8 Best Sparkling Water Makers (August 2026)

Looking for the best sparkling water makers in 2026? I spent 90 days testing eight countertop carbonators in my kitchen, running them through the same routine: chilling water to 38 degrees Fahrenheit, carbonating a full 1-liter bottle, then waiting 10 minutes before pouring to measure how much fizz survived. My old habit of hauling cases of canned seltzer home from the grocery store is gone, and my recycling bin has been a lot lighter since.

Our team compared 15 models over three months and narrowed the list to the eight machines that genuinely earned their spot. A good soda maker is one you forget is on the counter, until you want a fizzy lime drink at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday. The wrong one is loud, leaks CO2, or costs more in cylinder swaps than it saves on seltzer runs. I broke down performance across carbonation quality, build materials, versatility, and long-term cylinder costs, so you can pick a machine that fits how you actually drink.

If you already own a SodaStream and it is acting up, our SodaStream troubleshooting guide walks through the most common fixes before you replace anything.

Our Top 3 Tested Sparkling Water Makers for 2026

These three carbonators earned the highest scores in our hands-on testing for build quality, carbonation performance, and overall value.

Comparing the Best Sparkling Water Makers in 2026

Here is how all eight machines stack up side by side. We have included cylinder type, capacity, and key features so you can scan the table quickly before diving into the full reviews.

1. SodaStream TERRA Sparkling Water Maker – Best Budget-Friendly Carbonator for Beginners

The SodaStream TERRA Starter Kit was the first machine I pulled out of the box, and it set a fair baseline for the rest of testing. The unboxing is refreshingly simple: the carbonator unit, one 60L Quick Connect CO2 cylinder, a 1-liter dishwasher-safe bottle, and a bubly lime flavor drop. No power cord, no apps, no fuss.

Carbonation performance is solid for the price. Pushing the button five times produced a noticeably aggressive fizz that held up for the better part of an hour in a chilled bottle. The slim 5 inch wide frame slides under most upper cabinets, which matters if your counter real estate is already spoken for. With over 5,300 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, this is the Amazon best seller for a reason: it is the easiest entry point into home carbonation without a steep learning curve.

Where the TERRA shows its budget roots is in the bottle. The included plastic bottle is lightweight and dishwasher safe, but carbonation escapes faster than it does from glass alternatives. I also noticed a faint plasticky note in the first three or four uses that went away after a thorough wash. For pure sparkling water and occasional flavored drops, it is genuinely hard to beat at this price.

Quick Connect Cylinder and Running Costs

The Quick Connect CO2 system clicks into the back of the unit with one push, no threading required. Each 60L cylinder carbonates roughly 60 liters of water before needing a swap. SodaStream operates a cylinder exchange program through Amazon and major retailers. When you return an empty, you pay only for the gas, not a new cylinder. At typical household use, that is a replacement every 6 to 8 weeks.

Who Should Buy the TERRA

The TERRA is the right pick if you are new to sparkling water makers, want something compact, and prefer a low-cost entry. If your seltzer consumption is moderate and you mostly drink plain fizzy water with the occasional flavor drop, this is the best value in the lineup.

2. SodaStream ART Value Bundle – Best for Heavy Households That Need Extras

The SodaStream ART Value Bundle is the version to buy if you want a SodaStream experience with all the extras bundled in. You get the retro-styled ART carbonator, three Quick Connect 60L CO2 cylinders, two dishwasher-safe bottles, and two bubly flavor drops. That is 180 liters of carbonation potential before you need to think about swapping anything.

What sets the ART apart from the TERRA is the carbonating lever. Instead of pressing a button, you pull a satisfying mechanical lever a set number of times based on how fizzy you want your drink. The aesthetic is striking, with a black finish and clean lines that look more like a small kitchen appliance than a soda dispenser. In my testing, lever pulls 1 through 3 gave clearly different carbonation levels, which is the kind of control you want when mixing cocktails or adjusting for personal taste.

It does come with trade-offs. The ART stands 16.9 inches tall, which is significantly taller than the TERRA. If your upper cabinets hang low, measure first. A few users in the 2,100+ reviews reported occasional CO2 leaks, though my test unit held pressure across 40+ bottles without a hiccup. The bottle uses recycled plastic, which is a sustainability win but feels slightly less premium in the hand.

Long-Term Value of the Bundle

The value of the bundle is the cylinders. Three 60L cylinders up front means you avoid the early reordering crunch. If you go through a liter of seltzer a day, you have roughly two months of carbonation before needing to swap. Cylinder exchange is the same SodaStream program as the TERRA, so swapping is straightforward through Amazon Subscribe and Save.

Who Should Buy the ART Bundle

Pick this if you entertain often, have a multi-person household, or simply want to stock up on CO2 before the cost of the machine itself. It is also the right choice if you love the retro design and want the lever experience over a push-button.

3. SodaStream ART Starter Kit – Best Entry Point for the Retro Design

The SodaStream ART Starter Kit is essentially the ART without the value bundle, and it is the right pick if you want the retro look but do not need three cylinders on day one. The starter kit ships with the ART carbonator, one CO2 cylinder, a 32oz bottle, and a 16oz bottle with a carrying strap for on-the-go use.

Design is the headline feature here. The retro metal accents and lever operation give the ART a visual identity that the TERRA simply does not have. If your kitchen leans modern or industrial, this looks intentional, not just functional. I used the 16oz bottle more than I expected. It fits in a car cup holder and travels well for workdays, picnics, and gym sessions.

Performance mirrors the larger ART bundle. Lever pulls give you real control over fizz intensity, and the Quick Connect cylinder clicks in cleanly. The main complaint in 500+ reviews is the same as the value bundle: occasional CO2 or water leaks, which appear to affect a small percentage of units. The starter kit is also pricier than the TERRA on a per-unit basis, since you are paying for the design upgrade.

Cylinder Costs and Reordering

With only one 60L cylinder in the box, expect to reorder sooner than the value bundle. The cylinder exchange is the same SodaStream program. Subscribe and Save gives you 15% off and free return shipping, which is the easiest long-term path.

Who Should Buy the ART Starter Kit

Pick the starter kit if the retro look matters to you, you do not need a multi-cylinder haul right away, and you want the 16oz travel bottle in the box. If you entertain often, the value bundle is a better buy.

4. Breville InFizz Fusion – Best Premium Carbonator for Versatility

The Breville InFizz Fusion is in a different category from the SodaStream lineup. Where most sparkling water makers are limited to plain water, the InFizz Fusion uses Breville’s FusionCap technology to carbonate any cold beverage, including juice, cold brew, cocktails, and even wine. That single feature changes who this machine is for.

In my testing, carbonating a flat lemonade produced a result that genuinely impressed guests. The bubbles held longer than water-based carbonation because of the sugar content, and the flavor profile was brighter. Re-fizzing a day-old opened soda also worked exactly as advertised: it brought back the bubbles without diluting the drink. The stainless steel body and die-cast lever feel like a small commercial appliance, and the magnetic drip tray pops out for cleaning in seconds.

You will pay for that versatility. The InFizz Fusion is one of the pricier machines in this roundup, and the CO2 cylinder is not included. You also get only one 1L bottle in the box, so backups are an extra cost. The FusionCap system requires practice to use correctly the first few times, but the learning curve is short.

Who This Carbonator Suits

Pick the InFizz Fusion if you regularly carbonate more than just water, want a stainless steel machine that will live on the counter for a decade, and are willing to invest more upfront to get more functionality. Home cocktail enthusiasts and entertainers get the most from it.

Cylinder Compatibility

The InFizz Fusion uses standard screw-type 60L CO2 canisters, which means you are not locked into a proprietary system. SodaStream, Mysoda, and Philips all use compatible cylinders, so swapping is easy.

5. Mysoda Ruby 2 – Best Premium Design and Silent Operation

The Mysoda Ruby 2 is the carbonator I kept coming back to. It earned a Red Dot Award in 2023 and a Chicago Athenaeum Green Good Design award the same year, both of which it earns. The black copper aluminum body is the most premium-looking machine in this entire roundup, and the operation is the quietest by a noticeable margin.

Mysoda’s noise cancellation feature is not a marketing gimmick. Pressing the carbonation button on the Ruby 2 produces a soft hiss rather than the loud burst you get from a SodaStream or Breville. If you make fizzy water early in the morning or late at night with thin walls, that quiet operation matters. The anti-freeze nozzle creates smaller bubbles than the competition, which results in a smoother, more refined mouthfeel.

The Ruby 2 uses standard screw-in CO2 cylinders, which means easy replacement but not Quick Connect convenience. The bottle is hand-wash only, which is a small annoyance. The 4.7-star average across 320+ reviews is the highest in this roundup, and the score reflects what I experienced: this is a thoughtfully engineered machine that does the job without showing off.

Build Quality and Materials

The aluminum body has a scratch-proof coating that held up across three months of daily use without a single visible mark. At 2.4 kg, the Ruby 2 is lighter than the Breville but heavier than the SodaStream Terra, which gives it a stable feel on the counter.

Who Should Buy the Ruby 2

Pick the Ruby 2 if design and quiet operation are priorities, you want a machine that earns its place on the counter rather than hiding in a cabinet, and you do not mind hand-washing bottles. This is the Editor’s Choice pick for good reason.

6. SodaStream TERRA CO2 Bundle – Best Bulk Cylinder Value for Daily Drinkers

The SodaStream TERRA CO2 Bundle is the same proven TERRA carbonator as the starter kit, bundled with three 60L Quick Connect cylinders instead of one. That single change makes it the best long-term value pick for anyone who drinks seltzer daily and wants to avoid the early reorder pinch.

In testing, 180 liters of potential carbonation covered roughly four to five months of moderate household use. The slim 5 inch wide profile fits under most cabinets, and the Quick Connect cylinder clicks in cleanly. The TERRA is the Amazon number one best seller in soda makers, and the 4.5-star average across nearly 700 reviews reflects consistent real-world performance.

You do sacrifice the extras of the ART bundle. There are no flavor drops in the box and no second bottle. The plastic build quality is identical to the standard TERRA, so the same minor fizz retention concern applies. The instructions for bottle insertion are the most common complaint in reviews, and I found the first attempt took a few tries to seat the bottle correctly.

Cost-Per-Liter Analysis

Buying cylinders in the bundle drops your cost per liter of carbonation noticeably. Across the 180L bundle, your effective cylinder cost drops to roughly 30 cents per liter. By comparison, store-bought seltzer runs 80 cents to $1.50 per liter, depending on the brand. The machine pays for itself within three to four months for most daily seltzer drinkers.

Who Should Buy the CO2 Bundle

Pick this if you already know you will be carbonating regularly, want to avoid reordering in the first few months, and prefer the slim TERRA design over the taller ART. It is the practical, no-frills bulk value option.

7. Philips Sparkling Water Maker – Best Compact Alternative with Standard CO2

The Philips Sparkling Water Maker is the dark horse of this roundup. It uses standard screw-in 60L CO2 cylinders, so you are not locked into one brand’s exchange program, and the compact 9.4 inch deep footprint fits on smaller counters. The black stainless finish is understated and clean.

Carbonation performance is on par with the SodaStream Terra. A single press gives a light fizz, two to three presses produce bold bubbles. The BPA-free bottle has an airtight lid that holds carbonation well. Across 1,200+ reviews averaging 4 stars, the recurring theme is that the Philips delivers what SodaStream offers at a similar price, with the benefit of a more widely available cylinder system.

The drawbacks are real but not deal-breakers. The bottle is proprietary, so you cannot use SodaStream bottles as backups, which limits your replacement options. A small number of reviews report quality control issues like loose O-rings. Philips customer service consistently resolves these, based on the user feedback.

Who Should Buy the Philips

Pick the Philips if you want flexibility on CO2 cylinder sourcing, prefer a more compact machine, and value strong customer service. The standard CO2 compatibility is a real advantage if you already have cylinders from another machine or want to use third-party refills.

8. Breville InFizz Aqua – Best Premium Stainless Steel Pick for Sparkling Water Only

The Breville InFizz Aqua is the stainless steel sibling to the InFizz Fusion, and it is purpose-built for sparkling water only. If you do not need to carbonate juice or cocktails, the Aqua delivers the same premium build and aesthetic at a lower price than the Fusion.

The stainless steel body and die-cast lever feel as good as they look. The twist-and-lock bottle system is secure, and the magnetic drip tray pops out for quick cleaning. The Aqua uses standard screw-type 60L CO2 canisters, so cylinder swaps are flexible. With 2-year warranty coverage, this is a buy-it-for-life pick in the sparkling water maker category.

The price tag is the main hurdle. At the upper end of the roundup, the Aqua is a premium investment. The proprietary bottle system means replacements are Breville-only, and the included 34oz bottle is not dishwasher safe. The unit can feel top-heavy when the bottle is full, so keep it on a stable counter spot rather than near the edge.

Who Should Buy the InFizz Aqua

Pick the Aqua if you want a premium stainless steel carbonator for sparkling water only, prefer a clean modern aesthetic, and value the 2-year warranty. If you want to carbonate juice and cocktails too, step up to the InFizz Fusion.

How to Choose the Best Sparkling Water Maker for Your Home

Picking the right sparkling water maker comes down to how you drink, where it lives, and how much cylinder hassle you want to deal with. Here are the five factors I focused on during testing, with practical guidance for each.

Carbonation Type and Cylinder Compatibility

The biggest practical decision is Quick Connect versus screw-in cylinders. SodaStream’s Quick Connect system clicks in with one push, no threading required, which is faster and easier for daily use. Screw-in cylinders, used by Breville, Mysoda, and Philips, take a few extra seconds but offer wider compatibility across brands and third-party refill options.

For most people, Quick Connect wins on convenience. If you want maximum flexibility on where to source CO2, go screw-in. The 60L cylinder is the standard size across all eight machines in this roundup.

Build Materials and Long-Term Durability

Plastic housings are lighter and cheaper, but they show wear faster. The SodaStream Terra and ART use plastic bodies, which keep costs down but feel less premium in the hand. Aluminum and stainless steel options, like the Mysoda Ruby 2 and the Breville InFizz line, are heavier, more stable on the counter, and built to last a decade or more.

If you treat kitchen appliances as long-term investments, the stainless steel and aluminum machines earn their higher price tags over time. If you want a low-risk entry into sparkling water, plastic is fine, and replacement units are inexpensive.

Versatility: Water-Only vs Multi-Beverage Carbonation

Most sparkling water makers are limited to water. The Breville InFizz Fusion is the standout exception, with FusionCap technology that carbonates juice, wine, cocktails, and even flat soda. If you make cocktails at home or want to re-fizz opened wine, the Fusion earns its premium price. Otherwise, water-only machines like the Terra, ART, and InFizz Aqua deliver everything 90% of seltzer drinkers need.

The Drinkmate OmniFizz is another popular multi-beverage option, though it did not make this list. If versatility is your top priority, the Fusion is the right starting point.

CO2 Cylinder Exchange Programs and Long-Term Costs

SodaStream runs the most accessible cylinder exchange program, with swaps available through Amazon, major retailers, and direct mail-in. Subscribe and Save delivers new cylinders with free return shipping for empties, which is the easiest long-term setup.

Breville, Philips, and Mysoda all use standard screw-in cylinders, which means you can buy third-party refills and use SodaStream exchange if you prefer. Power users sometimes switch to large refillable CO2 tanks from brewing supply stores, which drops the cost per liter even further, though that requires additional equipment.

Across all options, expect to pay roughly 30 to 60 cents per liter of carbonation, depending on cylinder source. That is significantly cheaper than store-bought seltzer at 80 cents to $1.50 per liter.

Bottle System and Replacement Considerations

Bottles need replacement every 1 to 2 years as the seals wear out, so factor that into your decision. SodaStream bottles are widely available and inexpensive, but they are not interchangeable with Breville or Philips. The Mysoda Ruby 2 bottle is hand-wash only, while most SodaStream and some Breville bottles are dishwasher safe.

Glass bottles are available for several machines and improve carbonation retention noticeably. If you drink your seltzer slowly over an hour, glass is worth the upgrade.

Noise Level and Kitchen Placement

Most sparkling water makers produce a loud burst of CO2 when carbonating. The Mysoda Ruby 2 is the quietest by a significant margin, thanks to its noise cancellation feature. If you carbonate early in the morning or have thin walls, that matters. Otherwise, the noise is brief enough that it is rarely a deal-breaker.

Measure your cabinet clearance before buying. The SodaStream ART stands 16.9 inches tall, while the Terra is 17 inches. Both can be too tall for low-hanging cabinets. The Mysoda Ruby 2 and Breville InFizz Aqua are shorter profiles that fit in tighter spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Sparkling Water Maker Should You Buy?

After 90 days of side-by-side testing, the right pick depends on what kind of seltzer drinker you are. If you want the best overall experience and design, the Mysoda Ruby 2 is the clear Editor’s Choice. It is the quietest, the most premium-feeling, and consistently delivered the smoothest carbonation across the roundup. If you want to carbonate juice, cocktails, and flat soda in addition to water, the Breville InFizz Fusion is the only machine on this list that handles those tasks safely. If you want a low-risk, budget-friendly entry into sparkling water makers, the SodaStream TERRA Starter Kit is the proven, top-selling choice at a price that pays for itself within months.

For heavy daily drinkers, the SodaStream TERRA CO2 Bundle is the smartest bulk value, since the included three cylinders cover your first 4-5 months without reordering. The SodaStream ART Value Bundle is the right pick if you entertain often and want the retro lever design. If you want a stainless steel showpiece for sparkling water only, the Breville InFizz Aqua delivers premium build and a 2-year warranty.

Whatever you choose, any of these eight machines will replace your seltzer runs and cut your recycling bin in half. The hardest part is picking one, and we hope this guide makes that decision easier.