I didn’t plan on doing a side-by-side comparison of Nectar Hydration and LMNT. It just kind of happened. I work out regularly, drink a lot of water, and still found myself feeling tired, crampy, or off on days when I should’ve felt fine. So I did what most people do. I started experimenting with electrolyte powders.
Both Nectar and LMNT kept popping up in conversations, reviews, and recommendations, but for very different reasons. One is known for being light and sugar-free. The other is famous for going all in on salt. I’ve now used both long enough to have real opinions, not just first impressions. This isn’t a lab test or a sponsored pitch. It’s just my experience using Nectar and LMNT in real life and how they actually made me feel day to day.
What Is Ultima?
Ultima Replenisher is a powdered electrolyte drink mix made for everyday hydration rather than hard training or long, sweaty workouts.
It’s a clean, light option with no sugar and no calories, sweetened with stevia instead of artificial sweeteners. The formula includes basic electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and chloride, but the sodium content is fairly low compared to performance-focused brands.
In real-life terms, Ultima feels more like an upgrade to plain water than a recovery drink. The flavors are mild and fruity, not salty. I’ve found it works well for things like walking, yoga, travel days, or when I just want something more interesting than water without committing to a heavy electrolyte load.
Because it’s low in sodium, Ultima isn’t ideal for intense workouts, hot weather training, or anyone who sweats a lot. That’s where stronger formulas like LMNT usually make more sense. Ultima is more about gentle, daily hydration than performance or replenishment after heavy sweat.
What Is LMNT?
LMNT is a high-sodium electrolyte drink mix made for people who actually lose a lot of salt. Think hard workouts, long runs, hot weather, sauna sessions, or low-carb and keto diets.
LMNT keeps things very simple. Each packet has a lot of sodium (way more than most electrolyte powders), plus potassium and magnesium. No sugar. No artificial sweeteners. It’s sweetened with stevia, and the flavors are bold and noticeably salty.
The first time I tried LMNT, I won’t lie, it surprised me. It tastes more like a salty sports drink than flavored water. But once I started using it during tough workouts or on days I was sweating a lot, it made sense. I felt more hydrated, fewer headaches, and less of that drained feeling afterward.
LMNT isn’t meant for casual sipping all day. For me, it works best when I actually need electrolytes, not just flavor. If you’re doing intense training or tend to feel wiped out even when you drink plenty of water, LMNT is designed for that exact scenario.
Sugar Content
One of the reasons I narrowed it down to these two in the first place is sugar. I wanted electrolytes without turning my drink into a mini sports soda.
- LMNT: 0 grams of sugar per packet
- Nectar Hydration: 0 grams of sugar per stick
Sodium & Potassium Content
This is where Nectar and LMNT really separate, and it’s the main reason I use them for different situations.
- LMNT
- Sodium: 1,000 mg per packet
- Potassium: 200 mg per packet
- Nectar Hydration
- Sodium: 250 mg per stick
- Potassium: 200 mg per stick
Potassium is the same in both, which surprised me at first. Sodium is where the gap is huge. LMNT delivers four times more sodium than Nectar.
In my experience, LMNT only makes sense when I’m actually sweating a lot or feeling wiped out. Long workouts, hot days, or low-carb eating. Nectar feels better for regular hydration when I don’t want to overload on salt. It gives me enough electrolytes to feel balanced without that heavy, salty hit.
Other Electrolytes
Beyond sodium and potassium, both drinks include a few supporting electrolytes, but again, the amounts and purpose are very different.
- LMNT
- Magnesium: 60 mg per packet
- No calcium
- Nectar Hydration
- Magnesium: 50 mg per stick
- Calcium: 65 mg per stick
LMNT keeps the formula minimal and performance-focused. You get magnesium for muscle function and cramp prevention, but that’s it. Everything is built around replacing salt fast and efficiently.
Nectar takes a more balanced, everyday approach. The added calcium makes it feel more like a general hydration supplement rather than a workout-only product. I notice Nectar feels gentler and easier to use daily, while LMNT feels more intentional, like something I reach for when I know I’m depleted.
Taste
Taste is honestly where my preference changes depending on the day.
- LMNT tastes salty first, flavored second. There’s no easing into it. You know right away you’re drinking electrolytes. Some flavors are better than others, but overall it’s bold, strong, and not subtle at all.
- Nectar Hydration is the opposite. The flavor is light, clean, and slightly sweet. It actually tastes closer to flavored water than a sports drink, and I never feel like I need to dilute it.
For me, LMNT works when I’m in recovery mode or mid-workout and just need the electrolytes, taste aside. Nectar is easier to drink casually. I’ll sip it without thinking about it, which makes it more likely I finish the bottle.
Convenience
Both are easy to use, but they fit into my routine a little differently.
- LMNT comes in single-serve packets that are super travel-friendly. I can throw one in a gym bag, backpack, or carry-on and know exactly when I’ll use it. Because it’s so strong, I usually plan around it rather than sip it casually.
- Nectar Hydration also uses stick packs, but I find them easier to use on the fly. I’ll mix one at my desk, in the car, or at home without thinking much about timing. It doesn’t feel like something I need to “save” for a workout.
Price
Price was another factor that pushed me into using these two for different reasons.
- LMNT usually breaks down to about $1.50–$2.00 per packet, depending on the bundle or subscription. It’s not cheap, but considering how much sodium you’re getting, I don’t feel like I need more than one at a time.
- Nectar Hydration is generally around $1.20–$1.50 per stick. It’s a little more affordable, especially if you’re using it daily rather than just around workouts.
Drawbacks
Neither of these is perfect, and after using both for a while, the downsides became pretty clear.
- LMNT
The biggest drawback is how intense it is. The sodium is great when you need it, but overkill when you don’t. If I drink LMNT on a low-activity day, I sometimes feel bloated or overly salty. The taste can also be a turnoff if you’re sensitive to salt or prefer something light. - Nectar Hydration
Nectar’s downside is the opposite. The sodium content can feel too low after a really hard workout or long sweat session. On those days, it doesn’t fully replace what I lost, and I still feel a bit flat afterward.
Final Thoughts
After using both for a while, I don’t see this as a strict Nectar versus LMNT decision. I see it as choosing the right tool for the situation.
LMNT is what I reach for when I know I’m depleted. Hard workouts, hot weather, low-carb days, or times when water alone just isn’t cutting it. It’s strong, salty, and very intentional. I don’t drink it casually, but when I need it, it works.
Nectar Hydration fits better into daily life. It’s light, easy to drink, and doesn’t feel like too much. I’m more likely to use it consistently, which honestly matters more than chasing perfect numbers.