Best sports drinks, ranked by what the label says
The best sports drinks, going by the label, do the three jobs a sports drink is for: carbohydrate near the 6 to 8% range ACSM describes [6], sodium near the middle of the typical sweat range, and some potassium. We rank only ready-to-drink bottles and cans on those three.
On current label data the top three are Gatorade Endurance Formula (Ready to Drink), Powerade and Electrolit Electrolyte Hydration Beverage.
39 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
- 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 2: Powerade
Why it ranks here
- 676 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 225 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.72 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 59 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (5.9% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Powerade sodium per liter: 676 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Powerade label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 240 mg 676 mg Potassium 80 mg 225 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 21 g 59 g Sugars 21 g 59 g Calories 80 kcal 225 kcal - Per serving
- $0.41
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.72
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (8 x 20 fl oz bottles).
Label serving: 12 fl oz (2.5 servings per 28 fl oz container).
Why it ranks here
- 704 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 789 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $6.83 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 51 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (5.1% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Electrolit Electrolyte Hydration Beverage sodium per liter: 704 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Electrolit Electrolyte Hydration Beverage label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 250 mg 704 mg Potassium 280 mg 789 mg Magnesium 20 mg 56 mg Carbs 18 g 51 g Sugars 18 g 51 g Calories 70 kcal 197 kcal - Per serving
- $1.71
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $6.83
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 21 fl oz (625 ml) bottle).
Label serving: 12 fl oz (360 mL); about 2 servings per 21 fl oz container.
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.
- 27 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (2.7% carbohydrate).
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
Number 5: 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.
- 20 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (2% carbohydrate).
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 6: Gatorade Thirst Quencher
Why it ranks here
- 457 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 135 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $3.24 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 59 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (5.9% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorade Thirst Quencher sodium per liter: 457 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorade Thirst Quencher label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 162 mg 457 mg Potassium 48 mg 135 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 21 g 59 g Sugars 21 g 59 g Calories 84 kcal 237 kcal - Per serving
- $0.87
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $3.24
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (8 x 20 fl oz bottles).
Label serving: 1 bottle (591 mL).
Number 7: Hydralyte Ready to Drink
Why it ranks here
- 1,050 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 850 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
- 20 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (2% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Hydralyte Ready to Drink sodium per liter: 1,050 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Hydralyte Ready to Drink label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 373 mg 1,050 mg Potassium 302 mg 850 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 7.1 g 20 g Sugars 5.3 g 15 g Calories 27 kcal 75 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 8: Pedialyte AdvancedCare (1 L bottle)
Why it ranks here
- 1,080 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 780 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
- 22 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (2.2% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Pedialyte AdvancedCare (1 L bottle) sodium per liter: 1,080 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Pedialyte AdvancedCare (1 L bottle) label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 383 mg 1,080 mg Potassium 277 mg 780 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 7.8 g 22 g Sugars 4.6 g 13 g Calories 28 kcal 80 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 9: Pedialyte Classic
Why it ranks here
- 1,080 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 780 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $5.08 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 19 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (1.9% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Pedialyte Classic sodium per liter: 1,080 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Pedialyte Classic label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 383 mg 1,080 mg Potassium 277 mg 780 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 6.7 g 19 g Sugars 4.6 g 13 g Calories 25 kcal 70 kcal - Per serving
- $5.49
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $5.08
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle).
Label serving: 33.8 fl oz (1 L).
Number 10: Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water
Why it ranks here
- 167 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the low band (less sodium per liter than the least salty sweat).
- 2,333 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $74.88 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- 67 g carbohydrate per liter as mixed (6.7% carbohydrate).
Sodium per liter as mixed
Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water sodium per liter: 167 mg/L, in the Low band (0 to 230 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 59 mg 167 mg Potassium 828 mg 2,333 mg Magnesium 30 mg 83 mg Carbs 24 g 67 g Sugars 21 g 58 g Calories 89 kcal 250 kcal - Per serving
- $3.00
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $74.88
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 16 fl oz bottle (2 servings)).
Label serving: 8 fl. oz. (240mL).
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 | Gatorade Endurance Formula (Ready to Drink) | 861 mg | 389 mg | 13 g | 89 kcal | price not checked | 97.9 of 100 |
| 2 | Powerade | 676 mg | 225 mg | 21 g | 80 kcal | $1.72 | 90.7 of 100 |
| 3 | Electrolit Electrolyte Hydration Beverage | 704 mg | 789 mg | 18 g | 70 kcal | $6.83 | 87.5 of 100 |
| 4 | BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) | 897 mg | 1,218 mg | 9 g | 48 kcal | price not checked | 82.7 of 100 |
| 5 | Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration | 829 mg | 592 mg | 7.2 g | 30 kcal | $5.69 | 76.9 of 100 |
| 6 | Gatorade Thirst Quencher | 457 mg | 135 mg | 21 g | 84 kcal | $3.24 | 76.6 of 100 |
| 7 | Hydralyte Ready to Drink | 1,050 mg | 850 mg | 5.3 g | 27 kcal | price not checked | 75.3 of 100 |
| 8 | Pedialyte AdvancedCare (1 L bottle) | 1,080 mg | 780 mg | 4.6 g | 28 kcal | price not checked | 75.2 of 100 |
| 9 | Pedialyte Classic | 1,080 mg | 780 mg | 4.6 g | 25 kcal | $5.08 | 73.7 of 100 |
| 10 | Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water | 167 mg | 2,333 mg | 21 g | 89 kcal | $74.88 | 72.7 of 100 |
How we ranked
We included every bottled or canned drink in our database with a complete label, converted each to one liter, and applied the score below. Carbohydrate counts because it is the fuel half of a sports drink. Zero-sugar bottles have their own sugar-free sports drinks list.
- Who qualifies
- Ready-to-drink bottles and cans. 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
- A sports drink supplies fluid, carbohydrate and electrolytes, so all three count. Up to 50 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 carbohydrate: full points from 60 to 80 g per liter (6 to 8%, the range ACSM gives for a conventional sports drink), rising in a straight line from 0 g below it and falling to none at twice the top of it. Up to 20 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 a sports drink
Sodium per liter. Classic sports drinks carry less sodium than most sweat, which usually holds 230 to 1,610 mg/L [1]. Newer “electrolyte” bottles often carry far more. Our sodium in sports drinks guide lists every one.
Carbohydrate strength. A drink between 6 and 8% carbohydrate is what ACSM calls a conventional sports drink, and it advises staying at or below 8% when one drink supplies both fluid and carbs [6]. The isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic guide explains the terms.
Sugar for the session you have. In a long session, sugar is fuel. At a desk, it is just sugar. If you want the electrolytes without it, see the sugar-free sports drinks list.
FAQ
What are good sports drinks?
On label data, good sports drinks sit near 6 to 8% carbohydrate, carry sodium near the middle of the typical sweat range, and list potassium. Classic sugared sports drinks often do well here because that is what they were designed for. Salt-heavy bottles with little carbohydrate score lower on this list.
Which sports drinks have the most electrolytes?
By sodium per liter, the salt-focused electrolyte bottles and oral rehydration style drinks lead this list. Classic sports drinks carry much less. The table above sorts them by score, and the sodium column shows the raw amount per liter, so you can compare any two directly.
Are sports drinks good for you?
They suit long or sweaty exercise. The ACSM position stand says drinks with carbohydrate and electrolytes can help more than water in some conditions, while meals replace sweat losses for most people [6]. For everyday drinking, the sugar in many sports drinks is worth checking in the table.
Is a sports drink better than water?
For short, easy exercise, water is usually enough. For longer or hotter sessions, the sodium and carbs in a sports drink can help [6]. Either way, let thirst guide how much you drink [5]. Our sports drink vs water guide goes through when each makes sense.
Do sports drinks have caffeine?
Most do not, but some flavors or lines add it. We record caffeine per flavor from the label. If you want to rule it out entirely, the caffeine-free sports drinks list keeps only bottles where every flavor lists 0 mg caffeine.
Oldest label check in this list (Gatorade Endurance Formula (Ready to Drink)): . Source (opens in a new tab)