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Best Electrolyte Supplements Of 2024
Whether for keto or CrossFit, here's what you need to know about choosing an effective electrolyte powder!
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Whether you’re looking to boost your performance, fortify your diet, or simply hydrate better, chances are you’ve considered investing in an electrolyte powder.
But with so many electrolyte powders on the market today, all with different formulas, finding one that's right for you can be challenging.
Depending on your specific needs, you’ll want to pay extra close attention to things like sugar content, the type and amount of electrolytes, calories per serving, keto and vegan options, and so on. All these factors can add up to an electrolyte powder that either hinders or helps your goals.
In the guide below you'll learn what to look for and what to avoid in an effective electrolyte powder — plus, a look at the top 5 best electrolyte supplements of 2023!
A Good Electrolyte Powder Can Help:
Increase Hydration
Prevent Everyday Aches & Cramps
Maintain Energy
Workout Recovery
Cognitive Performance
Balance pH Levels
Sports Drinks vs. Electrolyte Powders
Sports drinks exploded onto the scene and quickly ushered in a new era of sports nutrition and brought awareness to the importance of electrolytes.
In recent years, however, sports drinks have fallen out of favor with people looking for cleaner, more potent alternatives like electrolyte powders, citing excessive sugar, artificial dyes, and scant amounts of electrolytes as reasons for making the switch.
In general, electrolyte powders have more robust electrolyte contents than sports drinks, and typically offer sugar-free and low-carb options.
Key Electrolytes
Sodium
This uber-important electrolyte helps facilitate nerve signaling as well as neural communication in the brain.
When you're low on sodium, these communications are disrupted, which can result in impaired cognition, dizziness, and even headaches. Like other electrolytes, sodium also helps maintain fluid balance and healthy muscle function.
Potassium
Every muscle in your body, including your heart, relies on potassium to expand and contract. Low potassium levels can lead to irregular heartbeat, muscle rigidity, and cramping.
Chloride
Chloride aids in fluid regulation and helps deliver oxygen to your cells. Additionally, it's important for balancing your pH levels.
Ketosis & Electrolytes
To avoid the keto crash that can come along with a keto or low-carb diet, make sure you are getting a well-rounded electrolyte profile. While sodium is an important electrolyte, too much can be harmful to your health and you need potassium to balance out its effects within the body.
It’s easy to get enough sodium in your diet, but it’s harder to get enough potassium from food alone. Many high-potassium foods are not compatible with keto or low-carb diets so you may need to supplement with an electrolyte powder that has additional potassium to make sure you are getting enough.
Now that you understand the importance of electrolytes and what to look for in an effective hydration mix, it's time to show you what to avoid.
What To Avoid
High Calories
If your whole reason for taking an electrolyte mix is to optimize your workout, the last thing you want to do is stack on empty calories. Unlike sports drinks—which usually contain 50 to 70 calories—most electrolyte powders contain far less. Opt for powders that are under 25 calories/serving.
High Sugar
Powders with excess sugar can sabotage your fitness goals, since whatever you don't burn on the spot is stored as fat. For best results, look for a powder with as little sugar as possible.
Artificial Sweeteners
Manufacturers use these as a sneaky way of claiming they’re low-carb while still sweetening their product. However, there’s some evidence to suggest that artificial sweeteners are potentially addictive and not good for your health. Avoid common ones like aspartame, acesulfame, and sucralose.
Artificial Dyes
Used to color juice and sports drinks, hundreds of artificial dyes have been labeled toxic over the years, leaving just a few with FDA approval. However, studies suggest even "safe" dyes can cause allergic reactions and hyperactivity. While rare in electrolyte powders, your best bet is to look for a product that uses natural coloring like beta carotene or beetroot.
A quality formula is perhaps the most important consideration when it comes to electrolytes. But it's not the only thing. Here are a few bonus tips to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck!
Bonus Checklist
Stick Packs
Stick packs take the hassle out of hydration on-the-go. Unlike tubs, sticks are lightweight, portable, and contain pre-measured serving sizes (so you can leave the measuring spoons at home).
Money-Back Guarantee
You should never have to invest in a product that doesn't work for you (especially when you're buying 30-days' worth—or more!) When it comes to supplements, look for a robust return policy of at least 60 days or more.
Works With Your Diet
Many (but not all) electrolyte powders cater to various diets, including vegan, keto, low-carb diets, etc. Look for dietary seals, or at the supplement facts, to know if the product is compatible with your diet.
GMP Compliant
A Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification ensures that your electrolyte powder was manufactured safely and responsibly. GMP certification is a guarantee from trustworthy authorities that your powder is free of adulterants.
Subscription Plan
A quality electrolyte powder will make you feel so good, you won’t want to stop! With a subscription plan, you won’t have to worry about forgetting to re-order. Plus, good subscription plans come with a discount, giving you the best value.
Top 5 Electrolyte Powders of 2024
Based on ingredients, safety, projected effectiveness, return policies, and overall customer satisfaction, here’s the top 5 electrolyte supplements on the market today. But first, here's a side-by-side comparison of how our product, Hydration, stacks up against the competition.
1. Hydration
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Total Ranking
9.7/10
A+
Overall Grade
PROS
- 3/3 major electrolytes
- Sugar free
- Vegan, keto
- 1500 mg of ACV
- 2g carbs
- 365-day money-back guarantee
- Gives back - provides clean water to people in need with every purchase
CONS
- Only available online
The Bottom Line
Hydration contains all the major electrolytes—sodium, chloride, & potassium—in effective doses (500mg, 460mg, & 400mg, respectively) for optimal hydration. It also includes 800mg of buffered vitamin C for added muscle and immune support.
Hydration is also the first-ever electrolyte powder made with apple cider vinegar, a natural source of electrolytes like magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous. ACV is also known to aid energy production and support healthy metabolism.
It's also 100% sugar free, vegan, keto, and contains just 5 - 10 calories per serving. Hydration comes in 3 flavors and is available in 15- and 24-count variety packs.
This product has drawn highly positive feedback, with consumers citing flavor, zero-sugar formula, and ACV as their favorite features.
Essential Elements has also partnered with Water.org to bring clean water to communities in need. To top things off, they also offer a subscription plan & a 365-day money-back guarantee.
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More2. Electrolyte Drink Tablets
Total Ranking
9.5/10
A
Overall Grade
PROS
- 3/3 major electrolytes - in low doses
- 15 calories
- 1g sugar
- Keto, vegan
- 120-day money-back guarantee
CONS
- Low doses of major electrolytes
- Tablets aren't as convenient on the go
- Low doses of calcium and magnesium
The Bottom Line
Unlike other entries on this list, Nuun's electrolytes come in tablet form. While more convenient than a tub of powder—or a sports drink—you don't quite have the luxury of carrying around a single serving (unless you feel like stuffing a tablet in your pocket).
There's a lot to like about Nuun's formula: it has only 15 calories, 1g of sugar, and 4g of net carbs. It's also Non-GMO, vegan, and keto friendly.
However, it contains low doses of the 3 major electrolytes, clocking in with just 300 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, and 50 mg chloride.
For what it's worth, this product contains calcium and magnesium, however in very low doses. On the plus side, Nuun offers a strong, 120-day money-back guarantee.
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
3. Hydration Multiplier
Total Ranking
8.9/10
B+
Overall Grade
PROS
- 3/3 major electrolytes - in low doses
- Non-GMO
- GMP compliant
- Vegan
- Positively reviewed
- Subscription plan
CONS
- 50 calories per serving
- Low in chloride
- 11g of sugar
- 12 grams net carbs
- Unspecified return policy
The Bottom Line
Liquid IV’s Hydration Multiplier is one of the most recognizable products of its kind on the market today, thanks in part to its association with the World Health Organization and charitable work around the globe.
With 11g of sugar, 12g of net carbs, and 50 calories, this product is workable, but not ideal for low-cal, sugar-free, or keto diets. On the plus side, it offers a healthy dose of vitamin C and energy-supporting B vitamins.
Hydration Multiplier also contains major electrolytes like sodium (500mg) and potassium (370mg). While it technically contains chloride in the form of mined salt, the exact amount isn't significant enough to be listed in the supplement facts.
Liquid I.V. does not provide a clear return policy on their website, however, you can contact customer support to learn more.
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. LMNT
Total Ranking
8.7/10
B
Overall Grade
PROS
- 3/3 major electrolytes - in low doses
- 10 calories
- Sugar free
- 2g carbs
- Keto, vegan
- Anytime returns
CONS
- Low on potassium
- Chloride content unspecified
The Bottom Line
LMNT positions itself as the world's premiere keto-friendly electrolyte supplement. Low-carb, ketogenic diets shy away from electrolyte-rich foods, making it all the more important for adherents to find electrolytes elsewhere (hence LMNT's formula).
As you might expect from a keto-friendly electrolyte mix, LMNT is completely sugar free and has just 2g of carbs and 10 calories per serving.
While it contains all 3 major electrolytes, plus magnesium, it falls short on potassium, with just 200mg/serving. It also contains a whopping 1000mg of sodium, which again, may benefit the keto diet, but might be a bit much for some other folks.
It's also worth noting that, although chloride is listed in the form of potassium chloride and sodium chloride, it's unclear just how much of this electrolyte is in each serving.
On the bright side, LMNT is devoted to ensuring customer satisfaction with a zero-questions-asked, anytime return policy.
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
5. DripDrop ORS
Total Ranking
7.9/10
C+
Overall Grade
PROS
- 2/3 major electrolytes
- Keto
- Subscription plan
CONS
- Lacks chloride
- 35 calories
- 9g net carbs
- 30-day return policy
- 7g of sugar
The Bottom Line
DripDrop ORS contains 2 major electrolytes, including 330 mg of sodium and 185 mg of potassium—relatively low doses. Most noticeably, this formula lacks chloride.
It is unclear whether or not DripDrop is vegan, and while it's technically keto, it contains 9g of carbs. It's also teetering on the high side in terms of calories.
ORS’ DripDrop isn’t without its merits, though. It also includes magnesium, vitamin C, and zinc for additional muscle and immune support.
However, DripDrop could have offered a stronger return policy than 30 days.
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreDisclaimer:
Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.
In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.
Go back to pageWith Research From
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
What You Will Learn:
Estimated Read Time 5 Minutes
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