We recommend soda makers with a score of 80% or more.

Each soda maker's overall score is made up of ease of use (80%) and performance (20%).

We test if machines can achieve a low, medium and high level of carbonation using the automatic or manual settings, as well as consistency of carbonation.

Includes ease of installing/removing CO2 cylinder and drinking bottle, ease of controls, using supplied bottle, water spillage, ease of cleaning and cylinder replacement program.

Based on a high carbonation setting (either the maximum setting for automatic machines or carbonating for 1-2 seconds three or four times on manual machines). 

Models that score higher let you have more customisation over the carbonation levels.

How easy it is to control the level of fizz you want.

How easy it is to install and remove the drinking bottle.

Ease of installing the gas canister and removing it when empty. It should not be a fiddly process.

Lower scores mean more water overflowed from the bottle during carbonation/removing the drinking bottle

Recommended retail price.

Based on a high carbonation setting (maximum for automatic machines, or 1-2 seconds three or four times on manual machines). Results will vary depending on carbonation level used.

All plastic bottles claim to be BPA free.

Claimed core material.

Specifications of the gas cylinder.

Claimed drinking bottle capacity.

Weight including the canister but excluding the drinking bottle.

Mechanical models may use a button or a lever.

Handy to capture any spills from the bottle.

Whether we received a drinking bottle and/or gas cylinder with our soda maker.

Automatic models make it easy to carbonate to preset levels but a manual model can give you more control.