Retail sales of home soda machines increased by 30 percent from 2012 to 2013, according to the NPD Group, a global information company — and sales of complementary products such as mixes, syrups and CO2 carbonators more than doubled.
Whether you want to lower your global footprint, free up some storage space in your house or become a bubbly mixologist, many types of soda makers are on the market.
Purefizz Soda Maker
You can make anything fizzy from scratch by pouring the liquid into the bottle, adding a charger (chargers are not reusable and cost about 50 cents to $1 each) and shaking. Make seltzer from water, turn juice into soda or make wine into a spritzer in minutes. The bottle holds three cups. $79.99 at shopmastrad.com.
Hamilton Beach Sodastation
This is the latest soda maker by Hamilton Beach. Drop in a cartridge, twist and sip. It's easy and it's small enough to fit inside a drawer or camper. Ten cartridges are included with the initial SodaStation purchase (they aren't reusable). This makes 1 liter of carbonated drinks. $59.99 at hamiltonbeach.com.
Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Starter Kit
It takes less than 30 seconds to go from flat to sparkling with this soda maker. It works by blending a soda mix (each soda mix makes up to 12 liters or 33 cans of soda with no high-fructose corn syrup) with a reusable CO2 carbonator. There are more than 60 flavors of soda mix. Adjust sweetness and intensity by pouring in more or less. $99.99 at sodastreamusa.com.
Cuisinart CSS-100 Compact Sparkling Beverage Maker
Powered by a reusable CO2 carbonator and a single-use CO2 charger, this carbonates one 16-ounce bottle at a time. It's simply a bottle and a lid — so it won't take up much space in your kitchen. This is one of the smaller options, and it's best for those looking for a soda maker because they don't have space to store soda in their home. A range of flavor packets are available for purchase, and the carbonation level is high. $49.95 at sears.com.
iSi Brushed Aluminum Soda Siphon
Great for those who want to turn their water sparkling or make their juice or wine into a spritzer. The soda maker only makes sparkling water, though you can add juice to transform it into a spritzer or other creative options. It comes in red, silver or black. $69.95 at isi-store.com.
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