The best soda makers

The affordable Innovee Soda Siphon Ultimate Soda Maker stores easily in your refrigerator for cold, on-demand sparkling water.

If you've watched old-timey slapstick comedy, you are likely familiar with the soda siphon, or seltzer bottle. Though the design is similar, today's soda siphons, like the Innovee Soda Siphon Ultimate Soda Maker, are self-pressurized using an 8-gram CO2 cartridge.

You fill the carafe with up to four cups of very cold water, put on the cap, insert the cartridge, and screw the charger holder in place, which releases the gas. The water is carbonated within 10 to 15 minutes.

The Innovee Soda Siphon doesn't come with CO2 canisters, but it does come with extra O-rings and a black fork key for removing the inner tube of the siphon. Innovee Home also offers a cocktail recipe e-book and a money-back guarantee.

Apartment Therapy recommends the Innovee Soda Siphon as a budget-friendly option. The reviewer found that the carbonation process takes longer than other models and disliked that it requires ice cold water. But, she appreciated the unit's small size that allowed it to fit easily in the refrigerator

Judging by online customer reviews, it seems like the Soda Siphon gets your water just as bubbly as the SodaStream, and people seem to like the fact that it works with a variety of different CO2 chargers. However, some buyers note that they would like to be able to see how full the carafe is as they fill it.

Pros: Inexpensive, easily fits in the fridge, user-friendly

Cons: Slow, water must be ice cold, doesn't come with a CO2 cartridge

If you are looking for an easy-to-use system made by the biggest name in the industry, consider the SodaStream Fountain Jet Soda Maker.

In the world of soda makers, there is SodaStream, and there's the rest. The company was founded in 1903 in England when W & A Gilbey, Ltd. patented an "apparatus for aerating liquids." In the intervening years, the name has changed and the main production facilities have moved to Israel. Today, the name SodaStream has become synonymous with soda makers.

The SodaStream Fountain Jet Soda Maker has been on the market for more than 15 years and remains a favorite because of its intuitive design. You pop in the CO2 canister, then when you want carbonated water, just press the button a few times until you hear a buzz. The starter kit comes with a 60L carbonator and a reusable liter bottle.

The Gadgeteer recommended the SodaStream Fountain Jet as an affordable alternative to buying cans of pop. The reviewer noted that the soda-making process couldn't have been easier. She liked how closely the SodaStream Diet Cola flavoring mimicked Diet Coke. However, she posted an update six years after her initial post to say she stopped using the Jet because it took up too much counter space and she didn't like the hassle of replacing CO2 cartridges.

At one time, The Wirecutter recommended the Fountain Jet but stopped short of endorsing it in its latest review because the water wasn't as fizzy as the testers would have liked. However, it did well in taste tests.

Pros: Easy to use, carbonation control, many excellent flavors available

Cons: May have trouble reaching your desired fizziness

The SodaStream Source Sparkling Water Maker is easy to use and makes your beverage as bubbly as you'd like.

The SodaStream Source Sparkling Water Maker is probably the most user-friendly option on our list. You simply fill the supplied reusable bottle with cold water, lock it into place, and press the mechanism over the bottle until you reach your desired level of fizziness.

This unit comes with a mail-in rebate for a 60L CO2 carbonator, the 1L reusable bottle, and a mini 9L CO2 carbonator. The 60L CO2 carbonators can be refilled at select Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, and Walmart locations, as well as other stores for about $15, which works out to about 25 cents of CO2 to carbonate a full 1L bottle of water.

The SodaStream Source Sparkling Water Maker is one of Cook's Illustrated's top picks. They recommend this model because of its sleek design and ease of use. Testers were able to choose between gentle carbonation and intense bubbles by applying light pressure.

Chowhound also recommends this unit. The reviewer noted that the SodaMix syrups were solid imitations of the real thing. He was a little bit perturbed by the many additional costs associated with the soda maker, including the CO2, syrups, and additional reusable bottles.

We did come across a few complaints from buyers who received damaged soda makers. Though it comes with a two-year warranty, returning the soda maker can be difficult.

Pros: Incredibly easy to use, easily accessible CO2 refills

Cons: Difficulties returning faulty products, durability concerns

The best KitchenAid attachments

The best attachments for your KitchenAid mixer can do all kinds of things, from making pasta to churning ice cream. They can even replace other appliances in your kitchen (and save you a ton of space). Here are the best KitchenAid attachments you can buy:

• Best KitchenAid attachment for pasta: 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set
• Best strainer attachment: Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Set with Food Grinder Attachment
• Best peeler, corer, slicer attachment: Spiralizer Attachment with Peel, Core & Slice
• Best pasta extruder attachment: Pasta Extruder Attachment
• Best ice cream maker: Ice Cream Maker Attachment
• Best grain mill attachment: All Metal Grain Mill Attachment
• Best food processor attachment: Food Processor Attachment
• Best meat grinder attachment: KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment

The best beer brewing kits

While it's unfortunately not true that Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy," it's certainly a sentiment that most of us would agree with. If you'd like to brew a cold one yourself, check out our top recommendations:

• Best homebrew beer kit overall: Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit
• Best small-batch homebrew beer kit: Brooklyn Brew Shop Everyday IPA Starter Kit
• Best homebrew beer kit for beginners: Mr. Beer Premium Gold Craft Beer Making Kit
• Best homebrew kit for root beer: Mr. Root Beer Home Brewing Kit
• Best deluxe homebrew beer starter kit: Northern Brewer Deluxe Home Brewing Starter Kit

The best bread machines

Making bread isn't just for master bakers when you have a bread machine. We combed through hundreds of reviews and ratings from home bakers and experts alike to find the best units. Our top picks can make a variety of different bread types, require minimal user oversight, and have a track record of dependability and performance. Here are the best bread machines you can buy:

• Best overall: Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker
• Best budget bread machine #1: Oster 2-Pound Expressbake Bread Maker
• Best convection machine: Convection Bread Maker by Cuisinart
• Best machine for unique breads: Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker