My Honest SodaStream Review: Is This Sparkling Water Maker Really Worth It?

Hey there, fizzy water fans! Jess here, your resident sodaholic turned sparkling water enthusiast. If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the best way to get your bubble fix at home. So of course, I had to get my hands on a SodaStream to see what all the fuss was about.

I‘ve been using my SodaStream Jet for over a year now, and let me tell you, it‘s been a real game changer for my hydration habits (and my wallet). But is SodaStream truly worth the hype? I‘m diving deep into the pros, cons, and everything in between in this ultimate SodaStream review. Let‘s get this sparkling water party started!

What is SodaStream Anyway?

First things first, let‘s talk about what SodaStream actually is. In short, it‘s a countertop appliance that allows you to turn plain old tap water into sparkling water or flavored soda in a matter of seconds. It works by injecting carbon dioxide from a pressurized canister into your water, creating that satisfying fizz we all know and love.

The SodaStream company has a pretty fascinating history that dates back to 1903. They‘ve long been a popular choice in Europe, but they really made a splash (pun intended) in the US market when they were acquired by beverage behemoth PepsiCo in 2018.

How Does SodaStream Work?

Using a SodaStream couldn‘t be simpler. Here‘s the basic step-by-step:

1. Fill up the reusable carbonating bottle with cold water
2. Attach the filled bottle to your SodaStream machine and give it a firm push to lock it into place
3. Press the carbonating button until you hear a buzz, which means your water is perfectly sparkly
4. Add your favorite flavors or drink it plain

The carbon dioxide canisters can carbonate around 60 liters of water each and are super easy to replace when you run out. SodaStream offers a handy canister exchange program at most major retailers.

One important safety tip: only carbonate water in your SodaStream. The machine isn‘t designed to handle any other liquids, so stick to good old H2O, friends.

Why I Love My SodaStream

Let me count the ways! But really, there are three key benefits that make the SodaStream a total winner in my book:

1. It‘s way more eco-friendly than buying bottled drinks.

Did you know that the average American consumes 167 disposable water bottles each year, but only recycles 38 of them? Yikes. With a SodaStream, you can majorly cut down on that plastic or aluminum waste by making your fizzy drinks at home with a reusable bottle.

According to SodaStream, one of their carbonating bottles can replace up to 2,000 disposable bottles over a typical 4 year lifespan. If you ask me, that‘s a pretty significant way to reduce your environmental footprint.

2. It‘s a healthier alternative to sugary sodas.

I‘ll admit, I used to be a Diet Coke fiend. But I always knew deep down that guzzling all those artificial sweeteners and chemicals probably wasn‘t doing my body any favors. Enter the SodaStream.

Sure, you can use SodaStream to make flavored sodas, but I like to keep it simple by sipping on plain or naturally-flavored sparkling water instead (more on flavors later). It‘s a great way to stay hydrated without all the unnecessary sugar and additives you‘ll find in a typical can of pop.

Studies have found that people who switch from regular soda to sparkling water can significantly reduce their daily calorie intake. A 2015 study in the American Journal of Public Health estimated that replacing one sugary drink per day with water could cut up to 235 calories from the average American‘s diet.

3. It saves money in the long run.

While a SodaStream may feel like a splurge at first, I‘ve found that it really pays for itself over time if you‘re someone who regularly buys seltzer or soda. Let‘s break it down with some quick math:

• A 12-pack of La Croix sparkling water costs around $5.99, which shakes out to about 50 cents per can.

• In comparison, a 60L SodaStream C02 canister costs $29.99 and can make around 60 liters of sparkling water. That‘s roughly 169 cans worth, which comes to just under 18 cents per can.

• Even with the upfront cost of the machine (my Jet was $89.99), I make that investment back in savings after about 18 60L canisters or 3,042 cans worth of sparkling water.

So yeah, you could say my SodaStream and I are in it for the long haul, honey! Of course, this only adds up if you‘re actually using your machine frequently – more on that later.

SodaStream Models: Which One is Right for You?

These days, SodaStream offers several different sparkling water makers at a variety of price points. Here‘s the lowdown on their three most popular models:

SodaStream Jet ($89.99)

The Jet is SodaStream‘s entry-level model and the one I started with. It‘s a simple, no-frills machine but it still produces great sparkling water at the push of a button. This model uses the classic screw-in CO2 canister design.

Jess‘ take: The Jet is a solid, affordable pick for newbies. It is a little clunkier to use compared to SodaStream‘s more modern designs, but it gets the job done!

SodaStream One Touch ($129.99)

The One Touch allows you to select from three levels of carbonation with just the touch of a button. High carbonation? One press. Low fizz? Three presses. Easy peasy.

Jess‘ take: I recently upgraded to the One Touch, and I gotta say, the ability to customize my carbonation level is pretty nifty. It also looks a bit sleeker on my countertop than the Jet.

SodaStream Terra ($99.99)

The Terra is SodaStream‘s newest, most eco-friendly model yet. It‘s got a cool cordless design and is powered by quick-connect C02 canisters that are even easier to click into place than the original design. Plus, the Terra is made with BPA-free materials.

Jess‘ take: I haven‘t personally tried the Terra, but I‘m intrigued by the minimal design and easy canister system. Several of my seltzer-loving friends have raved about this one.

No matter which model you choose, all SodaStream machines come with a carbonating bottle, CO2 canister, and a starter pack of flavors to get you going.

SodaStream Flavors: The Best, The Worst & The Unexpected

Now for the really fun part – the flavors! While SodaStream is great for making plain sparkling water, the real magic happens when you start experimenting with their wide range of flavored drink mixes.

The Good

My personal favorite SodaStream flavors:

• Lemon Lime – It tastes just like Sprite or 7-up, but with way less sugar. Super refreshing over ice.
• Grapefruit – This one is slightly bitter and not too sweet, which is perfect for my taste buds.
• Diet Dr. Pete – An awesome dupe for Dr. Pepper without the corn syrup and calories.
• Bubly Drops – SodaStream has a line of unsweetened Bubly flavor drops in fun options like cherry, strawberry and mango. They‘re great for a naturally flavored fizzy treat.

An informal poll of my sparkling water-savvy friends found that Diet Cola, Orange Mango, and Diet Cranberry Raspberry were also very popular across the board.

The Not-So-Good

Of course, not every SodaStream syrup is a home run. A few flavors that weren‘t my fave:

• The Kombucha line – I found them to be way too sweet and artificial tasting compared to actual kombucha. Hard pass!
• Tonic – Maybe I‘m just not a tonic fan in general, but this syrup tasted like cleaning fluid to me. Yuck.
• Energy Drink Mix – There are so many tastier and healthier ways to boost your energy than this syrupy, neon green concoction.

The Unexpected

Half the fun of having a SodaStream is using it to concoct your own custom flavor combinations. A few surprisingly delicious mixes I‘ve discovered:

• Coconut + Pineapple for a tropical vibe
• Lime + Diet Cola for a DIY Cuba Libre
• Lemon + Ginger Ale + a splash of OJ for an electrolyte boost

I also love using my SodaStream to make a lighter, less sweet version of classic cocktails by skipping the sugary mixers and adding flavored sparkling water instead.

SodaStream Compared to Other Sparkling Water Makers

While SodaStream may be the most mainstream option, they‘re certainly not the only sparkling water maker on the scene these days. A few other notable brands I‘ve researched:

Drinkmate

The key difference between the Drinkmate and SodaStream is that the Drinkmate can directly carbonate any liquid, not just water. Yep, that means you can sparkle up things like juice, iced coffee, wine, and even flat beer.

Drinkmate offers one basic countertop model for $119, which makes it a pricier pick than entry-level SodaStream options.

Jess‘ take: I can see the Drinkmate being a good fit if you‘re really into experimenting and want even more beverage options beyond water and soda mix. But for the average fizzy water fan, the SodaStream is a bit more practical and affordable.

Aarke

You might know the Aarke for its super chic, minimalist design that looks straight out of an Architectural Digest feature. It‘s got a compact build and is available in luxe finishes like matte black and copper.

Functionally, the Aarke is very similar to SodaStream (although it is compatible with SodaStream‘s CO2 canisters which is handy). It retails for a splurge-worthy $249, making it the priciest of the bunch.

Jess‘ take: The Aarke is certainly a sexy appliance, but unless you‘re really into that modern aesthetic, I‘d say go with a SodaStream and spend the extra $150 on a whole lotta flavored sparkling water.

What Others Are Saying About SodaStream

You don‘t have to just take my word for it! Here are a few rave reviews from other SodaStream enthusiasts:

"I am absolutely in love with my SodaStream! I used to spend so much money on cases of La Croix and Spindrift every week. Now I can make my own flavored sparkling water at home for a fraction of the cost. Plus, I don‘t feel guilty about all those empty cans piling up in my recycling bin. Definitely one of the best kitchen purchases I‘ve made." – Rachel M.

"I was a bit skeptical about the SodaStream at first, but I‘m so glad I gave it a shot. It‘s so convenient to be able to make a fresh bottle of sparkling water whenever I want one. And I can customize the fizziness and flavor to my liking. The diet cola syrup is my go-to for when I‘m craving a soda but don‘t want all the sugar." – Mike T.

"I got a SodaStream as a gift last year and it quickly became the most used appliance in my kitchen. I love that I can experiment with different flavor combinations. My current favorite is the lemon lime mixed with a little bit of the ginger ale – it tastes just like a fizzy lemonade!" – Jessica L.

Of course, SodaStream isn‘t without its detractors. A few common complaints I‘ve heard:

"I had issues with my first SodaStream machine losing carbonation after just a few months. I was able to get it replaced under the warranty, but I‘ve heard similar stories from other people. Just something to be aware of." – Alex S.

"While I do like my SodaStream, I don‘t use it as often as I thought I would. The flavors are just okay, in my opinion. I think I‘ll stick to buying my favorite brands of sparkling water and save the SodaStream for special occasions." – Emily D.

So, Is SodaStream Really Worth It?

Here‘s my honest take: if you‘re someone who drinks a lot of sparkling water, seltzer, or soda, I think the SodaStream is 100% worth the investment. It‘s an easy, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to enjoy your fizzy drinks at home.

But there are a few caveats to consider before you add to cart. A SodaStream might not be for you if:

• You‘re an occasional soda drinker. If you only crack open a can of pop or seltzer once in a blue moon, you probably won‘t get your money‘s worth out of a SodaStream.

• You‘re very particular about the taste. If you‘re ride-or-die for a specific brand of sparkling water, you might be underwhelmed by the SodaStream bubbles or syrups.

• You‘re tight on space. The SodaStream is fairly slim, but it does require some dedicated counter space. And you‘ll need room to store backup C02 canisters and bottles.

Personally, I think the pros of owning a SodaStream seriously outweigh the cons. It‘s one of the few kitchen gadgets I use almost daily and has really helped me cut back on sugary drinks and single-use plastics.

Plus, it‘s just plain fun to play mixologist and create your own fizzy concoctions. Sparkling rosé with a dash of grapefruit flavor? Cream soda-flavored cold brew? The bubblicious possibilities are endless, my friends.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, a SodaStream is a relatively low-risk purchase that has the potential for high reward, especially if you‘re an avid sparkling water or soda drinker like myself.

The cost savings and environmental benefits are certainly compelling, but I think the real selling point is the convenience and versatility. With a SodaStream, you‘ve got an endless supply of perfectly customized sparkling drinks right at your fingertips.

So if you‘re ready to break up with your La Croix habit once and for all, I say give SodaStream a shot. Your wallet and your recycling bin just might thank you.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.