Propel vs Vitaminwater: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Propel Fitness Water has 163 mg sodium per 12 fl oz; vitaminwater has none. Vitaminwater has 16 g sugar per 12 fl oz; Propel Fitness Water has none. Propel Fitness Water costs less per liter as mixed ($1.76 vs $3.37 for vitaminwater).
Propel Fitness Water vs vitaminwater, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Propel Fitness Water's label is for a 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) bottle serving; vitaminwater'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 | Propel Fitness Water | vitaminwater |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 0 kcal | 60 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 16 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 16 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 16 g |
| Sodium | 163 mg | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 43 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Propel Fitness Water | vitaminwater |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 0 kcal | 169 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 44 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 44 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 44 g |
| Sodium | 460 mg | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 120 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Propel Fitness Water | vitaminwater |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) | 20 fl oz (591 mL) |
| Calories | 0 kcal | 100 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 26 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 26 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 26 g |
| Sodium | 230 mg | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 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 magnesium, calcium or chloride.
Propel Fitness Water label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Vitaminwater label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Propel is a PepsiCo brand and Vitaminwater is a Coca-Cola brand.
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 Fitness Water | vitaminwater |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $5.29 for 6 x 16.9 fl oz bottles | $1.99 for 1 x 20 fl oz bottle |
| Cost per serving | $0.88 | $1.99 |
| Cost per liter | $1.76 | $3.37 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $3.83 | no sodium |
Propel Fitness Water price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Vitaminwater price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- No sugar sources in the ingredients. Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- Propel Fitness Water has no caffeine.
- 0% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Citric Acid, Sodium Hexametaphosphate (To Protect Flavor), Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Sorbate (Preserves Freshness), Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Protect Flavor), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E Acetate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6).
- Sugar from crystalline fructose and cane sugar. No low-calorie sweeteners listed.
- Some vitaminwater flavors have caffeine (up to 60 mg per serving); the others have none.
- 4.4% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
reverse osmosis water, crystalline fructose, less than 0.5% of: vitamins A, C, B3, B5, B6, B12 (beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin), sodium selenate, manganese citrate, electrolytes (magnesium and calcium lactates and potassium phosphate), cane sugar, citric acid, gum acacia, natural flavors, fruit and vegetable juices (for color).
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Propel if
- you want more sodium: 163 mg vs 0 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want no sugar: 0 g vs 16 g per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $1.76 vs $3.37
Pick Vitaminwater if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 0 mg vs 163 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want carbohydrate for energy during long sessions: 16 g vs 0 g per 12 fl oz
- you want to avoid sucralose and acesulfame potassium
- you want the option of a caffeinated flavor: up to 60 mg per serving
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 Vitaminwater matchups
Propel Fitness Water vs vitaminwater zero sugar
Propel Fitness Water has 163 mg sodium per 12 fl oz; vitaminwater zero sugar has none. Neither has any sugar.
Propel Fitness Water's label is for a 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) bottle serving; vitaminwater zero sugar's is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | Propel Fitness Water | vitaminwater zero sugar |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 163 mg | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 43 mg | not on label |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 0 kcal | 0 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $1.76 | $3.37 |
Propel Fitness Water label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Vitaminwater zero sugar label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Propel Fitness Water price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Vitaminwater zero sugar 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 Propel Fitness Water at Target on Sep 24, 2026 and vitaminwater 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. Vitaminwater lists different values for some flavors; this page uses the main label.
- Older records. The USDA food database has older figures for vitaminwater that differ by more than 10%. We use the current label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Propel or Vitaminwater?
Per 12 fl oz, Propel Fitness Water has 163 mg sodium and 43 mg potassium. Vitaminwater has 0 mg sodium and no listed potassium. Per liter that is 460 mg vs 0 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Propel or Vitaminwater have more sugar?
Propel Fitness Water: 0 g sugar and 0 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Vitaminwater: 16 g sugar and 60 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed.
Why do Propel and Vitaminwater list different serving sizes?
Propel Fitness Water's label is for a 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) bottle serving and vitaminwater's is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving. Comparing the labels as printed gives 230 mg vs 0 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 163 mg vs 0 mg.
Which is cheaper, Propel or Vitaminwater?
Propel Fitness Water worked out at $0.88 a serving, $1.76 a liter and $3.83 per 1,000 mg sodium (6 x 16.9 fl oz bottles at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Vitaminwater worked out at $1.99 a serving, $3.37 a liter and n/a per 1,000 mg sodium (1 x 20 fl oz bottle at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does Propel Fitness Water compare with vitaminwater zero sugar?
Propel Fitness Water has 163 mg sodium per 12 fl oz; vitaminwater zero sugar has none. Neither has any sugar. Per liter as mixed, Propel Fitness Water costs $1.76 and vitaminwater zero sugar costs $3.37.
Does Propel or Vitaminwater have caffeine?
Propel Fitness Water has no caffeine. Some vitaminwater flavors have caffeine (up to 60 mg per serving); the others have none.