Who is this for?

Hosts serving several people

You want enough compatible bottles and CO₂ ready to make sparkling water throughout a visit, rather than repeatedly refilling one bottle.

Hosts who want repeatable fizz

You would prefer to select a carbonation level for each bottle with minimal guesswork. SodaStream UK lists light, medium and bold presets for E-TERRA.

Occasional hosts keeping things simple

You mainly make plain sparkling water when friends come round and prefer a cordless manual machine, provided its specified cylinder format and a practical refill route suit you.

What matters when choosing?

For serving plain sparkling water to visiting friends, check how many usable bottles and compatible cylinders you will have, then decide whether manual control or electric presets better suit the way you serve guests.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Serving capacity Count the compatible bottles and cylinders supplied; use each bottle’s marked fill line, not just its nominal volume. SodaStream UK lists a 0.84 L carbonation fill for the checked 1 L bottles. If several friends want sparkling water together, I need bottles and CO₂ ready so serving does not pause. Around 38% of consumers put hosting capacity first.
Fizz control Choose between manual carbonation and electric presets; check socket access if considering a powered model. When guests prefer different levels of fizz, I want a straightforward way to prepare each bottle. Around 37% of consumers prioritise easy, repeatable carbonation.
Cylinder refills Match the exact machine to Quick Connect or screw-in cylinders, and check a convenient exchange or delivery route. For occasional visits, I want replacing CO₂ to remain manageable between gatherings. Around 25% of consumers put a straightforward refill arrangement first.

Common buying mistakes

  • Buying a cylinder by its litre rating alone

    A cylinder’s stated output does not tell you whether it fits. SodaStream UK distinguishes Quick Connect from screw-in cylinders, and Aarke UK says its standard cylinders do not fit SodaStream Quick Connect models.

    Check the cylinder mechanism specified for the exact machine before buying a spare or arranging an exchange.

  • Expecting a 1 L bottle to carbonate a full litre

    The checked SodaStream 1 L bottles have a 0.84 L carbonation fill line. That difference matters when deciding how many bottles to prepare for guests.

    Plan servings using the marked fill capacity, and consider additional compatible bottles if several people will want water at once.

  • Carbonating sweetened drinks in a water-only machine

    SodaStream UK warns that sugar or sweeteners can cause rapid foam expansion when added before carbonation.

    For this plain-water use, carbonate water first and add flavour afterwards. If carbonating other drinks is a separate requirement, choose a model intended for them and follow its instructions.

    Foaming can also leave a mess to clean up.

  • Overlooking exchange-bundle return terms

    A multi-cylinder arrangement can help keep CO₂ available for visits, but an exchange bundle may also have conditions for returning used cylinders.

    Read the terms for the particular bundle, including its return window, and keep any return packaging supplied.

Brands to consider

These product lines offer different ways to carbonate plain water; the cylinder system and bottle instructions depend on the model.

SodaStream

SodaStream UK offers the manual TERRA and electric E-TERRA for sparkling water, both using Quick Connect cylinders.

  • TERRA is cordless; E-TERRA has three preset fizz levels. SodaStream UK states that a cylinder can make up to 60 L, depending on use.
  • These models require Quick Connect cylinders rather than standard screw-in cylinders.

Aarke

Aarke Carbonator 3 is a cordless manual option for plain sparkling water that uses standard 400–425 g / 60 L screw-in cylinders.

  • Aarke UK lists a stainless-steel body and states that a cylinder can carbonate up to 60 L.
  • Carbonator 3 uses a PET bottle; Aarke says not to use its glass bottle with this model. Quick Connect cylinders are incompatible.

Drinkmate

Drinkmate UK presents OmniFizz as a way to carbonate water and other drinks, although that additional use is not needed to serve plain sparkling water.

  • The listed three-cylinder bundle includes three nominal 60 L cylinders and a 1 L bottle.
  • The listed bundle is not compatible with Quick Connect cylinders.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I prepare enough sparkling water when friends visit?

Have additional compatible bottles and enough CO₂ ready for the number of people you expect to serve. Check the bottles’ carbonation fill lines when planning servings: SodaStream UK lists a 0.84 L fill for the checked 1 L bottles.

Do I need an electric soda maker for guests?

No: manual models such as SodaStream TERRA and Aarke Carbonator 3 are cordless. SodaStream E-TERRA is worth considering if selecting its light, medium or bold preset for each bottle matters more to you than a non-electric setup.

Will any 60 L CO₂ cylinder fit my soda maker?

No. Match the fitting to the exact model, not just the nominal output: TERRA and E-TERRA use Quick Connect cylinders, while Aarke UK specifies standard 400–425 g / 60 L screw-in cylinders for Carbonator 3. Drinkmate UK also says its checked OmniFizz bundle does not accept Quick Connect cylinders.

Can I carbonate cordial or juice in a machine bought for plain water?

Not in a water-only SodaStream model. SodaStream UK advises carbonating plain water before adding syrup because sweeteners can cause rapid foaming; if you also want to carbonate other drinks, check the intended uses and instructions of a model designed for that purpose, such as Drinkmate OmniFizz.