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Best electrolyte drinks and tablets to keep you hydrated, tested by our fitness editor

Electrolytes are the mainstay of professional athletes but we could all benefit from a dose

Emilie Lavinia
Fitness and wellbeing editor
Tuesday 20 August 2024 18:23 BST
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These products are packed with nutrients and minerals that rapidly restock the body’s reserves
These products are packed with nutrients and minerals that rapidly restock the body’s reserves (The Independent)
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If you’re feeling tired, sluggish and struggling with headaches, the solution could be simpler than you think because dehydration could be the cause. Often, people don’t realise they’re dehydrated and are therefore lacking the essential electrolytes – a group of minerals comprising sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphate and bicarbonates that carry an electric charge and regulate chemical reactions in the body – needed to function properly.

Studies have shown that not getting enough sleep has also been linked to dehydration and, of course, exercise and strain on your body also play a big role. During hot weather, the risk of dehydration skyrockets, because we’re likely to sweat even more than usual and that doesn’t just mean we’re losing water. When we sweat, we also expel some of the vital nutrients our body needs to work properly. Of course, other elements of our diet can contribute to dehydration, too. Caffeine and alcohol can cause the body to become dehydrated more quickly, which is why the heady combination of summer sun and booze during festival season could make your hangovers feel even worse.

PhD neuroscientist Dr Paul Anastasiades explains: “Alcohol is a diuretic and so increases water loss through urination. If consumed in large quantities, this can lead to dehydration and hangovers. Although dehydration is not the sole cause of a hangover, it is one of the simplest symptoms to treat. By rehydrating – for example, using oral rehydration solutions comprising glucose and electrolytes – you can keep yourself feeling fresh.”

Professional athletes use electrolytes to hydrate and stabilise quickly, but the minerals have also become a go-to for the wellness crowd. While electrolytes are mostly made by the body, when you’re dehydrated, levels can drop significantly and lead to cramps, headaches and more severe health issues.

Electrolyte powders, drops, effervescent tablets and ready-to-go drinks are packed with nutrients and minerals that rapidly restock the body’s reserves and offer a quick hit that can be absorbed right away. Typically, these sorts of products have always tasted a little unpleasant, however, these days, there are myriad delicious, effective options to choose from. We set out to test the best electrolyte products available, to see if they stood up to both the taste test and the claims on their packaging. Keep scrolling to find out which ones impressed.

How we tested

We tested myriad electrolytes products, to bring you the best
We tested myriad electrolytes products, to bring you the best (The Independent/Emilie Lavinia)

There are a few things to consider when it comes to electrolytes. First, you’ll want to check the balance of ingredients against your daily recommended dose. Most products are perfectly balanced for optimal replenishment, so we checked everything to make sure we weren’t under or over-served on any one component. Where relevant, we tested how quickly and how well each product mixed with water. You’ll want to stir most drinks after adding an electrolyte product, as there may be some sediment at the bottom of your glass, but there shouldn’t be any large clumps or lumps. Finally, we tested for flavour. Electrolytes can often have a salty, slightly unpleasant taste but it shouldn’t be unbearable.

The best electrolytes for 2024 are:

  • Best overall – Willpowders watermelon electrotide sachets: £35, Willpowders.com
  • Best budget buy – Myprotein hydrate sachets: £14.55, Myprotein.com
  • Best for hydration at home – Ancient and Brave true hydration: £32, Ancientandbrave.earth
  • Best all-in-one – Phizz 3-in-1 hydration, electrolytes and vitamins: £20, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for when you’re on the go – Punchy variety pack: £24, Amazon.co.uk

Willpowders watermelon electrotide sachets

Willpowders best electrolytes review indybest
  • Best: Overall
  • Number of servings per pack: 28
  • Why we love it
    • Delicious
    • Dissolves beautifully
    • Natural diuretic
    • No added sugar

These individual sachets are not only some of the most delicious we’ve tried, but they also dissolve beautifully. A balanced blend of electrolytes with added horsetail tea and dandelion root extract, to hydrate and replenish minerals.

They also have another purpose – they’re a natural diuretic. The idea is that by encouraging you to pee, they’ll help to flush out toxins in the body and reduce water retention and inflammation while also topping up minerals you’ve lost.

Another benefit is there’s no added sugar in the blend, so these sachets won’t spike your blood glucose, cause a sugar slump later, or interfere with weight-management goals. The watermelon flavour is still sweet enough to enjoy and especially good with a few cubes of ice. Simply add to 300ml of still or sparkling water and stir before drinking.

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Myprotein hydrate sachets

Myvitamins best electrolytes review indybest
  • Best: Budget buy
  • Number of servings per pack: 28
  • Why we love it
    • Great for beginners
    • Extra energy boost
  • Take note
    • Noticeably salty flavour

With added vitamins for an energy boost, these individual sachets from Myprotein are ideal if you’re new to the world of electrolytes and want to give an affordable option a try. Choose from lemon and lime or strawberry and cherry and benefit from added vitamin C and B12 for muscle repair and energy.

There are 28 servings in a box and all you need to do is add the contents of a sachet to 300ml of water and stir. The salty flavour is a little more noticeable and there is added sugar but this is the trade-off for the extra energy boost, making this pick ideal following a heavy gym session.

Read more: I add electrolyte sachets to my water every day, here’s why it’s a must

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Hux hydrate effervescent tablets

HUX best electrolytes review indybest
  • Best: For flavour
  • Number of servings per pack: 20 per tube, 60 per pack
  • Why we love it
    • Perfectly measured
    • Delicious flavours
    • Subscription options

These tablets provide a perfectly measured hit of salts and minerals when added to water. Simply drop two tabs into 200ml of water and watch them dissolve. What you’ll be left with is a surprisingly clear drink that boasts your recommended hit of potassium, zinc, manganese and magnesium – the equivalent of three bananas and 10 handfuls of spinach.

The main draw is the flavour. The triple pack comes with lemon and elderflower (our favourite), watermelon and ginger and lemongrass. Each tastes delicious, as opposed to saltier harder to swallow alternatives. Hux offers a subscription or a one-time purchase, so you can ensure you’re stocked up all summer long.

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Ancient and Brave true hydration

Ancient+Brave best electrolytes review indybest
  • Best: For hydration at home
  • Number of servings per pack: 30
  • Why we love it
    • Great way to start the day
    • Eases inflammation

If you’re planning to start the day with an electrolyte hit, look no further than this powder formula from Ancient and Brave. Blended with coconut water powder and chicory root, to ease inflammation, this mix also contains pink Himalayan salt and glucose-balancing chromium. 

The glass jar makes it a great option for the sustainability-conscious, while 1 per cent of every purchase goes to the 1% for the Planet charity. 

The flavour is a little different to others we’ve tried, thanks to the coconut, and makes a nice addition to your morning routine. Add a heaped teaspoon to water, a smoothie or a glass of coconut water – which is a natural source of electrolytes – and stir.

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Phizz three-in-one hydration, electrolytes and vitamins

Phizz best electrolytes review indybest
  • Best: All-in-one electrolyte
  • Number of servings per pack: 20 per tube, 60 per pack
  • Why we love it
    • Also a multivitamin
    • Contains vitamins B12 and B6
    • Good pick for vegans

Unlike other options on offer, Phizz is both a multivitamin and a rehydration tablet. Each tab offers the nutrient equivalent of your five a day (although, you should still be eating your fruit and veg) and tops up minerals and salts lost through dehydration.

These tablets also contain vitamins B12 and B6, so they are great if you follow a vegan diet and struggle to consume enough of those vital vitamins through the food you eat. Choose from four flavours – orange, mango, apple and blackcurrant or mixed berry – to suit your taste, and drop one tab into 300ml of water.

The tablets dissolve quickly and, in our opinion, the mango flavour is the best. You can also set up a subscription and save 15 per cent, making the investment in your health a little easier.

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LMNT recharge electrolyte drink

LMNT best electrolytes review indybest
  • Best: For adding to hot drinks
  • Number of servings per pack: 30
  • Why we love it
    • Brand offers loads of electrolyte options
    • Can counterbalance the negative effects of caffeine

This brand offers a range of electrolyte products, from salts and single sachets to pre-mixed sparkling cans for when you’re on the go. The flavours are plentiful but we decided to opt for those that can be enjoyed hot. 

Adding an electrolyte sachet to your morning coffee can counterbalance the caffeine’s dehydrating effects, and we were keen to see if a post-gym hot chocolate using our favourite cacao and adaptogen mix along with a sachet of LMNT’s nutrient powder might see us right, too. 

The chocolate caramel and chocolate salt sachets did not disappoint. They were easy to mix with coffee, milk, water and other powders for a tasty mineral hit. The sachets contain zero fat and zero sugar along with a balanced mix of magnesium, potassium and sodium, so, whatever else you add is up to you.

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Punchy variety pack

Punchy best electrolytes review indybest
  • Best: For when you’re on the go
  • Servings per pack: 12
  • Why we love it
    • For quick hydration
    • Refreshing flavours
    • Packed full of nutrients and vitamins

If you’re short on time and still want to get your fix, Punchy’s ready-to-drink cans are among our favourite healthy hits. The sparkling mango and blueberry mixes are refreshing and take the work out of mixing your own solution. Each can contains a balanced mixture of magnesium, potassium, Himalayan pink salt, calcium, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D.

Both flavours taste delicious and are best served cold. They’re ideal if you’re keen to stay hydrated and top up on those essential minerals but aren’t as keen on taking your electrolytes in powder or tablet form with water.

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The verdict: Electrolytes

Taking electrolytes can provide your body with everything it needs to get through the day, especially if you’re at risk of losing those essential nutrients to poor sleep, exercise and hot weather. Our favourites are the Willpowders sachets and Phizz tablets, due to the extra benefits they offer. However, if flavour is your primary concern, choose Hux for taste and LMNT for your hot drinks. Myprotein’s Hydrate sachets win for affordability and post-gym recovery but, if you want health benefits on the go, especially at a festival or after a big night out, Punchy will be your go-to.

For more fitness and wellness must-haves, check out our round-up of the best pre-workout supplements

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