Fizz fanatics, listen up! Our Test Kitchen found the best soda maker models on the market.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Fizz fanatics, listen up! Our Test Kitchen found the best soda maker models on the market.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
It’s no surprise that the brand that put at-home carbonators on the map is also one of our Test Kitchen’s favorites. While SodaStream makes many at-home soda machines, our pros love the SodaStream One Touch.
One of the many reasons our pros call this a favorite soda maker is the ability to customize the carbonation. On the top of the machine, you’ll see three buttons for different levels of fizz. Just fit the bottle in place and press. In seconds you’ll have a bottle of bubbly water that suits you. From there, you can add all the extras you want to make an Italian soda, wine spritzer or even an old-fashioned ice cream soda.
If getting the flavors right yourself isn’t quite for you (or you just want something flavorful and fizzy quick), SodaStream makes so many syrups and flavorings. This impressive product array, plus the ready availability of the brand’s accessories, are more reasons this model is a winner.
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For a top-of-the-line look and experience, our Test Kitchen recommends the Aarke Premium Carbonator.
Unlike many other models, this Aarke carbonator is made of stainless steel (not plastic). It comes in eight different finishes, and Peggy has nothing but good things to say about the copper finish. “It resists fingerprints really well,” she explains. If it does get smudged, the folks at Aarke already included a microfiber cloth in the box.
When it comes to performance, this Aarke soda machine feels just as luxe as it looks. In the words of Peggy, “Wowza, this is fancy!” But don’t let the looks fool you: This machine is so simple to use. Screw the bottle into place and push the lever. That’s it! And if you want more bubbles, just push the lever again. The result is crisp, fizzy water perfect for your vodka soda.
The only drawback to this machine that our team could find was the price tag. If you enjoy fizzy beverages on the daily or love to show off your mixology skills, this machine will be well worth it to you. If you’re more of a casual bubbly imbiber, you may prefer one of our Test Kitchen’s other preferred models.
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You don’t need to spend a lot to get a great at-home soda machine. For the price of a few cases of LaCroix, you can get the Phillips Water GoZero (and never have to buy sparkling water again).
This compact carbonator takes up very little space on your countertop. Since it requires no electricity, it can be stashed and used just about anywhere. But this machine is so much more than a streamlined design.
The Phillips Water GoZero allows you to customize the carbonation level of your drinks. That means fizz fanatics can go over-the-top bubbly if they’d like! This is a major feature if you’re a sparkling water fan. It’s also a nice option if you plan on using this carbonator to make club soda for cocktails; you may want more bubbles to compensate for uncarbonated ingredients like juices and syrups. Our Test Kitchen recommends giving it a try with this Sunshine Lime Rickey.
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If you check out the manuals for most at-home soda makers, they’ll encourage you to stick to water only. But with the Drinkmate Omni Fizz, you can carbonate any beverage you like.
For fans of bubbly beverages, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities! Carbonate water, yes, but also juice, sangria, cocktails—the possibilities are nearly limitless. Just slot the bottle of whatever beverage you like into place and fizz away. The manual includes suggested times for different liquids, but feel free to experiment!
Another benefit to the Drinkmate soda maker is that the bottle doesn’t need to be filled to a certain level to add carbonation. “This would be useful if you wanted to carbonate a small volume of something, like just one glass of wine or a single serving of soda,” says Peggy.
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Looking for a carbonator to add to your vintage-inspired cocktail setup? Add an iSi Classic Mesh Soda Siphon to the bar cart.
This compact soda siphon is exactly the sort of gadget your grandparents would have had to make Tom Collins after Tom Collins at their famous cocktails parties. That’s exactly why this carbonator is so beloved by our Test Kitchen; it’s perfectly retro, unfussy and super easy to use.
To make your club soda for your favorite cocktail (may we suggest a mojito?), just fill up the bottle and give it a few vigorous shakes. This will pressurize the canister and makes it ready to use. It creates seltzer that’s just bubbly enough for these mixed drinks.
Because this gadget is so simple, there is no room for customization. The canister makes a perfectly bubbly quart of soda but doesn’t allow for over-the-top fizz; you also can only carbonate water. For cocktail and occasional use, this is just fine, but it’s something to consider for serious bubbly fanatics.
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In our research and testing, we discovered that there are actually quite a few factors to consider when buying a soda machine. We’ve outlined the most important ones below.
Typically, soda machines fall into two categories: manual and electric. Manual machines are more traditional, requiring adding CO2 to a pressurized container. In contrast, electric machines are usually standalone devices that operate automatically (meaning you plug them into your wall and push a button to operate them). Manual machines offer more overall control and are usually cheaper but less convenient or consistent than automatic electric machines.
As mentioned, manual soda makers offer the greatest control, including carbonation. However, automatic electric machines still offer some control over the carbonation, usually by pushing and/or holding a button down for a certain period.Â
Obviously, soda machines can make soda. But you might not be considering the huge variety of options available. SodaStream even has its own recipe book, available online. If you’re hoping to expand your horizons, we recommend checking out the huge number of possible drinks you can make with a soda machine. It might be a lot more than you’re expecting. Never put anything other than water into your soda machine—no juice or coffee—as it can damage the machine and void the warranty.
If you add sugar and/or any ingredients other than water, cleaning your soda machine (including the internal lines) is important. Follow the manufacturer’s regular cleaning and maintenance schedule, or you could end up with a bigger, more disgusting problem down the line (be that bacterial growth, mineral buildup or worse). Thankfully, most soda machines are pretty easy to clean, and a lot of the containers are dishwasher-safe.
Ultimately, soda machines are better for the environment because you reuse containers rather than buying mass-manufactured soda from a brand like Coke or Pepsi. However, there is still the potential for waste with packaging, shipping, replacing containers, etc.
Learn everything you need about SodaStream’s warranty and customer support policies. If you get a soda machine that SodaStream doesn’t make, check with the manufacturer for warranty and customer support information.
Lisa Kaminski has over six years of professional food writing experience with Taste of Home, including leading the Taste of Home Bakeable program, a guide-to-baking hub and social community of 20,000 home bakers. She has dedicated herself to finding and testing quality ingredients, kitchen gear and home products, as well as writing articles about the best-of beverages, snack foods, ready-made baking ingredients and more. She is more than qualified to speak on the subject of soda machines, as well as numerous other kitchen and home goods topics.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
There’s only one way to find the best soda maker on the market: To try all the biggest names in the game! Peggy Woodward, senior food editor and sparkling water super-fan, took the lead on this test. With her guidance, our Test Kitchen put each at-home carbonator through its paces and made notes on the following:
Our team tried 10 models, and in the end, they were happy to pick five models to suit the needs of every sparkling water fanatic. Check out the best soda maker options—the ones we call Test Kitchen-Preferred.
All of the soda machines on our list are worthy of consideration, and we tested them extensively to make sure. Our pick for the best overall is the SodaStream One Touch.
This varies largely on how often you use your soda maker, but if you’re a regular soda/seltzer drinker, using a home machine could save you upwards of $600 a year (for a household size of two).
It’s easier to make “healthier” soda with a home soda machine, as you can control the ingredients that go into it — meaning you can add less sugar if desired. You’re unlikely to add chemical ingredients sometimes found in mass-manufactured food items.
The manufacturer’s warranty covers a SodaStream machine for two years, but with proper care and maintenance, it could last much longer.