Whether you're powering through an intense workout or simply seeking optimal hydration, the right electrolyte drink can make a significant difference. These beverages are packed with essential electrolytes and other ingredients crucial for maintaining proper hydration. While electrolytes can also be found in forms like tablets and powders, the convenience of ready-to-drink options in bottles or cans makes them ideal for on-the-go hydration.
Electrolytes are vital minerals that play key roles in maintaining fluid balance, regulating nerve and muscle function, and managing your body's pH levels to ensure it operates at its best. The most common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium. While these minerals are naturally present in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, electrolyte drinks offer a concentrated and convenient way to replenish them, especially during or after physical activity.
Most people can get enough electrolytes from a balanced diet, but athletes, those who exercise in hot weather, or anyone losing electrolytes due to vomiting or diarrhea might benefit from an electrolyte drink to help replenish and rehydrate.
However, not all electrolyte drinks are created equal—some are packed with sugar or lack sufficient electrolytes to be effective. In this guide, we'll explore the top ready-to-drink electrolyte beverages available, helping you choose the right one to keep you hydrated, energized, and on track to achieve your health and fitness goals.
How We Selected the Healthiest Electrolyte Drinks
We based our selection of the healthiest electrolyte drinks on three key factors:
Low in Added Sugar: While a small amount of sugar can provide an energy boost, excessive added sugar can lead to blood sugar spikes and inflammation, which is particularly concerning for those with diabetes or insulin resistance. By opting for drinks with natural sugars, such as those found in coconut water, you can rehydrate without unnecessary calories and excessive sugars.
Balanced Electrolyte Profile: A quality electrolyte drink should include a balanced mix of the key electrolytes lost through sweat—sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. Proper balance is crucial because an imbalance, like too much sodium without enough potassium, can cause cramping or dehydration. Drinks with a well-rounded electrolyte profile ensure your body functions optimally, especially during and after intense physical activity.
Clean Ingredients: Choosing electrolyte drinks with clean ingredients means avoiding artificial additives, preservatives, and chemicals that can be tough on the digestive system and potentially harmful over time. Look for drinks made with natural, easily recognizable ingredients like monk fruit or coconut water. These clean labels indicate products closer to their natural state, which often means better nutrient absorption and a healthier, more sustainable choice.
By focusing on these three factors, you can stay hydrated in a way that supports both peak performance and long-term health.
Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte Beverage
Nutrition (Per 20-ounce bottle):
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Carbs: 14 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 12 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Gatorade is one of the most iconic electrolyte drinks on the market, and their Gatorlyte beverage is a newer addition to the lineup. This product offers a more concentrated blend of five key electrolytes, with fewer carbohydrates and less sugar than the original Gatorade formula. Gatorlyte’s higher concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride are specifically designed to provide faster rehydration, making it an ideal choice for athletes.
Gatorlyte is an excellent source of sodium, covering over 20% of your daily recommended intake, along with 25% of your magnesium and 45% of your daily chloride needs. Although it has fewer carbohydrates than traditional Gatorade, it still provides 14 grams of carbs for a mild energy boost before a workout.
This beverage is made without artificial sweeteners or colors and is sweetened with a combination of sugar and stevia leaf extract. Available in flavors like Strawberry Kiwi, Cherry Lime, and Orange, Gatorlyte is a great option if you’re looking for a drink with a higher electrolyte content but lower carbohydrate levels.
Harmless Harvest Coconut Water
Nutrition (Per 12-ounce bottle):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Carbs: 23 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 20 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, prized for its light, subtly sweet flavor. Harmless Harvest Coconut Water is an excellent choice, offering 15% of your daily potassium and 20% of your daily phosphorus needs in just one bottle. It also provides small amounts of magnesium and sodium.
While this coconut water contains 20 grams of sugar, it’s important to note that this is natural sugar derived from the coconuts themselves. Additionally, Harmless Harvest is Fair Trade certified, ensuring that the company upholds the highest social and environmental standards for fair labor practices.
Harmless Harvest Coconut Water is free from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners, containing only one ingredient—pure coconut water.
Given its higher carbohydrate content, this drink is an excellent pre-workout option for a natural energy boost. However, if you’re someone who sweats heavily and loses a lot of sodium, you might need a more sodium-rich option for optimal electrolyte replenishment.
Electrolit
Nutrition (Per 12-ounce serving):
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Carbs: 12 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 12 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Electrolit is a top-quality electrolyte drink made with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. Originally introduced in 1950 as a hydration solution for children, Electrolit has since become one of the premium electrolyte brands available today.
This beverage features a blend of five essential electrolytes—sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride—designed to enhance performance, hydration, and recovery. It is particularly high in chloride, providing 15% of the daily recommended intake.
Electrolit is naturally sweetened with molasses, stevia, and natural flavors, with no artificial sweeteners. It offers a wide variety of 15 flavors, including options like Fruit Punch, Berry Bliss, and Guava.
Keep in mind that each bottle contains two 12-ounce servings, so it's important to consider your portion size when consuming.
Propel Electrolyte Water
Nutrition (Per bottle):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Propel Electrolyte Water, created by the Gatorade brand, is an electrolyte-infused water designed for those who want to replenish electrolytes without consuming calories or sugar. It’s essentially a calorie- and sugar-free alternative to traditional Gatorade.
Although it’s not as concentrated in electrolytes as regular Gatorade, Propel still provides 10% of your daily sodium needs. Additionally, it includes added vitamin B for energy and antioxidant vitamins C and E, which may help reduce muscle damage after intense workouts.
Propel Electrolyte Water is sweetened with two artificial sweeteners, acesulfame potassium and sucralose. While these sweeteners are generally considered safe in moderation, some people might find them overly sweet or hard to digest.
This product is available in nine refreshing flavors, including Berry, Black Cherry, and Lemon.
Since Propel Electrolyte Water contains no calories or carbohydrates, it isn't a significant source of fuel for pre-workout energy. Instead, it's best suited for general hydration rather than as an energy boost before exercise.
Pedialyte Sport
Nutrition (Per 12-ounce serving):
- Calories: 30
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Carbs: 9 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Pedialyte is a trusted brand known for its pediatric electrolyte products, and Pedialyte Sport is specifically designed for adult athletes who need a higher concentration of electrolytes.
Pedialyte Sport contains three times more electrolytes than leading sports drinks, offering a concentrated blend of five essential electrolytes: sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and chloride. For instance, it provides 21% of your daily sodium needs and 30% of your daily chloride requirements, which are crucial for optimal performance, reducing muscle cramps, and maintaining fluid balance.
This product is available in three flavors: Berry Freeze, Fruit Punch, and Lemon Lime, and comes in 1-liter bottles, with a 12-ounce serving size. If you’re an endurance athlete or someone who sweats heavily during workouts, Pedialyte Sport could be an excellent electrolyte beverage for you.
Bai Molokai Coconut Antioxidant Infused Water
Nutrition (Per 18-ounce bottle):
- Calories: 10
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Carbs: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 0 g
If you enjoy the taste of coconut water, Bai Molokai Coconut Antioxidant Infused Water offers a refreshing way to boost your electrolyte intake. With only ten calories per bottle and no added sugar, it’s an excellent low-calorie option for staying hydrated.
Naturally sweetened with stevia and monk fruit, this drink is low in calories and sugars. It provides a modest amount of sodium and potassium, meeting 3% and 8% of your daily needs, respectively. While the electrolyte concentration is lower compared to other options, it also includes added antioxidants like zinc and vitamin E, which may help with workout recovery.
What sets this product apart is its 55 milligrams of caffeine—about the same as a cup of green tea. While some studies suggest that caffeine can offer a slight performance boost, the amount in this beverage is relatively modest compared to what might be needed for a significant effect.
Ghost Hydration Drink
Nutrition (Per bottle):
- Calories: 10
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Carbs: 3 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
The Ghost Hydration Drink is another top choice for electrolyte replenishment, offering a blend of five essential electrolytes with no caffeine and no added sugar. With just 10 calories and 996 mg of total electrolytes per bottle, it’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a high concentration of electrolytes with minimal calories.
Ghost Hydration is particularly rich in potassium, providing over 20% of your daily needs, which can help support optimal exercise performance. Additionally, each bottle delivers 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamins B6, B12, and C.
This drink comes in six flavors, including Lemon Lime, Orange Squeeze, and Sour Patch, which are popular with both kids and adults. However, it does contain artificial sweeteners, so the sweetness level may vary depending on your taste preference.
LMNT Sparkling Electrolyte Water
Nutrition (Per 16-ounce can):
- Calories: 5
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 1,000 mg
- Carbs: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
LMNT Sparkling Electrolyte Water stands out as one of the top electrolyte drinks for its refreshing taste and balanced ingredient profile. Popular among athletes, LMNT delivers a potent 1,000 milligrams of sodium per serving.
In addition to sodium, it provides 200 milligrams of potassium and 60 milligrams of magnesium—both essential electrolytes that are often lost through sweat. With only 5 calories and 1 gram of carbohydrates, this drink is ideal for those following a low-carb diet or looking to keep their calorie intake in check. It’s also sugar-free, sweetened naturally with stevia, which many people prefer over artificial sweeteners.
LMNT is available in four flavors: Black Cherry Lime, Grapefruit Salt, Citrus Salt, and Watermelon Salt.
This drink is particularly well-suited for athletes who lose a lot of sodium through sweat or those who spend long hours working in hot, humid conditions. It’s also a great choice for those on low-carb or keto diets who need to replenish electrolytes without adding carbs or sugar.
However, if you have high blood pressure or are simply looking for a general hydration option, LMNT may not be the best choice due to its high sodium content.
Jocko Fuel Hydrate Electrolyte Drinks
Nutrition (Per 16-ounce bottle):
- Calories: 15
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Carbs: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Jocko Fuel is a well-balanced electrolyte drink that offers a blend of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride. With just 15 calories per bottle, it provides a significant amount of magnesium and chloride, meeting 25% of the recommended daily intake for these essential electrolytes.
Research has shown a positive correlation between magnesium levels and physical performance, making this drink particularly beneficial for athletes. The high chloride content also supports proper fluid balance. Additionally, Jocko Fuel contains 300 mg of sodium, which is 13% of the daily requirement for adults.
This drink is available in four refreshing flavors, including Blue Raspberry and Fruit Punch, and contains no sugar. It’s sweetened with allulose and monk fruit, both naturally occurring calorie-free sweeteners. Jocko Fuel is also free from artificial flavors, colors, and additives, and contains no banned substances, providing added peace of mind.
Bodyarmor Lyte Sports Drink
Nutrition (Per 16-ounce bottle):
- Calories: 15
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Carbs: 11-12 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1-2 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Bodyarmor Lyte is a low-calorie sports drink ideal for athletes who are conscious of their calorie and sugar intake. Each bottle contains just 15 calories, with only 1-2 grams of total sugar and no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Instead, it’s naturally flavored and sweetened with ingredients like erythritol, a sugar alcohol.
Depending on the flavor, Bodyarmor Lyte provides 11 to 12 grams of carbohydrates, offering a quick energy boost.
While the drink contains only 30 milligrams of sodium, it delivers 15% of your daily potassium needs and 20% of your daily magnesium intake, both essential for optimal performance and recovery before and after workouts. Additionally, it’s fortified with B vitamins to help enhance endurance and reduce workout fatigue, along with 70% of your daily vitamin C requirements to support immunity.
Bodyarmor Lyte is available in seven refreshing flavors, including Strawberry Banana Lyte, Orange Clementine, and Peach Mango, making it a great choice for pre- or post-workout hydration.
A Final Word on Electrolyte Drinks
Electrolyte drinks have gained significant popularity over the years, and they can be an effective way to ensure your body maintains the right balance of electrolytes, especially after sweating or experiencing substantial fluid loss, such as from diarrhea or vomiting.
Whether you prefer coconut water or commercially prepared electrolyte beverages, there are plenty of options available. If your body needs an electrolyte boost, incorporating one from our list into your routine, along with an electrolyte-rich diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, can offer significant benefits.
If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether you need electrolytes, it’s always best to consult your doctor for personalized advice.
Disclaimer: Dietary supplements are intended to complement the diet, not to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases. If you are pregnant, nursing, or considering giving supplements to children, be sure to consult a healthcare provider for appropriate guidance.