Philips Soda Maker: What You Get and Who It Suits

On this page (7 sections)

1. Is a Philips soda maker right for your kitchen?
2. How do the Philips ADD4901 and ADD4902 differ?
3. What bottle and CO2 cylinder should you buy?
4. How do you set up and use a Philips soda maker?
5. What common Philips soda maker mistakes should you avoid?
6. Philips soda maker or SodaStream Terra: which should you choose?
7. How should you decide on a Philips soda maker?

A Philips soda maker is a good fit if you want to carbonate water manually, without plugging in a machine. The ADD4902 and ADD4901 both use a 1 L Quick Twist bottle and require a separate 60 L screw-in CO2 cylinder.

The main choice is straightforward: get the ADD4902 for its stainless steel body or the ADD4901 for its plastic body. Both let you control the fizz with button presses, but neither includes the cylinder you'll need to make sparkling water.

Is a Philips soda maker right for your kitchen?

A Philips soda maker suits a home that wants plain sparkling water on demand and has room for a countertop machine. It makes the most sense when standard screw-in CO2 cylinders are easy for you to obtain or exchange.

The included 1 L bottle is a practical amount for chilling water for a meal or keeping a serving ready in the fridge. If several people drink sparkling water throughout the day, think about whether one bottle at a time will fit your routine.

Philips lists the machines as electricity-free, so you can use them without a nearby outlet. The models are intended for water carbonation, with flavor or other ingredients added after carbonation rather than put into the bottle before pressing.

Skip Philips if you want a machine that arrives with a CO2 cylinder, several bottles, or flavor drops. The Philips starter setup includes one bottle but no cylinder, so the first purchase involves sourcing both the maker and a compatible cylinder.

How do the Philips ADD4901 and ADD4902 differ?

The ADD4902 has a stainless steel body, while the ADD4901 has a plastic body. Their core setup is otherwise similar: a manual press, a 1 L Quick Twist bottle, and a separate screw-in cylinder.

Choose the ADD4902 if the stainless steel finish suits your kitchen better. Choose the ADD4901 if you prefer plastic; don't pay extra for a body material you don't value when both models use the same basic carbonation routine.

The dimensions shown for these models are inconsistent across the product details, so don't rely on a single footprint number when planning a tight space. Measure the counter area and the clearance above it, then confirm the dimensions for the exact model before ordering.

What bottle and CO2 cylinder should you buy?

The Philips ADD4901 and ADD4902 use compatible Quick Twist bottles, including the ADD916/37, ADD910BKOQ/37, and ADD910WHOQ/37 models. The machine comes with one 1 L BPA-free bottle, while the ADD916/37 is also sold as a 2-pack.

Check the bottle model code before buying extras. The ADD916/37 bottles are hand-wash only and aren't dishwasher safe, so they're a poor fit if you want every bottle to go through the dishwasher.

The machines take a standard 60 L screw-in CO2 cylinder, which is sold separately. Each cylinder can carbonate up to 60 L of water, though your actual yield depends on how much fizz you add to each bottle.

Before choosing a Philips machine, check whether compatible screw-in cylinders are available through nearby retailers or another convenient exchange option. Our guide to quick-connect CO2 cylinders and other refill options explains why the connection type matters when comparing systems.

How do you set up and use a Philips soda maker?

Start with clean, cold water and fill the carbonating bottle only to its marked line. Rinse the bottle before its first use, then attach it to the machine with the Quick Twist connection.

Press the carbonation button firmly to add fizz. One press makes a lighter sparkle; repeat the press 2–3 times for stronger bubbles, then remove the bottle and pour.

Keep the bottle upright during carbonation and use only water in the machine. Add flavor drops, syrup, or citrus after carbonation, and stir gently if needed so the drink doesn't foam over.

What common Philips soda maker mistakes should you avoid?

The easiest mistake is filling the bottle above its marked line. Leave the intended space at the top and use cold water, as Philips directs.

Don't order a CO2 cylinder just because its capacity matches. The connection must be a compatible 60 L screw-in type, and the SodaStream Quick Connect cylinder system is different.

A third mistake is buying replacement bottles by appearance alone. Match one of Philips' compatible Quick Twist model numbers, and remember that the ADD916/37 bottle needs hand washing.

Philips soda maker or SodaStream Terra: which should you choose?

Choose Philips if you want a simple manual machine, a 1 L bottle, and a standard screw-in cylinder. The ADD4902 gives you a stainless steel body; the ADD4901 gives you a plastic body.

The SodaStream Terra Value Bundle is the clearer choice if you want several bottles and flavor drops included, and prefer its Quick Connect cylinder system. Check which exchange options serve your area before committing to either system.

For a broader look at machine styles, see how SodaStream models differ. If you're weighing another brand, our Aarke versus SodaStream comparison covers a separate matchup.

How should you decide on a Philips soda maker?

Pick the ADD4902 if its stainless steel body is the finish you want, or the ADD4901 if you prefer plastic. Either Philips option fits buyers who want manual carbonation, use a 1 L bottle, and can source a compatible screw-in cylinder.

Choose a different system if the cylinder exchange setup is inconvenient or you want more accessories included from the start. For a broader shortlist, compare carbonated water makers for home use, then use this guide to choosing a carbonated water maker to match bottle size, refill type, and daily use to your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Philips soda maker include a CO2 cylinder?

No. The Philips ADD4902 and ADD4901 come without a CO2 cylinder.

You need a compatible 60 L screw-in cylinder separately.

Check local exchange options before choosing the machine, since the cylinder connection affects how easy refills are to find.

Are the Philips ADD4901 and ADD4902 the same?

Both Philips models carbonate water in a 1 L Quick Twist bottle, work without electricity, and use a separate 60 L screw-in CO2 cylinder. Their listed body materials differ: the ADD4902 is stainless steel and the ADD4901 is plastic, so choose based on the finish you prefer.

Which bottles fit a Philips soda maker?

Philips names Quick Twist bottles ADD916/37, ADD910BKOQ/37, and ADD910WHOQ/37 as compatible with the ADD4901 and ADD4902. The ADD916/37 1 L bottles come in a 2-pack, while the machine itself includes one bottle.

Is Philips or SodaStream better for a first soda maker?

Choose Philips if you want a simple manual machine and can source a compatible screw-in cylinder. The SodaStream Terra Value Bundle may suit you if you prefer its Quick Connect cylinder system and want multiple bottles and flavor drops included with the machine.