I first tried LMNT because it’s known for doing one thing really well: delivering a lot of sodium with zero sugar. Each packet is packed with electrolytes, no fillers, and none of the sweet, syrupy taste you get from most sports drinks. If you’re low-carb, keto, or just trying to avoid sugar, LMNT makes a lot of sense.
But after using it for a while, I started to understand why so many people look for LMNT alternatives. The first reason is cost. If you’re drinking it every day, the price adds up fast. I also found the taste to be pretty intense. Some flavors are fine, but others are aggressively salty, especially if you’re not sweating hard or working out.
Sweeteners are another big factor. LMNT uses stevia, which I’m personally okay with, but I know plenty of people who don’t love the aftertaste or just want something unsweetened altogether. And finally, not everyone needs medical-level hydration every single day. Sometimes I just want something lighter for daily use, not a full electrolyte hit meant for heavy training or extreme heat.
That’s what pushed me to try other options and see which ones actually worked for me.
The alternatives in this list aren’t random picks. They’re based on real user discussions from Reddit, especially within POTS communities where electrolyte intake is taken seriously, along with expert reviews and comparisons from outlets like Men’s Health. The goal here is to show what people are actually using, why they choose it, and who each option makes the most sense for.
1. Venture Pal Electrolytes
(Most talked-about cheap LMNT alternative on Reddit)
This is easily the LMNT alternative I saw mentioned the most when I started digging through Reddit, especially in POTS-focused communities. One user shared it as their main replacement for LMNT, and that recommendation kept coming up again and again in replies from people who wanted high sodium without the high price.
The pricing is what gets most people interested right away. You can usually find about 30 packets for roughly $12, which is significantly cheaper than LMNT. If you’re using electrolytes daily, that difference isn’t small. Over a month or two, it really adds up.
From an electrolyte standpoint, Venture Pal is surprisingly close to LMNT. Each packet contains around 1000 mg of sodium and about 200 mg of potassium. It’s also sugar-free and keto-friendly, which puts it in the same general category as LMNT for people avoiding sugar.
Taste is where opinions start to split. I tried the watermelon flavor, and I’ll be honest, it took some getting used to. It’s often described as sweeter or stronger than LMNT, and that matched my experience. LMNT leans heavily salty, while Venture Pal has a more pronounced sweetness layered on top. Some people really like that. Others don’t.
Ingredients are an important part of the discussion with this one. Venture Pal uses erythritol as a sweetener, which explains the sweetness. For some people, that’s totally fine. For others, sugar alcohols can cause digestive issues, especially with frequent use. It also uses a cheaper form of magnesium, which I noticed some users are cautious about, particularly those with sensitive stomachs or chronic conditions.
Best for:
Budget-focused users who still need high sodium and want something close to LMNT in electrolyte strength.
Who should avoid it:
Anyone sensitive to sugar alcohols or who doesn’t do well with artificial sweetness.
2. ZeroSpike No Sugar Electrolytes
(Closest LMNT-style formula, according to Reddit users)
After Venture Pal, this was the alternative I saw recommended most often as the better long-term option. Several Reddit commenters said they initially tried Venture Pal but ended up preferring ZeroSpike because it felt more similar to LMNT overall.
The biggest reason people seem to prefer it is the ingredient profile. It’s very close to LMNT in terms of electrolytes and formulation, with fewer extra flavoring ingredients. There’s no sugar, and it sticks to a simpler, more minimal approach.
Price-wise, it usually comes in around $20 for 30 packets. That still makes it cheaper than LMNT, just not as aggressively discounted as Venture Pal. For a lot of people, that trade-off feels worth it.
Taste and overall experience were more in line with what I expect from LMNT. It’s more neutral, less sweet, and cleaner tasting than many other alternatives. It doesn’t try to mask the salt with sweetness, which I personally prefer.
Best for:
People who like LMNT’s minimal, no-nonsense formula but want a lower-cost option.
3. TriOral Rehydration Electrolyte Powder
(Highest sodium, best value per serving)
TriOral comes up constantly in POTS discussions and dehydration-related threads. TriOral is very different from LMNT, but it’s hard to ignore how often it’s recommended for serious hydration needs.
The pricing is extremely cost-effective. You can get around 100 packets for roughly $39, which makes it one of the cheapest options per serving on this list.
Electrolyte strength is where TriOral really stands out. Each packet contains about 1695 mg of sodium, which is higher than LMNT. But this is important to understand: this is ORS-style hydration, not a flavored sports drink.
Taste is often described as medicinal, and that’s accurate. It’s not meant to be enjoyable. It also contains sugar, so it’s not keto or zero-sugar.
Best for:
Severe dehydration, medical hydration needs, or users who care more about sodium delivery than taste.
4. NormaLyte
(Community-trusted ORS option)
NormaLyte is another ORS-style electrolyte that gets mentioned positively in Reddit replies and broader POTS discussions. People frequently describe NormaLyte as “awesome” and reliable, which says a lot in communities that care more about function than branding.
The orange flavor is often specifically praised, which isn’t something you hear often with medical-style hydration mixes. Compared to LMNT, the marketing is much quieter and more clinical.
Best for:
People managing chronic conditions like POTS and those who want consistency and reliability over flavor variety.
5. Saltt
(High sodium, premium alternative)
Saltt is another LMNT-style electrolyte brand that came up in Reddit threads. Each serving contains around 970 mg of sodium, putting it very close to LMNT in terms of strength.
It’s not a budget option, but Saltt is often mentioned by people who want high sodium but don’t love LMNT’s flavor profiles.
Best for:
Users who want high sodium but prefer different flavors than LMNT offers.
6. Other Community-Mentioned LMNT Alternatives
(Frequently referenced, but not the main focus)
Pedialyte
This comes up a lot, but it’s not really a true LMNT replacement. It has much lower sodium and is better suited for illness, kids, or mild dehydration.
Vitassium
Often used by POTS patients, especially the capsules. It’s helpful for sodium support, but it’s not a flavored drink mix in the same way LMNT is.
PROMIX
PROMIX has electrolyte numbers similar to LMNT, around 1000 mg sodium and 200 mg potassium, and it offers an unsweetened option. It appeals to people who really care about ingredient quality.
Trace Minerals / Nutri-Align
These are mentioned occasionally in broader hydration threads. The focus is more on trace minerals than on aggressive sodium loading.
7. What Men’s Health Says About LMNT & Alternatives
Men’s Health regularly ranks LMNT as the best overall electrolyte powder, especially for heavy sweaters and endurance athletes. That lines up with my experience too.
They also point out that not everyone needs 1000 mg of sodium every day. Some electrolyte powders make more sense depending on budget, workout length, or personal needs.
Alternatives they often highlight include:
- Liquid I.V. (Sugar-Free)
- Nuun
- DripDrop
The main takeaway I agree with is this: sodium intake should be based on sweat loss and individual needs, not just marketing or trends.
Personal choose
If I had to pick just one LMNT alternative, I’d go with ZeroSpike No Sugar Electrolytes.
It’s the closest to LMNT in terms of ingredient profile and electrolyte balance, but it costs less and tastes more neutral. I don’t feel like I’m forcing it down, and there aren’t extra sweeteners or flavoring ingredients getting in the way.
For me, it works both on heavy sweat days and for more regular hydration, which is something I didn’t feel with every option I tried. It’s not the cheapest option on the list, but it’s the one I’d actually stick with long term.
If you like LMNT but want something a bit easier to drink and easier on your budget, this is the one I’d choose.