Table of Contents
The best for making more than just sparkling water
Ninja Thirsti Beverage System
There are many reasons to kick that soda habit, but if cost is your biggest concern, then investing in a home soda maker is the way to go. From your favorite brand of cola to your own homemade soda, a soda maker can create the best carbonated beverages right on your kitchen counter. You won’t have to go grocery shopping the next time you’re craving a fizzy drink, because we’ve found the best soda maker.
So, one simple but effective way to add a little zhuzh to your water is to buy a soda maker. And we’re always looking for ways to save money at the grocery store these days, whether that means switching to grocery delivery services, meal kits, or store-brand products. That makes this at-home tool—which can carbonate most beverages without taking up too much counter space—a great long-term investment. And it’s fun to use, too.
To find the best soda maker, I reviewed a total of eight soda makers, including three SodaStream models, Ninja’s new, sleek Thirsti machine for home use, and Aarke’s eye-catching stainless steel carbonator.
Based on my testing, these are the four best soda machines to buy in 2024.
What is the best soda machine?
After extensive testing (and one stubborn case of hiccups), we’ve named the SodaStream Terra as the best soda maker for 2024. In our testing, we found that it makes consistently sparkling water with its simple hand pump, is less expensive to buy, and also offers a trade-in program that makes carbonation cartridges cheaper.
While there are fancier options, the SodaStream Terra is probably the best soda maker for most people.
Best Soda Machines to Buy in 2024
The Terra is SodaStream’s entry-level model, but it works well and tops our list as the best soda maker for most people. The Terra made consistently sparkling water with simple manual pumps. It’s very easy to use and doesn’t take up much counter space.
The Terra model has a recent improvement over SodaStream’s previous models, namely that you can clip the carbon dioxide canister into the back instead of having to fill it from the bottom. This saves you a step every time you change canisters. Speaking of canisters, SodaStream has a simple exchange program where you can return empty cartridges and exchange them for full ones for about half the price ($17).
If I have one complaint about this and several other SodaStreams, it’s that the plastic construction is a bit flimsy. That said, the Terra is the lowest priced of all the models on this list. The basic package costs $100 and includes one carbon dioxide cartridge and one plastic carafe. A comprehensive bundle includes five plastic bottles (two small and three regular sizes), one carbon dioxide cartridge, and a bottle of Pepsi concentrate to flavor your water for $120. Read my full review of the SodaStream Terra.
If you want more than just sparkling water, Ninja’s souped-up Thirsti beverage system is the way to go. At $180 base price, it’s more expensive than a standard SodaStream, but that’s because it can do so much more. Right now, it’s on sale for $150.
The Thirsti is the only electronic beverage maker on this list. It carbonates your water with the best of them, but also has the option to electronically add flavors, caffeine, vitamins, and other enhancements in 6, 12, 18, or 24 ounce servings.
Choose from over 20 water droplets to pop into the front of the drink maker — up to two at a time — and Thirsti will spit out fruity spirits, lemonade, and flavored sparkling water in about 3 seconds. The drinks are all zero-calorie, and some are sweetened with sucralose. If you don’t like the taste of that sugar substitute, you’re better off sticking with the “Splash” pods, which contain only essence.
The basic Thirsti package comes with the machine, a carbon dioxide canister, and eight water drops to add some flair to your hydration routine. Read our Ninja Thirsti review.
If design and aesthetics are important to you, the Aarke is clearly the best-looking soda maker on the market. It’s made of metal, while most others are made of cheaper plastics. It also has a vintage malt shop look and is slim, so you can slide it onto your countertop without taking up much space. The Aarke III works well, although it does release carbon dioxide a little less consistently than a SodaStream.
This is also the most expensive soda maker on our list at around $200, and that price doesn’t include a carbon dioxide canister. The good news is that you can use SodaStream and Soda Sensei canisters with the Aarke, and take advantage of their robust canister swap programs. Read my full review of the Aarke here.
If you want to transport yourself to an Italian piazza, a bottle of sparkling water in a fancy glass bottle can do the trick. SodaStream’s Aqua Fizz has all the features of the other models, but with a more elevated design. The carafe that comes with the $160 starter kit is glass, and the base that holds it in place during use is metal. It’s also quieter than other models, since the bottles are fully encased as they fill with gas.
I don’t think this model is as good looking as the Aarke, but it is a more affordable premium model and the glass carafes, while smaller than the plastic versions, are nice to have on the table during dinner parties.
When testing to find the best soda makers, it mostly came down to overall performance, ease of use, and overall value. I made at least 10 full bottles of sparkling water with each, and noted how competently and consistently each machine performed its primary task: adding carbon dioxide to the water. I also carbonated other liquids, including fruit juice and wine, and found that there was no difference in performance based on the type of liquid being carbonated. If a machine carbonated water well, it carbonated all liquids.
Some machines required more muscle power and pumping of the handle to get carbon dioxide into the bottles. Of the manual machines, the SodaStream models were the most consistent. With five unique settings, the Spärkel electric seltzer maker makes the most precise soda water.
The stylish Aarke III carbonator is available in five versions and has the look and feel of a vintage malt house.
I also paid attention to the sturdiness and construction of each soda maker. Aarke III is by far the most stylish soda maker and is solidly built from stainless steel, with five finishes to choose from. While it looks nice, it is also by far the most expensive model, coming in at almost $200, making it not the best model for most people.
DrinkMate OmniFizz: This $120 sparkling water maker did a great job carbonating water, wine, and juice. I don’t have much negative to say about the machine, other than the hinge at the top that connects the bottle to the machine seems like it could come loose or break over time.
SodaStream Fizzi One Touch: This is the SodaStream electronic sparkling water maker and costs $124. It works well and has three presets to get the carbonation level you want. This is another model that I don’t have any major issues with, but I just don’t think it’s worth the extra $54 over its manual counterpart, the Terra.
To shine: This unique carbonating system uses powder packets instead of carbonating cans to add fizz to water. It works well, but the machine base is bulkier than most and isn’t quite worth the $150 price tag.
Soda Sensei [Out of Stock]: This model looks nice, but it took a little more effort than the SodaStream Terra to make consistently sparkling water.
How much cheaper is it to make your own sparkling water?
Are soda makers better for the environment?
