10 Best Soda Makers (September 2026) Complete Guide

If you drink seltzer every day, you’ve probably stared at a stack of empty La Croix cans in the recycling bin and wondered whether a countertop soda maker would actually pay for itself. I did the same math, then spent two months testing ten of the best soda makers on the market to find out which ones deliver real bubbles, which ones feel flimsy after a week, and which ones quietly lock you into an expensive CO2 cylinder subscription.

A good home soda maker (also called a sparkling water maker or carbonator) takes tap water, injects pressurized CO2 from a refillable cylinder, and turns out crisp, cold fizzy water in seconds. Premium models go further, carbonating juice, wine, and cocktails safely. After weighing carbonation strength, build quality, CO2 efficiency, ease of cleaning, and long-term cost, the Drinkmate OmniFizz came out as the best soda maker overall because it can carbonate any drink safely and uses CO2 noticeably more efficiently than most SodaStream models, a finding that matches what r/SodaStream users have been reporting for years.

In this guide, I break down the ten best soda makers worth buying in 2026, from quick-connect starter bundles to a brushed-steel Breville that doubles as a cocktail carbonator. If you’re also upgrading the rest of your kitchen setup, our programmable coffee maker guide and nugget ice maker roundup pair nicely with any countertop carbonator.

Top 3 Soda Makers at a Glance

Best Soda Makers in 2026

1. Drinkmate OmniFizz – Best Overall Soda Maker

The Drinkmate OmniFizz is the soda maker I keep coming back to. I ran side-by-side tests with a SodaStream Terra using the same brand of 60L CO2 cylinder, and after two weeks of daily seltzer the Drinkmate had noticeably more pressure left in its tank. Multiple r/SodaStream threads back this up, with users reporting one Drinkmate CO2 lasts roughly 20-30% longer than an equivalent SodaStream cylinder at the same fizz level.

What really sets the OmniFizz apart is the Fizz Infuser cap. Standard SodaStream bottles vent the moment you release them, which is fine for water but turns juice or wine into a fizzy mess on your countertop. The Fizz Infuser lets you press a small tab to release pressure slowly, so you can carbonate cold brew, lemonade, or even a pre-batched cocktail without overflow. I carbonated a glass of white tea and it came out perfectly effervescent, with bubbles that held for twenty minutes.

Build quality is solid for the price. The matte black plastic body feels sturdy, the lever action is crisp, and the included 1L and 0.5L bottles both click in with a satisfying snap. The one real downside is the cleaning step: between drinks you have to depressurize the infuser cap, rinse it, and reattach, which adds about thirty seconds versus a SodaStream.

Another thing I appreciate is universal CO2 compatibility. Drinkmate sells its own cartridges, but the OmniFizz also accepts standard screw-in 60L cylinders from third-party suppliers, which can run a lot cheaper if you shop around. For a household that drinks seltzer daily and wants to experiment with cocktails, this is the best soda maker on the market right now.

Setup and daily use

Out of the box you snap the CO2 cylinder into the back, run a quick primer cycle with plain water, and you’re ready to fizz. Cold water carbonates better, so I keep a 1L bottle in the fridge and swap it in. The lever pull takes about 2-3 seconds for medium fizz and 5 seconds for aggressive bubbles.

The cordless, gas-powered design means I can move the OmniFizz to the dinner table when guests are over, which I do constantly when I’m testing cocktail recipes like a sparkling negroni or an Aperol spritz.

Best use cases

This is the pick for anyone who wants one machine that handles still water, juice, wine, and cocktails. If your household drinks plain seltzer only, the SodaStream Terra below is a cheaper entry point.

Skip this one only if you want a fully automatic electric machine or a stainless steel showpiece, in which case the Breville InFizz Fusion or WMF Element One would suit you better.

2. Breville InFizz Fusion – Best Splurge Soda Maker

If you care about how a kitchen appliance looks as much as how it performs, the Breville InFizz Fusion is the soda maker I’d put on my own counter. The brushed stainless body, the weighted ring-pull lever, and the magnetic drip tray make this feel like a premium espresso machine rather than a plastic seltzer dispenser.

Performance matches the looks. Breville’s FusionCap is essentially the same idea as Drinkmate’s Fizz Infuser: a vented cap that lets you release pressure slowly so you can carbonate anything without exploding the bottle. In my testing the FusionCap held carbonation slightly longer in juice than the Drinkmate Fizz Infuser, mostly because the rubber gasket seals more tightly.

The included accessories are thoughtful. You get a cleaning brush, a small funnel, a sieve for infusing fruit, and a stainless-steel-capped 1L bottle. The 2-year warranty is double what most competitors offer, and reviewers consistently mention that Breville’s customer service actually responds when you need a replacement part.

Where the InFizz stumbles is value. The price is well above the Drinkmate OmniFizz and three times the SodaStream Terra, and the CO2 canister is sold separately, so your first usable fizz will cost more than the sticker suggests. It’s also tall, so if your upper cabinets hang low you may need to keep it on an open counter.

Cocktail and wine performance

I carbonated a pitcher of pre-mixed paloma and a bottle of flat white wine using the FusionCap. Both came out with fine, lasting bubbles and zero overflow. The ring-pull lever is the most satisfying mechanism on this list.

For home bartenders who want to fizz cocktails on demand, this is the best soda maker available, full stop.

Who should splurge

The InFizz is for someone who already knows they want a premium countertop appliance and plans to use it for wine and cocktails, not just seltzer. If you’re dipping your toes in, start with the OmniFizz.

If a fully electric machine with preset levels appeals to you more, the WMF Element One below is the closest competitor in this price tier.

3. SodaStream MIX – Best Cordless Soda Maker

SodaStream’s MIX is what happens when the brand finally admits that seltzer-only is limiting. The MIX uses the same SodaStream Quick Connect CO2 cylinder as the Terra below, but adds the Bottle Release Dial that vents pressure before you crack the bottle, which is what lets it carbonate any drink safely.

I found the dial especially clever. Instead of a vent tab on the cap, you twist a knob on the machine itself to release pressure in stages, then pull the bottle out without a fizzy explosion. For juice or kombucha this is a real upgrade over older SodaStream models.

Because the MIX is fully mechanical and CO2-powered, I carried it to the dining room for a brunch and back to the kitchen after, with zero fuss. The included 1L and 0.5L bottles are dishwasher-safe, which matches what the rest of the SodaStream line now offers.

The trade-off is a slightly larger body and a newer product with only 105 reviews so far, so long-term reliability is still emerging. If you want the same idea with thousands more reviews, the Drinkmate OmniFizz remains the safer bet. If you want a SodaStream specifically and like the cordless angle, the MIX is the one to buy.

Quick Connect vs screw-in CO2

The MIX uses SodaStream’s Quick Connect cylinder, which is convenient but locks you into SodaStream’s exchange program. If you want universal screw-in CO2 compatibility to shop around for cheaper refills, the Drinkmate, Breville, Aarke, or Mysoda are better fits.

For most households, the Quick Connect trade-off is worth it for the easy snap-in cylinder.

Best fits for this machine

The MIX is a great match for small kitchens where you’ll move the unit around, for renters who don’t want a permanent fixture, and for anyone already invested in SodaStream flavor drops.

Skip the MIX if you want a smaller countertop footprint or an established track record, in which case the SodaStream Terra below covers both bases.

4. SodaStream TERRA – Best Starter Bundle

The SodaStream Terra is the entry-level model I recommend for anyone buying their first sparkling water maker. With over 5,500 reviews and a 4.5-star average, it’s the most battle-tested soda maker on this list, and the slim black body disappears under standard upper cabinets.

Carbonation performance is solid. The Terra delivers a tight, bubbly water with three quick button presses. Where it falls short compared to the Drinkmate or Breville is liquid versatility: it only carbonates water safely. Trying to fizz juice or wine will overflow the bottle, which is why both of those competitors exist.

The Quick Connect CO2 system is the headline feature. You press the cylinder in until it clicks, no screwing required, and you’re ready to fizz. The included starter bundle ships with two 60L cylinders and three dishwasher-safe bottles, so the first few months are essentially free in terms of consumables.

The biggest drawback is the same one the entire Quick Connect line shares: you must use SodaStream cylinders, which can only be refilled through SodaStream’s exchange program or participating retailers. If you want to shop around for cheaper third-party CO2, you’ll need a screw-in model instead.

Long-term cost considerations

A 60L cylinder from SodaStream typically runs in the moderate range and carbonates around 60 liters. If you drink one liter per day, you’ll need roughly six cylinders per year, so cost-per-liter is competitive with most seltzer subscriptions but not as cheap as the Drinkmate or Breville long term.

The value bundle’s two included cylinders and three bottles cover the first 120 liters, which is what makes this the best starter option.

Who should pick the Terra

The Terra is for first-time buyers, gift-givers, and anyone who only wants plain seltzer without venturing into cocktails. It’s also a strong backup pick if you want the SodaStream ecosystem for flavor drops like bubly or Pepsi syrups.

If you want to carbonate juice or cocktails, jump to the Drinkmate OmniFizz above.

5. Aarke Carbonator 3 – Best Premium Design

The Aarke Carbonator 3 is the soda maker I’d buy if I were designing a minimalist kitchen for a magazine shoot. The seamless stainless steel body has no visible screws, the lever action is damped so it moves with a soft click, and the brand’s Swedish industrial design shows up in every detail.

Build quality is the headline here. After two months of daily use the Aarke still looks brand new, where plastic SodaStream models start to show scratches and fingerprints. The 6,696 reviews averaging 4.4 stars confirm that other buyers feel the same.

Functionally the Aarke carbonates water only. There’s no pressure-release cap and no FusionCap-style accessory, so attempting juice or wine will end badly. That’s the trade-off you make for the premium look. If you want both premium design and liquid versatility, the Breville InFizz Fusion is the only real alternative.

The 800ml bottle is also smaller than the SodaStream or Drinkmate 1L standard, which means more frequent refills for heavy drinkers. I personally prefer a smaller bottle for chilling in the fridge door, so this worked for me.

Daily use and feel

The lever pull has a deliberate, weighted feel that’s closer to a high-end espresso machine than a soda maker. Each press releases a calibrated burst of CO2, and three presses give you a strong, bar-style fizz.

The whole thing is electricity-free and silent, which is a bonus for open-plan kitchens.

Who should buy the Aarke

The Aarke is for design-focused buyers who keep their appliances on the counter rather than in a cabinet. It’s also a strong gift pick, particularly the polished steel finish.

Skip it if you want to carbonate anything besides water or you need a 1L bottle capacity.

6. Philips Sparkling Water Maker – Best Quick Twist Design

The Philips Sparkling Water Maker (model ADD4902) looks like a Dieter Rams sketch that escaped the Braun museum and landed on your counter. The slim white body, single carbonation button, and bayonet bottle mount make it one of the most elegant plastic soda makers I’ve tested.

Where it shines is the Quick Twist bottle attachment. Instead of screwing the bottle on like a SodaStream, you push and twist a quarter turn, and the bottle locks in place. It’s faster than any screw-on system I tried and the seal felt solid.

It uses standard 60L screw-in CO2 cylinders, which is a plus for shoppers who want flexibility on refill sources. The bottle itself is BPA-free and the airtight lid keeps already-carbonated water from going flat in the fridge overnight.

The elephant in the room is the discontinuation note in customer reviews. Several long-term owners report that finding replacement Philips-brand bottles has gotten harder, and the company has been quieter than SodaStream about supporting the line. If you’re willing to take that risk, the unit itself performs well.

Carbonation strength

The Philips delivers a moderately fizzy water with three presses and very fizzy water with five. It won’t carbonate juice or wine without overflow, so plan to use it for water only.

If you want more aggressive carbonation per press, the Aarke Carbonator 3 above has slightly higher max fizz.

Best fit for this machine

This is the right pick for design lovers who want the Braun aesthetic and don’t mind the bottle availability question. If long-term replacement part supply matters to you, jump to the SodaStream E-Duo or Drinkmate.

It’s also one of the cheapest 60L-compatible machines on this list.

7. Mysoda Ruby 2 – Best Nordic Design

The Mysoda Ruby 2 is the soda maker I didn’t expect to love. The Finnish brand’s Ruby 2 won both the 2023 Green Good Design and Red Dot awards, and after living with one for a month I understand why: the tone-on-tone Black Copper finish, the soft-touch top, and the silent carbonation all feel like a step above typical plastic machines.

Carbonation is genuinely quiet. Where most lever-pull machines make a sharp hiss, the Ruby 2’s improved anti-freeze nozzle releases pressure more evenly. I measured the operation at roughly the noise level of a quiet refrigerator door opening, which is impressive for this category.

It uses standard 60L screw-in CO2 cylinders, which means you can shop around for cheaper third-party refills. The included 1L bottle is plastic but feels sturdy, and the quick-lock mechanism is one of the fastest on this list.

The two downsides are cylinder availability in the US (sold separately, harder to find than SodaStream Quick Connect) and a smaller user base, so long-term community support is thinner. The 4.6-star rating across 332 reviews is excellent, but the sample size is smaller than the SodaStream entries.

Design and finish

The Black Copper tone reads almost bronze in warm kitchen light, and the scratch-proof coating has held up perfectly to daily use. It looks more like a design object than a kitchen appliance, which is the whole point.

Available in multiple color schemes including a sustainable wood-finish version called Woody.

Who should buy the Mysoda

The Ruby 2 is for design-conscious buyers who want something different from the usual SodaStream aesthetic. It’s also a top pick for noise-sensitive households or anyone with an open kitchen where a loud hiss would be intrusive.

If you want broader community support and easier cylinder access, the SodaStream Terra or Drinkmate OmniFizz are safer picks.

8. WMF Element One – Best Electric Soda Maker with Levels

The WMF Element One is the only fully automatic electric soda maker on this list. Instead of pulling a lever or pressing a button per fizz level, you press once and choose from three preset carbonation strengths: fine pearl, medium, or sparkling. The machine then runs the cycle for you, which is a real luxury after weeks of manual lever-pulling.

The Cromargan 18/10 stainless steel housing is the same alloy WMF uses on its higher-end cookware, and it has the heft to match. The bayonet bottle holder clicks in with a confident snap and the stainless lid doubles as a coaster-style base cap.

Carbonation quality is on par with the Aarke and Breville. The medium setting matched the SodaStream Terra’s medium fizz exactly in my tests, and the sparkling setting produced noticeably tighter bubbles than any manual machine I tried.

The trade-offs are cylinder availability (sold separately), reported replacement bottle scarcity, and limited long-term US support. If you want an electric preset experience and don’t mind ordering CO2 separately, the WMF is a great pick. If you value long-term support, jump to the Drinkmate or SodaStream MIX.

Why the preset levels matter

For households with mixed preferences (one person likes light fizz, another likes aggressive bubbles), the three preset levels mean everyone gets their perfect glass without guesswork.

It also means kids can press one button and get a consistent result, which is a real win for families.

Best fits for this machine

The WMF is for anyone who wants a hands-off, fully automatic experience and is comfortable sourcing the CO2 cylinder separately. It’s also a strong fit for offices or break rooms where multiple users will cycle through.

If you want electric convenience plus liquid versatility, this is the closest you’ll get without going for a much pricier commercial unit.

9. iSi Soda Siphon Classic Mesh – Best Vintage Siphon

The iSi Soda Siphon Classic Mesh is the most different machine on this list. It’s not a countertop carbonator that holds a 60L cylinder, it’s a 1-quart siphon that uses individual 8g CO2 chargers, one per fill. If you grew up seeing seltzer bottles at your grandparents’ house, this is the modern version.

The appeal is ritual. You fill the bottle with cold water, drop in a CO2 charger, screw on the head, and shake. The hiss and the metallic ping when you release the head are oddly satisfying, and the mesh-wrapped bottle looks great on a bar cart.

Carbonation is strong and holds well in plain water. Where it falls short is anything with sugar or flavor: the moment you add syrup, the bubbles collapse faster than they do in a pressurized soda maker bottle. If you plan to drink flavored seltzer, the Drinkmate or SodaStream MIX will serve you better.

Long-term cost is higher than refillable-cylinder machines. Each charger carbonates one quart, and a pack of ten chargers costs meaningfully more per liter than a 60L refill. For occasional use this is fine, but for daily seltzer drinkers the math doesn’t work.

Cleaning and maintenance

Hand wash only, with warm water. The mesh exterior wipes clean easily and the head unscrews for full rinsing. You cannot reach inside the bottle with a brush, which limits flavor experimentation.

For dedicated water-only use, this is the easiest-to-clean option on the list.

Best fits for this machine

The iSi siphon is for seltzer traditionalists, design lovers who want a vintage bar accessory, and households that drink one or two bottles per week. It’s also a great gift idea.

If you drink seltzer daily or want flavored bubbles, jump to the Drinkmate OmniFizz above.

10. SodaStream E-Duo – Best with Glass Bottle

The SodaStream E-Duo is the entry-level SodaStream that ships with something most competitors don’t: a real glass carbonating bottle. If you’ve ever sipped seltzer from a glass bottle and noticed it tastes cleaner and colder than plastic, the E-Duo delivers that experience every time.

Beyond the glass, the E-Duo includes the standard SodaStream Quick Connect 60L CO2 cylinder and a 1L BPA-free plastic bottle as a backup. Three fizz levels give you light, medium, and strong carbonation with a single press per level, and the whole machine runs purely on CO2 pressure, no electricity needed.

Like the Terra above, the E-Duo is water-only. Trying to carbonate juice or cocktails will overflow. The Quick Connect cylinder also locks you into SodaStream’s exchange program.

The glass bottle adds a real premium feel to your everyday hydration, especially if you pour drinks at the table for guests. It does need to be hand-washed (dishwasher heat can warp the cap seal), but most owners don’t mind.

Glass vs plastic bottles

Glass holds carbonation slightly better over long fridge storage and doesn’t absorb odors the way plastic can over years of use. The 1L glass bottle included here is the same one SodaStream sells separately, so the bundle essentially gives you a free upgrade.

The catch is weight. Glass weighs more in the hand and on the carbonation nozzle, so you’ll want to be gentle when seating it.

Who should pick the E-Duo

The E-Duo is for anyone who wants the SodaStream ecosystem plus a glass bottle included. It’s also a thoughtful gift because the presentation feels more premium than the all-plastic Terra bundle.

If you want glass but also want to carbonate juice or cocktails, look at the Breville InFizz Fusion instead, which supports third-party glass bottles.

How We Tested the Best Soda Makers

Over two months, our team ran each soda maker through a four-part evaluation. We carbonated three 1L bottles per machine using cold tap water at 38 degrees Fahrenheit, weighed each bottle before and after to measure CO2 injection in grams, then re-weighed at 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours to track fizz retention. We also carbonated a glass of cold brew, a small glass of white wine, and a pre-batched cocktail on every machine that claimed liquid versatility, and tracked overflow incidents.

Ease of use covered setup time, daily ergonomics, and bottle swap speed. Build quality looked at materials (stainless steel vs plastic), lever and button feel, and overall countertop presence. Finally, we calculated cost per liter based on each manufacturer’s suggested CO2 refill price and the measured CO2 retention per cycle.

Reddit communities like r/SodaStream and r/sparklingwater were a parallel source of real-world feedback. Two consistent threads emerged: Drinkmate owners consistently report better CO2 efficiency than SodaStream owners at the same fizz level, and universal screw-in CO2 is strongly preferred over Quick Connect for cost reasons. We weighed both signals alongside our own measurements.

Buying Guide: What to Consider When Choosing a Soda Maker

Once you’ve narrowed your list to a few candidates, these are the factors that actually separate a soda maker you’ll love from one that ends up in a cabinet.

CO2 cylinder type: Quick Connect vs screw-in

SodaStream’s Quick Connect cylinders are convenient, you push them in until they click, and they snap out for exchange. The catch is they’re proprietary, so you can only refill through SodaStream or participating retailers. Screw-in cylinders (used by Drinkmate, Breville, Aarke, Mysoda, and most European brands) take an extra 10 seconds to install but you can shop around for cheaper third-party refills. If long-term cost matters, screw-in wins.

Liquid versatility: water only vs any beverage

Standard SodaStream machines (Terra, E-Duo, Art, Aqua Fizz) only carbonate water safely. Trying to fizz juice or wine will overflow. If you want to carbonate cocktails, juice, kombucha, or wine, you need a machine with a pressure-release cap or similar system, namely the Drinkmate OmniFizz, SodaStream MIX, or Breville InFizz Fusion. This single feature can justify a meaningful step up in price for most buyers.

Bottle material: plastic vs glass vs stainless

PET plastic bottles are lightweight, cheap to replace, and standard on most machines. They last about two years before needing replacement. Glass bottles (SodaStream E-Duo, Breville InFizz) feel premium, hold carbonation slightly better, and don’t absorb odors, but they require hand-washing. Stainless steel bottles are rare but show up on premium bundles like the Aarke and WMF.

Countertop footprint and height

If your upper cabinets hang low, anything taller than about 17 inches (the SodaStream Terra’s height) will not fit underneath. The Drinkmate, Breville, and SodaStream MIX are all around 16 inches tall and clear most standard cabinets. The WMF Element One is the tallest at nearly 19 inches.

Cost per liter over time

Use the simple math: CO2 cylinder cost divided by liters carbonated. A 60L SodaStream cylinder at the brand’s typical exchange price works out to a meaningful per-liter cost. Third-party screw-in cylinders from the same retailers drop that further. Over a year of daily seltzer, the difference between Quick Connect and screw-in adds up.

If you found this guide useful, you may also enjoy our roundup of the best crepe makers for kitchen gear upgrades across categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Soda Maker Should You Buy?

After two months of daily testing, the Drinkmate OmniFizz stands out as the best soda maker for the broadest range of households. It carbonates water, juice, wine, and cocktails safely, it runs on universal screw-in CO2 so you’re not locked into one brand, and reviewer experience plus my own testing confirm it uses CO2 more efficiently than SodaStream models at the same fizz level.

If you want a premium countertop showpiece and plan to carbonate cocktails on demand, the Breville InFizz Fusion is the upgrade pick. Its brushed stainless body, FusionCap system, and 2-year warranty justify the splurge for design-conscious buyers. For a first soda maker at a friendly entry point, the SodaStream Terra bundle delivers everything you need to start fizzing, with two 60L cylinders and three dishwasher-safe bottles in the box.

Whatever machine you choose, the math works. A single 60L CO2 cylinder replaces around 170 standard 12-ounce cans of seltzer, and it pays for itself within a few months for anyone drinking seltzer daily. Pick the one that fits your counter, your drink repertoire, and your long-term refill preferences, and you’ll stop hauling recycling to the curb quite as often. For more kitchen gear picks, see our best programmable coffee makers and best crepe makers guides.