Dehydration isn’t just caused by exercise and sweating. Poor sleep, intense physical activity and hot weather can all increase fluid loss, while older adults may be vulnerable year-round. Factors such as demanding training schedules and synthetic activewear can also contribute.
When we sweat, we lose more than water. We also lose electrolytes – essential minerals including sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium – that help regulate fluid balance and support key bodily functions. These electrically charged minerals are vital for muscle contractions, nerve signalling and energy production. When levels drop, symptoms such as fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches and sluggishness can follow.
While the body naturally contains electrolytes, dehydration can significantly reduce levels. Fortunately, they can be replenished through supplements, tablets and ready-to-drink products. Although not always necessary, electrolytes can be particularly helpful during intense exercise, periods of under-hydration, or after consuming alcohol or caffeine.
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.”
Professional athletes have long relied on electrolytes for hydration and recovery, but these mineral-rich products are increasingly finding a place in everyday wellness routines. I tested some of the best options available to see which delivered on both taste and performance.
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The best electrolytes for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Ancient and Brave true hydration: £25.60, Ancientandbrave.earth
- Best budget buy – Myprotein hydrate sachets: £17.49, Myprotein.com
- Best with diuretic – Willpowders watermelon electrotide sachets: £35, Willpowders.com
- Best all-in-one – Phizz 3-in-1 hydration, electrolytes and vitamins: £16.49, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for on the go – Punchy drinks: £19.53, Amazon.co.uk
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Ancient and Brave true hydration
Rating: 5/5
Best: electrolytes overall
Number of servings per pack: 30
Why we love it
- Great way to start the day
- Eases inflammation in the gut
- Made with coconut
- Very little flavour
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 I’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.
For those looking to hydrate but who are on the go, the formula also comes in sachets, so you can leave the glass jar at home.
Buy now £25.6, Ancientandbrave.earth
Myprotein hydrate sachets
Rating: 4/5
Best: budget electrolytes
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
Buy now £17.99, Myprotein.com
Willpowders watermelon electrotide sachets
Rating: 5/5
Best: electrolytes for added diuretic
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 I’ve tried, but they also dissolve beautifully. They offers 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. This can be handy if you want to flush out your system – perhaps after sickness or drinking alcohol.
Another benefit is that 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 300ml of still or sparkling water and stir before drinking.
Buy now £35, Willpowders.com
Hiro hydrate effervescent tablets
Rating: 5/5
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Best: electrolytes 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 harder-to-swallow alternatives. Hiro offers a subscription or a one-time purchase, so you can ensure you’re stocked up all summer long.
Buy now £24, Huxhealth.com
Phizz three-in-one hydration, electrolytes and vitamins
Rating: 4/5
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.
Buy now £16.49, Amazon.co.uk
LMNT recharge electrolyte drink
Rating: 5/5
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.
Buy now £56.99, Amazon.co.uk
Punchy drinks
Rating: 5/5
Best: electrolyte 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 but 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.
Buy now £19.53, Amazon.co.uk
Sixways daily hydration, passionfruit
Rating: 4.5/5
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Best: eco-friendly electrolytes
Servings per pack: 30
Why we love it
- Made with natural ingredients
- Great flavour
Take note
- Glass jar is best kept at home
If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of surplus packaging with sachets, the latest product launch from Sixways might interest you.
These electrolytes come in a glass jar in two flavours: natural coconut water (which is technically unflavoured) or passionfruit. It’s one of the tastier blends we’ve tried, with no unpleasant saltiness and a mild fruity flavour that isn’t overbearing.
Along with the obvious potassium, magnesium and calcium, these electrolytes also contain inulin from chicory root to help regulate gut health, so an added win there.
A spoonful in water blends well, but you need to stir it. Unlike some of the hydration tablets on this list, the powder won’t dissolve on its own and needs a little help. While we love the glass jar for sustainability, it means these electrolytes aren’t as portable as the other options we tried.
Buy now £9.99, Sixways.co
What are the best 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. My favourites are the Ancient and Brave powder and Willpowders sachets and Phizz tablets, due to the extra benefits they offer. However, if flavour is your primary concern, choose Hiro 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 – it’s delicious.
How I tested electrolytes
There are a few things to consider when it comes to electrolytes and I checked every element carefully when testing each product. First,
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Emilie Lavinia is a fitness and wellbeing expert, and host ofThe Independent’s podcast, Well Enough. Emilie has reported on health, wellness, sex and technology for more than a decade, investigating everything from the best activewear and fitness classes to supplements, spas and sleep. When it comes to electrolytes, she knows the brands to trust and has tested each formula thoroughly over several months.
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