Is a soda maker cheaper than buying sparkling water? It comes down to three numbers: what a bottle costs you, what a gas cylinder swap costs, and how many litres you drink a week.
Put in your own figures and watch the two cost lines cross. The break-even point shows how many weeks the machine takes to pay for itself, and why heavy drinkers gain most while a bottle a week never will.
Affiliate links, marked sponsored. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Kit for this drink at three prices. Prices checked 10 Oct; every shop is on each product page.
A mechanical, plug-free maker at the lower end of the price range. It takes screw-in cylinders, so check that you can exchange or buy that type nearby, and whether a cylinder is included in the listing.
No electricity · Screw-in cylinder · 1 L PET bottle
A cordless maker that uses push-in Quick Connect cylinders, which are easy to swap at many shops. A good fit if you want the lowest running cost per litre for regular use.
Quick Connect cylinder · No plug needed · 1 L plastic bottle
The same plug-free approach with a glass bottle and a nicer finish for a counter that is on show. The extra money buys looks, not cheaper fizz.
1 L glass bottle · Screw-in cylinder · No electricity
