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The best soda-making machine will allow you to carbonate tap water in an instant. These appliances not only promote good health, but also protect the environment. According to nutritionists and health experts, sparkling water can be a great alternative to regular soda. Moreover, the soda makers that we have listed in this guide allow you to customise each drink according to your preference.
You can carbonate the water multiple times and add the preferred sweeteners to get the desired flavour. Additionally, some of the soda makers that we have picked for you come with CO2 cartridges and reusable bottles, meaning you can use them right out of the box. Those that lack CO2 canisters are compatible with standard cartridges, which you can easily find in local stores.
TL; DR: The Best Soda Maker for Most Australians 👇
When you buy the Sodastream Spirit MegaPack, you will get a 60-litre CO2 cartridge, two 1-litre and 500ml reusable bottles. Best of all, it will carbonate your water in a matter of seconds, making this one of the best soda makers that you can add to your kitchen!
Plus, these soda makers are very easy to use and have great features that will completely change how you brew your homemade soda. Furthermore, you won’t have to plug these machines into an outlet. Simply attach the CO2 cartridge and the bottle. And then press the carbonation button to initiate the CO2 injection process.
The Best Soda Makers to Buy Today in Australia
- Best Overall Soda Maker: DrinkMate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker
- Best Value Soda Maker: Aarke Carbonator III Premium Soda Maker
- Best Soda Maker for Cocktails: iSi Classic MeshSodamaker
- Best for Most People: Sodastream Spirit MegaPack
- Best Soda Maker with Two-stage Depressurisation Valve: Twenty39 Qarbo Sparkling Water Maker and Fruit Infuser
1. Best Overall Soda Maker: DrinkMate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker
Why we like it:
- Versatile carbonation system for multiple drink options
- Comes with a reusable bottle to eliminate single-use plastic bottles
- Straightforward design for easy operation
- Sturdily built for maximum durability
What customers say:
“I love sparkling water and having the water filter installed at home it made no sense to keep buying water. It makes fizzy drinks in seconds, and you can have as much bubbles as you like. I love it!”–Agnieszka
We chose the DrinkMate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker as our top pick for the best soda makers due to its versatility, ease of use, and durability. With the help of this soda-making machine, you can carbonate just about any drink.
It does not matter whether you are injecting CO2 into wine, tea, beer, cocktails, or juice, the DrinkMate Soda Maker will get the job done. To make it even better, it only takes a few minutes to carbonate your favourite drinks. However, you need to keep in mind that this unit does not come with a CO2 cartridge, so you will have to acquire one separately.
On the plus side, it is compatible with most 60-litre CO2 canisters on the market. It can even work with standard cartridges from major brands such as SodaStream. Before buying the CO2 cylinder, ensure that you check if the threads are compatible with the soda maker.
To avoid unnecessary complications when using SodaStream cartridges, you should buy an adaptor or order the cylinder from Amazon US. Nonetheless, we recommend that you use DrinkMate CO2 canisters for a frustration-free soda brewing experience.
To add to this, the included plastic bottle is not only reusable but also BPA-free, so you can use it with no worries. And because it has a capacity of 1-litter, you can make more than enough sparkling water for one serving.
The good thing about this soda maker is that it allows you to run the carbonation cycle multiple times to achieve the desired fizz. As such, you’ll be able to concoct your drinks based on your preference. The carbonation button is strategically placed at the top to give you quick and easy access.
Like most soda makers in its class, this unit utilises fizz-infuser technology to shorten the carbonation time. On top of that, it is very easy to operate, so you won’t experience any problems during the carbonation process.
Simply load a compatible CO2 cartridge onto the soda maker, fill the bottle with your favourite drink and attach it to the machine. Lastly, press the carbonation button and wait for the process to complete.
You can carbonate the drink as many times as required. Plus, you can always reach out to DrinkMate through their cylinder exchange program in case your soda maker runs out of CO2.
2. Best Value Soda Maker: Aarke Carbonator III Premium Soda Maker
Why we like it:
- It has safety valves
- Stainless steel construction
- User-friendly design
- It has a small footprint
What customers say:
“The best product when it comes to sparkling water. Works perfectly, looks great and is very easy to clean. Better than competing brands. Recommended purchase!”–Eric Chaubert
If you are looking for a sparkling water machine that is both durable and reliable, the Aarke Carbonator III Premium Soda Maker may just end your search. Featuring a safety depressurization valve, you can use this machine without worrying about anything.
All its parts are durably built to ensure you get value for your money. With a capacity of 1-litre, the bottle will provide you with long-lasting service. It is more durable than polyethylene terephthalate bottles that require regular replacement.
This is a manual soda maker, meaning you don’t have to plug it into an AC outlet to start the carbonation process. Also, the bottle is very easy to clean, making it super convenient. And because the soda maker has a slim design, it won’t take up a lot of space on your kitchen worktop.
The other thing that we liked about this soda maker is that it has a drip tray that catches spills. More importantly, it has a wide base that offers maximum stability. Plus, the non-skid feet will ensure the machine is firmly locked onto the surface of the worktop, thereby preventing unwanted movements during usage.
3. Best Soda Maker for Cocktails: iSi Classic MeshSodamaker
Stylish, elegant, and decorative. The iSi Classic MeshSodamaker can be a great addition to any countertop. This soda maker is unlike any soda maker that we tested. It takes the design of a syphon, making it very easy to use.
With the iSi Classic, you can carbonate just about any beverage. That said, you can use it to make wine spritzers, sparkling water, carbonated cocktails, etc. It greatly improved the taste of the espresso martini that we used for testing.
Moreover, this soda maker is very efficient and will help you get the job done within the shortest time possible. To carbonate using the iSi Classic, simply pour your drink into the soda syphon and screw in the head.
Proceed by inserting the iSi charger into the included carbonation adapter, and then fasten it onto the soda maker. This unit can hold 1 quart of liquid, which is about a litre.
The only disadvantage of using this soda syphon is that the CO2 chargers are small and can only be used once for each refill. All in all, the iSi Classic is a reliable soda maker that can help you make flavourful cocktails and other drinks.
4. Best for Most People: Sodastream Spirit MegaPack
Why we like it:
- Simple design for quick set-up
- Comes with a 60-litre CO2 cylinder, so you can use it right out of the box
- Comes with 3 reusable bottles to reduce plastic waste
- High-performance carbon dioxide infuser for quick carbonation
What customers say:
“The bottles are a good deal to go with the SodaStream itself which is easy to set up and use…”–Sean Dwyer
Coming from one of the best manufacturers of soda makers in the world, the Sodastream Spirit MegaPack has everything that you may look for in a soda-making machine. And that is one of the reasons why most people prefer it over what the competitor is offering.
It came with a 60-litre CO2 cylinder that helped us get started during the testing process. The cylinder can make up to sixty litres of sparkling water. Nonetheless, this may vary depending on how carbonated your drink is. The cartridge is just as easy to detach as it is to attach.
Additionally, this soda maker comes with three reusable bottles for added convenience. You can use the two 1-litre bottles for brewing sparkling water, while the 500ml bottle can help you carry your favourite drinks.
This product is made of environmentally friendly plastic that is equally durable. Besides, it does not take up much worktop space, making it even more convenient.
Being one of the soda makers that we tested, we recommend the Sodastream Spirit MegaPack to everyone who is looking to make fizzy sparkling water in the comfort of their homes. During the testing process, we carbonated 4 litres of tap water and the results were amazing. It only took a few seconds for the water to get fizzy.
We had no problem setting up this soda maker because it has a simple design. Cleaning the bottles is also very easy. We recommend that you clean the bottles by hand to prolong their durability.
Like all soda makers in this guide, this machine enables you to carbonate your drink as many times as you want. Each carbonation cycle only takes a few seconds, so it won’t waste your time.
Once the water has been carbonated, you can add sweeteners of your choosing to get the desired flavour. On the downside, this soda maker does not come cheap but is definitely worth everything that you will pay.
5. Best Soda Maker with Two-stage Depressurisation Valve: Twenty39 Qarbo Sparkling Water Maker and Fruit Infuser
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The is also another high-performance soda maker that you can add to your list. This unit is stylishly designed to improve the look of your kitchen.
It is available in a range of colours, so you are the one to choose the option that matches your kitchen décor. This particular model can go well with both traditional and modern kitchen styles. Upon purchase, you will get two high-quality 1-litre bottles that you can use for storing your drinks.
The bottles are BPA-free, thus making them safe for your health. And like the DrinkMate Soda Maker, this machine is compatible with a wide range of 60-litre CO2 cylinders. Although the CO2 cartridge is not included in the package, you can easily find one that is compatible with the Qarbo Soda Maker from local stores.
Moreover, the brand is Australian-owned, so rest assured you’ll find an ideal cylinder for this machine. The soda maker features a two-stage pressure valve that ensures the bottle does not explode during the carbonation process. It will release the excess pressure periodically, making it safe for users.
In addition to this, it has a quick-connect bottle attachment system that will allow you to switch bottles with ease. To avoid eruptions when brewing your drinks, ensure that you don’t overfill the bottle past the 800 ml mark. Also, you should only use the bottles provided by the manufacturer.
With this soda maker, you can carbonate your drink several times, and the best part is that it does not require batteries or electricity to operate. Thanks to its compact design, this soda maker only takes up minimal counter space, so it won’t clutter your kitchen worktop.
It has a large surface area base for maximum stability. What’s more, it is counterweighted, so it won’t topple over even when the bottle and the CO2 tank are attached. This soda maker comes with easy-to-read instructions that will help you get started.
Furthermore, it is reasonably priced and is, therefore, a great choice for those on a tight budget. Nevertheless, the bottles are rather tall and may not fit most refrigerator shelves.
To add to this, the machine is mostly made of plastic, so it is not the most durable option on the list. All factors considered, the Twenty-39 Qarbo Sparkling Water Maker is a well-built unit that you can count on.
How We Researched the Best Soda Makers
Our team spent two weeks researching and testing the best soda makers Australia has to offer. The five soda makers that we picked were tested for carbonation and ease of use.
We must admit testing for carbonation was somewhat challenging since we didn’t have the equipment to measure the exact amount of CO2 injected by each test model.
That being said, we created a panel of four tasters, consisting of two of my neighbours and two team members. We only picked people who had experience using soda makers.
During the testing process, we bubbled CO2 through water, wine, espresso martini, orange juice, and beer using the test models. We used equal volumes (1L) of liquid.
Each liquid sample was carbonated for 40 minutes at intervals of 10 minutes. We had the panel taste the samples before and after each stage of carbonation to see if there was any change in taste.
Our tasters reported that they could feel the liquids getting fizzy after the first stage of carbonation. By the fourth stage, all the liquid samples had streams of bubbles flowing through them effervescence-style.
There was also a noticeable change in how the liquids taste, particularly the water. They all had a mouthfeel taste and flavour that wasn’t there before the carbonation process. This was a clear indication that carbonation had indeed taken place.
When it comes to testing ease of use, we found that all the soda makers are easy to operate. Plus, they all came with detailed user instructions, so just about anyone can use them.
Soda Makers: Buying Guide
A soda maker can be a great addition to your appliance collection. These machines can help you brew flavourful sparkling water drinks in just a few minutes. However, these appliances differ in several ways, meaning not all models are reliable.
In addition to this, there are countless manufacturers out there that design and sell soda makers. And even though each brand claims to be the best, some soda makers may fail to deliver the results that you need.
Also, choosing the best soda maker can be a bit challenging because there are many things that you need to take into account. Besides, there are different types of soda makers that you can choose from. Based on your needs and budget, you can go for electric soda makers or non-electric models.
Non-electric soda makers are the most common because they are easy to operate and can also help you lower your utility cost. Plus, not all soda makers use CO2 cartridges, so you should see to it that you pick a machine that suits your needs.
We only chose soda-making machines that use CO2 cylinders for this guide. They will provide you with great results in all scenarios. Below are some of the factors that you should take into account when choosing the best soda makers in Australia.
What to Consider When Buying a Soda Maker
To get the most out of your soda maker, there are things that you need to think about during the selection process. This will enable you to pick a unit that not only matches your needs but is also durable. Here are some of the factors that we identified during our search for soda makers:
Capacity
When shopping for a soda maker, you need to check the capacity of the CO2 cartridge and the included bottles. If you are looking to make fizzy water for a group of friends, you should consider buying a soda maker with a large-capacity bottle. Most of the soda makers that we have listed above come with 1-litre bottles.
The size of the CO2 cartridge will determine the amount of soda that you can brew before making a refill. A large percentage of soda makers on the market use 60-litre CO2 cartridges that can make an equal amount of soda. However, this may vary depending on the carbonation level of each drink that you make.
Ease of use
You should choose a soda maker that is easy to operate. Both the bottle and the cartridge should have a quick-release fastening system that will allow you to attach or detach the accessories within the shortest time possible.
The soda-making machines in this guide are not only easy to operate but will also provide you with a frustration-free user experience.
Build quality
Soda makers are made from different types of materials, so ensure that you pick a unit that is both durable and reliable. You also need to check the type of material from which the bottles are made.
Versatility
Most soda makers on the market can only carbonate water, while other models can be used to carbonate a wide variety of liquids. That being said, ensure that you go through the guidelines provided by the manufacturer to know the approved liquids.
Some of the units that we chose for you can come in handy when carbonating different types of drinks.
Design
Soda makers come in different shapes and sizes. We recommend that you choose a unit that will complement the look of your kitchen. All the products that we have hand picked for you are both stylish and space-saving. As such, you can place them on your countertop with no worries.
Cleanability
Most soda makers on the market require minimal maintenance and are equally easy to clean. However, some models have delicate parts that can easily get damaged during the cleaning process.
As such, ensure that you go through the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer to avoid damaging the machine. To simplify your work, you should go for soda makers with dishwasher-safe parts.
Accessories
Some soda makers come with multiple accessories that can help you when brewing sparkle water. When buying a soda maker, you should check if the package is inclusive of a Co2 cartridge and a bottle.
For example, the Sodastream Spirit MegaPack ships with a carbon dioxide canister, 500ml, and 1-litre reusable bottles.
Size
Ensure that you pick a soda maker that can nicely fit on your worktop without cluttering your kitchen. The soda makers listed above have a slim design and can be a great pick for those with limited space in their kitchen.
Features to Look for When Buying a Soda Maker
As earlier stated, not all soda makers are the same in terms of performance, and neither do they have similar features. Below are some of the features that you should consider when buying a soda maker:
Adjustable carbonation settings
You can customise your drinks based on your taste and preference by using a soda maker with adjustable carbonation levels. This will enable you to run the carbonating cycle multiple times without damaging the appliance or compromising the flavour of your drink.
Built-in alert system
Soda makers with this feature will notify you when the infuser has injected enough CO2 into the drink. This will help you take the guesswork out of the soda-making process.
Depending on the model that you pick, you’ll find soda makers that buzz, beep, or light up an indicator light when the fizzy water is ready.
Safety pressure release valve
Since you’ll be dealing with pressurised CO2 canisters, it would be safe to pick a soda maker with an auto pressure relief valve. This feature ensures the unit automatically releases the excess pressure from the bottle during the carbonation process. That way, you won’t have to worry about the bottle exploding.
Drip tray
With a drip tray in place, you will be able to keep your kitchen worktop mess-free during the soda-making process.
Health Benefits of Using a Soda Maker
Sparkling water can be a healthy alternative to regular soda and other soft drinks. According to FatSecret Australia, one serving of regular soda (100ml) contains approximately 40 calories and 10.24g of carbs.
On the other hand, sparkling water with no added artificial sweeteners contains zero calories, making it a great option for those who are looking to keep their weight in check. Additionally, research shows that sparkling water can improve digestion, thereby reducing the chances of being constipated.
Benefits of Soda Makers to the Environment
In addition to the above-mentioned health benefits, soda makers can aid in the conservation of the environment by eliminating single-use plastic bottles. Besides, most soda makers come with reusable bottles that can help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans and landfills. The latest data from Statista shows Australia only recycles 11.5% of its plastic waste, so reusing bottles can greatly improve the environment.
You may also be interested in:
- The Best Juicers For Cafe-quality Juice At Home
- The Best Drip Filter Coffee Machines for Perfectly Brewed Coffee
- The Best Filtered Water Bottles For Healthier Water On The Go
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
