Sodastream Spirit One Touch review

If you're a fan of sparkling water, or any fizzy drink for that matter, a sparkling water maker is a worthy investment. Sparkling water makers in the home were initially dominated by Sodastream and it's very much still the market leader today. One of those bestsellers includes the Sodastream Spirit One Touch. Using electric carbonation, you can press the button for sparkling water with no waiting around. It may not be the latest Sodastream in the range but it's proven itself a favourite for ease of use and reliable operation.

Not only that, but it continues Sodastream's mission to get people to cut back on disposable plastic bottles. The Spirit One Touch eliminates the need to buy sparkling water or fizzy drinks from the supermarket, knowing your can make your own at home using Sodastream's sparkling water maker and reusable bottles. And with one-touch operation, it couldn't be easier.

We decided to put the Sodastream Spirit One Touch to the test to see if it really stood up to the glowing customer reviews found on Amazon and elsewhere.

Sodastream Spirit One Touch overview

Key features

• One-touch operation: Simply fill with tap water, hit the button to sparkle and then sip.

• Sparkle your way: Three defined bubble strengths: light, medium or strong.

• Eco-friendly: Cuts out the need to buy shop-bought plastic bottles. The bottles used are reusable and BPA-free.

Testing the Sodastream Spirit One Touch

My household is packed with fizz-fiends who go through copious amounts of fizzy drinks. Whilst I'm aware it's not the healthiest habit to have, I'm more concerned about the building costs of buying individual bottles and multipacks of cans, plus the negative effect this has on the environment.

After a more eco-friendly and cost-efficient solution, I tested the Sodastream Spirit One Touch sparkling water maker over the course of a year - with almost daily use(!) - to see just how viable a solution it could be.

Performance

To make it a worthy replacement, performance was key, and I was not disappointed. On the machine, you get three levels of fizziness with three corresponding buttons. I've always used the highest level and found that to be preferred for my taste. However, I have seen other customers find the lower levels were preferred for them, so it completely depends on your own taste. You may need to play with each initially to determine what's right for you.

The process of sparkling the water is quick and automated and you can immediately see how fizzy it is. I've found it can be a little noisy on occasion with each burst of CO2 into the water, but it does not cause any bother and this just adds to the end-of-process confirmation with an audible cue.

Have I experienced the water bubbling over in the process? Over the course of a year, I've only experienced it on a handful of occasions. Whilst it's not completely clear what's caused this to happen, it's likely due to the water being filled too high or low on the bottle - follow the guide and you shouldn't run into any problems.

As well as having sparkling water on tap, I've loved how fresh the fizz is. With shop-bought plastic bottles of fizzy drinks, I've found them to be noticeably flatter the next day. With the Sodastream bottles, however, the sparkling water maintained the same level of carbonation in the days following.

It's hard to say whether you get the full 60L and when your gas cylinder is coming to an end, you will experience a weaker fizz (or need to press your button more than once) but overall I was seriously impressed.

Usability

One of the biggest selling points of the Sodastream Spirit One Touch is, you guessed it, the one-touch system. With three illuminated buttons on the top of the machine, you simply press the button for your selected level of fizziness and let the carbonator get to work. It really is super easy and I've never had any issue with these buttons not working. Once it's finished, the illuminated button fades so you know it's ready to go - simply unclip your bottle from the machine and you've got your sparkling water.

The simplicity in the use of this machine really is standout and means I can simply get the sparkling process going and walk away - making it great for people as equally busy as me! Not to mention, if you have reduced hand dexterity, you don't need to worry about having to pull levers to get your fizzy water.

The only thing I will flag is that the Sodastream Spirit One Touch is an older Sodastream model, and therefore uses the Blue CO2 Cylinders. In order to put the CO2 canister in, you need to screw the cylinder into place. In comparison, newer Sodastream models use Pink CO2 Cylinders. These use a click-in system instead.

Whilst screwing it in is reasonably easy, it does leave room for human error - make sure you've screwed your CO2 bottle tightly enough to avoid any escaping gas.

Using the Sodastream Spirit One Touch, I have used the Pepsi Max sparkling water flavours to make delicious drinks that taste near enough the same, if not better! Again, really easy to add. Simply pour your syrup up to the fill line in the cap and pour it into your Sodastream bottle. Just make sure to pour your syrup in steadily - on a number of occasions I have had my fizz bubble out of the bottle after pouring my flavouring in too enthusiastically.

I've also found the business of exchanging gas cylinders to be pretty easy too. Using the store locator on Sodastream's website, I was able to visit my local Sainsbury's to pick up and exchange my CO2 by scanning the barcode of each and leaving the old gas cylinder with a shop assistant. However, it's worth keeping in mind that if you choose this option of gas exchange, you won't know if the replacement gas is in stock until you get there. Now Pink CO2 cylinders have been introduced, I have found on occasion that my chosen shop only had these available and I've had to venture to a local Lakeland instead. I'd recommend incorporating your gas exchange with a grocery shop to avoid a wasted journey or making use of Sodastream's online gas exchange.

Build

The Sodastream Spirit One Touch measures W13.5 x L19 x H43cm. I found that it was reasonably compact on my countertop, however a smidge too tall to sit beneath my overhead cabinets. Whilst this wasn't an issue, it might be something worth considering if you have a small kitchen with limited counter space.

As one of Sodastream's more affordable machines, the plastic casing on the Sodastream One Touch could be considered cheap-looking compared to some of its more expensive carbonators. That being said, it's not something I've ever minded as it has lived up to and exceeded my expectations. After a year of use, it's in the same shape it was on the first day of use with no signs of wear or tear.

Final verdict

Consider me a Sodastream convert. Since switching to the Sodastream Spirit One Touch, I've been able to produce fresh, sparkling water on tap. With Sodastream's range of flavours, I have been able to enjoy the same great taste found in a plastic bottle without creating an abundance of plastic waste. And it even feels a little healthier too by creating the drink from scratch. The Spirit One Touch has been simple to use and has become a staple in the kitchen.

Compared to some other Sodastream models, this carbonator is more affordable and lives up to expectations despite not being the newest tech available from the brand. That being said, as with any sparkling water maker, consider the cost of the gas refills before buying if the price is your deciding factor. This type of purchase is best served for regular sparkling water or fizzy beverage drinkers.

Sodastream Spirit One Touch FAQs

What's the difference between Sodastream Spirit and Spirit One Touch?

Despite being from the same brand, each Sodastream is unique. Sodastream has shared the key differences below:

Spirit: A compact and cordless design, with the Spirit you press the carbonating button until you reach your desired fizziness.

Spirit One Touch: Speedy fizz-action and three levels of carbonation to choose from – just plug in and enjoy fresh sparkling water at the single touch of a button.

If you want to find out more, read our Sodastream Spirit review.

Is the Sodastream One Touch worth it?

We think so! Reliable and easy to use are the best ways to describe this Sodastream. The benefit of the SodaStream Spirit One Touch is that with just the touch of a button, you can get your drinks carbonated with three levels of 'carbonation' to choose from. A great choice for families or homes with people who need the automation for ease of use and that can be customised to your preferred level of 'fizziness'.

That being said, there are newer Sodastream models available that have added benefits. For example, the Sodastream Duo is cordless and gives you the option to use plastic or glass bottles that can be used indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Sodastream E-Terra gives you the same three levels of carbonation as the One Touch but with a more stylish finish. Both use the new Pink CO2 Cylinder that has the Quick Connect System for a faster more user-friendly insertion experience.

Other items to consider

To find out more, read our Sodastream E-Terra review.

To find out more, read our full Sodastream Art review.

How long does Sodastream One Touch last?

The CO2 gas cylinder makes up to 60L of sparkling water, but how often you need to replace it will depend on the level of carbonation you use. Generally, a gas cylinder will last anywhere up to eight weeks.

The Sodastream Spirit One Touch is only compatible with Sodastream plastic bottles. These can no longer be used for carbonation after four years but your bottle will come with a clearly marked expiration date.

In terms of the machine itself, that's a little harder to say but it comes with a two-year manufacturer guarantee.

Can you carbonate any drink with Sodastream?

No, with a Sodastream you can only carbonate water. However, you can add flavours after the carbonation process to transform it into a cocktail, cola, lemonade, and more.

Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Yours, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. Having worked commercially on Yours magazine and Yours.co.uk for the past six years, she's previously hosted Yours Live events and loves looking for home inspiration online.