Sqwincher vs Gatorade: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Gatorade Thirst Quencher has twice the sodium of Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO per 12 fl oz (162 mg vs 81 mg). Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 21 g sugar per 12 fl oz; Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO has none. Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO costs less per liter as mixed ($0.75 vs $1.48 for Gatorade Thirst Quencher).
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO vs Gatorade Thirst Quencher, side by side
| Nutrient | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 3 kcal | 84 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 0.6 g | 21 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 21 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 21 g |
| Sodium | 81 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | 66 mg | 48 mg |
| Calcium | 0 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | 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 | 8 kcal | 237 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 1.7 g | 59 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 59 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 59 g |
| Sodium | 228 mg | 457 mg |
| Potassium | 186 mg | 135 mg |
| Calcium | 0 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 20 fl oz (591 mL) | 20 fl oz (591 mL) |
| Calories | 5 kcal | 140 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 1 g | 35 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 35 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 35 g |
| Sodium | 135 mg | 270 mg |
| Potassium | 110 mg | 80 mg |
| Calcium | 0 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 or chloride.
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO 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 | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $22.28 for 50 sticks (Fruit Punch) | $6.99 for 8 x 20 fl oz bottles |
| Cost per serving | $0.45 | $0.87 |
| Cost per liter | $0.75 | $1.48 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $3.30 | $3.24 |
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from maltodextrin. Sweetened with sucralose.
- Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO has no caffeine.
- 0.2% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
CITRIC ACID, MALTODEXTRIN*, POTASSIUM CITRATE, SALT, NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR [INCLUDES COLOR (RED 40, BLUE 1)], ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), SODIUM CITRATE, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SUCRALOSE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE. *ADDS A TRIVIAL AMOUNT OF SUGAR.
- 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 Sqwincher if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 81 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: 66 mg vs 48 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $0.75 vs $1.48
- you want a powder stick that is light to carry and mixes into your own water
Pick Gatorade if
- you want more sodium: 162 mg vs 81 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want carbohydrate for energy during long sessions: 21 g vs 0.6 g per 12 fl oz
- you want to avoid sucralose
- 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.
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO
Other Sqwincher vs Gatorade matchups
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO vs Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks
Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks has twice the sodium of Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO per 12 fl oz (162 mg vs 81 mg). Neither has any sugar.
| Per 12 fl oz | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 81 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | 66 mg | 48 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 0.6 g | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 3 kcal | 3 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $0.75 | $0.95 |
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO price checked at Target . 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 Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO at Target 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. Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO lists different values for some flavors; this page uses the main label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Sqwincher or Gatorade?
Per 12 fl oz, Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO has 81 mg sodium and 66 mg potassium. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 162 mg sodium and 48 mg potassium. Per liter that is 228 mg vs 457 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Sqwincher or Gatorade have more sugar?
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO: 0 g sugar and 3 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with sucralose. Gatorade Thirst Quencher: 21 g sugar and 84 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed.
Which is cheaper, Sqwincher or Gatorade?
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO worked out at $0.45 a serving, $0.75 a liter and $3.30 per 1,000 mg sodium (50 sticks (Fruit Punch) at Target, 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 Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO compare with Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks?
Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks has twice the sodium of Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO per 12 fl oz (162 mg vs 81 mg). Neither has any sugar. Per liter as mixed, Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO costs $0.75 and Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks costs $0.95.