Sparkling Water Makers Compared By Cylinder And Fizz
The SodaStream Terra suits most kitchens with its quick connect cylinder and wide bottle support. Choose the Aarke Carbonator 3 for a stainless steel body built to stay on the counter. Pick the Drinkmate OmniFizz to carbonate juice, tea or wine in addition to water.
Most kitchens do best with the SodaStream Terra, thanks to its quick connect cylinder and broad bottle support. Buyers who want a counter centerpiece should look at the Aarke Carbonator 3, and anyone fizzing juice or wine belongs with the Drinkmate OmniFizz.
Carbonators look interchangeable until the cylinder needs changing, the bottle needs washing, or the machine needs an outlet. Availability of gas refills in your area affects daily use more than any spec sheet. Based on published specifications and owner feedback, we compared cylinder systems, bottle mechanisms and power needs across seven models.
The best picks, ranked
SodaStream Terra
SodaStream swapped the Terra’s screw in cylinder for a quick connect design. Gas changes now take seconds instead of a two handed twist. No power cord is needed, and the bottle snaps in with one hand. Owners report the connector finally made cylinder swaps painless.
Pros
- Cylinder swaps take seconds, not minutes
- No power cord, so placement is flexible
- Widest bottle and accessory support in the SodaStream line
Cons
- Body is mostly plastic
- Carbonation level relies on judgment, not a gauge
Aarke Carbonator 3
Aarke wraps the Carbonator 3 in a full stainless steel shell with one machined lever. It is the only machine here people leave out on the counter on purpose. Standard screw in cylinders work with it, along with the included PET bottle or an optional glass bottle.
Pros
- Steel body looks and feels premium
- Single lever keeps operation simple
- Works with widely sold screw in cylinders
Cons
- Screw in cylinders take longer to swap than quick connect
- Costs more than machines with the same core function
Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker
Drinkmate built the OmniFizz around a detachable Fizz Infuser. It releases pressure before the bottle comes off, which prevents foam overs with juice, tea or wine. Plain water carbonation matches its rivals. Owners note the extra rinse step is a fair trade for the flexibility.
Pros
- Carbonates juice, tea and wine, not just water
- Pressure release step avoids foam overs
- Uses widely available screw in cylinders
Cons
- Infuser needs a rinse after sugary drinks
- More parts to track than a single bottle system
SodaStream E-Terra Electric Sparkling Water Maker
E-Terra automates carbonation with three preset levels, so results stay consistent no matter who presses the button. That consistency is the reason to accept a power cord and a fixed counter spot. It carries over the Terra’s quick connect cylinder and snap lock bottle.
Pros
- Delivers the same fizz level every time
- Keeps the Terra’s quick connect cylinder
- One button operation needs no guesswork
Cons
- Needs a nearby outlet
- Adds electronics that can eventually fail
SodaStream Art Sparkling Water Maker
Art swaps the Terra’s push button for a side mounted lever with a controlled, mechanical action. Underneath, it uses the same quick connect cylinder and snap lock bottle. Pick it for the tactile feel and the more decorative body, not for a smaller footprint.
Pros
- Lever gives finer control than a push button
- Shares the Terra’s fast cylinder swap
- Decorative body suits an open counter
Cons
- Lever needs clearance on one side
- Takes up more counter space than the Terra
Philips GoZero Sparkling Water Maker
GoZero keeps things simple with a slim body and a screw in bottle. It suits buyers who want fizzy water without a large accessory ecosystem. Standard cylinders work and no power is needed. The build feels lighter than SodaStream’s, though the fizz output is comparable.
Pros
- Slim footprint suits tight counters
- Uses widely available screw in cylinders
- Lower entry cost into carbonation
Cons
- Screw in bottle is slower than snap lock
- Feels less stable in use than heavier machines
Sparkel Beverage System
Sparkel skips gas cylinders and generates carbon dioxide from single use sachets instead. That removes the exchange problem for anyone without a nearby refill point. It carbonates juice and other drinks, not just water. Sachets are an ongoing cost, and each cycle runs slower than a cylinder machine.
Pros
- Skips cylinder exchange entirely
- Carbonates juice and other drinks besides water
- Runs an automatic carbonation cycle
Cons
- Sachets are an ongoing consumable cost
- Each cycle takes longer than a cylinder machine
Before you buy
What To Check Before Buying A Sparkling Water Maker A carbonator is a one time purchase, but gas is not. Check what refill or exchange options exist nearby before you buy. Confirm whether the machine uses a common screw in cylinder or a brand specific quick connect design. Without a convenient gas supply, even the best fizz turns into a cupboard ornament.
Quick Connect vs Screw In Cylinders: Which Should You Choose Screw in cylinders follow the widest standard and work across many brands. Changing one means threading a heavy canister by hand, though. Quick connect systems, used on the SodaStream Terra, E-Terra and Art, click in and out in seconds. That speed comes with being locked into one brand’s cylinders. Anyone who dislikes wrestling with a canister will find quick connect worth the trade off.
Manual Or Electric: Which Fits Your Kitchen Manual machines need no power, sit anywhere, and have almost nothing to break. Electric models, like the E-Terra, deliver identical fizz on every bottle at preset levels. That consistency matters in a household where everyone wants a different amount of fizz. Neither type carbonates better; they differ mainly in convenience and counter placement.
Can You Carbonate Juice, Tea Or Wine At Home Carbonating juice, tea or wine in a standard machine often causes foam overs, since pressure escapes through the drink when the bottle comes off. Machines built for it, such as the Drinkmate OmniFizz and Sparkel, vent pressure before you remove the bottle. If plain water with a squeeze of citrus is all you want, skip this feature and save money elsewhere.
Side by side
| # | Model | Power | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SodaStream Terra | None required | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Aarke Carbonator 3 | None required | Best build quality | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker | None required | Best for more than water | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | SodaStream E-Terra Electric Sparkling Water Maker | Mains powered | Best for consistency | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | SodaStream Art Sparkling Water Maker | None required | Best lever action | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Philips GoZero Sparkling Water Maker | None required | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Sparkel Beverage System | Mains powered | Best for cylinder free use | 8.0 | Check price |
Common questions
How long does a CO2 cylinder last?
Most manufacturers quote around sixty liters per standard cylinder. Heavier carbonation uses gas faster, so actual results vary by household. Expect fewer liters if everyone likes strong fizz.
Can I carbonate juice or wine in a sparkling water maker?
Only in machines built for it. The Drinkmate OmniFizz and Sparkel release pressure before the bottle comes off, which prevents a foam over. Standard machines like the SodaStream Terra are meant for plain water.
Do sparkling water makers need electricity?
Most manual models need none, including the SodaStream Terra, Aarke Carbonator 3 and Philips GoZero. Electric options like the E-Terra and Sparkel require a nearby outlet.
Are sparkling water maker bottles dishwasher safe?
It depends on the bottle, not the brand alone. SodaStream’s newer snap lock bottles are dishwasher safe. Many older or third party PET bottles need hand washing instead.
Do carbonating bottles expire?
Yes. PET plastic weakens under repeated pressure, so bottles carry an expiry date printed near the base. Replace a bottle once that date passes, even if it looks fine.
Does water need to be cold before carbonating?
Cold water holds carbon dioxide far better than room temperature water. Chilling the bottle first produces noticeably more fizz from the same amount of gas.
Can I use any brand of CO2 cylinder?
Screw in cylinders share a common thread standard, so many brands are interchangeable. Quick connect cylinders only fit the specific machines designed around them.
How do I clean a sparkling water maker?
Wipe the body and rinse bottles after each use. Clean the carbonating nozzle occasionally with a damp cloth. Machines that fizz juice or tea need the infuser rinsed every time to avoid sticky residue.
Is quick connect or screw in better for a sparkling water maker?
Quick connect swaps gas in seconds but ties you to one brand’s cylinders. Screw in cylinders take longer to change but work across more machines. Choose based on how often you expect to swap gas.
Final word
SodaStream Terra remains the sparkling water maker most kitchens should buy, since a cylinder swap that takes seconds keeps a machine in daily rotation. Choose the Aarke Carbonator 3 if it will live on display and metal matters more than price. Pick the Drinkmate OmniFizz when plain water is only half of what you plan to fizz.
