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- SodaStream offers convenience, environmental benefits, and potential cost savings.
- Initial investment for a SodaStream machine ranges from $80 to $200.
- CO2 refills cost around $15 and can carbonate 60 liters, making sparkling water cost about $0.25 per liter.
- Flavor syrups add about $0.55 per liter, making flavored soda cost around $0.80 per liter.
- Store-bought soda and sparkling water typically cost $0.80 to $2 per liter.
- Long-term SodaStream users can save hundreds of dollars annually, especially for regular consumers.
- SodaStream helps reduce plastic waste, providing indirect financial and environmental benefits.
- Savings depend on frequency of use, proper machine maintenance, and taking advantage of discounts.
- Frequent users of sparkling water and soda are most likely to see significant financial benefits.
In recent years, more and more people have turned to at-home soda-making machines like SodaStream to enjoy sparkling water and homemade sodas. Beyond the convenience and environmental benefits of reducing plastic waste, many potential users wonder, does SodaStream save money?
It’s a valid question, considering the initial investment in the machine and ongoing costs for CO2 canisters, flavor syrups, and other accessories. In this blog post, we’ll explore the financial aspects of owning a SodaStream and whether it ultimately leads to savings compared to store-bought alternatives.
The Rise of SodaStream and Its Appeal
SodaStream is an innovative product designed to carbonate water at home, allowing users to create sparkling water or flavored sodas without relying on store-bought beverages. What started as a novelty for fizzy drink enthusiasts has now gained mainstream appeal, particularly among those who want to reduce their environmental footprint or enjoy more control over the flavors and ingredients in their drinks.
At first glance, the promise of convenience, environmental friendliness, and customizable drinks sounds appealing. However, one of the most common reasons people consider buying a SodaStream is to save money. After all, constantly buying sparkling water and soda at the store can add up, especially for families or those who drink these beverages frequently.
Does SodaStream Save Money?
To answer that, we need to break down the initial and ongoing costs, compare them to traditional soda and sparkling water expenses, and look at potential long-term savings.
The Initial Investment: Buying the SodaStream
The first factor to consider when asking if SodaStream saves money is the cost of the machine itself. SodaStream offers a variety of models, ranging from basic versions that cost around $80 to more advanced models with more features priced upwards of $200. For most households, the more affordable models are sufficient, but even at the lower end, this represents a notable upfront cost.
However, unlike buying a pack of sparkling water at the store, the SodaStream machine is a one-time purchase. Once you’ve invested in the machine, you can continue to use it for years to come, assuming you replace CO2 canisters and care for it properly. So while the initial investment might seem steep, it could be offset by long-term savings.
But for the purpose of comparison, let’s assume an average SodaStream machine costs $100. That’s your starting point. From here, we can dive into the recurring costs associated with keeping your machine up and running.
Recurring Costs: CO2 Canisters and Flavor Syrups
To assess does SodaStream save money over time, we must consider the recurring costs, primarily CO2 refills and flavor syrups.
Each SodaStream CO2 canister is capable of carbonating approximately 60 liters of water. A new canister costs around $30, but refilling an empty canister generally costs between $15 and $20, depending on where you purchase the refill. This means that the ongoing cost for carbonation is roughly $0.25 per liter of sparkling water, assuming the refill costs $15 and yields 60 liters of water.
Now, if you’re only using your SodaStream to make sparkling water, your ongoing cost after the initial machine purchase is just the CO2 refill. However, if you enjoy flavored sodas, you’ll also need to purchase SodaStream’s flavor syrups, which typically cost around $5 per bottle. Each flavor syrup bottle can make about 9 liters of flavored soda, which adds approximately $0.55 per liter to your total.
Let’s compare that to the cost of buying sparkling water or soda at the store. A typical liter of store-bought sparkling water or soda costs anywhere from $0.80 to $2, depending on the brand and whether it’s on sale. This means that even with the added cost of flavor syrup, making soda with a SodaStream comes out cheaper per liter.
Environmental Impact: A Hidden Financial Benefit?
When considering does SodaStream save money, it’s important not to overlook the potential indirect savings related to environmental benefits. SodaStream promotes itself as an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing plastic bottles, and for good reason. According to estimates, using a SodaStream machine for one year can save the average household up to 550 plastic bottles or cans.
While this might not seem like a direct monetary saving, the environmental impact has financial implications. Reducing your plastic usage can help contribute to larger efforts aimed at cutting down on plastic production and waste management costs, which are eventually passed on to consumers through taxes and product prices.
Additionally, if your local area has bottle deposit fees or taxes on plastic waste, avoiding bottled drinks can result in tangible savings over time. For example, in regions with a $0.10 deposit fee per bottle, using a SodaStream could save you hundreds of dollars annually if you consume several bottles a week.
Long-Term Savings: A Detailed Look
Now that we’ve covered the initial and recurring costs, let’s answer the big question: does SodaStream save money over the long term? To fully assess this, we need to look at the cumulative cost of using a SodaStream over a period of time compared to buying sparkling water or soda at the store.
Let’s say you drink an average of 2 liters of sparkling water or soda every day, which adds up to around 730 liters per year. If you were buying store-bought soda at an average of $1.50 per liter, you would spend approximately $1,095 per year on drinks.
With a SodaStream, your initial investment is $100 for the machine. The ongoing cost per liter of sparkling water is $0.25 for CO2 refills, and for flavored soda, it’s about $0.80 per liter, including the cost of syrups. Over the course of a year, assuming you make half of your drinks as plain sparkling water and half as flavored soda, you’d spend around $401 on CO2 refills and syrups. This brings your total annual cost to $501 in the first year, including the machine, and $401 for subsequent years.
So, in the first year, you would save around $594, and after that, you would save nearly $700 annually by using SodaStream instead of buying store-bought soda or sparkling water. Over a period of several years, these savings can really add up.
Factors That Could Influence Your Savings
While it’s clear that SodaStream can lead to significant savings over time for frequent users, it’s important to recognize that several factors could influence your personal financial outcome. For example, if you only drink carbonated beverages occasionally, the savings might not be as substantial, and it could take longer to recoup the cost of the machine.
Additionally, SodaStream machines require proper maintenance to continue functioning effectively. If you encounter issues with the machine that require repairs or replacement, this could reduce the potential savings. However, most users report that their machines last for years with little to no issues.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that SodaStream frequently offers discounts and promotions, both on machines and CO2 canisters. Taking advantage of these offers can help lower your initial and ongoing costs even further.
Frequent Asked Questions
Here are some of the related questions people also ask:
Is SodaStream cheaper than buying sparkling water?
Yes, SodaStream can be cheaper in the long run. The cost of carbonating water with a SodaStream is about $0.25 per liter, while store-bought sparkling water can range from $0.80 to $2 per liter.
How long does a SodaStream CO2 canister last?
A SodaStream CO2 canister can carbonate around 60 liters of water before needing a refill, which can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on usage.
Are SodaStream flavor syrups worth it?
Yes, SodaStream flavor syrups can be cost-effective. At around $5 per bottle, each one makes approximately 9 liters of soda, adding about $0.55 per liter to the cost, which is still cheaper than most store-bought sodas.
Can I save money using SodaStream if I only drink occasionally?
Savings are less significant for occasional users. The upfront cost of the machine might take longer to recoup, but over time, you’ll still save compared to buying individual bottles of sparkling water or soda.
How much does it cost to refill a SodaStream CO2 canister?
Refilling a SodaStream CO2 canister typically costs between $15 and $20, depending on where you purchase the refill.
What are the environmental benefits of using SodaStream?
SodaStream can significantly reduce plastic waste. By using the machine, an average household can prevent the use of up to 550 plastic bottles per year, contributing to less environmental pollution.
How much can I save per year by using a SodaStream?
Frequent users of SodaStream can save anywhere from $500 to $700 per year, depending on the type and quantity of beverages they consume compared to store-bought options.
Does SodaStream taste as good as store-bought soda?
Many users find that SodaStream offers comparable taste to store-bought soda, especially with the variety of flavor syrups available. Additionally, you can control the strength of carbonation and sweetness to suit your preferences.
How do I know when to replace my SodaStream CO2 canister?
You’ll need to replace the CO2 canister when the water no longer carbonates properly or when the fizz becomes weak. Most SodaStream machines also have an indicator when the CO2 is running low.
The Bottom Line: Does SodaStream Save Money?
So, does SodaStream save money? The answer, for most people, is yes. While there is an upfront cost for the machine and ongoing costs for CO2 refills and flavor syrups, the long-term savings compared to purchasing store-bought sparkling water or soda can be substantial, especially for those who consume these beverages regularly.
In the first year alone, frequent sparkling water or soda drinkers can save hundreds of dollars by switching to SodaStream, and those savings continue to grow each year thereafter. Moreover, the environmental benefits of reducing plastic waste offer additional indirect financial advantages, particularly in areas where bottle deposit fees or taxes are in place.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that individual results may vary. The amount you save will depend on how frequently you use the machine, what types of beverages you make, and how diligent you are about maintaining your SodaStream. For those who drink carbonated beverages occasionally, the savings might not be as dramatic, but for frequent users, the benefits of owning a SodaStream go beyond just convenience—they can lead to significant financial savings over time.
Ultimately, if you’re a regular consumer of sparkling water or soda, investing in a SodaStream is likely to be a wise financial choice. The ability to create your own drinks at home not only offers convenience and customization but also allows you to enjoy your favorite fizzy beverages at a fraction of the cost of store-bought alternatives.