12 Best Electrolyte Powders of 2023, According to an RD
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Grabbing an electrolyte-packed sports drink during or after an intense workout can help rehydrate you, fight fatigue, and speed up recovery. There are plenty of ready-to-chug solutions out there, but they can be packed with sugar. Enter, electrolyte and hydration packets and tablets, which are great alternatives to sports drinks.
Electrolyte powders—often called hydration powders or hydration packets—contain varying amounts of electrolytes, as well as carbohydrates, vitamins, and both real and artificial sweeteners. “Determining which powder is right for you will mostly depend on your level of activity and need for electrolyte replacement,” says registered dietitian Valerie Gately, MS, RDN, LD.
Mid-workout you may lean towards an electrolyte powder with carbs to fuel your workout, for example. After a gym session, a pick with plenty of sodium will help replenish lost fluids.
Since choosing an electrolyte powder when you’re planning a workout—or you’re already sweaty and exhausted—is the last thing you want to do, we did the heavy lifting for you. These are the best electrolyte and hydration powders you can buy.
About the Expert:
Valerie Gately is a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in sports nutrition and nutrition counseling. She has an MS in Human Nutrition from the University of Houston, and serves as a Sports Performance Dietitian at the University of New Mexico.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help with everything from regulating muscle and nerve function to maintaining pH levels and balancing fluids. Four big ones you may see on many labels:
- Sodium, which helps with muscle and nerve function
- Chloride, which regulates pH levels
- Potassium, which supports muscle contractions and fluid balance
- Magnesium, which promotes muscle and nerve function, and plays a role in energy production
During a workout where you sweat excessively, your body can lose some of these essential minerals. If electrolytes are not replenished, during and after, you risk may dehydration, reduced muscle function, and decreased brain power, says Gately.
What Do Electrolyte and Hydration Powders Do?
When mixed with water, electrolyte powders and tablets help replace fluid loss to fight dehydration and help boost recovery.
Look for a powder or tablet that has some carbohydrates, since that’s your body’s go-to-source of fuel when you exercise. Consuming them mid-workout can help delay fatigue and keep your intensity high during longer training sessions (1). After a workout, an electrolyte product with carbs can help replenish your glycogen stores.
The 13 Best Electrolyte Powders and Tablets
These 13 electrolyte powders and tablets on Amazon taste great and help you hydrate quickly.
Electrolyte Powders: Nutritional Comparison
Electrolyte Powders (per serving) |
Calories |
Carbs |
Sugar |
Sodium |
Potassium |
Magnesium |
Chloride |
The Right Stuff Electrolyte Liquid Drink Additive |
0 |
3g |
0g |
1,780mg |
0mg |
0mg |
1,379mg |
Precision Hydration Electrolyte Drink Mix |
61 |
15g |
15g |
750mg |
125mg |
12mg |
0mg |
DripDrop ORS Electrolyte Powder |
35 |
9g |
7g |
330mg |
185mg |
39mg |
0mg |
LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix |
10 |
2g |
0g |
1,000mg |
200mg |
60mg |
0mg |
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Electrolyte Drink Mix |
45 |
11g |
11g |
500mg |
380mg |
0mg |
0mg |
Pedialyte AdvancedCare Plus Electrolyte Powder |
50 |
12g |
12g |
650mg |
370mg |
0mg |
840mg |
NUUN Sport Electrolyte Tablets |
15 |
4g |
1g |
300mg |
150 mg |
25mg |
40mg |
Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix |
25 |
6g |
4g |
240mg |
300mg |
0mg |
0mg |
Propel Electrolyte Water Beverage Mix |
0 |
0g |
0g |
210mg |
65mg |
0mg |
0mg |
Emergen-C Hydration+ Electrolyte Replenishment |
30 |
7g |
6g |
160mg |
400mg |
120mg |
0mg |
BioSteel Electrolytes Hydration Mix |
5 |
1g |
0g |
140mg |
30mg |
2mg |
0mg |
Ultima Replenisher Broad Spectrum Electrolyte Mix |
0 |
0g |
0g |
55mg |
250mg |
100mg |
78mg |
Waterboy Hydration + Athletic Recovery |
10 |
2g |
0g |
500mg |
400mg |
60mg |
789mg |
When Should You Take Electrolyte Powders?
Hydration powders provide an easy way to replenish electrolytes that are lost during exercise, due to sickness, or after sweating for any reason. While you can take them any time you choose, their real power lies in their ability to bring your hydration levels into equilibrium after the above circumstances. Take them to prep for a tough, sweaty workout, to prevent dehydration due to vomitting or diarrhea, the morning after having one-too-many beverages, doing yardwork, or even just relaxing on the beach. Any time you sweat, your body loses electrolytes, and electrolyte powders are formulated to replenish your stores, no matter the circumstances.
Is It Good to Drink Electrolyte Powder Every Day?
Taking electrolyte powder every day isn’t a necessity, but it can help as needed, especially if you’re consistently clocking sweaty workouts. But just like any supplement, you can have too much of a good thing, especially if you’re keeping tabs on your sodium intake. If you aren’t regularly sweating, adding an electrolyte powder do your daily supplement stack could drive your sodium levels up. And if you’re not careful, added sugar could lead to weight gain, unbalanced energy levels, and even increase your risk for more serious diseases like heart disease and diabetes (11).
The Bottom Line
Electrolyte powders are convenient supplements to help hydrate you quickly and replenish lost nutrients after an intense workout. Ask your healthcare provider about whether electrolyte supplements would benefit you. The best powder for you lies in determining your level of physical activity and specific needs. These 12 electrolyte powders can help ensure proper hydration and healthy living so you perform and feel better.