Best electrolyte drinks for endurance, ranked by what the label says
The best electrolytes for endurance carry both sodium and carbohydrate in useful amounts. We score sodium against the average hourly sodium loss of endurance athletes, 1,189 mg/h [2], and carbs against the most suggested for sessions beyond 2.5 hours, 90 g/h [3]. Salt-only mixes are left out.
On current label data the top three are Tailwind High Carb Fuel, Tailwind Endurance Fuel and Skratch Labs Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix.
27 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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Number 1: Tailwind High Carb Fuel
Why it ranks here
- 1,432 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 400 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $5.42 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 189 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (18.9% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Tailwind High Carb Fuel sodium per liter: 1,432 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Tailwind High Carb Fuel label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 508 mg 1,432 mg Potassium 142 mg 400 mg Magnesium 19 mg 53 mg Carbs 67 g 189 g Sugars 46 g 128 g Calories 269 kcal 758 kcal - Per serving
- $3.69
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $5.42
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Tailwind Nutrition (Bag, 16 servings).
Label serving: 3 scoops (92g), mixed to 16.1 fl oz (475 mL).
Number 2: Tailwind Endurance Fuel
Why it ranks here
- 1,047 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 304 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $3.33 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 84 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (8.4% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Tailwind Endurance Fuel sodium per liter: 1,047 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Tailwind Endurance Fuel label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 372 mg 1,047 mg Potassium 108 mg 304 mg Magnesium 14 mg 41 mg Carbs 30 g 84 g Sugars 30 g 84 g Calories 120 kcal 338 kcal - Per serving
- $1.03
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $3.33
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Tailwind Nutrition (30-serving bag).
Label serving: 1 scoop (27g), mixed to 10 fl oz (296 mL).
Why it ranks here
- 844 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 0 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $13.11 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 211 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (21.1% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Skratch Labs Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix sodium per liter: 844 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Skratch Labs Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 299 mg 844 mg Potassium 0 mg 0 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 75 g 211 g Sugars 6 g 17 g Calories 299 kcal 844 kcal - Per serving
- $2.62
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $13.11
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Skratch Labs (Resealable bag, about 16 servings (840 g, '3200 Calorie Bag')).
Label serving: 2 scoops (53g), mixed to 8 fl oz (237 mL).
Number 4: UCAN Energy Drink Mix
Why it ranks here
- 717 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 295 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $14.70 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 89 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (8.9% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
UCAN Energy Drink Mix sodium per liter: 717 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.UCAN Energy Drink Mix label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 255 mg 717 mg Potassium 105 mg 295 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 31 g 89 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 135 kcal 380 kcal - Per serving
- $2.50
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $14.70
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at UCAN (Bag, 28 servings (700 g)).
Label serving: 1 Scoop (25g), mixed to 8 fl oz (237 mL).
Number 5: DripDrop Original Electrolyte Powder
Why it ranks here
- 1,392 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 759 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $3.41 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 38 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (3.8% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
DripDrop Original Electrolyte Powder sodium per liter: 1,392 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.DripDrop Original Electrolyte Powder label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 494 mg 1,392 mg Potassium 270 mg 759 mg Magnesium 60 mg 169 mg Carbs 13 g 38 g Sugars 10 g 30 g Calories 52 kcal 148 kcal - Per serving
- $1.12
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $3.41
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at DripDrop (brand store) (32 sticks).
Label serving: Serving Size 10g (1 stick), mixed to 8 fl oz (237 mL).
Number 6: SWORD Advanced Electrolyte Powder
Why it ranks here
- 844 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 0 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $9.00 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 63 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (6.3% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
SWORD Advanced Electrolyte Powder sodium per liter: 844 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.SWORD Advanced Electrolyte Powder label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 299 mg 844 mg Potassium 0 mg 0 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 22 g 63 g Sugars 9 g 25 g Calories 90 kcal 253 kcal - Per serving
- $1.80
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $9.00
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at SWORD Performance (Box of 20 single-serve packets (listed as out of stock)).
Label serving: 8 fl oz (17g), mixed to 8 fl oz (237 mL).
Number 7: Maurten Drink Mix 320
Why it ranks here
- 490 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 0 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $14.87 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 160 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (16% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Maurten Drink Mix 320 sodium per liter: 490 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Maurten Drink Mix 320 label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 174 mg 490 mg Potassium 0 mg 0 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 57 g 160 g Sugars 26 g 74 g Calories 227 kcal 640 kcal - Per serving
- $3.64
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $14.87
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Maurten (US store) (Box of 14 sachets).
Label serving: 1 sachet 2.93oz.(83g), mixed to 16.9 fl oz (500 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.
- 61 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (6.1% carbohydrate).
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 9: 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.
- 59 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (5.9% carbohydrate).
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).
Number 10: Klean Athlete Klean Hydration
Why it ranks here
- 759 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 295 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
- 68 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (6.8% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Klean Athlete Klean Hydration sodium per liter: 759 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Klean Athlete Klean Hydration label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 270 mg 759 mg Potassium 105 mg 295 mg Magnesium 37 mg 105 mg Carbs 24 g 68 g Sugars 18 g 51 g Calories 90 kcal 253 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
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Price not checked.
Label serving: 1 Scoop (Approx. 17.9 g), 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 | Tailwind High Carb Fuel | 1,432 mg | 400 mg | 46 g | 269 kcal | $5.42 | 100 of 100 |
| 2 | Tailwind Endurance Fuel | 1,047 mg | 304 mg | 30 g | 120 kcal | $3.33 | 91 of 100 |
| 3 | Skratch Labs Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix | 844 mg | 0 mg | 6 g | 299 kcal | $13.11 | 85.5 of 100 |
| 4 | UCAN Energy Drink Mix | 717 mg | 295 mg | 0 g | 135 kcal | $14.70 | 79.4 of 100 |
| 5 | DripDrop Original Electrolyte Powder | 1,392 mg | 759 mg | 10 g | 52 kcal | $3.41 | 71.1 of 100 |
| 6 | SWORD Advanced Electrolyte Powder | 844 mg | 0 mg | 9 g | 90 kcal | $9.00 | 70.6 of 100 |
| 7 | Maurten Drink Mix 320 | 490 mg | 0 mg | 26 g | 227 kcal | $14.87 | 70.6 of 100 |
| 8 | Gatorade Endurance Formula (Ready to Drink) | 861 mg | 389 mg | 13 g | 89 kcal | price not checked | 70.2 of 100 |
| 9 | Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder | 873 mg | 394 mg | 13 g | 90 kcal | $2.45 | 69.6 of 100 |
| 10 | Klean Athlete Klean Hydration | 759 mg | 295 mg | 18 g | 90 kcal | price not checked | 69.4 of 100 |
How we ranked
A drink needs at least 230 mg/L of sodium and enough carbohydrate per liter to cover the 1 to 2 hour target, 30 g/h [3]. Scores compare each liter with the hourly targets, treating one liter as one hour of drinking. That is a scoring convention inside the typical sweat rate of 0.5 to 2 L/h [1], not a drinking target.
- Who qualifies
- Any format with at least 230 mg sodium and at least 30 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed. 30 g is the hourly carb amount suggested for 1 to 2 hours of exercise. 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 50 points for sodium per liter as mixed, with full points at 1,189 mg/L, the average hourly sodium loss measured in endurance athletes. Up to 50 points for carbohydrate per liter, with full points at 90 g/L, the most carbohydrate suggested per hour for sessions longer than 2.5 hours. More of either earns no extra points. To compare a drink with hourly targets we count one liter as one hour of drinking, which sits inside the typical sweat rate of 0.5 to 2 L an hour. It is a scoring convention, not a drinking target. 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 endurance drink
Carbs that match the session. About 30 g/h for 1 to 2 hours, up to 60 g/h for 2 to 3 hours, and up to 90 g/h beyond that, using mixed sources such as glucose and fructose [3]. Our carbs per hour guide walks through it.
Sodium that matches your sweat. Hourly sodium loss varies widely. The endurance mean in one large dataset was 1,189 mg/h, and many athletes lost far more or far less [2]. The hydration calculator turns your sweat rate into a sodium target.
Carb strength. ACSM advises that a drink used for both fluid and carbs stays at or below 8% carbohydrate [6]. Some high-carb fuel mixes go well past that when mixed as the label says. The carb percentage appears under each product.
Fluid by thirst. Drinking more than you sweat is the main cause of low blood sodium in long events [5]. Plan carbs and sodium; let thirst set the volume.
FAQ
What is the best electrolyte drink for endurance athletes?
On our label data, the best endurance drinks come close to both targets per liter: sodium near 1,189 mg/h and carbs near 90 g/h. Drinks strong in one and weak in the other score lower. The list above shows both numbers for each product so you can see which half it wins on.
How many carbs per hour do you need for endurance?
Guidance from Jeukendrup is about 30 g/h an hour for 1 to 2 hours, up to 60 g/h for 2 to 3 hours, and up to 90 g/h for longer sessions using mixed carbohydrate sources [3]. These are ranges, not fixed prescriptions, and many athletes build up to the higher amounts in training.
How much sodium per hour for a marathon or long ride?
It depends on your sweat rate and how salty your sweat is. Endurance athletes in one large dataset lost 1,189 mg/h of sodium an hour on average, with a wide spread [2]. Our sodium per hour guide shows how to estimate your own.
Why do some high-carb drinks score so well?
Carbohydrate points top out at 90 g/h per liter, so a very concentrated fuel mix gets full carb points. It still needs sodium to score well overall. These mixes are often stronger than 8% carbohydrate, which ACSM advises against for a drink that is also your only fluid [6].
What is the best electrolyte drink for cycling?
The same rules apply on the bike. Long rides fall into the longer carb bands, up to 90 g/h beyond 2.5 hours [3], so the higher-carb drinks near the top of this list fit them. Check the carb percentage and sodium per liter under each product against your plan.
Oldest label check in this list (Tailwind High Carb Fuel): . Source (opens in a new tab)