SodaStream 1011711011 Soda Maker: Full Review

SodaStream is an Israeli company that has been around since 1903. Originally called Soda-Club, they were the first company to develop technology that enabled consumers to make sparkling water and soft drinks at home. Their innovative home carbonation systems have grown in popularity over the years as consumers look for inexpensive and eco-friendly alternatives to buying bottled and canned soda.

Today, SodaStream is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of Sparkling Water makers, which enable consumers to transform ordinary tap water into sparkling water and flavored soft drinks in seconds. Their product lineup includes various Sparkling Water makers designed for home use, along with compatible CO2 cylinders and a wide variety of natural syrups and flavors. The company has won numerous awards and accolades for its environmentally friendly products.

SodaStream aims to offer a sustainable alternative to packaged beverages that produce plastic waste and high shipping costs. By giving consumers an easy and affordable way to make sparkling water and soda at home, SodaStream helps eliminate the need for bottles, cans, and transporting beverages long distances. Their products have proven immensely successful around the world.

Overview

The SodaStream Fizzi Sparkling Water Maker is an entry-level soda maker that allows you to carbonate water and make sparkling water and soft drinks at home. This particular model being reviewed is the Fizzi One Touch electric sparkling water maker bundle that comes with a 60L CO2 cylinder and 1L BPA-free reusable carbonating bottle.

Some of the Fizzi's main features include:

• One Touch technology - lets you carbonate water with the push of a button
• Uses a 60L CO2 cylinder to carbonate
• Comes with 1L BPA-free reusable bottle
• LED carbonation indicator lights
• Dishwasher safe bottle and parts

Design

The SodaStream Fizzi has a sleek, modern design that looks great on any kitchen counter. It has a cylindrical shape and stands about 16 inches tall. The entire unit is made of durable plastic with a glossy finish available in black, white, red, or blue colors.

Weighing only 5 pounds when empty, the Fizzi is lightweight enough to easily move around or store away in a cabinet. The materials feel solid and can withstand regular use without any issues.

Aesthetically, the Fizzi has clean lines and a minimalist style. The top portion contains the CO2 cylinder and a single carbonation button. The bottom houses a removable 1 liter BPA-free plastic bottle. Each area screws into place smoothly.

Overall, the Fizzi combines both form and function with its modern, user-friendly design. The materials keep it lightweight yet sturdy, while the aesthetics allow it to blend right into your existing kitchen decor.

Ease of Use

The SodaStream Fizzi is designed to be very easy to use right out of the box. The initial set up only takes a few minutes. Simply insert the CO2 cylinder, attach it to the back of the unit, and add water to the reusable 1L BPA-free bottle. Then just press the top button to add carbonation. The Fizzi will stop on its own once the right amount of fizz has been added, so there's no guesswork involved.

Making sparkling water or soda is incredibly simple. After carbonating the water, just add any of SodaStream's syrup flavors to the bottle, screw on the lid, and shake gently to mix. The entire process from start to finish takes under a minute. The system contains easy to understand lights that tell you when you need a new CO2 cylinder or if there are any issues. Everything is self-contained, and no electricity or batteries are required.

Overall, the SodaStream Fizzi couldn't be easier to use. It's an incredibly straightforward system that allows anyone to make fresh sparkling water and sodas with minimal effort. The simple one-touch operation means you don't have to deal with complex controls. Just fill, click, and enjoy.

Performance

The SodaStream Fizzi provides solid carbonation performance for homemade sodas and sparkling waters. The Fizzi can carbonate up to 60 liters of water with each CO2 cylinder, which typically lasts around 2 months with frequent use.

The carbonation level is adjustable, so you can make lighter fizz or extra bubbly drinks according to your preference. The Fizzi carbonates water in just seconds by inserting the bottle into the front loading system and pushing a button. The end result is water that is impressively fizzy with a satisfying bubbly sensation.

In terms of taste, the Fizzi does not alter or remove flavors from water. Any pure or infused water flavors come through cleanly without being impacted by the carbonation process. The Fizzi produces drinks that taste homemade in a positive way, lacking the harsh fizziness or chemical aftertaste that can occur with some store bought sodas.

Overall, the Fizzi delivers great carbonation and fizz with a homemade taste that outshines most generic brands of sparkling water and soda. The quick carbonation process leaves water optimally bubbly and fresh tasting.

Flavor Options

The SodaStream Fizzi comes with a 60L CO2 cylinder and a BPA-free carbonating bottle. It also includes a sample pack of SodaStream flavors to get you started making sparkling water and soda.

The included flavors are cola, lemon-lime, orange, and berry. These flavors allow you to easily make popular sodas like cola and lemon-lime soda at home. The flavors use natural ingredients and contain no high fructose corn syrup or aspartame.

While the starter pack only contains 4 options, SodaStream offers a wide variety of additional flavors that can be purchased separately. With over 60 flavor choices, you can replicate major soda brands or create unique flavor combinations. The flavors encompass classics like root beer and ginger ale as well as more unique options like watermelon, peach tea, and cherry vanilla.

The machine is also compatible with SodaStream's line of sugar-free flavor options for diet sodas. And you can opt to make your own homemade soda flavors too. By adding flavored syrups, juices, or fresh fruit to your sparkling water, the possibilities are endless for crafting custom flavor creations.

The Fizzi gives you the flexibility to carbonate water on its own or add in flavors to make a variety of sodas and sparkling beverages. With the included flavors and expansive flavor possibilities, you can satisfy any craving or taste preference with ease.

Cost Considerations

While the SodaStream Fizzi may seem inexpensive compared to buying canned or bottled soda at the store, there are some ongoing costs to consider.

The main expense after the initial purchase is the CO2 cylinders. The Fizzi uses a 60L cylinder that produces up to 60 liters of soda. These cylinders cost around $15 and must be exchanged for a full one at local retailers once empty.

Compared to a 12-pack of name brand soda that costs $5-6, the savings from making your own soda only really kick in after you've gone through a few CO2 cylinders. However, the environmental benefits and ability to control ingredients and sweetness levels may make it worthwhile for many.

Some ways to lower the operating costs include carbonating only water, not syrups, or opting for off-brand syrups instead of SodaStream flavors. But keep in mind off-brand syrups may not work as well.

Overall, while the SodaStream can save money in the long run, be prepared to make an investment upfront in the device and ongoing purchases of the CO2 cylinders. The savings likely won't be immediate, but can add up over time.

Pros of the SodaStream Fizzi

• Very easy to set up and use right out of the box. The Fizzi comes with clear instructions that allow you to start making sparkling water in minutes. No complex installation needed.

• Produces good carbonation consistently. The Fizzi carbonates water well, providing crisp, bubbly soda water every time you use it. It infuses just the right amount of fizz.

• Offers a healthy alternative to sugary store-bought soda. With the Fizzi, you control what goes into your sparkling water. Make drinks without artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives.

• Environmentally friendly and cost effective in the long run. Since it reuses bottles, the Fizzi helps reduce plastic waste and saves money compared to buying cases of bottled sparkling water. The CO2 cylinders are also recyclable.

Cons

• Carbonating bottles can take longer than expected. It can take up to 2-3 minutes per bottle, so making multiple drinks at once requires patience.

• The machine requires proprietary CO2 cylinders. You have to keep buying SodaStream's brand name cylinders repeatedly, which some customers feel locks them into the ecosystem.

• While SodaStream markets itself as more eco-friendly, its CO2 cylinders still contain compressed gas and metal. Recycling the cylinders requires shipping them back to SodaStream.

• The flavor options are limited compared to purchasing flavored seltzer waters and sodas. SodaStream offers only their brand of syrup flavors. If you want more variety, you need to seek out third-party flavors and additives.

Verdict

Overall, the SodaStream Fizzi is an excellent choice for anyone looking to make sparkling water at home. It provides an easy and convenient way to carbonate regular tap or bottled water by adding CO2 with the push of a button. The sleek, modern design is compact enough for most kitchen counters yet produces 1 liter of sparkling water in just seconds.

Operation is simple and intuitive. Just insert the BPA-free reusable bottle, lock it into place, and press the top button to inject carbonation. There are three levels of fizziness to choose from. The Fizzi requires no electricity, just periodic exchanges of the CO2 cylinder. Each cylinder carbonates up to 60 liters.

While the Fizzi only makes still or carbonated water, SodaStream offers a wide variety of natural flavor syrups to customize your sparkling water. The flavors taste great without artificial sweeteners or preservatives. This versatility makes the Fizzi appeal to health-conscious consumers who want flavor choices without calories or chemicals.

With no need to lift heavy bottles or cans, the SodaStream helps cut back on waste and plastic consumption. It provides an affordable and sustainable way to enjoy sparkling water at a fraction of the cost of buying it bottled.

The SodaStream Fizzi would make an excellent gift for seltzer enthusiasts, environmentally-minded consumers, or anyone that enjoys sparkling water choices at home. Its ease of use, modern design, and eco-friendly benefits make it a smart addition to any kitchen.