Last month, I stood in my kitchen staring at two bottles like they were competing in some sort of hydration death match. On my left: Buoy’s minimalist squeeze bottle. On my right: LMNT’s colorful stick pack. Both promised to save me from the dehydration hangover I was nursing after a particularly sweaty half-marathon.
Here’s the thing about electrolyte supplements—they all claim to be the best, but the devil’s in the details. Between my training runs, questionable Sunday brunches, and living in a climate that laughs at the concept of “mild weather,” I’ve tested both Buoy and LMNT extensively. Let me break down exactly how they stack up.
Which Is Healthier?
LMNT delivers a hefty electrolyte punch with 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium per stick. Zero sugar, zero calories, and formulated specifically for people following low-carb or keto diets. It’s clean in the sense that you’re getting exactly what you need without fillers.
Buoy takes a different approach. According to their product label, each serving (1.5 mL squeeze) contains 50 mg sodium, 10 mg potassium, and 0.5 mg magnesium—significantly lower electrolyte concentrations. However, Buoy includes 87 trace minerals sourced from deep ocean water, plus B vitamins (B1, B5, B6) that LMNT doesn’t offer. The ingredient list shows purified water, organic fruit extract, citric acid, and herbs like rosemary and star anise.
For strict keto or fasting protocols, LMNT wins hands down. For those wanting trace minerals and vitamin fortification alongside basic electrolytes, Buoy has merit—though you’ll need multiple servings to match LMNT’s electrolyte density.
Which Is Better for Hydration?
If we’re talking pure electrolyte replacement, LMNT dominates this category. That 1,000 mg sodium hit is designed for serious sweat sessions and addresses the reality that most people need more sodium than conventional wisdom suggests. After my long runs, one LMNT stick genuinely stops the post-workout fatigue in its tracks.
Buoy’s lower electrolyte concentrations mean you’d need roughly 20 servings to match one LMNT packet’s sodium content. While Buoy markets itself as hydrating 64% better (according to their clinical study), the actual electrolyte numbers tell a different story. Buoy works better as a daily maintenance hydration booster rather than a post-workout recovery tool.
Which Has More Flavors?
LMNT offers a impressive lineup: Citrus Salt, Grapefruit Salt, Orange Salt, Raspberry Salt, Watermelon Salt, Mango Chili, Chocolate Salt, Chocolate Caramel, plus a Raw Unflavored option. They also have a sparkling water line with flavors like Black Cherry Lime. You’re looking at 10+ flavor options to keep things interesting.
Buoy? They’re proudly unflavored. This is intentional—no natural or artificial flavors, no sweeteners. You taste subtle minerals and ocean salts, which honestly grows on you. The advantage is you can add Buoy to literally anything—coffee, tea, smoothies, even cocktails—without altering the taste profile.
Which Has More Natural Ingredients?
Both brands market themselves as clean, but “natural” means different things here.
LMNT’s flavored varieties contain salt (sodium chloride), citric or malic acid, magnesium malate, potassium chloride, natural flavors, and stevia leaf extract. Their Raw Unflavored version is just three ingredients: salt, magnesium malate, and potassium chloride. No artificial anything, though stevia is a polarizing ingredient for some people.
Buoy’s ingredient list includes purified water, organic fruit extract, non-GMO citric acid, organic acacia, rosemary, star anise, and citrus from limes. They emphasize their ocean-sourced mineral complex and Australian wild food antioxidants. No sweeteners period—not even stevia.
If you’re avoiding all sweeteners (even natural ones), Buoy edges ahead. If you want a cleaner mineral formula with more flexibility, LMNT’s unflavored version is tough to beat.
Which Has More Vitamins?
Buoy includes B vitamins: 0.5 mg B1 (40% DV), 0.5 mg B6 (30% DV), and 1.5 mg B5 (30% DV). These support energy metabolism and nervous system function—a nice bonus if you’re using electrolytes for overall wellness rather than just workout recovery.
LMNT contains zero added vitamins. It’s purely an electrolyte formula, which is actually a feature for people who already take a multivitamin and don’t want overlapping supplementation.
Winner depends on your needs: comprehensive micronutrient support (Buoy) or focused electrolyte delivery (LMNT).
Which Is Better in Taste?
This is wildly subjective, but here’s my take: LMNT tastes like a well-crafted electrolyte drink—salty, yes, but balanced with natural fruit flavors and a hint of sweetness from stevia. Citrus Salt and Watermelon Salt are genuinely enjoyable. Some people find it too salty at first, but your taste buds adapt.
Buoy tastes like…water with a mineral edge. Subtle ocean notes. It’s not trying to be delicious; it’s trying to be invisible. I actually appreciate this when I’m adding it to my morning coffee or afternoon iced tea. Nothing worse than coffee that tastes like fake watermelon.
If you want a flavored hydration experience, LMNT wins. If you want hydration that doesn’t compete with your beverage’s actual flavor, Buoy is your move.
Which Is More Affordable?
LMNT costs $1.50 per stick for a one-time purchase (30-count box), or $1.30 per stick with a subscription. Their Insider Bundle drops it to $1.13 per serving. You’re mixing one stick with 16-32 oz of water.
Buoy runs $0.33 per serving (120 servings per bottle) for a one-time purchase, or $0.25 per serving with subscription. However, remember you’re getting significantly fewer electrolytes per serving, so you may use multiple servings per drink.
On paper, Buoy looks cheaper. In practice, if you’re using it for serious electrolyte replacement, you’ll burn through it faster. LMNT delivers more bang per buck when you need substantial sodium replenishment.
Overall Winner
LMNT takes the crown for athletes, keto dieters, and anyone needing serious electrolyte replacement. The higher sodium concentration, variety of flavors, and proven formulation make it worth the premium price for intense hydration needs.
Buoy wins for people wanting a subtle, versatile hydration enhancer they can add to any beverage without altering taste. The trace minerals and B vitamins offer benefits beyond basic electrolytes, and the no-sweetener approach appeals to those avoiding even natural sugar substitutes.
My personal solution? I keep both. LMNT for post-workout recovery and hot summer days. Buoy for daily hydration maintenance and when I want to enhance my coffee or smoothie without turning it into a sports drink.
Choose based on your primary use case, and you can’t go wrong with either.