At my groc store (Winn-Dixie) the house-brand equivalent to La Croix is indistinguishable in quality, has a greater variety of single flavors, and is 1/2 the price. So if price matters to someone, they might look into the house brand. IMO La Croix is definitely milking their “We invented the category; we’re #1 and worth every extra penny” position.
In La Croix’s defense, they do have more elaborate multi-flavored combination sodas that at least the WD house band does not. Since that’s not what I’m after, I’ve switched 100% from La Croix to WD brand.
Well we quickly realized it was a novelty item (YMMV), so it was a fairly significantly cost-ineffective (to the tune of probably $120 dollars in the hole).
We bought one about a year ago when my husband started to get into San Pellegrino. Its far cheaper than the cases of San Pellegrino we were going though and far more convenient.
I think as a price thing, it depends on what you are using it for. If you are doing what I do - charging tap water and adding a squirt of lemon, its cheap, convenient, and reduces the waste stream. If you are adding the soda stream syrups, you are getting off brand quality soda and an on brand price.
Oh my. I have a modded sodastream and love the carbonated water it produces. But San Pellegrino is not the same thing, and now I’m I craving a San Pellegrino.