What if we told you that you could get the delicious fizz of soda in the comfort of your own home at any time you want it? Reaching 80,000 retail stores in over 45 different countries, SodaStream puts a twist on ordinary drinking water. The company produces small appliances that can help you make soda at home in an eco-friendly way that doesn’t strain your wallet. The best SodaStream is just a click away. However, we advise you to read this guide before diving into making water fizzy.
In our review, we’ve highlighted the essential features you should consider when choosing a SodaStream from all those available on the market. We go through features like versatility, easy-to-use controls, talk about the manual or electric properties of the sparkling water maker, and the compatibility that each product has with carbonators and bottles.
Top 4 SodaStreams Review 2020
Through hours of research, trying out these sparkling water makers ourselves and defining each product by a score out of ten, we now can help you choose the best SodaStream for your enjoyment at home. Scroll down to read through our comparison table with all the products, in-detail reviews of each one, and at the end, a buying guide to help make your final decision. We hope that this article will help you in your purchasing decision and journey to find the best SodaStream on the market today.
Most popular model top-rated by customers and Wirecutter, this manual soda maker will get your water fizzy in no time, anywhere Upgraded electrical model, this soda maker works faster and has three carbonation presets Manual version of the above soda maker with the same sleek design, but not dependent on electricity The most affordable on our list, this model is the only SodaStream compatible with a 130L cylinder
We think that SodaStream Source is one of the best SodaStreams on the market today. With its original manufacturing and style, this soda solution comes with a package equipped for any size party or drinking event you could possibly have. When you purchase the SodaStream Source, you get a Source Sparkling Water Maker, a mini CO2 carbonator, which makes up to 9L of sparkling water, a 1-liter BPA-free reusable source carbonating bottle – more on that later – and a 60-liter mail-in rebate, which is all you would need to make your first drink out of the box. Not only does SodaStream Source send you all the material you need, the design also comes with a snap-lock bottle technology, which even though made of plastic, is still durable enough to stand the test of time. It also has a huge plus, requiring no batteries or electricity. The CO2 carbonator is highly compatible, through a 1L PET, 1L Source, and a 0.5L Source. It can be exchanged at several retailers, which makes the investment in SodaStream Source highly convenient for you. Functioning on a single-push motion, the redesigned carbonating bottle locks into place, where it is then powered by a CO2 cylinder. The LED indicator than dictates the level of carbonation. The Source is easy to use, and it requires no electricity or batteries, which makes it an ideal sparkling water maker to take with you anywhere. SodaStream Source – Editor's Choice
The SodaStream One Touch is an incredible upgrade on modern technology – giving you the luxury of sparkling water in a matter of seconds. Although you think you may have seen this before, you have never seen the transformation look so good. With a sleek black or white finish, the SodaStream One Touch is a great addition to any kitchen, since it fits in with any interior decor. At just the touch of a button, the SodaStream One Touch works with electricity and is compatible with all SodaStream carbonation bottles to give you the fizzy water you or your guests have been craving. This product works with an easy-to-use snap-lock bottle insertion for quick carbonation, whenever unexpected guests arrive. The purchase of the SodaStream One Touch also comes with a kit included, having everything you may need on-hand. You’ll receive the Fizzi One Touch Sparkling Water Maker, a 60L CO2 Cylinder, and a 1L Slim Carbonating Bottle. With this SodaStream maker, you can use different flavors, from natural fruit essences like a sparkling juice to diet caffeine free cola. The compatibility list ranges out to over 30 different flavor options. The SodaStream One Touch comes with three different carbonation presets that are easy to adjust. It also is safe for the environment, with BPA free, re-usable plastic carbonating bottles that can be filled up again and again. All you need to make the SodaStream work is a wall plug-in and the CO2 cylinder. This product also comes with a 2-year warranty. SodaStream One Touch – Best Electrical SodaStream
The SodaStream Fizzi comes equipped with the most features to knock your socks off! Well, not literally – but it will definitely rock your taste buds! This product not only comes with a Fizzi Sparkling Water Maker, two 60L CO2 cylinders, and three 1L carbonating bottles, it also comes compatible and included with two fruit drops of 40ml flavors. You can choose to spice up your drink with either lime or orange. Not only does the SodaStream Fizzi come with all those extra features, it also is designed like the best of the best, with snap-lock bottle technology to make fizzy drink making an easy task. With its lightweight sleek design, you can also rest assured that it will fit in with whatever decor you have in your kitchen. The two cylinders that it comes with can make up to 60 liters of Sparkling Water. However, remember that this may change if you adjust the desired level of carbonation, taking the volume of the liquid away. The bubblier it is, the less water you’ll have. The SodaStream Fizzi is also power- and energy-efficient, using the power from the CO2 Cylinder. With everything you need included in the starter’s kit upon purchase, the SodaStream Fizzi is an excellent choice – especially if you are new to the whole bubbling thing. SodaStream Fizzi – Most Featured
SodaStream Jet – Budget Pick
- Type: manual
- Compatibility: SodaStream bottles; 130L cylinder; 60L carbonators
- Material: BPA-free plastic
The SodaStream Jet is another great product from one of the biggest sparkling water brands, internationally.
Since the fountain jet in this product is compatible with larger SodaStream tanks, like the 130L CO2 tank, you can easily adjust to the volume you want or need. For example, let’s say you have a lot of guests over and you need to provide enough fizzy drinks for the whole gang. You would definitely want to be able to pop into the kitchen one time – only having to get away from your guests momentarily. The last thing you would need is to have to continuously make fizzy drinks with the smaller 60L tanks. Well, you’re in luck. The JET is the only current sparkling water maker on the market that is compatible with the 130L cylinder.
Your product purchase also comes with a Jet Sparkling Water Maker, a Mini CO2 Carbonator, which makes up to 9L of sparkling water, a 1-liter BPA-free reusable jet carbonating bottle, and a 60-liter mail-in rebate.
With its lightweight, sleek design and twist-lock technology, the SodaStream Jet
is a fizzy drink maker of the future, not requiring any electricity or batteries.
In less than 30 seconds, with the SodaStream Jet, you can go from boring to fizzy to entertain your guests and make water-drinking fun!
- Can be used with a 130L CO2 tank or the 60L one.
- Doesn’t require electricity
- Our budget pick
- Seems cheaply made
Why is home-made soda better for you?
With the control of being able to make your own fizzy drinks, you know exactly what’s going into your drink. You can get the delicious taste and fizz of a soda without all the extra sugar and calories that come along with it when you buy it in a can or bottle. Your health is always a huge plus.
Why buy SodaStream?
SodaStream is a great contraction to help you make hydrating and drinking water much more fun! Especially if you have young kids in the family – sodas are always a big hit when looking for a beverage. With SodaStream, your kids can get the fun and fizz of soda, and you can get the peace of mind in knowing that you are giving your kids a healthy alternative. SodaStream is an affordable and healthy way of making fizzy drinks in the comfort of your own home.
Features to consider before buying a soda maker
Before you buy, although you might have already taken a look at the comparison table, there are a few features you ought to consider. Looking at the features of your top-choice products can help you decide which one is the best for you. From the type to the compatibility, from the carbonation levels to the warranty, these features can make all the difference and get you the best value for your money.
Type: electric or manual
When choosing between electric or manual, you should put convenience as your priority. Especially if you are entertaining a few guests or have a lot of members in your family who enjoy fizzy drinks, you’ll want to maybe invest a little more for the easier, electric choice. However, if it’s just you or if you are not going to be using as often, you can get away with getting the manual version of the SodaStream.
Compatibility with bottles and carbonator
Especially since you’ll be recycling and changing these battles every couple months or so, it’ll be the most helpful decision to make if you get a SodaStream that boasts superior compatibility with other bottles from different companies. Most of the products featured on this guide are highly compatible at your local retail stores.
Variable Carbonation Levels
When choosing a SodaStream product, if you get one that has varying levels of carbonation to make your drink as fizzy as you want it to be, it will help if you have the options to choose from. Some of these products, like the SodaStream One Touch, has three different levels of carbonation for you to choose from.
Material
BPA-free plastic or glass? For these considerations, you’ll have to think of yourself and the environment. If you are investing in a SodaStream, to get the healthiest kind for the environment, you should invest in glass – since you don’t have to throw away plastic and the investment will last an extremely long time.
Warranty
Investing in a SodaStream with a 1-year or 2-year warranty is also a great idea. If the particular brand you’re investing in has enough faith in its product to slap on a warranty, it means that it will stand the test of time!
How to make your sparkling water even better?
Although you want to make sure that you have completely fizzed up your drink before adding anything to it (never put anything other than water into your SodaStream!), you can add flavor to it! Some SodaStream products, like the SodaStream Fizzi, come with flavored drops to add to the finished product to give it a little more pizazz – and more flavor, of course! However, it’s important to recognize that putting it back in the SodaStream to re-fizz a drink is dangerous to the machine if done so with flavor already in it. Always use plain water!
FAQ
Whether it’s your first time working with a SodaStream machine or if you simply have a few questions about the process, here are our most frequently asked questions, answered for you!
This depends on two different things – the size and make of your bottle and how often you make sparkling drinks. When we’re simply talking about the average 30–130L of sparkling water, let’s take a look at the average numbers. If you have four fizzy water fanatics in your home, you’ll need to replace a 30L carbonator every 3–4 weeks. If you have the standard 60L carbonator bottle, you can get away with replacing it every 6–8 weeks. This number may vary depending on how often it’s being used.
Normally, no. Unless you have a special edition that we are unaware of, the only type of carbonated liquid that should be coming out of your SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker is just that – water. Although you can spring for a SodaStream like the SodaStream Fizzi, which has drop flavors of lime and orange to add to your drink, you’re taking a huge risk if you’re putting anything other than water in it. You can damage the Sparkling Water Maker and simply make a huge mess! Even though most of these products come with a warranty, like the SodaStream One Touch with its 2-year guarantee, this money-back guarantee will be invalidated if you carbonate any liquid other than water. You can add the drops or flavor but only after you’ve put the water through the fizzy process!
This question also has a reference to the previous one. If you have already added flavor to your fizzy drink (since you’ve added the flavoring after the fizzy process), then you cannot and should not put it back in the carbonating bottle. However, if it’s just plain, drinking and sparkling water, you can most definitely put it back in to re-fizz – as long as the water reaches the water fill line on the carbonating bottle.
Some SodaStreams, like the SodaStream Source, can be filled using 80,000 different retailers. However, it all depends on the type of SodaStream you own. If you need help with this on a private level, you should get in contact with their sparkle support team. However, if you are going to be using a different company’s cylinder, you should know that the guarantee that the full product comes with is no longer valid. Especially since it’s possible that another company’s cylinder can damage the sparkling water maker.
In most cases – yes! All you have to do when it’s empty is exchange the CO2 cylinders and then take the empty one away and keep it around for an exchange or recycle. You can either schedule an exchange with the SodaStream brand or you can go exchange your empty cylinder in-store. The great news is that since they are so eco-friendly and are a brand that pride themselves on it, most of the SodaStream’s consumable packages are completely recyclable. All you have to do is wait until they’re all used up – which might take a while since carbonating bottles are reusable up to three years before they need to be replaced. There are some models, like Aqua Fizz, Crystal and Penguin, which can be used for a lifetime if they are not cracked or damage since they are made of glass. To help you easily recycle, you’ll need to put the plastic in recycling code for PET, which is 1.
Our Verdict
Since we just have four top soda makers, we’re going to go through what each one has to offer quickly.
The SodaStream Source is our top choice – for obvious reasons! With BPA-free plastic and an accompanying package of accessories upon delivery, you have everything you’ll ever need to make the perfect fizzy drinks, all the time. It is easy to use and also run manually so you know it comes at an affordable price – without the electrical hassle.
The SodaStream One Touch is the runner-up on our list. It runs on electric power with three different carbonated settings, so you can easily pick and adjust the outcome of each fizzy drink you make. With its sleek design, it’s a great addition to your kitchen and home.
The SodaStream Fizzi is our most featured product, with flavored drops and all the different accessories. The SodaStream takes care of you when you purchase this product, with everything you need for a soda maker starting kit.
The SodaStream Jet is our budget pick. At an affordable price, this product still has the power it needs to deliver the perfect fizzy drink for your enjoyment! Besides, it is the only one compatible with a 130L CO2 tank.
We hope that this guide has helped you pick out the best SodaStream for your home, your taste buds, and your enjoyment! Cheers!
Sodastream no longer has the large 130 L cylinder, only the 60. I was told this began when Pepsico bought them out.
Your above site says the Jet model is the only one that can be used with the large 130 L carbinator, so where can I get this size. It used to be available at my local houseware store or at Staples, but both say the company no longer has the larger size.
Costco sold me my unit, advertising the large capacity cylinder, but this claim is no longer supported.
There are some adapters that allow use of other CO2 cylinders and they are much cheaper than the Sodastream.
Any ideas?
Can Sodastream be pressured to offer the larger one again?
Thank you for your question! The larger 130L cylinders have been discontinued, but can still be bought on Amazon, please check them here. Also, according to SodaStream, all their sparkling water makers are compatible with their 60L carbonators as well. So no worries!