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Best electrolyte drinks in 2024 to keep you hydrated
This content should not be considered medical advice. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any health conditions. Consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine or taking any new supplements.
Staying well-hydrated is a fundamental aspect of maintaining good health, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. With the plethora of electrolyte drinks available on the market today, choosing the most effective option can be quite a challenge. We will cut through the confusion and provide clarity on the best electrolyte drinks available in 2024 to keep you optimally hydrated.
Electrolyte drink overview
Food supplies your body with necessary electrolytes, but sometimes, your food and water intake may not be sufficient to meet your body's electrolyte needs. Enter electrolyte drinks. Drinks with electrolytes are important if you are engaged in intense physical activities or prone to heavy sweating. These beverages replenish vital minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, that you lose in your sweat. These minerals are crucial for your body's physiological functions. Your body requires these electrolytes for smooth muscle contractions, maintaining fluid balance and proper nerve function.
The levels of carbohydrates, sodium and other electrolytes in electrolyte drinks vary based on their purpose. Beverages intended for exercise typically contain higher amounts, while those designed for everyday hydration and water flavoring usually have lower quantities. And electrolyte drinks often go beyond hydration. They can enhance sporting performance and recovery by preventing muscle cramps and fatigue, which are symptoms commonly associated with electrolyte imbalance. Some also contain additional nutrients like carbohydrates, vitamins and other minerals.
How we chose the best electrolyte drinks
We primarily based our selection of the best electrolyte drinks on the electrolyte and nutritional content, the cost of the product and the taste and texture of the drink using consumer reviews.
- Electrolyte content: We analyzed the levels of essential electrolytes in each product. We chose a variety of products to meet the needs of an athlete as well as an average consumer needing daily hydration.
- Value for money: We compared the cost per serving of each product. Products that provided good nutrition at a reasonable price were given preference.
- Taste and texture: Products with a good flavor and smooth texture, without an overly artificial or medicinal taste, scored higher in our analysis.
Top electrolyte drinks
- Best for casual use: Ultima Replenisher electrolyte mix
- Best for athletes: Gnarly Hydrate
- Best for convenience: DripDrop dehydration relief
- Best ready-to-use drink: Gatorade Fit Healthy Real Hydration
- Best electrolyte drops: Buoy hydration drops
Best for casual use: Ultima Replenisher electrolyte mix
- Loose powder or powder sticks
- 55 milligrams of sodium per serving
- Zero grams of carbs and sugar per serving
About Ultima Replenisher electrolyte mix
Ultima Replenisher electrolyte powder provides a small number of electrolytes without any added sugar. Each serving also includes vitamin C and zinc. It's free from artificial colors and sweeteners. It comes either as a loose powder or in convenient powder sticks, offering flexibility in consumption. This product is most suitable if you are looking for an everyday hydration option or a water enhancer.
Why we like it
- Two convenient forms
- Affordable
- Many flavor options
What to consider
- Lower in electrolytes
- Not for high-intensity athletes
Best for athletes: Gnarly Hydrate
- Loose powder
- 250 milligrams of sodium per serving
- 7 grams of carbs and 4 grams of sugar per serving
About Gnarly Hydrate
Gnarly Hydrate is an electrolyte powder crafted specifically to meet the hydration needs of athletes. It provides a good amount of electrolytes as well as carbohydrates to fuel your body with the essential energy it needs during and after a workout. The formulation also includes B vitamins to support energy metabolism. All three flavors of Gnarly Hydrate are NSF Content Certified. And the orange pineapple flavor is also Certified NSF for Sport, so competitive athletes can be sure it is free of banned substances.
Why we like it
- Excellent nutritional profile
- Affordable
- NSF Content Certified
What to consider
Only available in three flavors
Best for convenience: DripDrop dehydration relief
- Powder sticks
- 330 milligrams of sodium per serving
- 9 grams of carbs and 7 grams of sugar per serving
About DripDrop dehydration relief
DripDrop electrolyte powder sticks are designed with convenience in mind. The powder sticks are small and easy to carry to the gym or while traveling. DripDrop powder dissolves well with a good flavor and texture.
This product is suitable for a wide range of users, from athletes to people recovering from illness to outdoor enthusiasts who need hydration on the go. Because of the sugar content, this product is not the best choice for everyday casual use without exercise.
Why we like it
- High in electrolytes, vitamin C and zinc
- Convenient powder sticks
- Many flavor options
What to consider
Not best for everyday water enhancement
Best ready-to-use drink: Gatorade Fit Healthy Real Hydration
- Ready-to-use drink
- 230 milligrams of sodium per serving
- 3 grams of carbs and 1 gram of sugar per serving
About Gatorade Fit Healthy Real Hydration
Gatorade Fit Healthy Real Hydration stands out as a ready-to-use electrolyte beverage. It eliminates the need for any preparation. It’s unique among ready-to-use electrolyte drinks in its low sugar and carb content, boasting only one gram of sugar. Its sodium content of 230 milligrams per serving is perfect for replenishing electrolytes lost during moderate exercise. Gatorade Fit also includes vitamin A, vitamin C and several B vitamins.
Why we like it
- Excellent nutritional profile
- Convenient ready-to-use bottles
- No artificial additives
What to consider
Pricey
Best electrolyte drops: Buoy hydration drops
About Buoy hydration drops
Buoy hydration drops offer a compact and convenient delivery method for essential electrolytes. The small, easy-to-carry bottle allows for effortless hydration on the go. Buoy also contains 87 trace minerals, B vitamins and antioxidants. But it doesn’t contain any natural or artificial sweetener, coloring or flavoring. It's a great choice if you want to enhance your water without adding any extra calories or sugar.
Why we like it
- Unflavored so you can mix it into any liquid
- Easy-to-adjust dosage
- Affordable
What to consider
- Lower in electrolytes
- Not for high-intensity athletes
How to choose an electrolyte drink
Choosing the right electrolyte drink is a decision based on several factors, such as your preferred form, budget and specific electrolyte needs. Here's a closer look at these factors:
- Form of the drink: You may prefer a loose powder, powder sticks, liquid drops or a ready-to-drink formula. For example, powder sticks and liquid drops are portable and easy to mix with water, while ready-to-drink options provide immediate consumption with no prep time.
- Budget: The cost of electrolyte drinks can vary significantly, with ready-to-drink options typically costing more than powder or liquid drops. It's important to consider cost per serving and find a balance between price and quality that suits your budget.
- Electrolyte needs: Athletes or individuals involved in high-intensity workouts may require drinks with higher electrolyte content to compensate for what you lose through sweat. But if you are seeking a water enhancer or an everyday hydration option, go for drinks with fewer electrolytes.
Methodology
To compile this list, our writers and editors reviewed top products on the market, compared specs and features and created a short list of the top electrolyte drinks. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews and user ratings to find the best drinks for each category. Note that we do not test every product but base our lists on our research, user reviews and expert opinions.
FAQ
How often should I drink an electrolyte drink?
The frequency of drinking an electrolyte drink depends on your individual hydration needs and physical activity level. If you are involved in regular physical activity or sweat excessively, you may need to drink electrolyte drinks daily. But if you don't exercise much, you may not need a drink with added electrolytes often.
Who should avoid electrolyte drinks?
People with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease and high blood pressure, should avoid or limit their intake of electrolyte drinks due to their high sodium levels. Those with diabetes may want to avoid certain electrolyte drinks with high carbohydrate and sugar content.
Can you have too many electrolytes?
Yes, it is possible to have too many electrolytes in your body. Hypernatremia is too much sodium in your body, and hyperkalemia is too much potassium. Your body is usually able to balance the electrolytes, but consuming excess electrolytes, especially without adequate water, can lead to these conditions. So, it’s essential to balance electrolyte intake with your body's needs, particularly if you have underlying health conditions.
References
- Armstrong LE. Rehydration during Endurance Exercise: Challenges, Research, Options, Methods. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 9;13(3):887. doi: 10.3390/nu13030887. PMID: 33803421; PMCID: PMC8001428. Retrieved from https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8001428/
- Borrelli S, Provenzano M, Gagliardi I, Michael A, Liberti ME, De Nicola L, Conte G, Garofalo C, Andreucci M. Sodium Intake and Chronic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jul 3;21(13):4744. doi: 10.3390/ijms21134744. PMID: 32635265; PMCID: PMC7369961. Retrieved from https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7369961/
- Filippini T, Malavolti M, Whelton PK, Vinceti M. Sodium Intake and Risk of Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Observational Cohort Studies. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2022 May;24(5):133-144. doi: 10.1007/s11906-022-01182-9. Epub 2022 Mar 4. PMID: 35246796. Retrieved from https://www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35246796/
- Millard-Stafford M, Snow TK, Jones ML, Suh H. The Beverage Hydration Index: Influence of Electrolytes, Carbohydrate and Protein. Nutrients. 2021 Aug 25;13(9):2933. doi: 10.3390/nu13092933. PMID: 34578811; PMCID: PMC8465972. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8465972/
- Shrimanker I, Bhattarai S. Electrolytes. 2023 Jul 24. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31082167. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31082167/
