Small Kitchen Appliances

Plug-In, Lever or Siphon? How to Choose the Best Soda Maker

The best soda maker: SodaStream, Drinkmate, Aarke, Breville, Whip-It! and Ninja compared by CO2 cylinder, bottle, power and what they can fizz.

A glass of sparkling drink with ice, a lemon slice and a sprig of rosemary on a wooden table
A sparkling drink with lemon and rosemary over ice.

A soda maker turns tap water into sparkling water on your counter. For a home cook that means agua mineral on demand: a fizzy base for a lime agua fresca, a splash in a tall glass of jamaica, the soda in a ranch water or a paloma, or just a cold glass of bubbles with tacos. No more hauling cases of bottles home from the store.

The machines look similar but differ in the details that matter day to day: which CO2 cylinder they take, whether the bottle is plastic or glass and can go in the dishwasher, whether they need a plug, and whether the maker allows anything but water in the bottle. This guide covers ten soda makers worth buying and explains those differences plainly.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which soda maker to buy

For most kitchens, the best soda maker is the SodaStream Terra: it needs no power, its Quick Connect CO2 cylinder clicks in with one push, its bottles are dishwasher safe, and empty cylinders can be exchanged at participating stores. If you want carbonation at the touch of a button, choose the electric SodaStream E-Terra. If you want to fizz juice, tea or cocktails as well as water, the Drinkmate OmniFizz is built for it, with a release valve the maker designed for other drinks.

Below are five standouts side by side, then all ten soda makers reviewed in full.

Five soda makers compared

One pick for each kind of household, with the cylinder, power and maker’s guidance on what you can carbonate. All ten soda makers are reviewed in full below.

Soda maker Best for CO2 & power Other drinks (maker’s guidance) Buy on Amazon
Everyday sparkling water Quick Connect 60L; no power Water only; flavor after View on Amazon
The same fizz every time Quick Connect 60L; plugs in Water only; flavor after View on Amazon
Juice, tea and cocktails too Standard threaded 60L; no power Yes, with the Fizz Infuser View on Amazon
Aarke Carbonator 3 - Sparkling Water Maker & CO2 Cylinder

Aarke Carbonator 3Best stainless steel
A counter you want to look good Standard screw-in 60L; no power Sold for water only View on Amazon
Ninja Thirsti Ultimate Drink System

Ninja Thirsti Ultimate Drink SystemBest for flavored drinks
Flavored drinks by the glass 60L cylinder included; plugs in Water plus Thirsti flavor pods View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Cylinder types, power and carbonation guidance are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best soda maker

These ten machines cover the main choices: SodaStream’s Quick Connect machines, manual and electric; screw-in machines from Drinkmate, Breville and Aarke; a soda siphon that needs no machine at all; and Ninja’s flavored-drink system. One rule runs through them. SodaStream and Aarke sell their machines for plain water, and SodaStream says carbonating anything else voids its warranty; only the Drinkmate and the Breville are designed by their makers to carbonate other drinks.

1. SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker – Click-In Cylinder, No Plug

Best overallSodaStream TERRA Sparkling Water Maker

The Terra is SodaStream’s basic machine, and for most homes it is all you need. You fill the bottle with cold tap water, snap it into place and press the button on top: one slow press gives a light fizz, a few more a stronger one, according to SodaStream. It needs no electricity, and the listing gives its size as 7.9 inches deep, 5 inches wide and 17 inches tall, slim enough to tuck under most upper cabinets.

It uses SodaStream’s Quick Connect cylinder, which clicks in with one push. SodaStream says each 60-liter cylinder makes up to 60 liters (16 gallons) of sparkling water, and that empties can be returned and refilled through its exchange program at participating retailers. The starter kit includes one cylinder and one BPA-free, dishwasher-safe bottle.

SodaStream is firm on one point: carbonate only plain, cold water, then add flavor. Its support page says carbonating anything else can damage the machine and voids the warranty and money-back guarantee. For aguas frescas that is no hardship; fizz the water, then pour it over the fruit base.

Why we like it

  • No power needed
  • Quick Connect cylinder clicks in
  • Dishwasher-safe bottle included
  • Cylinder exchange at participating stores

Key specifications

Maker SodaStream Terra Starter Kit, 1103046010
CO2 cylinder type Quick Connect, 60 L (1 included)
Bottle Plastic (BPA-free), dishwasher safe
Carbonates other drinks No; water only, add flavor after (SodaStream)
Power None (manual)
Best for Everyday sparkling water

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who mainly wants sparkling water and the easiest possible cylinder swaps.

Skip it if you want to fizz juice or cocktails directly; SodaStream does not allow it.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Simple and compact
  • Easy cylinder exchange
  • Dishwasher-safe bottle

Cons

  • Water only
  • Takes only Quick Connect cylinders

Check price on Amazon

2. SodaStream E-Terra Electric Soda Maker – Three Preset Fizz Levels

Best electricSodaStream - E-TERRA Soda Maker

The E-Terra is the Terra with a motor. Instead of pressing until it sounds right, you choose one of three preset carbonation levels and the machine does the rest, lighting the water blue while it carbonates, according to SodaStream. That makes the fizz the same every time, which helps when several people in the house share one machine.

It runs on an included AC power adapter (100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, per the listing) and uses the same Quick Connect cylinders as the Terra. The value bundle includes two 60-liter cylinders and three 32-fluid-ounce dishwasher-safe bottles, plus flavor drops. The listing gives the size as 7.7 inches deep, 5 inches wide and 16.8 inches tall.

The rule is the same as the Terra’s: SodaStream’s E-Terra instructions say to carbonate only water, warning that other liquids can clog internal parts and cause excess pressure or bottle failure. We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database and found no recall of SodaStream machines; SodaStream’s one bottle recall, years ago, covered blue-tinted 1-liter bottles marked “4/2020”, not current bottles.

Why we like it

  • Three preset carbonation levels
  • Two cylinders and three bottles in the bundle
  • Same Quick Connect cylinders as the Terra
  • Dishwasher-safe bottles

Key specifications

Maker SodaStream E-Terra Value Bundle, 1103101010
CO2 cylinder type Quick Connect, 60 L (2 included)
Bottle Plastic, 32 fl oz x 3, dishwasher safe
Carbonates other drinks No; water only (SodaStream)
Power Plugs in (AC adapter included)
Best for Consistent fizz, shared households

Why we recommend it

It suits a busy household that goes through a lot of sparkling water and wants the same result from every press.

Skip it if you have no free outlet near where it will sit; the Terra does the same job without one.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Repeatable carbonation
  • Generous bundle
  • Easy cylinder swaps

Cons

  • Needs an outlet
  • Water only

Check price on Amazon

A clear glass of water and ice on a wooden table catching afternoon sunlight
A glass of ice water in afternoon light.

3. SodaStream Art Sparkling Water Maker – A Lever Instead of a Button

Best lever designSodaStream - ART Sparkling Water Maker

The Art does the same job as the Terra with a different feel: you carbonate by pulling a lever on the front, and the body has retro metal accents, according to SodaStream. Some people find a lever easier to control than a button, and it looks more like a piece of bar equipment on the counter.

It takes only SodaStream Quick Connect cylinders, and SodaStream says each one carbonates up to 16 gallons of water. The starter kit includes one cylinder, a 32-fluid-ounce slim carbonating bottle and a 16-fluid-ounce on-the-go bottle with a carrying strap, both dishwasher safe according to the listing. No plug is needed.

As with every SodaStream, fizz water first and add the flavor afterward. The listing’s spec field calls it battery powered, which the description does not mention; SodaStream describes a manual lever.

Why we like it

  • Lever gives fine control
  • Two bottle sizes in the kit
  • No outlet needed
  • Quick Connect cylinder

Key specifications

Maker SodaStream Art Starter Kit, 1103121010
CO2 cylinder type Quick Connect, 60 L (1 included)
Bottle Plastic, 32 and 16 fl oz, dishwasher safe
Carbonates other drinks No; water only (SodaStream)
Power None (lever)
Best for A countertop that looks like a bar

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who prefers the feel of a lever and wants the machine to look good on the counter.

Skip it if you want the cheapest SodaStream; the Terra makes the same water.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Satisfying lever control
  • Two bottles included
  • No power needed

Cons

  • Water only
  • Listing’s power field is confusing

Check price on Amazon

4. SodaStream E-Duo Sparkling Water Maker – Comes with a Glass Bottle

Best with glassSodaStream E-Duo Sparkling Water Maker (Black) with 60L CO2

The E-Duo is SodaStream’s electric machine for people who would rather pour from glass. The kit includes one 60-liter cylinder, a 1-liter BPA-free plastic bottle that is dishwasher safe and a 1-liter glass bottle, according to the listing. SodaStream says all of its glass carafes are dishwasher safe.

SodaStream lists the E-Duo among its electric Quick Connect machines, so it needs an outlet. Glass brings its own rules: SodaStream says to use only its own glass bottle with the E-Duo, never to use one that is cracked or chipped, and not to put the glass bottle in the freezer. If a glass bottle ever breaks during carbonation, SodaStream says to leave the flask closed and contact it.

The water-only rule applies here too. The E-Duo’s instructions warn that other liquids can clog internal parts and lead to excess pressure or bottle failure.

Why we like it

  • Glass and plastic bottles included
  • Glass bottle is dishwasher safe, per SodaStream
  • Electric, one-touch operation
  • Quick Connect cylinder

Key specifications

Maker SodaStream E-Duo, 1016912010
CO2 cylinder type Quick Connect, 60 L (1 included)
Bottle 1 L glass and 1 L plastic, both dishwasher safe
Carbonates other drinks No; water only (SodaStream)
Power Plugs in (electric, per SodaStream)
Best for Pouring sparkling water from glass

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who wants a glass bottle on the table and the convenience of an electric machine.

Skip it if you want a light machine; the listing gives its weight as 13.5 pounds.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Glass bottle included
  • Dishwasher-safe bottles
  • Electric convenience

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Glass needs care; no freezer

Check price on Amazon

5. Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker – Fizzes Juice and Cocktails

Best for other drinksDrinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water Maker & Soda Streaming Machine

Drinkmate’s OmniFizz is the machine to buy if you want bubbles in something other than water. Its patented Fizz Infuser, a detachable cap with a pressure-release valve, lets it carbonate juice, tea, wine and cocktails as well as water, according to Drinkmate. Think sparkling limeade, a fizzy agua de jamaica or a ready-made batch of palomas.

Drinkmate’s own guidance for other drinks is specific: chill the drink in the fridge for at least two to three hours first, because cold liquids carbonate better; never fill past the max-fill line; press in two to four short bursts; and release the pressure slowly through the valve so the foam settles before you open it. Pulpy and sugary drinks foam more, so go gently.

It needs no power and runs on a standard threaded 60-liter CO2 cylinder; the starter kit includes one cylinder and one 1-liter BPA-free bottle. One important note: Drinkmate and the CPSC have recalled certain 1-liter Drinkmate carbonation bottles, including some sold in OmniFizz starter kits, because they can explode during use. Only bottles with an expiration date between 01/2026 and 10/2026 printed on the side are affected. Check the date on any Drinkmate bottle you own or receive; if it falls in that range, stop using it and request the free replacement through Drinkmate.

Why we like it

  • Carbonates other drinks, per Drinkmate
  • Clear guidance on chilling and slow release
  • No power needed
  • Uses standard threaded cylinders

Key specifications

Maker Drinkmate OmniFizz Starter Kit, Arctic Blue, 410-08-14Z
CO2 cylinder type Standard threaded, 60 L (1 included)
Bottle Plastic (BPA-free), 1 L; dishwasher use not stated
Carbonates other drinks Yes; chill first, short bursts, slow release (Drinkmate)
Power None
Best for Sparkling juice, tea and batch cocktails

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants to experiment with sparkling aguas frescas and drinks beyond plain soda water.

Skip it if you do not want to check bottle dates; the recall makes that step necessary.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fizzes more than water
  • Works off-grid
  • Common cylinder type

Cons

  • Some 1 L bottles recalled; check dates
  • Other drinks foam and need patience

Check price on Amazon

A row of glass jars filled with fruit-infused water and colorful straws on an outdoor ledge
Jars of fruit-infused water lined up outdoors.

6. Breville InFizz Fusion Drink Carbonator – Stainless Steel, Any Drink

Best stainless for any drinkBreville InFizz Fusion Sparkling Drink Carbonator

Breville’s InFizz Fusion is the other machine here built to carbonate more than water. Its FusionCap lets you fizz juice, tea, cocktails and wine, and re-fizz soda that has gone flat, according to Breville, and you can then store the 1-liter bottle in the fridge for later. Breville says the carbonation can be fast or slow depending on the drink.

The body is stainless steel with a die-cast lever, and a magnetic stainless drip tray catches spills. It needs no power or batteries. The kit includes the FusionCap, a 1-liter bottle with a stainless cap and base, a cleaning brush, a funnel and a sieve, which is useful for straining pulp before you carbonate. Breville gives a two-year warranty.

The CO2 cylinder is not included; it takes standard screw-type 60-liter cylinders, so budget for one when you order.

Why we like it

  • Carbonates other drinks, per Breville
  • Stainless steel body, magnetic drip tray
  • Funnel, sieve and brush included
  • Two-year warranty

Key specifications

Maker Breville InFizz Fusion, BCA800BSS
CO2 cylinder type Standard screw-type 60 L (not included)
Bottle 1 L with stainless cap and base; dishwasher use not stated
Carbonates other drinks Yes, with the FusionCap (Breville)
Power None
Best for Sparkling juice and cocktails, stored for later

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who wants the Drinkmate’s flexibility in a sturdier stainless build with a longer warranty.

Skip it if you want everything in the box; you must buy a cylinder separately.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Any-drink carbonation
  • Useful accessories
  • Two-year warranty

Cons

  • No CO2 cylinder included
  • Bottle care not stated

Check price on Amazon

7. Aarke Carbonator 3 – Swedish Stainless Steel, No Plug

Best stainless steelAarke Carbonator 3 - Sparkling Water Maker & CO2 Cylinder

Aarke, a Swedish company founded by two industrial designers, makes the Carbonator 3 from a seamless stainless steel shell. You pull a damper-controlled lever to carbonate, and it needs no electricity. On a counter it looks more like a piece of kitchen equipment than a plastic appliance.

It takes standard 400–425 gram, 60-liter screw-in CO2 cylinders, including SodaStream’s screw-in cylinders, but not SodaStream Quick Connect cylinders, according to Aarke. This listing includes a cylinder. Aarke says each cylinder makes up to about 2,000 ounces of sparkling water. The bottle is BPA-free PET plastic, 1 liter with an 800 ml fill line, and Aarke says to hand wash it with lukewarm water and mild dish soap, not in the dishwasher.

Aarke sells it as a sparkling water maker and lists no other drinks; carbonate water and add flavor afterward. Aarke offers a three-year warranty when you register the machine.

Why we like it

  • Stainless steel body
  • No power needed
  • Takes common screw-in cylinders
  • Three-year warranty with registration

Key specifications

Maker Aarke Carbonator 3 with CO2 cylinder
CO2 cylinder type Standard screw-in 60 L (not Quick Connect); 1 included
Bottle PET plastic, 1 L; hand wash only
Carbonates other drinks Sold for water; no other drinks listed (Aarke)
Power None
Best for A design-minded counter

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who wants a machine that looks good out on the counter and uses widely available cylinders.

Skip it if you want a dishwasher-safe bottle; the Carbonator 3’s bottle is hand wash only.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Handsome stainless steel
  • Long warranty
  • Cordless

Cons

  • Hand-wash bottle
  • No Quick Connect support

Check price on Amazon

8. Aarke Carbonator Pro – Dishwasher-Safe Glass Bottle

Best premiumAarke Carbonator Pro - Premium Sparkling Water Maker

The Carbonator Pro is Aarke’s larger machine, with a textured stainless steel body, a protective shield with a soft-close mechanism and one-handed push-to-lock operation that secures the bottle and carbonates in one motion, according to Aarke. Like the Carbonator 3, it is cordless and needs no electricity.

The big difference is the bottle. The Pro comes with a glass bottle, 800 ml with a 700 ml fill line, and Aarke says it is dishwasher safe; it also works with Aarke’s stainless steel bottles. It takes standard 400–425 gram, 60-liter cylinders, not Quick Connect. This listing is the machine only, so check whether a cylinder is included before you order. Aarke gives its dimensions as 51 by 17 by 29 centimeters and its weight as 3.65 kilograms, and offers a three-year warranty with registration.

Like the Carbonator 3, it is sold for sparkling water.

Why we like it

  • Dishwasher-safe glass bottle, per Aarke
  • One-handed push-to-lock
  • Stainless steel, cordless
  • Three-year warranty with registration

Key specifications

Maker Aarke Carbonator Pro, matte black
CO2 cylinder type Standard 60 L (not Quick Connect); machine only
Bottle Glass, 800 ml; dishwasher safe
Carbonates other drinks Sold for water; no other drinks listed (Aarke)
Power None
Best for Glass bottles and a premium build

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who wants glass rather than plastic and a machine built to last.

Skip it if counter height is tight; at 51 centimeters tall, per Aarke, it is the tallest here.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Glass bottle, dishwasher safe
  • Easy one-hand use
  • Long warranty

Cons

  • Tall and heavy
  • Cylinder not included on this listing

Check price on Amazon

9. Whip-It! 1L Soda Siphon, Stainless Steel – Bar-Style Fizz Without a Machine

Best without a machineWhip-It! 1L SODA SIPHON STAINLESS STEEL w/Black Head - Portable Seltzer Water Maker for DIY Sparkling Carbonated Drinks

Before countertop soda makers, bars used siphons, and Whip-It!’s 1-liter stainless steel siphon keeps that style. The listing sells it as a seltzer water maker for soda water and cocktails, with an art-deco black head, and the soda water comes out through the siphon head, straight into the glass.

It holds 1 liter. The box includes a charger holder and step-by-step instructions, and Whip-It! gives a two-year warranty, according to the listing. The listing does not say which chargers it takes or whether any come in the box, so check before you buy. It needs no power and no counter space, and it looks right on a bar cart. A siphon works one charge at a time, which makes it better for occasional drinks than for a family’s daily sparkling water.

Why we like it

  • Stainless steel, bar-style
  • 1-liter capacity
  • No machine, no power
  • Two-year warranty

Key specifications

Maker Whip-It! 1L Soda Siphon, model DS-Sda-L05-01S
CO2 cylinder type Chargers; type and size not stated (charger holder included)
Bottle Stainless steel siphon, 1 L; dishwasher use not stated
Carbonates other drinks Not stated; sold for soda water and cocktails
Power None
Best for Occasional soda water at the bar

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who wants soda water for a few drinks at a time and likes classic bar tools.

Skip it if you drink sparkling water every day; single-use chargers add up.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Takes no counter space
  • Durable stainless steel
  • Dispenses straight into the glass

Cons

  • Charger type not stated
  • Thin listing details

Check price on Amazon

10. Ninja Thirsti Ultimate Drink System – Flavored Drinks at the Press of a Button

Best for flavored drinksNinja Thirsti Ultimate Drink System

Ninja’s Thirsti works differently from the others. Instead of carbonating a bottle, it dispenses a drink straight into your glass from a 48-ounce removable water reservoir, still or at one of three sparkling levels, in a 12- or 24-ounce size, according to the listing. Flavor comes from Thirsti flavor pods, and you can combine two flavors in one drink.

Ninja says the Ultimate model is the only Thirsti system compatible with all of its 20-plus zero- and low-calorie flavors, which include sodas, iced teas and fruit flavors. The box includes a 60-liter CO2 cylinder, but the flavor pods are sold separately. The listing gives the size as 13.13 by 8.14 by 15.98 inches and the power source as AC/DC, so it needs an outlet.

It is the most convenient machine here for flavored drinks by the glass, and the least flexible for cooking: you are tied to Ninja’s pods for flavor. For plain sparkling water to mix your own drinks, skip the pod and choose a sparkling level.

Why we like it

  • Still or three sparkling levels
  • Dispenses straight into the glass
  • 48-ounce removable reservoir
  • CO2 cylinder included

Key specifications

Maker Ninja Thirsti Ultimate Drink System, WC3001BL2
CO2 cylinder type 60 L CO2 cylinder (1 included)
Bottle None; 48 oz removable reservoir, dispenses into your glass
Carbonates other drinks No; water plus Thirsti flavor pods
Power Plugs in (AC/DC, per the listing)
Best for Flavored drinks by the glass

Why we recommend it

It suits a household that drinks flavored sparkling drinks every day and values speed over flexibility.

Skip it if you want to make your own flavors or aguas frescas; the system is built around Ninja’s pods.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast, one-touch drinks
  • Still or sparkling
  • Two drink sizes

Cons

  • Flavor pods sold separately
  • Large footprint, needs an outlet

Check price on Amazon

Sparkling water in a Mexican kitchen

In Mexico, agua mineral is a table drink in its own right, and it turns up in a lot of what people pour with food. A lime agua fresca topped with sparkling water becomes something close to a limonada mineral. Our guide to aguas frescas explains the classic flavors; make the fruit base, then top each glass with fizz so the bubbles stay lively.

For drinks with tequila, sparkling water does the work in a ranch water (tequila, lime and soda water over ice) and in a paloma, where it lightens grapefruit soda or stands in for it with fresh grapefruit juice and a little sugar. Our home margarita bar guide covers the tools, and good ice matters as much as good bubbles; see the best ice cube trays.

Whatever you mix, measure the spirit. The NIAAA counts 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof spirits as one standard drink. A soda maker also makes it easy to keep a pitcher of sparkling water or agua fresca on the table for anyone not drinking, and for everyone between rounds.

A glass pitcher of water with lemon slices and mint beside oranges, ginger and ice cubes on a wooden table
A pitcher of lemon and mint water with citrus and ginger alongside.

How to choose a soda maker

The CO2 cylinder. This is the ongoing cost and the main convenience question. SodaStream’s newer machines (Terra, E-Terra, Art, E-Duo) take only its pink Quick Connect cylinders, which click in and can be exchanged at participating retailers. Drinkmate, Breville and Aarke take standard screw-in 60-liter cylinders, the type SodaStream also sells for its older machines. The Whip-It! siphon uses small chargers held in its charger holder, and the Ninja Thirsti uses its own 60-liter cylinder.

Water only, or other drinks. SodaStream says to carbonate only water and add flavor afterward, and that carbonating anything else voids the warranty; Aarke also sells its machines for water. If you want to fizz juice, tea or a batch of cocktails, choose the Drinkmate OmniFizz or the Breville InFizz Fusion and follow their makers’ instructions: chill the drink, do not overfill and release the pressure slowly.

Bottle material and care. Most machines use plastic bottles. SodaStream’s current plastic bottles are dishwasher safe, as are its glass carafes, according to SodaStream; Aarke’s Carbonator 3 bottle is hand wash only, while the Carbonator Pro’s glass bottle is dishwasher safe. Every carbonating bottle has an expiration date; SodaStream says to check it and replace bottles when they reach the end of their service life.

Power. Manual machines need no outlet and work anywhere. Electric machines, like the E-Terra, E-Duo and Ninja Thirsti, give the same fizz every time but need a plug near where they sit.

Size and looks. Most machines are about 16 to 17 inches tall and 5 inches wide; the Aarke Carbonator Pro is taller. Measure under your cabinets before you buy.

Check for recalls. Carbonation bottles hold pressure, so a recalled bottle is worth taking seriously. Drinkmate recalled certain 1-liter bottles with expiration dates from 01/2026 to 10/2026, and SodaStream earlier recalled blue-tinted 1-liter bottles marked “4/2020”. The CPSC’s Drinkmate notice explains how to identify affected bottles and get a replacement.

A lemon slice in carbonated water, covered in small bubbles, against a dark background
Bubbles clinging to a lemon slice in sparkling water.

How we selected these ten soda makers

We started from what a restaurant expects of a soda gun or siphon: steady carbonation, refills that are easy to get, parts that are easy to clean, and clear rules from the maker. We then looked at soda makers sold on Amazon in the United States by established makers, checked that each was in stock when we wrote this, and took every specification from the maker’s listing or the maker’s own website and support pages. We read each maker’s guidance on what may be carbonated, and we checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database for every brand here, which is where the Drinkmate and SodaStream bottle recalls come from. Some bundles, including a SodaStream Terra starter kit, the Aarke Carbonator Pro with a cylinder and several iSi siphons and siphon kits, showed limited availability, so we chose in-stock versions instead. We have not used these products ourselves; where a maker does not state something, we say so.

Soda maker questions, answered

What is the best soda maker for home?

For most homes, the SodaStream Terra: simple, no power needed, dishwasher-safe bottles and easy cylinder exchange. Choose the E-Terra for push-button consistency, the Drinkmate OmniFizz to carbonate drinks other than water, or an Aarke for stainless steel.

Which soda maker brand is best?

SodaStream has the widest range and the easiest cylinder exchange. Drinkmate and Breville stand out for carbonating other drinks, Aarke for build quality, and Whip-It! for a classic siphon. Choose by cylinder type and what you want to carbonate.

Can you carbonate juice or cocktails in a soda maker?

Only in machines designed for it. SodaStream says to carbonate water only, and Aarke sells its machines for water. Drinkmate and Breville say their machines can carbonate juice, tea, wine and cocktails; follow their guidance to chill the drink, stay under the fill line and release pressure slowly.

Do soda makers need electricity?

Most do not. The Terra, Art, Drinkmate, Breville, Aarke machines and the Whip-It! siphon need no power. The E-Terra, E-Duo and Ninja Thirsti plug in.

How long does a CO2 cylinder last?

SodaStream says a 60-liter Quick Connect cylinder makes up to 60 liters of sparkling water, and Aarke says one of its cylinders makes up to about 2,000 ounces. How long that lasts depends on how fizzy you like it.

Are glass soda maker bottles safe?

Use only the glass bottle the maker specifies for your machine, such as SodaStream’s for the E-Duo or Aarke’s for the Carbonator Pro. SodaStream says never to use a cracked or chipped glass bottle and not to freeze it.

The soda maker we would put on the counter

Buy the SodaStream Terra for everyday sparkling water with the least fuss, the E-Terra if you want it at the touch of a button, and the E-Duo or Aarke Carbonator Pro if you prefer glass. Choose the Drinkmate OmniFizz or Breville InFizz Fusion if you want to fizz juice and cocktails, checking any Drinkmate bottle’s date against the recall.

More drink-station guides: iced tea makers, ice buckets, beverage coolers, drink dispensers, tumblers, glass pitchers, ice ball molds.

Pour your homemade agua mineral into a good margarita glass for a ranch water, or read frozen or on the rocks before the next margarita night. If you would rather someone else made the drinks, see our drinks or call to order.

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