Is SodaStream Cost Effective? We Did the Math for You

Like many individuals, I’m obsessive about glowing water. What was an habit to Weight-reduction plan Coke modified after I began making more healthy selections and found the deliciousness that’s LaCroix.

Earlier than I knew it, I used to be going by way of two to a few cans per day. Sadly, my pockets was feeling the pressure.

I shopped round to search out the very best offers, and finally bought a SodaStream to see if it might be a less expensive and extra environment friendly approach to feed my habit. Right here’s what I came upon.

The Value of SodaStream

If a canister lasts me three weeks, meaning I’m changing them about 18 instances per yr if I constantly drink a big amount of glowing water. That’s a complete annual value of $270 for the canisters, plus the preliminary value of $99.99 plus tax. Whole annual value: About $370.

Essentially the most fundamental SodaStream mannequin prices $99.99 from Goal (as of July 2022), although you could be fortunate sufficient to search out one on sale. It comes with a full CO2 canister and a plastic carbonating bottle. (You will get a greater mannequin with a one-touch button for $129.99, however the additional value wasn’t value it to me.) With the mannequin I selected, I’ve to push down on a button a number of instances relying on the extent of fizziness you need to obtain. (That’d be 5 for me as a result of I really like fizz.)

The price of the water was negligible as a result of I faucet water that I already pay for in my metropolis utilities invoice.

The CO2 canister lasted me about three weeks with pretty continuous use. After that, I took the empty canister again to Goal’s Visitor Providers and exchanged it for a full one. Doing this protects you cash — as much as 50%, in response to Goal. Once I traded mine in, I paid $15 for a brand new canister crammed with CO2; shopping for a full canister with out one to commerce in prices $29.99.

Is SodaStream Cheaper Than Shopping for Cans?

Briefly, sure it’s cheaper although and it will depend on how a lot bubbly water you drink. If your loved ones goes by way of 120 to 140 cans a month, you would simply save greater than $500 a yr by utilizing SodaStream. And that’s even if you happen to purchase the seltzer water at a reduction warehouse like Costco.

As a reasonably thrifty particular person, I’ve by no means been the kind to purchase full-price cans of identify model glowing water from the grocery retailer. Reasonably, I used my Costco membership to my benefit to check out the totally different glowing waters they promote and see which one affords the very best style for the very best value.

A case of 24 cans of lime-flavored LaCroix prices $12.69 at my native Costco. Let’s say my husband and I get by way of 5 or 6 circumstances per thirty days (round 120 to 144 cans; yikes!). Which means we’re spending $63 to $76 per thirty days, or $756 to $912 per yr.

LaCroix isn’t the one alternative on the market. One other model I buy very often is bubly, which sells for round $4.50 for a pack of eight at my native Kroger. If we get by way of 120 to 144 cans every month, that may value us $67.50 to $81 per thirty days, or $810 to $972 per yr. It’s value noting that I can typically discover bubly model glowing water on sale at Kroger, which might lower these prices if I fill up throughout gross sales.

• Whole annual value for LaCroix: $756 to $912
• Whole annual value for bubly: $810 to $972

Different Concerns

General, utilizing a tool like SodaStream can prevent cash on glowing water if you happen to drink sufficient. If you may make your SodaStream final a number of years, you’ll solely pay for the canisters, which reduces your value to $270 per yr — over $500  lower than a yr’s provide of LaCroix glowing water.

The opposite good thing about switching to SodaStream is that you simply’re producing much less waste thus decreasing air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels. 4 circumstances of LaCroix glowing water produces 96 cans by itself which might be despatched to landfills or perhaps recycled.

And whereas aluminum is a a lot better possibility than plastic in the case of recycling, it’s nonetheless waste you wouldn’t produce if you happen to used a SodaStream.

If area is a priority in your house and also you don’t need to have a number of cans hanging out in your recycling bin till trash day, a SodaStream might be a very good possibility. Simply be sure to have the counter area in your kitchen because it’ll be out on show always if you happen to’re utilizing it constantly.

Professionals and Cons of a SodaStream

Making the Selection

For me, it got here right down to comfort. As a full-time working mom of two younger and extremely energetic children, I discovered it arduous to have the ability to substitute my CO2 canister proper after it ran out, and would find yourself ready a couple of days or perhaps a week earlier than I had time to get to Goal for a substitute.

I’d, due to this fact, fill up on cans of glowing water to tide me over till I might make the Goal run and use my SodaStream once more. I discovered myself utilizing it much less and fewer, and it will definitely made its approach into the basement in favor of pre-carbonated cans of water.

If in case you have the counter area for a SodaStream and might get organized sufficient to refill your canisters in a well timed method, SodaStream is an effective possibility to assist get monetary savings on glowing water.

However if you happen to’re an informal soda or glowing water drinker and don’t get by way of as a lot as my family does, it may be less expensive to stay to purchasing cans of your favourite beverage and go away your counter tops free for different enjoyable kitchen devices, like that air fryer you’ve been eyeing.

Ohio-based contributor Catherine Hiles writes about finance, automobiles, pet possession and parenting for The Penny Hoarder