Propel 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 2.4 times the sodium of Propel Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 156 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 8.3 g sugar per 12 fl oz; Propel Powder Sticks has none. Propel Powder Sticks costs less per liter as mixed ($0.99 vs $3.30 for Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier).
Propel Powder Sticks vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Propel Powder Sticks' label is for one stick in 20 fl oz (591 mL) of water; 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 | Propel Powder Sticks | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 3 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 8.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 8.3 g |
| Sodium | 156 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 48 mg | 278 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Propel Powder Sticks | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 8 kcal | 106 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 23 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 23 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 23 g |
| Sodium | 440 mg | 1,057 mg |
| Potassium | 135 mg | 782 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Propel Powder Sticks | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 20 fl oz (591 mL) | 16 fl oz (473 mL) |
| Calories | 5 kcal | 50 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 11 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 11 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 11 g |
| Sodium | 260 mg | 500 mg |
| Potassium | 80 mg | 370 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 magnesium, calcium or chloride.
Propel Powder Sticks 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 | Propel Powder Sticks | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $4.69 for 8 sticks | $24.99 for 16 sticks (1 pouch) |
| Cost per serving | $0.59 | $1.56 |
| Cost per liter | $0.99 | $3.30 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $2.25 | $3.12 |
Propel Powder Sticks 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 maltodextrin. Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- Propel Powder Sticks has no caffeine.
- 0% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Monopotassium Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Gum Arabic, Sucralose, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Contains 2% Or Less Of Acesulfame Potassium, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Natural Flavor, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Silicon Dioxide, Vitamin E Acetate.
- 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 Propel if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 156 mg vs 375 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want no sugar: 0 g vs 8.3 g per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $0.99 vs $3.30
- you want the cheapest sodium: $2.25 vs $3.12 per 1,000 mg
Pick Liquid I.V. if
- you want more sodium: 375 mg vs 156 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 278 mg vs 48 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want to avoid sucralose and acesulfame potassium
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 Propel vs Liquid I.V. matchups
Propel Powder Sticks vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 2.4 times the sodium of Propel Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 156 mg). Neither has any sugar.
Propel Powder Sticks' label is for one stick in 20 fl oz (591 mL) of water; Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free's is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | Propel Powder Sticks | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 156 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 48 mg | 278 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 3.8 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 3 kcal | 15 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $0.99 | $3.30 |
Propel Powder Sticks label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Propel Powder Sticks price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free 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 Propel Powder Sticks 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, Propel or Liquid I.V.?
Per 12 fl oz, Propel Powder Sticks has 156 mg sodium and 48 mg potassium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 278 mg potassium. Per liter that is 440 mg vs 1,057 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Propel or Liquid I.V. have more sugar?
Propel Powder Sticks: 0 g sugar and 3 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 Propel and Liquid I.V. list different serving sizes?
Propel Powder Sticks' label is for one stick in 20 fl oz (591 mL) of water 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 260 mg vs 500 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 156 mg vs 375 mg.
Which is cheaper, Propel or Liquid I.V.?
Propel Powder Sticks worked out at $0.59 a serving, $0.99 a liter and $2.25 per 1,000 mg sodium (8 sticks 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 Propel Powder Sticks compare with Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free?
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 2.4 times the sodium of Propel Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 156 mg). Neither has any sugar. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 3.8 g total carbohydrate per 12 fl oz; Propel Powder Sticks has none. Per liter as mixed, Propel Powder Sticks costs $0.99 and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free costs $3.30.