Item: SodaStream Fizz
Price: $179.99
Overall Impression: Less streamlined than some other models but the Fizz Chip indicator is very useful.
We are avid drinkers of carbonated water and homemade soda in my household, and the SodaStream, which can convert tap water to sparkling water in a matter of seconds, is one of the appliances we use most. When our SodaStream Pure model died after two years of near-constant use, I was curious to try the company's latest model, the Fizz.
The Review
Characteristics and Specs: The Fizz is the first (and thus far only) SodaStream model to include the Fizz Chip, a gas level indicator that monitors the amount of carbon dioxide left in the carbonating cylinder. The LED screen also shows the carbonation level in your drink (low, medium, high) as you press the carbonating lever. Available in black, green, blue, and red. Dimensions are approximately 9 x 5 x 18 inches.
Favorite details: With previous SodaStream models, it could be hard to tell how much carbonating gas was left. The Fizz helps you keep tabs on the gas level, ensuring that you won't unexpectedly run out of CO2.
Potential problems: This model is a bit bulky, and the plastic body appears somewhat cheap.
Splurge-worthy? Possibly, if you drink a lot of carbonated water and/or soda.
Good for small kitchens? The Fizz isn't enormous; however, there are other, more streamlined models that might work better in small kitchens.
The first thing I noticed is how bulky the Fizz seems in comparison to the more streamlined Pure (and the Genesis, which Faith has reviewed). It isn't at all heavy, but the form factor strikes me as overly plastic-y and a bit cheap-looking. The carbonating lever, which you press down to infuse the water with CO2, is more unwieldy than the lever/button on the aforementioned models, and there's an added tilt lever that you must press to insert and remove a bottle from the machine. I have not had any issues so far, but the number of plastic parts just gives me the impression of it not being a sturdy appliance, and of potential problems down the line. (I could be completely wrong, and I hope I am.)
What I do really like about the Fizz is the LED screen, which has a gas level indicator and a drink carbonation level indicator. Having had the experience of running out of CO2 in the middle of a party, I appreciate knowing when the canister is getting low so I can ensure that I have a replacement cartridge ready. The Fizz accommodates a 60-liter or 130-liter carbonator.
From an aesthetic standpoint, I have my eye on the new Yves Béhar-designed SodaStream, but for now this model is certainly functional and I appreciate the LED screen features. The Fizz also comes in red, blue, and green, and I could imagine it looking cute in certain kitchen decor schemes.
Find It! SodaStream Fizz Kit, $149.95 at Amazon
Related: Product Review: SodaStream Seltzer Water Maker
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. However, the manufacturer did give us the product for testing and review purposes.
(Images: Emily Ho; SodaStream)
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Does this model make the same loud, burping THHHBBBBTTTT!!!!! noise when the bottle is fully carbonated? That always seemed to me like such a strange and unrefined (if effective?) aspect of the SodaStream. I always wonder what my neighbors must think when I'm making fizzy water!
What killed your last one? Is that what I can expect these to last? (In which case, mine's on borrowed time.)
When my boyfriend bought the Jet model, I made fun of him a little bit. However, I must say, I'm loving it. I do with there was a way to gauge the amount of carbonation left in the cylinder like you can with the Fizz, but I do appreciate the compactness of this model. I use it on a daily basis :)
My only suggestion about the Sodastream is to buy the model with glass containers instead of plastic. Glass insulates thermally, plastic does not. I wish I had thought of that before I bought mine. I still love it though.
I bought my husband a Sodastream for his birthday last year, and it turned out to be one of his favourite presents ever! I use it a lot just for making fizzy water. Wish we had one like this, that told you how much CO2 was left - although I'm not sure I could deal with one that was any bigger than our current model.
If I ever get married this is the first thing going on the registry, for sure! I just can't justify the cost myself right now, even though I do drink a lot of soda. SO doesn't necessarily think getting it would be a good thing, since he wants to drink less. We do drink a lot of energy drinks, though, and so their "Compares to redbull" energy drink flavor is definitely selling me. AND the diet tonic one, although I'm pretty picky about the flavor of my tonic. If the unit was cheaper I would definitely get it. As it is now, it'd take a while to see the actual savings.
Could you do the same thing with a seltzer bottle or soda siphon?
has anyone figured out the environmental impact of these appliances? I love the idea of cutting down on plastic bottles, but how does that compare to the CO2 cartridges?
KATEMC the co2 cylinders are refillable. You exchange an empty one for a full one, then they refill and reuse.
CBISKIT, as a fellow tonic water and energy drink connoisseur, I love the SodaStream versions. The energy drink tastes basically exactly like Red Bull, and the tonic water is not just acceptable, it's actually pretty darn good. I don't drink diet tonic, so your mileage may vary there, but the regular is definitely tasty. The best part of having a SodaStream for me is having tonic water whenever I need/want it, since I often am not very good at estimating how much I'll want when I'm shopping.
We have a Soda Stream Penguin and have loved it. So great to have easy access to the bubbles.
However, we were really disheartened to learn that the principal manufacturing facility for the company is in an illegal West Bank settlement. Expropriation has made the land cheap. Here's a report on the case: Soda Stream on Who Profits
We'd really prefer not to support the activity, and we're looking for alternatives, so if theKitchn community know of any comparable products made according to better ethical practices, I'd love to hear them.
I love my Soda Stream machine. I have one of the bit more modern looking models (sorry, don't recall the name) and it has been in steady use since I got it 2 years ago.
My BF had a soda machine at home and I originally rebelled against it saying there is nothing wrong with plain water. It did not take long and I got so used to it, it is the perfect thirst quencher.
You can buy a refurbished model for as little as $69. My model does not have the Fizz Chip but it is not really needed. YOu can pretty much tell from how many times you have to press the button to carbonate a bottle how much gas is left in the cartridge, it's not a rocket science.
I agree with canadianmango - you can tell when the cartridge is getting empty and pressing the button more makes it more fizzy, so the LED display is just one more thing that will break. The plastic housing is just to hold the cartridge so this larger model isn't an improvement. I love my Sodastream, I hope they keep the basic model.
thanks NIXX, I gotta get me one of these contraptions.