The Very Best, Bubbliest Soda Makers According to Our Rigorous, Fizzy Tests

Sparkling water has been around for hundreds of years (like, since the 1700s). Now, while we couldn’t find out exactly when canned bubbly water became a thing, it’s since proliferated. A look at your local grocery store’s shelves will show you dozens of flavors and brands. 

It’s no surprise then that the soda maker market is also booming (it brought in $320 billion in 2023 alone). Their appeal makes sense: You can have unlimited bubbly at the touch of a button or press of a lever, and they’re more environmentally friendly than buying cans of the store-bought stuff.

We first tested soda makers seven years ago, with our top picks yielding the best sparkling water that maintained its carbonation. For this review, we retested the most popular soda makers available, following the same protocols from our original testing to keep our evaluation consistent. 

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Soda Maker

SodaStream Art Sparkling Water Maker

$150 at Target View on Sodastream.com View on Hsn.com

The SodaStream Art made some of the bubbliest water and was easy to use. It features a lever that injects CO2 and a flip-out, cage-style canister loading system.

The Best Soda Maker with Glass Bottles

SodaStream AquaFizz Sparkling Water Maker

$120 $80 at Amazon $160 at Williams Sonoma $12 at Walmart

As the only machine featuring glass bottles, the SodaStream Aqua Fizz delivered the same level of carbonation as our winner. We found its bottle insertion to be the most foolproof, too (it’s encased in the machine during carbonation).

The Best Soda Maker That Carbonates Anything

Breville InFizz Fusion Sparkling Beverage Carbonator

$250 at Williams Sonoma View on Breville.com

We recently tested Breville’s new soda maker and were impressed. It didn’t lose a single gram of carbonation overnight and can fizz up anything. In addition to our other tests, we made carbonated lemonade, tea, and palomas with this model. Its brushed stainless steel body hid smudges and looked sharp, too.

Another Great All-Purpose Soda Maker

Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker

$115 $100 at Amazon $14 at Walmart $130 $120 at Target

The Drinkmate uses a unique system where the pressurizer nozzle is attached to a screw-on lid (this is a similar setup to the Breville). It can also carbonate virtually any drink and delivers big, fizzy bubbles every time.

The Best Soda Maker for Flavored Water

Ninja Thirsti Drink System

$180 $80 at Amazon $150 $130 at Target $130 at Ninjakitchen.com

With multiple bubble and flavoring levels, if you're into flavored water, this is a good option. The machine holds two proprietary water drop cartridges at a time and you can even combine flavors (like coconut and mango).

The Tests

• Carbonation Test: To measure how much CO2 was injected, we filled each bottle with 800 grams of chilled water and weighed it. Then, we injected CO2 using 10 quarter-second pumps/bursts. We re-weighed the bottle and placed it in the fridge. After 24 hours, we weighed the bottle again to determine how much CO2 was lost.
• Water Taste Test: We once again injected 800 grams of fresh, cold water with 10 quarter-second bursts of CO2. We tasted the soda water, noting the flavor of the water, the size of the bubbles, and the perceived fizziness.
• Egg Cream Test: We prepared a classic egg cream to evaluate how intense the carbonation was from each soda maker. Egg creams require a bubbly seltzer since their dilution and stirring reduce bubble strength.
• Usability and Cleanup Tests: Throughout testing, we noted how easy it was to affix and remove the soda maker’s body, what CO2 canister insertion was like, and whether the carbonation mechanism was simple to use. We also cleaned each soda maker’s bottle multiple times.

What We Learned

Are Soda Makers More Environmentally Friendly?

Simply put, yes: Soda makers are more eco-conscious than single-use plastic bottles or cans. The CO2 inside the cartridges is a byproduct of already-occurring industrial processes, so more carbon dioxide isn’t being created for them. Plus, many companies (and stores) offer cartridge exchange programs so you can swap your cartridge for a fraction of the cost of buying an outright new one. For example, exchanging a canister at Target costs 40% less.

But, wait? Aren’t you emitting CO2 into the atmosphere with a soda maker still? Yes, but not much. “Fizzy drinks do result in carbon emissions, but in relative terms, it’s quite a small amount: One analysis found that the total carbon footprint of a can of Coke was about 0.4 pounds of CO2—and the biggest chunk of that came from the packaging, which you’re avoiding with your seltzer maker,” explains Grist.org. In other words: don’t worry about it. 

Carbonation Differences Between the Soda Makers

The best soda makers were able to dissolve at least six to seven grams of CO2 into each bottle and didn’t lose any after 24 hours. Lower-performing models only delivered four grams and the water became flat fast. While that sounds like a small difference, 30% less fizziness is substantial. 

Also important for carbonation was the injection tube itself. The SodaStream Art had a thinner tube that created finer bubbles, while the Drinkmate’s thicker one generated large bubbles. However, the right bubble size is a matter of personal preference.

Push Carbonation Limits for Better Results

Every machine had better bubbles when we continued to carbonate water after the pressure release noise started. The SodaStream Fizzi One Touch was the only automated machine in the lineup. While it delivered good carbonation at its highest setting, without a manual activation button it was impossible to push the boundaries of fizziness. While supercharging each bottle didn’t always add extra CO2 by weight, it helped produce noticeably and preferably fizzier water.

Design Elements We Considered

Many of the soda makers were constructed from thin, cheap-feeling plastic. Only the SodaStream Art and Drinkmate were made from thicker, matte-finish plastic, while the Breville and Aarke had stainless steel bodies. These were the only models we actually wanted to leave out on the counter.

The carbonation mechanisms themselves were different, though all straightforward whether they were a push button or lever. Inserting the CO2 canisters, too, was easy with every model. Typically, this involved flipping the machine on its side, inserting the canister into the neck of the soda maker, and twisting it into place. The SodaSteam Art and Terra were the exception: You could insert it while keeping the soda maker’s base planted on the countertop via a flip-out cage that locked the canister in without twisting. 

Versatility Was a Bonus

While all of our winning soda makers could carbonate water, a few stood out in their ability to add a bit of fizz to other liquids. The Breville InFizz and Drinkmate can turn cocktails into sparkling cocktails and even add bubbles to juice—you could start your day with a cold glass of fizzy OJ if you wanted to. We loved this versatility since it made unitaskers into machines that we could have fun and experiment with.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Soda Maker

A great soda maker should be easy to set up with a bottle that firmly twists/locks into place. It should produce high levels of carbonation and maintain that bubbliness for 24 hours (at least). If looks are of concern, choose a soda maker with a high-quality, thick, matte plastic or stainless steel construction. It was a bonus if it could carbonate more than just water.

Our Favorite Soda Makers

The Best Soda Maker

SodaStream Art Sparkling Water Maker

$150 at Target View on Sodastream.com View on Hsn.com

What we liked: With a squared-off face, silver accents, and a lever as its actuator, the Art is sleek. It dissolved a plentiful six grams of CO2 into water time and time again and kept its full carbonation after 24 hours. We liked the finer texture bubbles the Art produced, with smaller bubbles that fizzed softer and longer. The Art featured a flip-out, cage-style CO2 loading system, which was easy to use. 

What we didn’t like: It was hard to tell when the machine had fully carbonated water (this is true for many soda makers, though). 

Key Specs

• CO2 lost after 24 hours: None
• Height: 17 inches
• Materials: Plastic
• Stated capacity: 840 milliliters
• Comes with: 1 bottle and 1 CO2 cartridge

The Best Soda Maker with Glass Bottles

SodaStream AquaFizz Sparkling Water Maker

$120 $80 at Amazon $160 at Williams Sonoma $12 at Walmart

What we liked: A durable, glass bottle adds a nice touch to seltzer, and the Aqua Fizz comes with two. It performed great in our tests, delivering a lot of carbonation that was easy to manipulate into an egg cream’s milk foam. It produced medium-sized bubbles, which gave more of a sharp burst on the tongue without being too foamy. It also featured a cradle bottle loading system, ensuring the bottle was always securely inserted.

What we didn’t like: At 18 inches, this machine is tall, and when you open up the insertion mechanism, it gets even taller. If you’re planning on putting it under a cabinet, measure the space first. 

Key Specs

• CO2 lost after 24 hours: None
• Height: 18 inches
• Materials: Glass, plastic
• Stated capacity: 650 milliliters
• Comes with: 2 glass carafes and 1 CO2 cartridge
  

The Best Soda Maker That Carbonates Anything

Breville InFizz Fusion Sparkling Beverage Carbonator

$250 at Williams Sonoma View on Breville.com

What we liked: Breville’s new soda maker can carbonate water, fruit juice, cocktails, flat soda…you name it. We recently tested it and even tried it with pulpy palomas, which it did exceedingly well with. It features a pressure release switch, preventing unwanted bubble overs upon opening (as non-water liquids don’t absorb CO2 as readily). It lost no carbonation after 24 hours and produced small, sweet bubbles that fizzed on the tip of our tongues. It comes with a helpful cleaning brush that includes a smaller scrub brush housed in its end for washing the bottle and cap. Its brushed stainless steel body hid smudges and looked sharp, too.

What we didn’t like: The cap was occasionally finicky to seat on the neck of the soda maker. If you’re going to carbonate anything besides water, we recommend buying the smaller bottles, too, as the larger one it comes with requires a lot of liquid just to reach the minimum fill line.

Key Specs

• CO2 lost after 24 hours: None
• Height: 17 inches
• Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
• Stated capacity: 1,000 milliliters
• Comes with: A bottle, cleaning brush, and funnel

Another Great All-Purpose Soda Maker

Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker

$115 $100 at Amazon $14 at Walmart $130 $120 at Target

What we liked: Like the Breville, the DrinkMate can carbonate other beverages, whereas other machines would immediately erupt or even explode. Its bubbles were big and bold, too. While it might be an extra step to screw on the DrinkMate’s infusion cap, the cap itself slides easily into the machine.

What we didn’t like: After carbonating, you must let the bottle sit for at least 10 seconds before depressurizing to let the carbonation fully dissolve and prevent bubble overs (something the Breville works around by including a pressure release switch).

Key Specs

• CO2 lost after 24 hours: None
• Height: 16 inches
• Materials: Plastic
• Bottle capacity: 850 milliliters
• Comes with: A bottle and 1 CO2 cartridge

The Best Soda Maker for Flavored Water

Ninja Thirsti Drink System

$180 $80 at Amazon $150 $130 at Target $130 at Ninjakitchen.com

What we liked: With four bubble settings (still, light, classic, and max) and two flavor options (classic or bold), this soda maker is highly customizable. The proprietary flavor drops are delightful and the soda maker holds two at a time, allowing you to mix and match flavors—like raspberry and lemonade or peach mango and strawberry kiwi. Instead of a bottle, the water dispenses into any cup or glass.

What we didn't like: You have to buy the flavor drops separately. If you're not into flavored water, you're better off just buying a standard soda maker.

Key Specs

• CO2 lost after 24 hours: N/A
• Height: 16 inches
• Bottle capacity: N/A
• Comes with: A CO2 cartridge and 8 flavor drops

The Competition

• SodaStream Fizzi One Touch Sparkling Water Maker: The Fizzi One Touch was almost a winner. It comes with three pre-set buttons to eliminate all carbonation guesswork. However, this made it tough to add more carbonation—and we preferred more customization. 
• SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker: The Terra performed well and was easy to set up, but it didn’t carbonate as densely as our winners, topping out at just four grams of CO2 dissolved into each bottle. 
• SodaStream Jet Sparkling Water Maker: Despite multiple tests the Jet just landed flat. Literally, producing the least amount of carbonation.
• iSi Mesh Sodamaker: The Mesh Sodamaker is a beautiful, vintage-inspired piece (and it was a previous favorite from our 2017 testing), but it’s hard to recommend a handheld soda siphon these days. It takes up a lot of room in the fridge, has a fussy screw-on handle for triggering CO2 cartridges, and only performed adequately in our tests. 
• AARKE Premium Carbonator: This model had one of the best designs of the bunch; it looks suitable for a professional bar or coffee shop. However, the water it made wasn’t bubbly and became completely flat after only a few hours. 
• iSi Stainless Steel Soda Siphon: The seltzer-dispensing trigger on this model was difficult to control, often spraying soda at very high pressure and splashing it out of the glass.

FAQs

Is a soda maker worth it?

If you enjoy seltzer, then a soda maker is worth it. Plus, if you find yourself frequently buying cans or bottles of seltzer, a soda maker is more eco-friendly.

What's better than a SodaStream?

After extensive testing, we found the SodaStream to be the best overall soda maker. However, if you want to carbonate anything other than water (like pulp-free liquids such as fruit juice or cocktails), we recommend soda makers from Breville or Drinkmate.

How long do SodaStream cylinders last?

This depends entirely on how much you use your soda maker. However, this SodaStream help page says the carbonating cylinder should last anywhere from four to eight weeks.

What should I do with empty CO2 canisters?

Some companies (like SodaStream) will let you return empty canisters for money. Other retailers, like Target, have a canister exchange program, which lets you bring in your old canister and get a new one for a very discounted rate.

Do all soda makers use CO2?

Most soda makers use CO2 cartridges to give your liquid its fizz, however, a few options out there use tablets to attain soda's signature bubbles. It's important that you read the manufacturer's instructions so you know what your machine takes, and it's equally important that you don't sub in other kinds of gases. This could create unpleasant—and potentially dangerous—results.

How do I clean and maintain my soda maker?

To clean a soda maker’s bottle, give it a scrub with warm water and dish soap. A narrow bottle brush will help you clean the interior of the bottle. The soda maker’s body can just be wiped clean with a cloth.

Why We’re the Experts

• For this review, we tested 11 soda makers. We even evaluated fizziness after 24 hours, to make sure the carbonation held up over time.
• Jesse Raub was the commerce writer for Serious Eats. He previously worked for 15 years in the specialty coffee industry. 
• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the senior commerce editor of Serious Eats. She’s been with the site since 2021 and previously worked for America’s Test Kitchen, Food52, and EatingWell. She tested Breville’s new soda maker for this review.
• Sohla El-Waylly has worked for some of New York City's best restaurants and is a cookbook author, social media star, video personality, and recipe developer for NYT Cooking. She tested and wrote the 2017 review.