Best Electrolyte Powders for Athletes (2026)

Athletes lose significant amounts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium through sweat during training and competition. Sodium alone accounts for roughly 90% of electrolytes lost during exercise, and inadequate replacement leads to muscle cramps, fatigue, brain fog, and measurable performance decline. The right electrolyte powder replaces these minerals efficiently, and some include carbohydrates for sustained energy during prolonged efforts. Whether you are a marathon runner, CrossFit athlete, or weekend warrior, finding the right balance of electrolytes, sugar content, and portability can make a meaningful difference in how you train and recover.

Quick Comparison

Product	Key Electrolytes	Form	Best For	Rating
LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix	1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, 60 mg magnesium	Stick Packs	Best Overall	9.5/10
Skratch Labs Sport Drink Mix	380 mg sodium, 35 mg potassium, 39 mg magnesium	Powder Tub	Best for Endurance	9.4/10
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier	500 mg sodium, 370 mg potassium	Stick Packs	Best for Recovery	9.3/10
Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets	300 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, 25 mg magnesium	Effervescent Tablets	Best Portable Option	9.2/10
Ultima Replenisher	55 mg sodium, 250 mg potassium, 100 mg magnesium	Powder Tub	Best Sugar-Free	9.0/10
Skratch Labs Variety Pack	380 mg sodium, 4 electrolytes	Single-Serve Packets	Best Variety Pack	8.9/10
Nuun Sport Mixed Flavors	300 mg sodium, 5 electrolytes	Tablet Tubes	Best Value Multi-Pack	8.8/10
LMNT Variety Pack	1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium	Stick Packs	Best Flavor Sampler	8.7/10

1. LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix – Best Overall

LMNT delivers a science-backed electrolyte ratio with 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium per stick pack — the highest meaningful sodium dose on this list, specifically designed for heavy sweaters and serious athletes.

Co-founded by Robb Wolf, author of The Paleo Solution, LMNT was formulated based on emerging research showing that active individuals often need 2-3x the sodium of government recommendations. The formula contains zero sugar, zero artificial ingredients, and zero fillers. Sweetened with stevia, it comes in a range of flavors including Citrus Salt, Watermelon Salt, and an unflavored Raw option. Each stick pack is slim and portable, fitting easily into running vests and gym bags.

• Pros:
• Highest sodium content (1,000 mg) for heavy sweaters and endurance athletes
• Zero sugar, zero artificial ingredients, keto and paleo friendly
• Excellent flavor variety with clean, refreshing taste

• Cons:
• High sodium not suitable for low-sodium diets or light exercise
• Premium pricing at approximately $1.50 per stick pack

Best for: Serious athletes, heavy sweaters, and those training in hot environments who need aggressive sodium replacement

2. Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix – Best for Endurance

Developed on the professional cycling tour, Skratch Labs uses real fruit flavoring and a research-backed electrolyte profile that matches average sweat loss, with added carbohydrates for sustained energy during long efforts.

Skratch Labs provides 380 mg sodium plus potassium, magnesium, and calcium — all four electrolytes lost in sweat — in amounts designed to match what athletes actually lose. The 19-20g of simple carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) per serving maintain blood sugar and provide energy during workouts lasting longer than one hour. The formula uses only real fruit for flavoring, with no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives. It is non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher.

• Pros:
• All four sweat-loss electrolytes in physiologically matched ratios
• Carbohydrates provide energy for endurance activities
• Real fruit flavoring with no artificial ingredients, easy on the stomach

• Cons:
• Contains sugar, which may not suit keto or low-carb athletes
• Some flavors may not fully dissolve due to real fruit content

Best for: Endurance athletes — cyclists, runners, triathletes — who need both electrolyte replacement and energy during prolonged training

3. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier – Best for Recovery

Liquid I.V. uses Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) to enhance water and nutrient absorption, delivering 500 mg sodium and 370 mg potassium with an optimized glucose ratio for rapid post-workout rehydration.

Based on the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution science, Liquid I.V. uses a precise ratio of sodium, glucose, and potassium to increase water absorption in the small intestine by up to 2-3x compared to water alone. Each stick pack contains 11g of carbohydrates from cane sugar and dextrose, supporting both hydration and glycogen replenishment. Available in a wide range of flavors, it mixes cleanly with no residue.

• Pros:
• CTT science-backed formula for faster hydration than water alone
• Strong sodium-potassium balance ideal for post-exercise recovery
• Great flavor variety with smooth, clean-mixing powder

• Cons:
• Contains 11g sugar per serving, which adds up across multiple packs
• Hypertonic formulation may cause slower gastric emptying during intense exercise

Best for: Athletes focused on rapid post-workout rehydration and those who want a great-tasting daily hydration supplement

4. Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets – Best Portable Option

Nuun’s effervescent tablets dissolve in water to create a lightly fizzy electrolyte drink with five essential electrolytes, only 1g of sugar, and the most portable format in the category.

Nuun pioneered the electrolyte tablet format over a decade ago, and it remains the gold standard for portability. Each tube holds 10 tablets, and the compact design fits into any pocket, gym bag, or running vest without the mess of powder packets. The formula provides 300 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, 25 mg magnesium, plus calcium and chloride. Sweetened with stevia and dextrose, the tablets are non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free. Multiple flavors are available, including caffeinated options with green tea extract.

• Pros:
• Most portable format — compact tubes with no powder mess
• Only 1g sugar and 15 calories per serving
• Informed Sport certified for competitive athletes

• Cons:
• Lower sodium (300 mg) than high-sweat options like LMNT
• Flavor quality varies — some flavors are hit or miss

Best for: Athletes who value portability and convenience, hikers, backpackers, and competitive athletes needing Informed Sport certification

5. Ultima Replenisher – Best Sugar-Free

Ultima Replenisher delivers six key electrolytes with zero sugar, zero calories, and zero carbs, making it the cleanest electrolyte option for athletes watching their sugar intake.

The formula includes magnesium (100 mg), calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, and sodium (55 mg), along with vitamin C, zinc, and 65 trace minerals. Sweetened with organic stevia and flavored with real fruit, Ultima is available in over 16 flavors. The 90-serving tub format provides excellent value for daily use. It is plant-based, non-GMO, vegan, keto-friendly, and free from artificial sweeteners.

• Pros:
• Zero sugar, zero calories with six electrolytes plus trace minerals
• Widest flavor selection in the category (16+ flavors)
• Includes 100 mg magnesium and additional vitamin C and zinc

• Cons:
• Very low sodium (55 mg) insufficient for heavy sweaters or intense training
• No carbohydrates for energy during long workouts

Best for: Athletes following low-carb, keto, or sugar-free diets who train at moderate intensity

6. Skratch Labs Variety Pack – Best Variety Pack

Skratch Labs’ 20-count variety pack lets athletes sample multiple flavors in convenient single-serve packets, using the same pro-cycling-tested formula as their full-size tubs.

Each packet contains one serving of Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix with the full electrolyte profile — 380 mg sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and 19-20g of performance carbohydrates. The variety pack includes four different flavors to help prevent flavor fatigue during long training blocks. The single-serve format is ideal for race day, travel, and testing which flavors work best for your palate and stomach.

• Pros:
• Multiple flavor options to prevent flavor fatigue
• Convenient single-serve packets for race day and travel
• Same proven pro-level formula as tub format

• Cons:
• Higher cost per serving compared to buying a full tub
• Creates more packaging waste than tub format

Best for: Athletes who want to try multiple Skratch flavors or need portable single-serve packets for races and travel

7. Nuun Sport Mixed Flavors 6-Pack – Best Value Multi-Pack

The Nuun Sport 6-pack delivers 60 servings across multiple flavors at one of the lowest per-serving costs in the category, combining convenience with variety.

This multi-pack bundles six tubes of Nuun Sport tablets in a mix of their most popular flavors — providing 60 total servings for weeks of training. Each tablet contains the standard Nuun Sport formula with 300 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, 25 mg magnesium, calcium, and chloride. The tubes are designed to be grabbed and thrown in a bag, and the effervescent tablets dissolve quickly in 16 oz of water.

• Pros:
• Excellent value with 60 servings across multiple flavors
• Lightweight tubes perfect for daily carry
• Non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free formula

• Cons:
• Lower sodium content limits use for high-intensity or hot-weather training
• Effervescent format may not appeal to everyone

Best for: Daily athletes who want a reliable, affordable electrolyte supply with flavor variety built in

8. LMNT Electrolyte Variety Pack – Best Flavor Sampler

The LMNT Variety Pack gives athletes the chance to sample their range of flavors — from Citrus Salt to Watermelon Salt to Chocolate Salt — all with the same high-sodium, zero-sugar formula trusted by elite performers.

Each pack includes 12 stick packs across multiple flavors, all containing the same 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium formulation. This is ideal for athletes who want to identify their preferred flavors before committing to a full 30-pack, or who value variety during long training blocks. LMNT’s flavors are notably well-reviewed, with many athletes reporting that the balanced salty-sweet taste actually makes them crave hydration rather than avoiding it.

• Pros:
• Sample multiple flavors with consistent high-performance formula
• Same 1,000 mg sodium per pack across all flavors
• Great entry point for trying LMNT before committing to larger orders

• Cons:
• 12-count pack has a higher per-stick cost than buying 30-packs
• May include flavors that don’t suit every palate

Best for: Athletes new to LMNT who want to test multiple flavors, or experienced users who enjoy rotating flavors during training

How to Choose the Best Electrolyte Powder for Athletes

Sodium is the most important electrolyte for athletes because it makes up roughly 90% of the electrolytes lost in sweat. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends consuming 500-700 mg of sodium per hour during exercise lasting over 60 minutes. Heavy sweaters, endurance athletes, and those training in heat should look for products with 500+ mg sodium per serving. Moderate exercisers can use products with 200-400 mg sodium.

Carbohydrate content matters depending on workout duration and intensity. For activities lasting over 60-90 minutes, electrolyte powders with 15-25g of carbohydrates provide energy to maintain blood sugar and delay fatigue. For shorter sessions, weight management, or keto diets, sugar-free options are preferable. The type of sugar also matters — glucose and dextrose absorb quickly, while fructose combinations can reduce GI issues.

Third-party testing is critical for competitive athletes. Look for Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport designations, which verify that the product is free from banned substances. Products without these certifications may still be excellent, but competing athletes should prioritize tested options to avoid inadvertent doping violations.

Flavor and mixability directly affect compliance. The best electrolyte powder is the one you will actually use consistently. Test different brands during training, not on race day. Consider whether you prefer sweet, salty, or mild flavors, and whether effervescent tablets, powders, or stick packs fit your routine best.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should athletes use electrolyte powders?

During training, drink 1-2 servings per hour of exercise, adjusting based on sweat rate and environmental conditions. On rest days, one serving can support general hydration, especially in hot climates or for athletes on low-carb diets. Heavy sweaters may benefit from 2-3 servings throughout the day during intense training blocks.

Do electrolyte powders need to contain sugar?

Sugar enhances sodium and water absorption in the small intestine through a process called sodium-glucose cotransport. For exercise lasting over an hour, carbohydrates also provide energy. However, for shorter workouts, daily hydration, or those on low-carb diets, sugar-free electrolyte powders provide effective hydration without the extra calories.

What is the difference between isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic drinks?

Isotonic drinks (like Skratch Labs) match body fluid concentration for optimal absorption during exercise. Hypertonic drinks (like Liquid I.V. and LMNT) have higher concentration, which can slow gastric emptying but provide more sodium and carbs. Hypotonic drinks (like Nuun) absorb fastest but deliver fewer nutrients. Isotonic is generally best during exercise, while hypertonic works well for recovery.

How much sodium do athletes need during exercise?

Athletes lose 500-2,000 mg of sodium per hour through sweat, depending on intensity, fitness level, and genetics. The ACSM recommends 500-700 mg per hour during prolonged exercise. Salty sweaters (those with white salt stains on clothing) and endurance athletes may need 1,000+ mg per hour. Tracking your sweat rate and sodium losses can help individualize your intake.

Can you take too many electrolytes?

Yes, though it is uncommon with commercial products used as directed. Excess sodium can increase blood pressure in sensitive individuals. Excess potassium can cause digestive issues or, in rare cases, heart rhythm problems. Follow product dosing guidelines and adjust based on your actual activity level. If you have kidney issues or take blood pressure medications, consult a healthcare provider before using high-sodium electrolyte products.

Are electrolyte tablets as effective as powders?

Electrolyte tablets (like Nuun) dissolve to create a drink that is functionally equivalent to powder-mixed options. The main differences are convenience, flavor profile, and dosing flexibility. Tablets are more portable and create less mess, while powders allow you to adjust concentration. Both formats effectively deliver electrolytes when used correctly.