I compared the top electrolytes - the results are shocking. Only one passes the test.
Dr. Tanja Johnston
Doctor of Natural Medicine • 7/27/26
Not hitting your gym goals? Muscle cramping? Feeling drained by 3pm? Puffy face in the morning?
These are all signs of poor electrolyte absorption, not just low water intake. And here's the part nobody tells you: most hydration powders are either filled with junk or lack the necessary ratios of electrolytes to make a difference.
So to help my clients, I've done an in-depth review of the top electrolyte brands and ranked them.
First, let's set the bar. For optimal hydration, a product must check all 5 boxes:
Full electrolyte spectrum
Sodium, potassium, & magnesium - in the ratios that actually have an impact.
Zero sugar
Real hydration shouldn't come with a crash twenty minutes later.
Essential plants
It should include naturally hydrating plants, like Tart Cherry, for muscle function.
Vitamins & minerals
Trace minerals and vitamins are critical for daily hydration, focus, energy, & recovery.
Clean & expert formulated
Uses organic fruits for flavoring, no additives, always 3rd-party tested, and designed by leading nutritionists.
Here's the 6 hydration products, ranked from worst to best.
Gatorade
Originally made for athletes, and then tweaked for mass market appeal.
Pros
- Replaces sodium fast
- Available everywhere, gas station to gym
Cons
- 34g of sugar per bottle
- Artificial dyes & low quality ingredients
- ZERO magnesium for cramping and fatigue
Verdict: AVOID! The lowest quality ingredients and one of the worst electrolyte ratios.
Liquid I.V.
The travel-size packet that made "electrolytes" a household word.
Pros
- Convenient single-serve packets
- Sodium-to-glucose ratio helps
Cons
- 11g of sugar
- ZERO magnesium for cramping and fatigue
- "Transport technology" is just a way to market sugar
Verdict: Better than Gatorade, but filled with cheap ingredients and severely lacks the right electrolytes.
Ultima Replenisher
A low cost and zero sugar electrolyte powder.
Pros
- Zero sugar hydration
- Contains the 3 main electrolytes
Cons
- Electrolyte levels are VERY low
- Basically just flavored water
Verdict: A cleaner everyday option, but underpowered and provides minimal hydration support.
LMNT
A high-sodium formula for serious sweats - and zero sugar.
Pros
- Zero sugar, deliberate sodium-to-potassium ratio
- Enough sodium to matter for real depletion
Cons
- TOO much sodium, and uses mined salt which lacks trace minerals.
- Not enough Potassium & Magnesium
- Red flag - uncovered that they hide Maltodextrin from their label
Verdict: Solid option for a hard workout. The wrong option for daily hydration.
Redmond Relyte
Ancient sea salt source that has natural trace minerals.
Pros
- Zero sugar, whole-food ancient sea salt source
- Trace minerals in a form your cells recognize
Cons
- VERY low on Magnesium
- Just electrolytes - no other functional ingredients
- Flavoring isn't clean
Verdict: A clean solid formula. Minimal benefits outside of the key electrolytes.
Feel Goods
★ CLEAR WINNER - CHECKS ALL 5
Hydration+ uses the cleanest formula, with 1,100mg of electrolytes at the optimal ratio. It’s formulated by nutritionists, and crafted with organic fruits and plants to optimize your performance, energy, and daily hydration.
Clean Sea Salt
100mg Magnesium
470mg Potassium
Trace Minerals
Aloe Vera
Tart Cherry
L-Theanine
Vitamin Complex
Zero Sugar
Organic Fruit Juice
Pros
- 2x more Potassium & Magnesium for your muscles
- Organic plants for natural hydration
- Formulated to enhance your workouts, recover faster, & boost energy
- Doesn’t make you feel bloated!
- Flavored with organic fruit juice
- Zero sugar, not too sweet or salty
Cons
- Works best as a daily habit, not an overnight fix
- Popular flavors sell out during promotions
Recommended by 800+ clinicians
From crushing it at the gym, to post pilates recovery, to long work days, and running after your kids, Hydration+ has you covered. Super clean and comes in delicious flavors.
UPGRADE AND SAVE UP TO 40%
Hydration+
A clean and comprehensive drink mix to improve regularity, stop bloat, and end discomfort.
How Our Community Feels
More hydratedClean, lasting support
93%
Faster ecoveryIncredible for pilates & workouts
87%
More energyKey minerals boost performance
83%
Love the tasteNot too sweet or salty
78%
Active: Comprehensive electrolyte blend (sea salt, magnesium, potassium), organic coconut water, organic aloe vera, organic tart cherry, vitamins B3, B6 & B12,
DHM (Japanese raisin tree extract), L-theanine, ginger root, trace minerals (selenium, copper, manganese, chromium).
Other ingredients: Organic fruit juice, natural flavor, citric acid (non-GMO).
Separately tested using Eurofins® for over 40 contaminants and microbials.
Enjoy any time of day! Feel free to double up during intense workouts, after a night out drinking. Throw it over ice!
Perfectly balanced - not too sweet or tart. Flavored with real fruit juice!
Loved by thousands nationwide.
Hydration+
+ Free insulated water bottle ($25 value)
+ Free shipping today
+ Save 15% on every order
+ Easily adjust, swap, cancel anytime
+ 30-Day Money-back guarantee
+ Free insulated water bottle ($25 value)
+ Free shipping today
+ Save 15% on every order
+ Easily adjust, swap, cancel anytime
+ 30-Day Money-back guarantee
15+ million drinks sipped
Join thousands switching to cleaner & tastier hydration.
I finally stopped getting afternoon headaches
I used to chug water all day and still feel foggy by 3pm. One packet in the morning and that's just gone now. The trick is drinking it before you're already thirsty.
Jordan M. ✓ Verified buyer
No more cramping on long runs
Tried LMNT and Liquid IV before this. This is the first one that didn't leave me either too salty or crashing on sugar halfway through a run.
Alicia R. ✓ Verified buyer
Actually tastes like something I want to drink
Zero sugar and it still tastes good - didn't think that existed. Lighter than Gatorade, way less salty than the ancient-salt ones. Daily habit now.
Marcus D. ✓ Verified buyer
SAVE OVER 40% TODAY
Unleash your performance
Try Hydration+ today with a 30 day, zero risk guarantee.
100% natural
30-day money back
Made in California
