Sodastream Art review

Cost-effective and stylish: There are many reasons to love the Sodastream Art. This model is one of many sparkling water makers today, made by a well-known and reliable brand, Sodastream. Producing a life-changing bubbly concoction before your eyes, it’s a definite hit. With a 60-litre promise per CO2 canister, it's no wonder that this retro gadget is all the rage. And – now that summer is rapidly approaching, something ice-cold and sparkling is going to hit the spot.

If you’re a serial fizzy pop drinker, then a Sodastream Art is a no-brainer. We believe that investing in one of these nifty appliances will save you money in the long run. With all of us feeling the pinch right now, a sparkling water maker may keep you from making frequent runs to the supermarket. Though, if you can’t part with the ever-so-pleasing crackle of a can opening, then we totally understand.

If you’ve missed the memo, a sparkling water maker is a slim (and tall) countertop appliance with a gas cylinder that licks into the back. With the Art, you pull a handle to manually open the valve and release the gas. It’s ideal for those of us who prefer the art of doing it yourself. Plus, the manual aspect means that the Art doesn’t impact your mains electricity bill. On the other hand, the Sodastream E-Terra runs on the mains, where you can select intensity depending on your taste.

As we’re storming into the latter part of 2023, Yours are keen on helping you make better choices – for your lifestyle, piggy bank and the environment. Considering a Sodastream can be a sustainable choice as you can save on single-use bottles and cans. Home, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer, Piper Huxley, shares her thoughts.

Sodastream Art overview

Key features

Manual pump

There are no fancy high-tech frills with this model. With this Art, you’re back to basics. With a manual pump, you are saving on electricity with one swift and easy motion. For a standard fizz, you’re releasing and pumping three times. Easy.

Compact and sleek

Often, kitchen appliances come with bulk, taking up our precious counter space. With the Sodastream Art, you’re laughing. For a sparkling water gadget, it sure is sleek. The CO2 cannister slots neatly in the back and you’ve still got space for prepping dinner.

User-friendly

The Art is the “best way to make fresh sparkling water and more user-friendly than ever,” says Sodastream. We couldn’t agree more. The dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and reusable bottle slots in with a click and a twist. Whereas the cylinder needs “one-click”.

Testing the Sodastream Art

I’ve been using the Sodastream for a while now, to provide me with that well-needed pick-me-up. As the sun is coming out, I’m making less tea and reaching for colder drinks to cool me down.

When testing, I looked for ease of use, overall taste of the drink and effectiveness of the carbonation. Not only that but there are also plenty of Sodastream flavours to test. The old faithful Pepsi Max Cherry was my pick, but I hope to broaden my flavour roster soon.

With this investment, you’re likely to be earning back the cost within a few months of regular use. After all, you’re using fresh water from the tap, not spending anything on electricity and have an endless supply of concentrated syrup to add to your dishwasher-safe bottle. Plus, it’ll save your back from hauling heavy multipacks of fizzy pop to and from the supermarket.

And – less plastic waste, too.

Build

Inside the box is everything you need to make sparkling water:

• Sodastream Art Sparkling Water Maker
• One-litre BPA-free carbonating bottle
• 60 litre CO2 gas cylinder

Unfortunately, you don’t get any syrups included in this purchase. We’d recommend adding some concentrates to your basket to get some fizzy goodness immediately.

Sodastream’s ethos seems to surround sustainability – doing its bit to positively impact the planet. So, their packaging comes equipped to keep your new appliances safe but keep everything recyclable. As for the instruction booklet, that proves very helpful. But, if you learn better from a video, there are some “how to use Sodastream Art” guides online.

Assembling the Sodastream Art was very easy-breezy. As mentioned before, the CO2 canister clicks in easily, thanks to the new Quick Connect technology for that efficient cylinder insertion. On the cylinders, you can make returns to stockists or even purchase a refill. For example, John Lewis and Sainsbury’s may be able to help.

As this is the Art model, there was no cable to contend with, so I could place it wherever I had space and didn’t have to worry about de-tangling cables at a plug port. Overall, the Sodastream Art didn’t look out of place on my kitchen counter.

Performance

Now, time for the fizz. Some Sodastreams (such as the E-Terra or Sodastream Spirit) require mains power and switch on with a happy blue light. There are a few differences between the Art and Terra. Most notable is the Art’s manual operation. Whilst the E-Terra is programmed to produce a certain amount of fizz, the Art relies totally on the user to figure out the sparkle. It may take some trial and error.

After filling the bottle to the fill line, I click and then twisted the bottle until it firmly clung to the machine. Make sure the bottle is fastened correctly. It may be a fiddle, to begin with, but it’s relatively straightforward. When you take your hands away, the bottle must be suspended securely. After all, you don’t want half-sparkled water all over your countertop. Believe me, I’ve been there.

Usability

When it comes to the Art, I like the manual aspect. I don’t know if this is just me, but I prefer being able to control exactly how much gas I use. So, here, I’m able to press down the lever to my heart's content, watching the bubbles ebb and flow. As the jets of gas are released into the bottle, I’m met with a spectacular amount of excitement.

The instructions suggest pressing down the lever three times (for three seconds) to get that standard fizz feel. But I found that it lacked enough sparkle for my liking, so opted for five or six pulls. To release the bottle, gently pull the bottle and it should come free with that satisfying carbonated crack that we know and love.

Before we proceed, I must confess: I detest sparkling water. Though it may be refreshing and invigorating for some, it’s not my thing. So, you can imagine my excitement about trying the variety of flavours that Sodastream has in store. But, if you love sparkling water as it stands, then you can screw the bottle cap on and keep it happily in the fridge. Your very own homemade fizz!

I reached for the Pepsi Max Cherry concentrate immediately.

Adding the syrup is easy enough. By following the guide in the blue cap, you’re able to measure out the correct amount to get your new carbonated beverage to taste sweet. After all, you don’t want to use too much or little, because they can often ruin the taste.

We’d recommend following the guidelines on this one, folks, and using a steady hand when you pour – over the sink. Sometimes, the fizz can run over the bottle. After a gentle shake, your flavour should be mixed in. Now, pour and stay hydrated. From tap to cup, it's an easy process.

Registering the Sodastream

On the cover of the instruction booklet, there is a QR code to register: "Upgrade my Sodastream experience". There is a good incentive to do this, as you can receive £10 off my next gas cylinder when purchased directly from Sodastream.

Final Verdict: Sodastream Art

I love the Sodastream Art as it sits in the middle of its competitors, the Aarke and Carbonator and Philips GoZero, which are £180 and £60, respectively. With this brand, you’re in good hands. After all, Sodastream has been around for a long time and a pioneer in the sparkling water maker industry. Not only that but the customer support from the company is second to none – and refilling is straightforward and accessible.

Though the Sodastream Art is a nifty piece of kit, it doesn’t garner full marks from me. I must admit – taking half a star off hurts – but the instructions were somewhat misleading. The three-second-three-pump method is lacking, and the fizz doesn’t last long in the cup. However, please don’t let this put you off. A few more pumps are required. Make sure to get that bottle top on soon after you pour.

Overall, I’m happy with my new gadget and look forward to taste-testing different flavours. Though Sodastream is considered a relic of the past, the company itself is looking to the future with the Sodastream Art. I’m impressed by this retro appliance, which I once thought to be a naff gimmick.

Sodastream Art FAQs

Are Sodastreams healthy?

Well, according to Dentista, it’s all relative:

“If you are comparing it to other fizzy drinks or are just drinking it with a meal then yes it can be considered healthy. If, however, you are sipping on soda water all day however as a substitute for water, then it’s difficult to say that soda water is good for you."

Is a Sodastream Art cheaper than buying soda?

Which? crunched the numbers, taking into consideration the desire to live more environmentally friendly. As you may know, eco options are often more expensive, which could be said of the Sodastream. They said: “Sodastreams will save you money if you regularly splash out on branded sparkling water, though, although it'll take a while for you to notice it due to the upfront costs.”

However, Product Writer for Yours, Natalie Knowles, who reviewed the E-Terra, totalled up her weekly bottled drinks bill and claims that taking advantage of the flavours can make this appliance worth it. When you factor in canister costs, Sodastreams make sparkling water at around 2p per litre. With the flavours, Natalie says it works out “at 55p per litre” which is very cost-effective.

She concludes: “Undoubtedly, if your household regularly buys fizzy drinks, investing in a Sodastream will save you money in the long run.” If you have a penchant for pop, this could be a good option."

Can you put flat soda in Sodastream Art?

Some websites are adamant that you can revitalise your flat supermarket-bought fizzy pop with your Sodastream. However, when carbonating, you are instructed always fizz water before adding flavour.

Sodastream has debunked this: “Only water should be carbonated in the SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker. You risk damaging your Sparkling Water Maker, not to mention making a big fizzy mess!”

What are the Sodastream Art flavours?

Luckily, you can test all of the Sodastream syrups with your Art. The Soda Press Ginger Ale is at the top of my list…

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Yours, an all-rounder who will write on anything from décor to wellness. When not scouring the net for the best home bargains, Piper is listening to a musical soundtrack and tending to her houseplants.