Top 10 Best Electrolyte Drinks for Hydration Review

I've been doing some heavy yard work here in Ohio and the humidity is already kicking my butt. I see so many ads for Liquid I.V., LMNT, and the classic Gatorade. What is actually the best for hydration without a massive sugar crash?

Honestly, I've tried them all for my cycling trips around Kent. LMNT is top-tier if you don't mind the saltiness. It’s got a massive hit of sodium which really helps with the cramps after a long ride.

LMNT is so expensive to get in the UK though! I usually stick to High5 or Science in Sport (SiS) tablets. They're much more budget-friendly for daily use.

I'm a big fan of BioSteel. It's a Canadian brand and they don't use sugar or artificial colours. I find the taste is way more natural than the neon-coloured stuff you find in petrol stations.

BioSteel is okay, but down here in Texas heat, you need something with a higher salt count. I’ve been using Nuun tablets lately. Easy to carry in your pocket and they don't make your water bottle all sticky.

Totally agree on the Nuun tablets! The watermelon flavour is a game changer during hockey practice.

Wait, so are the powders better than the ready-to-drink bottles? I feel like Gatorade Zero is just easier to grab at the shop.

Powders are usually much better value for money, Mike. Plus, you aren't paying to ship water across the country. Environmental impact and all that jazz.

Anyone tried Liquid I.V.? I keep seeing it on my Instagram feed. It claims to hydrate you 3x faster but it looks like it has a lot of sugar in it.

Liquid I.V. uses sugar specifically to help transport the electrolytes into your system faster (it's called CTT). If you're actually working out, the sugar is fine. If you're just sitting at a desk in an apartment, maybe overkill.

I can't do the sugar. I've been keto for years and Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder is my go-to. Huge amounts of potassium, which most of the 'sports' drinks actually lack.

Does anyone find the stevia taste in sugar-free ones a bit bitter? Some of them leave a weird film in my mouth.

Yes! That's exactly why I asked. I tried a sugar-free one last week and it was like drinking liquid perfume. Maybe I just need to water it down more?

Definitely try doubling the water amount. Most of the instructions on the packets make it far too sweet for my British palate anyway.

What about just good old-fashioned coconut water? It's natural and has loads of potassium.

Coconut water is great but it's pretty low on sodium. If you're sweating a lot, you need to add a pinch of sea salt to it to make it a true electrolyte drink.

Dave is right. Sodium is the main thing we lose when we sweat. That's why LMNT is basically just flavoured salt water. Sounds gross, but it works.

Has anyone tried making their own at home? Like a DIY version? Those packets are like $1.50 each and that adds up fast.

I do! Water, a splash of lemon juice, a pinch of Maldon salt, and a bit of honey if I'm doing a long ride. Costs pennies.

I tried DIY but I could never get the ratio right. Ended up tasting like ocean water one day and plain tap water the next. I'll pay for the convenience of a tub.