ICO Soda Siphon, Sparkling Water Maker, Soda Maker, Carbonated Water Machine for Fresh Soda Water, Cocktails, Hard Seltzers, Uses 8g C02 cartridges (Not Included), 1L/1 Pint

Update: After leaving the original review below, I felt weird about sticking to some of these habits without really experimenting enough. I've since tried doing it with a full liter, and tbh it works just as well as 750ml does. I'm also pleased to report that if I loosen the valve control knob (on top) when I include the straw, then I can use the dispenser mechanism more gently with a light squeeze instead of having it blast out, which prevents it from losing carbonation and also allows it to dispense about 90% of the contents before losing pressure. This is convenient, and gives a satisfying experience with using it as intended. Finally, I've pushed the timing, and even there it only seems to take 2 or 3 minutes to be ready instead of the 5-10 i said below :)--Original Review:I had a bit of a wait for the manufacturer to fulfill it at the time I ordered, but what I got is better than what I was expecting. While I'm not big on the blue and white scheme of the top I got, the headset is thick cast aluminum construction, which looks and feels impressively sturdy and solid, way better than any of the pictures, so I'm not going to complain about cosmetics (which I might like to customize anyway).It's still working quite well after going through a few boxes of chargers, as long as I mind the important variables. Everyone ought to know by now to make sure everything's cold. What wasn't so clear to me was the timing, which I found can make or break the process. So, after charging, I vigorously shake it in the most "splashy" sounding way i can (horizontal, top aimed away, rapidly moving it almost along its length) for a full timed minute, then set it down to rest for more like 5min+ before I unscrew the charger cap. If I do that too soon, the over-pressure valve will release gas. Including that first rest, it's better to wait more like 10min+ before actually serving it to make the most fizz.I also use only 750ml of water (that's the size of a bottle i keep pre-chilled), which gives me a satisfying amount of fizz with only one charger. And I leave out the straw, since dispensing it as designed seems to flatten it out a good bit. Instead, without the straw in there, squeezing the lever will just release the pressure, then I uncap the bottle to pour it into my glass. This gives me about as much fizz as I get from pouring a can into a glass.I was also sad to find that adding flavor before carbonating seemed to substantially hamper the results for both, and have embraced a flavor-by-the-glass philosophy instead.Overall, observing all the finicky protocol, it does work well, for a relatively lower startup cost than other options. It's also a lot more potentially mobile (though it's kinda bigger than it looked lol) than most carbonation systems. I do like it and plan to continue using it, but to be honest, it's not gonna give me as much seltzer per dollar as a system with a tank, and I'm not sure if one can be adapted to this. The cost of the chargers isn't ideal, nor is the growing collection of heavy little steel cylinders. They're more compact than bottles, but they still add up similarly. I wonder about how they're recycled, and the energy use embodied in them... I do still aim to avoid that somehow, eventually.In the end, if I had the luxury of eating the much higher startup cost, I'd rather have a little home kegging setup, which is probably the most economical and ecological option in the long-term. But this is a nice little accessible unit of unexpectedly good quality, which just might hold up to holding me over in the meantime.

This seltzer bottle has given me trouble from the moment I bought it and I should have returned it the minute I filled it for the first time.The issues I have with it, is that it leaks CO2 when you charge the bottle, it leaks water from the nozzle after it's charged and it leaks where the bottle and siphon connect.If you're looking for a leaky seltzer bottle, this one's for you.

It seems that the only complaints problem have left are that after one year or a year and a few months, the item may perform less well...or with some leakage. In my opinion (and I took my own advice after reading this main complaint), I went ahead and bought TWO units right away, because at this price, it's simple enough to have a spare. Problem solved. Item takes up no space, easy to use, and works great.I had planned to get a soda stream but the large gas cartridge seemed expensive and more difficult to purchase and replace than the standard (and handier) 8oz cartridges. Also this unit is smaller and handier. So, after considering the soda stream, I remembered my uncle used an item like this one when I was a kid.Summary: Very satisfied and brings back nice memories. ✌️😊

I've used the Soda Siphon 30 times. Twice in the last week when I activated the lever to dispense the seltzer I got a blast of gas and water all over my kitchen. What I found is that the straw that is supposed to deliver the seltzer had been blown out of the gasket at the top of the unit, most likely when I charged it with the CO2 cartridge It is a loose press fit and apparently does not always stay in place when charging the Soda Siphon. Now I don't trust it. I'm outside the 30 return window, so I guess I'm stuck with a device that may or may not work and wastes CO2 cartridges.Update: Excellent customer service and with their help I'm now having more reliable results. Key is to measure your water to insure there is no more than 1L in the soda siphon. I still get an occasional problem, but that may be the CO2 cartridge and not the soda siphon, so overall it's 4 stars.

I bought this and also a fancy soda maker (like a soda stream). I ended up returning the fancy machine and keeping this one. It’s so nice to have sparkling water whenever I want.

The bottle is quite sturdy but the top looks quite flimsy. The CO2 from the cartridge fired back on first use. The water came out and spilled all over the counter top and then nothing,Looks like it is going to be difficult using this product.

It worked fine for the first month, then after awhile it works sometimes & not others. I purchased lots of co2 cartridges so I guess I will look for a different brand, try my luck elsewhere. however if you were to send me a replacement & it worked I would probably rereview.