Best sparkling water machines: SodaStream, Aarke, Smeg, Drinkmate and more
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Still or sparkling?
It’s a question that can divide the table at restaurants, but if you’re firmly in the latter camp, there’s one machine you can’t afford not to have in the house - a carbonated water machine.
Adding fizz to your water with the simple touch of a button, they allow you to enjoy sparkling H2O on tap. If you’re a regular drinker, it means you can dramatically reduce your single-use plastic to zero - you won’t need to fork out for bottles when you have one of these bad boys sitting on your kitchen counter.
They don’t just make water either, some models like SodaStream can be mixed with the brand’s own flavourings to allow you to sip on homemade cola, lemonade, tonic and more whenever you fancy. While they might seem pricey at first, if you use them often enough, the cost will pay for itself.
We’ve gathered the niftiest models around for shopping ease.
See our favourites below
SodaStream Art Sparkling Water Maker
You’ll easily hit government-recommended personal water intake (that’s six to eight glasses daily) with a SodaStream on your counter. The brand was incredibly popular in the 70s and is enjoying a resurgence today as new customers discover the benefits of the machine.
There are various bundles and models (Spirit, One Touch and Crystal) to choose from, but all machines come with a portable carry bottle and one cylinder of gas, which is used to carbonate the water. They’re also covered with a 30-day trial and two-year warranty.
To use, simply twist the gas into the back of the machine, attach the provided bottle to the front and press the carbonation button - it’s as simple as that. As well as black and white models, you can also pick from blue and sage green, and both the cordless Spirit and One Touch (which offers three levels of fizziness) are under 44cm, so you should be able to store them away without issue. The Crystal, which can be used with SodaStream’s glass carafes, is taller at just shy of 55cm, so will be better suited to a countertop where visitors can admire (and envy) it when they pop round.
Where to buy SodaStream in the UK
Smeg Soda Maker
Why have it still when sparkling is on the menu? Chic appliance brand Smeg has launched a fizzy water machine to up your sparkling water game.
Offered in four chic colours, the sleek cordless unit features a dial turn that allows you to control the level of carbonation pushed into the water. Being wire-free means you can set it up anywhere, from your bedside table for pre-snooze hydration to out in the garden, ready to impress party guests.
Whether you’re someone who has to wait for the bubbles to drop after cracking open a can of pop or you like them tickling your nose, you’ll love this.
Drinkmate Sparkling Water and Soda Maker
While Sodastream doesn’t recommend carbonating anything but water in its machines, this Drinkmate model can add fizz to almost anything that’s on the flat side: think juices, iced tea or coffee, energy drinks, wine, cocktails, and even flat soda or beer. Like its peers, it’s powered by standard 60L CO2 cylinders (not included), is portable and comes with a 1L bottle.
Also available in black and white versions.
Aarke Carbonator 3 brass stainless steel sparkling water maker
Compatible with CO2 cylinders from Sodastream, AGA, Linde and many other 425g 60L cylinders for sparkling water makers, Aarke promises to bring contemporary style home.
Its sleek machines come with a water bottle and cleaning cloth, but no gas, so make sure you have a cannister at home to get it working.
It’s cordless and needs no electricity to run, so you can take it with you on trips away without fretting over plug points. Lower bills too, which is always a plus in our eyes.
Mysoda Woody sparkling water maker, pigeon
Made from renewable raw materials (an ecological biocomposite gained from side streams and residues of the forest industry) and negating the need for electricity, Mysoda’s Woody device is the perfect gift for fans of sparkling water.
The wood-based material offers a wholesome look that’s perfect for the home as well as taking on staycations to country cottages, and is so nice, it’s even won a Red Dot Design Award and the iF gold award for its looks.
Like the Aarke, it comes with a 1L drinking bottle but no gas cylinder so you’ll have to source your own - luckily Woody is compatible with standard carbon dioxide cylinders. Stands 40.8cm tall.
Cello Sparkling Water and Soda Maker Machine
Love your bubbles so much you want to take them on the road? You can with a sparkling water machine as it requires no electricity to run. Simply ensure you have a full Co2 gas cylinder and you're ready to sparkle.
This Cello design comes in three colours and can be set up anywhere, from the sunny spot in the garden to your campsite table.
Verdict
The original and the best, we’re big fans of SodaStream. Not only are there a range of syrups to choose from that will open up your drink choices, but the CO2 cylinders can also be recycled through its exchange programme. Good for you, good for the planet - win-win.