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Head to head · Hydration & Electrolytes

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier vs Ultima Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Drink Mix

Ultima scores higher overall (7.2 vs 7.0 out of 10), mainly on value and transparency. Liquid I.V. still leads on efficacy.

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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Higher score

Zero-sugar, stevia-sweetened mix with potassium and magnesium but only 55 mg sodium. Great for flavoring daily water, far too light for heavy sweating or illness.

Check price on AmazonBuy from the brand$47.99

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Read the full review

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
  • You care most about efficacy

Choose Ultima if…

  • Everyday hydration without sugar
  • People keeping sodium low
  • Keto, paleo and vegan eaters
  • You care most about value, transparency
  • You want the lower cost per serving ($0.53)

Side by side

Hydration MultiplierReplenisher Daily Electrolyte Drink Mix
Our score7.0 / 107.2 / 10
Efficacy (30%)7.25.8
Quality & Purity (25%)6.87.0
Value (20%)6.08.0
Experience (15%)8.28.3
Transparency (10%)7.08.5
FormStick packPowder
Serving1 stick (16 g) in 16 oz water16 servings per container1 scoop or 1 stickpack in 16 oz water90 servings per container
Price per serving$1.56$0.53
Testing & certificationsNone verified
Non-GMO Project Verified
DietaryVegan, Gluten-free, Non-GMOVegan, Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Keto-friendly, Paleo, Non-GMO
Key ingredients
  • Sodium560 mg
  • Potassium370 mg
  • Added sugar (cane sugar, dextrose)11 g
  • Vitamin C and B vitamins (B3, B5, B6, B12)62 mg vitamin C
  • Sodium55 mg
  • Potassium250 mg
  • Magnesium100 mg
  • Organic stevia (rebaudioside A)
Flavors8 (Lemon Lime, Strawberry, Passion Fruit…)8 (Lemonade, Raspberry, Watermelon…)
Creator video reviews54

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

Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Drink Mix

  • Zero sugar, zero calories and no artificial sweeteners
  • Meaningful potassium (250 mg) and magnesium (100 mg) per serving
  • Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free and vegan
  • About $0.53 per serving in the 90-serving canister
  • Only 55 mg sodium, too little to replace sweat losses during long or hot exercise
  • Not suitable as an oral rehydration solution
  • Some buyers report the powder dissolves unevenly
  • No third-party contaminant or sport certification advertised

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

Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Drink Mix

Ultima is an excellent choice if you want a clean, sugar-free, low-sodium way to make plain water more appealing and add some potassium and magnesium. It is not a replacement for a sodium-rich sports or rehydration drink, so heavy sweaters, endurance athletes and anyone recovering from illness should look elsewhere.

Full review

What creators say

Questions people ask

Is Liquid I.V. better than Ultima?
In our scoring, Ultima Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Drink Mix rates higher overall (7.2 vs 7.0 out of 10). Liquid I.V. leads on efficacy; Ultima leads on value and transparency. Scores weigh efficacy, quality, value, experience and transparency.
Which is cheaper per serving, Liquid I.V. or Ultima?
Ultima costs about $0.53 per serving versus $1.56 for Liquid I.V., based on the list prices shown in our reviews. Prices change often, so check the current price before buying.
Who should choose Liquid I.V. over Ultima?
Our reviews suggest Liquid I.V. is best for hot-weather activity and moderate sweating, travel days and recovery after a late night and people who like a sweet, fruity electrolyte drink, while Ultima is best for everyday hydration without sugar, people keeping sodium low and keto, paleo and vegan eaters.

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