We Tested a Bunch of Soda Makers to Find the Best of the Best

The trend of at-home soda making is pervasive for a reason: Commercial sodas are often laden with refined sugars and calories. Plus, stocking up on your favorite sparkling water brands can be expensive, not to mention bad for the environment. A home soda maker quenches your thirst and solves all of these problems, since the small appliance allows you to make plain or flavored carbonated soda water from tap or filtered water, a splash of juice, and commercial flavoring products with the push of a button. Additionally, there's no need to store or discard excess product since these machines come with reusable bottles.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve tested more than 15 soda makers over the years, evaluating each for ease of use and performance. When analyzing each product, testers scored the machines according to:

• Functionality: How simple is it to assemble and operate? Can you choose varying levels of carbonation?
• Output: How well does the machine make carbonated water? How much soda does each bottle have?
• Convenience: Is the soda maker easy to clean? Are the bottles dishwasher safe?

Out of all of the models we tested, these are the best soda makers to buy in 2021, according to both Good Housekeeping Institute Lab tests, road tests, and best-sellers with glowing online reviews:

• Best Overall Soda Maker: SodaStream Fizzi One Touch
• Most Versatile Soda Maker: DrinkMate iDrink
• Best Soda Maker Without CO2 Tank: Spärkel Beverage System
• Most Attractive Soda Maker: Aarke Premium Carbonator
• Best Non-Electric Soda Maker: iSi Stainless Steel Soda Siphon
• Best Soda Maker for Families: FIZZpod Soda Maker
• Best Soda Maker With Glass Bottles: SodaStream Aqua Fizz