Sqwincher 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 4.6 times the sodium of Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 81 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 8.3 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 $3.30 for Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier).
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO's 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 | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | 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 | 0.6 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 8.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 8.3 g |
| Sodium | 81 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 66 mg | 278 mg |
| Calcium | 0 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | 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 | 1.7 g | 23 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 23 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 23 g |
| Sodium | 228 mg | 1,057 mg |
| Potassium | 186 mg | 782 mg |
| Calcium | 0 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | 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 | 1 g | 11 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 11 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 11 g |
| Sodium | 135 mg | 500 mg |
| Potassium | 110 mg | 370 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)
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 | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $22.28 for 50 sticks (Fruit Punch) | $24.99 for 16 sticks (1 pouch) |
| Cost per serving | $0.45 | $1.56 |
| Cost per liter | $0.75 | $3.30 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $3.30 | $3.12 |
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO 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.
- 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 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 Sqwincher if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 81 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: $0.75 vs $3.30
Pick Liquid I.V. if
- you want more sodium: 375 mg vs 81 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 278 mg vs 66 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want to avoid sucralose
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 Liquid I.V. matchups
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 4.6 times the sodium of Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 81 mg). Neither has any sugar.
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO's 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 | Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 81 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 66 mg | 278 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 0.6 g | 3.8 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 3 kcal | 15 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $0.75 | $3.30 |
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO 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 Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO 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. Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier list different values for some flavors; this page uses the main label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Sqwincher or Liquid I.V.?
Per 12 fl oz, Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO has 81 mg sodium and 66 mg potassium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 278 mg potassium. Per liter that is 228 mg vs 1,057 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Sqwincher or Liquid I.V. have more sugar?
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO: 0 g sugar and 3 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with sucralose. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier: 8.3 g sugar and 38 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with stevia.
Why do Sqwincher and Liquid I.V. list different serving sizes?
Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO's 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 135 mg vs 500 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 81 mg vs 375 mg.
Which is cheaper, Sqwincher or Liquid I.V.?
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). 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 Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO compare with Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free?
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 4.6 times the sodium of Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 81 mg). Neither has any sugar. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 6.2 times the total carbohydrate of Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO per 12 fl oz (3.8 g vs 0.6 g). Per liter as mixed, Sqwincher Qwik Stik ZERO costs $0.75 and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free costs $3.30.