Bye-Bye, Canned Seltzer: This Gorgeous Kitchen Gadget Is Saving Me So Much Money

At-home carbonators have come a long way since the first models began gracing our countertops in the ’90s and early 2000s. (SodaStream actually introduced the first carbonator for mainstream home use in 1955, which shocked me!) Once almost universally loud, bulky, and garish, countertop carbonators have gotten a major glow-up in recent years, and now there are a handful of design-forward models on the market at a variety of price points. 

For anyone who, like me, is never far from a can of Polar seltzer, a countertop carbonator is a smart investment — even at the higher end. Depending on where you buy it and how much you buy at a time, a single can of soda water can cost anywhere from 40 cents to 75 cents for 12 ounces, whereas it costs about 10 cents to carbonate the same amount of water at home. Plus, you avoid the waste of aluminum cans or plastic bottles.

I can’t say no to a good deal, and I love the idea of producing less waste, so I decided to give the Aarke Carbonator 3 a try.

The Aarke Carbonator 3 is a stainless steel countertop water carbonator designed in Sweden. It is available in five colorways, including a classic stainless steel as well as matte black and copper. It is designed for longevity, made from premium materials that will hold up and continue to look beautiful over time. It uses a standard 60-liter CO2 cylinder and includes a 1-liter, BPA-free plastic (PET) water bottle for carbonating water. The Carbonator 3 is only intended for carbonating plain water.

Anyone who has a daily fizzy water habit will appreciate the sleek, easy-to-use Aarke Carbonator 3. The timeless, unfussy design looks great on the countertop, where it takes up pretty minimal space. The device is easy to set up — just insert the CO2 canister, and you’re ready to get started. Carbonating water is a similarly straightforward process — fill the included 1-liter bottle with water up to the fill line, attach it to the socket, and push down the lever up to three times for maximum carbonation or fewer for a more subtle bubble.

I used the Aarke Carbonator 3 for all of my seltzer needs for one month. This allowed me to get a good feel for how the machine works over time. During that month, I carbonated a liter of water about every other day, keeping the bottle in the fridge in between carbonating. 

After carbonating my first liter of water, I felt confident that I had mastered the Aarke 3, so subsequent uses were extremely easy. I even taught my 8-year-old how to use it, and she did so without any issues. In between carbonating, I washed the 1-liter bottle by hand and let it air dry. I really didn’t need to clean the carbonator at all, but I did wipe it down any time I wiped down the counter around it.

The Aarke Carbonator 3 works exactly as described. After installing a standard CO2 canister, which slides in and then screws to connect to the device from the bottom, I filled the included water bottle up to the fill line. Then I screwed it into the socket — not too tight — and pulled the lever on the right side of the machine. The instructions indicate that you can pull the lever up to three times, depending on how much effervescence you want. I like my bubble water very fizzy, so I always pull the lever three times.

I kept the carbonated water in the fridge, where it stayed sufficiently bubbly for up to two days. When I finished a bottle, I washed it out by hand and let it air dry before starting the process again.

Anyone who is devoted to bubble water but wants to avoid the cost and waste associated with buying bottles or cans would be a great candidate for the Aarke Carbonator 3. This is a design-forward model, so it’s a great choice for folks who want to keep their carbonator on the counter at all times. It’s also a good buy for fizzy water lovers who want to control the level of carbonation.

Yes, you can currently get 20% off on sparkling water makers and water filter pitchers through the official Aarke Summer Sale. This discount includes the Carbonator 3. You can also sign up for Aarke’s newsletter to find out about future discounts and promos.

If a design-forward, countertop carbonator is on your wish list, then the Aarke Carbonator 3 may be worth the investment. At $250, it is one of the more expensive carbonators on the market, similar to models by Breville and SMEG. 

Aarke really emphasizes that it is more aesthetically pleasing than what it describes as ‘bulky, plastic’ carbonators; however, quite a few of the less expensive brands are beginning to mimic the sleeker design, so it would be worthwhile to take a look at the options that are currently on the market to determine the sweet spot of design, performance, and price point. Furthermore, if you are interested in a machine that can carbonate more than plain water, you’ll need to find another brand. If the Aarke Carbonator 3 fits your needs, keep a lookout for sales.