The Aarke III Water Carbonator Is Easy on the Eyes

But how does the design-friendly sparkling water-maker perform compared to SodaStream models?

For a serial seltzer swiller, an at-home carbonator can save you money. It also means you'll always have soda water at the ready and saves you from having to lug heavy cases of cans home from the store or empties out to the street for recycling. SodaStream is the most popular manufacturer, with three or four mostly plastic models to choose from. SodaStreams work well, but aren't particularly nice to look at. Recently, a more design-friendly carbonator called the Aarke entered the market.

The Aarke III (now in its third generation) is the only carbonator I could find with any real aesthetic appeal, but it comes at a cost. It sports a simple and vaguely retro design that wouldn't look out of place in a malt shop. The frame is built almost completely from steel and there are five attractive finishes to choose from. After a glance, I was willing to plop down the $219 (more than double the price of SodaStream's cheapest model) as long as it worked well.

Read more: SodaStream Buying Guide: Terra, One Touch Electric and Aqua Fizz Explained

I hauled in the $219 Aarke Carbonator to test whether or not the more stylish version of the SodaStream could quench my thirst for both bubbly water and good design. I was itching to crown the Swedish carbonator over SodaStream's $160 premium Aqua Fizz model. However, things became complicated when Aarke's overall function proved inferior to SodaStream, if only slightly. But with a soundly superior look and sturdier build, it's just enough to make up for some modest performance issues.

Read on for more about the stately (and expensive) Aarke Carbonator III.