Soda Carbonators Explained: 3 Types Compared (Pros and Cons)

Carbonator Meaning: What Is a Carbonator?

How Does a Carbonator Work?

A soda carbonator does one job. It puts CO2 gas into water under pressure. The gas stays in the water until you open the bottle. Then it comes out as bubbles. That is the fizz.

The rule behind it is called Henry's law. William Henry wrote about it in 1803 (Henry's law, Wikipedia). It says that more gas pressure above the water puts more gas into the water. So more pressure means more fizz. Every carbonator works this way, from a small capsule bottle to a big countertop machine.

Cold water matters as much as pressure. At 1 atmosphere of CO2, water at 4°C holds 2.87 grams of CO2 per litre. Water at 25°C holds only 1.45 grams per litre, about half as much. Water at 30°C, a warm Indian kitchen, holds 1.26 grams per litre (CO2 solubility table, CRC Handbook data). This is why the iSi, SodaStream and InstaCuppa instructions all say to use cold water.

The maker of the iSi soda siphon says it plainly in its manual: “The colder the water, the more CO2 it can absorb.” (iSi Soda Siphon instructions) We will come back to this when we look at weak fizz.

Our guide on how to make soda at home shows these devices in action. This article goes deeper. It compares the three main types, what goes wrong with each, and which one fits your life.

What Are the 3 Types of Soda Carbonator?

There are three types of home soda carbonator: the portable capsule carbonator, the countertop cylinder carbonator and the soda siphon. All three use CO2 gas. They differ in where the gas comes from, what it costs and how easy they are to carry.

Type 1: Portable Capsule Carbonators

A portable carbonator is a bottle with a special cap. It uses small single-use CO2 capsules. In the InstaCuppa model, each capsule holds 8 grams of food-grade CO2 and makes 1 litre of soda water. You fill the bottle with cold water, put a capsule in the cap and press. The water is fizzy in about 30 seconds. It needs no power, no counter space and no plumbing.

I use a portable capsule carbonator at my desk. It is how I make Jaljeera soda at lunch and sparkling water at work. It is light and fits in a travel bag.

Type 2: Countertop Carbonators (Cylinder-Based)

A countertop carbonator sits on your kitchen counter. It uses a big refillable CO2 cylinder. You press a button or a lever to add gas. SodaStream is the best-known brand. DrinkMate and Aarke make them too.

One SodaStream 60 L cylinder makes up to 60 litres of sparkling water. The real number depends on how much fizz you like (SodaStream quick start guide). So the gas cost per litre is the lowest of the three types, if you can swap cylinders near you. Some electric models, like the SodaStream Spirit One Touch, come with a power adapter. India runs on 230 V mains power (mains electricity by country), so check the adapter rating.

Type 3: Soda Siphon with CO2 Chargers

A soda siphon is a metal or glass bottle with a lever on top. You fill it with cold water and screw on the head. Then you add one CO2 charger and shake. The lever pours out soda water when you want it.

An iSi soda charger holds 8 grams of pure CO2 (iSi soda chargers). The iSi 1 litre siphon takes one charger per fill, never more. Soda chargers look like whipped cream chargers, but they are not the same. Cream chargers hold N2O (nitrous oxide), not CO2. Never use one for soda. One more note: iSi is a brand name. It is not the Indian ISI quality mark.

Storage tip: Keep CO2 capsules in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and below 50°C. That is the storage advice on our capsule pack page.

What Are Common Soda Carbonator Problems (and Fixes)?

Most soda carbonator problems fall into five groups: weak fizz, hard-to-find refills, a plastic taste, foam overflow and cleaning. Each one has a simple fix.

I hear from customers about these issues often. Here is what to do for each one.

1. Weak Fizz

Weak fizz is the most common complaint with every type of carbonator. The usual cause is warm water. Water at 25°C holds about half the CO2 that water at 4°C holds. The iSi manual lists warm water and too little shaking as two main causes of flat siphon soda.

Fix: Keep your water in the fridge for at least 2 hours before you carbonate. In a rush, add 3 to 4 ice cubes and wait 5 minutes. Then serve soon. Read more in our guide on why homemade soda goes flat fast.

2. Capsule and Cylinder Supply in India

Refills are the big question in India. SodaStream's own country menu does not list India (checked 13 October 2026). So 60 L cylinder swaps depend on local sellers. Siphon chargers are sold online. Portable capsules depend on the brand. InstaCuppa capsules fit only the InstaCuppa Portable Soda Maker. Both were sold out on our store on 13 October 2026.

Fix: Before you buy any carbonator, check that refills reach your city. Our CO2 refill guide for India covers costs and options. Our capsule pack page says sealed capsules last for years when kept cool and dry.

3. Plastic Taste or Smell

A new plastic bottle can give a faint plastic taste for the first few uses. The taste often fades after a few washes.

Fix: Before first use, fill the bottle with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 500 ml of warm water. Leave it overnight. Rinse well, then do it once more. Do not use hot water. SodaStream says its plastic bottles must not go above 50°C. If the taste stays after 5 uses, try a glass or steel bottle, if your carbonator takes one.

4. Too Much Fizz and Foam Overflow

Foam overflow happens when you add too much gas or open the bottle too fast. Adding anything other than plain water makes it worse. The result is a fizz-over that wastes soda and makes a mess.

Fix: Use one capsule per litre, or the lowest fizz button. iSi says never use more chargers than it specifies. Open the cap slowly: a quarter turn, a pause, then open fully. Carbonate plain water only. SodaStream warns that other liquids can clog the machine and cause too much pressure, bottle failure and serious injury. See can you carbonate juice in a soda maker.

5. Cleaning and Care

Each type needs different care. iSi says to clean its siphon by hand with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. It is not dishwasher safe. SodaStream bottles carry an expiry date near the bottom, and you should not use them after it. A portable capsule bottle is the easiest. You wash it like a water bottle and wipe the cap.

Fix: Rinse after every use and dry it upside down. Use a soft bottle brush, not a scrub pad. Replace a siphon gasket if it is damaged. Our soda maker cleaning guide shows each step. For running costs, see our running cost breakdown.

Which Carbonator Is Right for You?

Pick by how much soda you drink and where you drink it. For 1 to 2 glasses a day, or for travel, a portable capsule carbonator fits best. For a family drinking 2 or more litres a day, a countertop cylinder machine costs less per litre, if cylinder swaps reach your city.

Here is my honest pick for each situation, based on how you use a carbonator.

My own setup: I keep a portable capsule carbonator at my desk for daily use and quick mocktails. When guests come, I use the siphon at the table. For most readers who want to start small, a portable unit is the most practical first step.

Power needs: Capsule carbonators and soda siphons need no electricity. Some countertop machines use a power adapter. India's mains supply is 230 V, so check the adapter rating before you plug it in.

Products Mentioned in This Article

Below are the two InstaCuppa products named in this article: the InstaCuppa Portable Soda Maker (Rs 2,199, with 10 capsules and 2 lids) and Soda Capsule Refills (packs of 10, 20 and 30). Both were sold out on our store on 13 October 2026. Our sources and references are listed after the product cards.

InstaCuppa Portable Soda Maker

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Soda Capsule Refills (Pack of 30)

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Saran Reddy

Founder, InstaCuppa | Building kitchen tools that give busy Indian families their time back