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Jun 20, 2023

9 Best Electrolyte Powders of 2023, According to an Expert

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Many athletes and avid exercisers rely on electrolyte powders to replenish their electrolytes and hydration after workouts.

But with so many electrolyte powders on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.

We reviewed 27 products to help you determine which product is right for you. Keep reading for our picks of the 9 best electrolyte powders.

We reviewed 27 products, and only 9 ultimately passed both our dietitians’ review and our internal vetting process.

When researching electrolyte powders, we considered the following factors:

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

Bare Performance Nutrition Electrolytes is our pick for the best overall electrolyte powder thanks to its safe for sport certification, relatively affordable price, and simple ingredient list.

This product focuses solely on replenishing electrolytes that are often lost through sweat — including sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium — rather than adding a bunch of other nutrients and ingredients that you may or may not need.

Just keep in mind that it contains 500 milligrams (mg) of sodium, or 22% of the Daily Value (DV). While it's important to get enough sodium, 500 mg is probably too much unless you’re engaging in high intensity exercise or being exposed to high temperatures (1).

The powder is sugar-free and sweetened with stevia, which may be ideal for people who are not engaging in long-distance exercise, are following the ketogenic diet, or are trying to limit added sugars.

While it's available in only three flavors, online reviews are almost entirely positive. Most reviewers proclaim that this product tastes great and isn't too sweet.

Finally, a major benefit of Bare Performance Nutrition Electrolytes is that it's certified by Informed Sport, which means it has been third-party tested to ensure that it's free of substances banned by most sport organizations.

Quick tip: You can save an additional 10% by signing up for a subscription through Bare Performance Nutrition's website.

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

Gnarly Hydrate came close to being the best overall product, thanks to its great electrolyte profile and NSF Safe for Sport certification.

From personal experience, I found Gnarly Nutrition to be one of the better-tasting electrolyte powders on the market. It isn't too sweet and has a few flavors to choose from.

However, it does contain 4 grams (g) of added sugar per serving. While simple sugars are helpful for endurance athletes, others may prefer a product that is free of or lower in sugar.

The powder is available in 5 flavors and comes in both 40-serving bags and individual stick travel packs.

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

Nuun Sport Hydration tablets are an excellent choice if you prefer tablets over powders. In addition to being more compact, tablets are useful when you’re on the go because you can quickly pop one into your water bottle without needing to stop and measure out a scoop.

The tablets come in 13 flavors — 9 non-caffeinated and 4 caffeinated. The caffeinated tablets provide 40 mg of caffeine from organic green tea extract.

Caffeine is a popular and approved performance enhancer. It has been shown to help improve both cognitive and physical performance during exercise. But it's worth noting that most benefits of caffeine are found with doses higher than the dose in Nuun tablets (2).

Nuun Sport Hydration contains just 1 g of added sugar per serving and relies on stevia to enhance its flavor.

I found Nuun tablets to be the least sweet of the powders I tried.

If you’re a competitive athlete, you can rest assured that Nuun Sport Hydration tablets are Informed Sport Certified.

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

If you’re looking for a low cost electrolyte powder, Zeal Naturals Enhanced Electrolytes Powder is a good option.

At just $0.35 per serving (depending on where you purchase it), it's much more affordable than many other electrolyte powders, which usually cost $0.75 or more per serving.

In addition to electrolytes, the powder contains added branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and zinc to further support workout recovery (3).

Zeal Naturals Enhanced Electrolytes Powder is available in a variety of flavors, making it easy to find one you like. While the powder is free of added sugar, it does contain stevia, and some online reviewers say this makes the powder too sweet.

Another potential downside is the lack of third-party testing for banned substances. As a result, this product is not a good option for competitive athletes.

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

If you’re looking to support your energy levels during a long run or another long-distance endurance workout, this product from Skratch Labs might be a good option.

In addition to a good mixture of electrolytes to help replenish what you’ll lose through sweat, the powder contains 19 g of added sugar, which provides important fuel during prolonged exercise.

During long-distance endurance workouts, glycogen stores — your muscles’ main energy source — begin to deplete. Consuming simple sugars sends energy quickly to your working muscles to help keep you performing at your best (4).

The powder is available in seven flavors, two of which are caffeinated.

While we didn't get a chance to try it ourselves, reviewers rave about the powder's delicious flavor.

Just keep in mind that because it isn't certified safe for sport by Informed Sport or NSF, it might not be ideal for competitive athletes.

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

Added sugar is usually unnecessary unless you’re engaging in long endurance workouts. Thorne Catalyte is a great low sugar option, containing less than 1 g of sugar per serving. To ensure flavor tolerability, the powder includes stevia as a natural sweetener.

In addition to electrolytes, the supplement contains 500 mg of taurine, an amino acid that may help support athletic performance and recovery, though research is mixed. It also provides B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin C (5).

Thorne is known for producing high quality supplements, and Catalyte electrolyte powder is NSF Certified for Sport, which means it's a suitable option for competitive athletes.

While the powder gets good reviews on taste, some reviewers note the lack of flavor options as a downside.

Also keep in mind that because this product contains additional nutrients, including B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin C, it might not be suitable for you if you take a multivitamin, since you could end up consuming excessive amounts of these nutrients.

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

Pure Encapsulations is a great choice for those looking for a simple electrolyte powder that doesn't contain stevia or artificial sweeteners. Instead, this electrolyte powder uses a relatively small amount of regular sugar (3.5 g per serving) to enhance its flavor.

It's also a good option if you’re looking for an electrolyte powder with less sodium. One serving provides just 60 mg of sodium, which may be useful during less strenuous exercise.

The powder contains several additional ingredients, including alpha-ketoglutarate and malic acid, which are involved in energy production, though research on their benefits for exercise performance is limited.

Further, the supplement has 250 mg of tyrosine, an amino acid that may support cognitive and physical performance. However, research on this is mixed (6).

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

If you’re looking for an electrolyte powder with an added energy boost, Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel is worth considering.

The powder is available in four caffeinated flavors, each of which contains 35 mg of caffeine per serving. Caffeine is a well-known ergogenic aid, meaning that it helps to support athletic performance.

Specifically, caffeine has been shown to enhance athletic performance in most sports, including endurance and strength-based activities (7).

Further, this product contains 25 g of added sugar, which can support athletic performance during endurance events such as marathons (4).

Just keep in mind that it isn't certified safe for sport, so it might not be ideal for competitive athletes.

The powder is also available in four non-caffeinated varieties: Mandarin, Lemon, Berry, and Naked (unflavored).

*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.

Kaged Hydra-Charge is an electrolyte powder with 100 mg of SPECTRA, an antioxidant-rich vegetable and fruit blend for additional antioxidant support.

Antioxidants are compounds that help fight free radicals in your body, which are produced in larger amounts during intense exercise. However, taking antioxidant supplements for athletic performance is a highly contested topic because research isn't conclusive (8).

Additionally, while there is some concern over megadoses of antioxidants, the amount found in Kaged Hydra-Charge is unlikely to be cause for concern.

In addition to providing antioxidants, this powder offers a good mixture of electrolytes, is free of added sugar, and is Informed Sport Certified. It's also highly rated, with most customers praising its flavor and overall value for the cost.

Just keep in mind that it is sweetened with stevia and sucralose, an artificial sweetener that some people may prefer to avoid.

Additionally, the product features caffeine-containing ingredients in a proprietary blend, including coffee extract and green tea extract. Because the amounts of these ingredients are not disclosed, it's unclear how much caffeine the supplement provides per serving.

Here's a quick look at how our top picks compare:

Note that the price per serving may vary depending on where you shop and the size of the container you purchase. Additionally, many companies offer discounts for buying in bulk or through a subscription.

Electrolyte powders are most commonly associated with athletes and avid exercisers. These powders are designed to replenish lost electrolytes that can occur with sweating or during certain illnesses.

Sodium is the main electrolyte and mineral lost through sweat, so most electrolyte powders focus mainly on replenishing it. Sodium also helps support fluid retention, allowing you to stay more hydrated during physical activity (9).

Potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride are other electrolytes you’ll often see in electrolyte supplements since they’re also lost through sweat, though in smaller amounts.

Electrolyte powders may also contain other ingredients to support athletic performance, such as caffeine, amino acids, and simple sugars.

Additionally, depending on the product and its marketed use, electrolyte powders may be fortified with essential nutrients or contain proprietary blends with ingredients such as antioxidants, herbs, adaptogens, or other potential health-promoting compounds.

For the average person, electrolyte powders are often unnecessary, especially if you’re consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

Instead, electrolyte powders are often recommended for athletes who engage in vigorous physical activity for long periods — typically 60–90 minutes or longer — and are at risk of dehydration and sodium losses due to excessive sweating (9).

An electrolyte powder may also benefit people who:

Because excessive alcohol intake can lead to fluid losses through vomiting, increased urination, and other factors, some people may find an electrolyte powder helpful if they’re experiencing a hangover.

Ultimately, electrolyte powders are useful for anyone who is experiencing fluid losses and looking for a quick way to replenish lost electrolytes.

Most electrolyte powders come in a container with a scoop or in single-use packets. In some cases, they’re also available in tablet form.

Though instructions will vary, most electrolyte powders can be stirred into water and consumed immediately.

Depending on the intended use (for example, sports performance versus general use), the manufacturer may provide specific dosing instructions.

Which electrolyte powder you might purchase depends on your intended use, goals, and preferences. Additional factors to consider include:

Electrolyte powders may be beneficial for people who are losing large volumes of fluids and electrolytes, such as athletes, those with physically demanding jobs, and those who are sick. For the average person, electrolyte powders are usually unnecessary.

Your body is very efficient at regulating your electrolyte levels, so consuming extra electrolytes is generally safe. However, consuming too much sodium can put you at risk of certain health issues, such as high blood pressure, while too much potassium can lead to heart attacks.

Electrolyte powders can also be dangerous for people with end stage kidney disease.

Always be sure to follow the dosage information provided by the manufacturer and consult a healthcare professional for specific recommendations.

Electrolyte powders can be helpful during strenuous exercise or other times when you’re sweating a lot.

When selecting an electrolyte powder, be sure to consider the ingredients, nutritional profile, flavor options, cost, and third-party certifications to determine which product is best for you.

Also keep in mind that you might not need to take an electrolyte powder every day or at all. It's best to talk with a healthcare professional before adding an electrolyte powder to your wellness and exercise routine.