MonTen Soda PS-SW Maker Soda Maker: Full Review

Soda makers, also known as sparkling water makers or soda machines, have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years. These units allow you to turn regular bottled or tap water into carbonated, sparkling water in seconds with the push of a button. Soda makers offer an easy and economical alternative to buying cases of bottled carbonated water or soda.

With a soda maker, you can customize the amount of carbonation and add natural flavorings to create homemade soda or flavored sparkling water without all the added sugar and artificial ingredients found in store-bought varieties. This allows health-conscious consumers to reduce their sugar intake while still enjoying fizzy beverages.

Soda makers provide an eco-friendly option as well, significantly reducing plastic waste and helping the environment. They empower users to make endless supplies of bubbly beverages at home without producing scores of empty plastic bottles and cans. For health and sustainability-focused individuals and families, soda makers are an excellent investment.

In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the Monten Soda PS-SW to see how it stacks up against competitors and whether it's worth the investment for home carbonated beverage enthusiasts. We'll examine the setup, features, carbonation performance, ease of use, flavoring options, and overall value this soda maker provides. By the end, you'll know if the Monten Soda PS-SW deserves a place on your kitchen counter.

Overview of the Monten Soda PS-SW

The Monten Soda PS-SW is a compact countertop soda maker that allows you to create sparkling water and flavored sodas at home. This soda maker features a sleek and modern design with a black finish and LED touch buttons. It has a 60L CO2 capacity and can make up to 60 liters of soda before needing a CO2 cylinder replacement.

The Monten Soda PS-SW uses sodastream-compatible CO2 cylinders so you can easily swap out empty cylinders for full ones. It carbonates water in just 30 seconds with the touch of a button, so you can quickly make fresh fizzy drinks on demand. This soda maker includes a BPA-free 1 liter reusable carbonating bottle. It also comes with a recipe guide that provides instructions for making tasty flavored sodas using natural fruit syrups and juices.

Some key specs and features of the Monten Soda PS-SW:

• 60L CO2 capacity
• Carbonates up to 60L before cylinder replacement
• 30 second carbonation
• LED touch buttons
• Sleek modern black finish
• Includes 1L BPA-free bottle
• Uses sodastream-compatible CO2 cylinders
• Recipe guide for flavored sodas

Set Up and Installation

The Monten Soda comes with everything you need to start making soda at home. Inside the box is the soda maker unit, a 60L CO2 cylinder, and a 0.5L BPA-free reusable bottle.

Setting up the soda maker is quick and easy. You simply insert the CO2 cylinder into the back of the unit and twist it into place to lock it in. The cylinder easily clicks into position.

Next, you rinse the reusable bottle with water before first use. Make sure to fully wash off any residual materials from manufacturing.

To carbonate, you fill the bottle with cold water, add any flavorings if desired, attach the top which has a valve to seal in the carbonation, and lock the bottle into the front of the soda maker. There's a release button that lets you pull the bottle right out once it's fully carbonated and ready to drink.

The entire soda making process takes about 9 seconds. So setup and prep time is minimal, allowing you to quickly enjoy fresh sparkling water or flavored sodas in minutes. Everything locks securely into place and the parts seem sturdy and built to last.

Design and Build Quality

The Monten Soda PS-SW has a sleek and modern design that looks great on any kitchen counter. It is made of BPA-free plastic that is durable and easy to clean.

The finish is a glossy black that fits in with most kitchen decor. It has a small footprint, measuring just 12.2 x 6.3 x 12.2 inches, so it doesn't take up much counter space.

The top lid flips open for easy access to add water and CO2 cartridges. The gas cylinder compartment is well-designed to keep the cartridge secure.

The soda maker feels sturdy and solid. The plastic does not feel flimsy or cheap. The hardware including the nozzle and buttons are metal for enhanced durability.

Many users comment on the quality construction and aesthetics of the device. They find it looks much nicer than many competing models in a similar price range.

Overall, the Monten Soda PS-SW features excellent design and quality materials that make it both visually appealing and built to last. The high-end finish and compact footprint make this an attractive addition to any modern kitchen.

Carbonation

The Monten Soda PS-SW allows you to customize the carbonation level of your sparkling water, from barely bubbly to very fizzy. A simple switch on the front of the machine lets you choose between low, medium and high carbonation.

The carbonation is very effective at all levels. Even on the low setting, the water gets a noticeable amount of tiny bubbles. Medium carbonation produces a texture similar to standard sparkling water. The high setting creates an intense tingling sensation, with thick cascades of bubbles.

Some users may prefer less aggressive carbonation, especially when making flavored sodas that will be consumed quickly. The low setting adds just enough fizz for a hint of satisfaction. But for fans of strong carbonation, the high setting doesn't disappoint. It makes an effervescent texture that holds up over time without going flat.

The carbonation customization is a great feature that lets you dial in the precise bubble texture you want. Fizzy water enthusiasts will love experimenting to find their ideal level of carbonation with the Monten Soda PS-SW.

Ease of Use

The Monten Soda PS-SW maker is designed for convenient use. It features a simple one-button control panel to start the carbonation process. Users just need to add water and CO2 cartridge, then press the button. The machine stops on its own when done.

Cleaning the Monten is also straightforward. After each use, rinse thoroughly with water. For deeper cleaning, add a bit of mild detergent and scrub the parts gently. The company recommends descaling every 2-3 months using their formula or any generic descaling solution.

Overall maintenance is minimal. The CO2 cartridges are replaced after each use. The carbonation cylinder may need replacing after extended use over 1-2 years. The company provides excellent customer service if any parts need replacing.

The Monten machine itself seems durable, made from BPA-free plastic. As long as users take care while handling, it should hold up well with regular use. The simple interface and hassle-free maintenance makes the Monten easy to use.

Flavor Options

The Monten Soda PS-SW sparkling water maker offers a good variety of flavors to choose from. It comes with 2 BPA-free flavor cartridges - 1 lemon and 1 orange. Additional flavor cartridges can be purchased separately in various flavors like cola, root beer, lemon-lime, grapefruit, and more.

Each cartridge contains concentrated liquid flavors and typically makes 9 liters of sparkling water, allowing you to enjoy fresh flavored soda whenever you want. The flavors are quite authentic tasting and not overly artificial. Customizing your flavored sodas is easy too. You can control how strong or light you want the flavor to be. For a more subtle hint of flavor, use less syrup from the cartridge. If you prefer really robust flavor, dispense more of the syrup into your carbonated water. The flexibility in flavor strength is a nice feature of this soda maker.

Overall, the Monten Soda PS-SW provides a good variety of flavor options to keep your homemade soda tasting fresh and appealing. The ability to customize the flavor intensity allows you to craft sodas to suit your personal taste preferences.

Value

The Monten Soda PS-SW offers a solid value for a mid-range soda maker. At around $100, it's priced competitively with other similar soda makers on the market.

The device itself is very reasonably priced for the features it offers. The ability to carbonate still water and add flavors makes it a versatile appliance. It comes with everything you need to start making soda and sparkling water right away, including a BPA-free 60L CO2 carbonator, a 750mL BPA-free carbonating bottle, and flavor essences. No additional accessories are required to get started.

Some soda makers require proprietary CO2 cylinders or flavor syrups to operate which can add to the ongoing cost over time. The Monten uses standard universal CO2 cylinders which helps keep replacement costs down. The included flavors are concentrated and should last for quite a few bottles.

For a mid-range soda maker with decent carbonation and lots of flavor options, the Monten Soda PS-SW provides good value overall. The affordable upfront price along with the ability to use universal CO2 cylinders makes it economical for regular use.

Pros and Cons

The Monten Soda PS-SW sparkling water maker has several positives as well as some potential downsides to consider:

Pros

• Produces high carbonation levels for fizzy soda water
• Sleek, compact design takes up minimal counter space
• Easy to use - just add water and CO2 cartridge
• Affordable price point versus similar models
• Sturdy stainless steel and BPA-free construction

Cons

• Smaller capacity than some competing models
• Difficult to properly carbonate certain flavors like juices or tea
• CO2 cartridges must be replaced frequently
• Occasional leaking reported around bottle seals
• Limited to making only sparkling water, not a full soda maker

The Monten provides solid carbonation and a straightforward user experience. However, the smaller size and carbonation limitations may be disadvantages for some users. Consider both the pros and cons to determine if this sparkling water maker is a good choice based on your preferences.

Conclusion

The Monten Soda PS-SW soda maker is a solid option for people looking for an easy-to-use, affordable way to make sparkling water and soda at home. With its sleek, modern design and simple carbonation process, it's a great choice for households or office settings.

The machine is straightforward and intuitive to operate, making flavorful bubbly beverages with just the push of a button. It carbonates quickly and has flexible options for customizing carbonation levels. The PS-SW can make sodas or carbonated water, providing versatility.

While it may lack some bells and whistles of higher-end models, the Monten device offers very good value. It produces quality results at a budget-friendly price point. For those seeking an entry-level soda maker that gets the job done without breaking the bank, the PS-SW is a recommended option. It will suit individuals, families, or office workers looking for an everyday sparkling water and soda solution.

The machine is compact and suitable for most kitchens or breakrooms. Overall, the Monten Soda PS-SW is an easy to use and affordable soda making system that provides flexibility and customization for sparkling water and soft drinks. It's a great choice for the casual soda maker user.