I've been spending way too much on La Croix and wanted to try making my own fizzy water. Bought a used CO2 cartridge setup but I'm not sure about refilling the cartridges or if there's a cheaper method that actually works well.
I've messed around with CO2 cartridge setups at home and found refilling them is actually the sticking point - most places won't refill those little cartridges, so you end up buying new ones, which kills the savings. Your best bet is either going full size with a CO2 tank and regulator (grab one from a welding supply shop, get it refilled for cheap, and it lasts forever), or if that feels like overkill, there are generic seltzer makers that use the same refill cylinders as SodaStream but cost way less upfront. The tank method especially pays for itself fast if you're a serious La Croix drinker - I'm talking under $150 to set up and maybe $15 per refill that lasts months.
The cheapest long-term option is getting a refillable CO2 tank from a welding supply shop instead of those single-use cartridges - way more economical once you factor in refills. You'll need an adapter to connect it to a carbonating bottle or DIY system, but most people find it pays for itself after a couple months. The cartridge route gets expensive fast since retailers rarely refill them and you're constantly buying new ones.
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