This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.
Making your own soda, seltzer, and other fizzy drinks at home might seem like a daunting task. But thanks to a variety of the best soda makers on the market, you have a super fast, easy way to make some of the tastiest at-home bevies. The only problem? Finding one that works for you.
To help you find the best home soda makers for DIY bubbly, Meggan and I did all the research by pulling from online user reviews, other publications, and results in her own kitchen. We were able to narrow down our list to five of the top picks, including her all-time favorite, the SodaStream E-Terra. These are the best soda makers to try to get seltzer and homemade soda at home.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: SodaStream E-Terra – $118.02 at Amazon
- Best Budget: Philips GoZero – $53.97 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Aarke III – $228 at Amazon
- Most Stylish: SodaStream Art – $149.99 at Target
- Easiest to Use: Drinkmate Omnifizz – $139.99 at Home Depot
Reviews of The Best Soda Makers
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: SodaStream E-Terra
The SodaStream brand is a long-time standby in Meggan’s kitchen. She bought her first SodaStream years ago and recently upgraded to the E-Terra. The plug-in machine boasts three carbonation levels, allowing you to make your drink as fizzy as possible. This feature is especially great for kids: “My son loves ultra-bubbly, but my daughter prefers less carbonation,” Meggan says. Thankfully, the Sodastream Terra allows both with the handy feature.
It’s also easy to use — it has a blue LED light that indicates the level of carbonation it’s producing. When it comes to cleaning, Meggan loves the dishwasher-safe bottle.
“We are big carbonated water drinkers in the house, and this is so much cheaper than buying endless cases of Topo Chico,” Meggan says.
The Specs:
- Carbonation levels: Three
- Operation: Has to be plugged in
- Included: One 60L CO2 cylinder, one carbonating bottle
The Pros:
- Customizable carbonation
- Easy to clean and use
- Relatively minimal footprint
- Dishwasher-safe bottle
The Cons:
- Needs to be plugged in
- Must use SodaStream Quick Connect CO2 cylinder
What Others are Saying:
The E-Terra is one of SodaStream’s newest models, so it hasn’t been reviewed in as many publications yet. However, its predecessor, the Terra, was recommended as the best overall pick in CNET and CNN Underscored. It also has a 4.6-star Amazon rating out of more than 500 reviews.
Buy the SodaStream E-Terra:
2. Best Budget: Philips GoZero
This sleek, simple carbonator is a good option for anyone looking to make bubbles on a budget. Its one carbonation level produces a reliable fizz with a few taps of a button. Like several other machines on this list, it’s manual, so it doesn’t need to be plugged in or use batteries to work. It also has a surprisingly chic look and low-profile build, so it’s easy to slide on your counter beside your coffee maker without taking up too much space.
Note that the GoZero does not come with a CO2 canister (most machines come with at least one to get you started), so you’ll have to buy one separately. It’s compatible with any standard screw-in 60-liter CO2 exchange carbonator, like this duo from SodaStream.
The Specs:
- Carbonation levels: One
- Operation: Manual
- Included: BPA-free bottle
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Simple to use
- Doesn’t take up much counter space
The Cons:
- Doesn’t come with CO2 cylinder
What Others are Saying:
The Philips GoZero was named the best budget pick and best basic soda maker by The Wirecutter and Epicurious, respectively. It also has a 4.2-star rating out of over 2,300 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Philips GoZero:
3. Best Splurge: Aarke III
If you’re a huge sparkling water drinker and want to splurge on a luxe model, the Aarke III is a great option. It boasts a stainless steel, compact design (most other machines are made of plastic), and comes in a range of colors, like shiny gold and matte cream.
Best of all, it’s easy to use — all you have to do is screw in the one-liter bottle and pull a lever to make some fizz. Its one carbonation setting provides strong, long-lasting bubbles, and it’s simple to replace the carbonation canister when needed. All in all, it’s a durable, well-made machine that’s worth the cost.
The Specs:
- Carbonation levels: One
- Operation: Manual
- Included: BPA-free bottle, dry cloth, drip tray
The Pros:
- Stainless steel design
- Easy to use
The Cons:
- Expensive
- CO2 canisters sold separately
What Others are Saying:
The Aarke III was named the best splurge in Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats and the most stylish in CNET. It also has a 4.4-star rating out of 5,000 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Aarke III:
4. Most Stylish: SodaStream Art
True to its name, the SodaStream Art looks like, well, art. With a low-profile design that comes in black, cherry red, powder blue, and white, it’s easy to pick a machine that suits your personal style. The functionality is there, too: It’s a breeze to snap on its CO2 cylinder (no twisting required!) and pull its manual level to produce three levels of carbonation. Like the E-Terra, it has an LED light that turns on when the machine is in use and lets you know how fizzy you’re making your drink.
The Specs:
- Carbonation levels: Three
- Operation: Manual
- Included: 60L CO2 canister, dishwasher-safe bottle
The Pros:
- Customized carbonation
- Several colors to choose from
- Comes with a CO2 canister
The Cons:
- Can only use SodaStream Quick Connect CO2 cylinder
What Others are Saying:
The SodaStream Art was named best overall by Serious Eats. On Amazon, it has 4.6 stars out of over 2,000 reviews.
Buy the SodaStream Art:
5. Easiest to Use: Drinkmate Omnifizz
Love your fizzy drinks and don’t want to stop at water? In this case, the Drinkmate Omnifizz is your best bet. This versatile machine allows you to add carbonation to non-H20 drinks, like wine and juice (especially apple juice). (We’re particularly big fans of the idea of recarbonating flat sodas instead of tossing them in the garbage!) It’s also simple to use since there’s a single tab at the top of the machine that carbonates the 1-liter bottle below in seconds, no electricity or batteries are needed.
The Specs:
- Carbonation levels: One
- Operation: Manual
- Included: One BPA-free bottle, a fizz infuser, and one CO2 cylinder
The Pros:
- Easy to use
- Can carbonate more than just tap water
- Comes with a CO2 canister
The Cons:
- The plastic build feels slightly less durable than other options
What Others are Saying:
The Drinkmate Omnifizz was named one of the top soda makers by Wirecutter and Epicurious and the best for juice, soda, and wine by CNN Underscored. It also has a 4.6-star rating out of more than 1,200 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Drinkmate Omnifizz:
Other Soda Water Makers to Consider
OTE Portable Soda Maker
This handheld soda maker packs a punch with its compact size. It makes single servings of seltzer in the included 450-mL bottle with a simple twist of its lid. However, it has limited customer reviews that aren’t rave-worthy — 3.9 stars from more than 200 Amazon buyers — so it makes us wary of selecting it as a top pick. The OTE Portable Soda Maker is available at Amazon for $45.99.
iSi Classic Mesh Soda Maker
Looking for an old, diner-style soda maker? The iSi Classic Mesh Soda Maker will do the job (and make you feel nostalgic at the same time). Its mesh exterior gives it a classic, sleek look, and reviewers say that it’s easy to use and store. This type of soda maker isn’t for everyone, though — you have to change its CO2 cartridges frequently, making it irritating to use. The iSi Classic Mesh Soda Maker is available on Amazon for $79.66.
Mysoda Woody
The Mysoda Woody’s award-winning design makes it a good choice for someone who wants a model that just looks really good in their kitchen. The reviews we found also say it’s easy to use, clean, and consistently produces crisp bubbles. However, it doesn’t have many reviews on Amazon, so we’re holding off from placing it closer to the top. The Mysoda Woody is available at Amazon for $59.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi, I’m Sara! I’ve been testing, reviewing, and writing about products for more than 4 years. I know how to cut through advertising fluff to find great, high-quality items for all kinds of lifestyles and budgets — particularly lifestyle and kitchen prep items. I’m also a carbonated beverage enthusiast and almost always have a seltzer of some kind in hand (especially when I’m writing).
To find the best soda makers, Meggan and I worked together to determine the factors that make a home soda a worthy kitchen addition. These mostly boil down to how fast and simple it is to carbonate beverages yourself: ease of use, ease of cleaning, and ease of swapping CO2 cartridges in and out.
We also considered durability (you want to be making DIY carbonated drinks for a long time, after all) and versatility in the form of carbonation levels or drinks you can make. We dove into user reviews and other publications’ roundups to compare and contrast the offerings against the soda maker Meggan uses, the SodaStream E-TERRA. We also leaned on Meggan’s culinary expertise throughout the process, especially her experience developing soda recipes, like her classic take on a Shirley Temple.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Soda Maker
What to Consider Before Buying a Soda Maker
Before bringing a soda maker into your home, consider these factors:
- Ease of use: Luckily, most soda makers are pretty straightforward to use. We’ll get into the specifics in the next section, but the main thing to consider when thinking about the soda maker you want is whether it’s a manual or electric model, and if it uses a lever or button to make bubbles. Neither option is better than the other — it’s simply a matter of preference.
- Cleaning: Check your soda maker’s instructions before cleaning it. Generally, though, you should hand wash the bottle in which you make the soda using a bottle brush, dish soap, and warm water. (Some bottles can be washed in the dishwasher, so that’s an important factor to keep in mind if you hate washing dishes — trust us, we get it.) The machine itself — including the nozzle — can be wiped down with a damp washcloth.
- Features: Many soda makers offer just one type of carbonation with one type of liquid (water). For most people, this is totally fine — but if you want several levers of carbonation, try a machine like the SodaStream E-TERRA, which offers three. If you want to carbonate more liquids than just water, you can try the Drinkmate Omnifizz.
- Upkeep: When you buy a soda machine, you aren’t just buying the machine itself — you also have to consider the CO2 cartridges it uses (not all machines use the same kind), and how often you’ll need to replace them. At the time of publication, two SodaStream CO2 replacement canisters cost around $69. Depending on how often you use the machine, you’ll need to switch them out every 4 to 8 weeks.
How Does a Soda Maker Work?
As always, read the instructions for your own soda maker before getting into the carbonation process. All machines have some variation, so it’s important to know how to best use the one you have.
Generally, most home soda makers have three parts: the body of the machine, a CO2 canister, and a bottle for the soda. (Some brands use baking soda and citric acid packets instead of CO2, but they tend to produce a more sour-tasting water.) If it isn’t there already, you first need to snap or screw the CO2 canister into place. (Make sure you get the right one for your machine — some will take any 60-liter CO2 canister, but most SodaStream models only take canisters that SodaStream produces.) Then, fill the bottle with water (or another liquid, if the machine allows you to branch out), and attach it to the machine. When the bottle is attached, press a button or pull a lever. This opens a valve that allows CO2 to enter the liquid, dissolve, and create bubbles.
When it comes to the actual soda part, “it’s as simple as mixing a flavored syrup with carbonated water,” Meggan says. Stir in your preferred flavored syrup — you can buy name brands like Pepsi, generic brands, or make your own homemade syrups with fresh fruit and herbs.
What Makes Soda Fizz?
Fizz in soda is mostly due to carbon dioxide, or CO2. (That’s why it’s called “carbonation.”) Most soda makers use a tube or wand that jets the tasteless, odorless gas, right into the liquid. When it enters, it dissolves on its surface and creates bubbles. The bubbles create more space, which allows more CO2 to dissolve. Soda machines that allow you to customize fizziness will add more CO2 for extra-fizzy drinks and less for less-fizzy drinks.
Is a Soda Maker Worth It?
If you drink a lot of store-bought seltzer or soda, a soda maker could be worth it for you.
With an at-home soda machine under your belt, you may end up saving some money on beverages at the grocery store. It’s also super convenient to always have a fun beverage to make right at home instead of running out to the store, but you should also take the upkeep into account prior to making the purchase.
Is Homemade Soda Healthier than Bottled Soda?
Using a soda machine can be healthier than drinking store-bought soda. This is especially true if you use the machine to spruce up seltzer water to taste with your own flavorings. If you make your own classic, sugary soda, a soda machine allows you to control the ingredients that go into it and reduce your intake of sugar, food coloring, and sodium typically found in conventional soda. If you go for a store-bought concentrated Pepsi or Starry mix, you can control the amount you consume by watering it down.
The Best Recipes to Make with Homemade Soda
This is Culinary Hill — you know we have some recipes at the ready when you’re ready to invest in your home soda maker. Check out some of Meggan’s favorites below.
Drink Recipes
How to make a Shirley Temple
Cocktail Recipes
Americano Cocktail
Pork, Ham, and Lamb Recipes
Dr. Pepper Ham
Cake Recipes
7UP Cake
Appetizer Recipes
Coca Cola Chicken Wings
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Sara Hendricks is an experienced editor, writer, and product reviewer. She's passionate about all kinds of products, from fitness to fashion to food supplies. You can find her work in Reviewed/USA Today, Refinery29, Insider, and more.