A Closer Look at SodaStream‘s Products, Flavors, and More
SodaStream has become an extremely popular option for people looking to enjoy sparkling water and soda while cutting back on sugar and waste. But is it really all it‘s cracked up to be?
As a seasoned product reviewer and sparkling water enthusiast myself, I decided to take a deep dive into everything SodaStream has to offer. I‘ll uncover all the nitty gritty details on how their machines work, top flavors to try, health impacts, environmental benefits, real customer reviews, pricing, and more in this ultimate SodaStream review.
How SodaStream Became a Leader in the Home Carbonation Market
SodaStream dates all the way back to 1903 when it was invented in the UK. But the brand really took off when it launched in Israel in 1978 and acquired global popularity through infomercials in the early 1990s.
In recent years, under CEO Eyal Shohat, SodaStream has grown rapidly by positioning itself as a healthier, sustainable alternative to drinking store-bought canned and bottled beverages. The company was even acquired by PepsiCo in 2018.
As of 2022, SodaStream is now available in over 80,000 retail stores across dozens of countries worldwide. Their machines have carbonated over 50 billion liters of water!
Clearly they‘ve managed to disrupt a giant industry by appealing to health and environmental-conscious consumers. But why exactly is their product so appealing?
An Inside Look at How SodaStream Machines Work
SodaStream machines carbonate water by adding carbon dioxide (CO2) through a small cylinder attached to the top.
It‘s a very simple, quick process:
- You fill up the included BPA-free plastic bottle with regular tap or filtered water
- Attach it into the locking mechanism on top of the machine
- Press down firmly on the carbonation button for 1-2 seconds (the amount you hold controls level of carbonation)
- Repeat pressing up to 2-7 times depending on desired fizziness
- Add any flavorings or enjoy as-is!
The CO2 cylinder lasts for up to 60 liters of water before it needs swapped out. The replacement cylinders are very affordable at around $15-30.
SodaStream machines run purely on mechanical power when pressing the carbonation button so they don‘t require any batteries or electricity.
Key Benefits of Owning a SodaStream
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Endless Bubbly Water On Tap – No more lugging cases of bottled water home from the supermarket! Get fresh sparkling water whenever you want with just the push of a button.
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Environmentally-Friendly – By ditching plastic water bottles and aluminum cans, you greatly reduce waste and your carbon footprint. Reusable SodaStream bottles last for years.
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Saves Money – Carbonating your own water at home costs a fraction compared to store-bought alternatives. The machine pays for itself over time.
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Healthier Than Soda – Infinitely customize sparkling water with essence flavors and fruit instead of heavy syrups and sugars that come in conventional sodas.
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Fun & Easy to Use – SodaStream machines are very simple to use and maintain. Plus, experimenting with adding your own flavor combos makes for a fun kitchen activity.
SodaStream Fizzi: The Most Popular Starter Model
SodaStream offers several sparkling water maker models at various price points. Their most popular machine is the straightforward SodaStream Fizzi.
This compact, visually-appealing carbonator comes in a few different color options to match any kitchen. It‘s designed to effortlessly carbonate water at the touch of a button.
The Fizzi bundles available include:
Fizzi Sparkling Water Starter Kit – $99.99
Comes With:
- Fizzi Machine
- (1) 60L CO2 Cylinder
- (1) 1L BPA-free reusable carbonating bottle
Fizzi One Touch Sparkling Water Maker – $129.99
Comes With:
- Fizzi Machine
- (1) 60L CO2 Cylinder
- (3) 1L BPA-free reusable carbonating bottles
- (2) 0.5L BPA-free reusable carbonating bottles
Both options are solid, convenient, budget-friendly choices for sparkling water beginners. I would personally opt for the One Touch bundle since it comes with extras.
Other Notable SodaStream Machines
While the SodaStream Fizzi is the most popular, they offer various other models:
SodaStream Terra – With a sleek, modern look, the Terra has some upgraded premium features like a stronger locking mechanism, light indicators, and enhanced carbonation. It comes in a bundle with flavors and bottles.
SodaStream Spirit – Very similar design to the Fizzi but made with metal and glass for enhanced durability. Also has light indicators.
SodaStream Jet – Their high-end, best splurge option with stainless steel detailing and an LED carbonation display. You can customize exact levels of fizziness with this model.
SodaStream Art – For design lovers, the Art has a retro-chic style with its manual lever arm and stainless steel accents. Available in several colorways.
No matter which model you choose, all SodaStream machines use the same patented technology to create quality carbonation easily at home.
SodaStream Flavors Review: Endless Mixology Options
One of the best things about SodaStream is the ability to get creative and craft your own flavor combinations.
They offer loads of juice essences, fruit drops, cocktail mixes, tea blends and more to mix into your fizzy water. Everything from classics like Cola and Lemon-Lime to fun flavors like Watermelon Mint and Peach Iced Tea.
Here‘s a sampling of some of SodaStream‘s top flavors:
SodaStream Tonic Flavor Drops
These concentrated drops allow you to make crisp, bubbly tonic water to enjoy by itself or mix in cocktails like a Gin & Tonic. The small bottles are equivalent to 33 liters of tonic.
SodaStream Peach Lemonade
Who doesn‘t love a refreshing lemonade on a hot day? This sweet peach lemonade essence adds the perfect fruity zing to your carbonated water.
SodaStream Mango Lime Twist
A mouthwatering combo of tropical mango and zesty lime to give your sparkling water a fun twist. Great served over ice!
SodaStream Cranberry Raspberry
Bursting with tart cranberry paired with sweet raspberry. An ideal flavor for the holiday season.
SodaStream Cola Syrup
For die-hard soda addicts, this Cola syrup lets you create a crisp, fizzy cola without artificial sweeteners or HFCS. Sweetened with cane sugar.
Those are just a handful of the tons of flavors SodaStream has available. Let your creativity run wild mixing and matching combos to find your perfect drink.
SodaStream Users Share Their Thoughts
Curious what real-life SodaStream owners think? Here‘s a sampling of reviews from verified customers:
Lindsay R. from Ohio
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"I love having sparkling water on demand and avoiding so much plastic waste. This machine is so fun and easy to use. My favorite flavor is the peach iced tea!"
Mark J. from California
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"The SodaStream is great for carbonating water and making soda water cocktails. My only complaint is the flavor essences and syrups are pretty weak. I wish they were more concentrated."
Ashley P. from Texas
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"I‘m obsessed with my SodaStream! I drink way more water now that I have endless bubbly water whenever I want. It also saves a ton of money over buying cases of sparkling water."
Daniel T. from New York
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"It makes good carbonation but the machine itself feels kinda cheap and flimsy. Also seems to lose its fizz quickly. I prefer my old Sodastream model that was made of metal."
Overall, you can see most SodaStream owners have very positive experiences using the machines and love the convenience, customization, and health benefits. Some people think the newer plastic models seem cheaper or wish the flavors were stronger.
But generally, people agree that SodaStream is a useful kitchen appliance that can transform the way you drink fizzy beverages.
SodaStream vs. the Competition
Although SodaStream dominates the market, some other companies are joining the home carbonation industry. SodaStream‘s main competitors include:
Drinkmate
Drinkmate comes in premium metallic builds and features helpful automation technology to take the guesswork out of getting perfect carbonation every time. Users rave about the strongly carbonated water Drinkmate produces. But their machines and CO2 cylinders are more expensive.
Aarke Carbonator
This sleek sparkling water maker has an elegant Swedish design focused on being durable and visually stunning. Reviewers love the high-quality stainless steel build. But it‘s significantly pricier than SodaStream and uses a proprietary CO2 system.
Sparea Pro
Very affordably priced, the Sparea Pro focuses more on customizability and precise carbonation control rather than fancy designs. It includes extra attachments for carbonating juices, wine and other beverages besides just water.
While SodaStream alternatives work well for some consumers, none quite match SodaStream‘s overall user-friendliness, value, flavor variety and global brand recognition. For most households, a SodaStream machine makes the most convenient, budget-friendly carbonation station.
Cost Breakdown: How Much Does SodaStream Really Save?
One of the biggest selling points for SodaStream machines is saving money in the long run over buying cases of bottled or canned beverages. But exactly how much can you save?
Here is an estimated breakdown:
- A SodaStream Fizzi bundle starts at $99.99
- Each 60L CO2 carbonator cylinder costs $29.99
- That comes out to about $0.50 per 1L bottle of carbonated water
- Comparable size cases of bottled sparkling water at grocery stores average around $5 per 1L bottle
– So you save approximately 90% per 1L serving!
Flavor essences and drops typically retail around $6-10 per small bottle. Each bottle holds enough flavoring for 33-60L. Compared to a 12-pack of mainstream canned soda at around $5-6, using SodaStream flavors saves quite a bit too.
Therefore, the math shows that yes – SodaStream allows you to save a significant amount over buying cases of carbonated drinks in the long run!
Where Can I Buy a SodaStream Machine?
Thanks to SodaStream‘s massive popularity worldwide, their products are widely available both online and in-stores.
You can purchase SodaStream machines and accessories from:
- Their official website – SodaStream.com
- Major retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond
- Warehouse stores such as Costco and Sam‘s Club often carry them
- Select grocery store chains may have them in stock
- Specialty kitchen stores like Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table
I suggest checking SodaStream‘s website directly as your first stop since they often run promotions. Third party sellers sometimes jack up prices.
Common SodaStream Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about SodaStream:
Who owns SodaStream?
SodaStream is owned by PepsiCo as of 2018 when they acquired the company for $3.2 billion.
How long do the CO2 cylinders last?
Each cylinder contains enough carbon dioxide to carbonate up to 60 liters of water. How frequently you swap them out depends on individual usage. Expect 2-6 months from each cylinder.
Can you carbonate anything besides water?
SodaStream machines are designed specifically for carbonating water. However, you can add small amounts of juice, tea or alcohol to the carbonated water for making flavored beverages.
Does SodaStream offer discounts or promotions?
Yes! It‘s common to find sitewide sales, bundle deals or coupons on their website for 15-30% off. Act quickly around major holidays for best deals.
The Verdict: Is SodaStream Worth Buying?
After extensive analysis of SodaStream‘s full product range, flavor options, company background, customer reviews comparing top competitors – plus costs breakdown – here is my final take:
SodaStream machines are an absolute gamechanger if you enjoy sparkling water and bubbly cocktails. The convenience of fresh, customizable carbonation makes staying hydrated so much more exciting.
The company is still the gold standard in home carbonation decades later thanks to the patented technology, quality construction, affordability compared to competitors, and constantly expanding flavor collections.
While not the most premium models on the market, SodaStreams get the job done perfectly well for most households. And you really can‘t beat value bundles like the Fizzi One Touch for under $130.
For sparkling water lovers also eco-conscious about single-use plastic waste – investing in a SodaStream machine is a no-brainer. You‘ll save hundreds yearly while cutting back your environmental impact.
So if you‘re searching for the best way to get your daily dose of bubbly at home minus trips to the store, SodaStream has a solution that will leave you satisfied. Cheers!
