Picking a Soda Maker Doesn’t Have to be Overwhelming
Updated May 2024.
If you are anything like me, your recycling bin might be overflowing with cans and bottles from your sparkling water obsession. If you have been thinking about getting a machine to make sparkling water at home, I am here to help navigate!
Soda makers aren't just for making soda anymore. If you love sparkling water, there's never been a better time to consider getting a soda maker. There are so many options, and though it is great to have choices...it can be a little overwhelming to figure out what machine will work best for you.
Below you’ll find my thoughts on choosing the best soda maker for you to make sparkling water at home, things to consider before purchasing, as well as a quick comparison chart of all the models mentioned in this article (located at the bottom of the page). I am not affiliated with any of the companies below, and these are my personal opinions.
The Bottom Line
Best Overall Recommendation:
SodaStream Terra (Terra $100 on Amazon) 4.6 
Get it if: you want a tried and true brand at a low price. This is the best-selling SodaStream model for a reason. It’s easy to use, has the lowest price-point (when including a CO2 canister), and is among one of the highest rated soda makers reviewed on Amazon. There are four different colors to choose from (black, white, red, and misty blue), it does not require electricity, and the bottles are dishwasher safe. It's a great model if you're just getting started.
Scroll below for reviews of all nine machines, and scroll to the bottom for our quick-view comparison chart.
Things to consider regarding CO2: SodaStream is the biggest player in the soda maker world, which can make a difference when you’re trying to get your CO2 canisters refilled. SodaStream has created a “quick-connect” (also known as the pink top) CO2 canister that all their new machines use. The pink quick-connect canisters make changing the CO2 fast and extremely easy. The pink quick-connect canisters are only made and sold by SodaStream, but SodaStream also has the most robust distribution for CO2 canisters. Search here for their in-person exchange locations. Target stores are a great option, where you simply bring your empty canister to the customer service desk and they'll swap for a new one there. You can also exchange online for shipping directly to your home.
Older machines use the universal screw-in style canister (or blue top), and SodaStream currently still sells both kinds of canisters where they are distributed. Machines other than the SodaStream brand also use the universal screw-in style canister. Most soda maker machines offer their own CO2 exchange system, but they are also compatible with the SodaStream brand “blue-top” canisters.
Most CO2 canisters, regardless of brand, cost around $30 new, then $16 for refills. Many soda makers come with one CO2 canister, but not all, so be sure to check. I personally recommend having two on hand. It's an additional initial expense for the extra bottle, but having a backup on hand makes getting the CO2 refilled so much easier.
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Reviews for all of the Models Below (scroll to the bottom for a comparison chart)
Listed from highest to lowest rated according to Amazon.* Updated May 2024
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SodaStream E-DUO (E-DUO $200 on Williams Sonoma) 4.8
*This rating is based on Williams Sonoma, as this model is not yet listed on Amazon. 
Get it if: You want glass bottles and pre-set fizz levels, and don't mind needing to plug it in. This is the newest model from SodaStream that features the ability to use both plastic and glass bottles. For anyone that wants the ability to store their sparkling water in glass – this is an excellent option. The “E” in E-DUO stands for electric, so this model must be plugged in to use. The machine comes with three buttons with pre-set levels of fizz so you can automatically carbonate with a one-touch button.
Pros: comes with one each glass and plastic bottle (additional bottles are $20), pre-set carbonation levels
Cons: requires electricity, is not compatible with original plastic SodaStream bottles used with other models
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Drinkmate OmniFizz (Drinkmate $143 on Amazon) 4.6
Get it if: you want to carbonate EVERYTHING. The Drinkmate OmniFizz is the only soda maker machine that is capable of carbonating beverages other than just water. This is achieved with a special bottle attachment. (Attempting to carbonate beverages other than plain water in other models can contaminate the machine and void any warrantees.) If you are the kind of person that wants to experiment in the kitchen and carbonate all sorts of liquids such as wine or juice, then this is likely the best model for you. Push a single button to carbonate water and other beverages to your desired level of fizz.
Pros: carbonate any cold liquid and get extra creative, cordless
Cons: cleaning the bottle attachment is an extra step, bottles are not dishwasher safe
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SodaStream Terra (Terra $100 on Amazon) 4.6
Get it if: you want a tried and true brand at a low price. This is the best-selling SodaStream model for a reason. It’s easy to use, has the lowest price-point (when including a CO2 canister), and is among one of the highest rated soda makers reviewed on Amazon. There are four different colors to choose from (black, white, red, and misty blue), it does not require electricity, and the bottles are dishwasher safe. The Terra is also compatible with smaller 0.5 L bottles for on the go. This model uses a single button to manually carbonate water.
Pros: lower price point, ease of use, cordless, dishwasher safe bottles
Cons: NA
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SodaStream Art ($145 on Amazon) 4.6
Get it if: you want a little more fun in your design and strong fizz capability. Another newer model from SodaStream, the main selling point for the Art model is that it has a cute retro-inspired design. If you ever come see me at the farmers market, this is the model I use and I like that I am able to achieve strong carbonation levels. Like the Terra model, the Art also comes in multiple colors (black, white, red, and blue), does not require electricity, has dishwasher safe bottles, and is compatible with smaller 0.5L bottles for on the go. This model uses a single handled-lever to pull down to manually carbonate water.
Pros: ease of use, cordless, dishwasher safe bottles
Cons: higher price point
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SodaStream E-Terra (E-Terra $160 on Amazon) 4.6
Get it if: you want more consistent fizz with automatic pre-set buttons. This is the electric version of the best-selling Terra model. This model only comes in black or white and requires electricity to operate. With the need for electricity comes with three buttons with pre-set levels of fizz for automatic carbonating as well as a blue light that turns on when in use. Like all SodaStream models, the bottles are dishwasher safe. The E-Terra is also compatible with smaller 0.5 L bottles for on the go. This model uses pre-set buttons to automatically carbonate water.
Pros: pre-set levels of automatic carbonation, dishwasher safe bottles
Cons: higher price point, requires electricity
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Aarke Carbonator III ($230 - $260 on Amazon) 4.4
Get it if: beautiful design is your top priority. Aarke is newer to the soda maker scene and they’re known for their elevated and modern design. The Aarke comes in a variety of finishes like “sand” and polished copper and would look stunning on any kitchen counter. Although beautifully designed, the machines are priced significantly higher than other models while also being slightly more cumbersome to use than alternatives. The bottles must be screwed in (rather than popped into place), and the bottles must also be hand-washed and dried. Many Aarke listings do not come with a CO2 canister ($30), so double-check before purchasing. Some reviews mention a weaker carbonation level, so if you like a strong bubble, this might not be a good match for you. This model uses a single button to manually carbonate water.
Pros: beautiful design and color options, cordless
Cons: high price point, bottles are not dishwasher safe, CO2 not included
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SodaStream Aqua Fizz ($199 on Amazon) 4.4
Get it if: you want glass bottles, but don't want to have to plug it in. Before the E-DUO, if you wanted glass bottles, the Aqua Fizz was your only option. It is not the most aesthetically pleasing design, but is sturdy and provides good strong fizz. I personally own and heavily use this machine and it just recently broke down after three years. Since this model doesn’t require electricity like the E-DUO, I purchased another (because I enjoy using the glass carafes and it is performing great). This model comes in a utilitarian black and stainless design and the glass bottles have survived several drops. If you are looking to avoid plastic, this is an excellent option that I personally recommend. It is the tallest model on the market – so measure under your cabinets if you are considering this model. It manually carbonates water with a single button. A note that SodaStream may be discontinuing this model as it is no longer listed on their direct website but it is still available in a bundle on Amazon as of May 2024.
Pros: glass bottles, cordless
Cons: higher price point
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Philips Stainless GoZero ($65 on Amazon) 4.1
Get it if: you want the least expensive option. The Philips GoZero sparkling water maker is certainly the lowest-priced soda maker on this list at $65, and is often on sale, but it does not come with the required CO2 canister (an additional $30 for an all-in price of $95). This model is available in matte white and matte black with stainless, but additional colors are sometimes available. Similar to the Aarke, this machine has a slightly more modern design, but also requires the bottles to be screwed-in as well as not being dishwasher safe. This model uses a single button to manually carbonate water.
Pros: lowest price point, more modern design, cordless
Cons: bottles are not dishwasher safe, CO2 not included
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Aarke Carbonator Pro ($350 on Amazon) 3.5
Get it if: visual design and glass bottles trump function. I personally had such high hopes and expectations for this model. It has a beautiful design and glass carafe bottles, but an exceptionally high price point. I personally purchased this model but was unable to achieve a strong fizz, and every test use resulted in water spraying and overflowing into the basin of the machine. It was ultimately unfortunately returned. This model is also often not listed with a CO2 canister included. If you only need a very light fizz level, this maker may work for you, but for me the lack of performance did not justify the price. This model carbonates manually with a single button.
Pros: glass bottles, beautiful design, cordless
Cons: extreme price point, weak bubbles, issues with water leaking and overflowing, CO2 not included
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