When you're training hard and sweating through your shirt, water alone doesn't cut it. You're losing sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes that plain water can't replace. The right hydration supplement helps you maintain performance, avoid cramping, and recover faster.
But with dozens of options on the market, from sugar-loaded sports drinks to clean electrolyte powders, choosing the right one matters. We evaluated these supplements based on sodium content (the primary electrolyte lost in sweat), ingredient transparency, sugar content, third-party testing, and real-world taste.
Here are the top picks for athletes who take their training seriously.
1. doingwell Performance Electrolytes
Best for: Athletes in tested sports who need high sodium and full ingredient transparency.
doingwell Performance Electrolytes are premium high-sodium stick packs co-founded by UFC Champion Sean O'Malley after his own tainted supplement experience.
Where This Tool Shines
The combination of Informed Sport certification and clean ingredients sets doingwell apart. Every batch is tested for banned substances, which matters if you compete in drug-tested sports or simply want to know your supplement is safe.
The organic monk fruit sweetener is a differentiator. Most competitors use stevia, which many people find bitter. Monk fruit delivers sweetness without the aftertaste, and the maltodextrin-free organic natural flavors keep the ingredient list clean.
Key Features
High Sodium Formula: Approximately 1000mg sodium per stick pack, designed for heavy sweaters and long training sessions.
Zero Sugar: No added sugar, sweetened exclusively with organic monk fruit instead of stevia or artificial sweeteners.
Informed Sport Certified: Third-party batch testing for banned substances on every production run.
Full Transparency: Every milligram disclosed on the label with no proprietary blends.
Convenient Stick Packs: Single-serving format for easy travel, precise dosing, and no measuring.
Best For
Serious athletes who care about what goes in their body. If you're competing in tested sports, training in heat, or simply want to avoid stevia and artificial ingredients, this is built for you. The stick pack format works well for gym bags, tournament travel, and fight camps.
Pricing
$55 per month on subscription or $60 one-time for 30 stick packs. Three flavors: Coconut Lime, Raspberry, and Mango 500mg.
2. LMNT Electrolyte Mix
Best for: Keto and low-carb athletes who need high sodium without sugar.
LMNT is a popular zero-sugar electrolyte mix designed for keto and low-carb lifestyles.
Where This Tool Shines
LMNT built a strong following through social media and podcast sponsorships. The 1000mg sodium content matches what heavy sweaters need, and the zero-sugar formula works for people avoiding carbs.
The flavor variety stands out. From chocolate to seasonal options, LMNT offers more variety than most competitors. The community aspect is real, with active social channels and customer engagement.
Key Features
High Sodium Content: 1000mg sodium per packet, matching the needs of serious sweaters.
Zero Sugar and Calories: No carbs, designed for keto and low-carb diets.
Wide Flavor Range: Includes unique options like chocolate and rotating seasonal flavors.
Stevia Sweetened: Uses stevia as the primary sweetener instead of sugar or monk fruit.
Strong Brand Community: Active social media presence and loyal customer base.
Best For
Athletes following keto or low-carb diets who want high sodium without breaking their macros. If you don't mind stevia and enjoy flavor variety, LMNT delivers.
Pricing
Around $45 for 30 packets, similar to other premium options in the category.
3. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Best for: Mainstream consumers who want convenience and wide retail availability.
Liquid I.V. is a widely available hydration supplement using Cellular Transport Technology for enhanced absorption.
Where This Tool Shines
You can find Liquid I.V. at Costco, Target, and most grocery stores. The convenience factor is real, especially when you need a quick restock without waiting for shipping.
The CTT technology uses glucose to enhance sodium absorption through sodium-glucose cotransport. This is the same mechanism used in medical rehydration solutions, though it requires sugar to work.
Key Features
Moderate Sodium: 500mg sodium per serving, lower than heavy-sweat-focused options.
Contains Sugar: 11g sugar per serving, used for enhanced absorption via CTT.
CTT Technology: Leverages sodium-glucose cotransport for faster hydration.
Wide Retail Availability: Sold at major retailers nationwide.
Multiple Flavors: Variety of flavor options across different product lines.
Best For
Casual gym-goers and people who prioritize convenience over ingredient optimization. If you're okay with sugar and want something you can grab at the store, this works.
Pricing
Around $25 for 16 packets, making it one of the more affordable options per serving.
4. Drip Drop ORS
Best for: Medical-grade rehydration during illness or extreme dehydration scenarios.
Drip Drop is an oral rehydration solution developed by a doctor for treating dehydration in challenging conditions.
Where This Tool Shines
Drip Drop follows WHO oral rehydration guidelines, which means it's formulated based on medical research for treating dehydration. The lower osmolality compared to traditional sports drinks allows for faster absorption.
Military and medical professionals use this in field conditions. While that doesn't automatically make it best for gym workouts, it speaks to the formula's effectiveness for serious dehydration.
Key Features
Medical-Grade Formula: Based on WHO oral rehydration solution guidelines.
Moderate Sodium: 330mg sodium per serving, balanced for general rehydration.
Contains Sugar: Uses sodium-glucose cotransport mechanism for absorption.
Lower Osmolality: Faster absorption compared to traditional sports drinks.
Used by Professionals: Adopted by military and medical personnel in field conditions.
Best For
People recovering from illness, dealing with extreme heat exposure, or needing medical-grade rehydration. Less optimal for daily training use compared to higher-sodium athletic formulas.
Pricing
Around $20 for 16 packets, competitive for the medical-grade positioning.
5. Nuun Sport
Best for: Endurance athletes who want a low-calorie option in a portable tablet format.
Nuun Sport is an effervescent tablet electrolyte supplement popular with runners and cyclists for its convenience.
Where This Tool Shines
The tablet format is genuinely convenient. Ten tablets fit in a small tube that slides into any pocket or bag. No packets to tear, no powder to spill, just drop and dissolve.
At 15 calories and 1g sugar per serving, Nuun sits in the minimal-calorie category. The 300mg sodium is lower than heavy-sweat formulas, but works for moderate exercise or people who prefer gentler electrolyte supplementation.
Key Features
Tablet Format: Effervescent tablets that dissolve in water, no packets needed.
Low Calorie: Only 15 calories and 1g sugar per tablet.
Moderate Sodium: 300mg sodium per serving, suitable for light to moderate sweating.
Portable Tubes: 10 tablets per tube, easy to carry anywhere.
Clean Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, and Non-GMO verified.
Best For
Endurance athletes doing moderate-intensity training who want portability and low calories. If you're not a heavy sweater or prefer a gentler formula, the tablet format is hard to beat.
Pricing
Around $7 per tube of 10 tablets, making it one of the most budget-friendly options per serving.
6. Cure Hydration
Best for: Health-conscious consumers who prioritize organic ingredients and coconut water base.
Cure Hydration is a coconut water-based electrolyte mix with organic ingredients and no added sugar.
Where This Tool Shines
Cure leans heavily into organic certifications and clean ingredients. The coconut water powder base provides natural potassium, and the Non-GMO Project Verified and B-Corp certifications appeal to people who care about sourcing and corporate responsibility.
The Pink Himalayan salt adds minerals beyond basic sodium chloride. While the functional difference is debatable, it aligns with the natural ingredient positioning.
Key Features
Coconut Water Base: Uses coconut water powder as the primary ingredient for natural electrolytes.
No Added Sugar: Sweetened with stevia instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Organic Certified: Non-GMO Project Verified with organic ingredient focus.
Pink Himalayan Salt: Used for sodium and trace minerals.
B-Corp Certified: Meets social and environmental performance standards.
Best For
People who prioritize organic ingredients and corporate ethics over maximum sodium content. If you want a gentler, natural formula with coconut water, this fits the bill.
Pricing
Around $30 for 14 packets, positioning it in the premium category per serving.
7. Skratch Labs Sport Hydration
Best for: Endurance athletes who want real fruit flavors and energy during long workouts.
Skratch Labs is an endurance-focused hydration mix made with real fruit, popular in cycling and triathlon communities.
Where This Tool Shines
Skratch uses real fruit for flavor instead of artificial ingredients or natural flavors. The taste is noticeably different, more subtle and less sweet than most competitors.
The 19g of cane sugar per serving is intentional. This is designed for during-workout use, providing both hydration and energy. The NSF Certified for Sport designation means it's tested for banned substances, though not to the same batch-level standard as Informed Sport.
Key Features
Real Fruit Ingredients: Uses actual fruit for flavoring instead of artificial or natural flavors.
Moderate Sodium: 380mg sodium per serving, balanced for endurance use.
Contains Cane Sugar: 19g sugar for energy during exercise.
NSF Certified for Sport: Third-party tested for banned substances.
Endurance Community Favorite: Popular among cyclists and triathletes.
Best For
Endurance athletes doing long sessions who want both hydration and fuel. If you're cycling for hours or doing ultra-distance events, the sugar provides energy while the electrolytes handle hydration.
Pricing
Around $20 for 20 servings, competitive for the real-fruit ingredient positioning.
8. GOODONYA Organic Hydration
Best for: Consumers who want USDA Organic certification and sustainable packaging.
GOODONYA is a USDA Organic certified electrolyte drink with gentle, clean ingredients for health-conscious consumers.
Where This Tool Shines
GOODONYA holds USDA Organic certification, which is stricter than Non-GMO or general "organic ingredient" claims. Every ingredient must meet organic standards, from the coconut water to the sea salt.
The lower sodium content makes this a gentler option. If you're not a heavy sweater or prefer a milder electrolyte supplement for daily use, the formula is less aggressive than high-sodium athletic options.
Key Features
USDA Organic Certified: Full organic certification, not just organic ingredients.
Gentler Sodium Formula: Lower sodium content for moderate hydration needs.
Coconut Water and Sea Salt: Natural ingredient base without artificial additives.
No Artificial Sweeteners: Clean sweetener profile without stevia or artificial options.
Sustainable Packaging Focus: Emphasis on environmental responsibility in packaging choices.
Best For
Health-conscious consumers who prioritize organic certification and sustainability over maximum athletic performance. If you want a clean daily hydration option rather than a heavy-sweat formula, this delivers.
Pricing
Around $35 for 20 servings, reflecting the organic certification and sustainable positioning.
9. Pedialyte Sport
Best for: Post-workout recovery with a trusted medical rehydration brand.
Pedialyte Sport is the sports-focused version of the medical rehydration brand, designed for post-workout recovery.
Where This Tool Shines
Pedialyte has decades of medical rehydration research behind it. The Sport version adapts that formula for athletic use, with five key electrolytes balanced for rehydration after exercise.
The wide availability is a major advantage. You can find Pedialyte Sport at virtually any pharmacy, grocery store, or convenience store. The ready-to-drink format requires no mixing, though powder packets are also available.
Key Features
Medical Brand Heritage: Backed by decades of rehydration research and medical use.
Moderate Sodium: 490mg sodium per serving, balanced for general recovery.
Five Key Electrolytes: Comprehensive electrolyte profile for rehydration.
Multiple Formats: Available in ready-to-drink bottles and powder packets.
Contains Sucralose: Uses artificial sweetener instead of sugar or natural options.
Best For
Athletes who want a trusted brand with wide availability and don't mind artificial sweeteners. The convenience of grabbing it anywhere makes it practical for travel and emergency restocks.
Pricing
Around $10 for 6 powder packets, making it budget-friendly and accessible.
Making the Right Choice
For heavy sweaters and serious athletes, sodium content and ingredient quality matter most. Sweat sodium losses vary widely between individuals, from 500mg per liter to over 2000mg per liter. If you're training hard, competing in tested sports, or simply want to know exactly what's in your supplement, doingwell offers the combination of high sodium, zero sugar, and Informed Sport certification that's hard to find elsewhere.
For budget-conscious endurance athletes who want portability, Nuun provides solid value in a convenient tablet format. If you prefer organic coconut water-based options with USDA certification, Cure and GOODONYA deliver clean ingredients. And for those who prioritize convenience and availability over clean labels, Liquid I.V. and Pedialyte Sport are everywhere.
The sweetener choice matters more than many realize. Stevia works for some people but tastes bitter to others. Monk fruit is less common but avoids that aftertaste. Sugar-based options like Liquid I.V. and Skratch use glucose for enhanced absorption, but that means 11-19g of sugar per serving.
Start with your priorities. If you're a heavy sweater doing intense training, look for 1000mg sodium formulas. If you compete in drug-tested sports, third-party testing is non-negotiable. If you're doing ultra-endurance work, sugar-based options provide fuel alongside hydration. If you want clean ingredients without artificial sweeteners or stevia, narrow your options accordingly.
Match your needs to the formula. A casual gym-goer doing 45-minute workouts has different requirements than a fighter in training camp or an ultramarathon runner. The right hydration supplement supports your specific training demands without unnecessary additives.
doingwell performance electrolytes are Informed Sport Certified, zero-sugar, and sweetened with organic monk fruit, with every milligram disclosed on the label. Built by a UFC champion who learned the hard way that what's inside matters. Try it and see what clean hydration actually tastes like.
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