Prime vs Liquid I.V.: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 17.6 times the sodium of PRIME Hydration per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 21 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 5.8 times the sugar of PRIME Hydration per 12 fl oz (8.3 g vs 1.4 g). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier costs less per liter as mixed ($3.30 vs $4.98 for PRIME Hydration).
PRIME Hydration vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, side by side
Serving sizes differ. PRIME Hydration's label is for a 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) bottle serving; Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water. 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 | PRIME Hydration | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 14 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 3.5 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 1.4 g | 8.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 8.3 g |
| Sodium | 21 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 497 mg | 278 mg |
| Magnesium | 89 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | PRIME Hydration | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 40 kcal | 106 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 10 g | 23 g |
| Sugars | 4 g | 23 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 23 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg | 1,057 mg |
| Potassium | 1,400 mg | 782 mg |
| Magnesium | 250 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | PRIME Hydration | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) | 16 fl oz (473 mL) |
| Calories | 20 kcal | 50 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 5 g | 11 g |
| Sugars | 2 g | 11 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 11 g |
| Sodium | 30 mg | 500 mg |
| Potassium | 700 mg | 370 mg |
| Magnesium | 125 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.
PRIME Hydration label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier 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 | PRIME Hydration | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $2.49 for 1 x 16.9 fl oz bottle | $24.99 for 16 sticks (1 pouch) |
| Cost per serving | $2.49 | $1.56 |
| Cost per liter | $4.98 | $3.30 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $83.00 | $3.12 |
PRIME Hydration price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from coconut water concentrate. Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- PRIME Hydration has no caffeine.
- 1% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
WATER, COCONUT WATER CONCENTRATE, CITRIC ACID, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, TRIMAGNESIUM CITRATE, NATURAL FLAVORS, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GUM ARABIC, D-ALPHA TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), ESTER GUM, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A), CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12).
- Sugar from cane sugar and dextrose. Sweetened with stevia.
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has no caffeine.
- 2.3% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide, Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside A), Natural Flavors, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin).
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Prime if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 21 mg vs 375 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want less sugar: 1.4 g vs 8.3 g per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 497 mg vs 278 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want magnesium: 89 mg per 12 fl oz vs not on the label
- you want a ready-to-drink bottle with nothing to mix
Pick Liquid I.V. if
- you want more sodium: 375 mg vs 21 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want to avoid sucralose and acesulfame potassium
- you want the lower cost per liter: $3.30 vs $4.98
- you want the cheapest sodium: $3.12 vs $83.00 per 1,000 mg
- you want a powder stick that is light to carry and mixes into your own water
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.
Other Prime vs Liquid I.V. matchups
PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix has 20% more sodium than Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier per 12 fl oz (450 mg vs 375 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 8.3 g sugar per 12 fl oz; PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix has none.
| Per 12 fl oz | PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 450 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 300 mg | 278 mg |
| Magnesium | 56 mg | not on label |
| Carbohydrate | 1.5 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 8.3 g |
| Calories | 8 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Cost per liter | price not checked | $3.30 |
PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . 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 PRIME Hydration at Target on Sep 24, 2026 and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier at Liquid I.V. (brand store) on Sep 24, 2026.
- How much sodium you lose. That depends on your sweat; the sweat rate calculator gives an estimate.
- Every flavor. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier lists different values for some flavors; this page uses the main label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Prime or Liquid I.V.?
Per 12 fl oz, PRIME Hydration has 21 mg sodium, 497 mg potassium and 89 mg magnesium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 278 mg potassium. Per liter that is 60 mg vs 1,057 mg sodium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier doesn't list magnesium on the label.
Does Prime or Liquid I.V. have more sugar?
PRIME Hydration: 1.4 g sugar and 14 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier: 8.3 g sugar and 38 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with stevia.
Why do Prime and Liquid I.V. list different serving sizes?
PRIME Hydration's label is for a 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) bottle serving and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water. Comparing the labels as printed gives 30 mg vs 500 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 21 mg vs 375 mg.
Which is cheaper, Prime or Liquid I.V.?
PRIME Hydration worked out at $2.49 a serving, $4.98 a liter and $83.00 per 1,000 mg sodium (1 x 16.9 fl oz bottle at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier worked out at $1.56 a serving, $3.30 a liter and $3.12 per 1,000 mg sodium (16 sticks (1 pouch) at Liquid I.V. (brand store), checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix compare with Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier?
PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix has 20% more sodium than Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier per 12 fl oz (450 mg vs 375 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 8.3 g sugar per 12 fl oz; PRIME Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Drink Mix has none.