Aarke Carbonator III

The Aarke Carbonator III is, by near consensus, the best‑looking soda maker on the market, and its appeal goes well beyond skin deep. The tower‑like body is made predominantly of stainless steel, available in matte black, copper, brushed silver, and several other muted, sophisticated finishes that elevate it far above the usual glossy plastic contraptions. A side lever—reminiscent of a vintage soda fountain—pulls down smoothly to inject CO2, and the slim footprint consumes minimal counter space. Because the Carbonator III uses standard screw‑in cylinders, it works seamlessly with SodaStream’s widely available blue‑label tanks, making cylinder exchanges both easy and affordable. In plain‑water tests, the machine produces a pleasing, fine‑grained sparkle akin to a good Perrier; the bubbles are evenly distributed and maintain their liveliness for a reasonable time. Assembly is quick, and the included PET bottle and metal cap feel sturdier than many bundled options. That said, performance is not quite as flawless as the design. The gas release can be erratic—sometimes delivering a forceful burst of carbonation, other times a weaker fizz that requires extra pumps—and the machine is notably louder than its competition, emitting a harsh buzz that some users find jarring. The tall, narrow body, while handsome, can wobble slightly when the lever is engaged, especially on harder surfaces. And with a price tag that typically exceeds $200 without a CO2 canister in the box, the initial investment is significant for a single‑function water carbonator (it’s officially rated for water only, unlike the Drinkmate machines). For households that treat kitchen appliances as part of the decor and want a machine that sparks conversation as easily as it sparks water, the Aarke Carbonator III is a compelling, if imperfect, choice. It trades a degree of functional polish for an unmatched aesthetic that makes reaching for a bottle of homemade seltzer feel like a small daily luxury.