related: The 8 Best Ice Makers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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