The 4 best soda makers of 2023, tested and reviewed

• Best overall
• Best for flavored sodas
• Best upgrade
• Best with no CO2 canister
• What to look for in a soda maker
• How we tested each soda maker
• Soda maker FAQs

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Seltzer has become more than just a beverage — it's become a way of life. From fan-favorite La Croix to Sanzo, which was founded by a Filipino-American entrepreneur and focuses on Asian flavors like calamansi, we love the fizzy stuff. If you're devoting a lot of your budget and fridge space to seltzer, investing in a soda maker might be the solution.

In order to determine the best soda makers out there, we tested six of them based on ease of use, consistency, and levels of fizziness compared to store-bought seltzer. We also spoke to beverage scientist Adam Johnson of Imbibe, Inc. You'll find an FAQ section below that explains the basics of carbonation as well as how to best replace and recycle your empty CO2 canisters. Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and recommends kitchen products here.

Our top picks for soda makers in 2023

Best overall: SodaStream Fizzi One Touch - See at Target
With the press of a single button, the SodaStream Fizzi One Touch carbonates seltzer to your desired level of fizz with absolutely no guesswork.

Best for flavored sodas: Drinkmate Soda Maker - See at Amazon
Carbonating anything but water can void the warranty of many soda makers, but the Drinkmate lets you carbonate whatever you like from juice to wine and even cold brew.

Best upgrade: Aarke Carbonator III - See at Amazon
The Aarke Carbonator III uses a simple pull-down handle to create intense levels of fizz, and its beautiful design will fit right in among your countertop appliances.

Best with no CO2 canister: Sparkel Beverage System - See at Amazon
The Sparkel Beverage System used a proprietary mix of baking soda and citric acid to generate CO2 without a canister, and you can carbonate any liquid and even infuse it with solid ingredients.

Best overall: SodaStream Fizzi One Touch

• Power source: Electric, CO2 canisters
• Height: 17.32 inches
• Bottle capacity: 1 liter
• Bottle material: BPA-free plastic

Pros: Select from three levels of carbonation, automatically carbonates to the proper level, no guesswork

Cons: Must be plugged in, only carbonates water, bottles not dishwasher safe

Many soda makers on the market require you to manually control the level of carbonation you add to your soda. Some will buzz when they're finished carbonating to let you know to stop, but others leave it entirely up to how long you dare to push it. This can lead to inconsistent levels of fizz from batch to batch, and in extreme cases, messy overflow caused by over-carbonation.

The SodaStream Fizzi One Touch doesn't leave anything up to chance. Once you hook the bottle into the appliance — simply insert the top and push back to lock into the machine — you select one of three carbonation levels and within a few seconds you have properly carbonated soda. The highest setting produced a level of fizz even stronger than Vintage brand store-bought seltzer. 

The one downside of the One Touch is that it's powered by electricity, so you need to position it near an outlet. Other soda makers use analog mechanisms to inject CO2 into the water, but electricity allows for the One Touch to start and stop the process at predetermined intervals. You'll also likely get more life out of your CO2 tank because you won't waste gas by releasing more than you actually need.

Check out our guide on how to use your SodaStream.

Best for flavored sodas: Drinkmate Soda Maker

• Power source: CO2 gas
• Height: 16 inches
• Bottle capacity: 1 liter
• Bottle material: BPA-free plastic

Pros: Can carbonate a variety of liquids, one charge produces excellent fizz, doesn't need electricity

Cons: May overflow when carbonating liquids that aren't water, bottles not dishwasher safe

Many soda makers advise against carbonating any liquid other than water — you may even void the warranty if you do. Some carbonation mechanisms can clog easily and make your soda maker less effective or cause it to break entirely. But the Drinkmate not only allows you to carbonate beyond water, it specifically encourages it.

In my testing, I found it to be an incredibly effective and efficient carbonator for both water and juices. Where other soda makers took two or three charges to make seltzer as fizzy as store-bought, the Drinkmate did it in just one. It buzzes to let you know to stop carbonating, and it's one of the only machines that allows you to vent some of the built-up pressure through a valve on the carbonator lid. This helps to prevent messy overflow.

I also carbonated apple juice in the Drinkmate and was able to get the same level of carbonation I got with water using the same single charge. Because the apple juice was denser than water, it foamed up quite a bit while carbonating, which did cause some to leak out the top of the bottle. I was able to mitigate it during a second round of testing by filling the bottle slightly less and keeping a closer eye on the level of foam forming during the process. Just be sure to be ready to take your finger off the button before things get messy, and you should be fine.

If things do go awry, everything can be rinsed pretty easily with dish soap and water. But remember, the components are not dishwasher safe.

Best upgrade: Aarke Carbonator III

• Power source: CO2 canisters
• Height: 16.34 inches
• Bottle capacity: 1 liter
• Bottle material: Stainless steel and BPA-free PET plastic

Pros: Sleek design, simple carbonation mechanism, doesn't need electricity, doesn't take up much space

Cons: No CO2 canister included with purchase, multiple charges needed to get high levels of carbonation, only carbonates water, bottles not dishwasher safe

Like every small kitchen appliance, the more your soda maker is accessible to you, the more likely you are to use it regularly, so you may want to prioritize aesthetics so you can keep it on your counter. The Aarke Carbonator III is the sleekest, most aesthetically-minded soda maker I tested, and it performs just as well.

To carbonate, you twist the bottle into the Aarke and pull the handle down until you hear a buzz. Slowly release the handle and you'll hear a hiss similar to twisting the top off a bottle of soda. One charge will get you lightly sparkling water, but I typically go for three full charges to get the high level of fizz to which I'm accustomed.

Yes, you're paying for style here — and keep in mind that a CO2 canister is not included with your purchase — but the performance is certainly not lacking. It's a bit more manual than the One-Touch, but the auditory trigger that your soda's carbonated is a nice safety mechanism that removes a lot of the guesswork.

Best with no CO2 canister: Sparkel Beverage System

• Power source: Electric
• Height: 15 inches
• Bottle capacity: 750 milliliters
• Bottle material: BPA-free plastic

Pros: No CO2 canister needed, dishwasher safe bottle, can infuse sodas with solid ingredients, can carbonate any liquid

Cons: Much more complicated process than other soda makers, bottle is smaller in capacity than other soda makers, takes much longer to carbonate than other soda makers

Most soda makers work by injecting CO2 gas directly from a metal canister housed in the machine into the liquid. Once the canister is empty, it needs to be replaced, and most companies allow you to order new canisters and mail back your empties. But if you can't be bothered with this process or simply don't want to deal with canisters of pressurized gas, the Sparkel has provided an alternative.

The mechanism is a bit more complex than other soda makers. Each charge requires you to add two packets of powder into the machine — baking soda and citric acid. These chemicals mix with water from a reservoir in the back of the machine to generate CO2. That gas is then pulled out of the reservoir water and injected into the liquid you're carbonating. Wastewater then moves into a separate tank you'll toss away.

The whole process takes much longer than your average soda maker — 90 seconds for a level one slight fizz all the way up to four minutes for a level five stronger-than-store-bought fizz. Aside from not having to deal with CO2 canisters, the other distinct advantage of the Sparkel is the ability to infuse solid ingredients into your sodas such as fruit and herbs. The Sparkel not only injects CO2 but also pressurizes the bottle as it does so, which allows the flavors of the ingredients you add to infuse into the soda.

I carbonated both water and apple juice on the highest setting and was very satisfied by the level of fizz and consistency of carbonation. It is definitely more of a process than other soda makers, though.

What to look for in a soda maker

Power source: Manual soda makers are ideal for folks that want to take their device on the go. Electric soda makers on the other hand cannot be portable due to the fact that they need access to an outlet. If you want to have various carbonation options and settings, an electric soda maker would be the best option for you.

Versatility: If you are interested in carbonating liquids other than water, look into soda makers that have the ability to carbonate teas, cocktails, juices, and wines. Be careful that it won't void the warranty.

Size: While larger CO2 tanks last longer, they also take up more counter space. When picking out your soda maker, be wary of large CO2 tank if you have limited counter space or want to take it on the go. A classic soda siphon is made to be portable. It is popular amongst bartenders and is perfect to stash away for a picnic.

Bottle material: Most soda makers come with a plastic carafe or bottle to carbonate your beverages in. If you are looking for a glass bottle or BPA free plastic, expect to buy these separately or as an add on when buying the machine.

How we tested each soda maker

We tested six soda makers for ease of use, consistency, and strength of carbonation. For each soda maker, I took note of how easy each was to assemble, the steps required in the carbonation process, and the cleaning process. For machines that provided less guidance in how long to carbonate for, I tested how easy it was to get consistent batches of soda.

I carbonated both tap-cold and fridge-cold water in each machine. In the two machines that allowed for carbonating other liquids, I also carbonated apple juice. I compared each batch to store-bought Vintage brand seltzer to determine the difference in fizziness.

I discovered that carbonating fridge-cold liquids produced a much fizzier soda than water straight from the tap. I also discovered that some models required multiple charges in order to get the level of carbonation I desired.

Soda maker FAQs

Is it worth it to buy a soda maker?

If you drink seltzer every day, then yes. A 60L canister produces roughly 60L of sparkling water on the lowest carbonation setting. Even with more carbonation and an output of 30L, you still get the equivalent of 85 12-ounce cans. Plus, the soda maker bottles are reusable, unlike aluminum cans and plastic bottles. You do have to stay on top of your cylinder stock — running out of gas in the middle of the week can be a pain. If you just have a glass or two of seltzer during the week, the maintenance and cost of switching might not be worth it.

Looking to spice up your drink recipes? Check out our guide on cocktail ingredients recommended by bartenders  and the best ice maker.

What if I want to carbonate a non-water beverage?

The Drinkmate is the best soda maker for non-water beverages. The main issue with carbonating juices and other drinks is that the bottle can overflow and the thicker liquid can clog the machine. Drinkmate soda makers have a fizz infuser cap that is easily cleaned and allows you to slowly release pent-up air from the bottle. We do not recommend carbonating beverages other than water in soda makers, and doing so can void the warranty. 

How long does a CO2 canister last?

All of the soda makers on our list (with the exception of the Sparkel) use 60L CO2 canisters. That means each canister carbonates roughly 60 liters of water. Each bottle holds roughly one liter, so you'll get about 60 bottles of soda out of one canister. This can vary depending on how fizzy you like your soda. If you use more CO2 per bottle, you'll likely get fewer total bottles out of your canister.

How do I get replacement CO2 canisters?

The great thing about 60L CO2 canisters is that the design is universal. This means that regardless of the brand of your machine, you can order CO2 canisters from any manufacturer and they will fit. Many brands offer recycling programs that allow you to return your empties when you order new ones.

SodaStream's exchange program is the most cost-effective we've found. You'll get two full CO2 canisters and a prepaid USPS shipping label that allows you to send back two empty canisters. The box can be dropped off at any post office.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

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