5 Best Soda Makers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
Make sparkling water and other fizzy drinks at home with one of these top-rated soda makers.
Jessica Harlan
It takes only a walk down the canned soda aisle to see the endless rows of name-brand soft drinks and ever-growing array of flavored seltzers in increasingly exotic flavors to know a truth about Americans: We are in love with fizzy drinks.
But for soda lovers who are trying to avoid sugar or artificial sweeteners, or environmental-minded folks trying to avoid the waste of single-use cans and bottles, home soda makers offer a convenient alternative to satisfy a thirst for the bubbly stuff. SodaStream is one of the leaders of the home soda maker category. The company is more than 120 years old, but it wasn’t until the early 2010s that its products started gaining momentum in the U.S. Today the company, which was acquired by PepsiCo in 2018, is still a leader in the category, with five different models currently on its website and several more available via other retailers. Plenty of other brands have jumped on the bubbly bandwagon, too, with their own models, offering a variety of styles, features, styles and prices to suit every need. We carbonated more than 30 liters of liquid (burp!) to determine the best options for every type of fizzy-water fanatic.
Our Top Picks for Best Soda Makers
How We Tested
To put each soda maker to the test, we wanted to see how easy each was to set up and operate, what special features or functions it had, whether the level of fizziness could be controlled, and how long the carbonated water retained its fizz both in a glass and in the bottle. Beginning with brands and models selected from poring over user reviews from products readily available on Amazon, Target and other online retailers, we ordered 12 of the best-rated soda makers currently available.
Jessica Harlan
Setup and Operation: We began by unboxing the soda makers and setting them up with their CO2 cylinders, evaluating how easy it was to install these and whether the instruction manuals or videos were helpful. We tested the various functions of the soda makers to see how easy it was to insert the bottles into the machines and perform the carbonation.
Carbonation Test: Did you know that carbonated water is heavier than still water? We carbonated bottles of water and weighed the bottles before and after carbonation to measure the effectiveness of the carbonation process.
Jessica Harlan
Taste Test: Of course, the taste of sparkling water is one of the most important measures of a high-quality soda maker. We sipped each glass of carbonated water to check for mouthfeel and flavor, evaluating if the fizz was pleasant and uniform. If the soda makers were designed to carbonate other beverages, we tested white wine and apple juice to see the effect of carbonation on their flavor. We also tried out any flavorings that came packaged with the soda makers.
Jessica Harlan
Fizz Retention: We left a glass of carbonated water out on the counter and tasted it after 30 minutes, an hour, and two hours, to see how long the carbonation lasted. We also carbonated a bottle of water, stored it in the refrigerator, and weighed it every 24 hours for three days to see how airtight the seal was.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Finally, we evaluated if the bottles were easy to hand wash, whether they were dishwasher-safe, and whether the actual machines were easy to wipe clean. We considered whether the models required any additional periodic maintenance.
- Super easy-to-insert CO2 cylinder and bottle
- Great-looking design
- Small footprint
- Only compatible with SodaStream brand CO2 cylinders
Good-looking and easy and intuitive to use right out of the box, the SodaStream Art is our favorite choice for a soda maker that we wouldn’t mind looking at on our countertop every day, and of the five SodaStream models we tried, we found this one was our favorite to use. We loved how quick and easy it was to install the CO2 cartridge, which is a threadless design that easily locks into place without twisting. The bottles too, don’t require fussy screwing onto a threaded holder. A user-friendly manual with QR codes that link to setup videos made it easy to master this model within minutes, and it came with a recipe for a yummy-sounding mocktail right in the manual.
A lever pull releases the CO2 into the water. Pull it three to five times depending on how much carbonation you want. We found that pumping it three times was the perfect amount for fizzy, active water. This was one of the few machines where the carbonation seemed to last in a poured glass of water, with noticeable fizziness even after an hour. Carbonated water stored in the provided bottle also lasted, with fizz remaining even after three days in the refrigerator.
With four color choices in the Art Deco design (black, white, red and light blue) and an easy-to-operate design that even someone with mobility issues can handle, there’s little to fault with this model. Just know that you’ll be locked into using SodaStream’s CO2 quick-connect cylinders, rather than the threaded design that is more universally available.
- Material Plastic
- Dimensions 9 5/8 x 5 5/8 x 16 3/4 inches
- Weight 3 lbs. 12 oz.
- Operation Lever
- Liquid Type Water only
- Electricity Required? No
- Dishwasher-Safe Bottle? Yes
- Sturdy metal construction
- Thoughtful extras like replacement gasket and cleaning cloth
- Simple operation
- Bottle is hand-wash only
Design junkies rave about this sleek, gorgeous soda maker, which comes in eight finishes, including glossy metallics and matte colors. While most soda makers are made of plastic, this one is solid, durable stainless steel, and it feels like it’ll stand the test of time. The bottle, too, has a metal cuff along its base and a metal lid. It comes with a few nice extras, including a removable grate for the drip tray, a cleaning cloth and, tucked into a compartment in the base where it’s unlikely to get lost, a replacement gasket. (It’s the only model we evaluated that included a replacement gasket).
The model is just as easy and enjoyable to operate as it is to look at. It uses a standard threaded CO2 cartridge, compatible with any brand. The bottle screws into place (which might be difficult for those with mobility issues), and a pull of the lever releases the CO2 into the water. A buzzing sound will indicate when to release, and the lever can be pushed up to three times to increase the carbonation. We found that it did take three pushes for the optimal carbonation, producing a glass of fizzy water with very fine, champagne-like bubbles. In the glass, the bubbly water was still fizzy after 30 minutes but nearly completely flat after an hour, but the included bottle preserved the carbonation well, and it tasted just as good after 72 hours as it did when first carbonated.
It's worth noting that the bottle is hand-wash only and holds slightly less (28 ounces) than the SodaStream bottles, which hold about 29 ounces of water
- Material Stainless steel
- Dimensions 10 1/8 x 6 x 16 3/8 inches
- Weight 3 lbs. 13 oz.
- Operation Lever
- Liquid Type Water only
- Electricity Required? No
- Dishwasher-Safe Bottle? No
- Lots of nice extras, including funnel, strainer and brush
- Can carbonate juice, wine and other liquids
- Intuitive design
- Instruction videos require an app installation
Count on Breville to design a soda maker with a host of thoughtful touches for which this Australian brand has become known. Right out of the box, we were impressed with all the extras that were included: a funnel that sits perfectly in the mouth of a bottle for mess-free pouring, a strainer to remove pulp from juices and a bottle brush that’s just the right size to squeeze into the bottle (and concealed cleverly within the handle of the brush is a loop-shaped brush for scrubbing the crevices of the infuser cap.
Like the OmniFizz, this model has a removable, washable component (the FusionCap) that screws onto the bottle, protecting the workings inside the main body of the machine from clogs from sticky liquids. It’s this design that allows this machine to carbonate plenty more besides just water, including juice, alcoholic beverages and flat soda. The FusionCap has a release valve that can be manually toggled to slowly release the gas pressure to prevent the liquids from foaming over. However, it advises against carbonating any milk-based beverages (Unlike the OmniFizz, which even includes recipes for creamy coffee drinks).
In our tests, four pumps of the lever produced perfectly effervescent water with lively carbonation that lasted for nearly an hour. The water was not quite as intensely carbonated as some of the other machines, and additional pumps didn’t really make it any more bubbly. For someone who prefers a medium carbonation level, similar to a can of seltzer, this would not be an issue. It worked well on apple juice and white wine as well, yielding beverages with fine effervescence. Users should note that the bottle cannot be filled as much for juices and other liquids, or it will leak — an outcome we experienced before we read the instructions more thoroughly!
We liked the loop that makes it easy to pull the locking mechanism into position to install the bottle, the way the compartment for the CO2 cylinder leaves just enough of the bottom of the cylinder exposed to get a comfortable grip for screwing it into place, and the lever that is comfortable to operate. Another design win is that the decorative metal base of the bottle screws off for cleaning. Available in five finishes and designed with a sleek, modern aesthetic, the InFizz is a beautiful and functional machine that will look great on a countertop or bar.
Our main complaint: The manual was hard to navigate because it was mostly diagrams, and instruction videos were only available by downloading an app.
- Material Stainless steel
- Dimensions 10 1/2 x 6 1/4 x 17 inches
- Weight 3 lbs. 10 oz.
- Operation Lever
- Liquid Type Water, juice, alcoholic beverages, flat soda
- Electricity Required? No
- Dishwasher-Safe Bottle? No
- Starter kit comes with one glass and one plastic bottle
- Easy to connect CO2 and bottle
- Easy operation
- Only compatible with specific CO2 cylinders and bottles
This sleek, upscale-looking model takes a lot of the guesswork out of soda making. Powered by electricity, it has a three-button control panel that will automatically carbonate the bottle of water to three different levels of carbonation — no more guessing at how many pumps to make your preferred soda level or the potential for overflowing bottles. The starter kit comes with a plastic bottle as well as an elegant glass bottle — great for someone trying to avoid using plastic. Inserting the CO2 cylinder and the bottles is easy: The CO2 cylinder is SodaStream’s quick-release design, so it easily clicks in place without twisting. The bottle, meanwhile, fits into a brushed-stainless flask and is locked into a chamber for the carbonation. An easy-to-operate lever locks it in place.
The design seems to take elements from the SodaStream Source and Aqua Fizz, both of which we also tested. The Source is not electric but has buttons for three carbonation levels. The Aqua Fizz also has glass bottles and the flask design.
- Material Plastic and brushed stainless
- Dimensions 11 x 6 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches
- Weight 6 lbs. 7 oz.
- Operation Button
- Liquid Type Water only
- Electricity Required? Yes
- Dishwasher-Safe Bottle? Yes
- Customization with the push of a button
- Makes single drinks to order
- Reservoir design
- Bulky
Ninja tends to put its own cool spin on products, and we love the way they’ve reinvented the soda maker category. Their model, while still using CO2 cylinder technology, feels almost like a home version of a restaurant soda dispenser.
Instead of using bottles, this model uses a large water reservoir (holding nearly twice as much water as most bottles), which conveniently can be filled with ice and water if you don’t have chilled water ready in the fridge. An indicator on the bottom turns blue if it’s chilled enough to be carbonated effectively. The downside is that it does not have a leak-proof lid, so if stored in the refrigerator, it must be upright.
With a panel of buttons and indicator lights, you can program fizz strength, flavor strength and choice (two different flavor drop bottles can be inserted into the machine and can be combined or dispensed separately) and cup size. The kids in our testing household loved playing with the different flavor combinations — most of the product bundles come with an assortment to start with, and Ninja makes around 25 different unsweetened flavors, including functional versions that contain electrolytes, vitamins or caffeine. The machine works by combining the CO2 and the flavors in a reservoir before dispensing it into a glass.
Because of this process, it does take a little longer than a more traditionally designed soda maker. We counted 40 seconds for a six-ounce drink (as opposed to 20-some seconds for most bottles). A drink made with fizz level 2 was lightly fizzy with small, active bubbles, while a drink made with fizz level 3 was much more explosive. Both fizz levels went flat within an hour of sitting out. The flavors were fun to play around with. We found the regular “Splash” flavor drops to be the most pleasant and very similar to flavored seltzers, while the “Hydrate” and “Vitamin” flavors were sweet with a slightly artificial aftertaste.
If you have room on your counter for this bulky appliance, it’s likely to get lots of use for those who love flavored fizzy drinks.
- Material Plastic
- Dimensions 14 x 9 1/4 x 16 inches
- Weight 8 lbs. 5 oz.
- Operation Button
- Liquid Type Water
- Electricity Required? Yes
- Dishwasher-Safe Bottle? Yes
Our Honest Review of the Ninja Thirsti Soda Maker
Ninja's new soda maker is easy to use and ideal for anyone looking for low-sugar carbonated drinks.
What to Consider When Buying a Soda Maker
Size: Most drink makers are tall but have a small footprint, so they won’t take up too much space on a counter or bar. If you need it to fit under an upper cabinet, make sure the soda maker is 17 inches tall or shorter, or it may not fit. Because they are usually pretty tall, they likely won’t fit in a cabinet, so consider where you’ll store your soda maker before purchasing it.
Price: The soda makers we tested ranged in price from around $50 to over $250. While even the lower-priced models performed well in our tests, more money will get you a more attractive design, a more durable construction and, in some cases, additional features or accessories. If your soda maker does not include a CO2 cylinder, factor the cost of buying one into your budget. Most are around $30 but can be refilled for around half of that price.
Functions: Most of the soda makers we tested had a single function: to carbonate plain water. Some models, however, can carbonate other liquids, including juices, wines or even flat sodas. Consider if you want the ability to do this, or if you’ll be satisfied with adding flavorings to your water after it’s been carbonated.
Availability of Components: For soda makers that use CO2, the standard cylinder has a threaded design that is compatible with the many models that use this type of connection. SodaStream recently introduced its quick-connect design, which is easier to lock into the machine but is proprietary to SodaStream and isn’t as readily available at retailers. Most soda makers can only use their brand of bottles, although some of the SodaStream bottle designs can be used with multiple models of SodaStream soda makers. One of the products we tested, the Sparkel Sparkling Beverage System, didn’t use CO2 cylinders but sachets of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. Being able to get extra bottles or replacement cartridges conveniently is a consideration.
Jessica Harlan
Frequently Asked Questions
How do soda makers work?
Most soda makers work by forcing carbon dioxide gas into a bottle of water. A pressurized canister holds the CO2 and when a button is pressed or a lever is pulled, the CO2 is released into the sealed bottle, where it combines with the water to create carbonation.
What kind of water should be used in a soda maker?
Some manufacturers recommend using filtered water in a soda maker for the best flavor. What’s most important, though, is that the water is very cold. Keeping filled bottles in the refrigerator will ensure that you can make sparkling water at a moment’s notice.
How long should CO2 cylinders last?
Soda makers typically estimate that a CO2 cylinder will make about 60 liters of soda, or a little more than 60 bottles. How long your CO2 cylinder lasts will also depend on how many times you pump the carbonation. We recommend getting an extra cylinder so you never run out.
What should I do with empty CO2 cylinders?
CO2 cylinders are reusable and can be exchanged at participating stores for filled cylinders, which adds to the eco-friendly reputation of home soda makers. CO2 cylinders, whether they’re empty or partially filled, should never be thrown away in household trash, as they are considered hazardous waste.
Can I re-carbonate beverages with a soda maker?
Soda makers that can only carbonate water cannot be used to re-carbonate beverages and even plain carbonated water should not be recarbonated in a regular soda maker. Soda makers that are designed to carbonate a variety of liquids, can be used to re-carbonate beer, wine, soda and other fizzy drinks that have gone flat. If you’re not sure, check the instruction manual.
Are soda makers environmentally friendly?
Compared to buying bottled or canned sodas, home soda makers are very environmentally friendly. The bottles are reusable many times (But note that they do have expiration dates, usually printed on the base, after which they should be recycled). Using a home soda maker not only reduces your single-use packaging waste but also reduces your carbon footprint because you’re not purchasing heavy cases or bottles of sodas that require energy and resources to be transported to your supermarket. The CO2 cylinders are also refillable. SodaStream claims that by using a soda maker, a family can reduce its use of as many as 3,000 single-use bottles each year.
How do I clean and maintain a soda maker?
Most home soda makers are very easy to maintain. Some soda maker bottles are dishwasher safe, while others should be hand-washed with warm water, soap and a bottle brush. If you’re just using water, a rinse should be enough to keep it clean, with occasional washing with soap. The soda maker itself can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Soda makers that carbonate a variety of liquids are a little more involved to maintain because the carbonation cap needs to be cleaned and sometimes the instruction manual suggests the entire unit needs to be flushed with clean water or vinegar.
Other Soda Makers We Tested
Some of the other products we tested fell just short of our picks but would still be good options. We liked the glass bottles of the SodaStream Aqua Fizz, but didn’t like the fussy flask design or the fact that water went flat within an hour. The SodaStream Source had a cool feature that displayed the carbonation level. Initially, it yielded some of the fizziest water, but it went flat within 30 minutes. The MySoda Woody, which is made of a wood composite, had a cool sustainability story and is only around $80, but it didn’t perform as well as our pick for the Best Budget soda maker.
While we were excited to try the Sparkel Sparkling Beverage System, which uses sachets of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid to create carbonation, and can carbonate anything, even creamy beverages or bottles of liquid with chunks of fruit or herbs, in our tests it fell flat. Initially, it didn’t work at all, and the bottle of sparkling water had an odd chemical taste and a slimy texture after three days in the fridge. What’s more, the sachets seemed wasteful and not as convenient to replenish as CO2 cylinders.
Why You Should Trust Our Tester
A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Jessica Harlan has been a cooking equipment reviewer and recipe developer for more than 20 years. She's tested everything from peelers to the viral Ninja Creami ice cream makers. She has written nine cookbooks.
Why You Should Trust Food Network Shopping Experts
Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real-world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.
