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If your recycling bin is full of seltzer cans and sparkling water bottles, you’ve probably wondered whether making it at home would be easier and cheaper. That’s exactly the idea behind SodaStream, a brand that has been fizzing water for more than a century. Here’s a full, honest breakdown of SodaStream’s history, how the machines work, what to know before you buy, and whether it’s worth it.
What Is SodaStream?
SodaStream is a home carbonation brand that makes machines that add carbon dioxide to ordinary tap water, turning it into sparkling water that you can drink plain or flavor with syrups. The idea is older than most people realize: the forerunner of the machine, an “apparatus for aerating liquids,” was created in 1903 in England by Guy Hugh Gilbey of the London gin distillers W & A Gilbey. In its earliest days it was a luxury item sold to wealthy households, including the British royal household. Flavored concentrates appeared in the 1920s, and the first machine designed for home carbonation arrived in 1955.
The brand’s ownership has changed hands many times. Cadbury Schweppes bought it in the 1980s, and in the late 1990s it was acquired by Soda-Club, an Israeli distributor of SodaStream products, which relaunched the brand with a focus on healthier drinks. In 2007, Israeli private equity firm Fortissimo Capital bought the business, and former Nike executive Daniel Birnbaum became CEO, leading a push into the US market by getting the machines into upscale retailers. SodaStream went public on the Nasdaq in November 2010. Then, on December 5, 2018, PepsiCo completed its acquisition of SodaStream for $144 per share, a transaction valued at roughly $3.3 billion. Today, SodaStream is a PepsiCo subsidiary with headquarters in Kfar Saba, Israel.
How Does a SodaStream Work?
A SodaStream machine is simple. You fill a reusable bottle with cold, plain water, attach it to the machine, and press a button or pull a lever, which injects carbon dioxide from a cylinder into the water, making it fizzy. A typical kit includes the machine, a CO2 cylinder, and one or more reusable bottles. You can then drink it as plain sparkling water, or add flavor syrups afterward, with the brand offering more than 100 types of concentrates and flavorings.
The CO2 comes from a pressurized cylinder that you exchange rather than refill yourself. SodaStream’s program lets you return an empty cylinder and swap it for a full one at participating retailers, and Forbes once reported that a single 60-liter cylinder produces roughly 100 20-ounce bottles of sparkling water. Prices and exchange locations change over time, so check the current details on the official site.
SodaStream’s Current Machines
In 2022, SodaStream launched three sparkling water makers that remain central to its lineup:
- Terra — a manual, easy-to-use model that’s often the starting point for new users
- Art — a retro-styled model with a lever that lets you choose your own carbonation level
- Duo — a model named for its compatibility with both plastic and glass bottles
In 2023, the brand added the E-Terra and E-Duo, which are similar to the Terra and Duo but use an electric interface instead of a manual button. Pricing varies by model and retailer, with simpler manual machines generally the most affordable, so check current prices before you buy.
What Makes SodaStream Different?
- More than a century of history — few appliance brands can trace their origins back to 1903
- A huge selection of flavors — more than 100 syrups and concentrates let you make everything from plain bubbles to cola-style sodas
- Reusable bottles — the system is designed to cut down on single-use cans and bottles
- A cylinder exchange program — the exchange model has historically been a competitive advantage, since it’s hard for rivals to replicate the logistics of handling pressurized CO2
- A wide range of designs — from basic manual models to electric ones, there are options at several price points
- Backed by a global parent — as part of PepsiCo, SodaStream has access to major distribution and resources
Is SodaStream Worth It?
For many households, yes, but it depends on how much sparkling water you drink. If you regularly buy seltzer, SodaStream can be more convenient and may cost less per liter over time, once you account for the machine, cylinders, and any syrups. It also reduces the number of cans and bottles you carry home and recycle. Flavor control is another advantage: you decide how fizzy to make it and how much syrup to add.
That said, here are some honest points to consider before buying:
- Cylinders aren’t free. You’ll need to buy and exchange CO2 cylinders, so your savings depend on how often you carbonate.
- The upfront cost matters. The machine itself is an investment, and electric models cost more.
- The upfront cost matters. The machine itself is an investment, and electric models cost more.
- The upfront cost matters. The machine itself is an investment, and electric models cost more.
- Syrups add cost and sugar. Flavor syrups can be pricey, and many contain sugar or sweeteners, so check the label if that matters to you.
- Follow the instructions. Carbonate plain water and add flavor afterward, handle cylinders as directed, and check the expiry date on your bottles and replace them when recommended.
- Storage space. The machine and cylinders take up counter and storage room.
SodaStream’s Mission and Public Debate
SodaStream has long positioned itself around reducing plastic waste, a message that PepsiCo also highlighted when it acquired the brand, tying it to its goal of curbing plastic waste. Like some globally operating brands, SodaStream has also been the subject of public debate over the years, including boycott calls in some countries related to a former factory location. Shoppers who consider where and how products are made when they buy can find current information about the company’s manufacturing on its official site.
How Does SodaStream Compare to Buying Sparkling Water?
| Feature | SodaStream | Buying Bottled or Canned Sparkling Water |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | 1903, England; now PepsiCo-owned | Varies |
| Upfront cost | Machine plus cylinder | None |
| Ongoing cost | Cylinder exchanges and syrups | Cost per can or bottle |
| Flavor control | More than 100 syrups, adjustable fizz | Fixed flavors |
| Packaging | Reusable bottles | Single-use cans or bottles |
| Convenience | Make on demand | Grab and go |
| Storage | Machine and cylinders | Cases of drinks |
Tips for Buying SodaStream
- Start with a simple manual model like the Terra if you’re new to home carbonation
- Consider the Art if you want to choose your own carbonation level
- Check bottle compatibility before you buy, since some models use plastic bottles and others also work with glass
- Compare cylinder exchange options near you, including prices
- Try a small set of syrups first before stocking up on flavors
Final Verdict: Is SodaStream Worth It?
SodaStream has spent more than a century refining a simple idea, and it remains one of the most recognizable names in home carbonation. For people who drink a lot of sparkling water and want to cut down on cans and bottles, it’s a convenient, flexible way to make your own, with plenty of flavor options. The upfront cost, cylinder exchanges, and syrup costs are worth factoring in, but for regular sparkling water drinkers, SodaStream is well worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented SodaStream? The forerunner of SodaStream was created in 1903 in England by Guy Hugh Gilbey of the London gin distillers W & A Gilbey, who developed an “apparatus for aerating liquids.”
Who owns SodaStream? PepsiCo owns SodaStream, having completed its acquisition on December 5, 2018, for $144 per share in a deal valued at about $3.3 billion.
How does a SodaStream work? It injects carbon dioxide from a pressurized cylinder into a bottle of cold, plain water, making it sparkling. You can then add flavor syrups if you like.
How do I get a new CO2 cylinder? SodaStream uses an exchange program, where you swap an empty cylinder for a full one at participating retailers. Check the official site for current locations and prices.
What SodaStream models are available? Current models include the Terra, Art, and Duo, plus the electric E-Terra and E-Duo, which were introduced in 2023.
Is SodaStream cheaper than buying sparkling water? It can be if you drink a lot of sparkling water, but you’ll need to factor in the machine, cylinder exchanges, and syrups.
