My biggest addiction (aside from coffee, of course...) is sparkling water. As soon as spring starts, a Sicilian lemon seltzer from my local corner store becomes my afternoon treat – it's refreshing, uplifting, and perfect for warm days, whether I’m working at my desk or unwinding outdoors.
And yet, despite this devotion, I never quite warmed to the idea of a Sodastream. Although our previous appliances editor, Laura, assured me that a Sodastream is 100% worth it, the utilitarian look felt out of step with my kitchen, and I couldn’t justify the countertop clutter.
The brand-new Smeg Soda Maker, from the cult-favorite Italian brand, pleasantly surprised me. I was one of the first journalists to test the appliance, and I had a joyful week, spritzing up fresh soda and showing off the stunning design to guests. But as a discerning editor, I also had questions: Is it worth the price? And how does it compare against other soda makers our team has tested? (i.e. the Ninja Thirsti, Breville InFizz, and the SodaStream range). Here’s everything I noted about the Smeg Soda Maker during my tests.
Smeg Soda Maker Specifications
Design
There's nothing not to love about the minimalist, rounded design of the Smeg soda maker. It is an unassuming appliance you can display on the counter without disrupting your kitchen scheme. In fact, it could easily become a centrepiece for an at-home bar. The Smeg soda maker is neatly slotted beneath my kitchen cabinets, and isn't much wider than a spirit bottle, so it doesn't dominate the space.
The Smeg soda maker is available in black, white, and jade green, with an 800ml Tritan Renew plastic bottle made with up to 50% recycled plastic. This makes it BPA-free and durable enough to go in the dishwasher (this is not the case for some competitors). The only snag is that I spotted a label that advises replacing the bottle after 24 months, which could be irritating and expensive, but probably still cheaper and more sustainable than a store-bought seltzer addiction.
Looks aside, he Smeg soda maker feels like a premium, durable appliance. The matte materials and aluminum control button are tactile and nice to handle making it a really enjoyable appliance to use – which brings me onto my next point.
What is it like to use?
The Smeg soda maker is straightforward to use. Probably the simplest appliance I have ever tested. First, you need to install the CO2 cylinder, which comes with the first order, but you'll need to buy more as you go (luckily, it is a standard canister that's available pretty much everywhere).
Once you're set up, fill the soda bottle with cold water, insert it into the soda maker and twist the 'Smeg' button to add your bubbles. The twist button allows you to adjust the level of fizz to your preference. You can twist it for a couple of seconds to add a light sparkle, or twist for longer to create a more ferocious fizz.
The bottle detaches easily, then you can pour your soda straight away. There's also a smart, stainless steel cap you can twist on, allowing you to chill the bottle in the refrigerator or take it out if you're on the go.
Similar to a classic Sodastream, the body of the Smeg Soda Maker is lightweight and cordless. You can move it around the counter, keep it on your desk, or take it outside to fizz drinks at cocktail hour, which is a really handy.
How does it compare?
The words 'soda maker' are pretty synonymous with the brand name, SodaStream. This is such a popular brand, our team have assessed the entire range to answer the frequently asked question 'should you buy a SodaStream?'. We concluded that these sparkling water makers are popular for a reason. For a relatively small price, you can make some seriously good sparkling drinks. Those on a budget will want to shop the Gaia; it's only $66 at Walmart and can carbonate water just as well as the Smeg, but for a much cheaper price.
Ninja and Breville offer more adaptability than the Smeg soda maker and SodaStream, too. The Breville InFizz Fusion and Ninja Thirsti have both caused a stir in the market for customizable drinks. With the Breville, you can make sparkling wine and fizzy juice, whereas Smeg advise against using anything other than plain water.
The Ninja Thirsti might be a better option for those with younger kids, since there are tons of sugar-free flavor drops to choose from. Neither of these options are quite as beautiful as the Smeg soda maker, however.
If sleek design is your raison d'être, you'll want to consider the Aarke Carbonator, too. It is crafted from stainless steel and BPA-free materials, making it beautiful to look at. Like Smeg, the Aarke Carbonator can only fizz water, but the brand does sell mixer syrups in interesting flavors such as cucumber and lime or basil and yuzu. The price is even more expensive, however, so it's not really worth it if you don't love the design.
Should you buy it?
All things considered, the Smeg Soda Maker is a genuinely beautiful, intuitive and sustainable way to enjoy soda at home. I loved the sleek design and the ease of use. It is much better looking than a SodaStream, but also more expensive. However, I think it's worth it for the premium quality. It will please anybody who values good kitchen design and enjoys entertaining guests. Like any Smeg appliance, the soda maker exudes classy Italian style. The 18% off deal at Wayfair is worth grabbing (I have personally opted for the jade green colorway to match my kitchen tiles).
