Whether you’re pounding the pavement on a long run, or pushing through an intense lifting session, staying properly hydrated is essential for peak performance and overall well-being. Dehydration can sneak up on us quickly, regardless of the weather, or if you’re exercising indoors or out – summer heat and chilly winter days should be treated equally! Symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, and impaired focus can derail your workout and influence recovery.
For runners and fitness enthusiasts alike, understanding the signs of dehydration and how to prevent it is key. So, grab your emotional support water bottle and follow along as I run through a few of my favorite hydration and electrolyte supplements – to keep you energized, balanced, and performing your best
The top picks were chosen based on five key criteria:
- Electrolyte Profile: Sodium and Potassium are the two key players when it comes to fluid balance.
- Popularity: Strong sales and positive customer reviews
- Flavor: Needs to be on point. If it doesn’t taste good, you aren’t going to drink it!
- Additional Features: Includes additional ingredients like amino acids or protein that serve a purpose.
- Sugar: While the majority of these hydration supplements have “no added sugar”, it is important to understand that as athletes, your body requires carbohydrates (and sugar!) to perform at its best. So, if your training session is over 45 min, is super intense, in the heat of the summer – carb up!
Rachel's Picks for Best Hydration & Electrolyte Supplements of 2025
Best Flavor
Key Electrolytes:
Sodium: 230mg
Potassium: n/a
Magnesium: n/a
Sugar: 0g
Hydration plays a massive role in the recovery process. It provides the fluid to transport nutrients to our muscles. Beyond electrolytes, essential amino acids can contribute to improving recovery time and supporting muscle growth. That’s why a hydration product that includes aminos made the list. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my recovery time following a long run, thanks to aminos.
This product misses when it comes to potassium and magnesium, but wins for sourcing its sodium and chloride from Himalayan Pink Salt. The rainbow sherbert flavor is to die for and I something I look forward to at the end of a sweat session. RAW Essential also gets the Sports RD stamp of approval with the Informed Sport certification.
Best Flavor Collaboration
Sodium: 323mg
Potassium: 375mg
Magnesium: 83mg
Sugar: 0g
Nothing says summer quite like a Cherry Limeade slushie from Sonic. And GHOST nails this authentic flavor – it’s also a best seller. It’s the PERFECT hydration product for the season. These stick packs are also incredibly convenient. Toss them in your bag and go! No added sugar, 5 electrolytes, plus a superior source of vitamin C, GHOST hydration has got you covered – for fitness, in the heat, after the party, or any time of day.
Best OTG Hydration Stick
Sodium: 330mg
Potassium: 180mg
Magnesium: 40mg
Sugar: 0g
If you’re familiar with hydration products, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about DripDrop. They taste great and they’re convenient, adding a boost to bland and boring water. Now offering a zero-sugar option, Drip Drops fast hydration technology provides three times the electrolytes vs the leading sports drink. I love this variety pack because it features four unique flavors plus additional nutrients like B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin c for immune support and general wellness. The perfect everyday companion for your emotional support water bottle!
Sodium: 320mg
Potassium: 147mg
Magnesium: 52mg
Sugar: 0g
Technically, this is a whey protein powder. But I’m letting it slide because it’s CLEAR. Yup! CLEAR protein – which give me, hydrating vibes. It’s something I reach more for in the summer heat. This protein powder has added electrolytes which support the purpose of this article. With 20g of protein, it offers recovery, hydration, and performance benefits. The flavor is great, who doesn’t love strawberries and coconut? And it’s naturally colored with red beet powder giving it a pink hue.
Most Customizable Electrolyte Powder
Sodium: 180mg
Potassium: 75mg
Magnesium: 30mg
Added Sugar: 0g
Customizable electrolytes? You heard that right! Beyond Raw® Chemistry Labs™ allows you to the be the scientist, optimizing the perfect beverage to suit your training goals. With 635mg of lab grade electrolytes per serving, add to your favorite pre-workout, aminos, creatine, or hydration beverage – you can never have enough fluids! Especially when the heat is on.
New and Buzzworthy
Sodium: 500mg
Potassium: 355mg
Magnesium: 90mg
Added Sugar: 0g
GR8 Lifestyle is a new brand, launched exclusively at GNC. There’s been a lot of hype around their unique science backed formulas and GR8 Hydration lives up to buzz. With functional ingredients designed to hydrate and support muscle performance, GR8 delivers. And its watermelon flavor is on point. An absolute win for our new and buzzworthy category!
Best Hydration in a Can
Sodium: 500mg
Potassium: 190mg
Magnesium: 30mg
Sugar: 0g
Cadence is new to GNC, offering the best hydration in a can. Not to be mistaken with an energy drink, Cadence Hydration provides NO caffeine. It’s strictly a bubbly (and delicious) way to hydrate – anytime of day! I enjoyed the Cream Soda flavor (ones of my favs) with my lunch this afternoon. Cadence packs 500mg of sodium into one serving and zero sugar. I can’t wait to try other flavors and Cadence products that will be stocking the shelves soon!
Best Everyday Hydration
Sodium: 600mg
Potassium: 300mg
Magnesium: 60mg
Added Sugar: 1g (sucralose)
Basic Supplements wins the everyday hydration category. Helping you stay refreshed throughout the day. Each serving delivers 1800mg of six essential electrolytes and features a 2:1 sodium to potassium ratio for optimal hydration. Its watermelon ice flavor compliments is both salty and sweet, driving thirst to keep you sipping.
Best Intra Workout Hydration
Sodium: 230mg
Potassium: 95mg
Magnesium: 35mg
Sugar: 0g
GHOST is back claiming the Best Intra Workout Hydration and meant for sipping mid set or on the run. I’ve been loving aminos while marathon training. I’ve found they’ve help with fueling my muscle and helping them recover faster. Less muscle soreness? I’m here for it. GHOST gives you a head start with the benefits of electrolytes plus ingredients like KSM66® Ashwagandha, Tuarine, and Cognizin® Citocoline to help you dial into your next set.
Most Innovative Hydration
Sodium: 230mg
Potassium: 95mg
Magnesium: 35mg
Sugar: 0g
GNC’s Amplified Hydration has been our most innovative hydration product since it was first launched. With 3X the amount of electrolytes found in the traditional sports drink, Amplified Hydration brings it’s “A” game with benefits for smart rehydration – probiotic and fiber to ready the gut, electrolytes and vitamins to replenish, and Dynagenix® to help you recover. An all-around amazing formula that’s Banned Substance Tested and Gluten Free.
Best Trending Hydration
Sodium: 500mg
Potassium: 250mg
Magnesium: 50mg
Sugar: 0g
Not gonna lie, I’m kind of obsessed with Podiums Salt + Electrolytes… especially the strawberry flavor! This one is salty, which is fantastic for the summer heat and when sweat sessions get a bit aggressive. It’s Informed Sport and Banned Substance Tested which means it’s Sports Dietitian approved. Easy to transport, Podium ® comes in the cutest little container with the tiniest little scoop! Enjoy before, during, and after training.
Best Tablet - Alternative Format Hydration
Sodium: 250mg
Potassium: 180mg
Magnesium: 25mg
Sugar: 1g
Plink! is light, refreshing, and fizzy! It’s great on the go, with individual tablets that can be easily stashed in your bag. And the story behind Plink! is a great one – its founders created it to help their families stay hydrated. You’ll need a glass or wide mouth water bottle for these tablets, they won’t fit in a plastic water bottle, on purpose. And a portion of their sales are donated to 1% for the Planet for environmental causes. So can feel good about your hydration and contribution to making our world a better place!
Best Gel for Hydration
Sodium: 95mg
Potassium: 65mg
Magnesium: 10mg
Sugar: 10g
Guys, I am SO excited for this new product… it’s an energy gel! It has sugar in it!! Sugar is NOT the bad guy. It’s essential for sport performance, AND hydration. Sugar supports electrolyte absorption helping you stay on top of hydration and gives you added energy to endure.
Whether you’re a runner, HYROX athlete, or basketball player. Heavy sweating and exhausting exercise need an energy gel to stay in the game. MYPROTEIN Energy Gels also contain B vitamins for energy production. I love the raspberry lemonade flavor and the consistency of the product. It’s more viscous than the typical energy gel and goes down nice and easy.
Conclusion
These products are a testament to GNC’s epic lineup of hydration and electrolyte products. We’re keeping you cool this summer with only the best – and this round up doesn’t scratch the surface! So keeps the fluids flowing this summer at the gym, on the beach, on the run, or while enjoying your favorite band at a festival. The best hydration supplement is the one that keeps you thirsty and reaching for more!
