CFO Favorite: SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker

I've had a SodaStream for almost 10 years, since before the sparkling water craze hit grocery store shelves. I was lucky enough to win it from The Bragging Mommy, and it just might be the best prize I’ve ever won. It’s definitely the most used!



Ever since I received my SodaStream, I’ve been drinking unflavored sparkling water (the flavor mixes never did anything for me). And it’s so economical!

I drink at least 2 liters per day, which is equivalent to four 500 ml bottles. Each CO2 canister lasts me about a month, so it carbonates at least 60 1-liter bottles. The lowest price for an 8-pack of 500 ml bottles is $1.99. Sixty 1-liter bottles is equivalent to 120 500 ml bottles, or 15 8-packs. Fifteen 8-packs at $1.99 each comes out to $29.85, not including CRV (California Redemption Value) of 5 cents per bottle.

Each SodaStream CO2 canister refill is $14.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond, and they let you use coupons for them. A $5 off $15 purchase coupon (which they’ve always let me use for this purpose) brings the cost down to just $9.99. I don’t remember if they charge sales tax (I think they do), but even then I pay less than half the cost of buying individual bottles.

Plus, the SodaSteam has the added benefit of being much more environmentally friendly. Even though I do recycle, it’s best to use less plastic to begin with.

If you prefer flavored water, it's so easy to add slices of orange, lemon, lime, strawberries, and/or cucumber. You can also use an insulated tumbler to keep your sparkling water cold on the go. (All sparkling beverages - at least in my opinion - are much better cold!) There are also natural flavored syrups that you can get

There are a lot of different SodaStream options out there, and you might want to try the more expensive SodaStreams that come with flavor syrups if you're interested in them. (You could also try making your own flavored syrups.)

If you just want plain sparkling water, Amazon has a sparkling water maker for just $49.99. However, if you're just getting started, I recommend the water maker with one CO2 canister for $74.81 $63 (love a price drop!). A new CO2 canister is $29.99, so the combo is a better deal.