Cheapest electrolyte powders by cost per 1,000 mg sodium
The cheapest electrolyte powder is the one that costs least per 1,000 mg of sodium, not the one with the lowest price per stick. We divide each recorded pack price by the sodium it contains and rank on that alone. Powders without a recorded price are left out, and each entry shows when and where we checked the price.
On current label data the top three are Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolyte Powder, Santa Cruz Paleo Electrolytes and Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder.
61 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
- 1,712 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the very high band (saltier than typical sweat).
- 846 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $0.95 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $0.77 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolyte Powder sodium per liter: 1,712 mg/L, in the Very high band (1,610 to 2,500 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolyte Powder label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 608 mg 1,712 mg Potassium 300 mg 846 mg Magnesium 38 mg 106 mg Carbs 0 g 0 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 0 kcal 0 kcal - Per serving
- $0.77
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $0.95
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Redmond (60-serving jar).
Label serving: 1 level scoop (7g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Number 2: Santa Cruz Paleo Electrolytes
Why it ranks here
- 3,376 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the very high band (saltier than typical sweat).
- 1,266 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.25 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $1.00 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Santa Cruz Paleo Electrolytes sodium per liter: 3,376 mg/L, in the Very high band (1,610 to 2,500 mg/L), above the 0 to 2,500 mg/L scale.Santa Cruz Paleo Electrolytes label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 1,198 mg 3,376 mg Potassium 449 mg 1,266 mg Magnesium 90 mg 253 mg Carbs 3 g 8.4 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 0 kcal 0 kcal - Per serving
- $1.00
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.25
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Santa Cruz Paleo (30-serving tub (5.7 oz / 162.6 g)).
Label serving: 1 scoop (5.42g), mixed to 8 fl oz (237 mL).
Number 3: Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder
Why it ranks here
- 423 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 141 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.30 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $0.20 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder sodium per liter: 423 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 150 mg 423 mg Potassium 50 mg 141 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
- $0.20
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.30
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (51 oz canister (about 63 servings)).
Label serving: 23 g (makes about 12 fl oz), mixed to 12 fl oz (355 mL).
Number 4: up&up Sugar Free Hydration Drink Mix
Why it ranks here
- 1,121 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 803 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.41 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $0.75 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
up&up Sugar Free Hydration Drink Mix sodium per liter: 1,121 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.up&up Sugar Free Hydration Drink Mix label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 398 mg 1,121 mg Potassium 285 mg 803 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 4.5 g 13 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 11 kcal 32 kcal - Per serving
- $0.75
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.41
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (20-count box of sticks).
Label serving: 1 stick (13g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Why it ranks here
- 1,057 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the high band (in the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 782 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.50 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $0.75 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
up&up Hydration with Electrolytes Drink Mix sodium per liter: 1,057 mg/L, in the High band (920 to 1,610 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.up&up Hydration with Electrolytes Drink Mix label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 375 mg 1,057 mg Potassium 278 mg 782 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 8.3 g 23 g Sugars 8.3 g 23 g Calories 34 kcal 95 kcal - Per serving
- $0.75
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.50
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (20-count box of sticks).
Label serving: 1 stick (16 g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Number 6: LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes
Why it ranks here
- 2,114 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the very high band (saltier than typical sweat).
- 423 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.50 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $1.50 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes sodium per liter: 2,114 mg/L, in the Very high band (1,610 to 2,500 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 750 mg 2,114 mg Potassium 150 mg 423 mg Magnesium 45 mg 127 mg Carbs 0.8 g 2.1 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 4 kcal 11 kcal - Per serving
- $1.50
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.50
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at LMNT (30-count box of stick packs (one-time purchase)).
Label serving: 1 stick pack (6g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Number 7: 1st Phorm Hydration Sport
Why it ranks here
- 2,537 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the very high band (saltier than typical sweat).
- 634 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.54 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $1.85 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
1st Phorm Hydration Sport sodium per liter: 2,537 mg/L, in the Very high band (1,610 to 2,500 mg/L), above the 0 to 2,500 mg/L scale.1st Phorm Hydration Sport label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 900 mg 2,537 mg Potassium 225 mg 634 mg Magnesium 23 mg 63 mg Carbs 0 g 0 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 0 kcal 0 kcal - Per serving
- $1.85
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.54
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at 1st Phorm (Box of 20 single-serve packets).
Label serving: 1 Packet (7.1g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Number 8: Waterboy Workout Hydration
Why it ranks here
- 2,114 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the very high band (saltier than typical sweat).
- 846 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.67 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $1.67 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Waterboy Workout Hydration sodium per liter: 2,114 mg/L, in the Very high band (1,610 to 2,500 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Waterboy Workout Hydration label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 750 mg 2,114 mg Potassium 300 mg 846 mg Magnesium 38 mg 106 mg Carbs 0.8 g 2.1 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 8 kcal 21 kcal - Per serving
- $1.67
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.67
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Waterboy (15-stick pouch).
Label serving: 1 Stick (6.2g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Number 9: SALTT Electrolyte Drink Mix
Why it ranks here
- 2,047 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the very high band (saltier than typical sweat).
- 865 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.83 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $1.77 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
SALTT Electrolyte Drink Mix sodium per liter: 2,047 mg/L, in the Very high band (1,610 to 2,500 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.SALTT Electrolyte Drink Mix label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 726 mg 2,047 mg Potassium 307 mg 865 mg Magnesium 134 mg 376 mg Carbs 0.1 g 0.4 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 2 kcal 6 kcal - Per serving
- $1.77
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.83
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at SALTT (30-stick pouch).
Label serving: 1 Stick Pack (6.6g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 mL).
Number 10: Waterboy Weekend Recovery
Why it ranks here
- 2,368 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the very high band (saltier than typical sweat).
- 740 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- $1.86 per 1,000 mg sodium.
- $2.08 per serving.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Waterboy Weekend Recovery sodium per liter: 2,368 mg/L, in the Very high band (1,610 to 2,500 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Waterboy Weekend Recovery label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 840 mg 2,368 mg Potassium 263 mg 740 mg Magnesium 38 mg 106 mg Carbs 0.8 g 2.1 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 4 kcal 11 kcal - Per serving
- $2.08
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.86
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Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Waterboy (12-stick pouch).
Label serving: 1 Stick (6.5g), mixed to 16 fl oz (473 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 | Sodium per $1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolyte Powder | 1,712 mg | 846 mg | 0 g | 0 kcal | $0.95 | 1,057 mg sodium per $1 |
| 2 | Santa Cruz Paleo Electrolytes | 3,376 mg | 1,266 mg | 0 g | 0 kcal | $1.25 | 800 mg sodium per $1 |
| 3 | Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder | 423 mg | 141 mg | 21 g | 80 kcal | $1.30 | 769 mg sodium per $1 |
| 4 | up&up Sugar Free Hydration Drink Mix | 1,121 mg | 803 mg | 0 g | 11 kcal | $1.41 | 707 mg sodium per $1 |
| 5 | up&up Hydration with Electrolytes Drink Mix | 1,057 mg | 782 mg | 8.3 g | 34 kcal | $1.50 | 667 mg sodium per $1 |
| 6 | LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes | 2,114 mg | 423 mg | 0 g | 4 kcal | $1.50 | 667 mg sodium per $1 |
| 7 | 1st Phorm Hydration Sport | 2,537 mg | 634 mg | 0 g | 0 kcal | $1.54 | 649 mg sodium per $1 |
| 8 | Waterboy Workout Hydration | 2,114 mg | 846 mg | 0 g | 8 kcal | $1.67 | 600 mg sodium per $1 |
| 9 | SALTT Electrolyte Drink Mix | 2,047 mg | 865 mg | 0 g | 2 kcal | $1.83 | 548 mg sodium per $1 |
| 10 | Waterboy Weekend Recovery | 2,368 mg | 740 mg | 0 g | 4 kcal | $1.86 | 538 mg sodium per $1 |
How we ranked
Powder sticks and tubs qualify if we have a recorded price and they reach at least 230 mg/L of sodium as mixed, the low end of typical sweat [1]. The score is milligrams of sodium per dollar. Prices are one-time purchase prices at the retailer shown, not subscription or sale prices.
- Who qualifies
- Powder sticks and tubs with a recorded price and at least 230 mg sodium per liter as mixed, the low end of typical sweat sodium. Products without a recorded price are left out. 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
- Score is milligrams of sodium per US dollar, from the recorded pack price and label sodium. That gives the same order as the lowest cost per 1,000 mg sodium. Higher ranks first.
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 budget electrolyte powder
Cost per 1,000 mg sodium beats cost per serving. A cheap stick with little sodium can cost more per 1,000 mg than a pricier stick with a lot. Both numbers appear under each product, so you can see the gap.
Tubs often beat sticks. Loose powder in a tub skips the packaging of single servings. If you do not need to carry servings with you, a tub is often the cheaper route to the same sodium.
Sugar-based mixes cost more per 1,000 mg. Part of what you pay for in a carb drink is the carbohydrate. That is fair value if you need fuel, but it pushes these mixes down a sodium-per-dollar ranking.
Prices move. We record the price and date for each product. A sale, a subscription discount or a bigger pack can change the order, so check the price at the retailer before buying.
Home made is cheaper still. Table salt and a little sugar cost very little. Our homemade electrolyte drink guide gives the amounts.
FAQ
What is the cheapest electrolyte powder?
On our recorded prices, the powder at the top of the list costs the least per 1,000 mg of sodium. The ranking uses the one-time purchase price and pack size on the date shown under each product. Sales and subscriptions can change the order, so use the list as a starting point and check current prices.
Why rank by cost per 1,000 mg sodium instead of price per serving?
Servings differ. One stick might hold several times the sodium of another. Cost per 1,000 mg sodium puts every powder on the same footing: what you pay for the salt. Price per serving still appears under each product in case you care more about the cost of a single drink.
Are cheap electrolyte powders worse?
Not by the label. The cheapest powders per 1,000 mg sodium tend to be salt-heavy, which is why they rank near the top of the heavy sweaters list and lower on the general best electrolyte powder list. The other differences are flavor, sweetener and carbohydrate, not the amount of sodium.
Is a homemade electrolyte drink cheaper?
Almost always. Table salt costs a small fraction of any branded powder per 1,000 mg sodium, and a little sugar or juice adds flavor for very little. You give up convenience, portable packaging and the exact dosing printed on a label. The homemade electrolyte drink guide gives the amounts.
How often do you check prices?
Each product shows the date we last recorded its price and the retailer. We recheck prices during regular data reviews and note changes in the changelog. Products with no reliable price are marked “price not checked” elsewhere on the site and are left out of this list.
Oldest label check in this list (Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolyte Powder): . Source (opens in a new tab)