Buying a soda maker should be simple, but the options can be confusing. This guide breaks down everything that actually matters — and what you can ignore.
Contents
5 Questions to Ask Yourself
- How much sparkling water will you drink?
- Light use (5-10L/week): Any model works
- Heavy use (20+ L/week): Prioritize easy cylinder changes
- Do you want to carbonate anything besides water?
- Water only: Any SodaStream or Aarke
- Juice, wine, cocktails: DrinkMate only
- Do you care about aesthetics?
- Yes: Aarke ($229) or SodaStream Art ($130)
- No: SodaStream Terra ($89) — same function, lower price
- Do you want glass bottles?
- Yes: SodaStream Duo only
- No: Any model
- What's your budget?
- Under $100: SodaStream Terra
- $100-150: SodaStream Art or DrinkMate
- $150-200: SodaStream Duo
- $200+: Aarke Carbonator 3
Understanding CO2 Systems
This is the most important distinction between soda makers — it affects convenience and running costs.
Quick-Connect (Pink Cap)
Used by: SodaStream Terra, Art, Duo
- ✓ Push to connect — 5 seconds
- ✓ No threading, no tools
- ✓ Idiot-proof
- ✗ Slightly more expensive refills (~$17-20)
Screw-In (Blue Cap)
Used by: SodaStream Spirit, Aarke, DrinkMate
- ✓ Cheaper refills (~$15-17)
- ✓ More widely available
- ✓ Third-party adapter options
- ✗ Threading can be annoying
Our take: Quick-connect is worth the $2-3 per cylinder premium. Swapping cylinders on screw-in machines is one of the few genuinely annoying aspects of owning a soda maker.
Bottle Types: Glass vs Plastic
Plastic Bottles (Standard)
- Pros: Lightweight, shatterproof, dishwasher-safe, holds pressure well
- Cons: Some people dislike drinking from plastic, needs replacing every 2-3 years
- Used by: All models
Glass Carafes
- Pros: More elegant, no plastic touching water, dishwasher-safe
- Cons: Heavy, breakable, can't store carbonated water under pressure
- Used by: SodaStream Duo only
Important: The glass carafe on the Duo is for immediate use — carbonate, serve, done. You can't store pressurized carbonated water in glass like you can in the plastic bottles.
Running Costs Explained
The Math
| Cost Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| CO2 cylinder exchange | $15-20 |
| Liters per cylinder | ~60L |
| Cost per liter | $0.25-0.35 |
| Store-bought sparkling water | $1.00-2.00/L |
| Savings | ~80% |
Break-Even Point
A $90 SodaStream Terra pays for itself after ~60-90 liters of sparkling water — about 3-4 months for a regular user.
For full cost analysis, see Is a Soda Maker Worth It?
Brand Comparison
| Brand | Price Range | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| SodaStream | $89-170 | Market leader, widest range, best availability | Design is functional, not beautiful |
| Aarke | $229 | Stunning design, premium materials | Expensive, screw-in CO2 |
| DrinkMate | $110 | Carbonates any beverage | Basic design, extra step required |
Decision Flowchart
Start Here:
- Want to carbonate juice/wine/cocktails?
- Yes → DrinkMate OmniFizz ($110)
- No → Continue
- Want glass bottles?
- Yes → SodaStream Duo ($170)
- No → Continue
- Is design a priority?
- Yes, willing to pay premium → Aarke Carbonator 3 ($229)
- Yes, but budget-conscious → SodaStream Art ($130)
- No → Continue
- Default recommendation:
- SodaStream Terra ($89) — best value for most people
Our Recommendations
SodaStream Terra — $89
Best balance of price, features, and ease of use. Quick-connect CO2 makes cylinder changes effortless.
Check Price →For full reviews of all models, see our Best Soda Makers 2026 guide.