DripDrop vs. Liquid I.V. vs. Nuun vs. Pedialyte: Comparison and Reviews 2024

4 Best Electrolyte Drinks for Quick Rehydration

Electrolyte drinks can help you rehydrate faster and replace lost electrolytes during or after exercise, or any time you need to rehydrate.

The following 4 electrolyte drinks are our top picks:

1. DripDrop
   

2. Nuun Sport 
   

3. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Electrolyte Powder Packet Drink Mix

4. Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution

So which popular electrolyte drink is best for me?

DripDrop vs. Liquid I.V. vs. Nuun vs. Pedialyte: How are they different?

Here are many different options on the market suitable for different uses, from moderate to high exercise to everyday and sick day use.

They usually contain sodium and other electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, and some contain additional nutrients including carbohydrates, B vitamins, and zinc, among others.

In order to help you choose more comprehensively, we have made this comparison table:

	Pedialyte	DripDrop	Liquid I.V.	Nuun
Price	($5.44, 2.82 Servings FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)	($18.99, 16 Servings FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)	($24.99, 16 Servings FROM Liquid I.V.  - Get Up To 3% Cash Back)	($7.49, 10 Servings FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)
Electrolytes (mg)	Sodium: 370 Potassium: 280 Chloride: 440 Magnesium: ❌ Calcium: ❌	Sodium: 330 Potassium: 185 Chloride: ❌ Magnesium: 39 Calcium: ❌	Sodium: 520 Potassium: 370 Chloride: ❌ Magnesium: ❌ Calcium: ❌	Sodium: 300 Potassium: 150 Chloride: 40 Magnesium: 25 Calcium: 13
Vitamins	❌	Vitamin C: 70 mg	Vitamin C: 62 mg Vitamin B3: 19.3 mg Vitamin B5: 9.6 mg Vitamin B6: 1.93 mg Vitamin B12: 5.79 mcg	❌
Zinc (mg)	2.8 mg	1.5 mg	❌	❌
Sugars	Serving Size: 12 fl oz Calories: 40 Total Carbohydrate: 9g Added Sugars: 9g	Serving Size: 16 fl oz Calories: 35 Total Carbohydrate: 9g Added Sugars: 7g	Serving Size: 16 fl oz Calories: 50 Total Carbohydrate: 13g Added Sugars: 11g	Serving Size: 16 fl oz Calories: 15 Total Carbohydrate: 4g Added Sugars: 1g
Hydrating effect	5 Minutes to Relieve Stomach Flu Discomfort	Improve immunity while hydrating daily	Supplement various symptoms caused by sweating in 5 minutes	The effect is not that fast, but it lasts
Most suitable for	Hydrate children, Hydrate a hangover	Hydrate those who are feeling unwell	Suitable for people who like to exercise	Suitable for people who need a variety of electrolytes
Taste experience	Tastes good, a little sweet	The taste is sweet and easy to swallow	A little sweet but very delicious	Not salty, not sweet, very bland taste
Value Rating	Fair price	Cheap price	Reasonable price	Cheap price
Ingredients	Water, Dextrose. Less than 0.5% of: Citric Acid, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Gluconate, and Yellow 6.	Sugar, Fructose, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Citrate, Dextrose, Salt, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Fruit and vegetable juice as color, Turmeric (Lemon), Beta Carotene as Color (Orange), Sucralose, Zinc Aspartate.	Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside A), Silicon Dioxide, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Natural Flavors, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin).	Citric Acid, Dextrose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Stevia Leaf Extract, Avocado Oil, Beet Powder Color.

Below is the ingredient label for drinks.

Editor's review: DripDrop vs. Liquid I.V. vs. Nuun vs. Pedialyte: Which one is best?

My number one choice is DripDrop Electrolyte Drink Mix Juicy Variety!

($18.99, 16 Servings FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)

Real Reviews of the Best Electrolyte Hydration Drinks

1. DripDrop ORS

Like Liquid IV, DripDrop is also a hydration brand that focuses on oral rehydration solutions.

In terms of price, the DripDrop is arguably a bit more expensive than the Liquid IV, but if you need more electrolytes and minerals, you might consider the better DripDrop.

In terms of convenience, DripDrop is the better choice because it offers two different dosage sizes, a 10-gram package and a 21-gram package that can be added to 8 or 16 ounces of water. However, Liquid IV only comes in one size, the 16-gram package, which needs to be added to 16 ounces of water.

What is DripDrop?

DripDrop is the first Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to combine medical standards of rehydration therapy and excellent taste.

DripDrop ORS was developed by Eduardo Dolhun, M.D., recipient of the Mayo Clinic’s 2017 Alumni Award, after he was inspired by a medical relief mission in Guatemala.

DripDrop ORS improves on the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for an ORS with medical-grade electrolytes, conforming to proven ratios of salts, sugars, potassium, and other ingredients, making it both the ideal rehydration therapy for the general population.

DripDrop's doctor-developed formula was designed to rehydrate 2x faster than water alone and has 3x the electrolytes and ½ the sugar of the leading sports drink, five key minerals and vitamins for health and wellness and unmatched taste.

Visit www.dripdrop.com & Get Up To 5% Cash Back with DripDrop.

So how does DripDrop compare to Liquid IV?

Considering the sodium content, Liquid IV provides 500 milligrams of sodium per serving to help with rehydration and electrolyte balance. In comparison, Drip Drop provides more sodium at 670 milligrams per serving, making it suitable for those who need more sodium.

Considering the sugar content, Drip Drop contains 14 grams of sugar per serving, providing a delicious taste while having a high sugar content. The liquid IV contains 11 grams of sugar per serving, slightly less than the Drip Drop.

In terms of other nutrients, Liquid IV includes 370 mg of potassium, as well as vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, and B12. Drip Drop however includes 380 mg of potassium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin C for maximum immune support.

 In summary, compared to Liquid IV, DripDrop can quickly rehydrate in the most challenging situations and can meet the needs of people who are chronically dehydrated due to fluid loss due to heat, exercise, sleep, and travel, allowing them to feel better faster. More electrolytes also means a higher price. If you're using this powder more than once a day if you are not exercising, the sugar and sodium can add up.

2. Nuun Sport Powder

The Seattle based company Nuun is known primarily for its clean-ingredient proactive hydration products designed to maintain hydration throughout an active lifestyle.

Nuun Sport is designed by athletes for optimal hydration before, during and after exercise and activity.

Nuun Sport available in thirteen flavors comes in 10 tablet recyclable tubes, providing 'keep it in your bag' convenience so we can add Nuun's delicious hydration to their reusable water bottles anywhere, anytime.

If you're looking for a Liquid IV alternative, try Nuun® Sport Hydration Electrolyte Powder Drink Mixes.

The powders feature a similar electrolyte profile as the best-selling original Nuun® Sport tablets but without the effervescent fizz.

Featuring five essential electrolytes the body needs to perform at its best and 90 percent less sugar than the leading electrolyte drink mix, the Sport Powder is delivered in convenient on-the-go powder stick packs in two new flavors – Pink Lemonade and Strawberry Kiwi.

Nuun is science backed with optimized electrolytes to help support water absorption and includes 1 gram of sugar per serving.

Nuun® Sport Hydration Powder Drink Mixes are gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO.

Choose Liquid IV or Nuun?

Customers who prefer a mix of effervescent electrolyte drinks may prefer Nuun, which is slightly fizzy, while Liquid IV does not. Taste-wise, Liquid IV is tastier and sweeter, while Nuun has less sugar and a more subtle flavor.

When purchased in single tube form, Nuun sells for $0.75 per serving. If you buy powder, the price difference between the two is not much, both are around $1.50.

Nuun uses a blend of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, to help replenish the body's electrolyte levels and promote hydration. But their content is relatively low.

Liquid IV includes higher levels of sodium, potassium and glucose, as well as vitamins. Additionally, the company claims to use a technology called "Cell Transport Technology" to help the body absorb more water and electrolytes for faster and more effective hydration.

Liquid IV does contain 11 grams of sugar per serving, while Nuun only contains 1 gram.

3. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Electrolyte Powder Packet Drink Mix

($24.99  FROM Liquid I.V.  - Get Up To 2% Cash Back)

($17.49 FROM  Liquid I.V. - Get Up To 2% Cash Back & Subscribe & Save 30%)

($23.99  FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)

We love that Liquid I.V. is formulated with a technology called Cellular Transport Technology (CTT), which enhances the rapid absorption of water and other key nutrients into the bloodstream, helping us feel better, faster.

That means that using a Liquid I.V. item is like injecting water and nutrients straight into your bloodstream. Maybe that’s why they’ve included the term “IV” in their name.

We were also surprised by Liquid I.V.'s rapid hydration effects, as it's also based on the World Health Organization's guidelines for clinically proven Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to prevent and treat dehydration.

It features a specific sodium, potassium, glucose, and water ratio, which can provide 2-3x the hydration of water alone.

It is a great option specifically for athletes and those who work out, and those who need a quick boost of hydration.

To quickly rehydrate, add one packet of Liquid I.V. to 16 ounces of cold water or any beverage of your choice. One serving is 50 calories and has 11g of sugar.

While we think Liquid IV is best used when traveling and pre-workout because it contains more vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, and B12 than other sports drinks, we also use it to focus, relieve hangovers, enhance energy, stress relief.

As for its downsides, it has a higher sodium content of 500 mg, which, while helpful for rehydration after high-intensity exercise, has a saltier taste that may not be suitable for most picky kids.

4. Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution

($5.44 FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)

($5.44 FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)

If you or your child are experiencing fluid loss, such as vomiting or diarrhea due to illness, Pedialyte may be a good electrolyte drink option.

We like that this is a trustworthy and convenient ready-to-drink product with plenty of sodium (370 mg), a moderate amount of glucose, and plenty of other key electrolytes and nutrients, including potassium, chloride, and zinc.

If you or your child are experiencing fluid loss, such as vomiting or diarrhea due to illness, Pedialyte may be a good electrolyte drink option.

We like that this is a trustworthy and convenient ready-to-drink product with plenty of sodium (370 mg), a moderate amount of glucose, and plenty of other key electrolytes and nutrients, including potassium, chloride, and zinc.

Compared with Liquid IV, Pedialyte contains one more electrolyte, chloride; Pedialyte also contains zinc, which is useful for diarrhea caused by illness in children and hangovers in adults - supplementing with zinc can reduce the duration of diarrhea episodes duration and severity, and the likelihood of subsequent infection within 2-3 months.

Although Pedialyte contains a total of 1,090 mg of electrolytes and Liquid IV contains a total of 870 mg of electrolytes, due to the higher sodium content of Liquid IV, the two are generally equally hydrating. It's also similar in terms of sugar and calories.

However, it's worth noting that the flavored version of Pedialyte contains artificial colors and flavors, while the healthier, cleaner Liquid IV does not. 

Of course, Pedialyte offers an unscented version, which is a great option and contains no artificial colors and dyes. What we're sure of is that the unflavored version still has flavor and is slightly sweet, but tastes much better if served cold.

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