We Put the Best Electrolyte Powders Through Brutal Workouts. Only These Made the Cut

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Before electrolyte powders became a staple for workouts (and a secret weapon after a night out), sports drinks fueled high-octane efforts. Hydration supplements have been around for a while, but the market has exploded in recent years, offering more options than ever. While they promise to replace essential minerals lost through sweat or illness, support hydration, nerve function, muscle contraction, and fluid balance, not all hydration powders are created equal.

Most people pick electrolytes based on taste, but there’s more to consider. The best option depends on your activity level. Endurance athletes like ultramarathoners losing more than 1.2 liters of sweat per hour should aim for 300 to 600 milligrams of sodium per hour, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. If your routine is lighter, like a mobility session or a walk, an everyday electrolyte is more than sufficient.

To find the best hydration supplements, we taste-tested dozens of powders like true electrolyte sommeliers—sipping, mixing, and shaking every option we could get our hands on. Each powder was rigorously evaluated for quality, taste, safety, and third-party testing so you can trust it to keep you hydrated and performing at your best.

Want the inside scoop on the best fitness gear of the year? Explore more from the 2026 Men’s Journal Fitness Awards, where we’ve tested everything from pre-workouts and protein powders to adjustable kettlebells and workout shorts.

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Best Electrolyte Powders of 2026 at a Glance

• Best Electrolyte Powder for Athletes: LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes
• Best-Tasting Electrolyte Powder: Ghost Hydration
• Best Budget Electrolyte Powder: Re-Lyte Hydration
• Best Value Electrolyte Powder: Transparent Labs Hydrate
• Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder: Thorne Daily Electrolytes
• Best Everyday Electrolyte Powder: DripDrop Electrolyte Drink Mix
• Best CaffeinatedElectrolyte Powder: Gainful Everyday Hydration

Best Electrolyte Powders of 2026

Best Electrolyte Powder for Athletes: LMNT

LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes is our top pick for the best electrolyte powder for athletes. Designed for heavy sweaters and high-intensity training, each single-serving packet delivers 1,000 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, and 60 milligrams of magnesium. The brand, co-founded by biochemist Robb Wolf, is built around its “Stay Salty” motto, and the formula is clean, with no sugar or artificial additives.

The packets are convenient to take on the go, whether you’re headed to the gym, traveling, or hitting the trails. I tested nearly every flavor except Chocolate Caramel, and Watermelon Salt quickly became my favorite. It balances sweet and salty perfectly, like a watermelon margarita with a salted rim. The powder mixes effortlessly in water with no clumps, producing a smooth, refreshing drink that's bold without being overwhelming.

It’s worth noting that the high sodium content makes LMNT ideal for athletes who lose a lot of sweat. For casual users or lighter workouts, a lower-sodium option may be more appropriate. Still, for those who need serious hydration and electrolytes, LMNT delivers in taste, performance, and convenience.

Key Product Features

• Sodium: 1,000 mg
• Potassium: 200 mg
• Magnesium: 60 mg
• Flavors: Citrus Salt, Grapefruit Salt, Watermelon Salt, Orange Salt, Raspberry Salt, Raw Unflavored, Mango Chilli, Chocolate Salt, Chocolate Caramel Salt, Lemonade Salt
• Price Per Serving: $1.50 per stick

Best-Tasting Electrolyte Powder: Ghost Hydration

If there’s one thing Ghost consistently nails, it’s flavor. If you want a hydration supplement that tastes great whether you’re scooping from a tub or tearing open a stick, Ghost Hydration is our pick for the best-tasting electrolyte powder. While the tubs don’t come in the brand’s wild collaboration flavors like Bubbalicious Strawberry Splash or Swedish Fish, the two originals, Kiwi Strawberry and Lemon Crush, hold their own.

That said, going with the individual sticks gives you access to Ghost’s flagship flavors, including Sonic Ocean Water, Sonic Cherry Limeade, Sour Patch Kids Redberry, and more. It’s the closest you’ll get to drinking your favorite candy or drive-thru treat while still doing something productive for your body. The individual sticks do run pricier at about $1.25 per serving, but the convenience is hard to beat.

Each serving delivers 150 milligrams of sodium, 375 milligrams of potassium, and 83 milligrams of magnesium. The sodium is lower than what most people need to replenish after a long run or tough HIIT session, but it’s a great everyday hydration option, especially if you just want something flavorful to sip on throughout the day. It’s worth noting that Ghost uses artificial flavors and preservatives, likely to match the exact profiles of its partner brands like Sonic, but the payoff is a lineup of electrolyte powders that genuinely taste good.

Key Product Features

• Sodium: 150 mg
• Potassium: 375 mg
• Magnesium: 83 mg
• Flavors: Lemon Crush, Sonic Ocean Water, Sonic Cherry Limeade, Sour Patch Kids Redberry, Sour Patch Kids Blue Raspberry, Kiwi Strawberry
• Price Per Serving: $0.82 per scoop, $1.25 per stick

Best Budget Electrolyte Powder: Re-Lyte Hydration

Re-Lyte Hydration is a standout option for athletes who need serious mineral replenishment. Made with Redmond Real Salt, each serving delivers 810 milligrams of sodium, 400 milligrams of potassium, and added magnesium, built around a 2:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio. The formula is clearly designed for hard training days, especially for heavy sweaters or those following low-carb or ketogenic diets, where potassium loss tends to be higher.

Re-Lyte comes in a wide range of flavors, including Mango, Strawberry Lemonade, and Pina Colada, all of which are free of calories, carbs, and added sugar. The powder mixes easily for the most part, and the flavors are clean and lightly sweetened with stevia rather than sugar. Coconut water powder adds an extra hydration boost without turning it into a sports drink dessert.

Like other high-sodium options, Re-Lyte may be more than what most people need for casual, everyday sipping. Because it uses unrefined, ancient sea salt, a bit of sediment can settle at the bottom if you don’t shake well. For athletes looking for a clean, mineral-forward electrolyte with serious performance credentials, Re-Lyte is a strong choice.

Key Product Features

• Sodium: 810 mg
• Potassium: 400 mg
• Magnesium: 50 mg
• Flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lime, Mixed Berry, Lemon Lime
• Price Per Serving: $0.63 per serving for the bulk pouch

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Best Value Electrolyte Powder: Transparent Labs Hydrate

Transparent Labs has built its reputation on no-nonsense, science-backed supplements, and its Hydrate formula fits right in. Each serving delivers 500 milligrams of sodium and 250 milligrams of potassium to help replace what you lose during hard training, without leaning on sugar or flashy additives. Instead of artificial dyes or flavors, the formula uses bioavailable minerals and coconut water to support steady, all-day hydration.

Where Hydrate really shines is drinkability. Flavors like Arctic Freeze, Blue Raspberry, Orange Cranberry, and Raspberry Lemonade make it easy to keep a bottle nearby without feeling like you’re forcing down a sports drink. Like the rest of the Transparent Labs lineup, it’s made with clean ingredients and third-party tested for purity and banned substances, making it a solid choice for athletes who want effective hydration without the junk.

Key Product Features

• Sodium: 500 mg
• Potassium: 250 mg
• Magnesium: 50 mg
• Flavors: Raspberry Lemonade, Peach Mango, Lemon Lime, Tropical Punch, Blue Raspberry, Arctic Freeze, Grape, Strawberry, Orange Cranberry
• Price Per Serving: $0.63 per serving for the bulk pouch

Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder: Thorne Daily Electrolytes

Thorne supplements are consistently praised for their high-quality clinical testing and clean, bioavailable formulas. The brand's Daily Electrolytes is no exception. It works well as an everyday hydration option when light sweating is involved, but it also holds up on harder days with long runs, intense HIIT sessions, or HYROX-style workouts. Each serving delivers 480 milligrams of sodium, 99 milligrams of potassium, and 40 milligrams of magnesium, striking a solid middle ground between casual hydration and performance support.

Flavor options are limited, but Thorne makes up for it with thoughtful choices. Unique picks like Blood Orange, along with classics such as Watermelon and Mango Limeade, add just enough flavor without overpowering your water. It’s subtle, clean-tasting, and easy to sip throughout a workout or the day, making it a reliable option for those who prefer function over flash.

Key Product Features

• Sodium: 480 mg
• Potassium: 99 mg
• Magnesium: 40 mg
• Flavors: Watermelon, Blood Orange, Mango Limeade
• Price Per Serving: $1.30 per packet

Best Everyday Electrolyte Powder: DripDrop Electrolyte Drink Mix

As far as everyday electrolytes go, DripDrop is one of my favorite options. The on-the-go packets are easy to travel with, and the classic flavor options like Grape, Orange, and Strawberry Lemonade ensure everyone will find a flavor they like. Each serving has 330 milligrams of sodium, a much lower dose than some of the other brands on the list, which is why we put it as the top choice for an everyday electrolyte powder. It also contains nine grams of carbohydrates and 7 grams of added sugars. While having some added sugars and carbs before a workout can actually improve performance, if your sugar intake is generally high, you might want to opt for the brand's zero-sugar option.

Beyond convenience and taste, DripDrop’s formula is built with everyday usability in mind. It checks nearly every dietary box, including non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, and kosher, which makes it easy to fit into just about any routine. Along with its electrolyte blend of potassium and magnesium, it adds zinc and vitamin C for a small immune-support boost that makes sense if you’re sipping it daily.

Key Product Features

• Sodium: 330 mg
• Potassium: 185 mg
• Magnesium: 39 mg
• Flavors: Berry, Lemon, Orange, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Grape, Strawberry Lemonade, Cherry
• Price Per Serving: $1.25 per packet

Best Caffeinated Electrolyte Powder: Gainful Everyday Hydration

If you’re looking to boost hydration before a workout, adding a little caffeine can make things even more efficient. While I don’t always use hydration supplements strictly pre-workout, when I do, I try to keep liquid intake to a minimum so I’m not juggling multiple blender bottles at once. That’s where Gainful Everyday Hydration with caffeine really shines. It combines hydration and energy in one drink, cutting down on volume without cutting performance.

The powder comes in three flavors, Tropical Mango, Strawberry Lemonade, and Lemon Lime, and it’s available with or without caffeine for anyone who wants hydration without the added energy. The ingredient list is refreshingly straightforward, matching the brand’s clean packaging. Caffeine is sourced from green coffee bean extract, and the formula skips artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners, making it a solid choice for those who want a simple, functional option that does exactly what it promises.

Key Product Features

• Sodium: 300 mg
• Potassium: 150 mg
• Magnesium: 150 mg
• Flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Mango, Lemon Lime
• Price Per Serving: $1.43 per serving

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How We Chose the Best Electrolyte Powders

I’m no stranger to electrolyte powders. As a health and fitness editor, I’ve spent years taste-testing everything the industry has to offer, from hydration mixes and protein powders to creatine and pre-workouts so caffeinated they made my head buzz. If it promised better performance, faster recovery, or next-level hydration, chances are I’ve mixed it, sipped it, and judged it.

To find the best electrolyte powder in each category, we tapped experts and put dozens of options through real-world testing. We skipped the flashy branding and overhyped flavor claims and focused instead on factors that actually matter, like ingredient quality, electrolyte balance, taste, mixability, safety, and overall value.

What to Consider When Purchasing Hydration Supplements

Although electrolyte drink supplements have become popular with athletes and non–gym goers alike, often replacing soda or traditional sports drinks like Gatorade, not everyone needs to be sipping electrolytes every day. For casual hydration or low-sweat activities, plain water usually gets the job done just fine.

That said, if you’re running a marathon, grinding through an intense HIIT workout, or sweating heavily during a long lifting session, a high-quality electrolyte powder can be a smart way to replenish the minerals lost through sweat. “Electrolyte powders ideally are very simple solutions of minerals, typically we are talking about sodium, potassium, etc,” says Dr. Jesse Shaw, associate professor of sports medicine at the University of Western States. "These minerals are vital to human physiology, including muscle function, nerve conduction, and fluid balance. In essence, they are essential to the homeostasis of our body.”

Sodium

"If you are to only look at one number on the label, make it sodium, as sodium is the primary electrolyte lost in sweat," says Alexander LeRitz, MSc, RDN, CNSC, CPT, of JM Nutrition. "It helps maintain blood volume, supports nerve signaling and muscle contraction, and plays a major role in fluid balance during exercise. Many people underestimate how much sodium they lose, especially in hot conditions or high-intensity training."

Not all electrolyte powders are built for long endurance efforts. For athletes losing large amounts of fluid, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends 300 to 600 milligrams of sodium per hour, which is why checking sodium content is just as important as picking a flavor you like.

Carbohydrates

Unlike classic sports drinks like Gatorade, which are built around a fixed carbohydrate concentration, most electrolyte powders focus primarily on replacing minerals lost through intense sweating. That said, carbohydrates still have a place depending on the workout.

“If you’re training hard for longer than about an hour and a half, carbs can improve performance and help with fluid absorption,” LeRitz says. “But if you’re lifting for 45 minutes or heading out for an easy run, you probably don’t need sugar in your bottle.”

Other Minerals

Potassium and magnesium are the two other minerals you’re almost guaranteed to see in electrolyte powders. While both can be useful in moderation, LeRitz notes that potassium, in particular, “is rarely the limiting factor during workouts.” Most people can meet their potassium needs through food alone by eating a balanced, varied diet throughout the day.

Magnesium is a bit trickier. While it plays an important role in muscle and nerve function, higher doses, especially from supplemental forms, are known to cause gastrointestinal discomfort. That’s something worth checking on the label before you buy, particularly if you’re sensitive or plan to use the powder frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are electrolyte powders good for you?

Electrolyte powders can be a useful tool, especially for athletes or anyone sweating heavily during long or intense workouts. They help replenish key minerals lost through sweat, but they are not something most people need to use every day.

“Electrolyte powders give you flexibility,” says LeRitz. “You can add minerals without sugar, or choose a version with carbohydrates if your training demands it.” In practice, electrolyte drinks are most helpful during physically demanding sports or longer, harder training sessions, where they can support hydration and provide an intra-workout energy boost. For shorter workouts or low-intensity movement, plain water is often enough.

How do electrolyte powders work to support hydration?

"Electrolyte powders' physiological effects are dependent on their mineral composition," says Shaw, and our bodies need the right balance of minerals to continue to perform optimally.

Essentially, electrolytes help keep your cells, muscles, and fluids working efficiently. They replace key minerals lost through sweat or activity, but they only work if your body can actually absorb them. If you have certain gut or kidney conditions, the benefits may be reduced.

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