Low-calorie sports drinks, ranked by what the label says
The best low-calorie sports drinks meet the FDA low-calorie rule, 40 kcal or less per reference amount [8], in every flavor, carry sodium near the middle of the typical sweat range and list potassium. Among drinks that pass, fewer calories earn a few extra points, since that is the reason to look for this list.
On current label data the top three are POWERADE Power Water, BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Zero Sugar Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) and Gatorlyte Zero Sugar.
30 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: POWERADE Power Water
Why it ranks here
- 880 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 288 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
- 3 calories per 360 mL.
Sodium per liter as mixed
POWERADE Power Water sodium per liter: 880 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.POWERADE Power Water label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 312 mg 880 mg Potassium 102 mg 288 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 0 g 0 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 3 kcal 8 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
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.
- 12 calories per 360 mL.
Sodium per liter as mixed
BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Zero Sugar 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. Zero Sugar 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 1.8 g 5.1 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 12 kcal 34 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 3: Gatorlyte Zero Sugar
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.
- 9 calories per 360 mL.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Gatorlyte Zero Sugar sodium per liter: 829 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Gatorlyte Zero Sugar 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 0.6 g 1.7 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 9 kcal 25 kcal - Per serving
- $2.79
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $5.69
Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab)Label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 20 fl oz bottle).
Label serving: 1 bottle (591 mL).
Number 4: Electrolit Zero Electrolyte Beverage
Why it ranks here
- 688 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 784 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
- 0 calories per 360 mL.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Electrolit Zero Electrolyte Beverage sodium per liter: 688 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Electrolit Zero Electrolyte Beverage label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 244 mg 688 mg Potassium 278 mg 784 mg Magnesium 17 mg 48 mg Carbs 0 g 0 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 0 kcal 0 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 5: Powerade Zero Sugar
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.
- 0 calories per 360 mL.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Powerade Zero Sugar sodium per liter: 676 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Powerade Zero Sugar 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 0 g 0 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 0 kcal 0 kcal - Per serving
- $0.41
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- $1.72
Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab)Label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
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).
Number 6: Pedialyte Electrolyte Water Zero Sugar
Why it ranks here
- 690 mg sodium per liter as mixed, in the moderate band (in the lower half of the typical sweat sodium range).
- 390 mg potassium per liter as mixed.
- No recorded price, so it goes last in any tie.
- 4 calories per 360 mL.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Pedialyte Electrolyte Water Zero Sugar sodium per liter: 690 mg/L, in the Moderate band (230 to 920 mg/L). Scale 0 to 2,500 mg/L.Pedialyte Electrolyte Water Zero Sugar label numbers per 12 fl oz and per liter Nutrient 12 fl oz Liter Sodium 245 mg 690 mg Potassium 138 mg 390 mg Magnesium not on label not on label Carbs 1.1 g 3 g Sugars 0 g 0 g Calories 4 kcal 10 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 7: 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.
- 30 calories per 360 mL.
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
Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab)Label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 20 fl oz bottle).
Label serving: 1 bottle (591 mL).
Number 8: Pedialyte Fast Hydration (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 calories per 360 mL.
Sodium per liter as mixed
Pedialyte Fast Hydration (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 Fast Hydration (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 43 mg 120 mg Carbs 6 g 17 g Sugars 5 g 14 g Calories 21 kcal 60 kcal - Per serving
- price not checked
- Per 1,000 mg sodium
- price not checked
Number 9: 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.
- 27 calories per 360 mL.
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 10: 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.
- 25 calories per 360 mL.
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
Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab)Label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Price checked Sep 24, 2026 at Target (1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle).
Label serving: 33.8 fl oz (1 L).
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 | POWERADE Power Water | 880 mg | 288 mg | 0 g | 3 kcal | price not checked | 97.5 of 100 |
| 2 | BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Zero Sugar Electrolyte Drink (Ready to Drink) | 897 mg | 1,218 mg | 0 g | 12 kcal | price not checked | 95.9 of 100 |
| 3 | Gatorlyte Zero Sugar | 829 mg | 592 mg | 0 g | 9 kcal | $5.69 | 93.8 of 100 |
| 4 | Electrolit Zero Electrolyte Beverage | 688 mg | 784 mg | 0 g | 0 kcal | price not checked | 89.9 of 100 |
| 5 | Powerade Zero Sugar | 676 mg | 225 mg | 0 g | 0 kcal | $1.72 | 89.4 of 100 |
| 6 | Pedialyte Electrolyte Water Zero Sugar | 690 mg | 390 mg | 0 g | 4 kcal | price not checked | 89.1 of 100 |
| 7 | Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration | 829 mg | 592 mg | 7.2 g | 30 kcal | $5.69 | 88.4 of 100 |
| 8 | Pedialyte Fast Hydration (1 L bottle) | 1,080 mg | 780 mg | 5 g | 21 kcal | price not checked | 87.6 of 100 |
| 9 | Hydralyte Ready to Drink | 1,050 mg | 850 mg | 5.3 g | 27 kcal | price not checked | 87.6 of 100 |
| 10 | Pedialyte Classic | 1,080 mg | 780 mg | 4.6 g | 25 kcal | $5.08 | 86.7 of 100 |
How we ranked
The FDA reference amount for a drink is 360 mL [10], close to 12 fl oz. We scale each label to that amount and keep only bottles where every flavor stays at or under the calorie limit. Then we score sodium and potassium per liter, with a few points for fewer calories.
- Who qualifies
- Ready-to-drink bottles and cans with 40 calories or less per 360 mL, the FDA low-calorie rule, in every flavor. 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 60 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 potassium per liter, with full points at 196 mg/L, the average potassium in sweat. Up to 10 points for fewer calories: full points at 0, none at 40 calories per 360 mL, the FDA low-calorie limit. 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 low-calorie sports drink
Low calorie is not zero sugar. A drink can meet the low-calorie rule and still contain some sugar. Oral rehydration style drinks often do, because a little glucose is part of their design [4]. The sugar column in the table shows the difference.
Sodium still matters most. Cutting calories does not cut salt. Some low-calorie bottles carry more sodium per liter than full-sugar sports drinks. Compare them with the typical sweat range of 230 to 1,610 mg/L [1].
Check the serving size. A large bottle can list more calories per bottle than a small can and still pass the rule, because the rule is per reference amount. The calories column in the table is per 12 fl oz, so every drink is on the same basis.
FAQ
What is the lowest calorie sports drink?
Several bottles on this list are close to zero calories per 12 fl oz. The table shows calories per 12 fl oz for each, so the lowest is easy to spot. If you need zero, the electrolytes for fasting list applies the stricter FDA calorie-free rule.
What counts as a low-calorie drink?
Under FDA rules, “low calorie” means 40 kcal or less per reference amount [8]. For drinks, the reference amount is 360 mL [10]. We check that every flavor of a product passes, not only the one pictured on the brand’s site.
Are zero-calorie sports drinks bad for you?
We rank what is on the label, not health effects. Zero-calorie sports drinks replace sugar with non-sugar sweeteners, and the sugar-free lists show which ones each drink uses. If you would rather avoid those sweeteners, the no artificial sweeteners list filters out the synthetic ones.
Do low-calorie sports drinks have enough electrolytes?
It depends on the drink. Some low-calorie bottles are lightly salted, while others reach the upper half of the typical sweat sodium range. The gauge under each product shows where it sits against the sweat range, so you can judge whether it suits a long, sweaty session.
Oldest label check in this list (POWERADE Power Water): . Source (opens in a new tab)