The 6 Best Soda Makers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

How We Tested

We tested 11 soda makers side by side in our Lab by seeing how well they carbonated water. For the machines that could carbonate liquids other than water, we tested them on apple juice, natural wine, and cocktail syrup, as well. If a machine had multiple settings, we used all settings, and if a machine only had one setting, we made three different bottles to assess consistency. We used the same water source for each test and made sure the water temperature was consistent. We also sent several soda makers to the homes of our at-home testers for them to evaluate. We gathered data on the machines' ease of use, carbonation performance, and ease of cleaning.

Other Options We Tested

• Twenty39 Qarbo - Sparkling Water Maker: We loved the ease of assembly and ease of use on this machine, but the carbonation performance was mediocre and many of the beverages we made lost their fizz quickly. The wine we carbonated tasted like wine after the ice has melted, and the bottle was so tall that it was difficult to store in the fridge.
• Soda Stream Aqua Fizz: This machine is quite loud and screechy, and we found that the carbonation was highly inconsistent, underwhelming, and not at all long-lasting. It was hard to know how much to push down the lever to get enough carbonation yet also avoid spills. We also felt that the glass was poorly designed and bulky, albeit sturdy.
• Sparkel Beverage System: This machine uses citric acid and baking soda to produce carbon dioxide in lieu of gas canisters, which we found innovative despite the extra step of having to add the citric acid packet. However, it was leaky and far less easy to use than other options; it required a great deal of effort and wasted water for carbonation that didn't last long.

What to Look for in a Soda Maker

Versatility

Many soda makers, including the popular SodaStream models, are designed for carbonating only water. Flavor in the form of fresh fruit, herbs, or flavoring drops can be added to the water after the carbonation process.

Other soda makers can be used to carbonate any liquid you like, including juice, tea, cocktails, and wine. You can also use these machines to add bubbles back to drinks that have gone flat.

If you just want carbonated water, you probably don't need a model that’s able to carbonate your iced tea. If you entertain or like trying new recipes, the added versatility may be worth it.

Carbonation Style

Most soda makers on the market use a carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinder to carbonate your beverages. Before buying, check to see if your model includes a CO2 cylinder to get started. Not all do, so you may need to purchase one separately.

Alternatively, you may find soda makers bundled into starter kits that include a couple CO2 cylinders and/or additional bottles. If you plan to carbonate a lot of liquids or have a large household where everyone enjoys fizzy drinks, a bundled starter kit might make sense.

Bottle Material

Most soda maker water bottles or carafes are made from plastic. If you'd like to avoid plastic, look for a soda maker that comes with a glass bottle. Just be aware that models with glass bottles tend to cost more than their plastic counterparts. Most manufacturers offer additional bottles, whether plastic or glass, so you can make sure you always have a clean bottle ready to go.

Size

Countertop units are usually able to accommodate larger CO2 tanks—so you won’t need to replace them as often—while smaller models, like a classic soda siphon, are perfectly sized for stashing on a small bar cart, tucking into a picnic basket, or taking to a party.

Power Source

You'll find both electric and manual countertop soda makers. Manual models are more portable and can be used anywhere without needing access to an electrical outlet.

The electric models on this list have settings for various fizz levels and a carbonation process that's hands-free, while manual models require you to push a lever to achieve your preferred amount of carbonation.

FAQs

How long does a CO2 cylinder last?

The exact length of time a cylinder will last depends on how often you use it. Most of the soda makers on this list work with a 60-liter CO2 cylinder, which has enough gas to carbonate 60 liters. If you carbonate a liter of water each day, your cylinder should last about two months.

How do you know when your cylinder is out of gas?

You'll know it's time to replace your CO2 cylinder when you notice the gas going into your water sputters or seems to be less powerful than usual. If the carbonation button(s) on your soda maker don't work, seem less forceful, or make an unusual noise, it's probably because the cylinder is running low.

What do you do with empty CO2 cylinders?

Cylinders should not be thrown away and are not accepted by residential recycling programs.

Most soda maker companies offer a cylinder exchange program. Cylinders can be returned to some retailers who sell soda makers for recycling or mailed back directly to the company.

SodaStream offers discounted refill cylinders as part of their mail-in exchange program. Drinkmate offers cash rebates for cylinders returned to them that can be used to purchase more cylinders. The details for these exchange programs can be found on the companies' websites.

Can you recarbonate flat drinks with a soda maker?

Yes, if your soda maker is designed to carbonate liquids other than water, it can also be used to add bubbles back into flat soda or beer. Not all soda makers are designed to carbonate beverages other than water, though, so be sure to check your product manual first.

SodaStream soda makers, in particular, are not designed to be used to carbonate any liquid other than water; any flavors should be added after the water is fizzy. However, if you browse the internet, you'll notice customers have experimented with carbonating other liquids (like The Spruce Eats tried out in the video below) with mixed success (it can get very messy!). Just note that the money-back guarantee and warranty will be invalid if you do choose to carbonate anything other than water.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is a cookbook author, writer, and product tester for The Spruce Eats. In addition to reviewing more than 90 products for the brand, Donna has also written numerous roundups on all manner of small appliances, including the best blenders, snow cone makers, and pasta makers.

This roundup was updated by Katya Weiss-Andersson, a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience as a professional chef, and Allison Wignall, who may or may not be slightly obsessed with flavored sparkling water. She primarily writes about kitchen products and food gifts, and her work has been featured in publications including Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living.