Thanks to a soda maker, you can prepare it at home in seconds if you love sparkling water. You can immediately get good and pure water without buying bottles and transporting them.
Except for the rare cases of naturally sparkling waters, i.e., that have an enthusiasm already at the source, in all other cases, including mineral waters of the best brands, sparkling or carbonated water is always obtained with the addition of carbon dioxide. The same procedure can be done independently with a domestic soda maker.
Sparkling water is excellent for sipping with meals or as a base for soft drinks, cocktails, and flavored waters. It helps digestion, and on sultry days, it quenches thirst better than smooth water. It is also a good solution for those who want to reduce or eliminate sugary drinks consumption but do not want to give up the bubbles.
One of the advantages of having a soda maker at home is adjusting the sparkling level according to the amount of CO2 added and satisfying all the family members without buying different types of sparkling water.
Buying the best soda maker for your home also means eliminating the purchase of plastic bottles and respecting the environment. All the materials, including the bottles supplied with the soda maker, are reusable. If you want to make a 100% ecological choice, you can opt for the empty returnable C02 cans, a service most producers offer.
Table of Contents
How to choose a soda maker
Let’s see the different types of soda makers currently available for domestic use.
Soda maker with connection to the water network
This type is suitable for home use but is also available in different professional models for bars and restaurants. These soda makers have a significant, compact body connecting directly to the water network. However, the soda maker often includes water filtering, so these models require a more significant investment.
Independent soda maker
The independent soda maker is much more convenient and easier to use at home which is currently the most popular model. In this case, filling a water bottle from the tap is necessary and then inserting it in the soda maker to proceed with carbon dioxide. This type of soda maker is divided into two main types: manual and electric.
Manual Soda Maker
It is effortless to use the appliance and does not require clutter of cables or batteries. The manual soda maker acts thanks to the Co2 cylinder’s power, which inserts carbon dioxide into the water.
To add Co2 with a manual delivery soda maker, it is necessary to keep the button or lever pressed until an audible warning or a buzz warns us to end the operation. The dimensions are pretty compact, and few functions are provided, but these models are among the cheapest and most versatile.
Electric soda maker
With an electric soda maker, we have more power available and can gas several liters in less time. Some are also equipped with a cooling system and other integrated functions, such as choosing the quantity of carbon dioxide to add to customize the water according to your tastes.
The machine automatically ends operations in the more sophisticated electric soda maker models. Any audible warnings inform us that the bottle is ready to be withdrawn from the machine.
The electric soda maker cable usually has a maximum of 30-39 inches, as it should generally be placed on the kitchen countertop with the sockets reasonably close. The built-in cable reel models are slightly more comfortable and less bulky when storing the soda maker.
Structure and Functioning
The soda maker’s high and narrow structure allows you to insert the already full bottle and dispense carbon dioxide from above. In addition, some models are equipped with a bottle of housing to only work with that specific container model.
Other soda makers are equipped with a completely open structure that offers more room for maneuver and allows the use of bottles of different capacities; it is understood that the bottle’s neck must coincide with the attachment.
Coupling system
Furthermore, it can hook the bottle with a bayonet, interlocking, or screwing systems. Finally, there may be an additional container or base at the soda maker’s bottom to place the bottle, which helps find the right angle to hook it in the upper part.
Or there may be a free surface with special holes to collect the water that could leak during the operations. Most soda makers work with the bottle visible, but some models include inserting the bottle inside a cylinder or flap; in this way, everything happens inside the machine.
Bottles and Capacity
The soda maker can include one or more integrated bottles or not. With the bottles supplied, we have a limited amount of water available. It is difficult for some models to find compatible bottles and use only bottles of the same brand.
In this case, evaluating well based on the family members is necessary. For example, a soda maker with only one bottle of 500 ml capacity is suitable for one or two people. If necessary, it is necessary to purchase other bottles separately.
A carbonator that supplies up to 3 integrated 1-liter bottles already at the first purchase is an excellent family solution. This aspect is important as the sparkling water bottle obtained with the carbonator lasts no longer than two days in the refrigerator; it is difficult to prepare large stocks.
Another solution for those who need large quantities of water is choosing a carbonator without an integrated bottle or a structure that allows different bottles. This way, we can get all the sparkling water we want without necessarily buying bottles of the same brand or capacity.
CO2 Cylinders
To choose the best soda maker, we must also evaluate the type and availability of CO2 cylinders. Some models are already supplied with the cylinder, while we should buy them separately from other soda makers.
For each model, it will be necessary to check the cylinder’s compatibility with other brands to have more freedom in choosing and the price comparison every time we refill. To cut costs, some manufacturers offer a returnable vacuum service.
If the manufacturer has a store in our city, returning the empty cylinder to buy a full one will be easy. In this way, an ecological choice is made without neglecting to avoid disposing of the container and obtaining economic savings in the long run.
CO2 Cylinder Capacity
The CO2 cans or cylinders supplied by domestic soda makers are available in various sizes but are generally suitable for preparing carbonated water between 15 and 150 liters. While the carbon dioxide inside the cans is measured in grams, it is easier to rely on the producers’ estimate to evaluate the capacity and understand how much water we can obtain.
For example, with a single 15-liter cylinder, we can obtain between 15 and 25 liters of carbonated water; with a 60-liter cylinder, we can get between 60 and 100 liters of carbonated water.
The final quantity of liters of water obtained with a refill depends on the amount of carbon dioxide we add from time to time. The cylinder lasts longer if we want slightly sparkling water. If we use it at maximum power instead, we get fewer liters of sparkling water. One way to save CO2 is always to use cold-water bottles.
Materials
We find stainless steel among the materials used to make the machine body, especially in the top-of-the-range models. This is because steel offers a robust structure capable of resisting shocks. On the other hand, the cheaper soda maker models often provide a durable plastic structure or plastic with metal inserts.
The bottles supplied are usually made of PET plastic for food use and are washable and reusable. Some are also dishwasher safe. Plastic bottles are perfect for transporting outside the home to enjoy sparkling water wherever we go.
Some soda makers are equipped with glass bottles, a very hygienic and easy-to-clean material. Glass bottles are more uncomfortable to carry around but much more elegant to bring to the table.
Dimensions
Let’s think of the soda maker being connected to the water network, for which it is necessary to establish a fixed position in the kitchen. The dimensions can be up to 19 inches in height and width 11-15 inches because they are often equipped with larger cylinders or filtering systems that increase the size of the machine.
Instead, we want a compact appliance that does not sacrifice space in the kitchen. Independent and portable soda makers are the right choice because they are compact designs. Generally, they develop vertically following the bottle’s shape, with the minimum space necessary to insert the can on the back.
CO2 canisters are also designed in a tall, narrow cylinders to save space. Buttons, levers, and possibly motors for electric models are above the bottle housing. Here, most carbonators for 500 ml to 1-liter bottles can reach 15 inches2 in height but measure between 5 and 8 at the base, with a straightforward structure to store. The average weight of a soda maker of this type is between 3 and 6 lbs, making it very easy to move or store when not in use.
The best soda makers to buy
Below is the ranking of the best soda makers to buy this year, with their respective characteristics and capacities, in a price range between $30 and $500.
- Make fresh sparkling water at the push of a button.
- Includes: sparkling water maker, (1) 60L Co2 cylinder, (1) Dishwasher safe botle, and (1)...
- Energy efficient, powered by Co2 cylinder. Each Co2 cylinder carbonates up to 60 liters of...
- Make fresh sparkling water at the push of a button.
- Includes: sparkling water maker, (2) 60L Co2 cylinders, (1) Twin Pack Dishwasher safe...
- Energy efficient, powered by Co2 cylinder. Each Co2 cylinder carbonates up to 60 liters of...
- ★ 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐂𝐎𝟐...
- ★ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭...
- ★ 𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐝𝐚...
- CUSTOMIZE & CREATE: Easily personalize your fizz, function, flavor, flavor intensity, and...
- SPARKLING OR STILL: Select still or choose between three sparkling levels.
- FILL ANY CUP: Four different size settings, including 6oz, 12oz, 18oz and 24oz dispensed...
- ★ 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐂𝐎𝟐...
- ★ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭...
- ★ 𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐝𝐚...
- Fresh and healthy : Enjoy the fresh and healthy fizz of sparkling water, carbonated juice...
- Classic mesh sodamaker includes : stainless steel mesh design over BPA free PEN plastic...
- Easy to use : fill the Classic Sodamaker with water, screw on the head, carbonate with iSi...
- 🥤 ENJOY SPARKLING WATER AT HOME - With a sparkling water maker, you can easily make...
- 🥤 VERSATILE SPARKLING WATER MACHINE: The Fizzpod soda maker uses patented technology...
- 🥤 USES STANDARD 60L CO2 CYLINDERS: The FIZZPod Does Not Come with a CO2 cylinder,...
- Make fresh sparkling water at the push of a button with three preset carbonation levels.
- Includes: (1) Sparkling water maker, (1) 60L Co2 cylinder, (1) 1L Dishwasher safe reusable...
- Energy efficient, powered by Co2 cylinder. Each Co2 cylinder carbonates up to 60 liters of...
- Seamless Operation: Enjoy the convenience of cordless and electricity-free operation with...
- Elegant Design: Elevate your countertop with the Carbonator 3's minimalist design and...
- Precision Engineering: Experience smooth and controlled carbonation with the redesigned...
- Make fresh sparkling water at the push of a button.
- Includes 1 SodaStream Gaia Sparkling Water Maker
- Energy efficient, powered by Co2 cylinder. Each Co2 cylinder carbonates up to 60 liters of...
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