There are tons of great reasons for buying a SodaStream machine: convenience, better taste (subjective but seems to be the case for almost everyone), environmental benefit, etc. However, it is not always true that you can save money by switching to a soda maker. To understand the true price of SodaStream machines here’s a list of the top elements to consider and a handy calculator to see just how much you would save/lose.

1. The Price of the SodaStream Machine

To get started, you’ll obviously need the SodaStream machine itself. These range from $75 for the lower end models to $300 for the more advanced ones with better construction. Luckily these will be usually be one time purchases (at least for the near future) but it is still advisable to opt for the more durable models (such as the SodaStream Genesis which comes with a 10 year warranty for $90 or the KitchenAid SodaStream with fantastic construction for $250) if you want to get the most bang for your buck.

2. The Price of the Refills

Unfortunately, refilling the carbonators that provide the carbonation isn’t free. The two variants offered by SodaStream are the 60L and 130L carbonators which cost $15 and $30 respectively to refill at participating locations. The 130L variant is roughly 10% cheaper but isn’t available at all locations/isn’t compatible with all SodaStream machines so you should definitely consider that as well when choosing a machine. Luckily, it is possible to used DIY refill methods to bring down the cost by up to an order of magnitude.

3. The Price of the Flavor

Ideally, you don’t need extra flavoring and just sparkling water is enough. However, if you’re like me, you probably prefer some flavor additive to make the water more exciting. Depending on what you’re using, you could end up spending more on the flavor than on the water, especially if you’re using SodaStream’s own flavor syrups. There are also cheaper alternatives but the cost still needs to be considered especially if you’re alternative to the soda machine is just buying soda straight up.

4. Your Usage

Most importantly, you need to ask yourself how much soda/sparkling water you actually drink. If you drink carbonated beverages sparingly, it’ll almost never be worth it to buy a SodaStream machine. On the other hand, if you drink lots of sparkling water and you use DIY refill methods, you could see yourself saving hundreds of dollars per year.

With these elements in mind, give the calculator below a shot to see if getting a SodaStream is worth the price for you.