Ninja Thirsti Drink System

Curated from 90 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: April 24, 2025

Ninja Thirsti Drink System

Brand: Ninja
Price: $129
Snoop Score:
6.0
Sentiment
7.0
Popularity
5.5
Technical
6.2

Snoop's Take

The Ninja Thirsti Drink System is a versatile soda maker designed to create personalized sparkling and still beverages at home. Users can customize their drinks by selecting flavor intensity, carbonation levels, and sizes, making it a great alternative to traditional soda makers. Consumer sentiment around the Ninja Thirsti is largely positive, with many users expressing satisfaction with its customization options and convenience. One user stated, "I LOVE MY NINJA THIRSTI," highlighting its appeal for home use. The ability to carbonate water and add flavors from other brands enhances its functionality, as noted by another user who mentioned they could add flavorings into carbonated water like a mio bottle. Based on the feedback, the Ninja Thirsti is highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy personalized drinks while reducing waste from single-use plastic bottles. Its combination of unique features and user satisfaction positions it favorably within the beverage maker category.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Soda Makers

Huge upgrade from my old SodaStream

Positive Feedback

it was just inconvenient enough that I wasn't really keeping up with it, especially the justice mixes (no caffeine after a specific time).

Negative Feedback
Product
6.0
Ninja Thirsti Drink System
Daily Hydration Upgrade
4 / 10
Flavorful Beverage Experiments
6 / 10
Home Cocktail and Party Station
6 / 10
On-the-Go Refreshment
4 / 10
See how this compares to all Soda Makers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Great upgrade from old SodaStream
Huge upgrade from my old SodaStream
Offers customizable drink options
I use the thirsti to make Dr Pepper. I don't use their flavoring. I just use it to carbonate and the kicker for me is I can just have it fill a regular cup.
I LOVE MY NINJA THIRSTI. They’re also making soda flavors (mt thirsti coming soon) but I’m obsessed with the electrolyte flavors and the dr thirsti (dr pepper dupe)
More frequently used than competitors
the ninja gets used way more often.
Can carbonate water and add flavors from other brands
I actually didn't realize you could pour the flavorings into carbonated water like a mio bottle. Tbh that sells it for me.
Tastes good compared to other diet drinks
I just tried the Dr Thirsti and it tastes more like zero sugar Mr Pibb as opposed to Dr Pepper.
Indicator for optimal carbonation temperature
There's an indicator when the water is cold enough for bubbles
Offers control over carbonation and flavor
Most commercial sparkling water is nasty to me except Ice.
Best flavors are the hydrate & vitamin drops
The best flavors are the hydrate & vitamin drops.
Convenience of not having cans
I think for my personal use case I would not want to fill a full bottle and pour it into a glass every time I want a drink, nor do I want to manually decide on the level of carbonation or flavoring.
The convenience of not having all of the cans around is certainly worth something.
Works well for carbonating water
It's a little hard to get the lid off but not impossible.
User satisfaction with the Ninja Thirsti
I have the Thirsti and I’m loving it.
I have a Ninja Thirsti. I love it.
Convenient for home use
I really prefer the thirsti. I leave my thirsti on my WFH desk and when every I want spicy water I can just put my cup under the spout and press a button to fill said cup up and go back to work.
I mainly use it with the Ninja mixes for water and the Sodastream soda mixes.
Better carbonation retention than competitors
You don’t have to use the flavour pods in the thirsti and the fizzy water holds more fizz.
Compatible with other brands' flavor syrups
Takes the human error out and keeps a consistent use of CO2.
Allows for unflavored carbonated water
there is nothing preventing you from using it just to produce unflavored soda and adding that to any flavoring you want or visa versa.
Appealing flavor options compared to competitors
Wondering if the ninja flavors can be used with the SodaStream I just found out about this new ninja machine which looks like a new competitor to SodaStream.
Once your water is carbonated you can put whatever you want in it.
Easy to open and maintain canisters
One lady on YouTube said the canister on those ninja lids was easy to open so I ordered some to test out and hope for the best.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Limited flavor options available
it was just inconvenient enough that I wasn't really keeping up with it, especially the justice mixes (no caffeine after a specific time).
I’m pretty annoyed that it’s taking so long for them to release actual soda flavors.
Flavor concentration lower than expected
I saw a video where a lady emptied a pod and re used it.
Flavor options could be improved
I also don't want to invest in 3 refills if they are terrible.
Requires cold water for carbonation
The water still has to be cold to make seltzer. That’s just science.
Unwanted flavors included in the bundle
I cannot have sucralose, so if mine has any of the flavors that contain sucralose, all I can do it throw them out.
Flavouring increases the price
It’s the flavouring that pushes the price of the Thirsti up, I believe.
Perceived complexity compared to competitors
I find the DM to be better constructed and more versatile.
Concerns about proprietary flavoring capsules
Never used a Ninja. I'd be concerned about being locked in to a system that uses proprietary flavoring capsules.
Messy to clean and maintain
This thing seems like it'd be a mess to clean and a mess to maintain.
Flavorings integrated into carbonation mechanics
I don't like the idea of having the flavorings built into the mechanics of carbonating.
Concerns about compatibility with CO2 tanks
Uses the same tank as soda stream
That may not be true, as the tanks are different. See post I will shortly make.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Discussion on the utility of unflavored sparkling water
I'd like to just pour a tall glass of refreshing unflavored sparkling water whenever I want.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion on homemade carbonation setups and their cost-effectiveness
Hope this is okay to ask here. Is anybody making their own carbonated beverages at home, either with something like a SodaStream or Ninja Thirsti, or maybe with a custom setup?
I have a Soda Stream hooked up to the high pressure side of my CO2 manifold - way cheaper than the Soda Stream cylinders (I only use those for portable serving from a keg).
Getting a SodaStream (or off brand version that takes the same bottle thread) is very worth it. It's simple, on demand and generally cheap to operate.
9.5L keg w/ continous soda water corny keg lid - hooked up to the mains line. Pour a glass, it refills and recarbonates. I LOVE MINE! Great investment if you already have a keg set up.
Suggestions for natural flavoring methods
Flavors it very quickly and tastes great, I personally like 3 slices if dry strawberry and 2 slices of dry lemon per liter.
Discussion on making homemade flavoring
Thanks for the link!
Reusing pods with other flavoring
I reuse the pods and just add mio to them!
General interest in alternative carbonation methods
The 5lb tank is attached directly to my DrinkMate. I had previously attached it to both a threaded SodaStream and a quick connect SS.
I fill my sodastream bottles with ~17oz of dry ice and then let it come up to room temperature.
Debate over the use of personal flavor mixes
Eh, maybe if and when my Sodastream breaks.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion on Black Friday deals for soda makers
Hi Everyone, I spent this morning compiling all the Black Friday deals for the top 3 soda maker brands, Soda Stream, Ninja, and Drinkmate.
Fred Meyer has a soda stream Gaia deal for $39.99. Comes with the machine, a bottle, c02 tank, and Pepsi & Mountain Dew syrup.
I got the Art because it's low budget and has that handle. With the BF discount, it's worth it imo.
https://www.fredmeyer.com/p/sodastream-sparkling-water-maker-bundle/0081005545759?fulfillment=PICKUP&storecode=70100236&&cid=shp_adw_shopl_.FY24.01_search_ent_sales.nh_allent.lia_corelia_fredmeyer.t2_g_lia_shop_acq_evgn_lowperformers_all_rev_roas_sf&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjKu6BhAMEiwAx4UsAtRhSBiXl_uZ7-nRaOGX3N5il4dbb1C3NnkdabK_fxXgS_RyFWxc7RoCR20QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Discussion on flavor availability and delivery times
It does seem to me that they seem to be rolling out more for this system.
Comparison of gas canisters with SodaStream
they do not fit the Thirsti (they screw in, but no gas is released).
Discussion about alternative soda makers
This thing is incredible; I use less CO2 and the drinks are more carbonated.
Discussion on water quality affecting taste
anything made with the zero water taste great coffee tea soda water.
Comparison of different soda makers
Sodastream vs drinkmate vs ninja thirsti which is the better buy? Input would be appreciated
Drinkmate gives me stronger and better bubbles, and can basically carbonate anything.
Only irritation is the bottles aren't dishwasher proof.
Discussion about the value of making your own carbonated drinks
prefer a stronger carbonation and was also wondering how does the initial cost vs going to the store buying Seltzer for example I can get Seltzer 33oz bottles for 99cents sometimes 79 cents.
Discussion about comparing carbonation strength to SodaStream
I want that crisp sprite strength fizz, and the ninja is on sale right now at walmart, so I’m considering it.
Discussion on CO2 tank compatibility with other brands
The website says they guarantee gas canister compatibility across "standard" drinks machines

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Discussion on flavor comparisons with real sodas
I'm highly interested in getting a thirsti but curious how the "soda" flavors compare to the real thing, esp Dr pepper.

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