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The best electrolyte powder or supplement will vary from person to person and situation to situation. Suppose you're running a marathon in a hot, humid climate. In that case, you might want to reach for an electrolyte drink mix with a higher sodium content than, say, a severely dehydrated, hungover person just trying to get their headache to go away (in which case, a lower sodium content will be fine). I spoke with experts and tasted powders galore to narrow down your hydration options to options worth sipping, like my top pick, Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier.

Overall, you want to find something with a good balance of electrolytes, sugar, and carbohydrates. And make sure you're drinking water on a daily basis—no magic powder is going to help if you're just plain thirsty.

Be sure to check out our related buying guides! We've got recommendations for the Best Protein Powders, Best Greens Powders, and Best Fitness Trackers. Is there a particular electrolyte supplement you're curious about? Let me know in the comments below.

Updated April 2026: I've added new options from Pedialyte and Vita Coco and ensured link and pricing accuracy throughout.

Table of Contents

- Best Electrolytes for Most People

- Best Electrolyte Powder for Athletes

- Best Electrolyte Chews

- Best Electrolyte Drops

- Best Electrolytes for Hangovers

- Best-Tasting Electrolytes

- Best Less-Flavored Electrolytes

- Best Caffeinated Electrolytes

- Best Electrolyte Tablets

- Best Salty Electrolytes

- Compare Our Favorite Electrolyte Supplements

- More Electrolyte Powders We Tested

- Experts We Spoke With

- What Should I Look for in an Electrolyte Supplement?

- Is It Better to Just Drink Plain Water?

- Are Electrolyte Supplements Safe for Everybody?

- How We Tested Electrolyte Supplements

The Best Electrolyte Powders and Supplements

Best Electrolytes for Most People

Photograph: Louryn Strampe

Courtesy of Liquid IV

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Liquid I.V.

Hydration Multiplier

$23 Amazon (Regular, 16 Servings)

$21 Amazon (Sugar-Free, 14 Servings)

$23 Amazon (Immune Support, 14 Servings)

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- Many flavor options

- High carbohydrate and sugar content

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- Some might want lower sugar or carbs

- Concentrated flavors may not be ideal

Liquid I.V. has been a staple in my household for years. I love using it at music festivals—it helps my ragged throat feel better, my dry nostrils feel better, and my pounding head feel better. And when I inevitably run out of ice on day three, it helps my water taste better, too. They're sweet but not too sweet, and the packets are easy to open. This powder has a solid mix of ingredients in concentrations that aren't too strong, making it a reliable option to reach for in day-to-day life. It also comes in a huge array of flavors, so you're bound to find at least one that you like. In fact, I have yet to try a flavor that I dislike.

NutritionCalories: 50. Sodium: 500 mg. Total carbohydrates: 13 g. Total sugars: 11 g. Added sugars: 11 g. Potassium: 370 mg. Vitamin C: 62 mg. Niacin: 19.3 mg. Vitamin B6: 1.93 mg. Vitamin B12: 5.79 mcg. Pantothenic acid: 9.6 mg.Sweetness LevelMedium to highAvailable Flavors20+ (watermelon is my favorite, golden cherry is my least favorite)Free FromArtificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners.

Best Electrolyte Powder for Athletes

Photograph: Louryn Strampe

Courtesy of Amazon

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Skratch Labs

Hydration Sport Drink Mix

$24 Amazon (20 Servings)

$24 Sktratch Labs (20 Servings)

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- Sweet, salty, and easy to drink

- Excellent nutritional profile

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- Higher calorie count may not be ideal

- Overkill unless you're active

This hydration mix may as well be candy. But it's delicious in a very juicy way. It's way higher calorie-, carb-, and sugar-wise than other hydration powders on this list. But despite those higher concentration levels, it doesn't bother my stomach, and drinking a lot of it is easy. On the contrary, some of the other powders make the process of drinking kind of a slog after the first few gulps. As mentioned, it's high in carbohydrates, which translated to a boost in energy while working out that I noticed after just a few minutes, and it's also a bit higher in sugar content than some others I tried. This is a good powder for athletes who are quickly running through their body's energy stores. It's also available in a caffeinated variety, which I haven't tried yet.

NutritionCalories: 80. Sodium: 400 mg. Total carbohydrates: 20 g. Total sugars: 19 g. Added sugars: 19 g. Calcium: 50 mg. Iron: 0.2 mg. Potassium: 50 mg. Vitamin C: 18 mg. Magnesium: 50 mg.S

The 10 Best Electrolyte Powders (We Tested Nearly 20) | WIRED