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Not every food and drink- gadget is useful — in fact, some kitchen tech is nothing more than a waste of money. However, SodaStream machines have proved popular for good reason, allowing owners to create their own sparkling drinks while reducing the amount of cans and bottles they end up throwing in the bin. SodaStream’s sparkling water makers start from under $100, and that also makes them great gifts for kitchen tech-obsessed foodies. SodaStream is a long-running brand, and can trace its roots back over 100 years, but recently, its products have had to compete with an increasing number of rivals.

One of those rivals is the Ninja Thirstiwhich costs slightly more than a basic SodaStream but allows users to add flavors directly into the sparkling water it produces via pods. It might be a comparatively new brand, but Ninja makes a range of appliances, many of which have quickly established themselves as being among the best value in their respective segments. Alongside the Thirsti, Ninja also makes everything from air fryers to coffee makers.

If you’ve already got a SodaStream and recently picked up a Ninja Thirsti, you might be wondering if the CO2 canisters from the SodaStream are compatible with your new gadget. If you have official SodaStream canisters, then yes, you’ll be able to use those canisters with the Thirsti, as they’re both identically shaped.

That also means that anyone who buys a Thirsti then decides to switch back to the SodaStream will be able to use Ninja’s CO2 canisters with the SodaStream. New canisters from both brands are similarly priced, with SodaStream charging $31.99 per canister and Ninja offering a two-pack of canisters for $59.99. Both brands also have refill programs where you can send back canisters and have them refilled, saving money compared to buying new canisters.

If neither of those options sounds appealing, then you could also choose to use a third-party CO2 canister seller. Brands like SodaSense offer canisters that are designed to work with both SodaStream and Thirsti machines, as well as with machines from other brands like Drinkmate and Aarke.

Both the Thirsti and the SodaStream have plenty of appeal, and so which one is best comes down primarily to individual preferences. The Thirsti is a versatile choice, but the SodaStream starts from a lower price and gets very positive reviews from buyers. It’s one of the best-rated kitchen gadgets on Amazon, although multiple products from Ninja also make the list.