Soda Maker Buying Guide (2026)

QuickConnect cylinders snap in and out in seconds, which is why the SodaStream Terra, Art, and E-Terra are the easiest machines to live with. Standard threaded cylinders screw in and take longer, but they fit the Drinkmate, Aarke, and Breville machines and are widely available. Check which system your local shops exchange before choosing, since a cylinder that cannot be exchanged locally turns into a delivery chore. A 60-litre cylinder carbonates up to 60 litres of water, depending on how fizzy you like it.

Manual machines ask you to count button presses or hold a lever, which gives control but needs practice for a repeatable fizz. The Terra button needs counting, the Art lever gives finer control once learned, and the Aarke lever is the smoothest of the manual controls. The E-Terra is the only machine here with preset levels, so it is the only one that gives the same fizz every time without practice. Cold water holds gas better than warm water, so chill the bottle first whatever machine you buy.

One bottle is rarely enough for a household, since a bottle needs chilling before use and washing after. SodaStream bottles are dishwasher safe, which is a real advantage, while Drinkmate, Aarke, and Breville bottles need hand washing. The Art starter kit includes two bottle sizes, which is a thoughtful touch, and bundles with three bottles suit a household that drinks a lot. Check the bottle neck and cap before buying spares, since Breville bottles are proprietary and cost more than standard ones.

Most soda makers need no power, which means they can sit anywhere and move to a shelf or a cabin. The E-Terra is the exception: it needs a wall socket and its power adapter, so it must live near a socket. A soda maker lives on the worktop, so how it looks matters more than for a tool that hides in a cupboard: the Aarke is built to stay on show, the Art looks smart, and the Terra looks plain. Judge the looks honestly, but remember that a better body never improves the fizz.