Does SodaStream save money? It can, particularly when it replaces regularly purchased sparkling water and your homemade cost per liter is lower. However, savings are not guaranteed once you include the machine, CO₂ exchanges, flavoring and replacement bottles.
The comparison changes depending on what you currently buy. Replacing individual sparkling-water bottles is different from replacing inexpensive two-liter soda or multipacks purchased on sale.
To decide whether SodaStream fits your budget, compare the drinks you actually purchase with the drinks you will realistically make and enjoy at home.
Unless specifically identified as manufacturer information, all prices below are hypothetical U.S. dollar examples. They are not current store prices, national averages or guaranteed savings.
What Does It Cost to Use SodaStream?
Separate your costs into two groups: the equipment needed to start and the expenses of making drinks afterward.
Upfront Costs
- The sparkling-water maker.
- Applicable sales tax and shipping.
- A compatible CO₂ cylinder if one is not included.
- Compatible carbonating bottles if needed.
- Any additional accessories you choose to buy.
Check the exact bundle contents. Two similarly priced packages may include different numbers of bottles, cylinders or flavorings.
Ongoing Costs
- CO₂ exchanges.
- Water and any filtration you use.
- Flavoring, if desired.
- Replacement carbonating bottles when required.
- Cleaning supplies and any other relevant operating expenses.
- Shipping or additional travel associated with obtaining supplies.
If a model uses electricity, include that expense as well. Use the specifications for the particular machine rather than assuming all models operate the same way.
Use Your Actual CO₂ Yield
Do not treat a cylinder’s advertised maximum output as a guaranteed amount.
SodaStream explains that output depends on carbonation level and the sparkling-water maker. If you prefer stronger carbonation, your cylinder may produce fewer liters than an advertised maximum.
The useful calculation is:
Total exchange cost ÷ liters actually produced = CO₂ cost per liter.
Include applicable tax and any shipping or incremental collection costs when calculating your exchange cost.
How Different Yields Change the Cost
Suppose your total exchange cost is $18. These hypothetical yields produce different costs:
| Liters produced | CO₂ cost per liter |
|---|---|
| 60 liters | $0.30 |
| 45 liters | $0.40 |
| 30 liters | $0.60 |
These are sensitivity examples, not predictions of what your cylinder will produce.
For a better estimate, record the amount of water you carbonate between cylinder changes. Use the bottle’s actual carbonation fill amount, which may be less than its full advertised capacity.
Understand Exchange Pricing Before Buying Cylinders
An exchange price is different from the cost of obtaining an additional cylinder without returning an empty one.
Before choosing an exchange option, check:
- Which cylinder connection your machine requires.
- The total price after tax and shipping.
- How and when empty cylinders must be returned.
- Whether a subscription is involved.
- Any charges for missing or late returns.
SodaStream’s online exchange program requires an empty cylinder in return for each exchange cylinder. Review the current conditions before ordering.
You can check available options on the official U.S. CO₂ exchange page.
Calculate Your Homemade Cost Per Liter
Add the costs that apply to the drinks you make.
Homemade running cost per liter = CO₂ + water or filtration + flavoring + bottle-replacement and cleaning allowance + other relevant operating costs.
Here is a hypothetical plain sparkling-water calculation:
| Expense | Illustrative cost per liter |
|---|---|
| CO₂: $18 exchange producing 45 liters | $0.40 |
| Water and filtration allowance | $0.02 |
| Bottle replacement and cleaning allowance | $0.03 |
| Estimated running cost | $0.45 |
This example excludes the initial equipment purchase. Replace the allowances with figures appropriate to your household rather than assuming they apply universally.
If some prepared water goes unused, divide your costs by the amount you actually drink. Waste raises the cost per consumed liter.
Compare Store-Bought Drinks Using Unit Prices
Use your receipts or current shelf prices to calculate the cost per liter of the product you normally buy.
Store-bought cost per liter = total purchase cost ÷ total liters purchased.
For example:
- A hypothetical two-liter bottle costing $1.50 costs $0.75 per liter.
- A hypothetical multipack containing four liters and costing $5 costs $1.25 per liter.
Include applicable tax and nonrefundable charges. If your area has a refundable container deposit, account for whether you actually redeem it and use the same approach throughout your comparison.
Compare your normal purchasing pattern. If you regularly buy on sale, a full-price comparison can overstate potential savings.
See How to Compare Grocery Prices Using Unit Prices for more examples.
How Long Does SodaStream Take to Pay for Itself?
First calculate the saving per liter:
Store-bought cost per liter − homemade running cost per liter = saving per liter.
Then calculate the equipment break-even point:
Upfront setup cost ÷ saving per liter = liters needed to recover the setup cost.
Suppose your setup costs $100, your homemade running cost is $0.45 per liter and the sparkling water you replace costs $1.25 per liter.
- Saving per liter: $1.25 − $0.45 = $0.80.
- Break-even volume: $100 ÷ $0.80 = 125 liters.
| Purchased drinks replaced each week | Approximate time to replace 125 liters |
|---|---|
| 2 liters | 63 weeks |
| 5 liters | 25 weeks |
| 7 liters | 18 weeks |
Count only drinks that replace purchases you would otherwise make. Making additional sparkling water while continuing to buy the same amount does not produce these savings.
This simple calculation treats the $100 as the equipment investment and ongoing CO₂ as a running cost. If your purchase includes consumables, account for them consistently rather than charging for the same included gas twice in an exact cash-flow calculation.
Flavoring Can Change the Answer
Plain sparkling water and flavored soda need separate comparisons.
Calculate flavoring cost using the finished drink volume it produces at your preferred strength:
Flavoring purchase cost ÷ finished liters produced = flavoring cost per liter.
Hypothetical example: A $6 flavoring bottle produces nine liters at the amount you use. That adds approximately $0.67 per liter.
Adding this to the earlier $0.45 plain-water running cost gives approximately $1.12 per liter.
At that cost:
- Replacing a $1.50-per-liter flavored drink saves approximately $0.38 per liter before equipment costs.
- Replacing a $0.75-per-liter soda costs approximately $0.37 more per liter before equipment costs.
Use the flavoring amount you actually enjoy. Do not assume a bottle will produce its maximum stated volume if you routinely use more concentrate.
Also consider taste. A homemade drink is a useful substitute only if you are happy drinking it instead of the purchased alternative.
When SodaStream Is More Likely to Save Money
- You already purchase sparkling drinks regularly.
- Your homemade cost is clearly below the cost of those drinks.
- You enjoy plain sparkling water or modestly priced flavoring.
- You can obtain compatible exchanges conveniently.
- You use the machine consistently.
- You choose a setup that meets your needs without unnecessary accessories.
A machine already in your kitchen requires a different decision from a new purchase. To decide whether to keep using it, compare future running costs with future drink purchases. To assess whether buying it paid off overall, include the original equipment expense.
When It May Not Save Money
- You mainly drink inexpensive soda purchased on sale.
- You rarely buy sparkling drinks.
- You prefer carbonation levels that produce a higher gas cost per liter.
- Flavoring and supplies make the homemade version more expensive.
- Shipping or special collection trips add substantial costs.
- The machine goes unused while you continue buying the same drinks.
If your homemade cost per liter equals or exceeds the store-bought alternative, there is no financial break-even through drink savings alone.
You may still value convenience or having adjustable carbonation at home. Treat those as separate benefits rather than guaranteed savings.
Include Bottle Replacement and Care
Check that bottles and cylinders are compatible with your specific machine.
SodaStream advises checking carbonating bottles for expiration dates and care information. Plastic carbonating bottles should not be used beyond their expiration date, and dishwasher suitability depends on the bottle.
Budget for required replacements and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for filling, carbonating and cleaning. Do not assume every bottle has the same usable capacity or care requirements.
Review the official bottle compatibility and cleaning guidance.
Try This Simple SodaStream Cost Check
- Record your usual drink spending. Use the prices you normally pay.
- Convert everything to cost per liter. Compare equivalent drink types.
- Total the setup cost. Include required accessories, tax and shipping.
- Estimate ongoing costs. Include realistic gas yield, flavoring and replacement supplies.
- Calculate savings and payback. Use the purchased volume you will realistically replace.
- Review actual use. Once you have a cylinder’s worth of records, update your estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SodaStream Save Money Compared With Canned Sparkling Water?
It can if your homemade running cost is lower than the canned product’s cost per liter. Include equipment costs when deciding whether buying the machine will pay off.
Does SodaStream Save Money Compared With Two-Liter Soda?
Not necessarily. Low-priced soda can be difficult to beat after adding CO₂ and flavoring. Compare your actual purchase price with your homemade finished-drink cost.
Does Every CO₂ Cylinder Produce the Advertised Maximum?
No guaranteed yield should be assumed. SodaStream says output depends on carbonation level and the machine. Track your own production for a more useful cost estimate.
Is Exchanging a Cylinder the Same as Buying a Spare?
No. An exchange requires returning an eligible empty cylinder under the program’s conditions. Buying an additional cylinder without an empty return is a different purchase.
Can SodaStream Save Money If I Use It Occasionally?
Possibly, but the equipment payback may be long. Divide the setup cost by the saving per liter, then compare the required volume with your realistic use.
Related Money-Saving Guides
- How to Compare Grocery Prices Using Unit Prices
- Is a Coffee Maker Worth It?
- Is It Cheaper to Make Coffee at Home?
- How to Save Money on Groceries Without Sacrificing Quality
Sources and Further Reading
- SodaStream U.S.: CO₂ Exchange Options and Return Conditions
- SodaStream: Cylinder Exchanges and Compatibility
- SodaStream U.S.: Bottle Compatibility and Care
Manufacturer information was reviewed in November 2026. This article uses cost calculations and published product guidance, not hands-on testing. Prices, exchange conditions and product specifications can change. Savings depend on your actual purchases and use.