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Which SodaStream Model Should You Choose Today? The Upcoming New Model Only Makes It Harder
SodaStream has long been a household name for effortlessly transforming plain tap water into refreshing sparkling beverages. With its growing popularity, the brand continuously innovates, offering a diverse range of machines to suit different preferences and budgets. Currently, five distinct SodaStream sparkling water makers are available, but the impending launch of a sixth model is set to redefine expectations and perhaps even challenge the value proposition of some of the higher-priced existing options. Let’s delve into the current lineup, starting with the most accessible model.
Understanding SodaStream Models: A Comprehensive Guide
1. SodaStream Terra
Suggested Price: Approximately $65 USD
The SodaStream Terra stands as the brand’s most fundamental model, a perfect entry point for those new to home carbonation. While its construction primarily features plastic with glossy “piano black” finishes, it’s designed for simplicity, durability, and a sleek appearance that fits into most kitchens. Having personally used this model for nearly three years, I can attest to its reliability and straightforward operation. Three presses typically achieve a standard fizz, while five deliver a more intense carbonation. The cost of replacing CO2 cylinders is relatively low, often amounting to just $5-8 USD per month for regular use. The only minor drawback, common to many glossy black gadgets, is its tendency to attract dust. Image source: PepsiCo / Press materials
2. SodaStream Art
Suggested Price: Approximately $75 USD
Essentially, the SodaStream Art is a more aesthetically enhanced version of the Terra. Given a modest price difference of about $15 USD compared to the Terra, the Art might seem like an immediate upgrade. However, the Terra often becomes available at discounted prices, sometimes dropping below $50 USD, or is included in attractive bundles, making its value proposition very strong. The Art model distinguishes itself with a stylish carbonation lever, replacing the push-button mechanism found on top of the Terra. Its design features more squared-off shapes and elegant stainless steel accents, giving it a distinct retro-modern appeal. Beyond these design and operational nuances, it remains a fairly basic sparkling water maker from the brand. Image source: PepsiCo / Press materials
3. SodaStream Duo
Suggested Price: Approximately $100 USD
The SodaStream Duo marks a significant departure from the basic functionality of the Terra and Art, being the first model in the lineup to introduce genuinely new features. Its primary advantage is the ability to carbonate water in two types of containers: the standard plastic Fuse bottle and a more elegant one-liter Duo glass carafe. This dual compatibility is, naturally, where the “Duo” name originates. With a larger housing designed to accommodate both bottle types, the Duo can offer a more premium visual presence in a contemporary kitchen. However, it’s challenging to confidently say that this set is worth the additional cost—roughly $25 USD more than the Art or $40 USD more than the Terra—purely based on this dual-bottle functionality. Image source: PepsiCo / Press materials
4. SodaStream Mix
Suggested Price: Approximately $125 USD
The SodaStream Mix is a relatively newer addition to the lineup, offering a crucial advancement: the capability to carbonate not just water, but also other beverages like tea, lemonades, or juices. Attempting to carbonate anything other than water in models like the Art or Terra can lead to residue buildup, potentially damaging the carbonation nozzle and voiding the warranty. The Mix model ingeniously bypasses this limitation. It also includes a compact 0.4-liter (approximately 13.5 fl oz) Mix bottle, ideal for preparing single servings. A significant convenience feature is that users do not need to open already carbonated water to add syrups or flavorings, making the process cleaner and more efficient. For those who love experimenting with custom fizzy drinks, the Mix is a compelling option. If you’re looking for other innovative kitchen appliances, you might also be interested in our Ninja BlendBoss Review: Discover Why It’s Worth Making Some Noise or perhaps the Tefal Easy Fry Infrared Air Fryer Review: Features for more versatile cooking. Image source: PepsiCo / Press materials
5. SodaStream enso
Suggested Price: Approximately $165 USD
The SodaStream enso is perhaps the most challenging model to recommend to the average user, primarily appealing to those with a strong aesthetic preference. Crafted entirely from stainless steel, the enso exudes a premium, minimalist design, complemented by a dedicated enso bottle with metallic accents. Its stainless steel construction makes it the most expensive among SodaStream’s manual, non-electric models. Curiously, despite its higher price, it lacks the versatile carbonation capabilities for various beverages found in the approximately $40 USD cheaper SodaStream Mix. In essence, the enso is a product for design connoisseurs and individuals for whom the additional expenditure does not significantly impact their budget, prioritizing style over multi-functional utility. Image source: PepsiCo / Press materials
The Future of Home Carbonation: SodaStream Ultimate Multi Drink
6. SodaStream Ultimate Multi Drink
Suggested Price: Approximately $225-250 USD (estimated)
Anticipated for release in mid-October, the SodaStream Ultimate Multi Drink is poised to be the brand’s sixth and most innovative model to date. This fully electric device promises a revolutionary approach to home carbonation. It will feature an integrated water reservoir, eliminating the need to connect an external water source every time. Furthermore, it will allow for direct syrup connection and provide real-time monitoring of the gas level in the CO2 cylinder, ensuring you’re never caught off guard. Perhaps its most groundbreaking feature is the elimination of dedicated bottles; users will simply need any sufficiently sized container, as the carbonated beverage is dispensed directly from the machine. This design brings the SodaStream experience remarkably close to that of a high-end coffee machine, but for sparkling beverages.
The Ultimate Multi Drink represents a highly modern proposition that offers significant advantages, particularly when compared to the more expensive enso and even the versatile Mix models. While its final pricing is still speculative, estimates suggest it could range from approximately $225 to $250 USD. For instance, in Europe, the model is projected to cost around €199 (approximately $210 USD). This advanced functionality at a competitive price point could dramatically shift consumer preferences, making some of the current higher-end models seem less appealing.
Making Your Choice: A Summary
Choosing the right SodaStream model depends heavily on your priorities. For basic, cost-effective carbonation, the Terra offers unmatched value. The Art adds a touch of style and an ergonomic lever for a slight premium. The Duo provides bottle versatility for those who prefer glass carafes. If you envision carbonating more than just water, the Mix is a clear winner, expanding your beverage possibilities significantly. The enso caters exclusively to design-focused users. However, with the impending arrival of the fully electric Ultimate Multi Drink, offering unparalleled convenience and versatility at a potentially competitive price, it introduces a compelling new contender that could make the decision even more complex. Consider your budget, desired features, and aesthetic preferences carefully before making your investment in home carbonation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While both the Terra and Art are entry-level models, the SodaStream Art features a more elegant design with stainless steel accents and a carbonation lever instead of a push-button, offering a slightly more premium feel for a modest price increase. The Terra is often found at lower price points or in bundles, making it a great value option.
No, not with every model. Attempting to carbonate anything other than plain water in basic models like the Terra, Art, or Duo can damage the machine’s internal mechanisms and void its warranty due to sugar residue buildup. Only the SodaStream Mix model is specifically designed to safely carbonate a variety of beverages, including juices, teas, and lemonades. The upcoming Ultimate Multi Drink is also expected to offer versatile beverage carbonation.
The primary recurring cost for a SodaStream machine is replacing the CO2 cylinders. For standard usage, this typically amounts to an estimated $5-8 USD per month, depending on how frequently you carbonate and the cost of cylinder refills in your region. Machines themselves are a one-time purchase, and cleaning is generally minimal.
The upcoming SodaStream Ultimate Multi Drink is expected to be a fully electric device with an integrated water reservoir, direct syrup connection capability, and real-time gas level monitoring. Crucially, it will eliminate the need for dedicated SodaStream bottles, allowing users to carbonate directly into any suitable container, offering unprecedented convenience and versatility.
Source: Self-authored. Opening photo: Szymon Balinski
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