PHILIPS ADD4901GRO/37 Sparkling Water Maker Soda Maker Soda Streaming Machine for Carbonating with 1L Carbonating Bottle, Seltzer Fizzy Water Maker, Compatible with 60L CO2 Carbonator(NOT Included)

I owned a Sodastream, and I can't tell the difference between that model and the Phillips brand of carbonator. They both do the job equally well. I'm thrilled that I saved myself all the money it would have taken to get a Sodastream. I have used the Phillips for two weeks...which means I can't comment on its longevity. It could break right after I write this review. (If it does, I'll update the review.)Both units are very simple. Screw in the CO2 cannister and push the oversized button to carbonate the water. I don't use sweetener. I like plain H2O.If you're new to this product, you might be wondering how long the CO2 cannister lasts (I don’t think the type of carbonation machine you purchase, whether Sodastream or Phillips, makes a difference). After all, you want to save money on eight-packs of Bubly, right? Overall, you will save money. . .except you'll drink more water, which might end up being more expensive. Still, as far as dollars to product, this method is less expensive (once you surpass the initial cost of the machine and cannisters). Again, I save money because I do NOT buy flavors.Based on my body weight, I need to drink about a gallon of water per day. (If you're interested in improving your health, divide your body weight in half and drink that many ounces per day.) That means I need to drink 128 ounces or so. Four Phillips bottles of carbonated water allow me to meet and exceed that goal by about four ounces. Each bottle is one liter. (1 liter = 33.814 ounces).Over these last two weeks, I ended up drinking three or four bottles of soda water per day. I pumped the oversized button three or four times per bottle. The problem is you have to pump more as the CO2 cannister nears empty (at the end, it was five or seven times). On the thirteenth day, I couldn't get any fizz worth enjoying, so I figure I got twelve days of use out of a single cannister. Those last few days produced mediocre carbonation, hardly worth drinking. Once the carbonation is gone, the water tastes unpleasant to me.I just replaced the cannister at Walmart for $18 after tax. That means I spent $1.50 per day on my habit (18 dollars / 12 days = 1.5).Previously, I would purchase Bubly brand eight-packs. That came to about $4.75 after tax, each, or $0.60 per can. I would need to drink 11 cans per day to match four Phillips bottles. That’s about $6.60 per day—as opposed to $1.50 per day making my own fizzy water. I’ve saved roughly five dollars per day.THE HIDDEN CATCH: I didn’t usually drink Bubly every day. Carbonated water was a treat that cost me about $25 per month. But now that I can make my own treat whenever I want, I am looking at about $45 per month refilling those cannisters.THE HIDDEN BENEFIT: I am more likely to meet my healthful water-drinking goal if the water is carbonated. It makes me feel like I’m being naughty, so I drink more.So, look, if you are a soda hound, making your own fizz is the way to go. But do the math, because it may or may not save you money.====Update.For those of you who are like me: canned soda, whether just water or cola, is only good for a few minutes after you pop the top. I rarely finish a Coca-cola unless I drink it right away. It's the same for Sodastream and Phillips. The carbonation is just begging to escape the bottle. Therefore, I marathon drink my fizzy water, because if I wait, the beverage will lose its "oomph" and I'll dump it out, wasting CO2.That might not be you, but do consider that you might be speed-drinking these 1-liter (33 ounce) bottles just to keep up with the C02 loss. It's less to lose if you're drinking a twelve-ounce can of soda. Something to consider.

This is my second time buying this. We use it so much, we bought it on vacation with us, and our host loved it, so we left it for them. This is easy to use and really does a great job. We used to run out of cans of club soda, but now we are all set. This is a great value product.

UPDATE:The company saw my review and sent me a complimentary unit OVERNIGHT because the one I got was defective. They wanted to make it right. They made it right. I’m impressed and happy to have a free unit. If yours sucks get a replacement. These units are simple, made of plastic and can easily not work well. I also like that the bottle is bigger.OLD REVIEW:This will spritzer water, but it’s not a great seal and waste s a lot of CO2 and the water won’t be fizzle at all. Just flat. Not good. I got this to replace a sodastream that lost the ability to seal. This one has good reviews but for me it’s about 50% as good as the soda stream I would try another. I actually should send it back but I just don’t use it enough to make it worth it.

Sodastream has some kind of bearing on the end of the carbonation spout, this product does not have a bearing or valve to prevent backflow --It is just a straw (pictured at the bottom). This allows for the machine under certain conditions to act as a siphon and suck water from the bottle back into the machine which explains how it ends up pooling into the base and leaking all over the counter.The plus: 1. Standard Sodastream bottles and 60L CO2 tanks fit.2. it looks cute.That is it. This machine is terrible at carbonation. The end product was still rather flat and devoid of bubbles. Waste of time and money. During correct operation, the water easily overflows and backfeeds through the C02 spout and drips out of the bottom of the machine all over the counter (bottle on correctly, fill line correct, etc.) Unlike a SodaStream there is no way to release pressure from the bottle before unscrewing. You just have to hope that it depressurizes before you try -- which is a waiting game.The channel that the 60L carbonation bottle fits into is very narrow, you have to pick up the whole machine and hold it upside down or sideways while trying to insert the bottle. It is a tight squeeze and the design doesn't give you visible access to the socket where the C02 bottle screws into. If there is ever an issue, you will not be able to inspect or troubleshoot the connection of the C02 tank as it is completely hidden from view.Screwing the bottle on is difficult, it does not tilt toward you. You have to hold the bottle upright, try to push it up into the receptacle and turn the bottle to screw it in at the same time. Pushing upward and turning hand-over-hand clockwise is more difficult than it sounds. I am very adept but found this to be clunky and not easy to do. It was a hindrance to be honest.Instead of misty spray type carbonation stream I am used to, this machine injects huge air bubbles that shoot straight into the bottle, which makes it easy to overflow and doesn't give great carbonation.I compared this machine side by side performance-wise with a Soda Stream Jet Fountain, which is an entry level machine that is no longer in production. This Phillips brand maker was a huge disappointment in all areas. I do not recommend this, especially if your only experience is with the SodaStream. You might hate it as much I do.

I don’t know why some reviewers had problems—this Philips sparkling water maker does exactly what it’s supposed to. It’s super easy to set up: fill the bottle, attach it, press the button, and you get crisp, fizzy water every time.The bottle locks in place securely and there are no leaks or pressure issues. Cleanup is just as simple, and the stainless‑steel parts looks great on my countertop.If you want a reliable, no‑frills way to make sparkling water at home, this is it.

Yes, worth it. Love this thing.