The 5 Best Soda Makers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The market for soda water has grown considerably in recent years, with a bevy of flavors from brands like LaCroix, Bubly, and AHA becoming staples in nearly every store and fridge. Even stars like Michael Bublé and Ryan Tedder have gotten in the game to celebrate alternatives to sugar-heavy sodas.

At the same time, interest in more affordable, environmentally-conscious options has led to an increase in at-home soda makers that are perfectly sized for any counter. We spent a day putting 11 of the top kitchen carbonators through their paces in our test lab to evaluate the ease of use and cleanup, quality of fizziness, versatility, and more.

These are the best soda makers PEOPLE tested.

Best Overall

Ninja Thirsti Drink System

Ninja

Pros

• You can choose from over 20 flavors.

• The fizz level is adjustable.

• It uses standard CO2 cartridges.

After trying out nearly a dozen machines, we found the Ninja Thirsti Drink System to be the best on the market. This all-around product not only produces fizzy water, it also makes flavored fizzy water (or still water, if you prefer). With four settings — still, light bubbles, classic seltzer, and max bubbles — this machine makes it easy to select your own carbonation level. It has room for two flavor cartridges, and Ninja has over 20 sweetened and unsweetened flavors to choose from. (Or you can combine flavors for your own unique flavored water.) The soda maker comes with eight flavors to start, and you’ll need to purchase the manufacturer’s brand of flavor drops once you run out. You can also adjust the flavor profile to classic or bold. 

Keep the included 48-ounce water reservoir in your refrigerator so the water temperature is always just right to make your own fizzy water (it includes an indicator to let you when it’s the ideal temperature). Pour the chilled water from the reservoir into the unit, and it will quickly dispense directly into your 6, 12, 18, or 24-ounce glass. This unit does need to be plugged in, so you’ll need to make sure you have counter space available near an outlet. This product uses a screw-in CO2 canister (included) that can make up to 100 12-ounce drinks. You can replace the CO2 canister with a standard 60-liter canister or send it back to Ninja for a replacement at a discounted price. This soda maker stood out from the rest in our testing, and we love that it allows you to adjust the amount of bubbles and the strength of the flavoring.

Power Source: Electric | Bottle Capacity: 6, 12, 18, 24 ounces | Carbonator Included: Yes | Dimensions: 14 x 8.8 x 16 inches

Most Versatile

Drinkmate Sparkling Water and Soda Maker

 Amazon

Pros

• The machine can carbonate any beverage.

• The CO2 cartridges are compatible with any brand.

• The bottles on this unit are easy to clean.

This impressive device performed well across all tests — from ease of use to carbonation performance — while also displaying exceptional versatility. The Drinkmate is one of the few soda makers that can be used to carbonate any liquid. Not only can you turn tap water to sparkling, but you can also add bubbles to juice, tea, or cocktails without having to worry about damaging the machine. The convenience of that feature alone ranked it high on our list, but it also earns high marks for a small counter footprint and a two-stage pressure-release valve that cuts down on excessive foam and spillage.

The Drinkmate doesn't require electricity or batteries and has a sleek design that comes in a variety of colors. It is also able to use CO2 cartridges from any brand, so you don't have to stress about locating proprietary products (though the manufacturer has a trade-in program that allows you to purchase discounted CO2 cylinders when you send back your empties).

We found that it provided a decent level of carbonation no matter the beverage, and the bottles open on both ends, making them easy to clean and dry. They're also very easy to attach to the unit, so they're simple to slide in and out with minimal hassle.

The only downside: The CO2 canisters do have a tendency to run out relatively quickly, so be prepared to refill them more frequently than you'd like.

Power Source: Manual | Bottle Capacity: 1 liter | Carbonator Included: No | Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 16 inches

Best for Beginners

SodaStream Fizzi One Touch

 Amazon

Pros

• The machine is fast, straightforward, and easy to use.

• You can adjust the carbonation level with the touch of a button.

SodaStream is the biggest name in the soda machine market, with products that are incredibly fast, straightforward, and easy to use. For users looking for a quick bottle of sparkling water without lots of fancy features, the Fizzi One Touch is the perfect option.

The name says it all: With the touch of a single button, you select from three levels of carbonation (low, medium, and high) and get just the right amount of bubbles. The bottles quickly snap into place, no twisting required, and feature an upscale-looking design with metal trim. It comes with a full CO2 cylinder capable of carbonating up to 60 liters, and SodaStream offers refills at a reduced cost, making this the best budget-friendly option. We also found this machine to have a nice, gentle fizz that felt full, providing a pleasant, refreshing drinking experience.

Size and power source are drawbacks: The SodaStream is larger than some other soda makers and has to be plugged in — a consideration if your counter space lacks available electrical outlets.

Power Source: Electric | Bottle Capacity: 1 liter, 0.5 liter | Carbonator Included: Yes | Dimensions: 5.63 x 8.0 x 16.8 inches

Best Design

Aarke Carbonator III Sparkling & Seltzer Water Maker

 Amazon

If you're okay with a bit of a splurge and want something that will make a stylish addition to your kitchen, the Aarke Carbonator III is the way to go. This Swedish-designed device is made from stainless steel and has a copper finish that makes for the most elegant look on the market. It also comes in a matte black, black chrome, brass, or stainless steel finish, so there are plenty of options to match your interior — and your personality.

Beyond its sleek, sturdy, and minimalist design, the Aarke Carbonator is also incredibly user-friendly. Don't let the fancy look fool you: It's designed to be as simple as screwing in the CO2 tank (purchase separately), screwing in the bottle, and pulling a lever. The entire process takes less than three seconds, and the machine vents the excess carbonation so bottles won't explode or make a mess.

We found it to be easy to use and even easier to clean. The number of bubbles made for enjoyable mocktails and cocktails, but for the price, the fizziness wasn't more exceptional than other selections on this list. Ultimately, the higher price point boils down to aesthetics alone. If you want a soda maker that draws attention for its sleek good looks, Aarke is worth the extra money.

Power Source: Manual | Bottle Capacity: 800 milliliters | Carbonator Included: No | Dimensions: 6 x 10.2 x 16.3 inches

Best Features

Twenty39 Qarbo Sparkling Water Maker and Fruit Infuser

Amazon

The Twenty39 Qarbo makes it possible to carbonate any beverage, with the extra advantage of simultaneously infusing fresh flavors. The two included 34-ounce bottles feature wide mouths, which makes tossing in the cut fruit of your choice a snap.

It also happens to be one of the sleeker options on this list, with a chrome finish and a range of color options. The lightweight machine is portable enough to store and pull out when needed, but it also doesn't take up much counter space or require batteries or unwieldy power cords.

We found the Twenty39 Qarbo to be close in overall quality to our best overall pick, Ninja Thirsti, with comparable excellence in terms of carbonation performance, user-friendliness, and ease of cleanup. When it came to making mocktails and cocktails, the carbonation didn't hold up as well as the others, but the overall flavor far surpassed the competition.

Power Source: Manual | Bottle Capacity: 1 liter | Carbonator Included: No | Dimensions: 17.64 x 11.54 x 5.12 inches

Things to Consider Before Buying a Soda Maker

Ease of Use

Most soda makers sound easy to use, but it's important to find out just how much is required to operate a machine before purchasing. Consider the process of carbonation and how many steps are required. Some only require the touch of a button, but others don't make it quite as simple. Many soda makers require CO2 cartridges, so it's important to know how easy they are to install, replace, and return/recycle. The SodaStream Fizzi One Touch Sparkling Water Maker, our pick for the best soda maker for beginners, is super easy to use right out of the box.

Carbonation Performance

Carbonation is the key ingredient here, so have a sense of what sort of fizzy drinks you enjoy. Find out if the device allows you to choose the level of fizz, like our best overall pick, the Ninja Thirsti, and compare those levels to see if they meet your level of satisfaction.

Versatility

You may want to make more than sparkling water, and only a few machines have the ability to carbonate juices and other drinks. If you're interested in adding bubbles to something other than water, our pick for the soda maker with the best features, the Twenty39 Qarbo Sparkling Water Maker and Fruit Infuser, can add bubbles to any drink.

Ease of Cleaning

Generally speaking, maintaining soda makers doesn't require much work, but it pays to consider how much post-use aggravation you'll be in for — especially if the addition of syrups or fruit will be adding to the cleanup. Check to see if bottles and other parts are dishwasher-safe or convenient to thoroughly clean. The tops and bottoms of the bottles used with the Drinkmate OmniFizz are removable, and while they aren't dishwasher safe, they are easy to hand wash and dry.

When to Buy a Soda Maker

Soda makers typically go on sale on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day. You can also typically find models on sale on Amazon, though they may not always be the brand you are looking for.

How We Tested

• Setup: We tested 11 soda makers in our industrial kitchen setting. We refrigerated water for at least four hours or overnight to ensure consistently cold temperatures across tests, and then we made a seltzer using every available setting on each machine.
• Evaluation: For single-setting options, we prepared three separate bottles and judged the consistency of carbonation. If machines could be used to carbonate beverages other than water, we tested apple juice, natural wine, and various syrups for cocktails and mocktails. We also evaluated each soda maker for ease of use and cleanup, quality of fizziness, versatility, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do soda makers work?

  Soda makers work by injecting carbon dioxide into water to create effervescence. Most modern machines (and all the ones on our list) use pressurized CO2 cylinders to deliver carbonation.

• How long do soda maker cartridges last?

  Soda maker cartridges aka carbonating or CO2 cylinders make 60 liters of sparkling water. Another factor to consider is the level of carbonation you use — but generally, one cylinder will last from four to eight weeks.

• Can you put flat soda in a soda maker?

  Technically, you can re-carbonate previously carbonated beverages, although manufacturers don't recommend this. The sugar in the beverage can leave residue on your machine, and if you aren't careful, the soda can explode everywhere. The best thing to do is try to maintain the CO2 in your beverage by sealing it quickly after pouring.

• How can you tell when the CO2 cylinder is empty?

  There are several ways to tell if your CO2 cylinder needs to be replaced. The easiest way is to try to use the machine; if you don't hear the normal hissing of the escaping CO2 or if the machine is making sputtering sounds it may be empty. If you see that bubbles are not being emitted into the bottle, this could mean you need a new cartridge.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Topher Gauk-Roger is a Senior Producer and Writer at PEOPLE, and has been with the brand since 2020, producing field shoots and video content across all entertainment verticals, as well as writing and reporting for the digital news team. He earned a bachelor's degree in Film and Digital Media from University of California, Santa Cruz.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

ncG1vNJzZmiolaS9rbGNnKamZ5akvKV7wZ6qrWWjpLGiecyaop6qo2Q%3D