LMNT vs Liquid I.V. vs Ultimate Electrolytes: Sodium, Sugar and Price Compared
Published Updated Ben Law
Reviewed by Sarah Law, Dip CNM, Naturopathic Nutritionist
LMNT vs Liquid I.V.: LMNT is the high-sodium, zero-sugar option (1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium and 60 mg magnesium per stick, 1.50 US dollars a serving, sold in the US and Canada). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier is the sugar-based option (500 mg sodium, 370 mg potassium and 11 g of sugar per US stick, about 1.56 US dollars or £1.25 a serving), with a separate Sugar-Free version. Our pick for everyday hydration is a balanced zero-sugar mix: Ultimate Electrolytes gives 500 mg sodium, 500 mg potassium and 150 mg magnesium per scoop for 93p in the UK or $1.26 in the US. Choose LMNT for long sessions in the heat, Liquid I.V. original when you also want fast carbohydrate.
The Ultimate Electrolytes figures on this page come from our own printed label. Each 5 g scoop supplies 500 mg of sodium from Himalayan pink salt, 500 mg of potassium (25% of the UK NRV) and 150 mg of magnesium from magnesium malate (40% of the NRV), with 0 g of sugar and stevia as the only sweetener in the flavoured versions. A 150 g tub holds 30 servings for £27.95 (£24.95 unflavoured) on our UK store and $37.91 on our US store. It won the top score in its category, 100%, at the Nourish Awards 2025, is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 211 customer ratings, has batch Certificates of Analysis linked on the product page, and is covered by our 60-day money-back guarantee.
Ultimate Electrolytes: 500 mg sodium, 500 mg potassium and 150 mg magnesium per scoop, zero sugar, 30 servings per tub.
View product- LMNT: the most sodium per serving (1,000 mg), a 5 : 1 sodium to potassium ratio, no sugar, $1.50 a stick. No official UK store on the day we checked.
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier: 500 mg sodium (530 mg in the UK formula) with 370 mg potassium, 11 g of sugar per US stick, added B vitamins and vitamin C. About $1.56 or £1.25 a stick.
- Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free: the same 500 mg sodium with allulose and stevia in the US; the UK version is a different formula with added magnesium, calcium and amino acids.
- Ultimate Electrolytes: a 1 : 1 sodium to potassium ratio (500 mg each) plus 150 mg magnesium, zero sugar, and the lowest price per serving of the group in both markets.
LMNT vs Liquid I.V. vs Ultimate Electrolytes: the comparison table
Per serving, LMNT carries twice the sodium of the other two, Liquid I.V. original is the only one with meaningful sugar, and Ultimate Electrolytes carries the most potassium and magnesium. Every competitor figure below was read from the nutrition or supplement facts panel on the brand's own product page on 16 October 2026. Liquid I.V. sells different formulas in the US and the UK, so each market is listed separately; LMNT sells one formula. Prices are one-off list prices for the standard box or tub, without subscription discounts.
| Product (per serving) | Sodium | Potassium | Magnesium | Sugars | Sweetener | Extras | Price per serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LMNT Citrus Salt (1 stick, 6 g) | 1,000 mg | 200 mg | 60 mg | 0 g (1 g carbohydrate) | Stevia leaf extract | None | $1.50 (US only) |
| LMNT Raw Unflavored (1 stick, 3.5 g) | 1,000 mg | 200 mg | 60 mg | 0 g | None | None | $1.50 (US only) |
| Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, US (1 stick, 16 g) | 500 mg | 370 mg | Not listed | 11 g (all added) | Cane sugar, dextrose, stevia | Vitamin C, B3, B5, B6, B12 | $1.56 |
| Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, UK (1 stick) | 530 mg | 370 mg | Not listed | Not stated (13 g carbohydrate) | Sugar, dextrose, stevia | Vitamin C, B3, B5, B6, B12 | £1.25 |
| Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free, US (1 stick, 13 g) | 500 mg | 370 mg | Not listed | 0 g (5 g carbohydrate) | Allulose, stevia | L-glutamine, L-alanine, vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, B12 | $1.56 |
| Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free, UK (1 stick) | 500 mg | 376 mg | 56 mg | Less than 0.5 g | Stevia | 120 mg calcium, six amino acids, vitamins C, B3, B5, B12 | £1.25 |
| Ultimate Electrolytes (1 scoop, 5 g) | 500 mg | 500 mg | 150 mg | 0 g | Stevia (flavoured versions) | None | 93p UK, $1.26 US |
Sources: drinklmnt.com product page and ingredients page; liquid-iv.com and liquid-iv.co.uk product pages (Lemon Lime for the original, Mango Pineapple for Sugar-Free); our own Ultimate Electrolytes label. All read 16 October 2026. Price per serving = list price divided by servings: LMNT $45 for 30 sticks; Liquid I.V. US $24.99 for 16 (original) and $21.84 for 14 (Sugar-Free); Liquid I.V. UK £19.99 for 16; Ultimate Electrolytes £27.95 or $37.91 for 30 servings. Liquid I.V.'s US Sugar-Free FAQ text quotes 510 mg sodium and 380 mg potassium; we used the panel figures. No brand states chloride on its panel. Prices change; check each brand's site before you buy.
Which electrolyte drink has the most sodium?
LMNT has the most sodium of the three, at 1,000 mg per stick, twice the 500 mg in Liquid I.V. and in Ultimate Electrolytes. That is LMNT's design choice: its own recipe guidance describes 2,500 mg of sodium chloride per stick. One LMNT stick supplies about 43% of the 2,300 mg US Daily Value for sodium [7] and about 42% of the NHS limit of 6 g of salt a day, which is roughly 2.4 g of sodium [8]. A 500 mg serving is about a fifth of either figure.
Whether you need 500 mg or 1,000 mg depends on how much salt you lose. Sweat sodium concentration varies several-fold from one person to the next, and sweat rate varies with heat, fitness and intensity, so total sodium loss during exercise ranges widely between athletes even in the same sport [1] [2]. The American College of Sports Medicine's fluid replacement guidance recommends that people who sweat heavily, or exercise for long periods, consume sodium alongside fluid, and individualise the amount [3]. If you finish sessions with salt marks on your clothes, a higher-sodium serving during exercise makes sense; for desk days and moderate training, 500 mg per serving is the more comfortable everyday dose.
The sodium to potassium ratio
Sodium is not the only number on the panel. LMNT's ratio is 5 : 1 (1,000 mg sodium to 200 mg potassium), Liquid I.V. is about 1.4 : 1 (500 to 370 mg), and Ultimate Electrolytes is 1 : 1 (500 to 500 mg). Potassium is the mineral most adults fall short on: the US Adequate Intake is 3,400 mg a day for men and 2,600 mg for women [5], and the UK labelling reference (NRV) is 2,000 mg [10]. A 1 : 1 mix adds meaningful potassium every time you drink it; a 5 : 1 mix is mostly salt.
"Sodium needs vary a lot from person to person, so I start with how much someone sweats rather than which brand they like. For desk days and moderate training, 500 mg a serving is plenty; the higher-sodium sticks make more sense for long, hot sessions."
Sarah Law, Naturopathic Nutritionist | Optimised Female
Why does Liquid I.V. have sugar in it?
Liquid I.V. original uses sugar on purpose. Its formula follows the oral rehydration principle: glucose and sodium are absorbed together in the small intestine through a shared transporter, and water follows, which is why oral rehydration solutions used in medicine contain both [4]. The trade-off is 11 g of sugar per US stick (cane sugar and dextrose, all counted as added sugar), about 50 calories.
For most everyday drinking that sugar is not needed. Food already supplies carbohydrate, and a glass of water with a zero-sugar electrolyte mix taken alongside a meal covers ordinary hydration. Where the sugar earns its place is during long endurance sessions, when you want carbohydrate as fuel anyway; there, Liquid I.V. original, a sports drink or a gel alongside a zero-sugar mix all do the job. If you are counting sugar, eating low-carb, or simply drinking electrolytes daily, pick a zero-sugar mix: LMNT, Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free or Ultimate Electrolytes. Our electrolytes vs sports drinks guide covers the same choice for bottled sports drinks.
Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free: two different formulas
The Sugar-Free name covers two recipes. The US version keeps 500 mg sodium and 370 mg potassium and swaps the sugar for allulose and stevia, with L-glutamine and L-alanine added. The UK version uses stevia only and adds 56 mg magnesium, 120 mg calcium and six amino acids, including 1,500 mg L-glutamine and 928 mg L-lysine per stick, and drops vitamin B6. If you buy in one country and travel to the other, check the panel on the box in your hand.
Potassium and magnesium: where the panels differ most
Ultimate Electrolytes supplies the most potassium and magnesium per serving of the three: 500 mg potassium and 150 mg magnesium, against 200 mg and 60 mg in LMNT and 370 mg potassium with no listed magnesium in Liquid I.V. original. These two minerals matter because they are the ones most diets run short on, while sodium is usually plentiful already.
| Mineral | UK reference (NRV) | US reference (NIH) | One scoop of Ultimate Electrolytes | One LMNT stick | One Liquid I.V. stick (US original) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | No NRV; NHS limit 6 g salt (about 2.4 g sodium) a day | Daily Value less than 2,300 mg | 500 mg | 1,000 mg | 500 mg |
| Potassium | 2,000 mg | Adequate Intake 3,400 mg (men), 2,600 mg (women) | 500 mg (25% NRV) | 200 mg (10% NRV) | 370 mg (19% NRV) |
| Magnesium | 375 mg; NHS: 300 mg (men), 270 mg (women) | RDA 400 to 420 mg (men), 310 to 320 mg (women); supplement upper limit 350 mg | 150 mg (40% NRV) | 60 mg (16% NRV) | Not listed |
UK NRVs from Annex XIII of Regulation 1169/2011 as retained in GB law [10]; NHS magnesium figures and the 400 mg supplement guidance from the NHS [9]; US figures from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements [5] [6] and the FDA [7]. The NIH upper limit of 350 mg applies to magnesium from supplements, not food.
What the minerals do is set out in the authorised health claims on the GB register [11]. Magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance, to normal muscle function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Potassium contributes to normal muscle function and to the normal functioning of the nervous system. Both claims need a meaningful amount per serving, which is why the potassium and magnesium figures on a panel matter as much as the sodium figure.
A 150 mg magnesium serving also sits well inside the safety guidance in both markets: the NHS says 400 mg or less a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm [9], and the NIH sets the upper limit for supplemental magnesium at 350 mg a day for adults [6]. If you already take a magnesium supplement, add the two together. Our Ultimate Electrolytes formula breakdown explains why we chose magnesium malate and pink salt.
"Most people I see get plenty of sodium from food and fall short on potassium, so I read the potassium and magnesium lines on an electrolyte panel before the sodium figure. If you already take a magnesium supplement, add the two together and stay within the daily guidance."
Sarah Law, Naturopathic Nutritionist | Optimised Female
Which is cheapest per serving?
Ultimate Electrolytes is the cheapest per serving of the three in both markets: 93p in the UK and $1.26 in the US, against £1.25 for Liquid I.V. in the UK and $1.50 to $1.56 for LMNT and Liquid I.V. in the US. Because the products carry different amounts of minerals, we also worked out what each costs per 1,000 mg of total electrolyte minerals (sodium plus potassium plus magnesium, plus calcium where listed).
Our own calculation from the list prices and panels above, read 16 October 2026. Subscribing brings every product down: Ultimate Electrolytes subscribers pay 10% less on the first order and 15% less from the second (£25.16 or 84p a serving on a first UK order). Liquid I.V. and LMNT run their own bundle and subscription prices, which we have not included. LMNT's 120-stick bundle works out at $1.13 a stick.
Format matters for cost too. Single-serve sticks are convenient in a gym bag; a tub with a scoop is cheaper per serving and lets you take half a scoop on lighter days. Ultimate Electrolytes comes as a 150 g tub of 30 servings in five flavours plus unflavoured on our UK store (raspberry and orange and lime on our US store).
Can you buy LMNT in the UK?
Not directly from LMNT. When we checked on 16 October 2026, LMNT's own FAQ said it ships its drink mix to the US and Canada and was testing a few distribution partners in Australia and the United Kingdom, and drinklmnt.co.uk was a parked domain. Liquid I.V. does run a UK store with UK-specific formulas. If you are in the UK and want a zero-sugar, salt-forward mix without importing, Ultimate Electrolytes is made in the UK and gives 500 mg sodium per scoop; take it in 500 ml of water as the label directs.
LMNT, Liquid I.V. or Ultimate Electrolytes: which should you choose?
Choose by what you are drinking it for. The panels make the decision simpler than the marketing does.
Pick by use
A balanced zero-sugar mix: Ultimate Electrolytes, 500 mg sodium, 500 mg potassium, 150 mg magnesium, 93p or $1.26 a serving.
More sodium per serving: LMNT's 1,000 mg stick (US and Canada), or Ultimate Electrolytes taken during the session and again afterwards rather than once a day.
Liquid I.V. original, with 11 g of sugar per US stick, or a zero-sugar mix alongside your usual gels or carbohydrate drink.
Zero sugar: LMNT Raw Unflavored, Ultimate Electrolytes, or Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free. Our electrolytes on keto and fasting guide covers timing.
Nourish Awards 2025, three stars and a 100% category score: Ultimate Electrolytes, zero sugar, made in the UK, 60-day money-back guarantee.
View productWhichever you choose, a few label checks apply to every electrolyte product. Look for the sodium, potassium and magnesium figures per serving, not just a list of minerals; check the sugar line and the sweetener; and look for batch testing you can read. Our electrolyte buyer's guide walks through each check, and can you drink electrolytes every day covers daily use.
How we compared these products
We read each competitor's nutrition or supplement facts panel and ingredient list from its own product page on 16 October 2026, using one representative flavour per product, and took list prices from the same pages. We did not use retailer listings or review sites. Where a brand's page text disagreed with its panel, we used the panel and said so. Our own figures are from the printed Ultimate Electrolytes label. We have not lab-tested the competitor products and make no claim about their contents beyond what their labels state. Formulas, flavours and prices change, so read this as a snapshot of the day we checked.
LMNT vs Liquid I.V.: frequently asked questions
LMNT vs Liquid I.V.: which is better?
They are built for different jobs. LMNT is a high-sodium, zero-sugar mix: 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium and 60 mg magnesium per stick. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier is a lower-sodium mix that uses sugar: the US version has 500 mg sodium, 370 mg potassium and 11 g of sugar per stick. Choose LMNT for long, sweaty sessions and low-carb eating, Liquid I.V. if you want a quick carbohydrate with your fluid, and a balanced zero-sugar mix such as Ultimate Electrolytes (500 mg sodium, 500 mg potassium, 150 mg magnesium) for everyday hydration.
Is LMNT worth it?
LMNT is worth it if you specifically want a lot of sodium with no sugar, for example during long sessions in the heat. At 45 US dollars for 30 sticks it costs 1.50 US dollars a serving, and each stick supplies 1,000 mg of sodium, which is about 43% of the 2,300 mg US Daily Value. For everyday use, a mix with less sodium and more potassium and magnesium covers more of the minerals most people under-eat, often for less per serving.
Can you buy LMNT in the UK?
Not from LMNT directly. On 16 October 2026 LMNT's own FAQ said it ships to the US and Canada and was testing a few distribution partners in Australia and the United Kingdom, and drinklmnt.co.uk was a parked domain. Ultimate Electrolytes is a zero-sugar alternative made in the UK and sold on both our UK and US stores.
Does Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free have sugar?
The US Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier lists 0 g of sugars per stick and is sweetened with allulose and stevia; Liquid I.V. notes the allulose adds a dietarily insignificant amount of sugar. The UK Sugar-Free version uses stevia only and states less than 0.5 g of sugars per stick. The original Hydration Multiplier lists 11 g of sugars per stick in the US.
Which electrolyte drink is best for keto or fasting?
Pick one with no sugar and enough sodium. LMNT Raw Unflavored and Ultimate Electrolytes both list 0 g of sugar; LMNT gives 1,000 mg sodium per stick and Ultimate Electrolytes gives 500 mg sodium plus 500 mg potassium and 150 mg magnesium per scoop. The original Liquid I.V., with 11 g of sugar per stick in the US, is the least suited of the three.
How much sodium should an electrolyte drink have?
There is no single right amount, because sweat sodium losses vary several-fold between people. For everyday drinking, 300 to 500 mg per serving sits comfortably inside the daily limits: the NHS advises no more than 6 g of salt a day (about 2.4 g of sodium) and the US Daily Value for sodium is less than 2,300 mg. Heavy, salty sweaters in long sessions may need more during exercise.
About the Reviewer: Sarah Law, Dip CNM
Sarah Law is a Certified Naturopathic Nutritionist and Functional Practitioner specialising in hormonal health, gut health, and evidence-based nutrition. She holds a Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition from the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM, London) and is a Certified Functional Health Coach. Sarah combines naturopathic principles with modern functional nutrition science to help her clients make informed health decisions.
About the Author: Ben Law
Ben Law is the founder of Love Life Supplements and host of the Optimised Health Show. He is a qualified Advanced Dietary Supplement Advisor and Primal Blueprint Certified Expert, and has spent 14 years building transparent, research-led formulations manufactured to GMP and BRC standards. He wrote this comparison from each brand's published label and from our own label and batch data.
LMNT and Liquid I.V. are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with Love Life Supplements. Learn more about Ben.
References
- Baker LB. Sweating rate and sweat sodium concentration in athletes: a review of methodology and intra/interindividual variability. Sports Med. 2017;47(Suppl 1):111-128. PubMed
- Barnes KA, Anderson ML, Stofan JR, et al. Normative data for sweating rate, sweat sodium concentration, and sweat sodium loss in athletes: an update and analysis by sport. J Sports Sci. 2019;37(20):2356-2366. PubMed
- American College of Sports Medicine; Sawka MN, Burke LM, Eichner ER, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(2):377-390. PubMed
- Ofei SY, Fuchs GJ. Principles and practice of oral rehydration. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2019;21(12):67. PubMed
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Potassium: fact sheet for health professionals. NIH ODS
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium: fact sheet for health professionals. NIH ODS
- US Food and Drug Administration. Sodium in your diet. FDA
- NHS. Salt in your diet. NHS
- NHS. Vitamins and minerals: others (magnesium, potassium). NHS
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex XIII (reference intakes), as retained in GB law. legislation.gov.uk
- Department of Health and Social Care. Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register. GOV.UK
- LMNT. LMNT Recharge electrolyte drink, product page and ingredients page (read 16 October 2026). drinklmnt.com
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier (Lemon Lime) and Sugar-Free (Mango Pineapple), US product pages (read 16 October 2026). liquid-iv.com
- Liquid I.V. UK Hydration Multiplier and Sugar-Free product pages (read 16 October 2026). liquid-iv.co.uk
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