The Ninja Thirsti Soda Machine Makes it Easy to Customize Fizzy Drinks at Home
We used the Ninja Thirsti for over a month, timing how long it took to make seltzer and tasting the results. It's fast, easy to use, and lets you customize flavors.
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Seltzer’s popularity has been bubbling up for a while. There are a bajillion brands with more on the market every day. Enter the soda maker—a way to ditch the can and make a fizzy drink from the comfort of your home. There are tons of brands out there, but I decided to test a soda maker from a big name in the kitchen appliance realm: Ninja. Its model, aptly called the Thirsti, promises endless customization, including fizz level and flavors. To see if it could live up to its promises, I used it for over a month and made a whole lotta sparkling drinks.
The Tests
- Carbonation Test: I timed how long the Ninja Thirsti took to make drinks of various sizes and carbonation levels.
- Taste Test: I tried out a few of the flavor pods, tasting each result and noting if the bubbles were pleasantly fizzy and if the flavors were good.
- Usability Tests: Throughout testing, I noted how easy the Thirsti was to set up, use, and clean.
What We Learned
It Carbonated Fast
I timed how long it took the Thirsti to carbonate drinks ranging from six to 18 ounces, and in short, it's quite fast. When I made a standard 12-fluid-ounce drink with two flavors, it came together in less than a minute. The Ninja also swiftly carbonated 18 ounces of water in under two minutes—impressive.
It Was Easy to Use and Lets You Customize Each Cup
The Ninja Thirsti was easy to set up and use: Twist on the CO2 canister, pop in the flavor pods, and fill up the tank with water. It offers full control over the level of carbonation, bubble size, and flavor potency, so you can fine-tune each cup. (It's worth noting that the smallest drink carbonation setting doesn't let you combine flavors.)
The bubble icon button lets you choose between still, light, classic, or extra fizzy drinks. The serving size options vary depending on the model. The Ninja Thirsti and the Ninja Thirsti Max can make six-, 12-, 18-, and 24-ounce drinks. The difference comes in the largest drink size—the standard bottle makes up to 24 ounces while the Max can make a whole liter.
Whichever model you choose, I liked that it’s simple to toggle between making a cup for myself or a pitcher for the whole family. However, the first couple of times I used it, I accidentally pulled my cup away too early when the machine stopped pouring, only to have it suddenly start dispensing again. Keep in mind there are a few seconds of stalling as it extracts, so wait until you hear the jingle before removing your cup (even if you only selected one flavor).
The Verdict
The Ninja Thirsti is great because it allows for an endless amount of variation, including fizz level and flavors. I really loved the unique flavor combinations. There are currently about 30 flavor pods available, including seltzer, Fruiti Chill, and soda—all with zero calories and zero sugar. The soda flavors taste on par with popular diet sodas. I preferred the unique fruit flavors like pear ginger, dragon fruit, and peach punch. I like that the pods are compact and shut tightly, which makes them easy to store. Although small, each pod can make about twenty 12-ounce drinks.
The Ninja Thirsti is also really easy to use. The reservoir has an indicator on the bottom that turns bright blue when the water reaches the recommended temperature for carbonating, and it’s also removable, which makes it easy to fill and store in the fridge. You can also minimize splashing by adjusting the tray’s height for smaller cups. It also has indicators to let you know when to replace the CO2 cartridge. It’s a versatile, easy-to-use machine that lets you experiment with making seltzer.
The Pros
The Ninja Thirsti was easy to set up, customize, and clean. It's compact and slim, so you can tuck it into a corner without taking up too much counter space. I liked the thoughtful design elements like the adjustable cup tray to reduce splashing and an indicator that lets you know once your CO2 canister is running low. My favorite aspect of the Thirsti is its ability to mix and match flavors, so you can come up with something new and refreshing every time.
The Cons
The biggest downside is that you have to use the proprietary flavor pods. I also would have appreciated flavor pod options that aren't zero-calorie or zero-sugar—as it was, they all were. It also doesn't include a bottle like other soda makers—instead, you have to carbonate each serving as you go.
Key Specs
- Weight: 8.5 pounds
- External dimensions: 13.9 x 8.7 x 16 inches
- Warranty: One year from date of purchase
- Comes with: A CO2 cartridge and eight flavor drops
- Water reservoir capacity: 48 ounces
FAQs
What’s the difference between the Ninja Thirsti and the Ninja Thirsti Max?
The Ninja Thirsti Max has a larger water reservoir with an ice press built into the lid, and it can make up to a liter of carbonated water at a time. There are also a few design elements, like an adjustable cup tray and an open compartment on top for inserting flavored syrups.
How do you install the CO2 canister?
To insert a can of CO2, open the hidden compartment in the back of the machine and pull the tab out toward you. Then insert and twist the canister until fully tightened. Both models use the same 60-liter CO2 canisters, which produce up to a hundred 12-ounce drinks. The bubble icon on the machine glows orange when the CO2 canister is running low.
Why We’re the Experts
- Octavio Peña is a recipe developer for Serious Eats, Food & Wine, and The Kitchn.
- He’s used soda makers for five years.
- For this review, he used the Ninja Thirsti regularly for over a month.
