We Tested the Best Soda Makers for Refreshing Bubbly Beverages
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Our top picks are provide versatility, strong carbonation, and long-lasting fizz.
Food & Wine / Tamara Staples
While store-bought sparkling drinks are convenient in a rush, making your own carbonated beverages at home saves money and is much more eco-friendly. Whether you want a glass of sparkling water, bubbly fruit juice, an aerated cocktail, or a homemade version of your favorite fountain drink, quality soda makers can get it done at the touch of a button.
To help you find the right soda maker for your needs, we tested 10 top-rated models and evaluated their performance, design, and finished product. We looked for ones that were easy to use, produced strong carbonation, and maintained fizziness in drinks for an entire day. Ahead, you can learn more about our favorite soda machines, how we tested them, and why they are worth adding to your kitchen.
Best Overall: SodaStream Fizzi One Touch Sparkling Water Maker
Pros
It features three carbonation levels (small, medium, or large) and performed best in our tests.
Cons
It’s not wireless, so you’ll need to be near an outlet for use.
This soda maker can transform your ordinary tap water into the sparkliest and most refreshing liter of water in seconds. It features three levels of fizz — small, medium, and large — offering customization to suit every palate. We did find that the first level was a little flat, but the other two worked best, producing tiny bubbles with strong carbonation. Overall, the results were consistent and refreshing, and the fizziness lasted longer than drinks made with other models we tested.
With just one touch of the machine, the interface lights up along with the buttons for the carbonation levels, making it extremely user-friendly. Every soda maker purchase includes a 60-liter CO2 cylinder and a 1-liter dishwasher-safe reusable bottle. Although this machine isn't wireless, its longevity and consistency cannot be beaten.
Price at time of publish: $130
Power Source: Electric
Height: 17.32 inches
Bottle Capacity: 1 liter
Bottle Material: BPA-free plastic
Food & Wine / Tamara Staples
Best Splurge: Aarke Carbonator III Premium Sparkling & Seltzer Water Maker
Pros
This cordless model is sleek, compact, and produces strong carbonation.
Cons
Given the cost, we were disappointed that the CO2 cylinder wasn’t included.
Give yourself a sparkly new machine to go along with your sparkling water. The third generation of Aarke Carbonators features a polished look with its stainless steel, matte black, and glossy white designs — a stylish addition to any kitchen counter that won’t take up much space.
Don’t let its manual operation turn you away: We found that its ergonomic handle was easy to push less, requiring little to no force. The machine produced water with large, strong bubbles giving a slight tingle from the front to the back of the mouth, which we thought was a nice bonus. Unfortunately, the carbonator is not very versatile because it can only be used with water, but you can add flavor to it after pouring it into a glass. It doesn’t include a canister, so you’ll have to purchase one separately.
Price at time of publish: $219
Power Source: Manual
Height: 16.34 inches
Bottle Capacity: 0.8 liters
Bottle Material: BPA-free plastic
Most Versatile: Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker
Pros
This tool can be used to carbonate almost any drink, including wine and juices.
Cons
It foams up a lot while using, so it can get a little messy.
You can carbonate various beverages with Drinkmate’s Sparkling Water, including juices, wines, teas, or just a simple glass of water. It’s versatile and easy to use and clean with no batteries or electricity required.
When we tested it out with the apple juice and wine, the results were very refreshing, featuring the right amount of carbonation, strong yet not aggressive, with lots of tiny bubbles distributed throughout. We were especially impressed with the carbonated wine, as it was almost identical to champagne. Unlike other bottles that just have a maximum fill line, this bottle has several measurement markings to help you make different amounts. Just remember to stop at the fill line, as we found that this machine makes drinks extra foamy at first.
Price at time of publish: $120
Power Source: Manual
Height: 16 inches
Bottle Capacity: 1 liter
Bottle Material: BPA-free plastic
Best Classic: iSi Classic Mesh Soda Maker
Pros
This vintage-inspired soda maker features a nicely-design spout perfect for pouring cocktails.
Cons
It takes some time to get the hang of it.
Designed by an Austria-based company, this soda maker has been put through tests to ensure its quality and longevity. It has a vintage-inspired look yet includes modern features, like a drip-free spout and steady steam technology, that make it worth your money. Not to mention, it makes a nice addition to a bar cart when not in use.
Unlike other models that work by attaching a bottle to the machine, a CO2 charger is inserted at the top near the bottle's spout. We loved how easy it was to pour the water out, making it ideal for serving cocktails at dinner parties. However, it isn't the most user-friendly device, as we didn't know how much we needed to shake it. It required some practice, but we eventually got the hang of it.
Price at time of publish: $69
Power Source: Manual
Height: 12.6 inches
Bottle Capacity: 1 liter
Bottle Material: BPA-free plastic
Best Design: MySoda Woody Sparkling Water Maker
Pros
This model features a lovely design that’s also environmentally friendly, and it produced refreshing results.
Cons
The start button might be a bit difficult to maneuver, and it’s not dishwasher-safe.
MySoda’s Sparkling Water Maker came with a manual providing clear instructions, making it easy to set up. We were fond of its environmentally-friendly design made of 100% renewable-based biocomposite and that it was easy to clean despite the fact it’s handwash only.
When we started carbonating, we found its activation button was a little difficult to operate initially because it was more sensitive in certain spots than in others. Regardless, the water finished with small bubbles offering a fresh mouthfeel that would quench your thirst happily.
Price at time of publish: $70
Power Source: Intuitively (no electricity required)
Height: 16 inches
Bottle Capacity: 1 liter
Bottle Material: BPA-free plastic
Our Favorite
If you love sparkling beverages, investing in a soda maker is a no-brainer. For consistent results with varying bubbly options, we loved the Sodastream Fizzi Onetouch. If you’re willing to splurge, we recommend the Aarke Carbonator for its attractive design and ease of use.
The Tests
To give you the best recommendations, we tested 10 of the most popular soda makers on the market, evaluating each one’s ease of use and setup, carbonation level, control, and care requirements. We tested each machine with water to see how well it produced seltzer, and if it could carbonate beverages besides water, we tried out apple juice, natural wine, and a fruit mixer with water to mimic a cocktail. In addition to these tests, we took note of the size, volume, special features, and overall value.
Factors to Consider
Power Source
There are two types of soda machines: manual and electric. We found that both kinds perform well, so it just depends on where you want to use yours. If you have countertop space and access to an electrical outlet, electric soda makers are a good choice. Plus, they might have special features, like adjustable carbonation levels, unlike their counterparts. For a no-fuss, no-frills portable pick, consider one that requires a simple press-down or operates intuitively without electricity or manual force, such as the MySoda Sparkling Water Maker.
Carbonation Type
In order for soda makers to work, they primarily use carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinders to pressurize the flat liquid and produce the bubbles you normally see in carbonated beverages. Some machines result in large bubbles, while others finish with tiny, foamy ones. There are even a few that will let you adjust the carbonation levels.
Versatility
All soda makers can carbonate water, but not all of them have more options. Depending on your personal use, find one that fits your needs. There are soda makers that can carbonate juices, wine, and alcoholic beverages. You can even use certain syrups to make a healthier copycat version of your favorite soda.
Size
Most soda streamers aren’t too wide or lengthy, although one thing to keep in mind is height. They can be pretty tall, so it’s important to find one that can that would fit perfectly on your counter, tabletop, or even that small bar cart in your dining room. In addition to the machine, you’ll also want to make sure that the bottle’s height is suitable for your refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do soda makers work?
Soda makers usually all have a similar design with a bottle to fill with your desired drink that attaches to the soda maker itself. In the machine is a carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinder that releases gas into the bottle forming bubbles and adding carbonation to the drink inside. The cylinder needs to be replaced once the CO2 is depleted.
How do you maintain a soda maker?
For the machine, simply wipe it down with mild dish soap and a damp cloth whenever you notice any dust or grime. As for the bottles, we suggest cleaning them after each use with dish soap, warm water, and a bottle brush.
Can I re-carbonate beverages with a soda maker?
If you wanted to re-carbonate your flat soda, you technically can if the machine carbonates more than just water. It isn’t recommended to do so, so act at your own discretion as re-carbonation can be a bit messy. It likely won’t taste the same, but it still gives you some fizz either way.
Is it better to use filtered water in a soda maker?
You can use filtered water or tap water, depending on your own preference. It’s best to use cold water in your soda machine, so if you’re already refrigerating your water, you might as well take the extra step to filter it too.
What should I do with empty CO2 cylinders?
Some companies give you the chance to return your empty CO2 cylinders for money. For example, Sodastream gives back $1 for every empty CO2 cylinder you give them. These cylinders are also made of metal so they can be recycled or disposed of in the household trash or landfill.
What Didn't Make the List
Strong Contenders
Twenty39 Qarbo Sparkling Water Maker ($119 at Amazon)
We loved how the bubbles were very subtle and distributed evenly all around. However, the carbonation did not last long at all and fell flat after sitting out for a few minutes. The bottle is also too tall for storage in an average-sized refrigerator.
Results Still Simmering
SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker ($100 at Amazon)
This Terra Sparkling Water Maker from SodaStream uses new Quick Connect technology that makes it super easy to change and replace its CO2 cylinder with just “one click.” Unfortunately, we found that the bubbles completely dissipated after removing the bottle from the machine, and we felt almost little to no bubbles when we tasted it.
iSi Soda Siphon ($100 at Amazon)
This one has a design and function very similar to its classic relative, but with a look more like the regular soda makers. Users cannot see the liquid inside because of the aluminum casing, making it difficult to see how many bubbles are brewing inside. It produced decently sized bubbles but unfortunately, the longevity didn't match. Eventually, we learned that the key to long-lasting carbonation is shaking it at least 10 times.
Low Performers
SodaStream Aqua Fizz Carbonated Water Maker ($160 at Amazon)
We found that this water maker is very bulky and was the tallest device out of all the options we tested, requiring more space. We were not a fan of the noise it made while carbonating, and it didn't provide any guidance on how carbonated the drink was getting. It barely retained its bubbles after 5 minutes, and it spilled out a lot of water from the back.
Spärkel Beverage System ($130 at Amazon)
Surprisingly, this was the only soda maker that didn't need a CO2 cylinder or cartridge to work. To obtain that fizz, the machine uses citric acid and baking soda. Despite the lack of CO2 gas, it's still tough to use due to the several steps you have to go through to have it operate correctly. Once testers got it going, it leaked every time and wasted water. It produced bubbles with a nice mouthfeel, but they didn't even last long enough to enjoy.
Our Expertise
Lauren Musni is a New Jersey-based food writer with an associate degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America. She wrote this piece based on our test results, her personal experience working in restaurants, and her love for baking and cooking.
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