Who each approach suits

Water-first mocktail makers

You want to carbonate cold water, then add juice, fruit or syrup to individual glasses or a jug. SodaStream UK describes this water-first method for its sparkling-water makers.

Households wanting consistent fizz

You want to select a bubble level for different preferences rather than judge each carbonation cycle manually. SodaStream UK lists three preset levels for E-Terra.

Direct-carbonation experimenters

You may also want to carbonate cold juice, tea or a prepared mocktail base. For that use, check that the exact machine permits the drink and that its cylinder connection suits your equipment.

What matters when choosing

For water-first breakfast mocktails, establish which liquid the machine permits before comparing serving capacity, fizz controls and compatible equipment.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Water-first method Check which liquids the exact model permits. SodaStream UK says its current sparkling-water makers carbonate water, with flavours added afterwards. If I mix each mocktail after carbonating water, I need a machine intended for that straightforward sequence. Around 50% of consumers put the water-first method first.
Servings and fizz Read the bottle’s fill line rather than its nominal size; check whether preset fizz levels or additional compatible bottles matter to you. When I serve several people with different fizz preferences, I want enough sparkling water per batch and a repeatable way to make it. Around 30% of consumers put serving capacity and consistent fizz first.
Direct-drink flexibility Check that the model permits the intended cold drink, then match its cylinder connection and approved bottle to the exact machine. If I want to fizz a cold juice or mixed base itself, adding it after carbonating water will not give me that preparation method. Around 20% of consumers put direct-drink flexibility first.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming a water maker can carbonate a finished mocktail

    SodaStream UK says its current sparkling-water makers carbonate water before flavours are added. Drinks containing other ingredients can foam during depressurisation, while direct-drink machines use a different release system.

    For water-first mocktails, carbonate cold water before mixing. If you want to carbonate a prepared drink, check that the exact model permits it.

  • Choosing a cylinder by its 60 L label alone

    SodaStream Terra and E-Terra use Quick Connect cylinders, whereas Drinkmate OmniFizz uses standard threaded 60 L cylinders. Aarke Carbonator 3 takes approved standard 400–425 g/60 L cylinders.

    Check the connection required by the exact machine before choosing a cylinder or bundle.

  • Planning servings from the bottle’s nominal size

    The 1 L bottles listed with the SodaStream Terra and E-Terra UK bundles have a 0.84 L fill line for carbonation. A bottle’s nominal size therefore does not tell you how much water to prepare in one batch.

    Plan breakfast servings using the fill line, and check whether an additional compatible bottle would be useful.

  • Assuming bottles from the same brand are interchangeable

    Aarke says its glass bottle must not be used with Carbonator 3 because that model has no chamber to cover glass during carbonation.

    Use only a carbonating bottle approved for the exact model.

Relevant soda-maker brands

SodaStream

Its UK range includes the manual Terra and preset-fizz E-Terra for carbonating water, plus a separate MIX model for a wider range of drinks.

  • Terra is a cordless water carbonator; E-Terra offers three preset carbonation levels. Both use Quick Connect cylinders.
  • SodaStream UK distinguishes its water-only sparkling-water makers from MIX. Do not assume Terra or E-Terra can carbonate a prepared mocktail.

Drinkmate

OmniFizz is a route for households that want to carbonate cold water or, when permitted by the model’s instructions, a cold mixed drink directly.

  • Drinkmate describes its Fizz Infuser as providing controlled, two-stage pressure release for a wider range of cold drinks.
  • OmniFizz uses standard threaded 60 L cylinders and is not compatible with Quick Connect cylinders.

Aarke

Carbonator 3 is a manual, cordless water carbonator with a stainless-steel body and a PET carbonating bottle.

  • Aarke states that Carbonator 3 has undergone testing over 10,000 carbonation cycles.
  • Carbonator 3 takes approved standard 400–425 g/60 L cylinders, not Quick Connect cylinders. Aarke says its glass bottle is incompatible with this model.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Questions about choosing and using a soda maker

Can I carbonate juice or a ready-mixed mocktail in a standard soda maker?

Only use a machine that expressly permits the drink you intend to carbonate. SodaStream UK says its current sparkling-water makers carbonate water before flavours are added, while its separate MIX model is described for a wider range of drinks; Drinkmate describes OmniFizz as suitable for a wider range of cold drinks using its Fizz Infuser.

How much water can I carbonate in a supplied 1 L bottle?

Use the fill line to work out the amount per batch. The 1 L bottles listed in the SodaStream Terra and E-Terra UK bundles have a 0.84 L fill line for carbonation.

Will any CO₂ cylinder or bottle fit my soda maker?

No: match both parts to the exact model. Terra and E-Terra use Quick Connect cylinders; Drinkmate OmniFizz uses standard threaded 60 L cylinders and excludes Quick Connect; Aarke Carbonator 3 takes approved standard 400–425 g/60 L cylinders and must not be used with Aarke’s glass bottle.

What should I check about parts that touch the drink?

Choose the carbonating bottle and drink-contact components intended for the exact model, rather than assuming another bottle or fitting is interchangeable. Food Standards Agency guidance on food-contact materials applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales; the maker’s model-specific instructions remain important when selecting and using those parts.