Carbonating water: Following the included directions, we used each machine to make a batch of plain sparkling water on every available setting. We taste-tested the results, looking for off flavors and paying special attention to whether different settings resulted in noticeable differences in carbonation level. (For soda makers with only one setting, we made three batches in a row and tasted them for consistent flavor and level of bubbles.) Swedish brand Aarke is behind a range of stunning stainless steel soda maker machines, which make a statement in the kitchen in a selection of metal and chrome finishes and give you sparkling water at the push of a lever. Another must-have quality? Versatility. The SodaStream Art offers total control over the fizziness levels of the drink, creating long-lasting bubbles that can withstand a few days in the fridge. The more you crank the lever, the more bubbly the results will be. It depends on how you look at it. 60 litres of carbonated water — the amount that a single CO2 canister produces — made with a SodaStream is far better for the environment than the same amount bought from the supermarket in plastic bottles or cans. However, the environmental costs of the production and travel of CO2 canisters, while not eye-widening, mean that water made using a SodaStream is worse for the environment than tap water. Where to exchange SodaStream gas bottles If you're concerned about how many plastic bottles you get through when buying sparkling water from the supermarket, you'll see a huge reduction in plastic waste through using products such as SodaStream.

It had been thought that the sugar content in soft drinks causes obesity, but this doesn't account for the link between weight gain and diet drinks that don't contain sugar. The researchers suggest carbonation could be the common link between the two." When’s the last time you tried making sparkling water or soda at home? At-home sparkling water and soda makers have come a long way in the years since SodaStream debuted the first major home carbonating system in 2009. These days, there are several major brands to choose from and dozens of models to suit every need, whether you're eager to create your own flavored seltzers or want to try your hand at concocting your own colas.

Where to exchange SodaStream gas bottles

As one of the more expensive carbonators around, we decided to try it out to see if it's worth forking out a little more for. Fizzability We rate each machine for how easy it is to get to a good level of fizziness compared with bottled sparkling water.

Use-by date on the bottles: Carbonating water requires gas regulator valves to be set around 55PSI, which in turn needs bottles that can withstand the pressure. The majority will have a two-year lifespan before needing to be replaced.

The reason you can try anything is because there's an amazing valve that lets you release the bubbles slowly to ensure you don't create an explosion. Whenever the foam starts to rise, you close it, then repeat until all the CO2 has been released and your beverage is ready. We also spoke to Dr Reena Wadia, Gum Specialist and Founder of RW Perio, to find out more about the rumoured teeth issues that can come from drinking sparkling water. The SodaStream Terra is the right blend of price and performance with an intuitive design and small profile that fits on a bar top or in a cabinet. It produced medium-sized, assertive bubbles — the kind of sparkling water that should suit people who are daily sparkling water drinkers. While the SodaStream brand is synonymous with the original delicious sparkling water machine, which could help you save 1300 bottles and cans a year, it's no longer the only name in the game for anyone looking for homemade fizzy drinks or sparkling water. Not sure which to go for? We've rounded up eight of the best water carbonators and SodaStreams for 2022.

This is the only carbonator that can add fizz to any drink – juices, iced teas, wine – you name it, this machine can make it can sparkle.Easily removable base: Gas canisters screw in and should be easily accessible for removing after. Some makers have removable bases that require a screwdriver to release. You'll know it's time to replace your CO2 cylinder when you notice the gas going into your water sputters or seems to be less powerful than usual. If the carbonation button(s) on your soda maker don't work, seem less forceful, or make an unusual noise, it's probably because the cylinder is running low.

Designed for efficiency as well as good looks, the sleek polished steel tower of the Aarke Carbonator 3 will not only look fabulous on any kitchen counter, it’ll allow you to make your favourite sparkling drinks at home, too. We chilled the water using a pitcher and ice (the juice and wine were chilled in the fridge) before adding carbonation. We consulted the manufacturer’s instructions and tested various carbonation levels. We also put full bottles in the refrigerator overnight to see if the water remained bubbly or became flat.When speaking to sparkling water experts at SodaStream, they said, "Whether you like your sparkling water lightly fizzed or as bubbly as possible, you can sparkle your water to the exact level you like with the push of a button and add any flavours you like to make your perfect drink." Some molecules will even produce a new compound - carbonic acid, which, if you took a glass of freshly poured beer, would somewhat resemble the process of breathing in humans with CO2 leaving into the atmosphere much as we breathe it out with every breath. We took it for a test run to see if it lived up to its solid reputation: firstly, it was really simple to put together with straightforward instructions, which was a relief as we hadn't used a carbonator before.