Best electrolyte drinks, ranked by what the label says
The best electrolyte drink on label data has sodium close to the middle of the typical sweat range, 920 mg/L [1], as you drink it, plus a fair amount of potassium. We put bottles, powders, tablets and concentrates on the same per-liter basis and score them the same way. Very salty mixes lose points as everyday picks.
On current label data the top three are BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink), BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Zero Sugar Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) and Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks.
121 of 148 products qualify; the top 10 are shown. Oldest label check: Sep 24, 2026. Oldest price check: Sep 24, 2026. How we ranked
The ranking
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Why it ranks here
- 897 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 1,218 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
Sodium per liter as mixed
BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) sodium per liter: 897 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 318 mg 897 mg Potassium 432 mg 1,218 mg Magnesium 39 mg 110 mg Carbs 9.6 g 27 g Sugars 9 g 25 g Calories 48 kcal 135 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Why it ranks here
- 897 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 1,218 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
Sodium per liter as mixed
BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Zero Sugar Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) sodium per liter: 897 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Zero Sugar Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 318 mg 897 mg Potassium 432 mg 1,218 mg Magnesium 39 mg 110 mg Carbs 1.8 g 5.1 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 12 kcal 34 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Why it ranks here
- 888 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 634 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks sodium per liter: 888 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 315 mg 888 mg Potassium 225 mg 634 mg Magnesium 71 mg 201 mg Carbs 7.5 g 21 g Sugars 6.8 g 19 g Calories 34 kcal 95 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
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Price not checked.
Label serving: 1 stick (15g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Number 4: POWERADE Power Water
Why it ranks here
- 880 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 288 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
Sodium per liter as mixed
POWERADE Power Water sodium per liter: 880 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.POWERADE Power Water label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 312 mg 880 mg Potassium 102 mg 288 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 0 g 0 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 3 kcal 8 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 5: Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder
Why it ranks here
- 873 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 394 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $2.45 per 1,000 mg sodium.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder sodium per liter: 873 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 310 mg 873 mg Potassium 140 mg 394 mg Magnesium 0 mg 0 mg Carbs 21 g 59 g Sugars 13 g 37 g Calories 90 kcal 254 kcal - Per serving
- $0.76
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $2.45
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Gatorade (brand store) (6 x 32 oz canisters (Lemon-Lime), about 38 servings each; listed as sold out on 2026-09-24).
Label serving: 1 1/2 scoops (24g), mixed to 12 fl oz (355 mL).
Why it ranks here
- 861 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 389 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorade Endurance Formula (Ready to Drink) sodium per liter: 861 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorade Endurance Formula (Ready to Drink) label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 306 mg 861 mg Potassium 138 mg 389 mg Magnesium 0 mg 0 mg Carbs 22 g 61 g Sugars 13 g 36 g Calories 89 kcal 250 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 7: UCAN Hydrate + Aminos
Why it ranks here
- 845 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 287 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $4.99 per 1,000 mg sodium.
Sodium per liter as mixed
UCAN Hydrate + Aminos sodium per liter: 845 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.UCAN Hydrate + Aminos label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 300 mg 845 mg Potassium 102 mg 287 mg Magnesium 50 mg 141 mg Carbs 1 g 2.8 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 10 kcal 28 kcal - Per serving
- $1.50
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $4.99
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at UCAN (Bag, 20 servings (200 g)).
Label serving: 1 Scoop (10g), mixed to 12 fl oz (355 mL).
Number 8: Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration
Why it ranks here
- 829 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 592 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $5.69 per 1,000 mg sodium.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration sodium per liter: 829 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 294 mg 829 mg Potassium 210 mg 592 mg Magnesium 63 mg 178 mg Carbs 7.2 g 20 g Sugars 7.2 g 20 g Calories 30 kcal 85 kcal - Per serving
- $2.79
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $5.69
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 20 fl oz bottle).
Label serving: 1 bottle (591 mL).
Number 9: Gatorlyte Zero Sugar
Why it ranks here
- 829 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 592 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $5.69 per 1,000 mg sodium.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorlyte Zero Sugar sodium per liter: 829 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorlyte Zero Sugar label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 294 mg 829 mg Potassium 210 mg 592 mg Magnesium 63 mg 178 mg Carbs 0.6 g 1.7 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 9 kcal 25 kcal - Per serving
- $2.79
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $5.69
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 20 fl oz bottle).
Label serving: 1 bottle (591 mL).
Number 10: Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix
Why it ranks here
- 1,013 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 1,477 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $7.14 per 1,000 mg sodium.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix sodium per liter: 1,013 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 359 mg 1,013 mg Potassium 524 mg 1,477 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 9 g 25 g Sugars 6 g 17 g Calories 37 kcal 105 kcal - Per serving
- $1.71
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $7.14
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Cure Hydration (14 stick packs).
Label serving: 1 packet (8.3g), mixed to 8 fl oz (237 mL).
Side by side
| # | Product | Sodium per liter | Potassium per liter | Sugars per 12 fl oz | Calories per 12 fl oz | Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) | 897 mg | 1,218 mg | 9 g | 48 kcal | price not checked | 98.8 of 100 |
| 2 | BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Zero Sugar Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) | 897 mg | 1,218 mg | 0 g | 12 kcal | price not checked | 98.8 of 100 |
| 3 | Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks | 888 mg | 634 mg | 6.8 g | 34 kcal | price not checked | 98.4 of 100 |
| 4 | POWERADE Power Water | 880 mg | 288 mg | 0 g | 3 kcal | price not checked | 98 of 100 |
| 5 | Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder | 873 mg | 394 mg | 13 g | 90 kcal | $2.45 | 97.6 of 100 |
| 6 | Gatorade Endurance Formula (Ready to Drink) | 861 mg | 389 mg | 13 g | 89 kcal | price not checked | 97 of 100 |
| 7 | UCAN Hydrate + Aminos | 845 mg | 287 mg | 0 g | 10 kcal | $4.99 | 96.2 of 100 |
| 8 | Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration | 829 mg | 592 mg | 7.2 g | 30 kcal | $5.69 | 95.4 of 100 |
| 9 | Gatorlyte Zero Sugar | 829 mg | 592 mg | 0 g | 9 kcal | $5.69 | 95.4 of 100 |
| 10 | Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix | 1,013 mg | 1,477 mg | 6 g | 37 kcal | $7.14 | 95.3 of 100 |
How we ranked
Every product that lists sodium is converted to one liter of finished drink, whether it comes in a bottle or a stick. That removes the serving-size games that make labels hard to compare. The score and filter rules below are the whole method.
- Who qualifies
- Every format: bottles, powders, tablets and concentrates. The label must list calories, carbohydrate, sugars, sodium (above 0 mg) and potassium. We do not rank a product whose panel we could not read in full.
- How the score works
- Up to 70 points for sodium per liter as mixed, with full points at 920 mg/L, the middle of the typical sweat sodium range. Points fall in a straight line either side: half points at 230 and 1,610 mg/L, the ends of that range, and none at 2,300 mg/L or more. Up to 30 points for potassium per liter, with full points at 196 mg/L, the average potassium in sweat. Ties go to the product whose label lists more nutrients, then to the lower cost per 1,000 mg sodium. A product with no recorded price goes last in a tie.
Scores use label data and published reference values only. Affiliate links and commission play no part. Read the full methodology.
What to look for in an electrolyte drink
Compare per liter, not per serving. A large bottle and a small powder serving look very different on the label. Per liter, you see which drink is actually saltier. Our sodium in sports drinks guide shows the full spread.
Match the sodium to your sweat. Sweat usually carries 230 to 1,610 mg/L of sodium [1]. Classic sports drinks sit in the lower part of that range, and many salt-focused powders sit at the top or above it. This list favours the middle, which suits most people most of the time.
Decide whether you want carbs. Sugar in a sports drink is fuel, which helps in long sessions and adds nothing to a short one. The per-12 fl oz sugar column in the table makes this easy to check.
Bottles cost more per 1,000 mg sodium. You pay for water and shipping. If you drink electrolytes often, a powder or tablet usually works out cheaper for the same sodium.
FAQ
What is the best electrolyte drink?
On our label data, the best electrolyte drinks land near 920 mg/L of sodium, the middle of the typical sweat range, and list potassium too. Drinks far saltier or far weaker than that score lower. Bottles and powders compete on equal terms, since everything is compared per liter as you drink it.
Are electrolyte drinks good for you?
They are useful when you lose a lot of sweat, such as long or hot sessions. The ACSM position stand says drinks with electrolytes and carbohydrate can help more than water in some situations, and that normal meals replace sweat losses for most people [6]. Drink to thirst, not to a set target [5].
Is a powder or a ready-to-drink bottle better?
Neither is better by nature. Compared per liter, powders usually carry more sodium and cost less per 1,000 mg sodium. Bottles are convenient and often contain sugar for fuel. If you want a bottle, see the best sports drinks list, which ranks ready-to-drink options only.
Which electrolyte drink has the most sodium?
Several powders go past the top of the typical sweat range, 1,610 mg/L, when mixed as the label says. They score lower on this everyday list and higher on the heavy sweaters list, where saltier ranks higher. That page shows sodium per serving too.
What is the best electrolyte drink on the market right now?
This ranking updates whenever we recheck a label or a price, so the order above reflects the data on the dates shown. We do not accept payment for placement, and affiliate links do not affect scores. Each product lists its label check date and source so you can confirm the numbers yourself.
Oldest label check in this list (BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink)): . Source (opens in a new tab)