Is Sodastream Really Worth It? A Full Year of Data and Cost Analysis Reveals the Truth

For Home Drinkers: A Serious Look at Whether Sodastream Saves You Money

“Do soda makers really save money?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, we’re here to give you a data-driven answer.

As more people prioritize health and spend more time at home, the popularity of home soda makers like Sodastream continues to rise.

While it’s certainly convenient to make sparkling water at home, many wonder about the actual costs—especially when factoring in the price of the starter kit and gas cylinder replacements.

Is it truly cost-effective?

Or is it ultimately cheaper not to buy one?

In this article, we compare beverage expenses before and after using Sodastream over the course of one full year. By tracking real expenses, we’ll reveal the actual cost-effectiveness of Sodastream.

What We Did to Analyze “Is It Really Worth It?”

To determine Sodastream’s true value, we recorded our beverage expenses for an entire year.

The analysis covers the 12 months from May 2024 to April 2025.

We tracked alcohol-related spending at home along with purchases of the Sodastream device and gas cylinders.

To compare pre- and post-adoption costs, we also estimated a “what-if” cost scenario—what we would have spent without using Sodastream, based on past consumption habits.

Here are the two key data points we compared:

• Estimated alcohol expenses without Sodastream
• Actual costs incurred using Sodastream

This comparison helped visualize the savings both in actual yen and as a percentage.

Before the Savings: What Was the Initial Investment? Let’s Break Down the Start-Up Cost

One of the first questions when considering Sodastream is the initial cost. Here’s a breakdown of our real spending:

We purchased the cheapest available model. The starter kit came with two 60L gas cylinders. Over the year, we only needed two additional refills (4 cylinders).

Three refills (6 cylinders) remain unused and will be used next year.

In other words, we were able to use Sodastream for one year with a start-up cost of just under ¥38,000.

The key question now is how much of that cost was offset by drink savings, which we explore next.

How Much Did We Save Monthly? A Month-by-Month Breakdown of Sodastream’s Cost Benefits

Here’s a look at our monthly alcohol expenses after adopting Sodastream.

Our usual home drinking style is whiskey highballs made with Sodastream sparkling water. We buy large whiskey bottles (4L) as needed.

This causes spikes in monthly costs every two months due to whiskey purchases.

That said, across the year, the near-zero cost of buying sparkling water led to significant savings, as shown in the table below.

As you can see, some months (like August and February) had over 70–80% savings, depending on whiskey usage. Overall, the savings were significant.

Cumulative savings amounted to ¥67,571, meaning we achieved net savings of about ¥30,000 after subtracting the initial cost.

How Much Did We Save in the First Year? Summary of Results

Our actual spending for the year was about ¥48,831. Compared to estimated costs without Sodastream, we saved around ¥67,571.

Subtracting the initial investment, we still saved around ¥29,000 in the first year alone.

This means we broke even in just one year and are set to save even more in the years to come.

Anyone who was skeptical about Sodastream’s value can now clearly see its real-world benefits.

A first-year saving of about ¥30,000 shows that it’s truly a smart, cost-effective investment.

The Real Savings Start Now: Second Year Will Be Even Better

Of the five scheduled gas cylinder shipments (2 cylinders × 5), we’ve only used two (4 cylinders). So we still have three shipments (6 cylinders) left—enough for around 360L of sparkling water.

This stock means we won’t need to buy more cylinders in the second year.

Since the initial investment has already been recouped, our only cost moving forward is whiskey.

As a result, the second-year savings are projected to reach up to ¥60,000.

Plus, you no longer need to carry heavy bottles or shop for sparkling water, which brings added comfort and convenience to everyday life.

Don’t Waste Money! 7 Things to Check Before Buying Sodastream

Sodastream can deliver high savings and pay for itself within the first year—but it’s not for everyone.

Make sure it fits your lifestyle before you buy. Here’s what you should know:

Ideal Users of Sodastream

• People who frequently drink sparkling water or highballs at home
• People who often buy sparkling water at supermarkets or convenience stores
• People who want to save on beverages without sacrificing taste or fun
• People who want to avoid storing and disposing of plastic bottles

Things to Consider

• Some drinks like wine can’t be replaced with Sodastream
• You’ll spend the first few months recovering the initial investment (in our case, about 6 months)
• Regular maintenance like cylinder replacement and bottle cleaning is needed

What a Year of Testing Revealed About Sodastream’s True Value

After one full year, the conclusion is clear: Sodastream is genuinely worth it.

We saved about ¥30,000 in the first year, and future savings are expected to grow to nearly ¥60,000 annually.

We also reduced hidden burdens—like trips to the store and plastic waste management.

It’s not just about saving money—Sodastream improves your quality of life.

For those who drink sparkling water or value their home bar time, Sodastream is a smart, cost-effective, and lifestyle-enhancing choice.