Expert assessment
Advantages
- Automatic carbonation
- Easy to assemble gas bottle
- Blue lighting
- Child friendly
cons
- Must be connected
- Not compatible with glass bottles
Our verdict
The E-Terra is undoubtedly the most fun SodaStream model you can buy. It lights up during carbonation and because it’s simple to use, it’s a great option if you have kids.
Price at review
$159.99
Best Prices Today: SodaStream E-Terra
$124.94
![Best Buy](https://www.techadvisor.com/wp-content/themes/idg-base-theme/dist/static/img/best-buy-logo.png)
$159.99
Homes across the country have SodaStream machines of various types and vintages, but right now the Sodastream website has four new machines to choose from: the Terra – the simplest of the bunch; the Art, which has an attractive design and unusual lever controls; then either the Duo, or the Aqua Fizz (depending on where you live), which work with glass bottles; and the E-Terra plug-in.
All of these are compatible with the new gas cylinders, which are designed for easier insertion into the machine.
We review the E-Terra, the electric model.
Design and build
- Low energy consumption
- Easy to set up and use
- Nice light up feature
The E-Terra is a simple, modern-looking SodaStream machine, with a textured hood design.
It is slim 12 cm wide and only 18 cm deep, so it’s easy to find a spot for your kitchen counter. It is 42 cm high, but not too high to use under overhanging kitchen cabinets. It’s available in black or white in the US, but we could only find the black model in the UK.
Buy an E-Terra starter kit and in the box you get the machine, a reusable, BPA-free plastic one liter bottle and a gas bottle. The plastic bottle is dishwasher safe. It is a pity that the E-Terra is not compatible with glass bottles, both for ecological and aesthetic reasons. Still, plastic bottles are probably safer if you have younger children who are likely to use the machine.
Just a simple push of a button and you get consistent bubbles every time
The set up is as quick as it gets, but to get the best fizzy results you’ll want to fill the plastic water bottle up to the wiggly fill line and let it cool in the fridge first.
Prepare the gas cylinder by removing the seal and removing the lid. Then remove the back of the machine, slide in the cylinder and push down on the handle, which pulls the cylinder into place. It is no longer necessary to screw it into the machine. We wouldn’t have said this was a particularly tedious process, but this is even easier.
![Mounting the gas bottle in the SodaStream E-Terra](https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sodastream_e_terra_cylinder.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200)
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Then just plug in the machine and you’re good to go.
Using it is also a simple matter. Or at least it should be. The first time I tested it, I failed to properly lock the bottle in place, causing a small deluge at the counter as the carbonation began. The trick is to make sure the bottle hangs – rather than stands – when you fit it in.
![Place the bottle in the SodaStream E-Terra](https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sodastream_e_terra_bottle.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200)
Emma Rowley / Foundry
There are three knobs on top of the machine, for three levels of carbonation. When you press one and the fizz begins, a blue light will illuminate the carbonation process. It’s a fun, funky addition to the machine that gives it a bit more bar presence and is sure to appeal to kids.
The buttons don’t require the pressure that more traditional SodaStreams require for carbonation. Just a simple push of a button and you get consistent bubbles every time. Again, this makes it a good option if you have kids, who can enjoy the fizzy creation process, plus a decent drink at the end.
You could argue that the E-Terra unnecessarily complicates an admirably simple freestanding design. But the power cable is long, about 150 cm, so you have plenty of options wherever you place it. And since it’s only a 12W device, the electricity consumption is negligible. If you’re in the UK and on a standard rate, an hour of using the E-Terra will cost you less than a penny.
Carbonation is fast – but not silent. It’s just as loud and bustling as you’d expect. When it’s done, add the flavoring – if you like. Depending on the type, you add it directly to the bottle or to an individual glass.
Price and running costs
- E-Terra is a more expensive model
- Flavorings and gas bottles add to the cost
The E-Terra is one of the more expensive current SodaStream models. The most budget-friendly model is the Terra ($99.99 / £109.99 for the starter kit), which is a basic model with a press pump. At SodaStream you can view all available models.
If you’re in the US, the E-Terra starter kit, which includes the machine, a gas canister and a plastic bottle, costs $159.99 direct from SodaStream. Or you can get the machine alone from Walmart for only $115.90.
In the UK there is little price difference. The E-Terra starter kit is available from SodaStream for £144.99 and Amazon for £149.99.
But buying a SodaStream is a bit like buying a capsule coffee machine: it’s not a one-time purchase. There are ongoing costs in the form of carbon dioxide cylinders and (if you use them) flavorings.
A blue light illuminates the carbonation process. It’s a fun, funky addition to the machine that gives it a bit more bar presence and is sure to appeal to kids
According to SodaStream, one cylinder produces (up to) 60 liters of carbonated water, which means it will last 4-6 weeks depending on how often you use it. The quick release cylinder costs $16.99 / £12.99, which means you could end up paying a whopping $203.88 / £155.88 a year if you use one cylinder a month.
There is also an organizational element to consider: you need to order cylinders and return the empties.
Then there are the seasonings. In the US there is a lot of choice. Classic mixers cost $5.99 for 9 liters (finished drinks), while the organic drinks cost $9.99 for ten drinks.
In the UK it’s a little more limited, with options such as diet and regular 7-Up, Pepsi and tonic, then ginger ale, orange mango, orange and a selection of organic fruit flavours. Six packs (making 9 liters per bottle) cost £29.94, while organic mixers cost £11.98 for a twin pack (32 drinks in total).
You’ll probably also want to invest in an extra bottle or two of fizzy. Some mixers require mixing in the bottle rather than by the glass, so it’s helpful to have a few bottles so you can chill ready-to-drink drinks.
All in all, we’d say you shouldn’t buy SodaStream hoping to save money. It’s unlikely to be more economical than buying bottled fizzy drinks and while it may reduce plastic waste, there are also cylinder delivery and bottle collection that need to be factored into the environmental costs.
Pronunciation
So why should you buy a SodaStream – and should you buy the E-Terra?
If you have a SodaStream machine, flavorings and a gas bottle at home, you can always make sparkling cocktail mixers or fizzy drinks in an instant. If you like to party, or if you have kids, it can definitely be worth it.
There is also the fun factor. And if this is part of the appeal then the E-Terra is an excellent choice. Its lightening feature and ease of use make it a great option for all members of the family.