Prices from Amazon AU, updated daily. Swipe or use the arrows for more.
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Quick summary7 picks
- Entry PickSodastream Art White Sparkling Drink Maker about$114
- Sodastream Terra Black Sparkling Water… about$119
- Sodastream Electric e-Terra Sparkling Water… about$149
- Breville BCA600BSS InFizz Aqua Sparkling… about$149
- SMEG SKC01 Soda Maker & Sparkling Water… about$189
- Breville BCA800BSS InFizz Fusion Sparkling… about$199
- Most PremiumSodastream - Enso Sand 18/8 Stainless Steel… about$227
How a home sparkling water maker works
A sparkling water maker is a pressure regulator with a lever on it. A cylinder of liquid CO2 sits inside the machine, you screw or snap a bottle of cold water into the head, and pressing the button or lever opens a valve that pushes gas down a tube into the water. The pressure forces the CO2 to dissolve, and when you release the bottle the excess gas vents with that familiar snort. That's the whole mechanism, which is why these machines last for years when they're looked after.
Most models don't need power at all. The SodaStream Art, the Terra and both Breville InFizz machines are purely mechanical, so there's no plug, no board and nothing electrical to fail. The SodaStream e-Terra is the electric one in this guide. It uses a button and three carbonation settings instead of a lever, which gives you the same fizz every time, but it does add a power supply and electronics to a machine that lives next to water.
The five picks run from $114 to $199 on Amazon AU at time of writing, and all five are sold by Amazon AU itself. Three are SodaStream machines that use the pink Quick Connect cylinder, and two are Breville InFizz models that take a screw-in cylinder. I've judged them on the cylinder system, the running cost per litre, bottles, warranty and the parts that wear out.
If what you really want is cold water rather than fizz, a sparkling water maker isn't the answer, because it carbonates whatever you put in, at whatever temperature. Pairing one with a filter jug or an under-sink filter makes sense if your tap water tastes of chlorine, since the CO2 doesn't change the taste of the water underneath it.
Quick Connect against screw-in cylinders
This is the choice that locks you in, so it's worth getting right. SodaStream's current machines, including the Art, Terra, e-Terra and Enso, use the Quick Connect system. The cylinder is pink, it clicks into place without twisting, and SodaStream's own cylinder listing says it's compatible with the Terra, Duo and Art. It's easier to fit, especially for anyone with weak hands, but it won't fit older SodaStream machines.
The older system is the blue screw-in cylinder. SodaStream still sells it on Amazon AU for the Spirit, Crystal and Genesis machines, and its listing says it's also Aarke compatible. The Breville InFizz Aqua listing says it takes standard screw-type 60L CO2 canisters. Breville doesn't name a brand of cylinder, so I'd confirm with the store that the cylinder you're exchanging fits before you swap.
Both systems are designed around exchange rather than refilling. When a cylinder runs out, you take the empty to a participating retailer and swap it for a full one at a lower price than a new cylinder. That's the lowest-cost way to run any of these machines, and it's worth checking where your nearest exchange point is before you buy. A machine whose cylinder you can only buy new online costs a lot more to run.
One practical point: a Quick Connect cylinder and a screw-in cylinder are not interchangeable, and no adaptor I'd trust makes them so. The cylinder valve and the regulator in the machine are a matched pair, and adaptors from overseas sellers are one of the ways a valve ends up leaking gas inside a cupboard.
What a litre of sparkling water actually costs
The CO2 is the running cost, and it's where the value argument lives. SodaStream's Quick Connect cylinder is $35 on Amazon AU at time of writing, and the listing says it makes up to 60 litres. The blue screw-in cylinder is also $35 for up to 60 litres. That works out at about 58c a litre if you buy a new spare, and less once you're exchanging empties.
That 60 litre figure is a best case. It assumes you carbonate to a normal level. People who like very fizzy water and press the button four or five times per bottle will get noticeably fewer litres from a cylinder. The e-Terra's three settings help here, because the low setting uses less gas than a heavy hand on a lever. Chilling the water first also helps, since cold water absorbs CO2 much more easily than water at room temperature.
Compare that with buying it. A 1.25 litre bottle of supermarket sparkling water usually costs more per litre than home-made, and a family that goes through a few bottles a week will usually cover the cost of the machine within a year or so. If you only drink a bottle a month, the maths is less convincing, and the machine mostly makes sense for reducing plastic bottles rather than for the running cost.
Flavours are the other cost. SodaStream and Pepsi syrups and drops add up quickly, and their per-litre cost often exceeds the gas. A squeeze of lime, a dash of cordial or a few frozen berries after carbonating does the same job for less, and it doesn't leave syrup inside the machine.
It's also worth knowing where the cylinder goes when it's empty. Don't put a CO2 cylinder in the recycling bin or the rubbish, even when it feels empty, because it's a pressure vessel and it still holds some gas. The exchange system takes them back and refills them, which is better for your wallet and safer for the people who handle the bins. Keep a spare on hand if you use the machine daily, so you're not without fizz while you wait to swap the empty.
Carbonate water only, unless the machine says otherwise
The single most common way people damage a SodaStream-style machine is carbonating something other than plain water. Juice, cordial, wine or flavoured water foams violently when gas goes in, and that foam goes up into the carbonation head, through the valve and into places it can't be cleaned out of. Sugar then dries in the valve and the seals, and the machine starts leaking or sticking.
The SodaStream machines in this guide are designed for water, with flavour added afterwards. The Terra listing mentions SodaStream and Pepsi flavours and a Lime Bubly drop, which are added once the water's carbonated. If you want to fizz juice, tea or cocktails directly, the Breville InFizz Fusion is the one built for it. Its listing describes a FusionCap that lets you control how quickly the CO2 releases, which is what stops the foam from blowing back.
Even with plain water, fill only to the line on the bottle. Overfilling leaves no headspace for the gas, and the water gets pushed up into the head when you release the pressure. That water carries dissolved minerals that leave scale on the nozzle over time, which is one of the reasons older machines start fizzing weakly.
Bottles, dates and dishwashers
The bottle is a pressure vessel, and it's worth treating like one. SodaStream prints a use-by date on its plastic carbonating bottles, so check yours and replace them once they pass it, because plastic weakens with age and repeated pressure. Never use a bottle that's cracked, scratched deeply, warped or has been dropped hard, and don't carbonate in a bottle that wasn't made for your machine.
Dishwashers are a common way to ruin standard plastic bottles, because hot water and detergent warp them. SodaStream sells dishwasher-safe bottles separately, including a 1 litre slim twin pack for $22 on Amazon AU at time of writing, and its Enso uses a stainless bottle. The Breville InFizz machines come with a 1L bottle with a stainless steel cap and base, according to the Aqua listing. If your bottle isn't marked dishwasher safe, wash it by hand in warm water.
Spare bottles are worth having anyway. The fizz holds best when you carbonate cold water and keep the bottle sealed in the fridge, so a couple of spares means you can make a batch and leave it chilling. The InFizz listings both mention storing the 1L bottle in the fridge, and the fizz lasts longer in a bottle that's kept full.
SodaStream or Breville
SodaStream dominates this category on Amazon AU. The Art is #1 in the Home Soda Makers category at time of writing, and the Terra is #4. SodaStream's biggest advantage is the exchange network, since its cylinders can be swapped at a lot of supermarkets and hardware stores, and its accessories are easy to find. The Art's lever is satisfying to use, and the Terra is the simplest, lowest-priced way in.
Breville's InFizz machines are the alternative, and both carry a 2 year warranty in their listings. The Aqua is a straightforward water carbonator in brushed stainless steel with a die cast lever and a magnetic stainless drip tray. The Fusion adds the FusionCap for carbonating other drinks. Both lock the bottle in with a twist and tilt action and a ring pull, which some people find easier than SodaStream's snap lock.
Which one suits you mostly comes down to the cylinder. If you'll exchange cylinders at a store near you, check which system that store handles, and buy the machine that matches. If you want to fizz juice or cocktails, the Fusion is the only one here designed for it. If you just want sparkling water with the least fuss, the SodaStream Art or Terra is the one most people should buy.
Electric or manual
The e-Terra is SodaStream's electric version of the Terra. Its listing quotes three carbonation settings, a blue light that glows during carbonation and turns off when the water's ready, and Quick Connect CO2, and it includes a 60L gas cylinder. The advantage is consistency: you press a button for light, medium or strong fizz, and you get the same result every time, which is easier for kids and visitors.
The trade-off is that you've added electronics to a machine that sits next to a sink. A manual machine has nothing to fail but seals, springs and a lever. An electric one also has a power supply, a solenoid and a board, and any of those can be damaged by water dripping from a wet bottle or a kitchen counter that gets wiped down around it. If water ever gets inside, unplug it and let it dry properly, and what water does to a circuit board covers why that matters.
For most households I'd go manual. The lever machines last longer and cost less, and it doesn't take long to learn how many presses you like. If consistency matters more than simplicity, or if someone in the house finds a lever hard to use, the e-Terra is the better choice.
Getting the most out of one
Start with cold water. Water straight from the fridge holds far more CO2 than room-temperature water, so you get stronger fizz from fewer presses and your cylinder lasts longer. Many people keep a couple of filled bottles in the fridge so there's always one ready to carbonate.
Carbonate, wait a few seconds, then release slowly. Releasing the bottle too fast lets more gas escape and can push water back up into the head. Add any flavour after carbonating and after you've taken the bottle off the machine, pouring it in slowly so it doesn't foam over.
Keep the machine clean and dry. Wipe the nozzle and the drip tray after use, and don't leave water sitting in the base. If you want ice for your drinks too, a countertop ice maker makes a good companion, and if your family loves frozen drinks in summer, a slushie machine is a different machine for a different job. If a machine starts leaking gas or stops fizzing properly, our Erina workshop can tell you whether it's a seal or something bigger.
The 5 picks, $114 to $199
Prices are Amazon AU at time of writing (5 November 2026) and move week to week. Ranks are Amazon AU category sales ranks, checked the same day.
SodaStream Art Sparkling Drink Maker, Quick Connect CO2, White
ASIN B09RTGR8WS • $114.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The SodaStream Art is the one I'd point most people at, and it's #1 in Amazon AU's Home Soda Makers category at time of writing, as well as #439 on the site-wide chart, which is a strong figure for a kitchen appliance. This is the white version at $114, sold by Amazon AU. The black version is listed separately at the same $114, though its feature text describes the white finish, so I've used the white listing. The Art uses SodaStream's Quick Connect CO2 system, so the pink cylinder clicks in without any twisting, and it has a slim body with stainless steel trim. Most of the bottles and cylinders sold for SodaStream on Amazon AU fit it.
What sets it apart is the lever. Instead of the button on top of most SodaStream machines, the Art has a lever on the front that you pull down to carbonate, and it gives you a clear feel for how much gas you're putting in. The listing lists its size as 44cm, so check that height against the space under your overhead cupboards, since you need room to fit and remove the bottle. It's fully mechanical with no power, so there's no plug to find and no electronics to fail, which makes it the kind of machine that lasts for years if the seals are looked after. The lever also makes it easy to stop at a light fizz.
The listing doesn't say whether a cylinder or a bottle is included, so check the box contents on the listing before you order. A spare Quick Connect cylinder is $35 for up to 60 litres. Carbonate plain cold water only, fill to the line, and add flavour afterwards. Replace the bottle by the date printed on it. Wipe the nozzle after use so it doesn't scale up, and never force the lever if it feels stiff. Keep a spare bottle chilling in the fridge. For most homes, it's the one I'd buy.
Honest caveats: The listing doesn't state the box contents, the weight or a warranty term, so confirm whether a cylinder and bottle are included. Quick Connect cylinders don't fit older SodaStream machines. The black listing's feature text describes the white finish. It's designed for water only, with flavours added after carbonating.
Best for: Most people who want sparkling water at home with a lever they can control.
Type: Manual, lever • CO2 system: Quick Connect (pink) • Power: None needed • Height: 44cm (listed) • Finish: White with stainless trim • Seller: Amazon AU • Rank: #1 in Home Soda Makers (Amazon AU)
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SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker with Lime Bubly Drop, Quick Connect, Black
ASIN B0B2X132WK • $119.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The SodaStream Terra is the simplest way into home sparkling water, and it's #4 in Amazon AU's Home Soda Makers category at time of writing. This black listing is $119, sold by Amazon AU, and it comes with a Lime Bubly drop. The white version is listed separately at $99, but its feature text describes the black machine, so I've used the black listing, whose title and features agree. Like the Art, it uses the Quick Connect CO2 system, and the listing describes a snap-lock bottle insertion that clicks the bottle straight into place. It's the second best-selling machine in this guide, behind only the Art, and the one I'd suggest as a first machine.
The Terra uses a button on top rather than a lever, and you press it a few times for more fizz. It doesn't need batteries or power, so it's purely mechanical like the Art. The listing says it's compatible with a variety of SodaStream and Pepsi flavours, including bubly drops, which go in after the water's carbonated. The design is slim and plain, and it's the machine I'd suggest for someone who isn't sure they'll use one often, because the white listing at $99 is the lowest-priced way to find out. The Terra also shares its Quick Connect cylinders with the Art and the e-Terra, so you can upgrade later without changing cylinders.
The listing doesn't say whether a CO2 cylinder or a bottle is in the box, and the white version's listing describes a starter kit, so check the contents before you order. A spare Quick Connect cylinder is $35 for up to 60 litres. Don't carbonate the Bubly drop itself, add it afterwards. Check the date on the bottle and replace it when it passes. Keep the nozzle dry between uses. If the button starts sticking, stop and clean around it rather than pressing harder. Store it out of direct sun, since heat raises the cylinder pressure. If you want the least expensive way to start, it's the one I'd buy.
Honest caveats: Box contents aren't clearly stated, so confirm whether a cylinder and bottle are included. The button on top gives less feel for how much gas you're adding than the Art's lever. The listing doesn't state a warranty term or dimensions. Quick Connect cylinders don't fit older SodaStream machines.
Best for: People trying home sparkling water for the first time.
Type: Manual, button • CO2 system: Quick Connect (pink) • Power: None needed • Includes: Lime Bubly drop (listed) • Bottle fit: Snap-lock • Seller: Amazon AU • Rank: #4 in Home Soda Makers (Amazon AU)
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SodaStream e-Terra Electric Sparkling Water Maker, 3 Settings, with 60L Cylinder, Black
ASIN B0C2CBR9VL • $149.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The SodaStream e-Terra is the electric version of the Terra, and it's $149 on Amazon AU at time of writing, sold by Amazon AU. It ranks #13 in the Home Soda Makers category. The listing quotes three carbonation settings, the Quick Connect CO2 system, a BPA-free bottle and, unlike the other SodaStream listings here, it clearly states that a 60L gas cylinder is included. The model code is 1012911441 and it's listed in black, with a height of 42.7cm. The listing describes a blue light that glows during carbonation and switches off when the water's ready. It's the only SodaStream listing here that names its model code clearly.
The three settings are the reason to buy it. You choose light, medium or strong and press a button, and the machine does the rest, so the fizz is the same every time no matter who makes it. That suits households where kids or visitors use the machine, and it tends to use gas more evenly than a heavy-handed lever, since nobody's pressing six times to be sure. It takes the same Quick Connect cylinders as the Art and Terra, and the included 60L cylinder means you can start straight away without buying gas, which goes a fair way towards covering the price difference with the Terra. It's a good fit for an office kitchen too.
It needs a power point, which means a power supply and electronics next to the sink. The listing doesn't state the power rating, the adaptor type or a warranty term. Keep the base dry, and don't wipe a dripping cloth over the buttons. If water ever gets inside, unplug it and let it dry fully before you use it again. Carbonate cold water only and add flavour afterwards. Plug it into a wall socket away from the sink rather than a powerboard on the counter where it can get splashed. Keep the adaptor cable away from the kettle. For consistent fizz without a lever, it's the one I'd buy.
Honest caveats: It needs mains power, and adding electronics to a machine next to the sink means more to go wrong than a manual model. The listing doesn't state the power rating, adaptor or warranty term. Like the other SodaStream machines, it's designed for water only, and Quick Connect cylinders don't fit older machines.
Best for: Households that want the same level of fizz every time at the press of a button.
Type: Electric, 3 settings • CO2 system: Quick Connect (pink) • Includes: 60L gas cylinder, BPA-free bottle (listed) • Height: 42.7cm (listed) • Indicator: Blue light during carbonation • Model: 1012911441 • Seller: Amazon AU • Rank: #13 in Home Soda Makers (Amazon AU)
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Breville InFizz Aqua Sparkling Water Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel (BCA600BSS)
ASIN B0CG137LKJ • $149.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Breville InFizz Aqua is the pick for anyone who'd rather use a screw-in cylinder, and it's $149 on Amazon AU at time of writing, sold by Amazon AU. It ranks #8 in the Home Soda Makers category. The model code is BCA600BSS0ZAN1, and the listing quotes a brushed stainless steel body, a die cast lever and a magnetic stainless steel drip tray that catches spills during carbonation. It and the Fusion are the only picks whose listings state a warranty, a 2 year product warranty, which is a good sign for something you'll use daily. Breville is also a brand with local service and spare parts in Australia, which matters if a seal wears out in year three.
The listing says it takes standard screw type 60L CO2 canisters, which is the key difference from the SodaStream machines. In the box, it lists a 1L bottle with a stainless steel cap and base, and a cleaning brush. The bottle locks in with a twist and tilt action and a ring pull to release it, which some people find easier than a snap lock. The listing size is 52 x 43.5 x 32.5cm, which reads like the box rather than the machine, so measure your cupboard height against the machine itself on Breville's site. The listing also mentions storing the 1L bottle in the fridge between uses.
The listing doesn't say whether a CO2 cylinder is included, and Breville doesn't name a cylinder brand, so confirm which exchange cylinders fit at your local store before you buy. It's designed for carbonated water, so carbonate water only and add flavour after. Wipe the drip tray and nozzle after use. Wash the bottle by hand unless it's marked dishwasher safe. If the lever starts to feel stiff, check for scale around the nozzle before forcing it. Keep the receipt with the 2 year warranty in mind. If you want a screw-in machine with a 2 year warranty, it's the one I'd buy.
Honest caveats: The listing doesn't state whether a CO2 cylinder is included or name a compatible cylinder brand, so check exchange options locally. Its listed size looks like the box dimensions. It's designed for water only, so for juice or cocktails you'd need the Fusion. Screw-in cylinders don't fit Quick Connect machines.
Best for: People who prefer screw-in cylinders and a stainless steel machine with a longer warranty.
Type: Manual, lever • CO2 system: Standard screw type 60L (listed) • Body: Brushed stainless steel, die cast lever • Includes: 1L bottle, cleaning brush • Drip tray: Magnetic stainless steel • Warranty: 2 years (listed) • Model: BCA600BSS0ZAN1 • Rank: #8 in Home Soda Makers (Amazon AU)
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Breville InFizz Fusion Sparkling Drink Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel (BCA800BSS)
ASIN B0CG12DGNJ • $199.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Breville InFizz Fusion is the only machine here designed to carbonate more than water, and it's $199 on Amazon AU at time of writing, sold by Amazon AU. It ranks #7 in Amazon AU's Home Soda Makers category, slightly ahead of the Aqua. The model code is BCA800BSS0ZAN1, and it's listed with a 2 year warranty. The listing says it can fizz juice, tea, cocktails and wine, and re-fizz soda that's gone flat. Other finishes, including Black Truffle and Sea Salt, are listed separately at the same $199 at time of writing. It's the dearest pick here, but it's the only one that does more than water.
The FusionCap is what makes that possible. The listing describes it as a bottle cap that lets you control how fast the CO2 releases, fast or slow depending on the drink, and the listing says the Fusion infuses extra flavour into fizzy drinks. That slow release is what stops juice or wine from foaming up into the machine, which is exactly the fault that ruins a water-only machine. The rest of the design matches the Aqua, with a brushed stainless steel body, a die cast lever and the same twist and tilt bottle lock with a ring pull. The listing also mentions storing drinks in the fridge in the included 1L bottle, and it says it preserves the fizz until you're ready to serve.
The Fusion listing doesn't state which CO2 cylinder it takes, though the Aqua's says standard screw type, so confirm before you buy. Release the gas slowly with anything other than water, and rinse the cap and nozzle straight after carbonating juice so sugar doesn't dry in the valve. Don't overfill the bottle, since sugary drinks foam more than water. Start with plain water for a few days to learn how much gas you like before moving on to juice. Keep the FusionCap clean and dry between uses, since it's the part that matters most. If you want to fizz drinks other than water, it's the one I'd buy.
Honest caveats: The listing doesn't state the CO2 cylinder type, the box contents beyond the 1L bottle, or the dimensions. Carbonating sugary drinks means more cleaning, because sugar left in the cap or nozzle causes sticking and leaks. It's the dearest pick here, and for plain water the Aqua does the same job for less.
Best for: People who want to fizz juice, tea or cocktails, not just water.
Type: Manual, lever • Carbonates: Water, juice, tea, cocktails, wine (listed) • Cap: FusionCap, controlled CO2 release • Body: Brushed stainless steel, die cast lever • Bottle: 1L (listed) • Warranty: 2 years (listed) • Model: BCA800BSS0ZAN1 • Rank: #7 in Home Soda Makers (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AUSide-by-side comparison
What we see fail in the workshop: sparkling water makers
Sparkling water makers are simple, and most faults come down to a handful of small parts that wear or get gummed up. The good news is that most of them don't cost much to fix. The bad news is that most of them start with something the owner did, like carbonating juice, overfilling a bottle or forcing the wrong cylinder in.
Seals and O-rings
The rubber seals in the carbonation head and around the cylinder valve are the parts that wear out. When they harden or crack, the machine hisses during carbonation, the bottle doesn't seal properly, or the cylinder slowly leaks gas inside the base and runs out in a week. Sugar from carbonated juice speeds this up, because it dries into the seal and stops it seating. A leaking seal is usually a small part and an easy repair, so it's worth fixing rather than replacing the machine. Keeping the head clean and carbonating water only is the best way to make seals last.
Levers, springs and buttons
The lever or button mechanism opens the gas valve, and on older machines the spring or the plastic linkage can wear or snap, especially if the lever gets forced. When that happens, the machine either won't release gas or won't stop releasing it. On the electric e-Terra the same job is done by a solenoid and a board, and those can fail if water gets inside the base. Unplug an electric one straight away if it starts behaving oddly. On manual machines, a lever that's been forced once usually needs a new linkage rather than a new machine, so don't throw it out.
Cylinders and valves
A cylinder that runs out much faster than expected is usually leaking at the valve or the seal, not a bad fill. Cylinders and their valves should only be handled by the exchange system, so never try to open, refill or modify one yourself, and never use an overseas adaptor to fit the wrong type. If a cylinder hisses when it's fitted, take it out, check the seal is seated, and if it keeps hissing, return it for exchange rather than using it. Store spare cylinders upright, away from heat and out of direct sun.
Decision tree: which one should you actually buy?
- Want the safest all-rounder? → The SodaStream Art at $114, the #1 Home Soda Maker on Amazon AU, with a lever and Quick Connect CO2.
- Want the least expensive way to try it? → The SodaStream Terra at $119 for the black version with a Lime Bubly drop, or the white at $99.
- Want the same fizz every time at the press of a button? → The SodaStream e-Terra at $149, with three settings and a 60L cylinder included.
- Prefer screw-in cylinders and a longer warranty? → The Breville InFizz Aqua at $149, in stainless steel with a 2 year warranty.
- Want to fizz juice, tea or cocktails? → The Breville InFizz Fusion at $199, with the FusionCap that controls the CO2 release.
- Machine leaking gas, hissing or not fizzing? → Bring it to our Erina workshop, and we'll check the seals and the mechanism and tell you whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best sparkling water maker in Australia?
For most people it's the SodaStream Art at $114 on Amazon AU at time of writing, which is #1 in Amazon AU's Home Soda Makers category. It's manual, uses the Quick Connect cylinder and has a lever that gives you good control. The SodaStream Terra is the lower-priced way in, the e-Terra is the electric option, and Breville's InFizz Aqua and Fusion are the picks for screw-in cylinders and for carbonating juice.
How much does it cost to run a SodaStream?
The CO2 is the main running cost. A SodaStream Quick Connect cylinder is $35 on Amazon AU at time of writing and makes up to 60 litres, which is about 58c a litre on a new spare. Exchanging an empty cylinder at a participating retailer costs less than buying a new one. Heavy carbonation uses more gas and gets you fewer litres per cylinder, and syrups or drops add their own cost.
Can I use a Quick Connect cylinder in an older SodaStream?
No. Quick Connect cylinders are pink and click in without twisting, and they fit the newer machines like the Terra, Art and e-Terra. Older SodaStream machines like the Spirit, Crystal and Genesis use the blue screw-in cylinder. The two systems aren't interchangeable, and I'd avoid adaptors from overseas sellers, because a poorly matched valve can leak gas inside the machine. Check which system your machine uses before you buy or exchange a cylinder.
Can I carbonate juice or wine in a SodaStream?
Not in the SodaStream machines in this guide, which are designed for plain water with flavour added afterwards. Carbonating juice, cordial or wine makes it foam into the carbonation head and valve, where sugar dries and causes leaks and sticking. If you want to fizz drinks other than water, the Breville InFizz Fusion is designed for it, with a FusionCap that controls how fast the CO2 is released. Rinse the cap and nozzle straight after carbonating anything sugary.
Do SodaStream bottles expire?
Yes. SodaStream prints a use-by date on its plastic carbonating bottles, and they should be replaced once they pass it, because the plastic weakens with age and repeated pressure. Replace any bottle that's cracked, deeply scratched, warped or has been dropped hard. Standard plastic bottles shouldn't go in the dishwasher, which warps them, so buy bottles marked dishwasher safe if you want to use one. Spare bottles cost little and let you keep cold water ready in the fridge.
Is a sparkling water maker worth it?
If your household drinks a few bottles of sparkling water a week, usually yes. Home-made sparkling water costs less per litre than most bottled water, especially once you're exchanging cylinders, and it cuts down on plastic bottles. If you only drink it now and then, the machine mostly makes sense for convenience and less plastic rather than for the running cost. Using cold water helps your gas go further, and exchanging cylinders instead of buying new ones keeps the cost per litre down.
Related buying guides
Sparkling water maker hissing or not fizzing?
Most faults we see on sparkling water makers are worn seals and O-rings, sugar gummed into the valve after carbonating juice, and worn levers and springs, plus water damage on electric models. Bring it into our Erina workshop and we'll check the seals and mechanism, and tell you whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
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