In the world of wellness, the line between what’s necessary and simply well-marketed is often iffy at best. There are colorful elixirs, beautifully-designed packaging, and influencers all begging us to add yet another cure-all to our shelves. And while I’ve been burned in the past, the best electrolyte powder doesn’t disappoint. Celebrity nutritionist, Serena Poon, said it best when she shared with us previously that, “Electrolytes are essential minerals that help many bodily functions, including fluid balance, hydration, muscle contraction, and nerve function.” And while a well-rounded diet can help you get your fill, finding the best electrolyte powder for you is an important step in maintaining optimal health.
Featured image by Riley Blanks Reed.
The Best Electrolyte Powder to Add to Your Wellness Routine
But of course, even within the ever-widening category of electrolyte powders, there’s variance in what works and what just adds sugar to your water. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since the advent of technicolor Gatorades took the world of professional sports—and in turn, all of us—by storm.
Of course, when marketers take note of a gap in the industry, the respective category is immediately filled with a slew of brands. And while this gives shoppers more leeway in terms of choice, it can be overwhelming to navigate all of the brands suddenly cropping up on your radar—via casual conversations, social feeds, and any mode of modern-day marketing.
For guidance, I spoke with Kris Buchanan, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, former Olympic athlete, and the founder of CEO of GOODONYA, an organic, nature-inspired food and beverage brand offering mineral-infused drink powders filled with all of the good, hydrating nutrients you need.
Ahead, discover the truth behind the best electrolyte powder options currently available. From understanding electrolyte imbalances to whether or not you *actually* need to supplement with electrolyte powders, we’re unveiling it all. Scroll on for all you need to know about the best electrolyte powders to keep you energized, hydrated, and feeling your best.
Every product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll always give an honest opinion, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
What are electrolytes? Why do we need them?
Electrolytes are minerals that are essential to numerous bodily functions like pH regulation, organ function, and maintaining fluid balance. Without electrolytes, we simply could not function. Most people are familiar with the major electrolytes: potassium, calcium, and magnesium to name a few.
What are the signs of an electrolyte imbalance?
Electrolyte imbalances, either too little or too much, can have significant consequences to our health. The earliest signs of an electrolyte imbalance can be muscle cramps, heart palpitations, brain fog, and fatigue, with the most obvious indicator being a sense of thirst. From there, it could progress to nausea and vomiting, dizziness, dark urine, and confusion. Severe dehydration can lead to death. With something as serious as that, we have really gotten this wrong over the years.
How do we know if we’re getting enough electrolytes?
Trust and listen to your body! We need electrolytes even on days when we never break a sweat. I recommend being proactive in maintaining a proper electrolyte balance by eating mineral-rich foods. Yes, the age-old ‘eat your fruits and veggies’ applies. It goes without saying to drink ample water throughout the day.
It’s important to remember that each person has unique needs based on age, overall health, and lifestyle. Check with your doctor before making drastic changes to your electrolyte intake! Consider using a functional medicine doctor or naturopath who can run a micronutrient test to see what you are low in.
Is it necessary to supplement with electrolyte powders?
The unfortunate truth is that filtered water doesn’t contain adequate mineral levels. If you drink purified, filtered, or RO water, most minerals have been filtered out. This is why we love spring water, as it contains the natural ratio of minerals and electrolytes that nature created for us. Too much filtered water can flush out the electrolytes your body so desperately needs.
Nature also gives us minerals and electrolytes in the food we consume. However, our topsoil has been depleted of its nutrients and our food contains fewer vitamins and minerals than it used to. Hydration powders can be an efficient and effective way to supplement your electrolyte intake, so you can quickly feel your best. Choosing organic and regenerative foods will give you even more.
The other unfortunate truth is that most sports drinks are high in sugar, artificial or so called ‘natural’ flavors, and funky stabilizers. Check the label for sugar content and ingredients to be sure what you’re putting into your body is actually serving your overall health. There are some great electrolyte powders on the market that replenish minerals without all the unnecessary stuff.
If you’re not into powders, I recommend simply mixing a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a good pinch of Himalayan salt into spring water.
The Best Electrolyte Powder for Optimal Hydration and Health
With Buchanan’s tips to guide us, we’ve rounded up all our favorite options that qualify for the best electrolyte powder. Of course, when it comes to health and wellness, everyone’s needs vary, so scroll on to find the best electrolyte powder for you.
Every product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll always give an honest opinion, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
The Best Electrolyte Powders
Buchanan applied all the nutritional expertise she shared above to her brand’s electrolyte powder, GOODONYA Hydrate. With a real food-first approach, GOODONYA was adamant about creating a hydrating electrolyte powder that not only tastes like lemonade (freshly squeezed) but also contains only one gram of sugar and all real ingredients. We love the blend of lemon, coconut, Himalayan pink salt, and more for everything from being able to push harder in our workouts to a solid night’s sleep.
What We Love: Only Certified Organic + Certified Glyphosate-Free electrolyte and mineral hydration powder in existence.
What We Don’t: The added Stevia may be too sweet for some.
- Form: Powder
- Sugar per serving: 1 gram
The ever-buzzy wellness and supplement brand, Moon Juice, just dropped what’s perhaps its most exciting launch yet—its electrolyte powder, Mini Dew. I spoke with Moon Juice CEO and founder, Amanda Chantal Bacon, to understand more about the hype behind her brand’s new hero product.
“Mini Dew was inspired by a need,” she says. Amanda was after a clean, zero-sugar, and organically flavored electrolyte powder that wasn’t just for one-off occasions (i.e., following extreme workouts or a night spent drinking). She wanted a supplement she could take daily, with the perfect amount of pink salt for “optimal cellular hydration” instead of an excess that would leave you feeling puffy and dehydrated. (The opposite of what we’re going for when it comes to the best electrolyte powder.)
The best part? Mini Dew is a 2-in-1 formulation, meaning it’s not only an electrolyte, but also a mineral supplement to support both hydration and brain function. We love that the electrolyte powder’s focus is two-fold—addressing electrolytes while also supporting the 90% of us with a mineral imbalance or deficiency. As Amanda says, “It’s amazing what happens when your body has the elements required to feel fully charged.”
What We Love: Zero-sugar, 2-in-1 formulation.
What We Don’t: Comes in only one (albeit, delicious) flavor.
- Form: Powder
- Sugar per serving: 0
If you’re in the market for the best electrolyte powder, it’s likely that you’ve heard of LMNT. The electrolyte powder is advertised widely across many an influencer’s page or platform. And while I was skeptical at first, a purchase of the brand’s variety pack confirmed: the hype is merited. Yes, compared to other electrolyte powders, the saltiness can seem like a lot. But speaking from personal experience, I’ve found that after a week of drinking one LMNT pack per day (often after my workout), I got used to it. Not only that, but I craved salty taste.
What’s more, I noticed that I no longer felt quite as sore the day after my workout. Instead, I felt replenished and restored and noted that my sleep had improved as well. If you’re in the skeptical stage, too, trust: you’ll be obsessed. While other electrolyte powders offer only one flavor, LMNT covers a wider range. Choose from Citrus Salt, Orange Salt, Watermelon Salt, Unflavored, Raspberry Salt, Lemon Habanero, Mango Chili, Chocolate Salt (great for smoothies), or Grapefruit Salt. With this variety pack, you can try ’em all.
What We Love: A wide range range of flavors, sugar-free.
What We Don’t: Doesn’t specify chloride content.
- Form: Powder
- Sugar per serving: 0 grams
DripDrop, beyond boasting a fun-to-say name, is a go-to electrolyte powder for everything from weekend recovery to boosting your energy pre-morning coffee. But what we love most about the formulation is its focus on immune-supporting zinc alongside magnesium and vitamin C. Beyond this, DripDrop is non-GMO, vegan, and soy-free, making it a solid choice for anyone looking to make a habit of supplementing with electrolyte powders. Even if you’re simply looking to avoid the afternoon slump, DripDrop is a great way to refocus and re-energize anytime of the day.
What We Love: Comes in convenient, individually-wrapped sticks for on-the-go ease.
What We Don’t: Doesn’t specify chloride content.
- Form: Powder
- Sugar per serving: 7 grams
Those who have gone down the electrolyte powder rabbit hole know: Liquid I.V. is the OG. I first got acquainted with Liquid I.V. in college, when Sunday mornings required a serious refuel. But as I’ve gotten older (and my party days are few and far between), I’ve looked to the brand as a go-to for workouts. The electrolyte powder features the brand’s Cellular Transport Technology (CTT), a delivery system that works to efficiently hydrate the body. While it’s higher in sugar compared to other options, if that isn’t a concern, I’d recommend this both for workouts and after events. (Pro tip: I like to keep a stick in my purse at weddings. It’s a godsend.)
What We Love: High electrolyte concentration. Contains 370 milligrams of potassium, 76 milligrams of vitamin C, 22.8 milligrams of niacin, 2.28 milligrams of vitamin B6, and 6.82 micrograms of vitamin B12.
What We Don’t: High in sugar.
- Form: Powder
- Sugar per serving: 11 grams
Is anyone else seeing watermelon-everything this summer? While the season for summer fruits is quickly passing us by, I’m continuing to make the most of the flavor with this electrolyte mix. I love Cure as an alternative to sugar-laden sports drinks. While other options contain added sugar and artificial ingredients, Cure prioritizes hydrating, real-food faves like coconut water, pink Himalayan salt, and lemon juice. The result is a perfectly salty-sweet electrolyte powder that *bonus* won’t drain your bank account.
What We Love: Prioritizes whole-food ingredients.
What We Don’t: Contains stevia and monk fruit extract, which some may find too sweet. Nutrition label lacks transparency around electrolyte concentration.
- Form: Powder
- Sugar per serving: 4 grams
For those who prefer tablets to powders, Nuun is a known go-to. The convenient tubes are great for travel or throwing in your workout bag to simply dissolve a tablet in water when you need a hydrating boost. Nuun offers a wide variety of electrolyte tablets for different applications. While these Sport Hydration tablets are designed for performance, you can also select from options that specifically support energy, immunity, rest, endurance, and more.
What We Love: Convenient packaging and comes in a range of product options.
What We Don’t: Tablets dissolve slower than other powdered alternatives.
- Form: Tablet
- Sugar per serving: 1 gram
Cymbiotika has taken the wellness world by storm with its range of science-backed supplements and topical treatments. In addition to the Liposomal Vitamin C and Glutathione, I’ve recently added the brand’s Pure Hydration powders to my routine. Full disclosure: I can’t get enough. The flavor is subtly sweet with clean ingredients and the hydrating trifecta of magnesium, vitamin C, and sodium. Compared to other brands, I love that Cymbiotika offers in-depth insights into not only the ingredients breakdown, but specifically how its formulas support optimal health and performance.
What We Love: Offers in-depth insights into ingredients and nutrient breakdown. Low in sugar and creative flavors.
What We Don’t: Contains organic cane sugar and stevia leaf extract, which some may find artificially tasting.
- Form: Powder
- Sugar per serving: 3 grams
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