You’re standing in the kitchen aisle, looking at two sparkling water makers. One is the sleek, stainless steel Aarke Carbonator, looking like a piece of modern art. The other is a SodaStream, the household name that basically invented the category. But for a growing number of shoppers in 2026, the choice isn’t just about carbonation levels or counter space. It’s about ethics.
Specifically, it's about the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions). If you've been trying to evaluate the home carbonation company Aarke on SodaStream BDS grounds, you’ve likely run into a maze of conflicting forum posts and "ethical alternative" lists. People want to know: is Aarke just SodaStream in a fancy suit? Does buying an Aarke machine still funnel money into the same pockets?
The short answer is no, but the technical reality is a bit more tangled than a simple "yes" or "no" might suggest.
The Swedish Roots vs. The Global Giant
Let's clear up the biggest misconception first. Aarke is a Swedish company. It was founded in 2013 by two industrial designers, Jonas Groth and Carl Ljungh. They aren't owned by SodaStream, nor are they a subsidiary of PepsiCo (which bought SodaStream back in 2018). Honestly, the two companies are actually more like bitter rivals than partners.
If you look at the legal filings from late 2024 and early 2025, you'll see they’ve been duking it out in court. SodaStream actually sued Aarke over patent infringement regarding their carbonation systems. In November 2024, a German court even slapped a temporary sales ban on some Aarke models in specific European countries because of these patent disputes. Usually, companies that are "secretly the same" don't spend millions of dollars trying to ban each other from selling products.
Aarke operates out of Stockholm. Their design philosophy is "everyday engineering," and they’ve stayed relatively small, with fewer than 100 employees as of recent reports. SodaStream, meanwhile, is a massive Israeli-based operation with global manufacturing hubs.
Why the BDS Movement Targets SodaStream
To evaluate the home carbonation company Aarke on SodaStream BDS criteria, you have to understand why SodaStream is on the list in the first place. The BDS National Committee has targeted SodaStream for years.
Historically, this was because their main factory was located in Ma'ale Adumim, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. While SodaStream eventually closed that factory in 2015 and moved its operations to the Lehavim facility in the Negev (Naqab) desert, the BDS movement hasn't dropped the boycott. They argue that the new location still contributes to the displacement of indigenous Bedouin communities.
For many consumers, SodaStream has become the "poster child" of the boycott. This is why "Aarke" keeps popping up in search results—people are desperately looking for a high-quality machine that has zero corporate ties to the targeted entity.
The CO2 Cylinder Dilemma
Here is where the "ethical evaluation" gets tricky for a lot of people. While the Aarke machine itself is Swedish and independent, the CO2 gas cylinders are often a shared resource.
Most Aarke machines were designed to be compatible with the standard 60L screw-in CO2 cylinders. For a long time, SodaStream was the only company widely distributing these cylinders. So, if you bought a beautiful Aarke Carbonator 3 but then went to Target or Walmart to "swap" your empty gas canister for a full one, you were almost certainly buying a SodaStream product.
This led to a bit of a moral paradox for boycotters. You own a "non-SodaStream" machine, but you’re paying SodaStream $15 every month to keep it running.
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Breaking the Gas Loop
If your goal is to completely evaluate the home carbonation company Aarke on SodaStream BDS lines, you have to look at how you're sourcing your gas in 2026. You've got options now that didn't exist five years ago:
- Aarke’s Own Exchange: Aarke now runs its own CO2 exchange program in many regions. You can order their cylinders directly, and they handle the refilling.
- Third-Party Brands: Companies like Soda Sense or Simplici-Soda offer mail-in CO2 exchanges. These are completely independent of SodaStream.
- Local Dry Ice Refills: Some hardcore DIYers refill their own canisters using food-grade dry ice or local welding supply shops. It's cheaper, though it takes a bit of effort.
One thing to watch out for: SodaStream recently pushed their "Quick Connect" (pink label) cylinders. These are proprietary and don't fit the standard Aarke screw-in machines. In a weird way, SodaStream’s attempt to lock consumers into their own ecosystem made it easier for Aarke users to identify which gas canisters to avoid.
Is Aarke Truly "BDS-Friendly"?
If you are strictly following the BDS National Committee's list, Aarke does not appear on it. They are not an Israeli company, they don't have manufacturing in disputed territories, and they are currently a competitor to the boycotted brand.
However, nuance matters. Aarke doesn't publicly take political stances. They are a luxury design firm. They focus on stainless steel, sustainability, and "rituals." If you're looking for a company that actively campaigns for Palestinian rights, Aarke isn't that—they're just a Swedish appliance brand that happens to not be SodaStream.
For most shoppers, that’s enough. They want a product that works, looks great, and doesn't trigger a "complicity" alert when they scan the barcode.
Practical Steps for an Ethical Kitchen
If you’ve decided to move away from SodaStream and want to go the Aarke route, here is how to do it effectively:
- Check the Model: Ensure you’re getting a machine that uses the standard 60L screw-in thread. The Carbonator 3 is the gold standard for this.
- Audit Your Gas: Don't just grab the blue canisters at the grocery store customer service desk. Look for Aarke-branded gas or use an independent subscription service like Soda Sense.
- Bottle Compatibility: Aarke uses its own PET bottles (or glass for the Pro model). These are not interchangeable with SodaStream bottles, which is actually a good thing if you're trying to keep the brands separate.
- Buy Direct or Local: Sometimes buying through massive retailers like Amazon can be murky. Buying directly from Aarke’s website ensures your money stays within their Swedish corporate structure.
Basically, Aarke is a solid "out" for anyone who loves sparkling water but wants to respect the BDS boycott. It's a premium experience, and while the upfront cost is higher, the build quality generally outlasts the plastic alternatives anyway.
The legal battles between the two companies only prove that they aren't friends. By choosing the Swedish "everyday engineering" over the Israeli-based giant, you're supporting a different business model entirely. Just remember to watch where you get your bubbles.
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Would you like me to look into the specific CO2 exchange availability in your zip code?