Drinkmate makes home carbonation gear for people who want more than another glass of sparkling water. The interesting part is the brand’s broader claim: its machines are designed to carbonate water, juice, wine, cocktails and even flat soda or beer. I reviewed the current US range, compared the published specifications and prices, and looked for the practical catches that product pages sometimes bury. The result is a lineup with a genuinely useful point of difference, but not every model is equally sensible for every kitchen.
This is an independent research-and-review piece, not a promise that every drink will be equally easy to fizz. Your liquid, temperature and technique matter. Still, the range makes a strong case if you want control over ingredients and serving size. Here is the short version: Drinkmate is most compelling for adventurous home mixers, while a basic water-only machine may be simpler for sparkling-water purists.
What Drinkmate Actually Does Well
The core system uses a removable Fizz Infuser rather than asking you to carbonate directly through a permanently fixed nozzle. That design is central to the experience. It lets you add carbonation to liquids beyond plain water, then release pressure in a controlled way. The brand also says its core machines need no electricity or batteries, which keeps the counter footprint and setup pleasantly uncomplicated. The Drinkmate carbonator range makes that mechanism the main reason to look beyond a standard soda maker.
- Carbonate water, juice, wine, cocktails and some flat beverages.
- Use reusable bottles instead of buying every drink in a single-use bottle.
- Choose a countertop, portable or stainless-steel format.
- Adjust the fizz level to suit the drink and the occasion.
Those are meaningful advantages, but they are not magic. Sugary or pulpy liquids can be messier than chilled water, and the infuser and cap need proper cleaning. The flexibility is real, yet it asks for a little more attention than a one-button water-only routine. I would call the tradeoff more creative control for more cleanup discipline. If that sounds like your kind of ritual, see the current Drinkmate options before choosing a format.
Three Products Worth Comparing
For a first purchase, the OmniFizz Starter Kit – Sparkling Water and Soda Maker with 60L CO2 Cylinder is the cleanest starting point. It is listed at $129.99 and includes the machine, bottle and one 60L cylinder. That bundle is easy to understand: enough to start, without forcing you to buy a large refill stock before you know how often you will use it. You can check the Starter Kit details against your expected serving frequency.
The OmniFizz Plus Kit – Sparkling Water and Soda Maker with Three 60L CO2 Cylinders costs $174.99. On paper, that extra cylinder capacity is the better value for a household that already knows it wants frequent carbonation. My caution is simple: the upfront saving only matters if you actually use the refills. For occasional users, the starter’s lower commitment is the more honest buy. The three-cylinder bundle listing is worth checking if you entertain often.
- Best all-round entry: OmniFizz Starter Kit for straightforward home use.
- Best stock-up bundle: OmniFizz Plus Kit for regular drink makers.
- Best compact companion: instaFizz for smaller servings and portable use.
- Best for outdoor plans: Spritzer when counter space is not the priority.
For a different format, the instaFizz Stainless Steel Carbonation Bottle Bundle with 10x 8g CO2 Cartridges and Silicone Sleeve is listed at $29.99. It is a bottle-and-cartridge bundle rather than a full countertop soda maker, so expectations matter. It looks suited to personal portions, travel and trying the ecosystem without spending over one hundred dollars. The smaller cartridges also mean a different refill rhythm than the 60L-cylinder machines. Read the instaFizz bundle details if compact use is your priority.
Where the Range Fits in Daily Life
The Spritzer Portable Sparkling Water & Soda Maker with Two 10L (3 oz) CO2 Cylinders is priced at $79.99 and is the obvious portability play. Two smaller cylinders should be easier to pack into a routine built around picnics, camping or occasional travel than a full-size tank. I would not choose it for a busy family kitchen first, but it makes sense when portability is the feature you will use every week. The portable model page clarifies the included cylinder format.
For a more premium counter presence, the LUX Stainless Steel Carbonator with a 0.7L stainless steel bottle is listed at $274.99 before CO2. The product page highlights a dual-wall insulated, dishwasher-safe bottle, a compact footprint of 9.5 by 5.3 by 16 inches, and the same no-electricity operation. The infuser and cap should be hand-washed to protect the seal. That is a substantial premium, so the LUX is a style, durability and insulation choice rather than the budget recommendation. The full collection shows the alternate LUX bundle with a cylinder.
- For a couple or solo user: start with OmniFizz or instaFizz.
- For frequent entertaining: consider a multi-cylinder OmniFizz bundle.
- For outdoor use: the Spritzer has the clearest rationale.
- For a polished kitchen: LUX brings stainless steel and insulation.
Drinkmate also sells supporting pieces that make the routine less disposable. The one-liter stainless steel bottle is listed at $47.99, while the PET Bottle Bag is listed at $5.99 and is designed to fit a one-liter PET bottle. These are not glamorous upgrades, but they address the two annoyances people discover after the machine purchase: keeping drinks cold and having a spare bottle ready. I would browse the bottle and accessory selection after deciding on the machine.
The Pros and Cons After Comparing the Specs
- Pro: the ability to carbonate more than water is a genuine differentiator.
- Pro: the machines are cordless and simple to place on a counter.
- Pro: the range covers starter bundles, refills, bottles and portable formats.
- Con: non-water drinks can require more careful handling and cleaning.
- Con: CO2 is not included with every machine, so the headline price can be incomplete.
- Con: the premium LUX pricing is hard to justify if appearance and insulation are not priorities.
One more practical point: the published listings are not perfectly uniform. Some bundles show a cylinder, while the LUX listing without CO2 explicitly does not. Shipping restrictions can also apply to products containing CO2. Before checkout, confirm what is in the selected bundle, whether your address is eligible and what replacement format you want later. That small check prevents the most avoidable disappointment.
My Verdict
Drinkmate earns a qualified recommendation. Its strongest idea is not simply making bubbles; it is making carbonation more versatile. If you like spritzes, juice-based drinks, homemade soda or experimenting with cocktail ingredients, the removable infuser and broad beverage claim give the brand a reason to exist. The OmniFizz Starter Kit at $129.99 is the sensible entry point, and the Plus Kit becomes attractive for genuinely frequent use.
I would skip the LUX unless stainless steel, insulation and a more premium build are worth the extra spend to you. I would choose instaFizz or Spritzer when portability or personal servings are the main story. In other words, buy the format that matches your routine, not the biggest bundle. That is the evidence-led conclusion from the current range and its published specifications.
Does Drinkmate carbonate drinks besides water?
Yes. Drinkmate specifically positions its machines for juice, wine, cocktails, flat soda and beer as well as water. Start with cold liquids, use the Fizz Infuser as directed and expect messier drinks to need more care.
Which Drinkmate is best for a first-time buyer?
The OmniFizz Starter Kit is the clearest first step because it includes a machine, bottle and 60L CO2 cylinder at a published $129.99. The Plus Kit is better only if you already expect high use.
Are the bottles and infuser dishwasher safe?
The LUX listing says its stainless steel bottle is dishwasher safe, but advises hand-washing the Fizz Infuser and cap to protect the seal. Check the care instructions for the exact bottle you select.