CO2 cylinder refilling in Spain: a comparison of all options (and which one is the best)

If you have a sparkling water maker at home, sooner or later the moment comes when the CO2 cylinder runs empty. That’s when the question arises: where do I refill it, how much does it cost, and which option is actually the most convenient? In Spain, several models coexist: physical stores, online refills with courier shipping and returns, specialized shops, and home subscription services like CONGAS, and they don't all work the same way or cost the same.

In this guide, we compare the main alternatives for refilling CO2 cylinders in Spain, including prices, lead times, and the actual process for each, so that you can choose based on facts rather than assumptions.

Why how you refill CO2 matters (and not just how much it costs)

Before comparing prices, it is worth considering three factors that greatly affect your day-to-day experience:

•          Travel: Do you have to take the empty cylinder somewhere yourself, or does someone pick it up at your door?

•          Waiting time: Will you be out of gas while waiting for the refill, or is the exchange immediate?

•          Real cost per liter: The cylinder price does not always include shipping, deposits, or travel costs, so you must compare the final cost, not just the sticker price.

With that in mind, here is how the market in Spain is organized today.

1. Physical stores with instant exchange (El Corte Inglés and similar)

El Corte Inglés has SodaStream cylinder exchange points in dozens of centers across Spain. The process is simple: you bring your empty cylinder to the counter and receive a full one for €19.50.

Pros: The exchange is immediate; there is no need to wait for any shipment.

Cons: You have to travel, carry the empty cylinder, and check beforehand that your usual store has the type of cylinder you need in stock (classic screw-in models and Quick Connect models are not interchangeable). If you don't live near one of these locations, this option is no longer practical.

2. Online refill with shipping (SodaStream)

SodaStream also offers refills through its online store: you pay €19.90 per cylinder plus a €12.10 deposit (which is returned upon receipt of the empty cylinder), and shipping costs €6.90—free on orders over €59—with an estimated delivery of 24 to 72 business hours (SodaStream Spain). The empty cylinder is placed in a box and picked up at the same time the full one is delivered.

Pros: No need to leave home, and the pickup system is integrated with the delivery.

Cons: If you buy only one cylinder and don't reach the €59 threshold for free shipping, the delivery costs significantly increase the final price; furthermore, the deposit requires a higher initial outlay.

3. Specialized gas refill stores (compatible with multiple brands)

There are independent distributors such as Purifica Igua or CarbonAirGas specializing in the refill of CO2 cylinders compatible with SodaStream, GasUp, Philips, and other brands, with individual refill prices starting from about €20-21. Payment is usually made upon surrendering an empty container in exchange.

Pros: They often cover more brands and models than major chains, which is useful if you have a less common cylinder.

Cons: Shipping and pickup logistics vary by provider and are not always clearly detailed online, which requires checking by phone or email before purchasing.

4. Subscription with home pickup (CONGAS)

CONGAS proposes a different model: instead of buying individual cylinders, it functions as a circular exchange system. You receive full cylinders at home, and in the same next order, the delivery person collects the empty ones, with no additional deposit to pay up front. The prices per pack are:

Format	Price per cylinder	Price per liter
4-cylinder pack	€16.50	€0.28/L
3-cylinder pack	€18.33	€0.31/L
2-cylinder pack	€20.00	€0.33/L
Individual cylinder	€35.00	€0.58/L

(Source: congas.es/collections/cilindros-co2)

Shipping is free, delivery is made within 24-48 hours throughout the Peninsula, and the service is compatible with the most common standard screw-in machines (SodaStream Jet, Genesis, Cool, Source, Spirit, among others). It is not compatible with Quick Connect models (Terra, Art, Duo, Gaia).

Quick comparison: all options at a glance

Option	Approx. price per cylinder	Must you travel?	Deposit?	Timeframe
El Corte Inglés (physical store)	€19.50	Yes	No	Immediate
SodaStream online	€19.90 + €6.90 shipping (free from €59)	No	Yes, €12.10	24-72 business hours
Specialized stores (Purifica Igua, CarbonAirGas)	From ~€20-21	Depends on provider	Depends	Variable
CONGAS (2 to 4 packs)	From €16.50	No	No	24-48 h, pickup included

Why CONGAS is, in practice, the most complete option

Comparing the four alternatives, CONGAS combines the advantages that appear separately in the others:

•          The lowest price per liter of all the compared options when buying in a pack (€0.28/L compared to the €0.33/L of SodaStream calculated on the refill cost, or the approximately €0.33/L for physical store exchange).

•          Zero travel required, like SodaStream's online refill service, but without the need to pay a deposit of more than €12 in advance.

•          Empty cylinder pickup included with the same delivery, just like SodaStream, but with no added shipping costs and similar delivery times (24-48 h).

•          No commitment: as it is a flexible subscription service, you can adjust the frequency of your orders or cancel whenever you want, something that neither in-store exchange nor one-off online purchases offer.

In other words: if you are looking to avoid leaving home, avoid paying deposits in advance, and pay the lowest price per liter of gas, the CONGAS subscription model meets all three conditions at once, something that none of the other alternatives fully achieve.

The only caveat to keep in mind is compatibility: if your machine uses Quick Connect cylinders (Terra, Art, Duo, Gaia), this service is not compatible and you will have to resort to one of the other options for that specific type of cylinder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run out of gas while waiting for the refill? With a home delivery service like CONGAS or SodaStream online, it is standard practice to order the refill before the current cylinder runs out completely, as delivery takes between 24 and 72 hours depending on the provider.

Are all CO2 cylinders compatible between brands? No. There are two main systems: classic screw-in and Quick Connect. Before signing up for any refill service, check which system your machine uses.

Is it cheaper to refill than to buy a new cylinder every time? Yes, in all compared cases the price of a refill (or exchange) is significantly lower than that of a new cylinder without returning the empty one.

Conclusion

If you have a physical store nearby and prefer to resolve it immediately, in-store exchange remains a valid option. But if you value not having to travel, not paying deposits in advance, and paying the most competitive price per liter of gas, the CONGAS subscription is, based on the data, the most complete alternative on the Spanish market.

👉 Discover the CONGAS CO2 refill packs and find the one that best suits your consumption in our CO2 cylinders section