A Review for Pop Drinkers: SodaStream Fountain Jet Home Soda Maker

Isn't it a cute cherry red?


Confession: My family and I drink a lot of pop -- like 2 liters per day a lot. It's pretty safe to say that we love the fizzy stuff. You'll always find a bottle of Mountain Dew or Coca-Cola chilling in the ice box if you stop by. It's not the greatest thing to drink if you're watching calories or trying to eat healthy, but it's the one thing we can't seem to resist.

Since we're such big fans of carbonated beverages, when the SodaStream Fountain Jet maker popped up on my Kindle's lock screen as a $20 Lightning Deal (seriously people, if you have a Kindle check to make sure you receive the ads, past deals included a Keurig Brewer with K-Cups for $20!) I couldn't resist. I figured for 20 smackers I wouldn't be losing much if the fam didn't love the machine. I'm glad that I only paid the 20 and not the full price of $79. Overall, I'm not impressed with SodaStream.


First thing's first, the good things about the SodaStream Fountain Jet. When the UPS guy dropped off my SodaStream, I didn't have to do much to set it up other than take it out of the packaging (frustration free packaging = genius!), read the instructions, attach the included CO2 bottle, rinse the carbonating bottle and fill with cold water and screw it onto the front of the SodaStream! Set up is easy peezy. Carbonating the water is easy to do as well. Just give the button at the top of the machine 3 short but firm presses and voila, you have fizzy water that's ready to flavor! The machine itself is actually fun and easy to use. It's rather tall, but it doesn't take a lot of counter space as far as its width and depth dimensions go. Since it doesn't require electricity or a power source you can set it up almost anywhere in the kitchen.

Dr. Pete is just what the doctor ordered.
(AKA it tastes like medicine. Blah.)
Now on to the negatives -- the flavoring syrups and the CO2 refills. The syrups that are available from SodaStream are absolutely awful, nasty, yucky, gross, etc.! They aren't a bad value as far as price goes, at around $5 one 16.9 ounce bottle of soda mix makes the equivalent of 33 12 ounce cans, but unless you're a fan of diet sodas you probably won't like the taste. While boasting the fact that their flavors use no high fructose corn syrup which is nice, every flavor that I've seen, both regular and diet, is made with sucralose, which isn't so nice.

Each of the sample sodas and the full-size bottle of Dr. Pete syrup that I purchased all have that bitter after taste you have with non-sugar sweeteners. To get syrups made without the low-cal sweeteners, you have to purchase the SodaStream Natural Syrup flavors at almost double the price of the syrups from the regular SodaStream line (Amazon: $9.99). They aren't a good value at all, especially when you add in the cost of the CO2 refills at around $15. Each regular size CO2 refill makes about 30 2 liter bottles, which combined with the regular syrups isn't a bad deal, but if you want strictly sugar sweetened beverages, it's cheaper to buy pop at the grocery store.

If you don't mind the taste of sweeteners, then this machine could potentially be worth the money, but for my family, it's not worth owning. I'm very disappointed in SodaStream. I'll keep the machine packed away in my closet just in case they decide to make more flavors with sugar, but in the meantime it's good ol' Mountain Dew for this gal!

My Ratings:
SodaStream Fountain Jet Machine ~ 4 out of 5 stars for ease of use and quality

SodaStream Syrups ~ Rootbeer (1 out of 5 stars)
Lemon Lime (1 out of 5 stars)
Orange (2 out of 5 stars)
Dr. Pete (2 out of 5 stars)

Overall value of the SodaStream system ~ 3 out of 5 stars
Costly natural syrups and CO2 refills don't make that much sense economically.

To learn more about SodaStream and their products visit their website:


* I was not required to write a review. I received no compensation. I purchased the SodaStream from Amazon.*


Comments

  1. This is a fantastic post, Renee! I've seen the SodaStream commercials (I confess the one with the cute guy doing the eyebrow lift as he presses the button on the top is rather awesome, LOL). The commercials have made me curious, but it doesn't sound like it would be my thing, either. I appreciate the breakdown of what you liked and didn't like! Great details. :) Thanks!

    ~Amber

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    1. Thanks, Amber. I don't think I've ever seen a SOdaStream commercial. I've only heard about the system from other blogs and social media. I have heard that Scarlett Johansson (sp?) Is going to be in their new ad during the big game next month. :-)

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  2. We bought a Sodastream sometime last year. I love it. But we don't use the syrups too much. I love to mix the sparkling water with juices. My favorite is an orange/pineapple blend.

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    1. Hi, Linda! I'm so glad that you like your SodaStream. I love juice so I might just have to give your idea a try. Thanks!

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  3. Renee. thanks for your honest review!
    I am not much of a soda drinker. Once in a while, though, I make my own by mixing fruit juice with sparkling water. This way, you get a healthy fruit soda. Pineapple, grapefruit, and pomegranate soda are wonderful, or you can make a mix of flavors. :)

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    1. I can't handle plain carbonated water but I do love some flavored sparkling water! I used to love Aquafina's but they discontinued my favorite flavor. :-( My mom loves the citrus flavored beverages so I'll just bet she'd like your suggestions!

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  5. My family really likes ours. I confess, if I want a cola (just Pepsi or Coke), I don't care for this syrup but my mom and I are addicted to the grapefruit syrup for Soda Stream! It's SO tasty (very refreshing) and satisfies our fizzy "fix." ;)

    Sorry you weren't happy with it, Renee, but hey, good thing you didn't pay full price. Thanks, awesome Amazon deals, right!?

    PS: Thanks for the giveaway shout-out on your sidebar. Having fun with this one. :)

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    1. I'm glad you like your SodaStream! I have the Grapefruit to try in my sample pack but since it has sucralose, I didn't bother trying it. :-( Maybe I'll give it a shot since you recommend it!

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  6. O fab review. I've pondered buying one of these some day. I want to try to make soda with stevia and lemon. It's how I make my lemonade and they go awesome together.

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    1. I absolutely love lemonade! If I don't drink pop or tea, that's what I love -- especially in summer!

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