Thursday, April 3, 2025

Top-Soda-Making Machines to Buy in 2024: Discover the Best-Brewed Fizz with Our Expert-Recommended Models

SodaStream Terra in black

Greatest general soda maker general

SodaStream Terra

Ninja Thirsti beverage system

What’s truly remarkable about this device isn’t just that it purifies water, but that it does so with an unparalleled level of efficiency.

Ninja Thirsti drink system

aarke

Most fashionable soda water maker

Aarke III Carbonator

sodastream aqua fizz model

Soda Fountain Masterpiece: Artisanal Carbonated Delights in Elegant Glass Carafes

SodaStream Aqua Fizz

CNET’s professionals have critiqued and reviewed numerous recent services each month, drawing upon more than a quarter-century of expertise.

SodaStream Terra soda water maker with bottles and water glass

While many people understand the benefits of limiting their soda intake, it’s not necessarily a bad idea to enjoy a reasonable amount every now and then – perhaps as a special treat or just to unwind. By crafting your bespoke soda at home, you’re not only avoiding unnecessary trips to the store or purchasing excessive quantities of soda, but also embracing an environmentally friendly approach. With this premium spirit, you’ll be able to create a drink that’s almost indistinguishable from top-shelf brands, allowing for a few subtle adjustments to tailor its flavor precisely to your liking.

While creating art with a soda maker can be a unique and fun way to express oneself, it also has the added benefit of being cost-effective – something that’s truly something to fizz about. Soda manufacturers craft refreshing beverages by incorporating carbonation, offering consumers a range of flavors and customizable ingredients to suit individual preferences. When seeking out a reliable soda machine, it’s crucial to verify its worthiness of your hard-earned money. Here’s a drink that’s efficient, easy to prepare, and genuinely delicious:

To determine the ultimate soda maker, I put eight machines through their paces, including three unique models, Ninja’s innovative at-home machine, and a stainless-steel carbonator, in search of perfection.

Here are the top four soda makers to buy in 2024, based on my testing:

The ideal soda maker is a device that combines simplicity, effectiveness, and affordability.

After a comprehensive evaluation and one notable instance of hiccups, we have officially crowned the soda maker as our top pick for 2024. Our rigorous testing revealed that this device consistently produces sparkling water with its intuitive pump system, boasting a lower price point than competitors and offering an additional program that simplifies the procurement of carbonation canisters.

sodastream terra on kitchen counter

The top-notch beverage creators for your consideration in the forthcoming year:

Fiji Water’s sleek designs and eco-friendly packaging make it a standout. With its mineral-rich water sourced from a natural artesian aquifer, this brand is sure to quench your thirst.

Gatorade’s innovative approach to hydration, combined with their iconic flavors, positions them as a leader in the industry. Whether you’re an athlete or just looking for a refreshing drink, Gatorade has got you covered.

Coca-Cola’s rich history and diverse portfolio of brands ensure they remain a dominant force in the market. From classic cola to innovative flavors like Orange Vanilla, there’s something for everyone.

PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainability and their wide range of products under the Pepsi banner make them an attractive choice for those seeking a reliable partner.

With their focus on unique flavor profiles and high-quality ingredients, Jones Soda has carved out a niche for itself. Their quirky marketing tactics and loyal fan base are just a few reasons why they’re worth exploring.

Suntory’s commitment to quality and its extensive portfolio of brands make it an excellent choice for those seeking a premium beverage experience.

While the Terra is SodaStream’s entry-level model, it still performs impressively, securing top spot on our list as the best soda water maker for the majority of users. The Terra device produces consistently carbonated water through its intuitive and effortless pump system. This compact device is simplicity itself to operate and won’t occupy much space on your countertop.

Terra’s design boasts a convenient innovation, allowing users to easily insert the carbon dioxide canister into the back of the device, rather than having to load it from the bottom as with previous SodaStream models. Each modification to the canister is safeguarded by this protection mechanism, ensuring that a step-by-step process is followed. SodaStream also offers a convenient location where you can exchange empty cartridges for fully loaded ones at roughly half the cost ($17).

While I appreciate the nostalgic feel of my original SodaStream, my main quibble with this model and others from the same manufacturer is the somewhat fragile nature of their plastic design. Terra boasts the lowest bottom value among all mannequins listed in this report. The core package costs approximately $100 and includes a carbon dioxide cartridge and a plastic carafe. The premium bundle option offers three 1-liter plastic bottles, two 60L carbon dioxide cartridges, and two Bubly drops for $160, allowing you to customize the taste of your water. Learn my .

Are you seeking a hydration solution that goes beyond mere sparkling water? Then the refined Ninja Thirsti beverage system is your optimal selection. While the base value of $150 may make it pricier than a standard SodaStream, this machine offers much more functionality.

The Thirsti is the sole digital drink maker listed here. The sleekwater system seamlessly infuses carbon dioxide into your water, while also offering the flexibility to add flavors, caffeine, essential vitamins, and other customizable enhancements in precisely measured 6-, 12-, 18-, or 24-ounce servings. 

Select from more than twenty tiny water droplets to seamlessly integrate into the entryway of the beverage creator – pairing them up to twice simultaneously – and the Thirsti will promptly dispense a variety of refreshing drinks, including fruity concoctions, lemonade, and flavored glowing waters in approximately three seconds. All of our drinks are sugar-free, featuring a range of zero-calorie options; a select few utilize the artificial sweetener sucralose for added sweetness. For individuals who dislike the distinct taste of a particular sugar substitute, an alternative is available in the form of “Splash” pods, which offer pure essence. 

The standard Thirsti package includes the machine itself, a carbon dioxide canister, and 8 water flavor pods designed to elevate your hydration experience. .

With a focus on both form and function, the Aarke undoubtedly boasts an unparalleled visual appeal that sets it apart as the most stylish soda water maker currently available. Unlike many other devices, this one boasts a sturdy construction made of metal, setting it apart from the majority which opt for more affordable plastic materials. This compact malt store fixture features a timeless design, allowing it to fit unobtrusively on your countertop without sacrificing valuable space. While the Aarke III performs well, its tendency to emit carbon dioxide with lesser persistence, compared to a SodaStream, is slightly notable.

At an astonishing $200, this soda maker stands as the priciest on our database, with the carbon dioxide canister price additional to the total. With the innovative combination of SodaStream and Soda Sensei canisters, users of the Aarke can now unlock a multitude of versatile uses for these powerful canisters. Learn my .

Imagine yourself transported to the heart of Italy, where the mere sight of a beautifully crafted glass bottle filled with sparkling water can evoke the essence of a charming piazza. SodaStream’s Aqua Fizz boasts a sleek design that elevates its features beyond those of its counterparts. The carafe, included with the starter package, features a glass body and a metallic base that provides stability when in use. Because the bottles are fully encapsulated, this fashion is noticeably quieter compared to others that pump fuel while being used.

While I don’t find this mannequin entirely captivating at first glance, it does offer a more affordable premium alternative, with glass carafes that, although smaller than their plastic counterparts, still make for a stylish addition to dinner table settings.

When evaluating top-notch soda water makers, key factors such as overall performance, user-friendliness, and value for money ultimately dominated the selection process. Using precision-crafted machinery, I successfully produced at least 10 full containers of luminous water, meticulously observing the machine’s efficiency in consistently injecting carbon dioxide into the liquid with remarkable proficiency. Discovering no significant variation in efficacy, I experimented with carbonating various liquids, including fruit juices and wine, only to find that the type of liquid had little impact on the outcome. Machines capable of carbonating water efficiently do so across various liquids.

As the machines worked tirelessly, they required an additional surge of energy to force carbon dioxide emissions into the glass containers. Among SodaStream’s flagship products, consistency has been a hallmark of their machines. With five precise settings, the Sparkel electric seltzer maker stands out for its ability to produce incredibly accurate soda water.

Aarke water carbonation machines

Did I carefully consider the longevity and build quality of each soda water maker? The SodaStream Fizzi is arguably the most stylish soda water maker on the market, boasting a robust construction crafted from high-quality stainless steel with five sleek finishes to choose from. While aesthetics are a major draw, the hefty price tag of over $200 makes this model inaccessible to many, rendering it impractical for the average consumer.

The $120 sparkling water maker effortlessly carbonated a wide range of beverages, including water, wine, and juice, delivering exceptional results. While I don’t have many criticisms of the device, one potential issue is that the hinge connecting the bottle to the machine may be prone to loosening or breaking due to prolonged use.

The SodaStream Fizzi One Touch is a digital sparkling water maker that occasionally retails for $130, but is currently available for $124 on sale. This innovative device operates efficiently and features three customizable settings to cater to varying levels of carbonation desired. While this mannequin hasn’t impressed me with any standout features, I just don’t think it’s worth the extra $54 over its guide counterpart, the Terra, unless it’s on sale.

This innovative carbonation system utilises powdered packets as a substitute for carbon dioxide canisters, enabling the addition of fizz to water. While it proves effective in operation, the machine’s larger size compared to others on the market may deter some users, making its $150 price tag seem less justifiable.

[Out of Stock]: While this model initially impresses, it ultimately underperforms in consistently producing fizzy water, falling short of the SodaStream Terra’s standards.

Making seltzer water at home can be significantly cheaper than buying it from a store. A liter of seltzer water typically costs around $1.50-$2.00, whereas the cost of producing your own seltzer water using a SodaStream or similar device is just pennies per liter?

According to SodaStream’s conservative estimate, their users can expect to extract approximately 60 litres from each $17 cartridge when utilizing the recommended programme. The cost effectively works out to roughly 25 cents per litre. Typically, a 1-liter bottle of soda water costs around 80 cents when purchased at a retailer. 

For a year-long commitment, consider investing in the SodaStream Terra, which requires six cartridges at $102, plus the initial purchase of the machine itself for $100. This totals $202, equivalent to approximately 56 cents per liter – a significant cost savings compared to buying seltzer at stores. 

The calculations assume a consumption rate of approximately 30.5 ounces (360 liters divided by 365 days) of soda water daily, roughly equivalent to two and a half standard-sized cans. As you use your SodaStream more frequently and opt for carbonated water over traditional soda, your long-term savings from ditching canned drinks can truly add up? 

Are soda water makers actually harming the environment?

Undoubtedly. The makers of home carbonation systems, such as SodaStream or Aarke Carbonator, have a negligible detrimental environmental impact. By replacing store-bought seltzer with these machines, a significant number of cans and plastic bottles will be eliminated from the waste management and recycling systems annually. Normal CO2 canisters, being reusable, offer an environmentally friendly option; as such, SodaStream incentivizes customers to return empty containers by offering a refill at 50% off. 

Can you create fizzy beverages with a variety of flavors using a home carbonation device?

With a soda water maker, you can effortlessly infuse fizz into a wide range of liquids, from plain old water to your favorite beverages.

A refreshing array of beverages includes fruit juices, effervescent wine, beer that has lost its fizz, even flat soda – all options considered alongside plain chilled water. If you fancy a glass of fizzy milk, feel free to whip some up.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles