Biolyte vs Pedialyte: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Biolyte Ready to Drink has 37% more sodium than Pedialyte Classic per 12 fl oz (525 mg vs 383 mg). Biolyte Ready to Drink has 63% more sugar than Pedialyte Classic per 12 fl oz (7.5 g vs 4.6 g). Pedialyte Classic costs less per liter as mixed ($5.49 vs $7.05 for Biolyte Ready to Drink).
Biolyte Ready to Drink vs Pedialyte Classic, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Biolyte Ready to Drink's label is for a 16 fl oz (473 mL) bottle serving; Pedialyte Classic's is for a 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) bottle serving. The per-serving numbers on the two labels can't be compared directly, so this page converts both to 12 fl oz and 1 liter of finished drink.
| Nutrient | Biolyte Ready to Drink | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 34 kcal | 25 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 9 g | 6.7 g |
| Sugars | 7.5 g | 4.6 g |
| Added sugars | 7.5 g | 4.6 g |
| Sodium | 525 mg | 383 mg |
| Potassium | 300 mg | 277 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg | not on label |
| Chloride | 825 mg | 440 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Biolyte Ready to Drink | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 95 kcal | 70 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 25 g | 19 g |
| Sugars | 21 g | 13 g |
| Added sugars | 21 g | 13 g |
| Sodium | 1,480 mg | 1,080 mg |
| Potassium | 846 mg | 780 mg |
| Magnesium | 34 mg | not on label |
| Chloride | 2,326 mg | 1,240 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Biolyte Ready to Drink | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 16 fl oz (473 mL) | 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) |
| Calories | 45 kcal | 70 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 12 g | 19 g |
| Sugars | 10 g | 13 g |
| Added sugars | 10 g | 13 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg | 1,080 mg |
| Potassium | 400 mg | 780 mg |
| Magnesium | 16 mg | not on label |
| Chloride | 1,100 mg | 1,240 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Shaded cells mark more electrolytes, or less sugar and fewer calories. Carbohydrate and caffeine are not marked, since more or less depends on your use. Neither label lists calcium.
Biolyte Ready to Drink label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sodium per liter
Sweat carries about 230 to 1,610 mg of sodium per liter[1]. Both gauges use the same scale, so the markers line up.
Cost per serving and per 1,000 mg sodium
| Measure | Biolyte Ready to Drink | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $39.99 for 12 x 16 fl oz bottles | $5.49 for 1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle |
| Cost per serving | $3.33 | $5.49 |
| Cost per liter | $7.05 | $5.49 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $4.76 | $5.08 |
Biolyte Ready to Drink price checked at Biolyte . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from dextrose. Sweetened with monk fruit and stevia.
- Biolyte Ready to Drink has no caffeine.
- 2.5% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Proprietary Blend 10.8g: Dextrose, Glucuronolactone, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, L-Carnitine, Ginger Root Extract, Milk Thistle Seed Extract. Additional Ingredients: Water, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Monk Fruit Extract, Stevia Extract Reb M
- Sugar from dextrose. Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- Pedialyte Classic has no caffeine.
- 1.9% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Dextrose. Less than 0.5% of: Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sodium Citrate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Gluconate, and Yellow 6.
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Biolyte if
- you want more sodium: 525 mg vs 383 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want magnesium: 12 mg per 12 fl oz vs not on the label
- you want to avoid sucralose and acesulfame potassium
Pick Pedialyte if
- you want less sugar: 4.6 g vs 7.5 g per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $5.49 vs $7.05
Where to buy
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, and it never changes the data or rankings. Affiliate disclosure.
Biolyte Ready to Drink
Other Biolyte vs Pedialyte matchups
Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder vs Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs
Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder has 49% more sodium than Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs per 12 fl oz (548 mg vs 368 mg). Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs has 33% more sugar than Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder per 12 fl oz (9 g vs 6.8 g).
| Per 12 fl oz | Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder | Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 548 mg | 368 mg |
| Potassium | 300 mg | 278 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg | not on label |
| Carbohydrate | 8.3 g | 11 g |
| Sugars | 6.8 g | 9 g |
| Calories | 34 kcal | 45 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.30 | $4.69 |
Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder price checked at Biolyte . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs price checked at Walmart . Source (opens in a new tab)
What the data can't tell you
- How they taste. We compare labels, not flavor.
- What they cost near you today. We checked Biolyte Ready to Drink at Biolyte on Sep 24, 2026 and Pedialyte Classic at Target on Sep 24, 2026.
- How much sodium you lose. That depends on your sweat; the sweat rate calculator gives an estimate.
- Older records. The USDA food database has older figures for Pedialyte Classic that differ by more than 10%. We use the current label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Biolyte or Pedialyte?
Per 12 fl oz, Biolyte Ready to Drink has 525 mg sodium, 300 mg potassium and 12 mg magnesium. Pedialyte Classic has 383 mg sodium and 277 mg potassium. Per liter that is 1,480 mg vs 1,080 mg sodium. Pedialyte Classic doesn't list magnesium on the label.
Does Biolyte or Pedialyte have more sugar?
Biolyte Ready to Drink: 7.5 g sugar and 34 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with monk fruit and stevia. Pedialyte Classic: 4.6 g sugar and 25 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Why do Biolyte and Pedialyte list different serving sizes?
Biolyte Ready to Drink's label is for a 16 fl oz (473 mL) bottle serving and Pedialyte Classic's is for a 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) bottle serving. Comparing the labels as printed gives 700 mg vs 1,080 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 525 mg vs 383 mg.
Which is cheaper, Biolyte or Pedialyte?
Biolyte Ready to Drink worked out at $3.33 a serving, $7.05 a liter and $4.76 per 1,000 mg sodium (12 x 16 fl oz bottles at Biolyte, checked Sep 24, 2026). Pedialyte Classic worked out at $5.49 a serving, $5.49 a liter and $5.08 per 1,000 mg sodium (1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder compare with Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs?
Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder has 49% more sodium than Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs per 12 fl oz (548 mg vs 368 mg). Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs has 33% more sugar than Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder per 12 fl oz (9 g vs 6.8 g). Per liter as mixed, Biolyte On the Go Electrolyte Powder costs $3.30 and Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs costs $4.69.