SodaStream vs HydroSpark: Which Sparkling Water Maker Is Better for Singapore Homes?

If you've searched for a sparkling water maker in Singapore, you've almost certainly come across SodaStream. It's the biggest name in home carbonation and for good reason. But there's a newer option worth considering: the HydroSpark+, which combines a water purifier and a sparkling water maker into a single machine.

These are two fundamentally different products that solve a similar need. This guide breaks down how they compare so you can figure out which one actually makes sense for your home.

What's the Difference?

SodaStream is a dedicated carbonation device. You fill a reusable bottle with water, press a button (or pull a lever, depending on the model), and CO2 from a pressurised cylinder turns your still water into sparkling water. That's it. It doesn't filter, purify, or treat the water in any way. Whatever goes in the bottle comes out fizzy.

The HydroSpark+ takes a different approach. It's a water purifier first, with reverse osmosis filtration built in, and a sparkling water maker second. It connects to your water supply under the sink, purifies your tap water through an RO membrane, and then carbonates it on demand. You get clean, filtered sparkling water from a single tap without needing any other appliance.

So the core difference is this: SodaStream carbonates whatever water you give it. HydroSpark purifies your water and then carbonates it. If you already have a water filter you're happy with, SodaStream might be all you need. If you don't have a filter yet, or you're tired of managing two separate appliances, HydroSpark rolls everything into one.

Feature Comparison

Here's how the two stack up side by side.

Feature	SodaStream	HydroSpark+
Water purification	No	Yes (RO filtration)
Carbonation	Yes	Yes
Still purified water	No	Yes
CO2 supply	60L cylinders, exchange when empty	60L cylinders, exchange when empty
Counter space	Sits on counter (+ separate water filter if you use one)	Under-sink unit, just a tap on the counter
Filter maintenance	N/A	Filter changes every 6-12 months
Installation	Countertop, plug-and-play	Under-sink, requires plumbing
Electricity	Not required (manual models) or power outlet (electric models)	Required
Bottle capacity	1L per bottle	Direct from tap

The carbonation side is broadly similar. Both use CO2 cylinders that you exchange when they run out. The real difference is everything that happens before the bubbles.

Price Comparison

Let's be upfront: SodaStream is significantly cheaper to buy.

SodaStream Pricing (Singapore, 2026)

SodaStream sells several models in Singapore through their official store and retailers like Courts:

Model	Price (SGD)	Type
Terra	$219.90	Manual, snap-lock CO2 cylinder
Art	$289.90	Manual, retro lever design
Spirit One Touch	~$298	Electric, one-button carbonation
E-Terra	$369.90	Electric, snap-lock CO2 cylinder

All models come with a CO2 cylinder and a 1L reusable bottle. CO2 cylinder exchanges cost $29.50 each and are available at over 30 locations across Singapore, or via home delivery. Each cylinder makes roughly 60 litres of sparkling water.

HydroSpark+ Pricing

The HydroSpark+ is priced at $3,288 SGD. That includes the RO purification system, the carbonation unit, installation, and the dispensing tap.

Replacement RO filters run roughly $80 to $200 depending on the component, with changes needed every 6 to 12 months for sediment and carbon filters, and every 18 to 36 months for the RO membrane itself. CO2 cylinder costs are similar to SodaStream.

The Honest Maths

If you only want sparkling water and already have a water filter setup you're happy with, SodaStream wins on cost by a wide margin. A Terra at $219.90 plus a few CO2 refills per year is hard to beat.

But if you don't have a water purifier yet, the comparison shifts. A decent under-sink RO system in Singapore runs $800 to $2,500 depending on the brand. Add a SodaStream on top and you're looking at $1,000 to $2,800 for two separate appliances, two sets of maintenance schedules, and two things taking up space. The HydroSpark+ at $3,288 costs more, but it replaces both in a single unit with one maintenance schedule and one point of contact for servicing.

Who Should Choose SodaStream

SodaStream is the right pick if:

• You want something cheap and simple. Under $300 gets you a fully working sparkling water maker with no installation needed. Unbox it, insert the CO2 cylinder, and you're making fizzy water in five minutes.
• You're renting. No plumbing, no modifications, nothing to undo when you move out. Just pick it up and take it with you.
• You already have a water filter. If you've got a Hydroflux, Coway, or any other purifier you're happy with, there's no reason to replace it. Just add a SodaStream for carbonation.
• You want wide availability. SodaStream has a strong retail presence in Singapore. You can pick one up at Courts, Harvey Norman, Tangs, Isetan, or online. CO2 refills are easy to find. You won't have trouble getting parts or support.
• You mostly drink still water. If sparkling water is an occasional treat rather than a daily habit, a $220 SodaStream makes a lot more sense than a $3,288 system.

SodaStream has earned its reputation. It does one thing well, it does it affordably, and it's available everywhere.

Who Should Choose HydroSpark

The HydroSpark+ makes more sense if:

• You want purified water and sparkling water from one machine. Instead of managing a water purifier and a SodaStream separately, you get both functions in a single under-sink unit. One installation, one maintenance schedule, one less thing on your counter.
• You don't have a water purifier yet. If you're starting from scratch, the gap between "SodaStream plus a separate RO system" and "HydroSpark+ by itself" is much smaller than the sticker prices suggest.
• Counter space matters. In an HDB kitchen, every centimetre of counter space counts. The HydroSpark+ sits under the sink with just a slim tap on the counter. A SodaStream plus a countertop water filter is two appliances fighting for the same limited space.
• You drink a lot of sparkling water. If your household goes through multiple litres a day, filling and refilling 1L SodaStream bottles gets tedious. The HydroSpark+ dispenses directly from the tap, so there's no bottle-filling cycle.
• You're done with plastic bottles. If you currently buy cases of Perrier or San Pellegrino, both options eliminate that waste. But the HydroSpark+ also removes the need for a separate filter jug or pitcher, which means even less clutter and plastic in your kitchen.

Singapore-Specific Considerations

HDB Kitchen Space

This is a bigger deal than most comparison guides acknowledge. The typical HDB kitchen has maybe 2 to 3 metres of counter space, shared between a dish rack, rice cooker, kettle, and whatever else your household needs. A SodaStream takes up about 13cm x 18cm of counter space, which is manageable on its own. But if you're also using a countertop water filter, that's two appliances competing for limited real estate.

An under-sink system like the HydroSpark+ frees up that counter space entirely. The only visible element is the dispensing tap, which takes up roughly the same footprint as a soap dispenser.

Condo Water Tanks

If you live in a condo with rooftop water tank storage, your tap water passes through an extra stage between PUB's treatment and your glass. These tanks are cleaned annually, but sediment and biofilm can develop between services. Running that water through an RO filter before carbonating it gives you a cleaner starting point. With a SodaStream, you'd need a separate filter to address this.

Chlorine Taste

Singapore's tap water is safe. That's not in question. But PUB uses chloramine to keep the water disinfected through the pipe network, and that can give the water a noticeable chemical taste. Carbonation doesn't remove chlorine taste. It just adds bubbles to chlorine-tasting water. If taste matters to you, you'll want some form of filtration before carbonation regardless of which sparkling water maker you choose.

For a deeper dive into this topic, see our guide to choosing a water purifier for Singapore homes.

Sustainability

Both SodaStream and HydroSpark+ cut down on single-use plastic bottles. If your household currently buys bottled sparkling water, switching to either option is a win. SodaStream's reusable bottles are BPA-free and last about three years before needing replacement. The HydroSpark+ skips bottles altogether since it dispenses directly into your glass.

The CO2 cylinders for both are refillable and exchangeable, not disposable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use SodaStream with tap water in Singapore? Yes. Singapore tap water is safe to drink and you can carbonate it directly with a SodaStream. If you want to remove the chlorine taste first, you'll need a separate water filter. SodaStream itself doesn't filter the water.

Does HydroSpark+ need professional installation? Yes. It connects to your cold water line under the sink and requires a drain connection for the RO system's wastewater. Installation is included with the purchase and typically takes one to two hours.

How often do I need to exchange CO2 cylinders? For both products, a standard 60L CO2 cylinder makes roughly 60 litres of sparkling water at medium carbonation. How long that lasts depends on how much you drink. A household that goes through 2 litres a day would exchange a cylinder roughly once a month. In Singapore, SodaStream CO2 exchanges cost $29.50 and are available at over 30 locations or via home delivery.

Is the HydroSpark+ worth the higher price? It depends on your situation. If you already own a water purifier and just want fizzy water, SodaStream at under $300 is hard to argue against. If you need both water purification and carbonation, the HydroSpark+ at $3,288 consolidates two appliances into one and saves counter space. Work out whether "SodaStream plus the water filter you'd buy anyway" costs more or less, and go from there.

Can I use SodaStream CO2 cylinders in the HydroSpark+? No. The two systems use different CO2 cylinder formats. Each brand has its own exchange and refill programme.

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Both SodaStream and HydroSpark+ solve the same basic problem: getting sparkling water at home without buying plastic bottles. SodaStream wins on price, simplicity, and accessibility. HydroSpark+ wins on water quality, space efficiency, and the convenience of having one machine instead of two. The right choice comes down to whether you value upfront savings or long-term consolidation.