The #1 question people ask about soda makers: Will it actually save me money?
The short answer is yes, significantly — if you drink sparkling water regularly. Let's break down the real numbers.
The Real Costs: Bottled vs Home
Bottled Sparkling Water
| Brand/Type | Size | Price | Per Liter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget store brand | 1L | $0.80 | $0.80 |
| Perrier | 750ml | $1.50 | $2.00 |
| San Pellegrino | 1L | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Topo Chico | 355ml | $1.50 | $4.22 |
| LaCroix (12-pack) | 355ml × 12 | $5.00 | $1.17 |
Average cost: $1.50-2.00 per liter
Home Carbonation
| Component | Cost | Liters Produced | Per Liter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tap water | ~$0.002 | 1 | $0.002 |
| CO2 (60L cylinder exchange) | $18 | 60 | $0.30 |
| Total | ~$0.30 |
Home carbonation cost: $0.25-0.30 per liter
Savings By Usage Level
Light User (1 person, 3L/week)
| Annual consumption | 156 liters |
| Bottled water cost (@$1.50/L) | $234/year |
| Home carbonation cost | $47/year |
| Annual savings | $187 |
Break-even: ~6 months (with $90 machine cost)
Moderate User (couple, 7L/week)
| Annual consumption | 364 liters |
| Bottled water cost (@$1.50/L) | $546/year |
| Home carbonation cost | $109/year |
| Annual savings | $437 |
Break-even: ~3 months
Heavy User (family of 4, 14L/week)
| Annual consumption | 728 liters |
| Bottled water cost (@$1.50/L) | $1,092/year |
| Home carbonation cost | $218/year |
| Annual savings | $874 |
Break-even: ~5 weeks
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Let's look at the full picture including machine, bottles, and CO2:
| Buying Bottles | SodaStream Terra | |
|---|---|---|
| Machine | $0 | $90 |
| Bottles (replacement) | $0 | $30 |
| CO2 (5 years @ 7L/week) | $0 | $540 |
| Water/product (5 years) | $2,730 | $0 |
| Total 5-year cost | $2,730 | $660 |
| Savings | $2,070 over 5 years | |
When a Soda Maker Doesn't Save Money
Skip the soda maker if:
- You barely drink sparkling water — less than 1L/week means very slow break-even
- You only drink premium brands occasionally — treating yourself to Perrier once a week is cheaper than owning a machine
- You prefer flavored varieties — LaCroix/Bubly flavors are hard to replicate exactly
Hidden Savings
The per-liter math doesn't capture everything:
- No trips to the store — time saved not lugging heavy water bottles
- No storage space needed — bottles take up pantry/fridge space
- Never run out — as long as you have water and CO2, you're covered
- Fresher fizz — make it when you want it, not drink something bottled weeks ago
The Bottom Line
If you drink at least 3 liters of sparkling water per week, a soda maker pays for itself within 6 months and saves hundreds of dollars annually. At 7+ liters/week, you're looking at $400-800 in annual savings.
The math is unambiguous: home carbonation is dramatically cheaper than buying bottles.
Ready to Start Saving?
The SodaStream Terra is our top pick at $89. It pays for itself in 2-4 months for most households.
See also: Is a Soda Maker Worth It? · Best Soda Makers 2026