Soda Stream - Worth the money?

[MommyBryn]

We love it just for carbonating what we have. We make our own fresh juices (apple, grape, cranberry, orange, etc) and ginger ale during the holidays, and so we have fun with it for those. Never have bought the actual flavors for it and don't plan on it.

However, we didn't buy it ourselves, it was a gift. Honestly, I probably wouldn't pay for one myself.

 

[bethy]

It is a huge cost savings for us because we drink unflavored seltzer water - I live in the south (US) and seltzer is hard to find here and expensive when you do find it (I believe it's $6 for 12 cans at my Wal-Mart). I know soda is generally a lot cheaper than seltzer where I live.

We are a family of 5 and we go through 2-3 L of seltzer a day on a slow day.

Same for us. My DH makes it with plain filtered water and then sometimes adds his own truly natural flavoring - like a slice of orange or lemon. He is allergic to all the junk and flavorings in most of the stuff sold in the stores and also the Soda stream flavorings.

 

[Kae]

Love mine. I use mainly for Club soda. but the kids like the kool aide & cherry cola, really looking forward to the Cranberry juice from Ocean Spray.

Kae

 

[dougsmom98]

We got one for Christmas a few years ago and we do not like the soda.

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks for the replies! For PP about the politics - not getting into that here or now. I don't agree with walmart but that's a whole nother issue as well.

As for the soda stream - I think we'll just skip it for now. At the price they want for one plus the mixed reviews it just doesn't seem worth it. They'd probably love it for adding fizz to their kool aid but really for the price there's lots more stuff I could get for him that he'd have just as much fun with that would probably see way more use.

The root beer kit seems cool but I was looking for something that he could also use on his own when I'm at work to make vacations, etc. a little more fun.

 

[powellrj]

If you have a Big Lots near you, they sell the Primo which is no longer made, but is just like a soda stream. I paid $22 for mine a few weeks ago. What is nice about the Primo is that the cartridges are the same that they use for paint ball so you can have them refilled for around $4 at paint ball places. My DD uses it more than the rest of us and I think I will send it to college with her next year.

 

[willowsnn3]

It is a huge cost savings for us because we drink unflavored seltzer water - I live in the south (US) and seltzer is hard to find here and expensive when you do find it (I believe it's $6 for 12 cans at my Wal-Mart). I know soda is generally a lot cheaper than seltzer where I live.

We are a family of 5 and we go through 2-3 L of seltzer a day on a slow day.

I just bought a 12 pack (store brand) of seltzer water at Kroger for $2.50 & Walmart here has 1 liter seltzer for around 69cents.

I bought my Soda Stream mainly for making plain seltzer water. It came with a lot of samples & 3 full size bottles of KoolAid flavors which the kids love. I don't care for most of the flavors but the rootbeer flavor was pretty good. Was it worth it?? Probably not but I like to bring it out when my son brings his 4 boys over. They are always wanting something to drink & love making their own.

 

[Batstang2000]

I got one for Christmas last year and absolutely love it. I use mostly the Cola Free and Diet Dr. Pete and have tried some of the Kool-Aid flavors. My wife is addicted to the Country Time lemonade.

 

[hsmamato2]

If you have a Big Lots near you, they sell the Primo which is no longer made, but is just like a soda stream. I paid $22 for mine a few weeks ago. What is nice about the Primo is that the cartridges are the same that they use for paint ball so you can have them refilled for around $4 at paint ball places. My DD uses it more than the rest of us and I think I will send it to college with her next year.

I am curious, what is this? I love seltzer,and I hate to buy it...

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

We love our soda stream. Being able to make different types and in small quantities. Not sure how much we save, but it's saving us some money.

 

[zippingalong]

My Dad, who's the most difficult person in the world to shop for, asked for one for Christmas when I asked for suggestions. It's already ordered from Amazon and on the way.

 

[snels]

We love our Soda Stream. I like the convenience of making soda/pop at home.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I also LOVE my soda stream! I have only used it for soda once or twice, but I use it everyday for making seltzer. I add a 2 or 3 squirts of one of those Dasani or Mio water flavors and I have flavored seltzer in seconds. I'm not sure I'm saving any money, but my primary motivation was convenience (nothing to buy or lug around) and environmental (sure you can recycle your seltzer bottles, but it is better not to generate them at all).

 

[tvguy]

Spit out my coffee when this email came in this morning.

http://www.sodastreamusa.com/holidays/?gclid=CL_nycy1irsCFbQWMgodXiQAUw

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2013
Contact: Paul Leuenberger - before 9 a.m.: 916-393-5821 Cell/after 9 a.m.: 916-212-3297

<http://www.endtheoccupation.org/sodastream2013>


BLACK FRIDAY PROTEST AT ARDEN MALL
TARGETS SODA STREAM VENDORS; SODA STREAM
ACCUSED OF EXPLOITING PALESTINIAN LAND AND LABOR

SACRAMENTO - Arden Mall in Sacramento will be the target Black Friday of an international action in support of the Palestinian people.

The demonstration starts at 2:30 p.m. Friday/Nov. 29 at the Arden & Heritage entrance to Arden Mall.

Sacramento is participating in a national day of action on boycotting Soda Stream products, which are produced in an illegal Israeli settlement through the exploitation of Palestinian land, labor, and resources.

For more than a year, Palestine solidarity organizations have been challenging department stores, such as Macy's and Target, asking them to stop selling Soda Stream.

In September, Friends of Sabeel - North America sent a letter to the CEO of Target, outlining these grievances. Other faith communities from the Interfaith Boycott Coalition have signed on in support.

-end-

 

[Imhere]

Is the Soda Stream worth the $100 the charge for the machine plus the cost of the refills? Is the soda, especially the root beer any good? am thinking of getting one for youngest DS for Christmas (I know an odd present for a kid but he wants nothing and he LOVES root beer.)

$100 will buy a lot of real root beer.

 

[south park]

I just bought the sodastream at Target $79.99. They give a $25 target gift card with the purchase and it qualified for the target 20% coupon which can be used starting this Sunday!

 

[js]

I also LOVE my soda stream! I have only used it for soda once or twice, but I use it everyday for making seltzer. I add a 2 or 3 squirts of one of those Dasani or Mio water flavors and I have flavored seltzer in seconds. I'm not sure I'm saving any money, but my primary motivation was convenience (nothing to buy or lug around) and environmental (sure you can recycle your seltzer bottles, but it is better not to generate them at all).

I got a Soda Stream for Mother's Day. I purchased it at BB&B in March/April for myself and told my dh I was saving it for the kids to give me for Mother's Day, which they did LOL

I LOVE my Soda Stream. I have it for convenience. I know it doesn't save me money. With excepiton of alcohol I only drink water or seltzer and I put Ginger Ale in my red wine, I know, I know

I have the Revolution. I purchased 3 Soda Stream Bottles and think I need to get a few more, at least while my dd is home from college since she is going through them each day herself. So, I use one of the bottles and make about 2-3 for myself and put in Liter bottles that I have saved (old seltzer bottles).
I tried the ginger ale last weekend and it was great when I wanted it, not running to the store or remembering I need if I'm having some wine.

Anyway, I quoted you since I never thought to use the Dasini or Mio water flavors. I think I will buy that the next time I see them. I purchased the little water flavoring for the Soda Stream but wonder if the Mio is better for me?
Will have to look.

Thanks for the hint.

 

[hsmamato2]

I ended up buying a sodasparkle setup (by cuisinart) it's a simpler design, but I love it! I paid $20 for the system (2 bottles, and carbonator stick) and purchased the tiny co2 cartridges from amazon (38.00 for 100 ?) total effective cost over the 105 bottles is about .50 a bottle,and I make about a bottle a day. I LOVE having this in the house, since I already had a PUR water pitcher sitting on the counter, making my own is easy and great! And better than hauling heavy bottles home from the store... I don't add flavor, since I like plain seltzer with a squeeze of fresh lemon.....

 

[js]

I ended up buying a sodasparkle setup (by cuisinart) it's a simpler design, but I love it! I paid $20 for the system (2 bottles, and carbonator stick) and purchased the tiny co2 cartridges from amazon (38.00 for 100 ?) total effective cost over the 105 bottles is about .50 a bottle,and I make about a bottle a day. I LOVE having this in the house, since I already had a PUR water pitcher sitting on the counter, making my own is easy and great! And better than hauling heavy bottles home from the store... I don't add flavor, since I like plain seltzer with a squeeze of fresh lemon.....

Never heard of the Soda Sparkle. My fil only drinks seltzer too so was thinking of getting him the Soda Stream too but will also look at the Sparkle.
How many bottles will your stick make?

 

[abmitch01]

I bought one because I was spending $2 on drive thru diet cokes everyday, not bringing soda from home. My brother loved his so when Kohl's had a 30% coupon and Kohl's cash, I got one. I wouldn't pay $100 for it. I like the diet root beer and diet Dr Pete. The diet coke is so-so. I like the bottles that can go in the dishwasher. I use it everyday, have had it over a year. I like not lugging home 2 liter bottles of soda.