Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder, Chosen by Experts (2024)

We’re back on our hydration game as we set out to find the best sugar-free electrolyte powder. Sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium are the main electrolytes needed to maintain electrolyte balance. When correct electrolyte levels are maintained, the body can be properly hydrated, which comes with its own health benefits and boost in athletic performance.

RELATED: Best Electrolyte Powder

Most diet and sugar-free products are able to call themselves sugar-free through the use of zero-calorie sweeteners. These sweeteners can be artificial (like sucralose, otherwise known as Splenda) or natural (like Stevia or monk fruit). Either way, plenty of people still feel iffy about consuming artificial sweeteners, despite the fact that studies have shown there is no link¹ between these sweeteners and cancer risk as was once believed.

However, there are mixed results that show sweeteners are associated with other conditions like heart disease and diabetes, but some scientists argue confounding in that individuals who already have heart disease and diabetes are more likely to consume zero sugar, artificially sweetened products. 

In any case, as temperatures rise higher and higher each year, electrolytes are becoming more and more prevalent. If you’re an elite athlete who trains outdoors or just very intensely, then electrolytes can be non-negotiable. So, for those who want hydration without all of the sugar, we put together a list for you. 

RELATED: 7 Tips for Running in The Heat

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR always recommends choosing products that are third-party tested whenever possible.

Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder

Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder Overall: Sports Research Hydrate

Good for: Those looking for more than just electrolytes in a powder that’s naturally sweetened

Best Overall

Product Highlights

• Has electrolytes and coconut water powder
• $1.43 per serving
• Sugar-free
• Four flavors: Raspberry Lemonade, Passion Fruit, Lemon Lime, Cherry Pomegranate

Pros

• Contains sodium, potassium, and coconut water powder
• No artificial ingredients
• Tastes great
• Sugar-free
• Third-party tested

Cons

• Only available in packets

Sports Research Electrolytes contain all the electrolytes you need to stay hydrated, and contains minerals and other ingredients that can boost your workout. Our tester loved every flavor’s taste so much it’s his go-to morning electrolyte drink.

The Sports Research brand was founded in 1980 in Southern California by a family with a passion for fitness and wellness, and we recognize them fondly as a brand that offers third-party-tested dietary supplements including their whey protein and creatine. 

RELATED: Sports Research Whey Protein Review

We crowned Hydrate as the best overall due to it being tested by Informed Sport, the no-nonsense formulation, and our testers’ overall experience. Along with six different electrolytes, this powder also has 65 minerals and seven vitamins.  

To remove the need for sugar, the sweetener used in Sports Research Hydrate is steviol glycoside. While this sounds artificial, steviol is naturally found in nature as stevia, a calorie-free sweetener. This form of sweetener is 200-350 times more potent² in sweetness than white sugar. 

We had Sports Research Hydrate tested by GGR Senior Editor Amanda Dvorak, CPT, who gave a rating of 3.5 out of 5 for its taste after trying the Raspberry Lemonade. “The raspberry didn’t come through so much, but the tart flavor you get from lemonade was definitely there,” Amanda recounts. “I usually drink liquid IV so I was thrown for a little bit when it wasn’t super sweet, but it wasn’t super salty either.”  

As far as solubility, Amanda found the sweet spot is using the right bottle. “I mixed this in a plastic water bottle, so there was still some powder left at the bottom,” Amanda says. “Though I didn’t get much grit when I drank it, I do think it would have dissolved more completely if I had used a shaker bottle instead.” 

RELATED: How to Make a Homemade Electrolyte Drink

You heard it here, kids! Not a water bottle-friendly powder, so it gets a 4 out of 5 rating in solubility from us. The good news is we gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for formulation. We love the inclusion of vitamins and minerals and the fact that the potassium comes from a natural source like coconut powder. Also, the amount and variety of electrolytes scores major points. 

Electrolytes per serving	600 mg
Flavors	Lemon Lime, Passion Fruit, Raspberry Lemonade, Cherry Pomegranate
Cost per serving	$1.43
Additional key ingredients	Steviol Glycoside (as rebaudioside M)

Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder for Athletes: Transparent Labs Hydrate

Good for: Athletes who want a third-party tested and trusted brand they can afford

Best for Athletes

Product Highlights

• Includes taurine to help performance
• Naturally sweetened
• No artificial colors or flavors
• Contains SenactivTM for recovery

Pros

• Low cost per serving
• Easily absorbed electrolytes
• Aides in muscle recovery
• Subscribe & Save available

Cons

• Contains the allergen tree nuts

At an extremely low per serving cost, Transparent Labs Hydrate V3 is a great option for anyone looking to try out electrolytes or anyone looking for clean ingredients without the hefty price tag.

Here at GGR we are fans of Transparent Labs due to them providing consistently high-quality sports nutrition supplements with honest labeling and science-backed ingredients. Hydrate is no different. Hydrate contains no artificial colors or sweeteners and is non-GMO. It also contains sodium from Himalayan Rock Salt and plenty of the key electrolytes in a manageably sized scoop. 

It also contains taurine, an amino acid commonly used in pre-workout supplements for its ability to promote better mental focus and brain function³. However, it is able to achieve this by promoting better cellular hydration, thus highlighting how proper hydration can help improve performance during physical activity. 

Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC, and GGR performance editor, gave Hydrate a try for us and rated the formulation a 5 out of 5. Along with being third-party tested by Informed Choice, it contains nearly a full gram of several electrolytes. Plus, some other compounds thrown in to help with athletic performance makes this powder a perfect pick for athletes.

We also gave it a 5 out of 5 for solubility since Anthony had no issues mixing it. However, for taste he knocked off a point for a 4 out of 5 rating. “It tastes like a super concentrated Hawaiian Punch if you make it the way the package recommends,” Anthony says.

“I mixed it in a shaker bottle with some cluster dextrin and got in the habit of adding more water than recommended when I used it, but the flavor still had some strength to it.” Transparent Labs recommends Hydrate be mixed with 6 to 8 ounces of water, but if you’re sensitive to strong flavors, you’ll want to consider finding out how much fluid actually works for you.

To get more details, you can read our full Transparent Labs Hydrate Review. 

Electrolytes per serving	884 mg
Flavors	Raspberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Peach Mango, Lemon Lime, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Orange Cranberry
Cost per serving	$0.75
Additional key ingredients	Taurine, Organic Freeze Dried Coconut Water Powder, SenActive

Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder for Weight Loss: Nutricost Electrolytes Complex Powder

Good for: Individuals who want affordable electrolytes with some extra vitamins

Best for Weight Loss

Product Highlights

* Non-GMO
* Gluten-free
* 7 vitamins and minerals in each serving
* Third-party tested

Pros

• Third-party tested
• No artificial sweeteners
• Several flavors and serving sizes available
• Excellent solubility, according to customer reviews

Cons

• May be too sweet for some
• Low amount of sodium compared to other electrolyte powders

With only a measly 5 calories per serving, Nutricost’s Electrolytes Complex Powder is a great way to hydrate when you’re trying to lose weight. Nutricost is also known for offering supplements at reasonable prices, and at only 33 cents per serving (even less if you buy in bulk), their electrolytes complex powder is no different.

Along with sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and magnesium, this powder also contains vitamin C and B vitamins in amounts akin to what you would see in a multivitamin. Though any nutritionist will tell you you don’t need to supplement with B vitamins as pretty much everyone gets enough from food, it doesn’t hurt to get a little extra as long as you don’t overdo it. 

GGR Performance Editor and certified personal trainer Anthony O’Reilly had mixed thoughts on the Fruit Punch flavor and rated the taste a 3 out of 5. “It’s fine. I didn’t really get Fruit Punch vibes from it, but I didn’t hate it,” he said.

Anthony rated the solubility a perfect 5 out of 5, however: “There were no issues with it dissolving,” he said.

There was one thing we did have to ding Nutricost on, which was its inclusion of rice flour in its formulation. Rice flour is commonly used by companies that make dietary supplements to pad the weight of the tub, thus giving consumers the impression that they are getting more for their money. We only rated the formulation a 2.5 out of 5.

RELATED: Salt Pre-Workout: A Sports Dietitian Lays Out the Facts

That said, given how low the calorie and carb content on the nutrition facts label is it doesn’t appear that an egregious amount was added, but it’s still worth pointing out. Regardless, Nutricost Electrolytes Complex Powder has a content of total electrolytes that rivals the most popular sports drinks for a reasonable price.

Electrolytes per serving	745 mg
Flavors	Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Orange Mango, Orchard Blast
Cost per serving	$0.33
Additional key ingredients	Stevia, Rice Flour

Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder Packets: LMNT

Good for: Individuals who need a solid rehydration tool while on the go

Best Electrolyte Packets

Product Highlights

• Science-backed electrolyte ratio
• Free from sugar and artificial coloring
• Suitable for Keto and Paleo diets
• Gluten-free and vegan

Pros

• Great flavors
• Suitable for almost everyone
• Clean ingredients
• No-questions-asked refund policy

Cons

• Includes stevia, which is known to cause GI distress in some people
• Strong salty flavor can be off-putting

With sodium, potassium, and magnesium LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix is a great post-workout hydrator. It can also be great for those who are low-carb and looking to increase electrolyte intake.

As a sports dietitian nutritionist who counsels a fair amount of endurance and ultra endurance athletes, I can testify that the popularity of LMNT is on the rise. It is not for those sensitive to salty tastes, as you’ll see in a minute, but I will say my athletes who use it swear by its effectiveness when it comes to their performance.

RELATED: How to Become an Athletic Trainer

This utility is also why we named it the best electrolyte powder packet. The packets fit easily in a fanny pack for marathoners and it has a solubility that makes for no-fuss mixing when you don’t have the luxury of stopping during competition.

Speaking of solubility, our tester, GGR Head of Content Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, rated LMNT a 5 out of 5 in solubility. “I mixed it with 16 ounces of plain water and had no issues,” Nicole states. 

We gave the formulation 5 out of 5 stars as it has the most robust content of electrolytes so far on this list with a total of 1,260 milligrams. Sodium makes up 1,000 of these milligrams, which explains why Nicole gave LMNT a 4 out of 5 on taste. 

“I won’t sugar coat it…this stuff is salty,” Nicole admits. “On my third packet I started to actually like it, but be warned—it’s an acquired taste. I used it during pregnancy when I felt like I was constantly thirsty, but LMNT quenched that no problem. I also appreciate the lack of added sugar.” 

LMNT is sweetened with stevia with a potent content of the key electrolytes. However, as you can see, most of the flavors have “salt” in their names for a reason. So don’t say we didn’t warn ya. 

You can check out our full LMNT Electrolyte review to learn more. 

Electrolytes per serving	1,260 mg
Flavors	Citrus Salt, Grapefruit Salt, Mango Chile, Orange Salt, Raspberry Salt, Raw Unflavored, Watermelon Salt
Cost per serving	$1.35
Additional key ingredients	Stevia Leaf Extract

Best-Tasting Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder: Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free

Good for: People who want neither sugar nor aftertaste from their hydration powder

Best-Tasting

Product Highlights

* Non-GMO
* Gluten- and dairy-free
* Vegan-friendly

Pros

• 0 g of sugar
• No artificial sweeteners
• Available in several different flavors
• Has 3x the amount of electrolytes as other sports drinks

The sugar-free variety of Liquid I.V. is great for people who need to replenish their electrolytes but don’t want to consume excess sugar. It’s non-GMO, vegan-friendly, and has no artificial sweeteners.

We had already tried the sugar-containing version of Liquid IV and were huge fans of it, so we had to see what the sugar-free version of the product was all about.

Liquid IV is sweetened with allulose, which is a naturally-occurring sweetener that tastes similar to sugar⁴ rather than being ultra sweet like artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame. However, the calories it contributes is marginal compared to sugar and doesn’t raise your blood sugar the way added sugar does. We rate the formulation a solid 4 out of 5.

Liquid IV is non-GMO and gluten-free and, along with electrolytes, also contains the amino acid L-glutamine along with L-alanine. These compounds were likely included due to the misguided belief that amino acids have a significant impact on fluid balance. 

The scientific community has concluded, however, that amino acids do not have much of an impact on fluid and electrolyte balance, and even the amino acids that did have some impact were essential amino acids, as opposed to l-glutamine and l-alanine, which are not essential amino acids. However, they are the amino acids included in Liquid IV, likely for style points.

The good news is that my athletes consistently say this is the best electrolyte drink powder they’ve tried in terms of flavor which is likely thanks to the main sweetener being allulose, which doesn’t carry the same aftertaste as stevia. 

GGR Performance Editor and certified personal trainer Anthony O’Reilly also enjoys the flavor, rating the White Peach and Green Grape flavors a 4 out of 5 for taste. “White Peach is my go-to. It doesn’t have a strong taste, but there is a nice fruity flavor to it. Despite having 510 milligrams of sodium, it’s not salty at all,” he says.

“I haven’t had any issues with solubility, but I do sometimes see some salt residue in my cup,” he adds. He gives the solubility a 5 out of 5.

Electrolytes per serving	910 mg
Flavors	White Peach, Lemon Lime, Raspberry Melon, Green Grape, Rainbow Sherbet
Cost per serving	$1.86
Additional key ingredients	Allulose, L-Glutamine, L-Alanine

Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder for Diabetes: Ultima Replenisher

Good for: People watching carb intake and not needing aggressive electrolyte replacement

Best for Diabetes

Product Highlights

• Provides 6 key electrolytes and minerals
• Made with real fruit extract
• Donations made to the Clean Water Foundation
• No calories, carbs, or sugar

Pros

• Low cost per serving
• Clean ingredients
• Many flavor options
• Natural colors and flavors

Cons

• Lower mg of electrolytes than most other drinks
• Stevia may cause GI distress in some people

Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Mix is an affordable electrolyte option that is available at major retailers. This makes it convenient, and with their many flavors, it is a great choice for those wanting to give electrolytes a try.

Ultima Replenisher contains zero calories which means zero carbohydrates (or other macronutrients) that could raise blood glucose. This is why Ultima is likely the best electrolyte drink mix on this list for those with diabetes. It’s also suitable for those doing keto or low-carb, of course.

The ingredient list varies a bit depending on which flavor you choose. However, each single-serving packet offers six electrolytes with some zinc and vitamin C thrown in. That said, when we had Ultima tested by Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, she only gave it a 3 out of 5 for formulation. 

Though the number of electrolytes is present, the total amount of them is lackluster, especially when it comes to sodium. There are only 55 milligrams of sodium in each packet, which frankly isn’t going to move the needle on anyone who sweats with even moderate heaviness when it comes to repletion. 

Even so, Amanda gave it a 4 out of 5 for taste after trying the variety pack of Ultima. “With the exception of Grape, I enjoyed all of them,” Amanda told us. “To be fair, though, I’m notoriously not a fan of things that are grape-flavored because it never tastes like grapes!” She also has a warning about the strength of the flavor. 

“The flavor is still so strong even if you mix it with 16 ounces of water like the instructions say, so I used 20-24 ounces.” Speaking of mixing, she had these comments about solubility: “You’ll definitely need a frother (my preferred method) or a bottle you can shake up—this stuff will not just mix with a spoon.” Given this, we gave it a 3 out of 5 for solubility. 

RELATED: Best Sugar-Free Protein Powder

Electrolytes per serving	530 mg
Flavors	Blue Raspberry, Cherry Pomegranate, Grape, Lemonade, Mocktini Variety, plus 6 more
Cost per serving	$1.05
Additional key ingredients	Organic Stevia Leaf Extract

Best Budget Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powder: Propel Powder Packets

Good for: Individuals on a budget who only need light rehydration

Best Budget

Product Highlights

• Boxes of individual powder packs available in 7 flavors
• Flavors: Berry, grape, kiwi strawberry, raspberry lemonade, black cherry, watermelon
• Provides electrolytes, vitamin B5, B6, B3, C, and E
• Formulated to replenish electrolytes lost in sweat
• Made with 0 sugar

Pros

• Convenient individual packs
• Variety of flavors
• Sugar-free
• Most users appreciate the taste

Cons

• Contains sucralose
• May cause digestive issues

Propel Electrolyte Water Beverage Mix of individual powder packs are available in seven flavors described by users as refreshing, sweet, and tasty. Formulated with essential electrolytes and vitamins B5, B6, B3, C, and E, these mixes are formulated to help replenish electrolytes lost through sweat. While they do not contain sugar, they do have sucralose and artificial sweeteners which may cause stomach issues for some users.

You probably have seen bottles of Propel at least somewhere if you spend a lot of time in spaces with active people. Propel is a product that’s actually owned by Gatorade. However, Propel differs from Gatorade in that it is an electrolyte drink that does not contain sugar and has antioxidants added.

Now, we have to say that the Gatorade company uses the word “antioxidants” very generously here. This is due to the fact that Propel has been fortified with vitamin C, which is technically an antioxidant, but it is not of the type we normally associate with fruits and vegetables.

As far as the rest of the formulation? “You get what you pay for,” says GGR editorial team member Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, who was our tester for Propel Powder Packets. Though we crowned this one the best budget electrolyte drink, the formulation is, well, reflective of the price, as Kate points out. 

There are barely 300 milligrams of total electrolytes. Though there’s not really a standard of how many electrolytes someone needs for rehydration since every person varies, most sports drinks have two to three times this amount of electrolytes. Propel’s biggest transgression, though, is probably its use of artificial sweeteners and superfluous carbohydrates like modified food starch and maltodextrin. 

RELATED: Pedialyte Sport Drink Review

That said, Kate says Propel has a great taste when mixed with plain water. “Not salty at all, very sweet,” Kate recalls. “You get more strawberry than kiwi from the kiwi strawberry, but I enjoyed it. That said, the raspberry lemonade tastes just like it’s described, so it was my favorite. As far as the grape, it literally just tastes like purple.”

She did say that Propel “completely dissolves” when you mix it, so we gave it a 5 out of 5 for solubility. You can’t buy Propel directly from their website, so Amazon is likely the best place to pick it up. Just know that it’s only available in a variety pack on Amazon, so be prepared to give all of the flavors a whirl. 

Electrolytes per serving	280-290 mg
Flavors	Grape, Berry, Kiwi Strawberry, Raspberry Lemonade
Cost per serving	$0.48
Additional key ingredients	Sucralose

Other Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powders We Researched

• DripDrop Zero-Sugar Electrolyte Powder: GGR Senior Staff Writer and certified personal trainer Lauren Strong enjoyed the taste of the regular version, but we haven’t had a chance to test the sugar-free varieties yet.
• BioSteel Hydration Mix: Our tester, Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC, loved the taste of the blue raspberry flavor, but we left it off the list because it’s pricey and is lower in electrolytes than some other options we tried.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powders

There is no shortage of sugar-free electrolyte supplements on the market. However, we have our own standards for including them on our list of the best of the best. Here are some key things we focused on:

Flavor

The thing about a hydration mix is…it’s gonna have some salt, y’all. Sodium and chloride are both important electrolytes for hydration, but they also make up the compound we know as salt which is something that tastes notoriously yucky in a beverage. The problem for our list in particular is that the salty taste is usually hidden by sugar in beverages like Gatorade and Powerade.

RELATED: Best Sports Drinks

However, when you’re looking for a sugar-free way to keep muscle cramps at bay, you need to find a balance between zero-calorie sweeteners and avoiding a nasty aftertaste. So, we tried to stick to products that taste great but aren’t loaded with artificial ingredients to get them that way. 

Solubility

Having a hydration powder that actually mixes completely is important, as it can taste pretty gnarly if you get a sip of some of those salty floaters. It is also important to note that most people who use hydrating packets only have a water bottle at their disposal, not a shaker bottle, and for this reason good solubility is a key feature for an electrolyte drink mix to have.

Lack of Artificial Sweeteners

Not to say that all of the brands on our list are free of artificial colors or artificial ingredients, but naturally sweetened drinks are preferable when choosing a sugar-free supplement. Though recent research has debunked the previously held belief that artificial sweeteners cause cancer, the jury is still out⁶ on whether or not excessive consumption can be detrimental to health.

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout Without Sucralose 

So, for those who are still skeptical, it’s probably best to avoid zero-calorie beverages that have been sweetened with compounds like aspartame or sucralose. This is especially true if you’ll be needing some assistance with your fluid balance frequently. 

Benefits of Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powders

Now, do you really need all of this stuff anyway? Well, as a registered dietitian who has worked with athletes for almost eight years now, I have to say that electrolyte powders and I were nearly attached at the hip when I worked with any outdoor sports. Here’s why.

Great for Rehydration and Preventing Muscle Cramps

Fluid balance is maintained through electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, which work as conductors for the electrical impulses (hence the name) that cause muscle contractions. Thus, electrolyte imbalance often results in muscle cramps and weakness⁷ since the muscles are unable to contract properly.

So, if you’re wondering why a registered dietitian would encourage you to consume more sodium even though you’ve been told since high school health class to watch out for the stuff, this is the reason why. Sodium is lost in sweat and must be replaced to avoid the aforementioned electrolyte imbalance. Chloride, the other portion of salt and the most abundant electrolyte in your blood after sodium, is also important for helping your body to retain the water⁸ you drink. 

Most of us already know that staying hydrated promotes better athletic performance, it’s not just about avoiding cramps. Studies show that losing as little as 2% of your body weight⁹ from water results in a significant decrease in power and strength during exercise. 

In terms of performance, phosphorus (or phosphate) is an electrolyte that more directly helps. Studies have shown that it helps the body produce ATP at a faster rate¹⁰, using a similar mechanism as creatine.  

RELATED: How to Find the Best Creatine

Useful for Those With Diabetes

There is a phenomenon called “diabetes thirst” that refers to the seemingly endless thirst those with consistently high blood glucose experience. With diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin at the rate it should to clear the blood sugar from the bloodstream. 

When this happens, the blood becomes “thick” and needs to be diluted with more fluid to flow properly. However, no matter how much water you drink, the condition can still make hydration harder to achieve. Thus, some may turn to a hydration powder if the problem gets bad enough.

What’s great about sugar-free electrolyte powders is that they don’t contain enough sugar to raise blood glucose high enough to make diabetes symptoms worse. However, check your ingredient list to make sure to avoid ones that contain caffeine. Caffeine can raise blood sugar¹¹ levels by triggering the release of glucose from the liver to give the body more energy. 

Better for Macro Management

Even if you’re not on a keto or low-carb diet, avoiding refined sugar is great for both health benefits and tracking macros. If you’re just trying to stay hydrated, wasting carb calories on electrolyte powder packets isn’t a super responsible move.

Especially when you can use those calories to eat healthy carbohydrates that actually have some nutrients like brown rice and oats rather than sugar water. While some amounts of sugar can actually benefit athletic performance, whether or not your individual level of activity warrants it would be up for a sports dietitian to decide. Spoiler alert, though: most active individuals don’t need it.

Dosing and Interactions 

As we always preach here at GGR, more is not always better when it comes to supplements. However, with electrolyte supplements, this is doubly true. That’s because too many electrolytes can be deadly if they result in hypernatremia or hyperkalemia, which are both conditions in which too much sodium or potassium is consumed. 

If this becomes severe enough, it can cause seizures, coma, and even death. So, please use these products as directed and in moderation. Similarly, you want to make sure they are diluted properly, as too much sodium in the gut can lead to diarrhea as it pulls more water into the GI tract. 

Those who are allergic to tree nuts should be very vigilant with electrolyte powders as many use coconut water or coconut water powder as their potassium source. Finally, those with high blood pressure or kidney disease should not use electrolyte supplements as these compounds can worsen these conditions. Talk to your doctor if you take any prescription medications or have any other chronic diseases before taking any supplements like electrolytes. 

Third-Party Testing

When it comes to electrolyte powders that are third-party tested, there are only a handful of brands that have certification under NSF for Sport or Informed Choice. The reason for this isn’t totally known, but balancing the cost of third-party testing with making individually packaged electrolytes is likely a big factor. 

Thus, though we always recommend getting third-party-tested dietary supplements whenever possible, you will likely need to be more flexible with your preferences when shopping around for an electrolyte powder. Just make sure you’re reading your ingredient list.

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powders

There are so many different brands, types, and sizes of electrolytes out there today, ranging from powdered tubs to premixed sports drinks. Tread lightly, though, as some of them are downright a waste of your money. Here are some things we recommend to look out for:

Price

Depending on what sport you participate in or what kind of other physical activity you do, your need for electrolytes could vary. Hydration status also heavily depends on how much you individually sweat, how hot your local climate is, if you exercise outside or whether or not you live at a high altitude. 

In any case, you’ll want to gauge how often you plan to use electrolyte supplements so you can anticipate how much you’ll be spending on them. Thus, try to calculate and compare price per serving as you shop around. 

Contains Key Electrolytes

Electrolyte drinks can be tricky, so it’s important to know that the brand you go with has all of the right electrolytes. Even the most popular brands lack key electrolytes, with Body Armor and coconut water being some that many a registered dietitian has smacked out of the hands of athletes for having plenty of potassium, but no sodium.

Sodium is the key electrolyte. Not only is it the one that makes up most of what we lose in sweat, but it’s also one that is responsible for efficient muscle contractions. If you aren’t replacing sodium losses, you can drink all the potassium you want, but you still could be at risk of muscle cramps and missing out on proper fluid balance.

RELATED: Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets Review

So, make sure your hydration mix contains primarily both sodium and potassium, with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus also being important, but less so. Most importantly, though, remember that sodium is the one that is lost in the highest quantity. So, if the brand you’re looking at has tons of potassium, but little to no sodium, it’s not going to be much good to you. 

Tub vs Individual Packets

The container you choose for your electrolytes may seem immaterial, but it’s important to nail down. Single-serving packets are nearly always more expensive than those sold in a tub. So, if you’re not a person who is consistently on the go, it would serve you better to go with a tub. 

Conversely, single-serving packets are like bread and butter for endurance athletes who can’t afford to lose precious seconds to stop to find a spoon and glass to mix a fruity powder with their water. So in cases like this, it may be worth paying a little extra to fit your needs. 

Experts Who Contributed to This Article

• Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
• Amanda Dvorak, ISSA-CPT
• Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC
• Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1
• Lauren Strong, CPT
• Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC
• Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC

FAQs About Sugar-Free Electrolyte Powders

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

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Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD

Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD is a sports dietitian and the head of performance nutrition for the NBA G League Ignite. In addition to working with pro athletes, Destini has ghostwritten four weight loss and wellness cookbooks. She also authors online content covering fitness and nutrition topics.