Being a fan of carbonated drinks come with a significant amount of secret guilty feelings. First of all, there is the involvement of materials such as metal and plastic in the packaging, which is hard to recycle. Second, it can take up a huge chunk of a family monthly budget as buying ready-made soda drinks can be quite expensive. Thirdly, there are all the horror stories you hear in the magazines and newspapers about the harmful health effects of drinking carbonated beverages that are packed with processed sugar, colorings, and chemical additives.
Apart from all these negative things involved, there is the simple fact of trouble you have to go through to carry a large and heavy carton of soda drinks home from the grocery store. But does that mean we have to say goodbye to the soda drinks that are so refreshing and delicious? Anybody who has experienced the rewarding feeling of sipping on a cold fizzy drink after sweating and working on a hot summer day would say no to the question above, and that includes as well. However, we have found a solution to all the problems related to drinking soda drinks and we want you to be able to enjoy your soda drink without having to worry about the problems related to them.
That is why we are going to introduce you today to soda makers. These are non-electric machines or siphons that can be used to carbonate regular tap water to turn them into freshly made soda water that you can make and enjoy at your home, outdoors, or at your office. These machines are very easy to use and as you can customize the soda water any way you want to, you can make your own personalized fizzy drinks and have lots of fun doing that. Apart from that, you can control how fizzy you want your drink to be, and as it is made only with water and CO2, you can control what goes inside the drink so it is a much healthier option compared to the soda drinks that you would buy at the stores. These machines also eliminated the plastic packaging involved with the ready to drink sodas and so it is an eco-friendly way to drink as much soda as you want.
If you have decided to invest in a soda maker, which is a smart and economical decision, then you might want to look at the different options available for you at the market. S there are so many different models and types of soda makers, it can be difficult to choose the one that would be the most suitable one for you. Hence we have assembled all the important information regarding how to buy a soda maker, what things to look for, and also the top ten soda makers that we have carefully selected from the countless different options on the market.Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Soda Maker
Handheld or countertop
When it comes to soda makers, there are two main types- handheld and countertop. The countertop design is used by placing it on a table and hence it is less portable but is more stable. Also, they are capable of holding up a CO2 canister that has a capacity of 60 liters or 130 liters and hence is a good choice if you are buying a soda maker for your family. The handheld ones are smaller varieties and most of them are soda siphons.
Their advantage is that you can easily carry it in your hand and also use them to serve carbonated beverages in a stylish way, which can add aesthetic value at a cocktail party or at a bar. These handheld soda makers use small CO2 cartridges instead of cylinders so they might not be able to carbonate a large quantity of water at a time but they come with the advantage that the beverage can be served without opening the cap of the bottle so CO2 is not lost when the drink is served which is the case in countertop designs.
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Source of CO2
To make regular water carbonated, soda makers allows CO2 to go into the water. And that is why all soda makers require a source of CO2 to be fit into a designated part of the soda maker in order for the water to turn fizzy.
In case of countertop soda makers, there are CO2 cylinders with capacities like 60 liters, 90 liters, 130 liters, etc. that can be bought from the stores, and be refilled when they are finished.
One thing to note is that while some soda makers are compatible with any brand of CO2 cylinders, some soda makers are only compatible with their propriety products and so it is wise to check if the brand you are going to but has stores nearby so that you can go and get it refilled when it is needed. In case of the soda siphons, the CO2 source is in the form of a cartridge in these can also be bought at local stores.
Bottle material and capacity
Soda makers come with a bottle which has to be filled with water or the liquid you want to carbonate. For most soda makers, this bottle is reusable and is made of plastic. But if you want to avoid plastics, then you can go for soda makers that have glass bottles. Another option would be to go for soda siphons, which usually have a bottle made of stainless steel.
Another factor to be noted about the bottle is its capacity as it will determine how much drink you can make at a time.
Design
As it is true for any household product, the design of a soda maker is an important factor that would help you to determine which one would fit your personal preference the most. Since the soda maker would be standing at a visible place such as your countertop, it is best to find one that either looks classy with a touch of vintage or one that looks sleek and modern so that it does not look out of place in your kitchen.
Versatility
Although soda makers are primarily used for carbonating water and for making freshly made seltzer, you can add syrup, flavors, or fresh fruits to turn it into your favorite soda drink.
Some soda makers also allow you to carbonate liquids other than water such as wine, tea, coffee, juice, apple cider, etc. and if you like experimenting and making new drinks then you should definitely go for the soda makers that enable you to carbonate versatile types of liquids.
Top 10 Best Soda Maker
1. SodaStream Source Sparkling Water Maker
The SodaStream Source Sparkling water maker has such a sleek and sophisticated look it comes as a pleasant surprise when you realize that it can be operated so simply and that also without using any batteries or electricity. It has a slender black body which you will be able to keep on top your kitchen counter with pride.
The machine is compatible with a carbon dioxide canister which you can fit the housing at the back of the machine. Each of these CO2 cylinders allows you to make 60 one-liter bottles of carbonated drinks. Once the canister is used up, you can take it to any SodaStream store and get it refilled for the next use.
This soda maker is extremely easy to use, and it can carbonate a bottle of water in just a few seconds! The machine comes with an elegant one-liter bottle made of a BPA-free material where you can make your personalized sodas drink any time of the day. All you have to do is to fill up the bottle up to the mark using normal tap water and fit it to the CO2 outlet at the front of the machine. Then you have to press the top of the machine and you will see the bubbles being created inside the bottle of water. And there you have it, your own bottle of refreshing sparkling water freshly made with your own soda maker! The outlet for the CO2 has a snap-lock system so the machine can be safely used without spilling any water on your countertop.
What is even better is that the front façade of the machine has a beautifully designed LED indicator which shows the level of carbonation that has been completed, so you can choose how fizzy you want your drink to be. Once the soda water is ready, you can drink it right away, or add your favorite flavors or syrups to make a personalized drink that suits your taste. This machine does not require any electricity or power supply so you can use it without having to worry about power outlets or replacing batteries, and you can use it even at outdoor parties to serve your guests with freshly made carbonated beverages.
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2. SodaStream Fizzi Sparkling Water Maker
Available in a selection of colors to suit your kitchen, this compact and space saving SodaStream comes with a 33.8 fl. oz (1-liter) carbonating slim bottle which is free from BPA and fully reusable. This is easy to use with its easy snap-lock bottle insertion.
This clever SodaStream does not need connecting to a power outlet, which means you can use it anywhere to make a sparkling drink in seconds.
Just to get you started this comes with a 60-liter CO2 cylinder and although this soda maker is marketed to make fizzy water, the good news is you can use any SodaStream carbonation bottles – except for glass carafes - or flavors to make up flavored sodas.
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3. iSi Stainless Steel 1 Quart Soda Siphon Bottle
Soda siphons have been around since 1829, and that is why you have probably seen them being used to making fancy drinks in the movies a lot. These classic soda siphons have a more vintage look to them than the modern soda makers and they can add a touch of classic beauty to the making of your cocktails, cold beverages, or seltzer.
This iSi soda siphon bottle brings the tradition of soda siphon in a more durable, sleek, and contemporary form. The siphon bottle has a durable construction made with high-quality stainless steel which resists corrosion and also prevents the siphon from breaking from impact damage.
To ensure that the bottle is not overfilled with water and to prevent messy spillage, the siphon comes with a measuring tube and a pressure valve which controls how much liquid is released at a time. The bottle has a large capacity of holding 1 Quart which means you can make more than a glass of soda water at a time.
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4. SodaStream Jet Sparkling Water Maker Starter Kit
Ideal for those new to making carbonated drinks at home, or even as a gift, this sleek starter kit includes a Jet Sparkling Water Maker, a mini CO2 carbonator that will make up to 9 liters of sparkling water, a 1-liter (33.8 fl. oz) reusable and BPA-free carbonating bottle and a mail-in free rebate for a 60-liter CO2 cylinder.
This is a manual kit which means you do not need to connect it to an outlet or add batteries, and the Twist-Lock technology means it is easy for you to add the bottle, press the button and make fizzy water in less than 30 seconds.
The Jet is a space saving design that you can also use 130-liter cartridges in and by using just one SodaStream bottle, you can help reduce the use of more than 3,700 bottles and cans!
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5. Innovee Soda Siphon
This soda siphon from Innovee is a great way to cut down the cost and effort you have to spend on buying soda cans from the store and to make personalized additive-free carbonated drinks at the comfort of your home. This siphon is made of aluminum and hence it has a classy metallic appearance which makes it suitable for being used at home or at modern bars and restaurants.
The siphon has a capacity of 1-liter and as the carbonated water can be dispensed without opening up the head, the carbonated water stays fizzy for a longer period of time without going flat. It comes with multiple O-rings so they can be used as replacements when the first one becomes old.
These old rings fit at the top of the mouth to keep the CO2 and liquid from escaping the siphon. The siphon also comes with two aluminum charger holders for the CO2 cartridges. For removing the inner tube of the siphon easily, the siphon comes with a black plastic fork so it does not need to be bought separately.
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6. Drinkmate Beverage Carbonation Maker
Water might not be the only thing that you would want to carbonate. For example, you might want to make your own homemade champagne by carbonating white wine, or make your special blend of fizzy sangria, or add a refreshing twist to your lemonade by making it bubbly.
All these fantastic carbonated drink ideas can become a reality with this soda maker from Drinkmate. Using this machine that does not use any electric power supply, you can carbonate any drink starting from water to juice to wine, making it suitable for versatile purposes.
The countertop soda maker has a very stylish design and comes in three different colors to choose from – matte black, red, and white. The soda maker comes with a housing compartment at the back where you can fit your CO2 cylinder and keep it secure. It also comes with a bottle where you make your carbonated drink, and this bottle has two clear markings that show the amount of liquid you need to add for low and maximum carbonation.
Unlike other countertop soda makers, this machine comes with a detachable infuser at the top of the bottle, which allows you to complete the carbonation after you have removed the bottle from the main soda maker unit. The infuser comes with a slow release valve and a differently colored quick release valve which helps the carbonation to be efficiently done so that when you pour out the carbonated drink into the serving glass it is full of refreshing bubbles.
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7. KitchenAid KSS1121OB Sparkling Beverage Maker
Kitchenaid, an American company that has been making kitchenware since 1919 is a company that many of us are very familiar with. From this company comes a premium soda maker that has been made in Ohio, starting from the designing to the assembly.
Hence there is no doubt about the quality of the product and you can trust this product to last for a long time. It has a classic design with a body made of die-cast metal, featuring a lever instead of a push button. All you need to do is to fit in a CO2 tank at the back of the machine, place the bottle in the designated position and pull the level down to watch the beautiful bubbles fill up the liquid inside the bottle.
The level has a soft grip handle so that you can carbonate many drinks without causing exhaustion to your hand, and the cover material also gives your hand a secure grip. Another advantage of the design of the body is that is has a very stable shape so you do not have to worry about using it in an exposed area like the countertop as it will firmly stay in its place without getting displaced. At the front of the machine, there is a pressure gauge which shows you the release of CO2 so you can know when the carbonation is complete.
This meter also adds to the vintage look of the machine. This machine is available in very unique colors like empire red, cobalt blue, tangerine, green apple, and many more that will surely add a spark of life to any interior. The machine is also compatible with more than 60 different types of Soda Stream flavors that you can add to your sparkling water and make delicious carbonated beverages.
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8. Flavorstation Home Beverage Maker
If you are looking for a simple and small soda maker then this would be a product you would want to look into. This soda maker is relatively smaller compared to other ones, with a 20 ounce CO2 cylinder and a 0.5-liter bottle. This size and capacity make it perfect for people who are living on their own or for your personal office space where a small amount of soda water would be sufficient.
Another advantage of this soda maker is that the cylinder can be refilled at local shops and you would not have to buy the propriety CO2 cylinder every time. As the whole unit is only around 15 inches tall, it can fit into any small cabinet or countertop and is great for saving space in a small kitchen.
It is very easy to use and the carbonation process can be done by a single push on the button at the top of the machine. As it does not use any electricity you can easily carry it with you and use it even in places where there is no electricity available. Last but not least, it comes in a classy white color and looks stylish so it can be matched with any kitchen décor.
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9. AARKE Carbonator II
This compact and sleek carbonator is available with a signature brass, black or white finish. Updated from the previous design, this is an even smoother and more robust design with a complete stainless steel enclosure.
This carbonates without the need for batteries or connecting to an outlet and needs a 60-liter CO2 cylinder which you will need to buy separately before you can use it.
To use it, you will just need to screw the high quality PET plastic bottle full of water onto the machine and pull the lever down and in around two seconds, you will have a bottle of carbonated water. Designed for carbonating water, you can add flavor but only to the glass or carafe, not the carbonating bottle.
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10. SodaStream Crystal Sparkling Water Maker Starter Kit
This new model from the renowned company Soda Stream surpasses its predecessors in design and performance. It has a design which keeps the bottle covered during the carbonation process making the whole unit appear sleek and contemporary throughout the whole preparation of your beverage.
Another unique feature of this soda maker is that you do not have to screw the mouth of the bottle to the CO2 outlet of the machine, you simply have to place the bottle in its place, close the cover, lock it and press a button on the top of the machine to complete the carbonation process.
When the process is completed, the cover can be opened smoothly and the bottle will come off the spout on its own. We also love the fact that the bottle that comes with it is made of glass and has spiral textures on the surface which makes it look classy and elegant. The fact that the bottle is made of glass would appeal to many users who do not like using plastic containers due to its effects on health.
The soda maker also comes with a 9 liter CO2 cylinder so you can start making fresh soda water right away. Once the 9-liter CO2 canister is finished, you can fit 60 liters CO2 cylinders, which can be refilled at different stores and also can be bought new.
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Conclusion
A soda maker not only makes your life easier by eliminating the need of carrying home a heavy package of soda cans but it is also cost effective compared to buying separate soda cans.
It is also healthier as you can skip on the high fructose corn syrups and make your own mix of soda beverage however way you want it. Now that you have all the knowledge required to buy the best soda maker for yourself, you can go ahead and buy one for your home and office and enjoy freshly made fizzy drinks whenever you want to.
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