Is Using Tech To Make Your Own Sparkling Water Worthwhile?
This portable system makes instant sparkling water
Americans apparently love effervescence. According to Google's Gemini, the global sparkling water market was valued at about $42.62 billion last year. And it's projected to grow significantly, with estimates maxing it out at $108 billion by 2032. That's a lot of burps. So it shouldn't shock you that companies are flocking to get in on a piece of it.Lacroix and Kirkland flavored sparkling water are mainstays in our home. The labeling implies there's no sugar – just essentially water and CO2. So it's way better for you than carbonated soda. And to me, it's so much tastier than plain drinking water, with all the benefits.We used to have a Sodastream unit, in which we made our own seltzer water by carbonating ordinary tap water and adding flavor syrup. Somewhere along the way, it broke or stopped working. So we just went back to buying cans of the good stuff. Of course, this habit can get a little pricey. But more than anything, I really just don't like carrying the heavy cases of it in from the car, once we get home from Costco.Then I heard about Aerflo, which brings portability to the category. It's a single drinking water bottle in which the top holds a refillable CO2 canister -- making it a portable, zero-waste carbonation system. It's kind of an online sensation, I noticed, with reviewers posting how-to videos and hundreds of people joining in on the conversations.Selling for $74, the system includes the portable carbonator, a reusable bottle, and a set of refillable CO₂ capsules that each make up to four bottles of sparkling water. It's compact enough to fit in your front-seat cup holder; is free of PFAS, BPA and microplastics; and is backed by a circular exchange model. Just drop used capsules in the mail using the prepaid return box, and Aerflo refills and recirculates them from its New Jersey facility. The company claims it's ideal for those who care about sustainability, simplicity and well-made gear. And it of course eliminates the need for counter-top appliances that carbonate water.For two weeks, I've been trying Aerflo – along with friends and family. It's easy to use: You place the small CO2 canister in the lid, fill the water bottle, tighten the lid, press the lid in the marked spot three times or so, shake the container, and then repeat the last two steps three times. When the water has carbonated enough, it lets out a noise of air escaping. Then you remove the lid and drink. The entire process takes maybe 30 seconds.In my brief experience, it works fine but the water does not get as carbonated as a can of Lacroix – no matter how much I've tried carbonating and even over-carbonating. Yet it generates a pleasing amount of bubbles that does the job. The company asks you not add syrup or flavoring, but you can just pour the water into a separate glass with syrup if you want. I added a lime wedge to the Aerflo bottle, and that worked fine. Also, I was only able to get two glasses of carbonation out of any canister – even once I started pressing the lid the minimum amount of times per glass. So I'm not sure how much savings it's truly offering over just buying cans of sparkling water. But it's definitely better for the environment than throwing out can after can.With an industry clearly growing exponentially, it's good that there are options. I expect there will be more products like this emerging as time goes on. And that makes me feel bubbly.
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