LMNT Electrolyte Review (2024): Is This “Salty AF” Hydration For You or Na?

The era of relying on sugary sports drinks like Gatorade is over. While some benefit from the added sugars for fuel, others long for those electrolytes¹ essential for basic life functions and proper hydration.  

Enter LMNT, awarded one of the best electrolyte drinks for its low sugar content and ample electrolytes. This popular powder has many advantages—including its high-quality formulation—yet it might not appeal to all. 

If you’re wondering if LMNT suits you, you’ve come to the right place. In this LMNT Electrolyte Review, join me, a dietitian, as I delve into the specifics and share insights from Nicole Davis, GGR head of content. Let’s get into it!

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.

We’ve Sipped On and Sweated Out 20+ Electrolyte Powders

GGR’s expert testing team—comprising seasoned personal trainers, nutritionists, dietitians, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, and weightlifting coaches—understands the value of electrolytes as fitness enthusiasts. That’s why we’ve rigorously tested over 20 electrolyte powders, rating each from 1 to 5 using our GGR supplement testing methodology across various factors:

• Price per serving
• Formulation
• Taste
• Solubility
• Side effects
• Third-party testing
• Customer service
• Customer reviews

We aim to offer transparent insights so you can make informed decisions on electrolyte supplements, including if LMNT suits you. 

LMNT

LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Science-backed electrolyte ratio
• Free from sugar and artificial coloring
• Suitable for Keto and Paleo diets
• Gluten-free and vegan

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great flavors
• Suitable for almost everyone
• Clean ingredients
• No-questions-asked refund policy

Cons

• Includes stevia, which is known to cause GI distress in some people
• Strong salty flavor can be off-putting

Bottom Line

With sodium, potassium, and magnesium LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix is a great post-workout hydrator. It can also be great for those who are low-carb and looking to increase electrolyte intake.

A Quick Look at LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix 

Robb Wolf, co-founder of LMNT, discovered a game-changing element in his health routine. “I’d been on a low-carb, whole-food diet for years, but something was missing,” Wolf explains. The missing piece? Adequate salt intake.

Wolf’s journey led him to create LMNT, an innovative alternative to high-sugar electrolyte drinks. This formulation took Robb’s fitness, sleep, and brain functioning to new levels, and he hopes LMNT can be as meaningful for you.

Before You Buy

• Sodium content: LMNT packs a substantial 1,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium per serving, nearly half the daily reference intake recommended by the Food and Drug Administration² (FDA)—more details on this to come!
• Salty flavor: Given its high sodium content, LMNT might be too salty for some. The brand suggests diluting it with 32 ounces of water for a more balanced “salty” experience rather than an overwhelming “salty AF” taste with just 16 ounces.
• Refund policy: The good news is that if you find the flavor unenjoyable or still too salty after dilution, LMNT provides a no-questions-asked refund or exchange policy.

Is LMNT Worth It?

At over $1.50 per serving before tax, LMNT is costlier than many of the best electrolyte powders, which tend to average around $1.25 per serving. However, its distinctive flavors and robust formulation might make it a worthwhile investment for some.

LMNT Specs

Experience Using LMNT

Nicole Davis, GGR head of content, tested LMNT and tells us: “I was constantly parched during my pregnancy and this was a real thirst-quencher. No sugar, either, which I can appreciate. Since giving birth, I only drink these if I know I’m going to be sweating a lot, like during/after a long run—they work for sure!”

RELATED: Best Sports Drinks

Price Per Serving

A 30-count pack of LMNT costs $45 ($1.50 per serving) for a one-time purchase or $39 ($1.30 per serving) with a subscription. Conversely, the 120-serving INSIDER Bundle offers $0.98 per serving for a single purchase and $1.13 per serving with a subscription. Despite the more economical rates of the bundle, its upfront cost of $117 to $135 might deter some, resulting in a price value rating of 2 out of 5.

Formulation

We rated LMNT’s formulation a shining 5 out of 5 stars, and here’s a rundown of its star players: 

• Salt as Sodium Chloride (1,000 mg of sodium): Sodium is crucial for maintaining fluid balance, particularly in the extracellular fluid (the fluid outside the cells), which influences blood pressure and supports normal nerve and muscle functions. While many health organizations recommend 2,300 mg daily, ongoing recommendations³ suggest up to 5,000 mg may benefit most healthy individuals unless they are salt-sensitive.⁴ Endurance athletes⁵, in particular, might require as much as 600 milligrams per hour of training. 

• Potassium Chloride (200 mg of potassium): As the primary electrolyte within cells (intracellular fluid), potassium is essential for fluid balance like sodium. It also promotes muscle contractions, blood pressure regulation, and heartbeat control. The recommended intake of potassium⁶ ranges between 3,500 and 4,700 mg daily.

• Magnesium Malate (60 mg of magnesium): Magnesium is essential for muscle and nerve function, maintaining healthy heart rhythms, and regulating blood glucose levels. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is 310 and 420 mg of magnesium⁷ daily, depending on age and sex.

Beyond essential electrolytes, all LMNT flavors contain citric acid, natural flavors, and stevia leaf to enhance taste and sweetness. They’re also free of added sugars, artificial coloring, and other unnecessary fillers and additives. 

Taste and Solubility 

Nicole has a lot to say about LMNT: “Flavors are really unique…Chocolate Salt? I ordered the variety pack that had Citrus Salt, Raspberry Salt, Orange Salt, and Watermelon Salt. This tastes salty, I won’t sugar coat it! It’s an acquired taste. BUT, on my third packet, I actually started to dig it. Most reviews praise the taste, though there are people who also feel it tastes too salty.” 

Considering the varied opinions, we award LMNT a score of 4 out of 5 for taste yet a perfect 5 out of 5 for its exceptional solubility.

Side Effects

Nicole encountered no negative side effects and praises the product’s effectiveness, saying, “People love this stuff for its purpose, to help hydrate.” Given this positive feedback, we award LMNT a commendable 5 out of 5 in this category.

RELATED: How To Make a Homemade Electrolyte Drink

However, individuals managing high blood pressure, kidney disease, or other underlying health conditions, or those on certain medications, like diuretics, should consult a healthcare professional.

Third-Party Testing 

LMNT manufactures its products in a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-certified facility compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), but they do not undergo third-party testing. The company is transparent about this choice, categorizing LMNT as a beverage, not a supplement, which justifies using a Nutrition Facts label instead of a Supplement Facts label.

Regardless, the lack of third-party testing, a critical factor for athletes, results in a lower rating of 2 out of 5 in this category.

LMNT vs Liquid IV 

Liquid IV

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier

GGR Score: 3.6

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Product Highlights

• Cellular Transport Technology for rapid absorption
• Three times the electrolytes of a sports drink
• Contains 5 essential vitamins
• Non-GMO and free of artificial ingredients

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Hydrates faster than water
• Travel-friendly
• Contains essential vitamins
• Charity donations made with every purchase

Cons

• Can be too sweet for some
• Stevia can cause GI distress for some people

Bottom Line

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier is a great product to help boost your hydration quickly, especially for people who prefer a less-salty electrolyte drink.

Liquid IV is another popular electrolyte product like LMNT, yet it stands out in many ways:

• Electrolyte content: Contains half the amount of sodium (ranges between 500 to 510 mg, and Pear provides 630 mg) and almost double potassium (370 to 390 mg) without magnesium.
• Carbs: Provides up to 13 grams of carbs to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards for an oral rehydration solution (ORS) for rapid hydration. However, a sugar-free option is available as a low-carb, keto-friendly alternative.
• Added nutrition: Provides vitamin C, B vitamins, and others depending on your multiplier choice.
• Purposes: Various “Multipliers” for hydration, sleep, energy, and immune support
• Flavors: Offers 13 fruity flavors for more variety, but no unflavored option. 

If you’re looking for an electrolyte solution to help fuel you during endurance exercise and you like a sweeter flavor, Liquid IV might be the better choice for you. For a detailed comparison, refer to the table below and our Liquid IV Review.

Customer Experience 

LMNT goes above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction with an extensive FAQ section, support options (email and chat), a loyalty program, and an intriguing recipe collection featuring items like Blended Cold Brew. *Sign. Me. Up!*

Details on shipping and returns are easily accessible, but here’s a convenient recap: 

Shipping

LMNT ships to both the United States and Canada. For U.S. residents, standard domestic shipping typically takes 3 to 5 business days and comes at no extra cost. Canadian customers can expect standard international shipping to take about 8 to 15 business days, with orders over $100 qualifying for free shipping.

Returns

Understanding that the taste of salt isn’t for everyone, LMNT offers a no-questions-asked refund policy and the option to swap for a different flavor if you’re unsatisfied with your initial choice. Simply contact LMNT to initiate a refund or an exchange.

Ordering LMNT

Ordering LMNT is straightforward, whether you use the LMNT website or third-party sites like Amazon: Simply add your selection to your cart and follow the checkout prompts.

Consider LMNT’s subscribe-and-save option to maximize savings and convenience. Choose from a 30-count single-flavor, a 12-count variety pack, or the 120-count INSIDER bundle, which offers a buy-three-get-one-free deal.

Customer Reviews

Like Nicole, customers rave about LMNT, evidenced by its 4.5-out-of-5-star rating on Amazon, based on over 16,000 reviews—just on its variety pack listing alone! Customers particularly appreciate the limited additives and mixability, often finding their favorite flavor and dilution ratio through trial and error, despite regularly mentioning its high cost.

Final Verdict of Our LMNT Electrolyte Review

LMNT is a sugar-free electrolyte powder formulated to provide 1,000 mg of sodium, 200 mg of potassium, and 60 mg of magnesium. If you’re considering shaking LMNT in your water bottle, consider these final thoughts:

• Ideal for: Endurance exercise, prolonged exposure to hot environments, or periods of sickness when fluids are lost.
• Diet compatibility: Suits most diets, including vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, and keto.
• Caution advised: Individuals with hypertension, kidney disease, and other conditions requiring sodium monitoring should exercise caution.
• Flavor profile: May taste quite salty to some, though sampling the different flavors and diluting with water can make all the difference. 
• Customer satisfaction: Offers a no-questions-asked refund or exchange policy.
• Transparency: Lacks third-party testing but is transparent about this choice.

Full Rating

LMNT Eletrolyte

With sodium, potassium, and magnesium LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix is a great post-workout hydrator. It can also be great for those who are low-carb and looking to increase electrolyte intake.

Product Brand: LMNT

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 45.00

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4

LMNT: FAQs

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

1. Shrimanker I, Bhattarai S. Electrolytes. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541123/
2. FDA. Sodium in Your Diet. FDA. Published online April 2, 2020. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/sodium-your-diet 
3. Mente A, O’Donnell M, Yusuf S. Sodium Intake and Health: What Should We Recommend Based on the Current Evidence? Nutrients. 2021 Sep 16;13(9):3232. doi: 10.3390/nu13093232. PMID: 34579105; PMCID: PMC8468043.
4. Mishra S, Ingole S, Jain R. Salt sensitivity and its implication in clinical practice. Indian Heart J. 2018 Jul-Aug;70(4):556-564. doi: 10.1016/j.ihj.2017.10.006. Epub 2017 Oct 10. PMID: 30170653; PMCID: PMC6116721.
5. Veniamakis E, Kaplanis G, Voulgaris P, et al. Effects of Sodium Intake on Health and Performance in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Sports. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 19;19(6):3651. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063651. PMID: 35329337; PMCID: PMC8955583.
6. Weaver CM, Stone MS, Lobene AJ, et al. What Is the Evidence Base for a Potassium Requirement? Nutr Today. 2018 Sep-Oct;53(5):184-195. doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000298. Epub 2018 Sep 19. PMID: 30369637; PMCID: PMC6181280.
7. Harvard School of Public Health. Magnesium. The Nutrition Source. Published October 21, 2019. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/magnesium/ 

Sydney Lappe, R.D.

Sydney Lappe is a St. Louis-based Registered Dietitian with 6+ years of nutrition editing and writing experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and completed undergrad work in psychology. While fitness wasn’t in Sydney’s routine growing up, it quickly became a large part of her daily life while studying the facets of health and nutrition. Also managing chronic pain, she has come to fully realize movement is a special gift to never take for granted and hopes to inspire others to invest in their physical, mental, and emotional wellness while they can. Including her passion for all things health, Sydney enjoys spending time with her loved ones, being active in various capacities, drinking bottomless cups of coffee, eating a hearty bowl of oatmeal, and letting her creativity roam through writing and graphic design.

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