Ninja · Reviewed by The Average Kitchen · Published 2024-07-27
Based on a review by The Average Kitchen (accessed 2024-07-27).
Based on this review alone: skip it — flavor pods and co2 canisters are expensive consumables, unless makes delicious drinks is your only priority.
The reviewer ultimately decided to stop using the Ninja Thirsti due to the high recurring cost of replacement flavor pods and CO2 canisters, which he considered an 'extra monthly bill.' He also experienced significant issues with product availability.
This video provides a six-month follow-up review of the Ninja Thirsti drink system. The reviewer demonstrates its basic operation, discusses the longevity of its CO2 canisters, and evaluates the availability and cost of its consumable flavor pods and CO2 refills.
The Ninja Thirsti sparkling and still drink system ultimately disappoints due to the high recurring cost and supply chain issues with its essential consumables. While the device delivers delicious and customizable drinks and operates flawlessly, the cost of flavor pods and CO2 canisters quickly adds up to a significant monthly expense. The reviewer experienced frequent out-of-stock issues for both on Ninja's website and Amazon, leading to a complete halt in usage for months. If you prioritize convenience and customizable beverages and are unconcerned by an ongoing expense equivalent to a "daily bill," this product might appeal to you. However, if you are budget-conscious or value consistent availability of supplies, consider other drink-making options.
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The reviewer demonstrates how to load the flavor pods into the Ninja Thirsti system for making drinks. This shows the basic operation for new viewers.
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The reviewer points out that an orange bubble button on the device indicates the CO2 tank is almost empty. This serves as a visual alert for users.
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When the CO2 tank indicator turns orange, the reviewer claims it means there are approximately 10 to 20 drinks left in the canister. This provides a practical estimate for users.
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The reviewer states that he used the Ninja Thirsti daily, multiple times a day, for quite a while after the initial review. This highlights his initial satisfaction and consistent usage.
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The reviewer measured that a CO2 canister lasted approximately 6 weeks with his daily usage. This provides a practical lifespan expectation for daily users.
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After running out of flavor pods, the reviewer attempted to order more from Ninja Canada's website but found everything was out of stock. This indicates a significant supply chain issue.
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The reviewer reported checking multiple sources, including Ninja's US website and Amazon, and found both flavor pods and CO2 canisters consistently out of stock. This broad unavailability made it impossible to replenish supplies.
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A flavor pod, or 'water drops,' costs $7.99 CAD plus tax on the Ninja Canada website. This is the base cost for the flavor component.
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A CO2 canister costs $39.99 CAD plus tax. This is the base cost for the carbonation component.
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The reviewer states that a flavor pod yields 17 drinks, based on information from Ninja's website. This helps in calculating the per-drink cost.
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The reviewer notes that a CO2 canister provides 100 12-ounce drinks. This information is used for cost calculation.
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The reviewer calculated that the cost per drink, including flavor and CO2 but not tax, is roughly one dollar. This figure contributed to his decision to stop using the product.
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Despite the negative verdict on cost, the reviewer states that the Ninja Thirsti makes delicious, fantastic drinks and works awesome. This confirms the product's performance quality.
The reviewer demonstrates that the Ninja Thirsti requires users to load flavor pods into the machine. They can then select a sparkle level (e.g., level one) and the desired drink size, and the machine dispenses the flavored, carbonated beverage.
The reviewer, who used the Ninja Thirsti daily multiple times a day, found that a CO2 canister lasted about 6 weeks before needing replacement. The device also has an orange indicator light that signals when the CO2 tank is almost empty, estimated to have 10-20 drinks remaining.
Initially, the reviewer could not find replacement flavor pods or CO2 canisters, as they were consistently out of stock on both Ninja Canada's and Ninja US's websites, as well as on Amazon. While his sister-in-law later found flavor pods on Amazon, the widespread and prolonged stock issues caused the reviewer to stop using the machine.
The reviewer calculated the per-drink cost to be roughly one dollar (CAD), excluding tax, based on a flavor pod costing $7.99 for 17 drinks and a CO2 canister costing $39.99 for 100 drinks. This recurring cost was a primary reason for the reviewer to stop using the product, describing it as an 'extra monthly bill.'
Despite his critical view on cost and availability, the reviewer unequivocally states that the Ninja Thirsti produces delicious and fantastic drinks, emphasizing that the device itself works awesome. His decision to stop using it was purely financial, not due to product performance or taste.
70/100 source quality
The review initially praises the Ninja Thirsti for its ease of use and delicious drinks, with the reviewer having used it daily. However, a significant shift in opinion occurs after the initial consumables run out, primarily due to difficulty finding replacement flavor pods and CO2 canisters in stock across multiple retail platforms. The core of the dissatisfaction stems from the high ongoing cost of these consumables, calculated at roughly a dollar per drink, making it an expensive daily habit. Despite the appliance itself performing excellently, the financial and logistical challenges lead the reviewer to discontinue its use, concluding it's not worth the continuous expense.
Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.
This page converts The Average Kitchen's review of the Ninja Ninja Thirsti Sparkling & Still Drink System into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
Brand relationship disclosed as: affiliate