LMNT vs Gatorade: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes has 4.6 times the sodium of Gatorade Thirst Quencher per 12 fl oz (750 mg vs 162 mg). Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 21 g sugar per 12 fl oz; LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes has none. Gatorade Thirst Quencher costs less per liter as mixed ($1.48 vs $3.17 for LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes).
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes vs Gatorade Thirst Quencher, side by side
Serving sizes differ. LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes' label is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water; Gatorade Thirst Quencher's is for a 20 fl oz (591 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 | LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 4 kcal | 84 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0.8 g | 21 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 21 g |
| Added sugars | not on label | 21 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 48 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 11 kcal | 237 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 2.1 g | 59 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 59 g |
| Added sugars | not on label | 59 g |
| Sodium | 2,114 mg | 457 mg |
| Potassium | 423 mg | 135 mg |
| Magnesium | 127 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 16 fl oz (473 mL) | 20 fl oz (591 mL) |
| Calories | 5 kcal | 140 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 1 g | 35 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 35 g |
| Added sugars | not on label | 35 g |
| Sodium | 1,000 mg | 270 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg | 80 mg |
| Magnesium | 60 mg | not on label |
| 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 or chloride.
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher 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 | LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $45.00 for 30-count box of stick packs (one-time purchase) | $6.99 for 8 x 20 fl oz bottles |
| Cost per serving | $1.50 | $0.87 |
| Cost per liter | $3.17 | $1.48 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $1.50 | $3.24 |
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes price checked at LMNT . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- No sugar sources in the ingredients. Sweetened with stevia.
- Some LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes flavors have caffeine (up to 50 mg per serving); the others have none.
- 0.2% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Salt (Sodium Chloride), Citric Acid, Magnesium Malate, Potassium Chloride, Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors, Stevia Leaf Extract.
- Sugar from sugar and dextrose. No low-calorie sweeteners listed.
- Gatorade Thirst Quencher has no caffeine.
- 5.9% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Monopotassium Phosphate, Gum Arabic, Ascorbic Acid (to Protect Color), Natural Flavor, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Beta Carotene (Color).
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick LMNT if
- you want more sodium: 750 mg vs 162 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want no sugar: 0 g vs 21 g per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 150 mg vs 48 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want magnesium: 45 mg per 12 fl oz vs not on the label
- you want the option of a caffeinated flavor: up to 50 mg per serving
- you want the cheapest sodium: $1.50 vs $3.24 per 1,000 mg
- you want a powder stick that is light to carry and mixes into your own water
Pick Gatorade if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 162 mg vs 750 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want carbohydrate for energy during long sessions: 21 g vs 0.8 g per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $1.48 vs $3.17
- you want a ready-to-drink bottle with nothing to mix
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.
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes
Other LMNT vs Gatorade matchups
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes vs Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes has 4.6 times the sodium of Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (750 mg vs 162 mg). Neither has any sugar.
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes' label is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water; Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks' is for one stick in 20 fl oz (591 mL) of water. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes | Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 750 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 48 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg | not on label |
| Carbohydrate | 0.8 g | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 4 kcal | 3 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.17 | $0.95 |
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes price checked at LMNT . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks price checked at Target . 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 LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes at LMNT on Sep 24, 2026 and Gatorade Thirst Quencher at Target on Sep 24, 2026.
- How much sodium you lose. That depends on your sweat; the sweat rate calculator gives an estimate.
- Every flavor. LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes lists different values for some flavors; this page uses the main label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, LMNT or Gatorade?
Per 12 fl oz, LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes has 750 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium and 45 mg magnesium. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 162 mg sodium and 48 mg potassium. Per liter that is 2,114 mg vs 457 mg sodium. Gatorade Thirst Quencher doesn't list magnesium on the label.
Does LMNT or Gatorade have more sugar?
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes: 0 g sugar and 4 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with stevia. Gatorade Thirst Quencher: 21 g sugar and 84 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed.
Why do LMNT and Gatorade list different serving sizes?
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes' label is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water and Gatorade Thirst Quencher's is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving. Comparing the labels as printed gives 1,000 mg vs 270 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 750 mg vs 162 mg.
Which is cheaper, LMNT or Gatorade?
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes worked out at $1.50 a serving, $3.17 a liter and $1.50 per 1,000 mg sodium (30-count box of stick packs (one-time purchase) at LMNT, checked Sep 24, 2026). Gatorade Thirst Quencher worked out at $0.87 a serving, $1.48 a liter and $3.24 per 1,000 mg sodium (8 x 20 fl oz bottles at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes compare with Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks?
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes has 4.6 times the sodium of Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (750 mg vs 162 mg). Neither has any sugar. Per liter as mixed, LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes costs $3.17 and Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks costs $0.95.
Does LMNT or Gatorade have caffeine?
Some LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes flavors have caffeine (up to 50 mg per serving); the others have none. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has no caffeine.