Best Soda Makers: I Said Goodbye to Expensive Store-Bought Sodas

Our testing methodology for soda water makers focused primarily on general performance, ease of use, and overall value. We conducted rigorous evaluations by making at least 10 full bottles of sparkling water using each machine. During this process, we meticulously noted how proficiently and consistently each machine performed its core function of carbonating water.

To ensure comprehensive testing, we also carbonated other liquids, including fruit juice and wine. Our findings indicated that the type of liquid being carbonated did not affect the machine’s performance; if a machine carbonated water well, it performed similarly across all liquids.

We paid close attention to the effort required to emit carbon dioxide into the bottles, noting that some manual machines required more muscling and pumps. Among the manual options, the SodaStream models demonstrated the most consistent performance. 

Additionally, we assessed the sturdiness and build quality of each soda water maker. For instance, the Aarke III carbonator stood out for its solid stainless steel construction and stylish design. We considered these physical attributes alongside performance to provide a well-rounded evaluation.