Vitaminwater 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 162 mg sodium per 12 fl oz; vitaminwater has none. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 35% more sugar than vitaminwater per 12 fl oz (21 g vs 16 g). Gatorade Thirst Quencher costs less per liter as mixed ($1.48 vs $3.37 for vitaminwater).
Vitaminwater vs Gatorade Thirst Quencher, side by side
| Nutrient | vitaminwater | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 60 kcal | 84 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 16 g | 21 g |
| Sugars | 16 g | 21 g |
| Added sugars | 16 g | 21 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | not on label | 48 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | vitaminwater | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 169 kcal | 237 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 44 g | 59 g |
| Sugars | 44 g | 59 g |
| Added sugars | 44 g | 59 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 457 mg |
| Potassium | not on label | 135 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | vitaminwater | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 20 fl oz (591 mL) | 20 fl oz (591 mL) |
| Calories | 100 kcal | 140 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 26 g | 35 g |
| Sugars | 26 g | 35 g |
| Added sugars | 26 g | 35 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 270 mg |
| Potassium | not on label | 80 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.
Vitaminwater label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Vitaminwater is a Coca-Cola brand and Gatorade is a PepsiCo 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 | vitaminwater | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $1.99 for 1 x 20 fl oz bottle | $6.99 for 8 x 20 fl oz bottles |
| Cost per serving | $1.99 | $0.87 |
| Cost per liter | $3.37 | $1.48 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | no sodium | $3.24 |
Vitaminwater 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 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).
- 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 Vitaminwater if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 0 mg vs 162 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want less sugar: 16 g vs 21 g per 12 fl oz
- you want the option of a caffeinated flavor: up to 60 mg per serving
Pick Gatorade if
- you want more sodium: 162 mg vs 0 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $1.48 vs $3.37
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 Vitaminwater vs Gatorade matchups
vitaminwater zero sugar vs Gatorade Zero Sugar
Gatorade Zero Sugar has 162 mg sodium per 12 fl oz; vitaminwater zero sugar has none. Neither has any sugar.
| Per 12 fl oz | vitaminwater zero sugar | Gatorade Zero Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 0 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | not on label | 48 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 1.2 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 0 kcal | 3 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.37 | $1.48 |
Vitaminwater zero sugar label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Zero Sugar label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Vitaminwater zero sugar price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade 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 vitaminwater 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. 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, Vitaminwater or Gatorade?
Per 12 fl oz, Vitaminwater has 0 mg sodium and no listed potassium. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 162 mg sodium and 48 mg potassium. Per liter that is 0 mg vs 457 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Vitaminwater or Gatorade have more sugar?
Vitaminwater: 16 g sugar and 60 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed. Gatorade Thirst Quencher: 21 g sugar and 84 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed.
Which is cheaper, Vitaminwater or Gatorade?
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). 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 vitaminwater zero sugar compare with Gatorade Zero Sugar?
Gatorade Zero Sugar has 162 mg sodium per 12 fl oz; vitaminwater zero sugar has none. Neither has any sugar. Gatorade Zero Sugar has 1.2 g total carbohydrate per 12 fl oz; vitaminwater zero sugar has none. Per liter as mixed, vitaminwater zero sugar costs $3.37 and Gatorade Zero Sugar costs $1.48.
Does Vitaminwater or Gatorade have caffeine?
Some vitaminwater flavors have caffeine (up to 60 mg per serving); the others have none. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has no caffeine.