Are Soda Makers Worth It?

On this page (9 sections)

1. What does a soda maker actually replace?
2. How much does a soda maker cost to run?
3. Who gets the most value from a soda maker?
4. Is a soda maker better than bottled sparkling water?
5. Which soda makers are worth considering?
6. Do you need a soda machine for home if you already buy seltzer?
7. How long does a soda maker take to pay off?
8. When is a soda maker not worth it?
9. Verdict: are soda makers worth it for you?

Yes, a soda maker is worth it for most people who drink sparkling water several times a week. You carbonate cold tap water in seconds, skip the bottle runs, and control how strong each glass gets.

The catch is that the machine only pays you back if you actually use it, because cylinders need refilling and the unit takes up counter space.

That's the honest answer to are soda makers worth it: they're a good buy for daily fizz, and a poor one for occasional soda. The rest of this guide walks through the costs and habits that separate those two cases.

What does a soda maker actually replace?

It replaces the bottled sparkling water and soda you carry home, not your kitchen tap. You fill a reusable bottle, press or pull a lever, and carbonate the water yourself.

The machine is the hardware. The bubbles come from a CO2 cylinder that clips or screws into the back, and most kits include one cylinder and one bottle to start.

SodaStream says one machine can replace over a thousand single-use plastic bottles over about five years, though that's an estimate tied to average use.

Flavor is a separate purchase. Plain seltzer needs nothing extra, while cola or citrus flavoring means buying syrups or drops.

The Aarke Carbonator 3 kit includes an 800 ml BPA-free PET bottle and is sold in several finishes.

So the honest comparison isn't machine versus bottle in the store. It's machine plus cylinders plus flavors against a case of cans every week.

How much does a soda maker cost to run?

The running cost is mostly CO2, not the machine. Each refill carbonates a set amount of water, so the more you drink, the lower the cost per liter.

The SodaStream Terra bundle includes 3 Quick Connect 60L cylinders, and each one is rated for up to 60 liters of sparkling water. That's roughly 180 liters before you need to swap cylinders.

SodaStream runs a cylinder exchange at participating retailers and a Subscribe & Save mail program that sends full cylinders with a prepaid return label.

Aarke rates its CO2 cylinder at up to 2,000 ounces, about 167 standard 12 oz cans. The Carbonator 3 sold here is the carbonator and bottle version, so plan for a separate cylinder purchase.

Flavor adds cost too. Zero-sugar drops and soda syrups are cheaper per serving than bottled soda, but they aren't free.

The math favors you when the machine replaces a steady bottled habit, not a rare treat.

Who gets the most value from a soda maker?

Daily sparkling water drinkers get the most value. If you finish a liter or more of seltzer most days, the machine replaces a recurring purchase and the cylinder refills become routine.

Households with kids who drink soda also do well. The SodaStream Terra lets you fizz water and then stir in Pepsi or Mountain Dew syrup, so one machine covers both seltzer and family soda.

That spreads the cost across more glasses.

People who like strong carbonation benefit too. The Terra description notes one slow press for light fizz and more presses for stronger bubbles, so you set your own level.

The Aarke Carbonator 3 uses a damper-controlled lever that Aarke describes as a smooth pull.

Skip the machine if you drink sparkling water once a week. The cylinders will sit half full and the counter space goes to waste.

Occasional drinkers are usually better off buying bottles when the mood hits.

Is a soda maker better than bottled sparkling water?

A soda maker wins on waste and control, while bottles win on zero effort. The machine removes the recycling pile and lets you pick the fizz strength, but it adds a cylinder to manage.

Waste is the clearest difference. Reusable bottles mean fewer single-use plastic bottles leaving your home.

The Terra's bottles are BPA free and dishwasher safe, so cleaning is simple. The Aarke kit bottle is BPA-free PET.

Control matters if you dislike flat or over-fizzed water. You carbonate plain water first, then add flavor.

That order also keeps flavored liquid from foaming over during carbonation.

Bottles still make sense when you want variety without buying syrups. If you like six flavors in a month, bottles avoid a cabinet of half-used syrups.

For one favorite flavor, the machine is simpler.

Which soda makers are worth considering?

The best soda maker for you depends on how much you drink and whether you want plastic or steel. These three cover the main paths.

SodaStream Terra CO2 Bundle: best for most households

The Terra bundle is the easiest starting point. Three Quick Connect 60L cylinders cover a long stretch of daily fizz, and the cylinders click in with one push.

The snap-and-seal design holds the bottle in place before you press.

It's a manual machine that sits on the counter and tucks under most upper cabinets. For a closer look at the brand's lineup, see the Philips soda maker guide.

SodaStream Art Kit, Black: best for tight counters

The Art kit is light at 3.8 pounds and carbonates with a lever rather than a press. A snap-lock bottle insertion gets you to fizz quickly.

It's compatible with all SodaStream flavors and carbonation bottles except the glass carafe.

It runs on a CO2 cylinder with no electricity needed, so there's no cord to place. It's only compatible with SodaStream Quick Connect cylinders.

That's worth knowing before you buy.

Aarke Carbonator 3: best for design-minded kitchens

The Carbonator 3 is the premium pick. Aarke builds it in stainless steel as a countertop piece, and it works without electricity.

The damper-controlled lever gives the fizz a more deliberate feel than a button press.

It includes an 800 ml BPA-free PET bottle and comes in several premium finishes. Aarke is a Swedish company founded in 2013.

For more options in this tier, compare the best premium sparkling water makers.

Do you need a soda machine for home if you already buy seltzer?

Only if you'll change your buying habit. A soda machine for home is worth adding when the bottled seltzer line on your receipt is long and regular.

If the line is short, keep buying bottles.

One more factor is counter space. Manual machines are compact, but they still need room to stand and a bottle to chill.

A crowded counter makes daily use less likely, which undercuts the whole value case.

Also weigh the flavor habit. If your household wants cola flavor, plan for syrups.

If everyone drinks plain seltzer, a basic machine covers it. The Terra bundle's flavor flexibility suits mixed households.

If you're torn between a manual SodaStream and an electric model, the SodaStream Terra vs E-Terra comparison breaks down when electric is worth it.

How long does a soda maker take to pay off?

Payback depends on how often the machine replaces a bottled purchase. A daily-drinking household typically reaches payback faster than an occasional one, though we won't put an exact number on it without your local prices.

Think in liters rather than bottles. Three cylinders at up to 60 liters each is a lot of seltzer, so the bundle's cylinder count is the main thing that shortens the wait.

Aarke's cylinder output is roughly comparable to SodaStream's cylinders, so neither has a clear edge on capacity.

The honest test is a month of tracking. Count the sparkling water and soda you bring home.

If the total is steady and high, the machine has something to replace. If it's low, the syrup and cylinders become new expenses with little to offset.

When is a soda maker not worth it?

It's not worth it if you drink sparkling water rarely or want zero upkeep. Cylinder swaps, bottle washing and syrup choices all add small chores that bottle buyers never face.

Skip it if you mostly drink still water. The machine only carbonates, so it won't replace your tap water habit.

Skip it too if counter space is tight and you can't store the machine within reach.

Skip it if you want exact brand soda flavor. The syrups are close, but a homemade cola won't match a can.

If brand loyalty runs deep, keep buying cans.

Skip it if you dislike managing supplies. A cylinder that runs out mid-week is a nuisance if you don't have a backup.

The Terra bundle's extra cylinders help, but you still need to swap them.

Verdict: are soda makers worth it for you?

Yes for daily fizz drinkers, and the SodaStream Terra CO2 Bundle is the pick for most homes. Three cylinders, a quick-connect setup and dishwasher-safe bottles make the routine easy to keep.

Choose the SodaStream Art if your counter is small, or the Aarke Carbonator 3 if stainless design matters more than cylinder count.

If you drink sparkling water once a week, save the money and the counter space. A soda maker is worth it when it replaces a steady bottled habit; otherwise it's a gadget you'll stop using.

Start with the best soda machines for home to compare your options before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Are soda makers worth it for a small kitchen?

Yes if the machine earns its counter space. A manual model like the SodaStream Art is light at 3.8 pounds, while the Aarke Carbonator 3 has a compact, electricity-free footprint.

Measure your counter and cabinet clearance before buying.

How much sparkling water does one CO2 cylinder make?

The SodaStream cylinders in these kits are rated for up to 60 liters each, and the Aarke Carbonator 3 cylinder is rated for up to 2,000 ounces. Actual output depends on how strong you fizz each bottle, so light fizz stretches a cylinder further.

Do soda makers work with regular tap water?

Yes. Fill the included bottle with cold tap water, carbonate it, then add flavor afterward.

Always fizz plain water first, because carbonating flavored liquid can foam over and make a mess.

Can a soda maker replace store-bought soda?

It can get close for everyday fizz, and SodaStream sells Pepsi and Mountain Dew syrups for classic soda flavor. The taste won't match a can exactly, so treat it as a homemade version rather than a clone.

Which soda maker is best for most people?

The SodaStream Terra CO2 Bundle is the best pick for most households. It comes with three 60-liter cylinders, uses a quick-connect fitting, and handles both plain seltzer and flavored drinks without much fuss.