Soda Maker CO2 Refills: What to Know

On this page (8 sections)

1. What are soda maker CO2 refills?
2. Quick Connect vs screw-in: which cylinder fits your machine?
3. How do refill and exchange programs work?
4. How much does a cylinder cost, and how do you lower it?
5. Which CO2 cylinders should you pick?
6. How do you swap a cylinder safely?
7. How long does a cylinder last, and when should you replace it?
8. Which option fits your household?

Soda maker CO2 refills come in two routes: buy full cylinders outright or send empty ones back through an exchange program. Which one fits you depends on your machine's connection type and how often you carbonate.

A 60L cylinder makes up to 60 liters of sparkling water. So soda maker CO2 refills are a routine part of owning a machine, not a one-time purchase.

This guide covers the cylinder types, the exchange options, and how to handle both safely.

What are soda maker CO2 refills?

They are food-grade carbon dioxide cylinders that feed your machine's carbonation valve. Each one is a sealed metal bottle holding compressed CO2, and you swap in a full one when the bubbles fade.

The gas itself is ordinary carbon dioxide, the same compound that puts the fizz in commercial soft drinks. What makes a cylinder "beverage grade" is how it's cleaned, filled, and sealed.

SodaStream says its cylinders are filled with 100% food-grade CO2 and pass a triple quality control check before sealing. That matters because impurities in the gas end up in your glass.

Cylinders are sold in standard sizes. The common one is 60 liters, which is the size most home machines take.

Bigger and smaller sizes exist, but the 60L is the everyday standard for quick connect models.

Refills are not something you do yourself at home. A full cylinder is a pressure vessel, and refilling one safely takes special equipment and training.

Instead, you buy a full cylinder or swap an empty for a full one through a company program.

Quick Connect vs screw-in: which cylinder fits your machine?

The connection type decides everything: Quick Connect machines take pink one-click cylinders, and older machines take screw-in cylinders. The two are not interchangeable.

SodaStream sells both systems, and each machine accepts only its own cylinder type. The Quick Connect cylinder is pink, and the screw-in cylinder is the classic blue one.

A pink cylinder won't thread into a screw-in machine, and a blue one won't click into a Quick Connect machine.

Quick Connect models include TERRA, ART, AQUA FIZZ, E-TERRA, E-DUO, ENSO, DUO, MIX and GAIA. Check your machine's model name before ordering, because the fit is mechanical.

A few third-party makers use their own fitting too. Philips soda makers are an example; the Philips soda maker page covers which cylinders its machines take.

If your machine isn't SodaStream, confirm the connector type first.

This is the single most common buying mistake with soda maker CO2 refills. People order a two-pack of pink cylinders for a screw-in machine, or the reverse, and the box arrives unusable.

Match the cylinder to the machine, not to the brand name alone.

How do refill and exchange programs work?

You either buy a new full cylinder outright or return an empty one for a discount or credit. Exchange is the cheaper route per liter, and buying is the simpler one.

The buy route is straightforward. You order full cylinders and keep them; there's no return step.

The best quick connect CO2 cylinders comparison covers the Simpli Soda CO2 options in more detail.

The exchange route works in two ways. In-store, you bring an empty to a participating retailer and get a discount on a full replacement.

By mail, you pack the empty in a supplied box, send it back, and receive a full cylinder or a store credit.

SodaStream's mail exchange program accepts empties from other brands as well. The company lists Soda Sense, Aarke, Ninja, SimpliSoda, Drinkmate and Sodology as accepted returns.

You send back two empties and get a 15 dollars Amazon.com gift card once they arrive.

Exchange keeps cylinders in circulation. SodaStream says its cylinders can replace up to 1,260 single-use plastic bottles, and that exchanged cylinders are reused rather than scrapped.

The trade-off is time. Mail exchange means a gap between sending and receiving, so most households keep a spare cylinder on hand.

That's where a multi-pack helps.

How much does a cylinder cost, and how do you lower it?

The sticker price varies by size, pack, and retailer, so compare per-liter rather than per-cylinder. A three-pack usually costs less per liter than a single, and exchange credit brings the effective cost down further.

Three things drive the cost per liter of fizzy water. The first is pack size: bulk packs spread the fixed cost of the cylinder and shipping.

The second is whether you return the empty for credit. The third is your carbonation level.

A 60L cylinder makes up to 60 liters at a moderate setting. If you carbonate hard, or chill poorly, the same cylinder yields less.

Cold water holds carbonation better, so start with fridge-cold water and you'll get more bottles from each fill.

Exchange credit is the biggest lever. Sending back two empties for a gift card effectively discounts your next purchase.

It's worth keeping the original shipping box and label for that reason.

Don't chase the lowest headline price without checking the connection type and the return terms. A cheap cylinder that doesn't fit, or a pack with no exchange credit, costs more in the end.

Factor in the exchange value and the fit before you buy.

Which CO2 cylinders should you pick?

Match the cylinder to your machine first, then choose the pack size that covers your drinking pace. These three quick connect options cover most households.

The three-pack suits heavy carbonators or shared kitchens. Each cylinder makes up to 60 liters, and the one-click install takes no twisting.

It fits TERRA, ART, ENSO, E-TERRA, E-DUO and other quick connect machines.

This pack adds the return label and the gift card, so the exchange step is built in. It's the better buy for someone who plans to send empties back.

The exchange accepts other brands' 60L cylinders too.

Simpli Soda fills its own cylinders and sells them as a two-pack for quick connect machines. It's a good fit if you want a smaller pack from a family-run supplier.

It works with ART, TERRA and DUO quick connect models.

How do you swap a cylinder safely?

Turn the machine off or remove the bottle, then release the old cylinder and click or screw the new one in until it seats. Always follow the machine's own instructions.

On a quick connect machine, the cylinder clicks into place and locks. On a screw-in machine, you thread it in by hand until snug; don't over-tighten.

Our how to change a SodaStream CO2 cylinder walkthrough covers the steps in order.

Keep cylinders upright and away from heat. Don't puncture, crush, or try to open one.

Store spares in a cool spot, not next to an oven or radiator.

If a cylinder feels frozen or frosts over at the connection, that's normal during carbonation. Let it warm to room temperature before storing it.

A cylinder that leaks or hisses when disconnected should be set aside and returned.

How long does a cylinder last, and when should you replace it?

A 60L cylinder makes up to 60 liters, so a two-person household carbonating daily may need a new one every few weeks. Your actual mileage depends on carbonation level and bottle size.

The math is simple. One liter of water per fill, moderate carbonation, gives roughly 60 bottles per cylinder.

Heavy carbonation or larger bottles cut that number. Our how long does a soda maker CO2 last guide breaks down the variables.

Replace the cylinder when the fizz drops sharply or the machine's indicator says it's low. Don't wait for a completely dead cylinder, since flat water and weak carbonation are the signs.

A spare on the shelf avoids the mid-batch surprise.

The cylinder itself doesn't expire. It's the gas that runs out.

A full, sealed spare can sit for months as long as it's stored upright and cool. That's why buying a multi-pack and rotating through it is the practical approach to soda maker CO2 refills.

Which option fits your household?

Pick the exchange pack if you'll send empties back, and a straight multi-pack if you want the simplest supply. Both work; the difference is the return step and the credit.

For most quick connect owners, a two- or three-pack covers the gap between refills. The exchange pack earns a credit for the empties you'd otherwise store.

The plain three-pack skips the return label but gives you three full cylinders up front.

If your machine takes screw-in cylinders, order that type. If it's a different brand, confirm the connector first.

Whatever you choose, keep a spare and store it upright and cool. That's the whole secret to steady fizz without a mid-week scramble for soda maker CO2 refills.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refill a soda maker CO2 cylinder myself?

No. Soda maker cylinders hold high-pressure food-grade CO2, so refilling them at home needs specialized equipment and training.

Send them to the manufacturer's exchange or a certified gas supplier instead.

How long does a 60L CO2 cylinder last?

A 60L cylinder makes up to 60 liters of sparkling water, which works out to roughly 60 one-liter bottles at a moderate carbonation level. Heavy carbonation and frequent use will empty it faster.

Do all soda makers use the same CO2 cylinder?

No. Quick Connect machines take pink one-click cylinders, while older or classic machines take screw-in cylinders.

The two systems don't fit each other, so match the cylinder to your machine.

What does an exchange program do with my empty cylinder?

You send the empty back in the supplied box or drop it at a participating store. The company inspects, cleans, and refills it, then sends you a full one, so the same cylinder stays in use.

Can I return cylinders from other brands in an exchange?

Often yes. SodaStream's exchange accepts any 60L cylinder from brands like Soda Sense, Aarke, Ninja, SimpliSoda, Drinkmate and Sodology, then issues a gift card once the empties arrive.

Is the CO2 in soda makers safe to drink?

Yes. Soda maker cylinders are filled with food-grade CO2 and sealed after quality checks.

Never use industrial or welding gas in a beverage machine, since it may contain contaminants.