A sparkling water maker, also called a soda maker, carbonator or seltzer maker, is a countertop appliance that forces carbon dioxide into cold water under pressure until it dissolves. You fill a reusable bottle, lock it into the machine, insert a CO2 cylinder, then press a button or pull a lever. Hold it longer and the fizz gets stronger, which is how you control carbonation level bottle by bottle.
We spent six weeks with ten of the machines on this list, cycling through cylinders, chilling water, carbonating juice and comparing fizz strength bottle to bottle. The result is the best sparkling water makers you can buy right now, from a no-fuss manual starter kit to a stainless steel design object you will happily leave on the counter. If you also want the countertop appliance that does the most work per square foot, read our countertop ice maker reviews for that side of the kitchen.
Two things surprised us. First, the gap between editorial scores and owner reviews is real. A machine that reads as a premium pick in a lab test often scores lower in everyday kitchens. Second, the single biggest source of complaints has almost nothing to do with bubbles. It is the friction of returning cylinders and replacing bottles. We weighed that heavily, and it is why the 2026 picks below lean toward machines that accept the widest range of refill cylinders.
All ten machines here run without a phone app, and most need no electricity at all.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for the Best Sparkling Water Makers in 2026
SodaStream Terra
- Manual lever with fine fizz control
- Bundle includes two 60L cylinders and three bottles
- Compact 16.9 inch vertical body
Aarke Carbonator 3
- Stainless steel design body
- Damper-controlled lever
- 800ml bottle
- no power needed
DrinkMate OmniFizz
- Carbonates juice
- tea and cocktails
- Uses standard SodaStream-style cylinders
- 1L BPA-free bottle and infuser
The Terra takes the top slot because its bundle is the most complete package we tested: two 60L cylinders, three dishwasher-safe bottles and flavor drops, all in one box. The Aarke Carbonator 3 wins on looks and lever feel, and the DrinkMate OmniFizz is the one to buy if you want sparkling juice and cocktails, not just sparkling water.
All 10 Best Sparkling Water Makers at a Glance (October 2026)
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| SodaStream Terra Value Bundle |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Aarke Carbonator 3 |
|
Check Latest Price |
| DrinkMate OmniFizz |
|
Check Latest Price |
 SodaStream E-TERRA Bundle |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Philips Sparkling Water Maker |
|
Check Latest Price |
 SodaStream Gaia Starter Kit |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Mysoda Ruby 2 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Breville InFizz Fusion |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Mysoda Woody |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Breville InFizz Aqua |
|
Check Latest Price |
Every model below runs on refillable CO2 cylinders rather than consumable pods, so the gas side of running costs stays in the same ballpark across the list. The differences that actually matter day to day are bottle size, cylinder type and whether the machine can handle liquids other than water.
How a Sparkling Water Maker Actually Works
Carbonation is simple physics. Cold water holds more dissolved gas than warm water, and pressure keeps that gas in solution instead of letting it escape. A sparkling water maker uses a piercing needle to release CO2 from a cylinder into a sealed bottle of cold water. The gas dissolves, pressure builds, and when you crack the cap a burst of CO2 fizzes out and carries the aroma with it.
Three variables decide how good the result is. Water temperature is the big one. Water straight from a cold tap holds noticeably more CO2 than room-temperature water, which is why owners who fill warm bottles often think the machine is underperforming. Fill time is the second, and it is the reason automatic models with preset fizz levels exist. Seal pressure is the third, and it is where many machines differ, because some vent gas back into the room before the water is properly saturated.
Capacity and cylinder yield set the pace. Most cylinders on this list are rated at 60L, meaning roughly 60 litres of sparkling water depending on how fizzy you make it. Bottles run from 800ml on the Aarke to 1L on the Philips, DrinkMate, Breville and Mysoda machines. If you drink a litre a day, a single cylinder runs out in about two months, which is the single number that matters most for running costs.
One category sits outside this roundup. Plumbed sparkling water taps connect to your cold water line and carbonate on demand, usually with built-in filtration. They never touch a cylinder and never need bottle swapping, but they need a hole in the counter or a spot under the sink. If you rent, a benchtop machine in this list is the realistic choice.
1. SodaStream Terra: Best Overall Sparkling Water Maker for Most Homes
SodaStream TERRA Sparkling Water Maker, Value Bundle, CQC CO2 System, Includes 2 Quick Connect 60L CO2 Cylinders, 3 Dishwasher Safe BPA Free Bottles, 2 bubly Flavor Drops, Make your own Pepsi, Black
60L Quick Connect cylinders
Manual lever
3 dishwasher-safe BPA-free bottles
10.8 pounds
Pros
- Fine fizz control on a manual lever
- Bundle includes two 60L cylinders and three bottles
- Compact 16.9 inch body tucks under cabinets
- Works with Pepsi and Mountain Dew syrups
Cons
- Only circulates water
- not juice or tea
- Bottles carry a printed expiration date
This is the machine we kept reaching for during six weeks of testing, and it earned the top spot for a simple reason: very few machines in this roundup arrive as complete a setup. The value bundle pairs the machine with two 60L cylinders, three dishwasher-safe BPA-free bottles and two flavor drops, so you can carbonate on the day it arrives.
The lever itself is the reason it stays in rotation. It is a manual, spring-loaded press rather than a button cycle, so you can feather it and stop at a light sparkle or push it hard for a proper fizz. Our most useful habit was filling bottles from the fridge door and leaving them there, because the colder the water, the more CO2 it holds.
Quick Connect cylinders drop straight in with one push and lock by twisting. That matters more than it sounds, because cylinder swaps are the thing people dread most about these machines, and a one-push fitting is the difference between a ten-second job and a fiddly one. At roughly 5579 owner reviews averaging 4.5 stars, that is a deep base of real households, which is why we trust the long-term durability reports here more than most.
Owners are consistent about the value. The recurring note is that one machine covers sparkling water, coffee, juice and cocktail bases, and that the 16.9 inch height disappears under a standard upper cabinet. A few reviewers note the plastic shell feels light next to a steel machine, which is fair, but at this weight class it is a reasonable trade for the bundle contents you get in the box.
What to check before you buy the Terra
Decide how much bottle capacity you actually want. Three bottles in the box is generous for one drinker, but a household that wants sparkling water in the fridge door all day will fill and swap them constantly. The bottles are reusable and dishwasher safe, so the running cost is replacement, not consumables.
Understand the limits of the machine itself. The Terra circulates water, which means you cannot carbonate juice or cold brew directly in the bottle the way the DrinkMate and Breville Fusion can. You can still add syrups and flavor drops after carbonating, and that is the easier way to stretch a cylinder anyway.
Who should skip the Terra
If you want a glass carafe in the rotation, the Terra cannot take one. SodaStream sells glass carafes separately and they are built for the Duo and Source, so a glass-drinking household ends up buying a second machine rather than a bottle. That is a real cost if sparkling water is your main fridge drink.
People who want a one-touch experience also tend to prefer the electric E-Terra further down this list, with its three preset fizz levels and illuminated bottle. Neither is better at making water. The Terra is better at giving you control and at arriving with everything you need.
2. Aarke Carbonator 3: Best Premium Design Pick
Aarke Carbonator 3 – Premium Sparkling Water Maker, Stainless Steel
Stainless steel body
Damper-controlled lever
800ml BPA-free PET bottle
Screw-in cylinders
Pros
- Refined stainless steel body that suits a design kitchen
- Damper lever gives unusually smooth control
- No electricity needed
- Compact 16.34 inch footprint
Cons
- 800ml bottle means more refills
- Cylinder not included in this configuration
- Plastic bottle rather than glass
The Carbonator 3 is the one machine here we would happily leave out on display. The stainless steel enclosure has no visible seams, no branding across the front, and a silhouette that looks more like a small design object than a kitchen appliance. If your counter is visible and you care how things look, that alone justifies the step up.
Mechanically it is different from every SodaStream on this list. Aarke uses a damper-controlled lever rather than a spring plunger, which gives a heavier, more deliberate feel and unusually smooth control across the stroke. There is no hiss, no venting noise and no power cord.
That review base is large. At roughly 6700 ratings averaging 4.4 stars, this is the most reviewed machine we tested, and the complaints in it repeat rather than vary. Owners praise the finish, the quiet operation and how quickly the lever turns plain water into consistent fizz. The two things they push back on most often are the 800ml bottle and the fact that this configuration does not include a CO2 cylinder.
Bottle size is the one that changes behaviour. 800ml is a generous glass of water and fine for one or two people, but it is the smallest bottle in this roundup. A household drinking a litre a day will run four or five fills a day, and you can feel the difference between one litre bottle and an 800ml one in a busy morning.
What to check before you buy the Carbonator 3
Cylinder compatibility is the big one. Aarke takes screw-in cylinders only. That is the most common cylinder format in the world and refills are widely available, but it is not the push-fit Quick Connect style used by most SodaStream machines, so you cannot carry one type over to the other.
Check the noise in your kitchen. This machine is genuinely quiet, but it still needs roughly 16 inches of counter height and a clear path for the lever. If your cabinet clearance is tight, measure before you order.
Who should skip the Carbonator 3
Skip it if you drink sparkling water in litre quantities or share a kitchen with more than one heavy drinker. The 800ml bottle is the constraint, and buying a second bottle does not fix the ergonomics of constant swapping.
Also skip it if taste in the bottle matters most to you. The included bottle is BPA-free PET, not glass. Owners of glass-bottle machines often cite the absence of any plastic taste as the reason they stay loyal, and that is a preference you cannot solve with the standard configuration.
3. DrinkMate OmniFizz: Best for Carbonating Anything, Not Just Water
Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water Maker & Soda Streaming Machine | Carbonates Any Drink | BPA-Free Bottle | No Batteries or Electricity Required | CO2 Not Included (Matte Black)
Carbonates any drink
1L BPA-free bottle
Standard CO2 connector
Pros
- Carbonates juice
- tea and cocktails
- Infuser keeps the bottle sealed so CO2 is not wasted
- Push button operation with no power
Cons
- CO2 cylinder not included
- Top button hinge can pop out after a drop
- Some owners find fizz lighter than SodaStream
Everything else in this list is a water machine with ambitions. The OmniFizz is genuinely a beverage carbonator. You can carbonate orange juice, cold brew, iced tea, wine, flat soda brought back from the fridge and cocktail bases, and the infuser that ships with it is the part that makes that work reliably.
The infuser is a small internal tube that keeps liquid moving at the nozzle. Without it, juice foams violently and gas escapes as foam instead of dissolving. With it, the bottle stays pressurised until you flip the relief cap, so you are not venting CO2 into the kitchen for nothing. On a 1L bottle that is a meaningful saving across a 60L cylinder.
Cylinder compatibility is unusually good news here. The machine uses the same connector style as SodaStream, so third-party refill cylinders work alongside branded ones. That flexibility is a genuine advantage for anyone who does not want to be tied to one exchange route, and it is the reason this machine earns a slot despite a mixed reputation on durability.
At roughly 2500 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, owner feedback splits cleanly. Enthusiasts rate it highly for the versatility and for being able to re-fizz flat soda. Critics point at build quality over time: cartridges backing off after repeated use, and a top button hinge that can pop out of place after the machine is dropped or knocked.
What to check before you buy the OmniFizz
Buy a two-year mindset. The manufacturer warranty is two years, which is longer than most in this roundup, and the complaints we saw were all about long-term mechanical wear rather than day-one failure. If you drop things on counters, this is not the machine for you.
Plan for the bottle, not the machine. SodaStream glass carafes are not compatible here, and the 1L bottle is proprietary to the system. That is a fair trade for the infuser, but it means the bottle ecosystem is narrower than SodaStream’s.
Who should skip the OmniFizz
If your priority is the highest possible fizz level in plain water, several owners rate this machine as slightly lighter than SodaStream. If the fizz is the product, test it before committing. If the fizz is a vehicle for sparkling juice and cocktails, the versatility wins easily.
Buyers who want a glass option should also look elsewhere, because there is no glass path on this machine at all. It is a two-year, three-pound, one-bottle setup and that is exactly what it is designed to be.
4. SodaStream E-TERRA: Best for One-Touch Fizz Control
SodaStream – E-TERRA Soda Maker | VALUE BUNDLE | 3 Automatic Carbonation Levels | Includes 2x CO2 Cylinders, 3x 32 Fl Oz Dishwasher Safe Bottles, 2x Bubly Fruit Flavor Drops, 1x Power Adapter | Black
Electric one-touch
Three fizz levels
Blue LED during carbonation
Pros
- One touch cycles through three fizz levels
- Blue light makes carbonating feel like an event
- Bundle includes two cylinders and three bottles
- Accepts the full SodaStream and Pepsi syrup range
Cons
- Needs a power outlet close by
- Plastic body feels light for its size
- Still limited to plain water
The E-TERRA is the machine to buy if you do not want to think about carbonation. You press the top once for a gentle sparkle, again for medium, again for full, and the machine stops itself. No holding a button, no counting seconds, no guessing.
The blue illumination is not just decoration. The bottle lights up while the CO2 enters, which gives a clear visual cue for when the cycle has finished and stops people from pulling the bottle off early. For a household with more than one drinker, that shared visual cue removes an entire category of household friction.
The bundle is generous for the money: two 60L cylinders, three dishwasher-safe bottles, two flavor drops and a power adapter. Each cylinder carbonates up to 60 litres, which works out to roughly 120 single-use bottles. Compatibility is wide here, since it accepts the SodaStream, Pepsi, Bubly, Starry and Mountain Dew flavor range.
Owner feedback at roughly 1000 reviews averaging 4.5 stars centres on how simple the three levels are and how good the illuminated bottle looks on a counter. The two recurring drawbacks are the need for an outlet and the plastic construction, which is a step down in perceived quality against the steel machines further down this list.
What to check before you buy the E-TERRA
Counter location. This is the only electric machine in a roundup of mostly manual ones, and it needs a plug within reach. If your counter has no outlet, a power strip solves the problem and costs less than replacing the machine later.
Preset levels versus manual control is the real trade. Three presets are excellent for everyday drinking. If you want a very light, half-second spray for mixing with juice, or a heavy two-bottle charge for a party, a manual lever gives you more reach than three fixed settings.
Who should skip the E-TERRA
Skip it for patios, gardens and anywhere without power. The manual machines in this roundup work identically anywhere there is a cylinder, which is one of the reasons they remain the more flexible choice for most homes.
Also skip it if you want to carbonate drinks other than water. Like the Terra, the circulation system handles plain water, so sparkling juice has to happen in a separate machine.
5. Philips Sparkling Water Maker: Best Budget Pick
Philips Sparkling Water Maker & Soda Streaming Machine, ADD4902BKOQ/37
No electricity required
1L BPA-free Quick Twist bottle
Standard 60L screw-in cylinders
2.4 pounds
Pros
- Works with standard screw-in 60L cylinders
- Needs no power
- so it suits patios and small kitchens
- Airtight lid keeps drinks fizzy longer in the fridge
Cons
- CO2 cylinder not included
- Bottles are proprietary to Philips Quick Twist models
- Lowest average rating in this roundup
The Philips is a stripped-back route into home carbonation that we would actually recommend. The mechanics are reduced to the essentials: twist the 1L bottle in, press once for a gentle sparkle, and it runs on standard 60L screw-in cylinders, which are the easiest and most widely available refill format.
There is no electronics anywhere in the design, which makes it a genuinely portable option. If you want sparkling water on a balcony, in a garden office or at a weekend house, this is the machine we would take, because nothing about it needs a socket.
The airtight bottle cup and lid are quietly important. A sealed lid keeps carbonation in the bottle longer, so a drink made in the morning still has bubbles at lunch. That sounds trivial until you compare it with an open-cap bottle that goes flat within an hour on a warm counter.
We rated this one on a 4.0 average from roughly 1240 reviews, the lowest average in this roundup, and we would rather be direct about why. Most of the drag comes from two things rather than from the machine itself. No cylinder is included, and the bottle is proprietary to the Philips Quick Twist system, so third-party bottle options are limited.
What to check before you buy the Philips
Budget for a cylinder separately. The machine alone is the lower outlay, but you still need one standard screw-in 60L cylinder before the first glass. Check the cylinder packaging for the connection type before you buy, because this is a screw-in machine and will not accept Quick Connect cylinders.
Count your bottles. Only one 1L bottle is included. For a household that keeps sparkling water in the fridge, a second and third bottle from the same system makes the machine far more usable day to day.
Who should skip the Philips
If fizz strength is what you care about, a 4.0 average says the execution is good but not class-leading. Owners report that carbonation is consistent but not as forceful as the SodaStream machines.
Skip it if you dislike proprietary bottles or you want a glass option. This is a closed plastic system, and there is no glass path. Buyers who plan to keep sparkling water as a long-term habit usually spend a little more up front on a machine with a wider bottle ecosystem.
6. SodaStream Gaia: Best Starter Kit with a Cylinder Included
SodaStream Gaia Sparkling Water Maker Kit, Black
Push-button carbonation
One 60L cylinder included
One dishwasher-safe bottle
Pros
- Machine
- cylinder and bottle in one box
- Simple one-press operation
- Works with all SodaStream flavors and bottles
- Compact vertical footprint
Cons
- Quick Connect cylinders only
- Cannot use the SodaStream glass carafe
- Only one bottle in the kit
Starter kits exist because a machine without gas is an expensive paperweight, and the Gaia gets that right. The box contains the machine, one 60L cylinder and one dishwasher-safe bottle, which is the minimum setup you need to make a litre of sparkling water in the first hour.
Operation is a single button press. That makes it the easiest machine here to hand to someone who does not want a manual lever explained to them, and the most common household question we get about any sparkling water maker is how long to hold the button. A fixed press cycle removes that question entirely.
It works with the full SodaStream flavour and bottle range, so you are not locked out of replacement bottles or syrups later. Owner feedback from roughly 830 ratings at 4.2 stars is warm on the no-fuss operation and on the value of the kit contents, which is exactly what a first machine should deliver.
The gripes are all about limits rather than faults. One bottle means one swap per litre, which is a mild inconvenience for a one-person household and a real one for a family. And because it takes Quick Connect cylinders only, you cannot use a standard screw-in refill from a different brand.
What to check before you buy the Gaia
Count bottles before you commit. One bottle in the box is enough to start, and replacement bottles are easy to order, but plan on two or three for a shared kitchen. Extra bottles are also the least expensive way to keep a reserve in the fridge door without waiting.
Confirm cylinder type if you already own cylinders. This machine requires Quick Connect. If your household already has a screw-in cylinder from a different brand, it will not fit here.
Who should skip the Gaia
Skip it if a glass carafe matters to you. This machine cannot use the SodaStream glass carafe, and there is no other glass option in the SodaStream range for it.
It is also not the machine for anyone who wants precise control over fizz strength. A single button press gives you one result. If you like a soft, half-strength bottle alongside a fully fizzy one, a lever machine is a better fit.
7. Mysoda Ruby 2: Best for Silent Operation and Design Awards
Mysoda Ruby 2 Sparkling Water Maker – with 1L Bottle – Black Copper
Aluminum body
Quiet 1L carbonation
Anti-freeze nozzle
9.45 by 5.63 by 16.14 inches
Pros
- Near-silent operation
- Anti-freeze nozzle gives finer bubbles
- Aluminum body with scratch-proof coating
- Quick-lock bottle attachment
Cons
- CO2 cylinder sold separately
- Screw-in cylinders only
- no Quick Connect support
The Ruby 2 is among the quietest machines we used, and in a small kitchen that turned out to matter more than we expected. There is no motor, no hiss and no venting noise, so carbonating does not announce itself across a room. Early risers will notice this more than anyone else.
The second thing we liked is the nozzle. The anti-freeze design produces smaller bubbles and a smoother carbonation than the coarse, aggressive fizz you get from a standard aeration-style injection. In a glass, that difference reads as a more refined texture rather than a sharper sting.
It is also a genuinely well-made object. The aluminum body and scratch-resistant coating give it a weight and finish that plastic-bodied rivals cannot match, and it carries Red Dot and Green Good Design awards alongside a design award from Finland. At a 4.6 average from about 330 reviews, it holds the joint-highest rating in this roundup.
The caveat is ecosystem. The cylinder is sold separately, and the machine uses screw-in cylinders only. It will not accept Quick Connect cylinders, so if your household is already deep into one cylinder type, check before ordering.
What to check before you buy the Ruby 2
Get your cylinder sorted first. This package does not include one, and the machine only takes screw-in type. That format is common and refills are easy to find, but it is a separate purchase and it is the step people forget.
Measure the height. At just over 16 inches it clears most cabinets, but the lever arc needs clear space in front. Style-wise it reads as a small appliance that belongs on a counter, not something to hide.
Who should skip the Ruby 2
Skip it if you need a larger bottle. One 1L plastic bottle is included and there is no glass option, which is limiting for households that want a carafe in the fridge.
It also reads as a single-purpose water machine. There is no infusion system here for juice or tea, so if sparkling beverages are the goal, the DrinkMate or the Breville Fusion handles that job properly.
8. Breville InFizz Fusion: Best for Juice, Wine and Cocktails
Breville InFizz Fusion Sparkling Drink Carbonator, Brushed Stainless Steel
FusionCap carbonates any drink
Stainless steel body
Magnetic drip tray
1L bottle, two year warranty
Pros
- FusionCap handles juice
- tea
- wine and flat soda
- Smooth die-cast lever and heavy stainless build
- Two year product warranty
Cons
- CO2 canister not included and extra bottles cost extra
- Bottles are plastic with a printed expiration date
- Attachment has a learning curve
The InFizz Fusion is one of the most capable machines in this roundup for anything other than plain water. Its FusionCap attachment carbonates juice, tea, cocktails, wine and even flat soda brought back from the fridge, and it lets you choose fast or slow carbonation depending on what is in the bottle.
That matters because different liquids need different treatment. Water takes fast carbonation well. Juice foams, so it needs a slower introduction of gas. Wine and pre-mixed cocktails need a gentle touch to avoid losing aroma. A single-speed machine forces you to compromise on at least one of those.
Build quality is the other argument. The die-cast lever and stainless body feel a tier above the plastic machines, and the magnetic drip tray lifts out cleanly, which matters more than it sounds on a machine you use several times a day. There is a two year product warranty behind it.
Owner feedback at 4.6 stars from about 165 reviews is small in volume but consistently positive. Owners describe near-silent operation, a smooth lever action and a machine that outlasts plastic rivals. Deductions come from the plastic bottles, the separate CO2 purchase and the premium positioning.
What to check before you buy the InFizz Fusion
Buy the cylinder separately and check your bottle count. The canister is not included, and the bottles are an extra cost, so the real outlay is the machine plus a 60L screw-in canister plus however many bottles your household needs. It uses standard screw-type 60L canisters, which are easy to refill.
Practice the FusionCap once. The twist-and-lock ring pull closure system takes a couple of attempts to get right, and attaching it incorrectly is the most common reason first-time users think the machine is not carbonating.
Who should skip the InFizz Fusion
Skip it if you only drink water and want the simplest possible machine. A lever-and-bottle setup does everything you need with fewer moving parts and no attachment to fit.
Also check your counter height. This is a tall machine and it may not clear a standard kitchen cabinet, which is a common surprise. And if glass matters to you, there is no glass bottle option here.
9. Mysoda Woody: Best for a Wood-Composite Body
Mysoda Woody Carbonated Water Machine with 1L Bottle – Pigeon
Wood composite material
Noise-free mechanism
1L bottle and quick-lock system
Screw-in cylinders
Pros
- Renewable-based wood composite body
- Quiet operation with a quick-lock bottle
- No electricity required
- Uses common screw-in cylinders
Cons
- CO2 cylinder sold separately
- Plastic 1L bottle rather than glass
- Screw-in cylinders only
The Woody is the machine we would pick for a rental or a small flat, and the wood composite body is the reason. It is warm, matte and completely different in character from the stainless and black-plastic machines that dominate this list. It looks less like a gadget and more like a small piece of furniture.
Underneath the finish, the mechanism is quiet and electricity-free. The quick-lock bottle attachment is a twist, not a precision alignment, which means the machine tolerates a slightly casual setup better than most. For a kitchen where sparkling water is a single person habit, that ease is worth a lot.
It uses common screw-in cylinders, the format that is easiest to exchange locally and the one most refill services carry. That matters more than specification suggests. Owner feedback at 4.4 stars from about 305 reviews repeatedly praises simple cylinder exchange, and the recurring note is simply that the cylinder is not included.
The machine has picked up a Green Good Design award and several other design recognitions, which is consistent with how it looks. It is also a deliberately plain-looking machine, with no branding to interrupt the surface.
What to check before you buy the Woody
Budget for a cylinder. This is a separate purchase in screw-in format, and it is the only thing standing between the box and a first glass. Exchanging them is straightforward, which owners consistently mention as a plus.
Care for the finish. Scratch-resistant coated composite still marks more easily than stainless. Wipe spills rather than scrubbing, and keep the machine off a wet chopping board area.
Who should skip the Woody
Skip it if you want a glass bottle. The included 1L bottle is plastic, and there is no glass option in this system. It is also water only, with no attachment for juice or tea.
It is a one-bottle machine, so a household that wants several bottles ready at once will want to add bottles from the same system. And if you dislike natural materials, a steel or plastic body may simply suit your kitchen better.
10. Breville InFizz Aqua: Best Stainless Build for Screw-In Canisters
Breville InFizz Aqua Sparkling Water Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel
Stainless steel body and lever
Twist-and-lock ring pull
34oz bottle included
Screw-in 60L canisters
Pros
- Stainless body and die-cast lever
- Operators report cartridges lasting longer
- Uses standard 60L screw-in canisters
- Two year product warranty
Cons
- CO2 canister not included
- Bottles are proprietary plastic and not dishwasher safe
- Top-heavy with a bottle fitted
The InFizz Aqua is the stainless steel entry point in the Breville range, and it is the one to buy if you want a metal machine without moving up to the Fusion. The body, lever and magnetic drip tray all read as premium, and the finish sits well next to other stainless appliances.
The detail we would point a buyer toward is the twist-and-lock closure with an ergonomic ring pull. It makes attaching and removing a bottle fast and gives you a clear physical signal that the seal is properly seated, which is a common cause of under-carbonation on other machines.
Owners also report that cartridges last longer here than on cheaper machines, which suggests the sealing system wastes less gas per bottle. That is a real running-cost difference over a year of daily use, and it is the most useful thing in the feedback we read for this model.
It is also a newer model with a smaller review base, at roughly 110 reviews averaging 4.5 stars. The praise is for the polished look, the sturdy construction and efficient CO2 use. The substantive criticism is aimed at the closed bottle system and the drip tray.
What to check before you buy the InFizz Aqua
Know what you are locked into on bottles. These are proprietary plastic bottles, they are not dishwasher safe, and there is no glass option. That is the most restrictive bottle situation in this roundup and it is worth considering carefully before you buy.
Handle it with a full bottle in place. The unit is top-heavy once a 1L bottle is locked on, and some owners report it tipping when moved carelessly. Keep it against a wall rather than at a counter edge.
Who should skip the InFizz Aqua
Skip it if you wash bottles in a dishwasher or if glass is a requirement. The combination of a proprietary, non-dishwasher-safe plastic bottle and no glass alternative is the reason this model sits at the bottom of our ranking despite a solid rating.
Anyone who wants to carbonate juice, wine or cocktails should go to the InFizz Fusion, which has the FusionCap attachment for exactly that. The Aqua is a water machine built to a higher material standard.
How to Choose the Right Sparkling Water Maker for Your Kitchen
Cylinder type is the decision nobody explains
There are two cylinder formats and they are not interchangeable. Quick Connect cylinders push straight in and lock with a twist, and every SodaStream machine in this roundup uses them. Screw-in cylinders thread into the machine and are the universal format, used by the Aarke, the Philips, both Mysoda machines and both Breville machines.
Why it matters: the top organic result on this topic is a thread in r/HydroHomies literally asking for sparkling water makers that are not from SodaStream, so people are actively looking for flexibility. The DrinkMate is the interesting answer there, because it uses the standard SodaStream-style connector and therefore accepts third-party refill cylinders as well. A user in r/askhungary described being tired of returning bottles, and the practical fix for that fatigue is having more than one place to refill.
One owner in r/HydroHomies also noted that an Aarke is essentially a SodaStream without the brand politics because it runs the same canisters, which is worth knowing if you already have a cylinder supply. The rule remains simple: check the connector type on the machine before you buy a refill.
Bottle material, lock-in and dishwasher reality
Plastic bottles are the default across this whole category. They are light, they do not break, and every manufacturer here includes BPA-free plastic as standard. The recurring complaints are consistent: a faint plastic taste, scratching after repeated use, and warping after many dishwasher cycles even when the bottle is labelled dishwasher safe.
Glass changes three things at once. It tastes cleaner because nothing is leaching a faint flavour, it sits better in the fridge door, and it is heavy and breakable. The Terra and the Gaia here cannot take a glass carafe at all, which is the single biggest reason some buyers end up owning two machines.
The right question is how many bottles you need. One bottle means constant swapping. Two or three means a reserve in the fridge. Proprietary systems limit how many you can own, and that is the practical cost of every machine on this list.
If the same counter is also home to a weekend project, our pasta maker reviews and bread maker guide cover the other appliances that earn permanent counter space, and the same shelf-clearance thinking applies to all three.
Manual, one-touch or electric
Manual levers give you the widest range, from a two-second spray to a long charge. One-touch buttons give you a repeatable result with no thinking. Electric machines add preset levels, usually three, plus illumination so the household can see when a cycle has finished.
Electricity is a mild drawback for a machine that a manual version handles perfectly. Only the E-Terra needs a power outlet, which makes it the one model here we would not take to a patio or a garden office. If you want that flexibility, everything else in this roundup works anywhere a cylinder does.
Counter space is the other shared constraint. A sparkling water maker needs roughly 16 to 17 inches of vertical clearance, which is the same footprint demanded by most countertop waffle makers, so if you are budgeting kitchen real estate, our waffle maker roundup is a useful comparison before you commit to both.
What a cylinder actually costs you over time
Every cylinder in this roundup is rated at 60L, and a litre a day uses one in about two months. That works out to roughly six litres a day as a comfortable break-even point against bottled sparkling water, which is where most machines repay the purchase within about six months for a household drinking a litre a day.
You can stretch a cylinder meaningfully by adding flavour after carbonating rather than before. Carbonating flavoured liquid risks foaming and wasted gas, while carbonating plain water and adding drops or syrup afterwards gives a longer, more consistent pour. Users on r/HydroHomies also flag that a pre-chilled bottle makes the water come out noticeably better, which is free carbonation improvement.
If your water comes out flat, check these four things
Almost every flat-water complaint is one of four causes, and none of them is a broken machine. Water temperature is first: warm water holds far less CO2, so chill it properly before filling. The seal is second: a bottle that is not fully locked leaks pressure and vents gas, so push it until it clicks. The fill time is third: too short a press means under-carbonation, and the fix is simply a longer hold. The relief valve is fourth, and an engineering discussion on stackexchange traced weak carbonation to outgassing pressure that vents CO2 before the water is saturated.
If your water is fine but tastes odd, the cause is the input water, not the machine. Chlorine and hard water both become more obvious once carbonated, because carbonation carries flavours to the back of the tongue. If your kitchen has a filtered tap, fill from that instead.
What owners complain about most
Looking across owner feedback, the complaints cluster into a short list. Proprietary bottles come first, because owners do not like being restricted to one bottle ecosystem. Cylinder exchange friction comes second, for the reasons above. Plastic taste, dishwasher warping and machines that vent gas early make up the rest, with build quality complaints concentrated on the DrinkMate.
One trend worth flagging: the two deepest review bases here do not have the highest ratings. The Aarke Carbonator 3 and the SodaStream Terra carry roughly 6700 and 5579 owner reviews respectively, and they sit at 4.4 and 4.5. The highest ratings belong to machines with much smaller review counts, which is a reminder that a high score on 111 reviews tells you less than a 4.5 across thousands. We weighted the size of the review base heavily for that reason.
If you are also planning a larger appliance refresh, our countertop ice maker guide covers the machines worth dedicating counter space to for parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a sparkling water maker do?
A sparkling water maker, also called a soda maker, carbonator or seltzer maker, forces carbon dioxide into cold water under pressure until it dissolves. You fill a reusable bottle with cold water, lock it into the machine, insert a CO2 cylinder, then press a button or pull a lever. The machine releases CO2 into the sealed bottle, and holding the button or lever longer produces a higher carbonation level. Once the bottle is full, crack the cap to release the pressure and enjoy. Most machines need no electricity and no app.
Which sparkling water maker is the best rated?
By owner rating, the Mysoda Ruby 2 and the Breville InFizz Fusion tie for the highest average in our 2026 roundup, both at 4.6 stars. The strongest proof of satisfaction comes from the largest review bases: the Aarke Carbonator 3 holds roughly 6700 reviews at 4.4 stars and the SodaStream Terra roughly 5579 reviews at 4.5 stars. A high score on 111 reviews tells you much less than a 4.5 average across thousands of households, so we weigh both.
What is the best sparkling water machine to buy?
The SodaStream Terra is the one we recommend to most people. It is a manual lever machine that arrives with two 60L cylinders, three dishwasher-safe bottles and flavor drops, so it works from day one, and its 16.9 inch height clears most cabinets. If you want a stainless steel design object instead, the Aarke Carbonator 3. If you want to carbonate juice and cocktails, the DrinkMate OmniFizz or the Breville InFizz Fusion.
Is there a better option than SodaStream?
Yes, and there are good reasons to look. The Aarke Carbonator 3 has a stainless steel body, a damper-controlled lever and the largest owner review base here. The DrinkMate OmniFizz carbonates juice, tea and cocktails and accepts third-party refill cylinders. Both Mysoda machines and both Breville machines are quiet, well made and use widely available screw-in cylinders. SodaStream’s real advantage is the widest bottle and flavor availability, not performance.
Which carbonator is better, Aarke or SodaStream?
Choose the Aarke Carbonator 3 for materials, looks and quiet lever feel, and choose a SodaStream for ecosystem breadth and price. Aarke uses screw-in cylinders and an 800ml BPA-free PET bottle. SodaStream machines use Quick Connect cylinders, carry a wider range of bottles and flavor syrups, and often include a cylinder and multiple bottles in the box. One Aarke owner in r/HydroHomies described it as essentially a SodaStream that runs the same canisters.
Is Aarke worth the money?
It is worth it if you care about materials and countertop appearance. Owners consistently praise the stainless steel body, the damper-controlled lever and the near-silent operation. The trade-offs are real: the 800ml bottle is the smallest in this roundup, the bottle is plastic rather than glass, and this configuration does not include a CO2 cylinder. If you drink a litre a day or share the kitchen, the smaller bottle is the factor that decides it.
Do SodaStream plastic bottles leach microplastics?
The bottles in this category are BPA-free, and the practical concerns owners actually report are taste and durability rather than a measurable health claim. Those recurring issues are a faint plastic taste, scratching after repeated use, and warping after many dishwasher cycles even when the bottle is labelled dishwasher safe. If taste is the priority, look for a machine that accepts a glass carafe, and hand-wash plastic bottles rather than machine-washing them.
How long does a CO2 cylinder last?
A standard 60L cylinder carbonates up to 60 litres of water, so a household drinking a litre a day will get through one in roughly two months. Heavy drinkers and anyone making maximum-fizz bottles burn through them faster, and choosing a lower carbonation level extends the life of each cylinder. Adding flavour drops or syrup after carbonating, rather than before, also stretches each cylinder because flavoured liquid foams and wastes gas.
Do you actually save money using a sparkling water maker?
For a household drinking about a litre of sparkling water a day, yes. A standard cylinder covers 60 litres, and the machines in this roundup typically repay their purchase cost within about six months at that rate of use. The saving shrinks if you drink only an occasional glass, and it grows if you use the machine for sparkling juice and cocktails, which displace bottled versions. The main hidden cost is replacement bottles, not gas.
The Verdict: Which Sparkling Water Maker Should You Buy?
Buy the SodaStream Terra if you want one machine that covers everything. Two 60L cylinders, three dishwasher-safe bottles, flavor drops, manual fizz control and a 16.9 inch body that fits under a cabinet. At roughly 5579 owner reviews averaging 4.5 stars, its combination of rating and review depth is what convinced us it is the best sparkling water maker for most homes in 2026.
Buy the Aarke Carbonator 3 instead if the machine lives on your counter and the counter is visible. The stainless steel body and damper lever are among the best in this roundup, and at roughly 6700 reviews it has the deepest owner feedback here.
Buy the DrinkMate OmniFizz if sparkling juice, tea and cocktails are the goal, and the Breville InFizz Fusion if you want the same versatility in stainless steel with a two year warranty. If your water tastes off, fill from a filtered tap. Cold water and a properly seated bottle solve most complaints we heard, and those are the last two variables between a flat glass and a good one.