SodaStream Crystal Sparkling Water Maker Starter Kit, Black and Silver

I previously owned a type of SodaStream model called the Penguin. After carefully examining this Crystal model, it seems clear to me that it is very similar to the Penguin, and perhaps they are offering it because you can only buy the Penguin brand new through Williams-Sonoma. At any rate, the Crystal model uses the same type of carbonators and the same type of glass carafes as the Penguin. That is, the carafes have an identical shape, though SodaStream has changed the design of the top of the carafes and the type of cap they use for both the Penguin and the Crystal from the type of cap the Penguin had up until a few years ago.I am going to cross compare the Penguin and the Crystal in this review, because I have now used both.I bought the Penguin in June, 2009, and it lasted until the summer of 2015, so about six years. At that point, it just stopped working. Though the "beak" of the penguin, which was used to pump CO2 from the carbonator into the carafe, looks quite fragile, it actually never broke off. Something else inside the Penguin just stopped working.When I bought the Penguin starter kit, it cost $249, which is $70 more than this starter kit costs, but the Penguin starter kit had $90 more product than this Crystal starter kit. It included:1. The Penguin machine.2. Three full-sized 60L CO2 carbonators (value $90).3. Three glass carafes (value $45).4. Three packs of "MyWater Essence," which are basically packets to use to make homemade soda (value $7-10).Currently the Penguin starter kit includes, for the same recommended retail price I paid in 2009:1. The Penguin machine.2. One full-sized 60L CO2 carbonators (value $30).3. Two glass carafes (value $30).From about 2009-2011, you could get carbonator exchanges delivered right to your door, but within a couple of years, SodaStream stopped offering that. Fortunately, they have managed to make them available through Walmart, and there are Walmart stores all over the place. Also, apparently, in select parts of the USA, SodaStream is starting to once again offer home delivery of carbonator exchange. Unfortunately, they don't offer this in my part of the country. (Note that for carbonator exchange, you take your empty carbonator into a store that offers that service, turn in your empty carbonator and exchange it for one that is full.)This is what you get with the Crystal starter kit:1. The Crystal machine.2. One miniature carbonator (no resale value).3. One glass carafe (value $15).4. One 60 Liter CO2 Carbonator mail-in rebate (value $30).So, basically, you get $90 less of product for $70 less in cost than I paid in 2009, which I suppose one could mark down to inflation. I also have to admit that SodaStream has kept the price for a new carbonator at the same level of $30 over the past 8-10 years, and likewise for the price of $15 for a carbonator exchange.A big problem with the Crystal kit not containing even one full-sized carbonator is that you will need to immediately acquire at least one full-sized carbonator and, preferably two. You can't buy them at Walmart, but they are offered here on Amazon. Unfortunately at an inflated price (I don't think that Amazon does price matching, but it's worth asking).I find the Crystal harder to open up in its back side to insert/replace a carbonator than the Penguin. However, the front side of the Crystal is a bit easier to use when I insert a carafe into it to pump CO2 into the carafe. Also, the method of pumping the CO2 is easier for the Crystal than for the Penguin, though it doesn't whistle as loudly and obviously as my old Penguin did when a carafe was adequately filled with CO2.My main complaint as a former owner of the Penguin, who has six carafes in my home that I used for the Penguin, is that because SodaStream has changed the bottle caps used on the current carafes (identical for the current Penguin model and the Crystal model), they no longer make or sell the much better fitting caps used on the former Penguin carafes. The old caps featured a short plug piece that fit into the bottle top, as well as screwing onto the bottle, and this plug does a terrific job of holding in the CO2 fizz for up to two days. These new screw-on caps barely hold the fizz in the carafe for a day. I personally think that SodaStream modified the cap, not to improve the product, but rather to ensure that customers use more CO2. That's where the real cost mounts up for this machine, purchasing new and exchanging carbonators.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  As I demonstrate in my video, this SodaStream model is a step DOWN in several ways from the older model. We've been using Sodastreams for years and have owned two previous models. We absolutely love them for the water quality, control over degree of carbonation, and $$ savings. However, this model does not impress. Here's why:1. it leaks and drips water after carbonation ... the water then builds up in the deep bottle holder and is hard to clean out with a paper towell2. water capacity in the bottles is less than traditional plastic bottles3. capacity size of carbonator is less/smaller ... you simply can't use the large carbonators in this unit!4. it has more plastic and spring-loaded moving parts ... and that means more potential to break5. the raising face also means the unit won't function under most cabinets when used on a kitchen counterSo why get this sodastream model? Well, it looks fantastic, hides it's innards when not in use, and many people prefer glass over plastic. So I'm not saying I hate it (that would be one star). However, I would have liked to have seen a real upgrade when this one is a downgrade in many ways.

I used to LOVE my SodaStream. But after about 2 years, it started malfunctioning; specifically, after pushing the plunger 3 times, it would not make the "pulsing" noise it's supposed to make to let the user know the water is sufficiently carbonated. Upon opening the container with the bottle, about 1/3 of the water was pushed out of the water bottle, and the water remaining was undrinkable. So I tried another CO2 canister, and it did the same thing. Rather than struggle with the Sodastream company about a warranty after 2 years, I threw out the old Sodastream and bought a NEW one--this one that I purchased on Amazon. And now, it's doing the same thing! I get about ONE decent bottle of carbonated water for every FOUR that I try. It must be a defect in the dispenser...I don't know. What I DO know is that I'm not a satisfied customer. Amazon may pass this complaint on to Sodastream...perhaps they'll listen.

I was so excited to purchase this as a gift for my daughters birthday making sure to read sll reviews and choose the best quality. She loves it but after only 4 months of use it started malfunctioning and after less than 6 months stopped working completely. We have requested a replacement but so far the company will not replace. Its terrible to purchase an expensive item that should last several years and get less than 6 months as its lifetime.

I replaced the SodaStream penguin model with this one after the penguin started to leak water during fizzing. This works fine, but the quality of the build is pretty poor. It also makes a less "pleasant" noise than the penguin when fizzing. Otherwise, it does the job. Too bad SodaStream doesn't make a version with a cooler design and high quality materials for people who care about what this thing will look like in their kitchen.

Glass bottles! No expiration date. The better taste, and the health benefits of not using plastic. The water maker itself is little more cumbersome to use than my last Sodastream model. Also, as others have said, liquid does get trapped in the machine. I use it only for water, but I would imagine that would end up being a sticky mess if you made soda with it. Still, I'm really happy with this. I do wish they allowed others to make bottles. It would be nice to have a variety of styles to choose from. Also, the little starter cartridge is absolutely pathetic. Totally cheap, in my opinion. For this price, you can give me a proper cartridge!