Craft sodas and seltzers have exploded in popularity over the past few years, and now it’s easier than ever for fans of sparkling water and other effervescent drinks to make their own fizzy creations at home. The best soda makers allow for more creativity and customization among fans of bubbles, they’re easy to use and they’re bound to save users plenty of money, too. Based on weeks of research and input from several experts, we’ve determined that the DrinkMate OmniFizz is the best-in-class maker; thanks to its simple design, flexibility and ability to work with a range of cartridges, it’s a veritable must-have for fans of carbonated beverages.
The best soda makers are useful for making quick, extra-bubbly seltzer water and other carbonated … [+] beverages right at home.
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Of course, these machines are more than just fun and money-saving—they can also have an enormous effect on the environment, says Emma Christensen, author of True Brews and general manager of Simply Recipes. “The two biggest reasons for getting a home soda maker are definitely to save on cost and to save on environmental impact,” she says. “As a household of two, I was buying up to three packs of sparkling water a week before getting a soda maker.” Sparkling water makers can also help you cut back on your added sugar intake in a big way, says Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. “I’ve found these to be useful with clients over the years,” she says. “You can control what you put in your drinks, including how much sugar you add—if any.” Ahead, find the best options on the market in 2024, including models from SodaStream and Ninja.
Best Soda Maker Overall: DrinkMate OmniFizz
Best Budget Soda Maker: Philips GoZero Sparkling Water Maker
Best Splurge Soda Maker: Aarke Carbonator III
Best Soda Maker Design: SodaStream Fizzi One-Touch Sparkling Water Maker
Most Versatile Soda Maker: Ninja Thirsti Drink System
While some soda makers only work with water, DrinkMate’s OmniFizz offers up the ability to create bubbles in any drink, allowing users to create sparkling juices, cocktails and more. It’s incredibly simple to use: Just fill one of the two included bottles with your liquid of choice, attach it to the machine, push a button and prepare for carbonation. This machine also doesn’t require batteries or electricity to work—it just relies on CO2 cartridges. The brand also offers a bundle that includes the machine itself (available in five exterior colors) along with a 60-liter CO2 cylinder, fizz infuser and two bottles. And one more additional perk is that this maker is compatible with most standard 60-liter CO2 cylinders sold in North America. Finally, the brand offers a mail-in program where you can easily exchange empty cylinders.
Amazon
Philips GoZero Sparkling Water Maker
It’s easy for a soda machine to run you well over $100, but this model—available in shades of gray and black—doesn’t come close (we’ve seen it as low as $56 over on Amazon). At just 9.5 by 5.5 by 16.5 inches, it’s incredibly slim, too, and won’t hog prized counter space. It also doesn’t require electricity, though it is slightly more complicated than our top pick to operate: You have to twist the bottle manually in order to fit it into the machine (our top pick just asks you to snap it in place). The GoZero also doesn’t come with a CO2 canister, so you’ll need to buy that separately—an important consideration when it comes to budget. Even so, it’s a steal. You’re also able to customize your bubbles here: Press down on the overhead button once to get basic carbonation and two to three times for additional fizz.
Crate & Barrel
Aarke Carbonator III
Most soda makers have a plastic exterior. Not the Aarke Carbonator III: It’s crafted from stainless steel and will look gorgeous perched on your counter. The Carbonator III has a similar feel to a slender bar tap, with a handle you hold down to infuse CO2 into your water—a neat experience, and one you might want to share with dinner party guests. (You can repeat this several times to get additional bubbles, if you so desire.) This soda water maker is compatible with most CO2 cylinders, too, making it easy to refill your machine, and it’s available in four beautiful finishes: copper, stainless steel, matte black and matte gray.
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BestBuy
SodaStream Fizzi One Touch Sparkling Water Maker
SodaStream is a beloved brand for a reason, and the company’s Fizzi One Touch machine makes that clear. It’s designed to be incredibly simple to operate, and its easy-to-read interface lights up when you touch it, allowing you to designate desired levels of carbonation from small (bubble size) to medium and large. Simply clip in your bottle with the snap-lock system, tap your desired level of fizziness and wait for your results. You’ll receive a 60-liter CO2 cylinder with your purchase along with a 1-liter reusable bottle. Just keep in mind that this option is electric, so a nearby outlet is necessary.
Amazon
Ninja Thirsti Drink System
Some soda makers are particular about what you can use them for. The Ninja Thirsti Drink System has a range of options to help you create just about any fizzy or still drink you can dream up. Ninja offers 20 different types of flavor pods called “water drops” that you can use as-is, or to mix and match. (You decide how intense you want the flavor to be.) Choose from four different size settings—6, 12, 18 and 24 ounces—that can be dispensed into any cup or bottle. You can also flip between three levels of bubbles or even dispense still water, with or without a flavor infusion. This kit comes with the device, along with a 48-ounce water reservoir, 60-liter CO2 cylinder and eight flavored water drops to get you started.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s editors and writers are experts who regularly research and write about the latest and greatest home and kitchen products—often via firsthand testing. Several of our editors offered their own experience with these machines; we also consulted a nutritionist and beverage expert for advice on which functions to seek out in a soda maker. Finally, we’re constantly updating these lists to ensure that our picks match the best on the market at that given time: This story was last refreshed with new information in January 2024.
What To Look For In The Best Soda Maker
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a soda maker, and we’ve outlined the top considerations below. Before beginning your search, give them a read:
Size
Most soda makers are relatively small, but there’s a spectrum of sizes within that footprint. A machine with a built-in water tank—like the Ninja Thirsti Drink System—will take up more counter space than a a device that you attach a water bottle to, like the others that made our list. “Look for something that fits your lifestyle,” Christensen says. “Ideally, you want it to live on your counter so you can easily make bottles of sparkling water whenever the urge strikes.” It’s possible to store your soda maker in a cupboard and bring it out when the need strikes, of course, but you may be less likely to use the device if you go that route.
Versatility
Not all soda makers will fizz up any liquid. Our top choice, the DrinkMate OmniFizz, can—it’ll infuse any beverage with bubbles. But some devices are intended only to be used with water, and, if you’re so inclined, you can add your own flavorings afterward. “If you have grand plans to sparkle up a bottle of fruit juice or an evening cocktail, this is something to consider,” Christensen says.
CO2 Cartridge Compatibility
Many soda makers come with a CO2 cartridge to get you started, but even so, once it runs out, it’s on you to replace it if you want to keep making sparkling drinks. The good news: Some machines accept nearly every type of standard CO2 cartridge on the market. Others, however, require a brand-specific cartridge, which means you’ll want to ensure in advance that you’re able to easily find those specific accessories. “Look at the process for replacing the cartridges,” Cording advises. “And choose something that makes sense for you.”
Are Soda Makers Worth It?
If you regularly drink soda or seltzer water, then the answer is a resounding “yes”: Investing in a soda maker should save you money in the long run. “These machines are great for somebody who loves carbonated beverages, consumes them regularly and is looking to have a bit more agency over the type of drinks they make,” Cording says. “But they can also [just] be fun for people who want to be creative.” While soda makers have an upfront cost that ranges from $50 to over $200, the replacement cartridges are typically the only fee you’ll see after that. (For reference, one CO2 cartridge for a soda maker could cost you about $30, but it’ll last for anywhere from weeks to months, depending on how often you make drinks.)
Which Is The Best SodaStream Model To Buy?
There’s a large range of SodaStream options on the market, but we’re partial to the SodaStream Fizzi One-Touch Sparkling Water Maker (we awarded it our “Best Design” designation above). This machine is incredibly easy to use, making it a great option for new home fizzy fans and aficionados alike, and offers an easy-to-read set of buttons that clearly indicate how much fizz you’ll get in a given pour.
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