We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
There's a kitchen gadget to suit every purpose these days, from air fryers to pizza ovens and more. Drinks-wise, carbonated water machines is a growing category, and it offers you a chance to do as the name suggests: transform normal drinking water into sparkling.
Prices, design and claims vary between each model, so what's worth parting cash with to add some sparkle into your life? We tested leading models on the market to find out our favourites.
Pros
- Many colour options
Cons
- Cylinder not included
As you'd expect from Smeg, this has real aesthetic appeal, from the matte finish to the compact drip tray to catch any spills. There are four colours to choose from – Emerald Green, Matte Black, Storm Blue and Matte White. Unlike the others which feature a lever or a button, you achieve carbonation by twisting the dial at the front, where the logo is featured.
You can twist in short spurts or hold for a longer period to achieve bubbles, and the clear bottle means you can see the whole process, helping you determine whether you've got enough fizz in your drink. The only detectable noise is when the gas cylinder runs out, so it's a non-intrusive addition to your kitchen.
The bottle itself has a sturdy screw top and keeps the drink consistently fizzy for hours. One thing to note is that unlike the rest of our products tested, this one didn't come with a gas cylinder, so it's an added cost to factor in on top of the machine.
Tested by Richard Hope
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 42 x 13.5 x 24.5cm |
|---|---|
| Cylinder capacity | 60-80L |
| Cylinder compatibility | All standard cyclinder brands, including Co2 YOU |
| Bottle capacity | 800ml |
| Connection | Mains free |
sodastream SodaStream ART sparkling water maker
sodastream SodaStream ART sparkling water maker
Probably the brand most commonly associated with sparkling water machines, SodaStream has a choice of models (you can find our review of its 'ensō' machine below). ART launched in 2022 and the identifiable part of the design here is the lever to pull to activate the carbonation (most feature a button to do this job).
Sleek and stylish, there's no waiting or charging required, just plug in the accompanying canister. The process takes seconds – pull the lever down to activate the cylinder. Anywhere between three and five pumps achieved a decent level of fizz, but fewer is better if you prefer your sparkling drink to be more subtle. The cylinder makes a noise when the lever is pulled, but not overwhelmingly so. Flavours can be used to add flavour to sparkling water, and they're designed to be added to the water once it's been carbonated. All carbonated drinks kept their fizz well after the lever was pulled.
The entire process was really simple, from assembly onwards (the bottle is easy to clean) and the machine sits easily on the worktop without taking up too much space, or can just as easily be tucked away out of sight.
Tested by Andrea Tonks
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 7.2 x 11.6 x 17.4 inches |
|---|---|
| Cylinder capacity | 60L |
| Cylinder compatibility | SodaStream specific |
| Bottle capacity | 1L |
| Connection | mains free |
Pros
- Sleek, premium design
Cons
- Smaller water bottle
A higher price point than some on this list, the premium design is worthy of showing off in your kitchen. It even comes with its own cloth to keep the steel nice and shiny (no fingerprints left behind!). The machine is intuitive and not complicated, with the cylinder slotting in and out nicely. The bottle locks into the machine easily and there's no fight to remove it after, either.
The carbonation is activated via a lever, and it took roughly three pumps to reach a decent level of fizz, taking approximately ten seconds. The drip tray is a nice touch to catch any spills, although there were no leaks any time this was tested. The only slight downside is the size of the bottle. At 780ml any drinks get finished quickly, although it's quick enough to carbonate the next round of water.
Tested by Sophie Chapple
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 15 x 26 x 41cm |
|---|---|
| Cylinder capacity | 60L |
| Cylinder compatibility | works with Aarke and SodaStream cylinders |
| Bottle capacity | 780ml |
| Connection | Mains free |
SodaStream ensō sparkling water maker
One of the newer models from SodaStream, there's real appeal in its sleek, polished look. While the ART requires a lever, this is activated via a button at the top.
Everything from start to finish is simple, from slotting in the Co2 cylinder to fitting the water bottle on and off. There's a tell-tale 'hiss' that signals when it's carbonated to the right level, saving you the trial and error of checking whether it's fizzy enough. Having said that, there's nothing stopping you from having a lower level of carbonation. That's the joy of the machine; if you find normal fizzy canned drinks too much, this is your opportunity to dial it down.
For those who prefer a more slimline, sleeker operation, it's worth choosing the SodaStream ensō over the ART model.
Tested by Helen Pike
DrinkMate OmniFizz sparkling water and soda carbonator
Pros
- Carbonates more than just water
With a choice of four colours, Drinkmate's slimline machine already comes with a cylinder to get you started, and it's easy to connect inside the core of the machine. The accompanying bottle fits onto the front with a simple push – once slid into place, it's ready to go.
Activation comes from pressing the button on top in short, quick bursts – the instruction booklet suggests the appropriate number, depending on what liquid you're working with.
What sets this machine apart from the rest is that it claims to carbonate any drink. I tested water, cordial and two-day-old sparkling wine. It's easy to feel in control with just how sparkling you want your drink, and with this machine, less is more. Just four quick presses reached the desired level of fizz in the water and cordial that didn't leave me feeling like I'd swallowed a load of bubbles, while a similar amount gave the wine a new lease of life.
The only thing to remember is to lift the small flap on the bottle to release any excess gas before you open the bottle to drink. The bottle lid means you can keep the contents fresh, and it kept the sparkle for a good few days. I didn't feel the need to re-carbonate.
Tested by Helen Pike
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 8 x 5 x 16 Inches |
|---|---|
| Cylinder capacity | 60L |
| Cylinder compatibility | works with any brand |
| Bottle capacity | 850ml |
| Connection | mains free |
Where to buy Cat Deeley's outfits on This Morning
Best summer activities for families in the UK
Where to buy Project Hail Mary merchandise
The best fans to buy for a heatwave from £14.99
