Avoiding stevia does not have to mean drinking plain mineral water. Skratch and Tailwind use sugar for sweetness and carbohydrate fuel; Precision puts its mix in measured packets. LMNT Raw and Saltivate omit sweeteners altogether. The useful question is what you want instead of stevia: a sweet sports drink, or an unsweetened mineral mix.
Written by Tom Miller, CSCS. Updated: November 2026.
Short on time? Start with Skratch Labs Lemon + Lime for a flavored sports drink with 400mg sodium and 20g carbohydrates per scoop. Choose Tailwind for more carbohydrate per scoop, Precision PH 1000 for packets, or Saltivate Raw if you want no sweetener at all.
How We Chose
We compared exact flavors and package sizes from different makers, checking ingredient lists, full-serving sodium, potassium and magnesium, carbohydrate quantities and mixing directions. The selection excludes stevia, steviol glycosides and ingredients labeled Reb A, Reb M or Reb D. That is a shopping preference, not a claim that avoiding stevia makes a product safer or more effective.
Sugar and other sweeteners do not automatically disqualify a mix. SiS contains aspartame, while the unsweetened options contain mineral salts without a sweetener. Our editorial ratings weigh that distinction, practical serving formats and clear labeling. For a broader comparison across formats, see our electrolyte supplement guide.
Our Verdict
Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix Lemon + Lime
Skratch pairs 400mg sodium with 20g carbohydrate per scoop in a flavored sports drink without stevia, with a manageable 20-serving bag.
Best for: Adults wanting a sugar-sweetened sports drink rather than an unsweetened mineral powder
Check Price on AmazonOur Top Picks
Best Overall: Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix Lemon + Lime
Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix Lemon + Lime, 20 Servings
Best OverallA lemon-lime sports drink powder with 400mg sodium, 50mg potassium, 50mg magnesium and 20g carbohydrate per scoop, sweetened with cane sugar and dextrose.
Pros
- 400mg sodium per scoop
- Sugar-sweetened without stevia
- 20-serving resealable bag
Cons
- 19g added sugar per scoop
- Not an unsweetened option
Skratch is our first pick when you want a flavored sports drink, not just minerals. The selected Lemon + Lime bag contains 20 servings. One 22g scoop supplies 400mg sodium, 50mg potassium and 50mg magnesium, alongside 20g carbohydrate and 80 calories.
Mix a scoop with 12-16 fluid ounces of water. Cane sugar and dextrose supply sweetness, while lemon and lime ingredients supply flavor. Its 19g added sugar is a meaningful part of the formula. Compared with Tailwind’s 25g carbohydrate per scoop, Skratch gives you a smaller carbohydrate portion and 90mg more sodium.
Skip this if your main goal is avoiding all sweeteners or added sugar. Saltivate Raw is a better match for that preference. Choose Skratch because its carbohydrate and sodium amounts fit your drink, not because a stevia-free label guarantees better hydration.
Best Carbohydrate Fuel: Tailwind Endurance Fuel Naked Unflavored
Tailwind Endurance Fuel Naked Unflavored, 50 Servings
Best Carbohydrate FuelTailwind Naked combines 25g carbohydrate with 310mg sodium, 90mg potassium and 12mg magnesium per 27g scoop in a 50-serving, noncaffeinated bag without stevia.
Pros
- 25g carbohydrate per scoop
- 50-scoop bag
- No stevia or caffeine in Naked
Cons
- 25g added sugar per scoop
- Multi-scoop bottles use the bag faster
Tailwind makes sense when carbohydrate fuel belongs in the same bottle as your electrolytes. One 27g scoop has 100 calories, 25g carbohydrate and 310mg sodium. It also contains 90mg potassium and 12mg magnesium. The sweetness comes from dextrose and sucrose, not stevia.
The 50-serving count means 50 single scoops. Tailwind’s endurance bottle directions use 2-3 scoops in 20-24 fluid ounces of water. Two scoops therefore supply 50g carbohydrate and 620mg sodium, and the bag makes 25 such bottles. That arithmetic matters more than the large serving count on the front.
Skip this if you want a zero-sugar everyday drink or a sodium-only addition to a separate fueling plan. Naked is the noncaffeinated selection here; do not swap it for a caffeinated flavor without checking the ingredients. Its name also does not mean unsweetened.
Best Measured Packets: Precision Hydration PH 1000
Precision Hydration PH 1000 Orange Electrolyte Powder, 8 Packets
Best Measured PacketsPrecision PH 1000 Orange provides 500mg sodium, 125mg potassium, 12mg magnesium and 16.5g carbohydrate per packet, with eight packets sized for 500mL bottles.
Pros
- 500mg sodium per packet
- One packet for 500mL water
- Premeasured powder portions
Cons
- Only 8 packets per box
- 16g sugar per packet
Precision’s packet format removes scoop measurements from bottle preparation. One 20g packet goes in 500mL of water and supplies 500mg sodium, 125mg potassium and 12mg magnesium. Its 16.5g carbohydrate includes 16g sugar.
Pay attention to the product name: 1000 refers to milligrams of sodium per litre at the directed dilution. It does not mean a packet contains 1,000mg sodium. The selected box holds eight powder packets, not the separate PH 1000 tablets. Compared with Skratch, you get 100mg more sodium in a fixed 500mL bottle and less carbohydrate.
Skip this if you want a large tub for frequent mixing or no added sugar. Eight packets can disappear quickly. For an unsweetened packet, LMNT Raw has no carbohydrate but doubles the sodium to 1,000mg.
Best Large Canister: Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder Lemon-Lime
Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder Lemon-Lime, 76.5oz
Best Large CanisterA 76.5oz Lemon-Lime canister with about 94 portions, each supplying 150mg sodium, 50mg potassium and 22g carbohydrate when 23g powder is mixed with 12oz water.
Pros
- About 94 labeled servings
- Sugar and dextrose without stevia
- Useful for mixing larger quantities
Cons
- 21g added sugar per serving
- Contains Yellow 5 and artificial flavor
Gatorade’s 76.5oz canister suits repeated mixing rather than buying individual packets. The selected Lemon-Lime powder makes about 94 labeled servings. Each 23g portion contains 150mg sodium, 50mg potassium, 22g carbohydrate and 21g added sugar. Magnesium is not declared on this nutrition panel.
Use the label’s 23g portion with 12 fluid ounces of water when comparing it with the other powders. A larger bottle changes the amount needed. One full serving has much less sodium than Skratch or Precision, even though Gatorade is sold as a sports drink. Its ingredients also include natural and artificial flavor and Yellow 5.
Skip this if you avoid artificial colors or want an unsweetened formula. Do not confuse regular Thirst Quencher with Gatorade Zero: they have different sweeteners and carbohydrate amounts.
Best Higher-Carbohydrate Mix: SiS GO Electrolyte Lemon & Lime
Science in Sport GO Electrolyte Lemon & Lime, 1.6kg
Best Higher-Carbohydrate MixSiS GO Electrolyte combines 36g carbohydrate, 239mg sodium, 150mg potassium and 28.1mg magnesium per 40g serving, using maltodextrin, fructose and aspartame without stevia.
Pros
- 36g carbohydrate per full serving
- 40 full servings per tub
- States separate mineral amounts
Cons
- Contains aspartame
- Not suitable when phenylalanine must be restricted
SiS supplies 36g carbohydrate per 40g labeled serving, more than Tailwind’s 25g per single scoop. Tailwind’s two- or three-scoop bottles supply more carbohydrate than that SiS portion. Two SiS scoops contain 146 calories, with 239mg sodium, 150mg potassium and 28.1mg magnesium. The 1.6kg Lemon & Lime tub holds 40 full servings.
Mix that 40g portion with 500mL water. Most of its carbohydrate comes from maltodextrin and fructose; total sugar is 7.7g. A lower sugar number therefore does not mean low carbohydrate. It also uses aspartame. The advertised total-electrolyte figure is not the sodium amount, so compare 239mg sodium rather than the combined mineral total.
Skip this if you avoid aspartame or have phenylketonuria and must restrict phenylalanine. The FDA specifically flags that restriction. Skratch and Tailwind offer carbohydrate mixes without aspartame.
Best Unsweetened Packets: LMNT Raw Unflavored
LMNT Raw Unflavored Electrolyte Drink Mix, 30 Sticks
Best Unsweetened PacketsLMNT Raw Unflavored contains 1,000mg sodium, 200mg potassium and 60mg magnesium per stick, with no sugar, flavoring or sweeteners in a 30-count box.
Pros
- No sweeteners or sugar
- Premeasured sticks
- 200mg potassium and 60mg magnesium
Cons
- 1,000mg sodium per stick
- Raw qualification does not cover flavored LMNT
LMNT Raw is the packet choice for readers who want no sweetener, not merely a different one. Each 3.5g stick provides 1,000mg sodium, 200mg potassium and 60mg magnesium, with zero sugar or calories. The recipe consists of sodium chloride, magnesium malate and potassium chloride.
Mix one stick with 16-32 fluid ounces of water. More water changes the concentration, not the total 1,000mg sodium if you finish the drink. Compared with Redmond’s selected stick, LMNT has the same sodium and magnesium but 300mg less potassium.
Skip this if that sodium amount does not fit your needs or you want a sweet drink. Buy Raw Unflavored specifically. The ingredient check for Raw does not extend to flavored LMNT products, many of which contain stevia.
Best Unsweetened Tub: Saltivate Raw Unflavored
Saltivate Raw Unflavored Electrolyte Powder, 90 Servings
Best Unsweetened TubSaltivate Raw has 800mg sodium, 240mg potassium and 60mg magnesium per 3.15g scoop, with 90 unsweetened servings and no added flavor or sugar.
Pros
- 90 full servings
- Three-ingredient mineral recipe
- No sugar or sweetener
Cons
- 800mg sodium per scoop
- Requires measuring rather than opening a stick
Choose Saltivate if you prefer a scoopable jar to LMNT’s sticks. The Raw Unflavored formula contains sodium chloride, potassium citrate and dimagnesium malate. A 3.15g scoop provides 800mg sodium, 240mg potassium and 60mg magnesium, with zero sugar and calories.
The jar holds 90 servings, and the maker directs one scoop in 16-32 fluid ounces of water. Against LMNT Raw, that is 200mg less sodium and 40mg more potassium, with the same magnesium. The larger serving count is useful at home, while packets are simpler to carry.
Skip this if you need individual portions or want a flavored mix. This selection is Raw only. Saltivate’s flavored recipes use Reb M, so they do not meet the ingredient rule used for this comparison.
Best Unsweetened Stick With More Potassium: Redmond Re-Lyte Unflavored
Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Unflavored, 30 Stick Packs
Higher-Potassium Unsweetened SticksRedmond Re-Lyte Unflavored provides 1,000mg sodium, 500mg potassium and 60mg magnesium per 5g stick, with 30 unsweetened portions made without added flavors.
Pros
- 500mg potassium per stick
- No sweetener or sugar
- Premeasured 5g portions
Cons
- 1,000mg sodium per stick
- Different from flavored Re-Lyte formulas
Redmond offers a different balance from LMNT, despite the matching 1,000mg sodium. Its selected 5g Unflavored stick contains 500mg potassium and 60mg magnesium. The minerals come from sea salt, potassium citrate, magnesium glycinate and magnesium malate, without sweeteners.
The 30-count pack uses individual sticks. Its bag directions call for 16-18 fluid ounces of cold water per stick. Use the selected stick’s amounts when comparing products: flavored Re-Lyte and other package formats do not necessarily carry the same serving weight or mineral quantities.
Skip this if you need to limit potassium or sodium. The extra potassium is a difference to assess, not an automatic upgrade. LMNT Raw supplies 200mg potassium per stick; Saltivate supplies 240mg per scoop.
Best Three-Ingredient Bulk Powder: Nutri-Align Fasting Salts Original
Nutri-Align Fasting Salts Original Powder, 400g
Three-Ingredient Bulk PowderNutri-Align Original is a three-ingredient mineral powder with 1,280mg sodium, 630mg potassium and 75mg magnesium per 5g scoop, providing 80 servings per 400g pouch.
Pros
- No sweeteners or flavorings
- 80 full servings per pouch
- Separate mineral amounts stated
Cons
- 1,280mg sodium per scoop
- 630mg potassium needs attention
Nutri-Align earns a place for its short ingredient list: sodium chloride, magnesium citrate and potassium chloride. There is no sugar, sweetener or flavoring. The 400g pouch contains 80 full 5g servings, each supplying 1,280mg sodium, 630mg potassium and 75mg magnesium.
Those are substantial mineral portions. The maker gives 5g in 500mL water as a starting dilution and allows more water. That does not reduce the minerals in a completed drink. Although the package is named Fasting Salts, its inclusion here concerns the absence of stevia, not a recommendation to fast or take it daily.
Skip this if you want a modest sodium serving or have not checked whether these mineral amounts suit your needs. Saltivate supplies 480mg less sodium per full scoop. For a fasting-specific comparison, read our electrolyte powders for fasting guide.
Best Grape-Flavored Option: Vitalyte Grape
Vitalyte Grape Electrolyte Drink Mix, 35oz, 40 Servings
Best Grape-Flavored OptionVitalyte Grape supplies 135mg sodium, 193mg potassium, 3mg magnesium and 22g carbohydrate per 25g serving, with 40 portions sweetened with glucose and fructose.
Pros
- Glucose and fructose without stevia
- 40 full servings per pouch
- 193mg potassium per serving
Cons
- 21g added sugar per serving
- Only 135mg sodium per serving
Vitalyte offers a grape-flavored alternative to the citrus mixes above. Its 35oz pouch holds 40 full servings. Two scoops, weighing 25g, provide 90 calories, 22g carbohydrate and 21g added sugar, with 135mg sodium, 193mg potassium and 3mg magnesium.
Mix two scoops into 16 fluid ounces of water. Glucose and fructose supply sweetness, and fruit and vegetable juice supplies color. Compared with Skratch, the labeled portion has 2g more carbohydrate, 265mg less sodium and 143mg more potassium. It also adds 105mg vitamin C.
Skip this if you want no added sugar or a sodium-heavy mix. The grape flavor is a reason to shortlist it, but the relatively modest sodium amount still needs to fit your drink plan. Choose Precision or Skratch if their higher sodium portions better match that plan.
Electrolyte Powders Without Stevia Compared
These are full labeled servings, not matched scoop weights. Tailwind’s two-scoop bottle doubles its single-scoop numbers. Precision’s 1000 name describes sodium per litre; a 500mL packet provides 500mg. Gatorade does not declare magnesium on the selected panel.
| Product | Key Spec | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix Lemon + Lime, 20 Servings | 400mg sodium; 50mg potassium; 50mg magnesium; 20g carbs; 19g sugar; 20 servings; 1 scoop 22g | Best Overall | Check Price |
| Tailwind Endurance Fuel Naked Unflavored, 50 Servings | 310mg sodium; 90mg potassium; 12mg magnesium; 25g carbs; 25g sugar; 50 servings; 1 scoop 27g | Best Carbohydrate Fuel | Check Price |
| Precision Hydration PH 1000 Orange Electrolyte Powder, 8 Packets | 500mg sodium; 125mg potassium; 12mg magnesium; 16.5g carbs; 16g sugar; 8 packets; 1 packet 20g | Best Measured Packets | Check Price |
| Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder Lemon-Lime, 76.5oz | 150mg sodium; 50mg potassium; magnesium not declared; 22g carbs; 21g sugar; about 94 servings; 23g | Best Large Canister | Check Price |
| Science in Sport GO Electrolyte Lemon & Lime, 1.6kg | 239mg sodium; 150mg potassium; 28.1mg magnesium; 36g carbs; 7.7g sugar; aspartame; 40 servings; 40g | Best Higher-Carbohydrate Mix | Check Price |
| LMNT Raw Unflavored Electrolyte Drink Mix, 30 Sticks | 1,000mg sodium; 200mg potassium; 60mg magnesium; 0g sugar; unsweetened; 30 sticks; 1 stick 3.5g | Best Unsweetened Packets | Check Price |
| Saltivate Raw Unflavored Electrolyte Powder, 90 Servings | 800mg sodium; 240mg potassium; 60mg magnesium; 0g sugar; unsweetened; 90 servings; 1 scoop 3.15g | Best Unsweetened Tub | Check Price |
| Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Unflavored, 30 Stick Packs | 1,000mg sodium; 500mg potassium; 60mg magnesium; 0g sugar; unsweetened; 30 sticks; 1 stick 5g | Higher-Potassium Unsweetened Sticks | Check Price |
| Nutri-Align Fasting Salts Original Powder, 400g | 1,280mg sodium; 630mg potassium; 75mg magnesium; 0g sugar; unsweetened; 80 servings; 1 scoop 5g | Three-Ingredient Bulk Powder | Check Price |
| Vitalyte Grape Electrolyte Drink Mix, 35oz, 40 Servings | 135mg sodium; 193mg potassium; 3mg magnesium; 22g carbs; 21g added sugar; 40 servings; 2 scoops 25g | Best Grape-Flavored Option | Check Price |
How to Choose
Decide whether you want sugar, another sweetener or neither
Stevia-free and unsweetened are different claims. Skratch uses cane sugar and dextrose. Tailwind uses dextrose and sucrose. Precision and Gatorade also supply sugar, while SiS combines carbohydrate ingredients with aspartame. LMNT Raw, Saltivate Raw, Redmond Unflavored and Nutri-Align Original omit sweeteners.
For a long workout, carbohydrate in a drink may belong in your fueling plan. For a drink alongside an ordinary meal, it may be something you would rather skip. Start with that distinction instead of assuming every electrolyte powder should be sugar-free.
Read the exact flavor, not just the brand
Raw LMNT and flavored LMNT are different purchases. The same applies to Raw Saltivate and its Reb M-sweetened flavors. Check the ingredient panel for stevia, steviol glycosides and rebaudiosides, sometimes shortened to Reb A, Reb M or Reb D. Fermentation-derived Reb M is also outside this comparison’s ingredient rule.
This screen does not establish an allergy certification or guarantee that every future formulation remains unchanged. Check the package you receive, particularly when an ingredient is important for a medical reason.
Separate sodium from potassium and magnesium
Look at three individual mineral amounts, not a combined electrolyte total. Gatorade has 150mg sodium per labeled portion; Nutri-Align has 1,280mg. Redmond supplies 500mg potassium per stick, compared with 200mg in LMNT Raw. More is not automatically better.
NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements warns that kidney disease and medicines including ACE inhibitors, ARBs and potassium-sparing diuretics can make potassium intake a concern. Ask your clinician or pharmacist about the exact formula before adding one in those circumstances. A sodium restriction or prescribed fluid limit also needs individual guidance.
If a smaller sodium amount is your separate priority, compare our lower-sodium electrolyte powders. Several of those use stevia, so a low sodium number alone does not solve this particular shopping preference.
Compare a finished bottle, not just a scoop
One Tailwind scoop contains 25g carbohydrate and 310mg sodium; a two-scoop bottle contains 50g and 620mg. A 23g Gatorade serving makes 12 fluid ounces, while a Precision packet makes 500mL. Compare your intended bottle size and full powder portion before working out cost per drink. Larger portion sizes can also empty a tub sooner.
Water volume changes concentration, not the total minerals or carbohydrates you consume when you finish the bottle. Do not multiply servings simply to chase one mineral: that also increases everything else in the formula.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Water with a separate carbohydrate source: If your only reason for buying powder is avoiding a sweetener you dislike, plain water remains an option. You can keep food or other workout fuel separate rather than committing to a drink that combines carbohydrates and minerals. That also leaves you free to skip added sugar when it is not part of your plan.
Kaged Hydra-Charge: This is a different option if avoiding stevia is not a requirement. The maker lists both sucralose and stevia, so it does not fit this list. Its extra ingredients do not change that distinction. Do not choose a flavored mix from an old ingredient description without checking its current panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which electrolyte powder without stevia should I buy first?
Skratch Lemon + Lime is our first pick for a flavored sports drink with carbohydrate. If you want no sweetener, start by comparing Saltivate Raw’s 800mg sodium scoop with LMNT Raw’s 1,000mg stick. Those solve different preferences, so the overall pick is not automatically the right formula for everyone. Also compare the water volume and full serving you intend to drink.
Does without stevia mean sugar-free?
No. Skratch, Tailwind, Precision, Gatorade and Vitalyte contain sugar. SiS has 7.7g sugar but 36g total carbohydrate per full serving and also contains aspartame. An unsweetened mineral powder is the relevant category when you want neither sugar nor a high-intensity sweetener. Check both total carbohydrate and added sugar rather than relying on the absence of stevia.
Are all unflavored electrolyte powders unsweetened?
No. Tailwind Naked Unflavored contains dextrose and sucrose, providing 25g sugar per scoop. LMNT Raw, Saltivate Raw, Redmond Unflavored and Nutri-Align Original contain no sweeteners. Read the ingredients rather than treating unflavored as a substitute for unsweetened. A product can omit fruit flavor while still using sugar as a carbohydrate source.
Can I switch to another flavor from the same maker?
Only after checking its ingredient panel. Several makers use stevia-derived sweeteners in flavored mixes but omit them from a Raw or Unflavored option. A different flavor can also add caffeine, change serving quantities or use another sweetener. Match the product name, flavor and serving size before assuming that the comparison applies to your replacement.
Does adding more water reduce sodium?
It reduces sodium concentration, not the total in the drink. A whole LMNT Raw stick still provides 1,000mg sodium whether you mix it with 16 or 32 fluid ounces, as long as you drink the full amount. The same principle applies to its potassium and magnesium. More water does not turn a full serving into a lower-mineral portion.
Are stevia-free electrolyte powders safer?
The absence of stevia does not establish that. This comparison serves an ingredient preference. Sugar, sodium, potassium, other sweeteners, medical conditions and medications still matter. People with phenylketonuria need to avoid or restrict aspartame, including the selected SiS formula, regardless of its lack of stevia. Choose the complete recipe that fits your needs, not a single missing ingredient.
Bottom Line
Skratch Lemon + Lime is our first choice for a stevia-free sports drink with a moderate carbohydrate portion. Tailwind suits a larger carbohydrate plan, and Precision gives you measured 500mL packets. For no sweetener at all, compare Saltivate Raw’s scoopable jar with LMNT Raw’s sticks. Keep the choice tied to the exact flavor and the full serving: sugar-sweetened does not mean unsweetened, and a higher mineral count does not mean a better fit. Check sodium and potassium separately, account for other supplements, and follow any medical restrictions before buying. Vitalyte adds a grape-flavored alternative when you want sugar rather than a stevia-based sweetener.
Sources
- Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix: Lemon + Lime nutrition, ingredients and mixing directions
- Tailwind Endurance Fuel: carbohydrate, mineral amounts and preparation
- Precision Hydration PH 1000 powder packets and 500mL dilution
- PepsiCo Product Facts: Gatorade Lemon-Lime 76.5oz powder
- SiS GO Electrolyte 1.6kg nutrition and ingredients
- LMNT Raw Unflavored formula
- Saltivate Raw 90-serving jar: ingredients, full serving and directions
- Redmond Re-Lyte Hydration Unflavored stick packs
- Nutri-Align Original powder: ingredients and preparation
- Vitalyte Grape 35oz powder: ingredients, nutrition and preparation
- Kaged Hydra-Charge current sweetener ingredients
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: potassium safety and medicine interactions
- FDA: sweeteners and aspartame restrictions for phenylketonuria


