I'll be honest: Searching for a hydration supplement isn't the easiest thing to do. As a dietitian, I understand the challenge of finding an electrolyte powder that supports your lifestyle and dietary needs—especially in a saturated market. That's why I'm on a mission to help my clients pinpoint the hydration product that works for their unique health conditions and goals.
Two potential options are LMNT and Liquid I.V., both popular electrolyte supplements that offer different benefits. Here, I review Liquid I.V. vs. LMNT, including formula highlights, taste, cost, customer experience, and more to find out which one might better support your hydration journey.
🏆Who’s the winner? Though LMNT wins on taste and customer experience, I believe Liquid I.V. outpaces in terms of formula, as it contains nearly half the amount of sodium, plus the inclusion of vitamin C and four B vitamins to support various functions in the body.
⭐But is it the best? Even still, Liquid I.V. is high in sugar and calories, potentially leading people elsewhere for daily hydration, such as to Live it Up Vital Minerals. This clean formula provides optimal, well-balanced electrolyte ratios to support everyday, effective hydration.
LMNT vs. Liquid I.V. at a Glance
| LMNT | Liquid I.V. | |
| Best for | Endurance athletes, people working in hot climates, and those at high risk of dehydration | People participating in intense or frequent physical activity, and people working or exercising in hot climates |
| Electrolytes | Sodium, potassium, magnesium | Sodium, potassium |
| Sodium-to-potassium ratio | 5:1 (very imbalanced) | Approximately 1.5:1 (slightly imbalanced) |
| Formula notes |
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| Sweeteners | Stevia leaf extract | Cane sugar, dextrose, and stevia leaf extract |
| Price |
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| Flavors | 10 flavors | 19 flavors |
| Testing and certifications |
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LMNT Overview
The idea for LMNT began with cofounder Rob Wolf's own health journey, where he realized that his fitness, sleep, and brain functioning could be better supported by more salt. Wolf—and the other three LMNT cofounders Nicki Voiletti, James Murphy, and Luis Villaseñor—set out to start a "Salty Rebellion," creating a hydration product that isn't shy with sodium, isn't high in sugar, and includes essential electrolytes.
LMNT, pronounced "element," sells its Electrolyte Drink Mix in individual stick packs and as sparkling, ready-to-drink cans. The product claims to support sustained energy, cognitive function, recovery and sleep quality, and muscle cramping.
LMNT Pros
- Low carb and only 5 calories
- Zero sugar, caffeine, or gluten
- Vegan, keto, and paleo-friendly
- 10 flavor options
- Outstanding return policy
- Comes in stick packs and a sparkling, ready-to-drink can option
LMNT Cons
- Extremely high salt content
- Sodium-to-potassium ratio is way off
- Natural flavors may contain the additive maltodextrin
- No added vitamins
- Does not test final product for allergens
- More expensive than other brands, even with a subscription
Liquid I.V. Overview
Liquid I.V. is based on the World Health Organization's oral rehydration solution and uses the company's proprietary Cellular Transport Technology®, which is "designed to enhance rapid absorption of water and other nutrients into your body." The brand was launched by Brandin Cohen in 2012 as an answer to athletes' questions about the best hydration aids. It has quickly become a popular choice among athletes and non-athletes alike.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's main purported benefits are faster cellular hydration than water alone and aiding exercise performance and recovery.
Read the full Liquid I.V. review.
Liquid I.V. Pros
- Features vitamin C and B vitamins to support various health targets
- 19 flavors to choose from
- Amount of sodium may be good for daily use and exercise
- Has a sugar-free version of Hydration Multiplier, but its sugar substitutes may not be preferred
Liquid I.V. Cons
- 50 calories
- High sugar content; contains three total sweeteners
- Contains 10–11 grams of added sugar
- Contains additives, such as silicon dioxide and dipotassium phosphate
- Four vitamins exceed 100% DV
- Only 16 stick packs per pouch; two pouches required for a full month's supply
Hydration Formula Analysis
When it comes to electrolyte mixes, formulas are everything. Let's uncover the formulas of LMNT and Liquid I.V. to see how effectively they hydrate.
LMNT Formula
LMNT features 1,000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium. The first thing I notice in their electrolyte formula is the imbalanced ratio of sodium to potassium. I typically look for roughly a 2:1 or 3:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio for effective hydration and to help avoid fatigue, but LMNT's ratio is 5:1.
Why does this ratio matter? Both sodium and potassium help to regulate fluid balance in cells, so having too much or too little of one of these essential minerals might mean that your body isn't hydrating properly.
Additionally, the high amount of sodium may be beneficial for some people—but excessive for others. While 1,000mg may help endurance athletes and those doing intense exercises in hot weather replenish salt lost in sweat more rapidly than water, keep in mind that the current recommended daily sodium intake is less than 2,300mg per day. LMNT offers almost half of that amount, meaning that I’d only recommend this Electrolyte Drink Mix for intense athletes, not the everyday user.
Liquid I.V. Formula
Liquid I.V.'s ingredient amounts vary slightly depending on the flavor, with the following electrolyte amounts: sodium (490–630mg) and potassium (370–390mg). I'm pleased to see that their sodium-to-potassium ratio is more balanced than LMNT, at about 1.5 times the amount of sodium to potassium. This helps the body maintain cellular fluid balance.
This electrolyte powder leans into the inclusion of sugar as a potential contributor to hydration. While the sodium-glucose transport has been shown to help deliver salt and water to cells throughout the body, some individuals may be wary of ingesting anywhere from 10 to 11 grams of sugar in each serving of Liquid I.V. The formula includes two additional sweeteners, including dextrose and stevia leaf extract (Reb A). (There is a Liquid I.V. sugar-free version with no added sugars.)
That said, additional sugars, and carbohydrates in general, can be beneficial for endurance athletes, potentially aiding performance and sustaining muscular function. Plus, B vitamins (there are four in Liquid I.V.'s formula) help support energy, endurance, and cellular functions. All of this leads me to consider Liquid I.V. as an electrolyte powder for individuals doing higher-intensity or lengthy workouts.
🏆Formula Winner: Liquid I.V.
In terms of LMNT electrolytes vs. Liquid I.V. formula, there are a number of differences, but I’d choose Liquid I.V. because it offers more balanced electrolyte ratios plus added vitamins. While LMNT leans heavily on salt, Liquid I.V. leans heavily on sugar, meaning these hydration powders are targeted more toward endurance athletes than daily use.
⭐Want a better formula? Live it Up Vital Minerals is designed for daily hydration, with a moderate amount of sodium (510mg), a balanced sodium-to-potassium ratio, no added sugar, and additional vitamin C to support essential bodily functions.
Taste Review
Let's compare the flavors of both hydration mixes to see if one comes out on top.
LMNT Taste
LMNT comes in 10 interesting flavors:
- Lemonade Salt
- Citrus Salt
- Watermelon Salt
- Raspberry Salt
- Grapefruit Salt
- Orange Salt
- Mango Chili Salt
- Chocolate Salt
- Chocolate Caramel
- Raw Unflavored
Given the very high sodium, it’s no surprise that LMNT is extremely salty, and I had to water it down (or use half a packet). At the very least, LMNT does a great job of balancing salty with tangy, tart flavors. Because of the overwhelmingly sour, tangy, and salty flavor profile, sweetness isn't really an issue with the LMNT hydration mixes. There is no cane sugar in the LMNT formula—only stevia extract.
I was pleased to see that LMNT powders dissolved very well. The solubility was so impressive that a few minutes after mixing with water, the liquid truly looked just like plain water—no sediment or coloring to be found.
Liquid I.V. Taste
With 19 flavors to choose from, Liquid I.V. likely has the right taste profile for even the pickiest of taste buds:
- Acai Berry
- Arctic Raspberry
- Concord Grape
- Cotton Candy
- Golden Cherry
- Grapefruit
- Guava
- Lemon Lime
- Mango
- Orange Vanilla Dream
- Passion Fruit
- Pear
- Piña Colada
- Popsicle Firecracker
- Seaberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Tropical Punch
- Watermelon
While the flavors aren't overwhelmingly salty, I think that Liquid I.V. may have gone too far in the other direction: Hydration Multiplier is very sweet. That's no surprise, considering that each serving has 11 grams of added cane sugar, plus dextrose and stevia. Some flavors were more refreshing than others. For example, Lemon Lime had a nice tanginess, while Strawberry tasted a bit fake, in my opinion.
In terms of dissolubility, Liquid I.V. doesn't get high marks. There is some graininess in the final, mixed product, and it has a thickness to it that some people may find unpleasant.
🏆Taste Winner: LMNT
LMNT edges past Liquid I.V. only because it dissolves more fully and is not as overpoweringly sweet as Liquid I.V. That said, LMNT may be too salty for some people.
⭐Want a better taste? Live it Up Vital Minerals's Lemon Lime and Mango Pomegranate flavors hit all the high marks: not too salty; refreshing, not-too-sweet taste; and dissolves quickly without any grit. The taste is well-balanced and inviting, perfect for everyday use.
Cost Comparison
Cost can make or break your choice of electrolyte powders, so let's see the costs involved with an LMNT or a Liquid I.V. purchase.
LMNT Cost
Here's a breakdown of how much LMNT costs:
- One-time purchase (30-serving box): $45 ($1.50/serving)
- Subscription (30-serving box): $39 ($1.30/serving)
- Shipping (from website): Free for US orders
It doesn't look like LMNT offers a bulk-order discount. Their prices are on the higher end for hydration drinks.
Liquid I.V. Cost
Let's take a look at Liquid I.V.'s Hydration Multiplier prices:
- One-time purchase (16-serving pouch): $24.99 ($1.56/serving)
- Subscription (16-serving pouch): $17.49 ($1.09/serving)
- Shipping (from website): Free for orders over $40; all other orders pay $5.99 for shipping
Liquid I.V. doesn't offer discounts on bulk orders. Whether you purchase one, two, or three pouches, the cost per serving is the same.
🏆Cost Winner: Tie
Although the less expensive of the two hydration mixes is Liquid I.V., where you can save 30% by signing up for a subscription, LMNT's free shipping policy means that both brands come out pretty equally in terms of monthly price. (Even purchasing two Liquid I.V. pouches at a time won't unlock free shipping.)
⭐Want a better price? You can't beat the value of Vital Minerals, which is less than $1 per serving with a subscription, comes with 30 servings to last an entire month, and always has free shipping. Plus, the more you buy, the more you save: two containers saves 37% and three containers saves 40%.
Customer Experience
These days, the customer experience is everything, so finding a brand that prioritizes valued customers is key.
LMNT Experience
- Where to buy: LMNT website, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and The Vitamin Shoppe
- Subscription policy: Pause, cancel, or change the frequency of your subscription at any time
- Return policy: No-questions-asked refund policy for products purchased on their website
- What customers are saying: Most people report A+ customer service experience
Liquid I.V. Experience
- Where to buy: Liquid I.V. website, Amazon, Costco, Target, Walmart, drug stores, and grocery stores
- Subscription policy: Pause, skip, cancel, and change flavors at any time
- Return policy: 60-day return policy for website-purchased products and a 45-day Satisfaction Guarantee for items purchased from authorized sellers
- What customers are saying: Some say customer service is outstanding, while others report issues
🏆Experience Winner: LMNT
LMNT comes out on top because of its stellar refund policy, which doesn't specify a set time frame for accepting returns (like Liquid I.V. does). Additionally, LMNT customer service reviews are better overall than Liquid I.V.'s.
⭐Vital Minerals also offers a great refund policy, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus the ability to pause or cancel subscriptions at any time. What sets the brand apart is its excellent customer service team who is always on hand to help.
Why Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals
LMNT and Liquid I.V. are both strong contenders for electrolyte powders—it makes sense that they've both made names for themselves in the hydration space. While they each bring beneficial elements to the table, LMNT and Liquid I.V. do seem more targeted to endurance athletes than to the daily user.
Instead of LMNT vs. Liquid I.V., let's add another vegan electrolyte powder to the mix. For effective daily hydration, I recommend Live it Up Vital Minerals. This delicious, third-party-tested electrolyte powder delivers balanced electrolytes for daily use and a clean formula with no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. It goes above and beyond by including vitamin C for energy metabolism and heat tolerance—two important elements in staying hydrated.
Vital Minerals costs less than $1 a day with a subscription, comes with great customer service and a money-back guarantee, and dissolves easily across two tasty flavors (Lemon Lime and Pomegranate Mango) to suit different taste buds.
Of course, I understand that while an electrolyte powder may work well for one individual, it may not be suited for another person. Everyone has their own unique health concerns and goals, so finding the best hydration aid for your body and lifestyle may take some trial and error. But Vital Minerals is worth a try!
Liquid I.V. vs. LMNT FAQs
Uncover more about these two electrolyte brands.
What is the difference between LMNT and Liquid I.V.?
While both LMNT and Liquid IV offer electrolyte powders, they come in different formulas. Here are the biggest differences: LMNT contains three electrolytes, high sodium content (1,000mg), and stevia leaf extract for a sweetener. Liquid I.V. contains two electrolytes; between 500 and 630 milligrams of sodium; and cane sugar, dextrose, and stevia leaf extract for sweeteners.
What’s the best electrolyte powder?
The best electrolyte powder is the one that helps you reach your health goals and aligns with your nutritional needs and health conditions. Electrolyte supplements aren't one-size-fits-all and should be paired with a balanced diet. It's important to consider any medical conditions, activity level and frequency, and even climate. Live it Up Vital Minerals, for example, features an optimal amount of sodium that's appropriate for everyday use—not just for athletes—as well as added vitamin C for heat tolerance. Plus, its electrolyte ratios are backed by science.
What is the controversy with LMNT?
The LMNT controversy may be referring to a 2025 proposed class action lawsuit, which alleges that LMNT falsely advertises its products as keto- and paleo-friendly when they contain the additive maltodextrin. While LMNT is upfront about the inclusion of maltodextrin in its proprietary natural flavors, the lawsuit claims that not mentioning it in the ingredients list is misleading, as well as the claims that its Electrolyte Drink Mix aligns with paleo and keto diets.
Is LMNT better or Liquid I.V.?
Whether LMNT or Liquid I.V. is better is up to you, as the best electrolyte beverage is the one that works for your unique health goals and fulfills your nutritional needs. Both brands offer benefits and disadvantages, such as with sodium content, electrolyte ratios, inclusion of vitamins, choice of sweetener, taste, and price.
For one of the best hydration mixes on the market, check out Live it Up Vital Minerals, which features a moderate amount of sodium for everyday use, three electrolytes for proper hydration, and vitamin C to support bodily functions. Plus, it rings in at less than $1 per serving.
References
- https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-lmnt-electrolyte-drink-mixes-falsely-advertised-as-clean-minimally-processed
- https://drinklmnt.com/products/lmnt-recharge-electrolyte-drink?variant=42281197731863
- https://www.liquid-iv.com/products/lemon-lime-hydration-multiplier?Flavor=Lemon+Lime&Size=16PK&selling_plan=21425094692
- https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B09Q9WCDY7/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_paging_btm_next_2?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&pageNumber=2&filterByKeyword=customer
- https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-I-V-Hydration-Multiplier-Single-Serving/dp/B0B177N8VP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
- https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-lmnt-electrolyte-drink-mixes-falsely-advertised-as-clean-minimally-processed
- https://science.drinklmnt.com/did-you-know/natural-flavors
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1323420/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22150427/
- https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/sodium-your-diet
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5622706/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC24099/
- https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.91394.2008
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231364/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236216/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7019700/
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