Ranked · Food & Drink
Best sparkling water makers in 2026
The best sparkling water makers for every kitchen, from budget SodaStream models to stainless steel Aarke carbonators, glass-bottle machines and flavour systems.
Bitezine Editorial TeamRankings, reviews & guides 9 min read
AI generatedThe best sparkling water maker turns tap water into fizzy water in seconds, cuts out heavy bottles and plastic waste, and pays for itself if your household drinks a lot of sparkling water. The market is led by SodaStream, but design-focused brands such as Aarke, filter specialist Brita and newcomers like Ninja now offer good alternatives, from simple manual soda makers to electric machines and models with glass bottles.
To choose our ten, we compared current model ranges on the makers' own websites, looked at which machines appear most often in sparkling water maker tests and reviews, and checked practical details that matter day to day: which CO2 cylinder a machine takes, whether it works with glass bottles, how carbonation is controlled and how easy it is to clean. All picks are currently sold in Europe, the US or both.
At a glance
#1 · Best for First-time buyers
SodaStream Terra
Best sparkling water maker for most
The Terra is SodaStream's simple, cordless entry model and the easiest way to start making sparkling water at home. It is compact, uses a button to add fizz in steps, and takes the Quick Connect CO2 cylinder that clicks in without screwing. It works with SodaStream's plastic bottles and is usually one of the cheapest machines on sale.
- No power needed
- Quick Connect CO2 cylinder
- Button-controlled fizz
- Compact footprint
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- Plastic
- Price range
- Budget
#2 · Best for Design-conscious kitchens
Aarke Carbonator 3
Best-looking sparkling water maker
The Swedish Aarke Carbonator 3 is a stainless steel soda maker with a lever that you pull to carbonate. It comes in several finishes, including steel, matte black and copper, and is one of the most popular design-led alternatives to SodaStream. It uses a PET bottle and classic screw-in CO2 cylinders and needs no electricity.
- Stainless steel body
- Lever carbonation
- Several colour finishes
- Screw-in CO2 cylinders
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- PET
- Price range
- Premium
#3 · Best for Consistent fizz with glass
SodaStream E-Duo
Best electric model with glass
The E-Duo is an electric sparkling water maker that carbonates automatically at one of three preset levels. It accepts both SodaStream's dishwasher-safe glass carafes and its plastic bottles, so you can keep glass at home and plastic for on the go. It uses the Quick Connect cylinder.
- Three preset carbonation levels
- Glass and plastic bottles
- One-touch electric operation
- Quick Connect CO2 cylinder
- Type
- Electric
- Bottles
- Glass and plastic
- Price range
- Mid-range
#4 · Best for Glass bottles on a budget
Brita sodaTRIO
Best value with glass bottles
Brita's sodaTRIO lets you choose light, medium or strong carbonation with a button and works with glass and stainless steel bottles. It takes standard 425 g screw-in CO2 cylinders, which are widely available, and its drip area is removable for cleaning. A stainless steel sodaTRIO pro version is also available.
- Three carbonation levels
- Glass and stainless steel bottles
- Standard screw-in cylinders
- Dishwasher-safe bottles
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- Glass, stainless steel
- Price range
- Mid-range
#5 · Best for Premium glass setup
Aarke Carbonator Pro
Premium pick with a glass bottle
The Carbonator Pro is Aarke's top model and adds a glass bottle to the brand's stainless steel design. It suits people who want the Aarke look but prefer glass for hygiene and taste. It is one of the more expensive sparkling water makers, available in steel, matte black and sand finishes.
- Glass bottle
- Stainless steel construction
- Lever carbonation
- No electricity needed
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- Glass
- Price range
- Premium
#6 · Best for Glass without electricity
SodaStream Crystal 3.0
Best manual glass-carafe model
The Crystal 3.0 is SodaStream's cordless machine built around glass carafes that can go in the dishwasher. It uses a button to dose the fizz and the Quick Connect cylinder. It is taller than the Terra, so check your cupboard height before buying.
- Dishwasher-safe glass carafes
- Cordless, no power needed
- Button dosing
- Quick Connect CO2 cylinder
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- Glass
- Price range
- Mid-range
#7 · Best for Flavoured fizzy drinks
Ninja Thirsti
Best for flavoured sparkling drinks
The Ninja Thirsti is a countertop drink system with a built-in water reservoir that pours straight into your glass. You can choose still water or one of three carbonation levels, add zero- and low-calorie flavour pods, and pick a pour size. It uses refillable CO2 canisters and suits households that want flavoured drinks rather than plain sparkling water.
- Still plus three fizz levels
- 20+ flavour pods
- Built-in water reservoir
- Adjustable pour sizes
- Type
- Electric drink system
- Bottles
- Pours into any glass
- Price range
- Mid-range
#8 · Best for Style on a budget
SodaStream Art
Retro lever, easy to use
The Art brings back a classic lever for carbonation in a retro-styled, cordless body. Pulling the lever gives you direct control over how much fizz you add. It works with SodaStream plastic bottles and the Quick Connect cylinder, and is often discounted.
- Classic lever action
- Retro design in several colours
- Cordless
- Quick Connect CO2 cylinder
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- Plastic
- Price range
- Budget to mid-range
#9 · Best for Scandinavian design fans
mysoda Glassy
Nordic design with glass bottles
mysoda is a Finnish brand from Helsinki that uses wood-based composites and aluminium in its sparkling water makers. The Glassy is its glass-bottle model and is carbonated with a single button. The brand also sells the cheaper Woody model and its own drink concentrates.
- Glass bottle compatibility
- One-button carbonation
- Finnish design
- Wood composite and aluminium materials
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- Glass
- Price range
- Mid-range to premium
#10 · Best for Small kitchens
Brita sodaONE
Slim budget soda maker
The sodaONE is Brita's compact entry model, designed to fit narrow kitchen counters. It comes with a PET bottle, uses standard screw-in CO2 cylinders and has a removable nozzle and drip tray for easy cleaning. It is a sensible alternative for anyone who does not want SodaStream's Quick Connect system.
- Slim design
- Standard screw-in cylinders
- Removable nozzle and drip tray
- Black or white
- Type
- Manual
- Bottles
- PET
- Price range
- Budget
How to choose
First decide on bottles. Many soda makers only take plastic bottles, which are light but must be replaced every few years and usually cannot go in the dishwasher. If you want a sparkling water maker with a glass bottle, look at the SodaStream Crystal 3.0 or E-Duo, the Aarke Carbonator Pro or the Brita sodaTRIO. Then choose between manual and electric: manual models such as the SodaStream Terra need no power and let you add fizz one press at a time, while electric models like the E-Duo give you three preset carbonation levels at the touch of a button.
The CO2 cylinder matters more than most buyers expect. Current SodaStream machines use the pink Quick Connect cylinders, which click into place, while Brita and Aarke machines take classic screw-in cylinders. A standard cylinder makes up to about 60 litres of sparkling water, and exchanging empties at a shop is much cheaper than buying new ones, so check which cylinders are easy to swap where you live. Finally, think about design and space: the Aarke models are the best-looking, the Brita sodaONE is the slimmest, and flavour systems like the Ninja Thirsti take more counter room.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best sparkling water maker?
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The SodaStream Terra is the best choice for most households thanks to its low price, simple operation and widely available Quick Connect cylinders. The Aarke Carbonator 3 is the best design-led option, and the SodaStream E-Duo is the best electric model with glass bottle support.
SodaStream vs Aarke: which is better?
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SodaStream offers more models, cheaper machines and an easy cylinder exchange system in many shops. Aarke machines are made of stainless steel and look more premium, but cost more. Current SodaStream machines use Quick Connect cylinders, while Aarke uses screw-in cylinders, so the two systems' cylinders are not interchangeable.
Which sparkling water maker uses glass bottles?
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The SodaStream Crystal 3.0 and E-Duo, the Aarke Carbonator Pro and the Brita sodaTRIO all work with glass bottles. Glass bottles are dishwasher-safe and do not need replacing, which many people prefer for hygiene and to avoid plastic.
How many litres does a CO2 cylinder make?
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A standard 425 g CO2 cylinder makes up to about 60 litres of sparkling water. The real number depends on how fizzy you like your water, since stronger carbonation uses more gas.
Is a sparkling water maker worth it?
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If you drink sparkling water every day, usually yes. You avoid carrying bottles, reduce plastic waste and pay mainly for the CO2 refills, which work out much cheaper per litre than most bottled water once the machine is paid off.
Can I carbonate juice or other drinks in a soda maker?
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Most machines, including SodaStream, Aarke and Brita, are designed to carbonate plain water only, and you add syrup or juice afterwards. Carbonating other liquids can cause foaming and may void the warranty, so follow the maker's instructions.
Do SodaStream machines work with other CO2 cylinders?
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Current SodaStream models use the pink Quick Connect cylinder, which clicks in rather than screwing in. Older SodaStream models and machines from brands such as Brita and Aarke use screw-in cylinders, so check your model before buying refills.
What is the best electric sparkling water maker?
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The SodaStream E-Duo is a strong pick because it offers three preset fizz levels and works with glass and plastic bottles. The Ninja Thirsti is also electric and adds flavour pods and several carbonation levels, but it is aimed more at flavoured drinks.
For most people, the SodaStream Terra is the best sparkling water maker to start with: simple, affordable and backed by an easy cylinder exchange network. If you want something that looks good on the counter, the Aarke Carbonator 3 is the design pick, and glass-bottle fans should look at the SodaStream E-Duo, Aarke Carbonator Pro or Brita sodaTRIO. Whichever you choose, check the CO2 cylinder type before you buy and you will be making sparkling water at home for years.
How we research: We compare each product on the same criteria, using makers’ documentation, independent reviews and owner feedback, and re-check the list when products change.
Written by
Bitezine Editorial Team
Rankings, reviews & guides
Our editors research every piece from makers’ documentation, independent tests and owner reports, and update it when products change.
