Liquid I.V. Review: A Tasty Nice-to-have Drink

What We Liked

• Offers hydration benefits
• Tastes delicious
• Dissolves and mixes easily
• Contains no allergens, artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives
• The company is involved in various humanitarian aid projects, helping to distribute clean water

Important Considerations

• Each serving contains 11 grams of sugar and 22% of the daily value of sodium, so keep that in mind
• It may be pricey for some, especially when purchased from the brand’s website
• The medicinal aftertaste in the sugar-free version may be unpleasant for some
• For most people, Liquid I.V. is not something you need to drink every day (see more below)

Try Liquid I.V.

Liquid I.V. is an exciting, convenient, and tasty product that will keep you hydrated and more. The brand also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee and free shipping.

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Liquid I.V. at a Glance

Established in 2012, Liquid I.V. offers a range of electrolyte powders crafted to boost hydration. Simply add them to water for targeted support in areas such as energy, immunity, sleep, and digestion.

It comes in more than 20 flavors and has 3x the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks with less than half the sugar and calories. Based on our experience, mixing Liquid I.V. is very simple, and it has a desirable taste.

The differentiator of Liquid I.V. compared to other hydration products is its Cellular Transport Technology (CTT). CTT is based on the oral rehydration solutions (ORS) formula — an extensively researched way to rehydrate after severe dehydration. Liquid I.V. applied this ORS approach to their product and rebranded it for health-focused consumer athletes.

The ORS approach uses a specific ratio of key ingredients to improve hydration capacity. These ingredients are glucose (sugar), sodium, potassium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. This blend enables faster absorption and utilization than regular water alone.

It also facilitates quicker water transportation into body cells to rehydrate them rapidly. (1)

Who Is Liquid I.V. Good For?

Plain water is perfectly adequate and more cost-effective in most circumstances. However, an electrolyte drink like Liquid I.V. may be suitable for:

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• People who forget to drink enough daily water
• Athletes and highly active people
• People on long-distance rides or hikes
• People who are getting over a cold or flu, stomach bug, or food poisoning as they may be more dehydrated
• People with higher sweat rates where more electrolytes may be lost
• People who work outside or in physical jobs
• Older adults (who often have a declining sense of thirst, along with a higher risk of dehydration) (2)
• People who need rehydration after an evening of enjoying a few (or too many) adult beverages

My Personal Experience with Liquid I.V.

For several years, my wife and I have kept our pantry stocked with Liquid I.V., which we buy from our local Costco or Sam’s Club. I don’t drink it every day, just occasionally when I want an extra hydration boost or some electrolytes, especially during hot California summers.

Growing up, I loved Gatorade since I was very active as a kid and teenager. This was long before Liquid I.V. existed. Nowadays, though, I prefer Liquid I.V. over Gatorade. It’s a no-brainer for me because Gatorade has nearly double the sugar content of Liquid I.V. I drink plenty of water, but Liquid I.V. allows me to switch up occasionally. Don’t get me wrong, I love water, but the variety of tastes is nice.

We have the original lemon flavor for hydration, pineapple for the energy multiplier, tangerine for immunity boost, and a sugar-free lemon version.

The flavors taste pretty much how you’d expect based on the flavor description — pleasant and aromatic. I enjoy the taste best with cold water. The original lemon-lime tastes like a tartty lemonade drink. All of the other flavors are sweet with a hint of zestiness.

I can taste the sodium in all the versions, but the sweetness balances it well. However, the sodium comes through more in the new sugar-free version I tried. The sugar-free option tasted like a moderately sour lemonade and had a slightly soapy, medicinal aftertaste. Not a deal-breaker, but it’s noticeable. I can imagine not everyone would prefer this, however.

Preparing Liquid I.V. is fast and easy without needing any special equipment. I pour the powder packet into a glass, add 10-12 oz cold water, and stir with a spoon for 10-15 seconds until fully dissolved. Sometimes, I mix it in a shaker instead, giving it a shake for about 10–15 seconds. Everything dissolves just as well.

On evenings when I have basketball games in local leagues, I’ll drink the pineapple-flavored Energy Multiplier version, which contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. I can feel the caffeine kick in quickly, giving me an energy boost during games.

Specifically for basketball, I’ll take a 40 oz water bottle and mix in two Liquid I.V. packets to sip on before, during, and after games to stay hydrated while I play intensely. It keeps me hydrated during the games, and I enjoy the pineapple flavor.

The Energy Multiplier is a solid option for an extra caffeine jolt during the day instead of my second afternoon cup of coffee.

My wife and I also drink the Liquid I.V. Immunity Boosting version more often during cold and flu season. I like the immunity boost from the tangerine flavor.

Overall, Liquid I.V. leaves me feeling hydrated and energized without needing extra water afterward. I can’t quantify the exact hydration impact. Still, I do feel more hydrated and appreciate the taste (not so much the sugar-free version), the brand, and their social causes.

I view Liquid I.V. as an excellent supplemental drink on hand when needed, but not to replace water fully.

Takeaways from Customer Reviews

We have analyzed hundreds of Amazon customer reviews for Liquid I.V.’s regular and sugar-free flavors on Amazon. Here are some takeaways and patterns we gathered:

What Users Liked

• Many reviewers mention Liquid I.V. helps them stay hydrated, especially in hot weather or after workouts. Many users feel it was effective at restoring electrolytes.
• Effectiveness may depend on individual needs. Reviews suggest Liquid I.V. works better for some situations than others. It is effective for hardcore athletes, people who work outdoors in the heat, frequent travelers, and those prone to dehydration. However, moderate drinkers/exercisers may notice less benefit.
• Some note feeling more energized and improvement in moods after drinking Liquid I.V.
• Many reviewers liked that Liquid I.V. is convenient and portable. The single-serve packets are easy to take on-the-go, throw in your bag, etc.
• Most flavors were reported to be pleasant and good tasting. The most popular flavors were lemon-lime, strawberry, and fruit punch. Opinions vary widely on certain flavors like Seaberry, Concord Grape, and Golden Cherry.

What Users Didn’t Like

• A common complaint is the high sugar content, with 11 grams per packet. So, it may not be ideal for diabetics or those limiting their sugar intake.
• Many reviewers think Liquid I.V. is overpriced, especially compared to alternatives.
• Some flavors have a strong salty or chemical-like taste that people dislike. The saltiness is off-putting for some.
• Some reviewers report gut-related side effects like diarrhea after drinking Liquid I.V.
• There are some reports of damaged or leaking packets, suggesting potential quality control issues.

In summary, Liquid I.V. is viewed by consumers as effective for hydration but, at the same time, is expensive, high in sugar, and has some taste/quality concerns for a portion of reviewers. However, for most, hydration benefits outweigh the cons.

To reduce sweetness, saltiness, or medicinal flavors, many reviewers recommend using more water than the recommended amount or just a portion of powder.

For value, some prefer cheaper sports drinks or electrolyte tablets based on their priorities. However, many consumers considered Liquid I.V. more effective and tastier than many of its competitors.

Where to Get the Best Price

The price of Liquid I.V. varies significantly depending on the retailer. Most retailers carry a limited variety of flavors, so ordering from the brand is the only option if you want a greater variety. In addition, some products, like Sleep Multiplier and Probiotic Kombucha, are only available from the brand’s website.

Here is how the prices compare among popular retailers:

You can get additional discounts (5%–20%) by opting into a monthly subscription directly from the brand, Amazon, and GNC. When buying directly from the brand, you get free shipping on all orders and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

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The Products Liquid I.V. Offers

• Hydration Multiplier: The Hydration Multiplier is Liquid I.V.'s primary product. The ingredients include CTT (glucose, sodium, potassium), water-soluble B vitamins, and vitamin C. Each stick has 45 calories and 11 g of sugar.
• Hydration Multiplier for Kids: As the name implies, this product line was designed to help kids stay hydrated. It works just like Hydration Multiplier but has 6 grams of sugar vs. the 11 grams and comes in a cotton candy flavor.
• Energy Multiplier: The Energy Multiplier provides hydration and added ingredients that may help boost energy. These include coffee fruit extract, which comes from the fruit of the coffee plant, and L-theanine. Caffeine and L-theanine can each improve attention and focus, and the effect may be more potent when combined. Each serving provides 100 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to about one cup of coffee (3)
• Sleep Multiplier: Contains evidence-based ingredients that can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and help improve sleep. Such ingredients include melatonin, L-theanine, and valerian root. (4, 5, 6)
• Hydration Multiplier+ Immune Support: Contains CTT, vitamin C, zinc, and a proprietary ingredient called Wellmune, which is important for immune function. Wellmune contains beta-glucans, which have been found to support immune health. (7, 8)
• Hydration Multiplier+ Probiotic Kombucha: The powder contains 1 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of the bacterial strain Bacillus coagulans and kombucha (fermented tea). Both are sources of probiotics (or living bacteria) that can populate the gut and potentially help improve digestive health. (9)

How Liquid I.V. Compares to Alternatives

As we have discussed above, electrolyte drinks are helpful in some situations. When selecting an electrolyte brand, consider your priorities. These may include the types of electrolytes, sugar amount, the use of artificial ingredients, and the price per serving. After narrowing the products down, try different flavors from several brands to pick the best-tasting one.

Here’s how Liquid I.V. compares to several popular alternatives:

* To determine the price per serving, we used the regular price from the brand’s website. You can further lower the price via a monthly subscription or by shopping around other retailers.

How to Pick

• For the ideal ORS ratio: If you're seeking a product with a precise ORS recipe (specific salt, glucose, and nutrient ratios), consider Liquid I.V. and DripDrop. Our top choice is Liquid I.V. for its absence of artificial ingredients, comprehensive oral rehydration benefits, and various appealing flavors. While DripDrop has less sodium —potentially preferable for some — be cautious about its artificial sweetener.
• For low-sugar preferences: If you prioritize low-sugar content without a strict ORS requirement, Nuun or LMNT are excellent options. They both contain significantly lower sugar levels than Liquid I.V., are similarly priced, and are free from artificial ingredients. Note that LMNT has a higher sodium content for added effectiveness, which may not suit everyone.
• For budget-friendly choices: Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder offers the most economical price per serving. It aligns with ORS ratios but has the drawback of the highest sugar content and artificial colors. Alternatively, DripDrop is a cost-effective option with substantially less sugar than Gatorade, though it has some artificial ingredients.

Try Liquid I.V.

Liquid I.V. is an exciting, convenient, and tasty product that will keep you hydrated and more. The brand also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee and free shipping.

Shop Now