Head to head · Hydration & Electrolytes
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier vs LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolyte Drink Mix
LMNT scores higher overall (7.3 vs 7.0 out of 10), mainly on efficacy and quality & purity.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
America's best-known electrolyte stick: 560 mg sodium, 370 mg potassium and 11 g sugar per packet. Handy for sweaty days, but pricey and sugary for everyday sipping.
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1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium and 60 mg magnesium with zero sugar. Excellent for heavy sweaters and low-carb eaters, but far more salt than most desk workers need.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
The short answer
Choose Liquid I.V. if…
- Hot-weather activity and moderate sweating
- Travel days and recovery after a late night
- People who like a sweet, fruity electrolyte drink
Choose LMNT if…
- Endurance athletes and heavy or salty sweaters
- Low-carb and keto eaters
- Hot-weather training and outdoor work
- You care most about efficacy, quality & purity
- You want the lower cost per serving ($1.50)
Side by side
| Hydration Multiplier | Zero-Sugar Electrolyte Drink Mix | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.0 / 10 | 7.3 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 7.2 | 7.8 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 6.8 | 7.5 |
| Value (20%) | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| Experience (15%) | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Transparency (10%) | 7.0 | 6.8 |
| Form | Stick pack | Stick pack |
| Serving | 1 stick (16 g) in 16 oz water16 servings per container | 1 stick pack (6 g) in 16-32 oz water30 servings per container |
| Price per serving | $1.56 | $1.50 |
| Testing & certifications | None verified | Third-party testedcGMP facility |
| Dietary | Vegan, Gluten-free, Non-GMO | Vegan, Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Keto-friendly, Paleo |
| Key ingredients |
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|
| Flavors | 8 (Lemon Lime, Strawberry, Passion Fruit…) | 8 (Citrus Salt, Raspberry Salt, Watermelon Salt…) |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 5 |
Pros and cons
Hydration Multiplier
- Meaningful 560 mg sodium and 370 mg potassium per stick
- Mixes easily into 16 oz with a wide range of flavors
- Buyers consistently credit it with less fatigue, fewer cramps and better recovery
- Widely available in stores, on Amazon and on TikTok Shop
- 11 g added sugar per stick (22% of the Daily Value)
- Less sodium and more sugar than the reduced-osmolarity ORS formula; not a medical ORS
- About $1.50-$1.56 per stick
- No third-party testing or sport certification advertised; many buyers find it too salty
Zero-Sugar Electrolyte Drink Mix
- 1,000 mg sodium per stick, one of the highest doses among popular mixes
- Zero sugar and a short ingredient list
- Independent third-party testing of raw materials and finished product
- Buyers consistently praise taste, easy mixing and being gentle on the stomach
- 43% of the sodium Daily Value per stick; too much for many people who are not sweating heavily
- Most flavored sticks contain 300-450 mg maltodextrin as a flavor carrier that is not listed separately
- About $1.50 per stick ($1.13 in bulk) for what is mostly salt
- Brand promotes 4-6 g of sodium a day, well above the 2,300 mg limit in the Dietary Guidelines
Our verdicts
Hydration Multiplier
Liquid I.V. is a convenient, good-tasting (to most) way to get a moderate dose of sodium and potassium when you are genuinely sweating, and it earns its popularity on convenience. For daily desk hydration, though, the 11 g of sugar, the $1.50-plus price per stick and the lack of third-party testing make it hard to recommend over water or a cheaper, better-certified mix.
Full review
Zero-Sugar Electrolyte Drink Mix
For heavy sweaters, endurance athletes and low-carb eaters, LMNT is one of the best-formulated electrolyte mixes available: a meaningful sodium dose, no sugar and a short ingredient list. For the average person drinking it at a desk, 1,000 mg of extra sodium a day is unnecessary and potentially counterproductive, and the price is hard to justify.
Full review
What creators say
Questions people ask
Is Liquid I.V. better than LMNT?
Which is cheaper per serving, Liquid I.V. or LMNT?
Who should choose Liquid I.V. over LMNT?
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