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Spärkel Beverage System | Black Sparkling Water Maker | No CO2 Tank Needed | Carbonated Water Machine that Uses Fresh, Natural Ingredients | Soda Maker | 5 Unique Carbonation Levels
Brand | SPÄRKEL |
Color | Black |
Product Dimensions | 10"D x 5.65"W x 15"H |
Item Volume | 750 Milliliters |
Capacity | 750 Milliliters |
About this item
- WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF SPARKLING WATER - Spärkel is the only sparkling water maker that doesn’t require a CO2 Cylinder. Unlike other soda makers, you can achieve carbonation in one touch without replacing CO2 tanks; our soda machine utilizes proprietary carbonator sachets to make fresh, fizzy drinks.
- NEW & IMPROVED: Spärkel’s new systems are now 33% FASTER, have a new "Max" Carbonation Level, and have NEW AND IMPROVED BOTTLE SEALS that keep the seals from falling out of place and prevent leaking.
- 13 LEVELS OF CARBONATION - Powered by electricity, Spärkel will consistently carbonate your beverage at the level you choose! Each system comes with one Reusable Bottle and 10 Carbonators. Each Carbonator generates exactly the right amount of CO2 to sparkle one full Spärkel bottle (750ml / 25.4oz) just the way you want it. We also offer additional bottles to complement your sparkling water maker.
- EASY TO USE, AGAIN AND AGAIN - Our soda maker is covered by Spärkel’s 1 Year Replacement Warranty, and we are always here to help! Visit Spärkel online if you require any assistance. We love our soda makers and you will too!
- IMPORTANT: Only Spärkel Carbonators can be used with the Spärkel carbonated water machine. Using unapproved carbonator material will result in system deterioration, safety risks, and void the 1 Year Warranty.
Customer ratings by feature
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This Item SPÄRKEL Spärkel Beverage System | Black Sparkling Water Maker | No CO2 Tank Needed | Carbonated Water Machine that Uses Fresh, Natural Ingredients | Soda Maker | 5 Unique Carbonation Levels | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | — | $199.99$199.99 | -17% $149.95$149.95 List: $179.99 | $190.97$190.97 | $142.99$142.99 | $142.99$142.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it Mar 29 - Apr 1 | Get it Mar 29 - Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Flavor | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Easy to use | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
Giftable | 3.9 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Value for money | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | DrinkMate | DrinkMate |
size | — | Bundle | 13.976 x 13.976 x 16 | Bundle | — | 16" x 8" x 5" |
material | — | Plastic | Plastic | Glass | Plastic | Plastic |
power source | Electricity | — | — | Battery Powered | Gas Powered | Gas Powered |
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PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
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Videos
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0:10
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Customer Review: Not as bubbly as I hoped
IllaraSilverbreeze
Videos for this product
4:59
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maybe its NOT worth it for these reasons
Jack Mathews
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0:06
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Customer Review: The best seltzer water that you can have
Danzen
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5:31
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Customer Review: Contact Sparkel if your machine fails!!
John Q Publique
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0:14
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Customer Review: Works as advertised!
Amazon Customer
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0:11
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Customer Review: Every Day I'm Sparkeling!
D. Pentecost
Product Description
How Spärkel's Carbonation Process Works
1. CO2 is generated
The Carbonator mixes with water in a sealed chamber to generate CO2. None of the Carbonator ends up in your drink - only the CO2 it creates.
2. CO2 travels into bottle
The CO2 cycles through the system and into the bottle to build pressure based on the chosen level of carbonation.
3. The drink becomes bubbly
The liquid absorbs the CO2 and the pressure infuses the flavor of real ingredients.
Tip: Cold liquids will hold carbonation better than warm water.
4. Your drink is ready!
The bottle will keep its contents pressurized until opened. So you can get tasty bottles ready for the next few days!
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Product Dimensions | 10 x 5.65 x 15 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 9.88 pounds |
ASIN | B07YNTZCNW |
Item model number | Black |
Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #38,233 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #26 in Soda Makers |
Date First Available | October 3, 2019 |
Feedback
From the brand
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Tasty.
Convenient.
Better for the Planet.
Our mission is simple: to offer the most innovative sparkling beverage technology for a healthy lifestyle & a healthy planet. Join us as we continue our journey as an industry leader in eco-forward efforts to continue building a healthier planet!
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What are Sparkël Carbonators?
Spärkel Carbonators are designed for consistent carbonation, every time. They are made of a special concentration and granulation of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid for hassle-free bubbles that come to you!
What's new about the seal?
We've improved our seal construction with a leak free formula.
How are the ingredients infused?
The liquid absorbs the CO2 and the pressure infuses the ingredients. Your drink is ready when you hear the chimes!
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Drinks should be made with the ingredients you want!
Our customer's favourite ingredients are as diverse as their personalities, so take control over what goes in your drinks, without sacrificing on taste!
From fruit infusions to spritzed cocktails, we've got you covered.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the taste of the soda maker. They say it's easy to use and produces good quality drinks. They also say the carbonation really brings out the grapefruit flavor. Customers also like the bubbles and carbonation. However, some customers have reported leakage issues. Opinions are mixed on bubbles, carbonation, quality, value, and performance.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the soda maker easy to use. They mention it's simple overall, and convenient for them. They also say it accommodates fruit, juices, and syrups with ease. Customers also appreciate the excellent process and the comprehensive troubleshooting manual.
"...Their trouble-shooting manual is comprehensive but it also gives you an idea of the frequent mishaps you’ll encounter...." Read more
"...Although it does have some issues.Initial setup was easy, and only took a few minutes...." Read more
"...Secondly, it's very easy to use...." Read more
"...It is much easier and it doesn't go flat quickly. It makes fabulous soda. I just add the flavor drops usually used for water. Like mio or crush...." Read more
Customers like the taste of the soda maker. They say the flavor is good, and they explore different natural flavor additives. They also say the carbonation really brings out the grapefruit flavor, and that everything they make is delicious. Customers also mention that there is no taste of baking soda or anything else, and the results are tastier than anything else available.
"...No metal taste like Soda Stream can have.CONSCarbonator sachets can be difficult to open.Only 1 size of carbonator sachets...." Read more
"...We like the taste of the water, and it is convenient and easy to use...." Read more
"...One small note, it does add a very minor taste, usually I can only notice it if I leave a glass out over night and it losses carbonation." Read more
"...So far, making plain seltzer has been a huge success, tastes identical to store bought seltzer...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the soda maker. Some mention that it works great, is amazing, and does everything they need, while others say that it does not reliably perform the way it should, stops working altogether, and produces inconsistent results.
"My boyfriend and I love our sparkel. It’s easy to use and does everything we need...." Read more
"...home and used it for the first time in a while, the water fill operation didn’t work right...." Read more
"...I've used it on water, juice, wine and vodka; works great on everything so far...." Read more
"...I'm now at a 1 star rating. This machine just does not reliably perform the way it should and I waste more product than I do making soda...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the soda maker. Some mention that it looks nice and modern on the counter, has a well-made appearance, and makes fabulous soda. However, others say that the parts like the main handle feel cheap and like they might break easily.
"...A better handle for locking in the bottle. the one it has feels cheap, and I always think I am going to break it...." Read more
"...note, if you add fruits, veggies or herbs I think the carbonation process looks pretty cool...." Read more
"...but I knew the latch mechanism was broken. After several back & forths they informed me that they would be sending a replacement unit...." Read more
"...I'm so pleased with this, it looks great on my countertop and I love the nice little chime sounds...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the carbonation of the soda maker. Some mention that it allows them to choose the amount of carbonation and can accommodate fruit, while others say that it stops carbonating about 2-10 seconds into the process and loses a lot of carbon.
"...My usage:I use the Spärkle daily. Even at only level 3 it is more carbonated (or “spicy” according to 3 year old) than the La Croix I..." Read more
"...You have much better control of the carbonation level than with Soda Stream.Not as loud as a Soda Stream (it is by no means quiet)...." Read more
"...The new unit appeared to have its own issues (carbonation cycle not completing)..." Read more
"...It is good because it retains the carbonation, whereas as soda stream loses its carbonation before you can get the cap on...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the soda maker. Some mention that it's very economical to make your own at home, and worth every penny. They also appreciate the reasonable price of the refills. However, others say that it was a very costly purchase for a machine that did not last more than two years. The powder is spendy, and the replacement bottles are of poor quality.
"...7. Absolutely worth every penny, and the company has been great to work with...." Read more
"...This was a very costly purchase for a machine that did not last more than 2 years.Update: 4/27/2023:I'm now at a 1 star rating...." Read more
"...Sparkel is better for the environment and better for my budget...." Read more
".../ seltzer in cans and definitely love this machine since it's very economical to make my own at home and I don't need to deal with expensive store..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the bubbles produced by the soda maker. Some mention that they can choose the level of bubbles/fizz, and that it makes perfect bubbles. They also appreciate the multiple bubble settings and the ability to set their bubble level. However, others say that there were hardly any bubbles, the bubble size was very small, and they went away within minutes.
"...made sure to re read the instructions and then every single time the water is great!..." Read more
"...feels a little "flat" due to the lack of carbonation and the size of the bubbles...." Read more
"...This gives me plenty of bubbles in plain water without creating too much pressure inside the bottle that might cause it to leak...." Read more
"...I tried apple juice on level 5 and the bubbles were very small, and went away within minutes...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the leakage of the soda maker. They mention that the bottom seal on the bottle leaks some of the content into the bottom of the unit. The machine and bottle it came with also leaked. A tiny bit of liquid can escape from the bottom, so if you're using it. It blew out liquid all over me when I lifted the handle. The bottle is not sealing well, and a little bit of the carbonator seeps into the bottle.
"...The whole thing will leak on the counter top, wasting juice, wine, water or whatever else I was trying to carbonate...." Read more
"...Second carbonation: went so well, but the next day, water leaked from the spärkle water bottle all over my bag at work..." Read more
"...Bottles caps have to be on tight or the bottle will leak during the carbonation cycle...." Read more
"...I did have occasion to contact them due to a failure of the bottom seals on 2 of my bottles, but after a couple of emails (with pics), they sent me..." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Longer review:
When we both started to work from home in March 2020, my boyfriend and I noticed we were going through a lot of cans of sparkling water, and started to feel pretty bad about all of the cans we were recycling each week. I researched sparkling water machines, and was hoping to find a solution without CO2 cartridges. I’m so happy I found Sparkel.
We started out with one machine and 2 bottles, and ended up upgrading to get 4 additional bottles. We keep all of the bottles filled with water chilling in the fridge (both pre and post carbonation). Sometimes we carbonate all 6 bottles and sometimes we carbonate on demand, it just depends on the day.
Our tips:
* Buy powders in bulk: I wasn’t a fan of throwing away the empty plastic sachets that were used to hold the powders each time I carbonated a bottle, so based on other reviews I switched to bulk bags of baking powder and citric acid. For ease of access I keep a mason jar filled with each by our machine. (See photo)
* 2 tsp (10 ml) each: I measured one of each sachet that came with my initial order, and it came out to roughly 2.5 tsp of each one. However, Based on the waste water coming out after the carbonation, it looked like I might be able to reduce the amount and now use 2 tsp of each and haven’t noticed a difference. (Note: I live at 5,400 ft above sea level and use setting 4). I ended up buying a 10 ml coffee scoop from Amazon (shown in photo) which is super convenient. Now I just do a single scoop each of baking soda and citric acid. (Part of the reason I switched to 2 tsp instead of 2.5 was because I could only find a 2 tsp scoop and I only wanted to do one scoop of each powder)
* funnel: I had a little metal funnel I got for refilling spice jars that fits the sparkel machine very nicely (also shown in my photo). After a few weeks I had noticed that it was hard to pour the powders exactly in the hole, and if there was any residual moisture from recent carbonation then I would get build up of crystallized powder around the opening (which is a little annoying to remove, but does dissolve with water and scrubbing). I prefer to use the funnel which greatly reduces buildup (especially since other household members are perhaps a little messy at adding powder !) I still get some buildup on the funnel but find that it’s so easy to clean by just running some hot water over it for a few seconds.
* setting 4: My boyfriend and I both like pretty fizzy water, so we started out using setting 5. I don’t know how much is due to our elevation (5,400 ft above sea level) but we had to carefully release pressure from the top valve for quite awhile before opening a bottle, otherwise it would explode everywhere. We eventually realized that setting 4 was more convenient and still hits the spot. I can typically do just one quick tap of the release valve and then the bottle is ready to open. (Occasionally, depending on the mix-ins, I need to do a slightly longer release, but it’s still way better than setting 5).
* If the “waste water” leftover from carbonation drips when you’re emptying the reservoir (or overflows because you forgot to check and empty it after making several bottles) my water usually has some excess baking soda or citric acid which will leave behind a white residue if you don’t wipe it up right away. Just something to be aware of when you decide where to plug-in your machine. It’s not hard to clean the residue if it does build up.
Favorite mix-ins:
* My go to is four slices of cucumber per bottle. If I’m feeling fancy, I might also add in ginger and or mint leaves that I crush/rub right before I put them in. It’s much better if they have a chance to sit for a few hours... if I put the slices in right before carbonation and drink it right away the taste is very faint. Overnight works well, but even a few hours is fine.
* I also had great success with a jug of apple cider we got from a local farm this fall. I carbonated a few bottles over thanksgiving, and it felt like Martinellis :)
On a final note, if you add fruits, veggies or herbs I think the carbonation process looks pretty cool. The backlighting makes it look almost like a lava lamp with food swirling around inside, lol.
Longer review:
When we both started to work from home in March 2020, my boyfriend and I noticed we were going through a lot of cans of sparkling water, and started to feel pretty bad about all of the cans we were recycling each week. I researched sparkling water machines, and was hoping to find a solution without CO2 cartridges. I’m so happy I found Sparkel.
We started out with one machine and 2 bottles, and ended up upgrading to get 4 additional bottles. We keep all of the bottles filled with water chilling in the fridge (both pre and post carbonation). Sometimes we carbonate all 6 bottles and sometimes we carbonate on demand, it just depends on the day.
Our tips:
* Buy powders in bulk: I wasn’t a fan of throwing away the empty plastic sachets that were used to hold the powders each time I carbonated a bottle, so based on other reviews I switched to bulk bags of baking powder and citric acid. For ease of access I keep a mason jar filled with each by our machine. (See photo)
* 2 tsp (10 ml) each: I measured one of each sachet that came with my initial order, and it came out to roughly 2.5 tsp of each one. However, Based on the waste water coming out after the carbonation, it looked like I might be able to reduce the amount and now use 2 tsp of each and haven’t noticed a difference. (Note: I live at 5,400 ft above sea level and use setting 4). I ended up buying a 10 ml coffee scoop from Amazon (shown in photo) which is super convenient. Now I just do a single scoop each of baking soda and citric acid. (Part of the reason I switched to 2 tsp instead of 2.5 was because I could only find a 2 tsp scoop and I only wanted to do one scoop of each powder)
* funnel: I had a little metal funnel I got for refilling spice jars that fits the sparkel machine very nicely (also shown in my photo). After a few weeks I had noticed that it was hard to pour the powders exactly in the hole, and if there was any residual moisture from recent carbonation then I would get build up of crystallized powder around the opening (which is a little annoying to remove, but does dissolve with water and scrubbing). I prefer to use the funnel which greatly reduces buildup (especially since other household members are perhaps a little messy at adding powder !) I still get some buildup on the funnel but find that it’s so easy to clean by just running some hot water over it for a few seconds.
* setting 4: My boyfriend and I both like pretty fizzy water, so we started out using setting 5. I don’t know how much is due to our elevation (5,400 ft above sea level) but we had to carefully release pressure from the top valve for quite awhile before opening a bottle, otherwise it would explode everywhere. We eventually realized that setting 4 was more convenient and still hits the spot. I can typically do just one quick tap of the release valve and then the bottle is ready to open. (Occasionally, depending on the mix-ins, I need to do a slightly longer release, but it’s still way better than setting 5).
* If the “waste water” leftover from carbonation drips when you’re emptying the reservoir (or overflows because you forgot to check and empty it after making several bottles) my water usually has some excess baking soda or citric acid which will leave behind a white residue if you don’t wipe it up right away. Just something to be aware of when you decide where to plug-in your machine. It’s not hard to clean the residue if it does build up.
Favorite mix-ins:
* My go to is four slices of cucumber per bottle. If I’m feeling fancy, I might also add in ginger and or mint leaves that I crush/rub right before I put them in. It’s much better if they have a chance to sit for a few hours... if I put the slices in right before carbonation and drink it right away the taste is very faint. Overnight works well, but even a few hours is fine.
* I also had great success with a jug of apple cider we got from a local farm this fall. I carbonated a few bottles over thanksgiving, and it felt like Martinellis :)
On a final note, if you add fruits, veggies or herbs I think the carbonation process looks pretty cool. The backlighting makes it look almost like a lava lamp with food swirling around inside, lol.
We drink a lot of soda water in my household and this makes it convenient to have more on demand options.
I’ve had my unit for over a year, the only time I had a real issues was when I was away for a month on vacation. I returned home and used it for the first time in a while, the water fill operation didn’t work right. It filled and filled the tank and didn’t seal and create pressure. I took some fresh water and rinsed the powder chemicals residue out and assumed a gasket or something must have dried up or was blown out. I did my best to examine it with a flashlight and saw some build up inside, I proceeded to flush it out with water, and after that it was back to business as usual.
It has pretty dutiable feeling latches and mechanisms and they have held up.
When I ordered it I crunched the numbers and said to my self “if it still works in a year it will have paid for itself and I’ll rate it 5 stars”.
So here I am, to hold up my end and say, give it a try if you love bubbles.
One small note, it does add a very minor taste, usually I can only notice it if I leave a glass out over night and it losses carbonation.
I've reached out to customer support as the machine is now consistently malfunctioning. This was a very costly purchase for a machine that did not last more than 2 years.
Update: 4/27/2023:
I'm now at a 1 star rating. This machine just does not reliably perform the way it should and I waste more product than I do making soda. I purchased brand new bottles because apparently you can't buy the caps separately from the bottles (obnoxious!) and it doesn't appear to have made a difference. I do a deep clean of the machine on a regular basis and check the O-rings. Every time I use this, it's a gamble for what trouble shooting error I get. Lately, the water leaks out of the bottle. Since this happens frequently but unpredictably, I always put the machine on an absorbent foam bath mat so it doesn't make a mess on my counter.
Even when I'm doing all the right things according to the manual, it doesn't function properly. Over time, this is such a waste of money because I use up carbon packets and the flavors I use for my water (specifically coconut water). My advice: do not buy.
Update 11/3/22:
I went from 5 stars to 2. If you are a low maintenance person who doesn’t read instructions thoroughly and just likes to “set it and forget it”, don’t get this machine. Seriously. It requires frequent cleaning, regular inspections of the mechanisms and strict adherence to the steps every time.
I typically have some type of trouble-shooting issue every half dozen uses or so which is much too often for a device like this. Their trouble-shooting manual is comprehensive but it also gives you an idea of the frequent mishaps you’ll encounter. You might be able to avoid these if you religiously follow their cleaning and inspection instructions to catch things like faulty o-rings or debris that might be interfering with the latch etc.
I still use mine regularly but I do get incredibly frustrated if I forget to check something like the stupid bottle to make sure it’s in good working order before I use my machine. Call me crazy, but I expect a basically new machine and it’s accessories to work reliably at least 80% of the time.
If I overlook something like debris in the bottle cap that prevents it from sealing properly, it’s too late. The whole thing will leak on the counter top, wasting juice, wine, water or whatever else I was trying to carbonate. Whenever I use this thing I have to literally stand there and watch it, in case it malfunctions.
As a final comment: I also don’t like their carobonator subscription. I was trying to change my frequency online from every 2 months to every 3 but they force you to email them to request it. Instead I decided to skip the shipment altogether but it didn’t take, so I was charged anyway. I decided to cancel the whole thing altogether.
Overall, there is potential here. It’s just not consumer ready in my opinion.
Update 8/23/21:
Sparkel's customer support was tricky to get a hold off. I sent the support email address a message and then used their website form to submit a ticket. It wasn't until I sent a Facebook message to their page that I got a reply back.
They sent a replacement O-ring seal and some free carbonator packets for my trouble. My machine is working as it should now but I docked a star from my rating specifically because a product this new shouldn't already have deteriorating parts and customer service shouldn't require multiple follow-ups.
_____
Update 8/10/21:
Welp, there's trouble in paradise. I wasted at least 3 of their packets trying to trouble shoot this thing when it started making weird hissing noises and filling my bottles up with NON carbonated water from the tank in the back of the machine. After a close inspection, I discovered a ripped O-ring in the nozzle that presses into the top of the bottle - I'm assuming this is the problem or part of it.
I reached out to customer support using their email and their form on the website but I get no confirmation that my request has been received. It's been 2 business days and I'm still waiting for a reply.
I use my Sparkel machine at least 2-3 times a week so this is a disappointing development and I'm annoyed I wasted packets of the carbonator and a half bottle of perfectly good rosé. I'm hoping for a positive resolution.
_____
Original Review June 9, 2021:
I should preface this by saying that I've only had this for a day but I LOVE it! I'm a big water drinker in general and also love flavored water like Ah Ha, Bubbly and La Croix. I have probably spent more than the cost of this machine in the amount of bubbly water I used to buy. It never occurred to me to invest in something like this and I bought this on a whim.
I LOVE this. It's very easy to use and so far, no issues at all. I have a little trouble opening the bottles when the lids get really tight but I have rubber jar openers to help. I bought extra bottles so I can have some flavors ready to choose from. I made mango water (the best flavor so far), lychee (too subtle) and strawberry (very refreshing). Level 3 is the standard level of bubbles that I'm used to from canned drinks but I'm excited to try all the settings.
I'm so pleased with this, it looks great on my countertop and I love the nice little chime sounds. I'm a little worried about some reviews that have commented about this dying after a short time so I hope that doesn't happen. My only other complaint is I wish the packets of carbonator are packaged in a more earthly friendly way. Like maybe you can buy the bigger boxes and mix using a measuring spoon, that way there's less plastic wrapping. I would also like to see an accessory to filter out the fruit so I can pour without splashing the rind or fruit pieces (I used a pasta ladle if I don't want fruit in my drinking glass).
Love it so far, hope it will stand the test of time!
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
I've reached out to customer support as the machine is now consistently malfunctioning. This was a very costly purchase for a machine that did not last more than 2 years.
Update: 4/27/2023:
I'm now at a 1 star rating. This machine just does not reliably perform the way it should and I waste more product than I do making soda. I purchased brand new bottles because apparently you can't buy the caps separately from the bottles (obnoxious!) and it doesn't appear to have made a difference. I do a deep clean of the machine on a regular basis and check the O-rings. Every time I use this, it's a gamble for what trouble shooting error I get. Lately, the water leaks out of the bottle. Since this happens frequently but unpredictably, I always put the machine on an absorbent foam bath mat so it doesn't make a mess on my counter.
Even when I'm doing all the right things according to the manual, it doesn't function properly. Over time, this is such a waste of money because I use up carbon packets and the flavors I use for my water (specifically coconut water). My advice: do not buy.
Update 11/3/22:
I went from 5 stars to 2. If you are a low maintenance person who doesn’t read instructions thoroughly and just likes to “set it and forget it”, don’t get this machine. Seriously. It requires frequent cleaning, regular inspections of the mechanisms and strict adherence to the steps every time.
I typically have some type of trouble-shooting issue every half dozen uses or so which is much too often for a device like this. Their trouble-shooting manual is comprehensive but it also gives you an idea of the frequent mishaps you’ll encounter. You might be able to avoid these if you religiously follow their cleaning and inspection instructions to catch things like faulty o-rings or debris that might be interfering with the latch etc.
I still use mine regularly but I do get incredibly frustrated if I forget to check something like the stupid bottle to make sure it’s in good working order before I use my machine. Call me crazy, but I expect a basically new machine and it’s accessories to work reliably at least 80% of the time.
If I overlook something like debris in the bottle cap that prevents it from sealing properly, it’s too late. The whole thing will leak on the counter top, wasting juice, wine, water or whatever else I was trying to carbonate. Whenever I use this thing I have to literally stand there and watch it, in case it malfunctions.
As a final comment: I also don’t like their carobonator subscription. I was trying to change my frequency online from every 2 months to every 3 but they force you to email them to request it. Instead I decided to skip the shipment altogether but it didn’t take, so I was charged anyway. I decided to cancel the whole thing altogether.
Overall, there is potential here. It’s just not consumer ready in my opinion.
Update 8/23/21:
Sparkel's customer support was tricky to get a hold off. I sent the support email address a message and then used their website form to submit a ticket. It wasn't until I sent a Facebook message to their page that I got a reply back.
They sent a replacement O-ring seal and some free carbonator packets for my trouble. My machine is working as it should now but I docked a star from my rating specifically because a product this new shouldn't already have deteriorating parts and customer service shouldn't require multiple follow-ups.
_____
Update 8/10/21:
Welp, there's trouble in paradise. I wasted at least 3 of their packets trying to trouble shoot this thing when it started making weird hissing noises and filling my bottles up with NON carbonated water from the tank in the back of the machine. After a close inspection, I discovered a ripped O-ring in the nozzle that presses into the top of the bottle - I'm assuming this is the problem or part of it.
I reached out to customer support using their email and their form on the website but I get no confirmation that my request has been received. It's been 2 business days and I'm still waiting for a reply.
I use my Sparkel machine at least 2-3 times a week so this is a disappointing development and I'm annoyed I wasted packets of the carbonator and a half bottle of perfectly good rosé. I'm hoping for a positive resolution.
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Original Review June 9, 2021:
I should preface this by saying that I've only had this for a day but I LOVE it! I'm a big water drinker in general and also love flavored water like Ah Ha, Bubbly and La Croix. I have probably spent more than the cost of this machine in the amount of bubbly water I used to buy. It never occurred to me to invest in something like this and I bought this on a whim.
I LOVE this. It's very easy to use and so far, no issues at all. I have a little trouble opening the bottles when the lids get really tight but I have rubber jar openers to help. I bought extra bottles so I can have some flavors ready to choose from. I made mango water (the best flavor so far), lychee (too subtle) and strawberry (very refreshing). Level 3 is the standard level of bubbles that I'm used to from canned drinks but I'm excited to try all the settings.
I'm so pleased with this, it looks great on my countertop and I love the nice little chime sounds. I'm a little worried about some reviews that have commented about this dying after a short time so I hope that doesn't happen. My only other complaint is I wish the packets of carbonator are packaged in a more earthly friendly way. Like maybe you can buy the bigger boxes and mix using a measuring spoon, that way there's less plastic wrapping. I would also like to see an accessory to filter out the fruit so I can pour without splashing the rind or fruit pieces (I used a pasta ladle if I don't want fruit in my drinking glass).
Love it so far, hope it will stand the test of time!
Top reviews from other countries
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This is my first soda maker--I bought it since I drink a lot of sparkling water and hated the number of plastic and glass bottles that piled up in my recycling bin every week. Such a waste of natural resources (even if recycled). The Sparkel caught my eyes since since doesn't requires a CO₂ cartridge, using a mix of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid to make the required bubbles.
So far it's worked well. It takes longer to carbonize a bottle with the Sparkel than with a soda stream, but for the average consumer that would not be an issue. Given the fact that carbonation doesn't require the insertion of any parts of the machine, drinks can be flavored prior to carbonation (which is not recommended for conventional soda streams). It's definitely a good idea to get a pack of replacement bottles right away since one bottle won't et you very far (and you might want to have another cold and ready in the fridge when the other one is empty). Sealed bottles seem to hold their carbonation very well (I have kept unopened bottles for several days without noticing any decrease in carbonation. A pressure valve on top of each bottle allows to retain pressure inside while making is easier to open the bottles.
My one big complaint about the Sparkel system related to the fact that the powders that are required to make CO₂ gas come in little individual plastic sachets, which creates additional plastic waste--annoying if you if you bought this machine out of concerns for the environment (and the price for each double pack, between .5 - 1 $ depending on the number of packs you order, is considerable ). The manufacturer warns against the use of generic replacements, but in the end they are identified on each pack as sodium-bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid--both of which can be bought as bulk (you can weigh it out for yourself--13 grams in each pack, and there are YouTube channels that can guide you on how to do it). I have mixed my own powders with no ill effect to the soda maker and no difference in taste. If Sparkel wants to tout environmental friendliness it needs to come up with a better packing system--may be by offering bulk packages with tailored measuring cups.
But that's my only complaint (or suggestion for improvement). So far, this acquisition has been quite a success. My favorite carbonized drink (aside from just sparkling water) is carbonized cold hibiscus tea--not only tasty but also looking great with its bubbles and red color.
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update (March 9, 2023):
I have now had my Sparkel for almost a year, so it seems timely to update my review.
All in all the unit continues to work fine. I have had few problems with it--occasionally I had leakages from bottles when the seal was not properly inserted within either top or bottom lid. But those are problems that are easily fixable.
Maintenance has not been much of an issue. The fallout mix of the two powders will build up a crust if spilled. It's a good idea to wipe the unit down thoroughly with a wet cloth (vinegar also helps with the with the removal of the build-up) but otherwise there hasn't been much a need for cleaning procedures.
No issues with taste either --it has remained crisp and clean (more qualifying comments about this below s.v. "mix your own carbonator")
- positives: the advantages that I hoped for a year ago have essentially held up:
• cost: a little math here. The unit itself and four extra bottles cost me CAD 271.17. The combined cost of the two powders for each bottle amount to 21 cent. The cheapest bottles of generic non-brand 750 ml sparkling water that I can currently spot in any supermarket amounts to about 75 cent. Mathematically, to recuperate the cost of the unit and ingredients (excluding electricity and water), I had to fill 542 bottles of home sparkling water. With an average consumption of about two bottles per day I broke even after 271 days. After a year, I will have saved CAD 127. Next year (assuming no costs other than the two powders) will be CAD 383. Not as dramatic as I had thought but still noticeable.
• bulk/trash: this is the most noticeable effect. Thinking of the weight of a box of sparking, and the amount of trash that it creates in glass or plastic bottles. over a year I easily would have added 700 - 750 empty bottles to landfulls. Instead, I have been filling the same five bottles for over a year. My pile of weekly recyclables has shrunk considerably. While Sparkel may get a modest plus on cost saving it gets a qualified big plus on avoiding wasteful packaging (but see below).
- negative:
• sachets: my one big criticism of Sparkel is its propagation of the powder sachets for carbonation. They are not cheap even if bought in bulk (I didn't do the math again there is almost no real saving over buying bottled water if you use them). But more to the point, these empty little sachets are plastic scraps that will just end up on landfills and add to the garbage problems that we already have. And totally unnecessarily so--you can very easily order both powders in bulk and mix your own carbonator as needed, thus saving a lot of money and even more wasteful packaging.
- Suggestion:
• mix your own carbonator: it's easy. You can find instructions on Youtube how to do it, but they are almost not necessary. The ingredients are sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid. You can order them bulk on Amazon or get them elsewhere. Although you won't be ingesting them directly it's best to buy both of them food grade (I use Yogti's products, available on Amazon, but there is quite a bit of choice). Sodium bicarbonate tends to be finer in grain than citric acid (which looks but definitely doesn't taste like refined sugar), so I wouldn't go by tradition kitchen measures like "one spoonful of each." It's better to weigh them out on a kitchen scale--13 grams of each. Important: it is a good idea to mix them thoroughly before you pour them into the machine (I had a few bad experiences when I poured them in separately--I think that the water first interacted with the citric acid, which created a very sour taste in the end product). But don't store them as a mix-- the two powders, once mixed, will react with whatever humidity they are exposed to and become lumpy. Keep them separate and mix as needed.
• April 18, 2023: I just red through the warnings on Sparkel's website against mixing your own carbonator. Had I read those first I might never have tried it myself since they make it sound as if the world (or at least the machine) were to come apart if you use your own mix. But I didn't, it's been a year and ... well, nothing terrible has happened. I understand that the company has to wash its hands off any liability caused by home-made mixes, given that they can't control what people are putting into those. But let's be honest: mixing carbonator isn't exactly rocket science. The labels on the sachets sold by Sparkel state that they contain sodium bicarbonate and citric acid--and nothing else. The comparison of the way in which household sodium bicarbonate and their own "special" version pour down a surface looks dramatic but ultimately proves nothing. Let's face it--if very minute details in the mixture were to severely impact the function and lifetime of the machine then the would be all the more reason to weigh out the ingredients on a digital scale before pouring them in into the carbonation chamber, as opposed to pouring them out of sachet (with God-know-how many grains of powder remaining in each one of them).
But I think that it's fair, given Sparkel's "void warranty" warnings when using home-made carbonators, to add a "try this at your own risk" warning to my recommendation.
- easy to operate : open sachets and drop content in reservoir.
- safe
- no handling of CO2 bottles
- not limited to just water. Easy to experiment with any syrup or tea or even pieces of fruit in the bottle.
- 5 different levels of CO2. For everyone's liking.
- No noise : very quite appliance. visual attractive to see bubble forming.
Well. After two of these machines, yes two! I have come to realize that it is a waste of money, has a deficient bubbling mechanism, and is just downright frustrating to operate.
The first machine, I think I broke by opening the top before the front lever. You’d think that a company would fix this known defect instead of placing a bandaid label on it saying, “Don’t do this!”
The second machine seemed to work better… until it didn’t. It kept jamming, as in the packets would not mix with water, meaning I used 2-3 packets each time I tried to make water. Then, it became so blocked in spite of cleaning after ever single use , it actually blew up in my face while trying to see why it just sat there with the motor running and no bubbling taking place. (I was able to wash my eye out in the sink).
The last straw today was the machine leaking all over my counter…nearly the entire bottle! Not a happy camper here.
Also, be aware there the packets give the water a bit of a salty taste…. Wonder how well the Aarke works…😏
Original Comments
So happy to have no canisters to track down and replace. Feel better about the environment and supporting a small company vs. the status-quo company. Most people don’t even know of this option!
It makes a variety of flavours, waters, alcohol, and fresh ingredients. It’s bright, makes happy noises when done and offers five levels of bubbly goodness!
Naturally carbonates without penetrating the bottom of these clean-lined bottles. I keep them filled with water, in the fridge, just waiting for use (carbonation works best on cold water).
The Sparkel unit can handle plain water, juices, fresh cut fruits + water drinks, even wine if that is what you fancy. They just ask one to avoid milk, essential oils in the drinks since those contain oil/fat which sticks to plastic parts and gets messy. Using juices, water from the fridge or adding a couple of tablespoons of crushed ice to the bottle before carbonation keeps the drink cool and retain the fizz better than room temp drinks. The carbonated drink in the Sparkel bottle in the fridge also keeps everything nice and cold and retains the CO2 (fizz) longer. The bottle top has a built-in valve which must be pressed to avoid the drink from bubbling out when unscrewing the cap.
The unit comes with a bottle and ten starter bundles (carbonator chemicles, two kinds per bundle). The bottles and caps are dishwasher-safe. The unit only requires filling a water reservoir (for CO2 production -- no mixing with your drink takes place) and emptying the drainage tank, roughly every 7 carbonation operations. Very simple procedures for periodic cleaning (rinsing) and a less frequent but more thorough cleaning are given. The unit requires electrical power. The cord is long enough although another foot or two would have been nice. Using a longer extension cord would perhaps not affect warranty but users must check with manufacturer to be sure. Registering the unit will provide a 1 year replacement warranty which is pretty nice.
Since it is a pressurized operation, certain simple common-sense precautions are listed to be followed to avoid making a fizzy mess on the countertop. The unit has a small footprint and should fit easily on most countertops and under overhanging kitchen closets. Being made of plastic, one would naturally avoid parking the carbonator next to a source of heat (toaster, toaster oven, microwave exhaust, etc).
Taste preferences might vary but the five levels allowed should be able to satisfy most. I found '2 or 3' as ideal for carbonated water and '5' a bit too fizzy for even fruit-colas etc. Some folks mentioned a slightly different taste but that is probably because of the difference in levels of carbonation provided by different carbonators. A little experimentation with the 5 levels would get you in the right ball-park for you.
The manual and videos are on the whole great and pretty clear but a couple of fine points need to be elaborated. After selecting the level and pressing the start button, the start button remains lit while the level lights begin flashing. If level 4 is selected all four will flash and as the process moves ahead the lights would light up (DUH!) steadily, first the #1, then #1 and 2 and finally all four. This is normal! Think of it as a count-down visual timer. However if the start button is flashing too then you have not closed the lid properly and that has been stated in the troubleshooting articles on the Sparkel site. All this flashing might be a bit confusing at first but by the 2nd or 3rd bottle you should be an expert. Also, with thicker juices (pineapple and orange with fine pulp, I would advise that you fill a little lower than the juice line engraved on the bottle. Sometimes when using higher carbonation levels (4 or 5) when done, opening the latch can create a depressurizing noise and slight mist. One can avoid all this by adding a couple of tablespoons of crushed ice to the bottle which slows down the forceful carbonation. The manual recommends ice cubes but I use crushed ice which would be easier on the bottle. Probably being overcautious there.
Some brave folks have recommended their own kitchen chemistry hacks in order to save money. It is a personal choice but perhaps not a good idea to follow right from the outset. I am not sure if doing so would affect the warranty.
the drink you are carbonating does not come in contact with the two dry chemicals (baking soda and citric acid) but only the carbon dioxide produced (same as the units that utilize CO2 cylinders).
With longer period of careful usage, one would obviously gain a better idea about the long-term performance quality of the unit. Perhaps that would be forthcoming down the road via a review-update by me or others. In my books the unit gets very high marks on ease of use, quality of carbonation and hassle-free dry source of carbonation as opposed to messing around with CO2 cylinders, etc.