Are you wondering how much you can save with SodaStream? We calculate whether home carbonation of drinks is actually a profitable solution. Does SodaStream really pay for itself? Our calculations may surprise you…
How much can you save on SodaStream?
SodaStream has gained popularity as a way to make soda at home, promising savings and convenience. Influencers tempt with an ecological approach and reducing plastic consumption, but is it really a profitable investment? We decided to check it out and look at all the costs – from purchasing the device, through replacing CO2 cylinders, to syrups that will give flavor to our water. We also calculated how quickly SodaStream could pay for itself. If you are considering purchasing this device, be sure to read this text before you make your decision!
Cost of purchasing and operating SodaStream
First, we must take into account a few basic costs related to the purchase of the device and its operation:
- SodaStream Terra – PLN 246 (with a 440 ml bottle of Pepsi syrup and a CO2 cylinder) – This is the cheapest carbonator model currently available on the MediaExpert website.
- Pepsi syrup 440 ml – PLN 24 (enough to prepare 9 liters of drink) – let this taste serve as the main example for this article.
In addition to the one-time cost of purchasing the device, we must regularly buy syrups and replace the CO2 cylinder, which adds up to ongoing operating costs.
- Replacing the CO2 cylinder – PLN 39.99 (enough for approx. 60 liters of carbonated water).
How much does it cost to prepare a drink using SodaStream?
Let’s get down to specifics and see how much it costs to prepare 9 liters of Pepsi using SodaStream and compare it with the price of the finished drink in the store.
- Pepsi syrup – PLN 24 (enough for 9 liters).
- CO2 gas – PLN 6 (for 9 liters of drink we will use approximately 1/7 of a CO2 cylinder).
The total cost of preparing 9 liters of Pepsi is PLN 30.
The cost of purchasing 9 liters of Pepsi in a store
In the store, a 1.75 liter bottle of Pepsi costs approximately PLN 8.69 (checked today at Biedronka). To obtain 9 liters of drink, we would have to buy approximately 5.14 bottles. The purchase cost is: PLN 5.14 x PLN 8.69 = PLN 44.66.
Of course, we cannot buy this “tip”. So we either round down to 5 or up to 6 bottles. But let’s stick to mathematical accuracy for precise calculations.
Cost comparison
- Cost of preparing Pepsi at home – PLN 30.
- Cost of buying Pepsi in the store – PLN 44.66.
In this case, preparing 9 liters of Pepsi at home using SodaStream is cheaper by PLN 14.66. For people who regularly drink large amounts of carbonated drinks, SodaStream can bring significant savings.
How quickly does the purchase of SodaStream pay for itself?
The cost of the carbonator is PLN 246. If each batch of 9 liters of Pepsi brings savings of the level PLN 14.66we would have to prepare it to recover the cost of the device approximately 17 batches of Pepsi, 9 liters each (PLN 246 ÷ PLN 14.66).
That is, after drinking 153 liters of Pepsi with SodaStream, the device will start to bring real savings. If you drink about 10 liters of drink per month, the carbonator will pay for itself after approximately 15 months.
Is it worth buying SodaStream for carbonating water only?
Now let’s look at the costs associated with just carbonating water using SodaStream, without adding syrup.
The cost of replacing a CO2 cylinder is PLN 39.99 and it is enough for approx 60 liters of sparkling water. This means that the cost of carbonating 1 liter of water is PLN 39.99 ÷ 60 l = PLN 0.67 per 1 liter.
If we want to calculate the cost of carbonating 1.5 liters of water, it amounts to PLN 1.01. The price of a bottle of the cheapest spring water capacity 1.5 liters in the store is PLN 0.99 (checked in Biedronka – maybe you can get it even cheaper).
- Cost of preparing 1.5 liters of sparkling water using SodaStream – PLN 1.01.
- The cost of purchasing 1.5 liters of sparkling water in a store – PLN 0.99.
The difference here is minimal, but to the detriment of SodaStream, where we will pay for each 1.5-liter bottle prepared at home 2 cents more than for ready-made sparkling water from the store. So when it comes to carbonating water, SodaStream does not bring any particular savings. The price of preparing sparkling water at home is practically the same as purchasing the finished product in a store, or even slightly higher. The biggest benefits of SodaStream are convenience, no need to carry heavy bottles and less plastic usedwhich may speak in favor of this system, but not direct financial savings.
How to save on SodaStream?
There are ways to reduce the cost of using SodaStream even further. On platforms such as Allegro or OLX you can find offers for unofficial replacement of the CO2 cylinder for approx. PLN 15which significantly reduces costs.
Instead of more expensive SodaStream syrups, you can also buy cheaper alternatives, such as Herbapol fruit syrups for approx. PLN 8 for 410 ml. Although we won’t get the same taste as Pepsi, it may be a good option for those who are looking for savings.
Is SodaStream profitable?
All the above calculations show that SodaStream can be profitableespecially when regularly preparing carbonated drinks such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, or Lipton Ice Tea. On the other hand, when gassing only water, the differences in costs are marginal. The key savings depend on how often the device is used. SodaStream is a convenient device that can bring savings, but only if we actually drink carbonated drinks often. The main advantage, however, will be the ecology associated with generating plastic waste and refilling the cylinders.
photos: sodastream.pl
