Which brands of water have electrolytes for optimal hydration?

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Times of India, adding electrolytes can make water a more effective hydration tool, especially after intense exercise. If you're wondering which brands of water have electrolytes, the answer is not all of them, but a significant number offer this feature for enhanced hydration and performance.

Quick Summary

A guide to popular bottled and mineral water brands that contain added or naturally occurring electrolytes to support hydration, muscle function, and overall well-being. Includes a comparison of enhanced vs. natural options.

Key Points

Electrolyte Function: Electrolytes are essential minerals like sodium and potassium that help regulate hydration, nerve, and muscle function.
Enhanced Purified Water: Brands like Smartwater, Essentia, and LIFEWTR add a controlled blend of electrolytes to purified water for enhanced taste and hydration.
Natural Mineral Water: Spring water brands such as Evian and FIJI contain naturally occurring electrolytes derived from their geological source.
Brand Variety: Whether you need an enhanced option for a workout (Propel) or a natural choice for daily drinking (Evian), there is a wide range of brands to choose from.
DIY Options: For a budget-friendly and customizable alternative, you can create your own electrolyte water at home using ingredients like sea salt and citrus juice.
Consider the Source: The concentration and type of electrolytes can vary significantly, so check the label and consider the sourcing method (natural vs. added) before buying.

Understanding the Role of Electrolytes

Electrolytes are essential minerals—such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium—that carry an electric charge when dissolved in water. They play a crucial role in many bodily functions, including regulating nerve and muscle function, maintaining fluid balance, and supporting heart health. The body can lose electrolytes through sweat and illness, making replenishment vital. While most people get enough electrolytes from a balanced diet, electrolyte-enhanced water can be especially beneficial for athletes, those recovering from sickness, or people in hot climates.

Enhanced Purified Water Brands with Added Electrolytes

Many popular bottled water brands begin with purified water and then add a proprietary blend of electrolytes back in for taste and enhanced hydration. This process allows them to control the mineral composition precisely.

Smartwater: This brand uses vapor distillation to purify its water, then adds electrolytes like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium bicarbonate for a clean, crisp taste. It is marketed as a premium, everyday hydration choice.
Essentia Water: Known for its high alkaline pH of 9.5+, Essentia purifies its water through microfiltration and reverse osmosis, then infuses it with a proprietary blend of electrolytes, including calcium and magnesium, for taste.
LIFEWTR: This brand undergoes a 7-step enhanced filtration process before adding electrolytes like magnesium sulfate and potassium bicarbonate to achieve a pH-balanced and clean taste.
Propel Fitness Water: Created by the makers of Gatorade, Propel is a zero-calorie, zero-sugar fitness water fortified with Gatorade electrolytes and vitamins C and E. It's specifically designed to replenish what is lost in sweat during workouts.

Natural Mineral Water Brands with Electrolytes

Some brands offer natural mineral water, which contains electrolytes and other minerals that occur naturally in its spring or aquifer source. The mineral content can vary based on the water's origin.

Evian: This natural spring water from the French Alps contains naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals from its source. It has a balanced mineral composition that includes calcium and magnesium.
FIJI Water: Sourced from a natural artesian aquifer in Fiji, FIJI Water has a naturally soft taste and contains electrolytes like calcium and magnesium, as well as a high concentration of silica.
Gerolsteiner: A German sparkling mineral water from the Volcanic Eifel region, Gerolsteiner is known for its high mineral content, including significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, and sodium.
Core Hydration: This brand uses a proprietary process to add minerals and electrolytes for taste. While its primary distinction is a perfectly balanced 7.4 pH, it provides key minerals through its nutrient enhancement process.

Comparison of Electrolyte Water Brands


Brand	Source	Electrolyte Sourcing	Key Electrolytes	Target Consumer	Price Point
Smartwater	Purified (Vapor Distilled)	Added for taste	Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium	Everyday hydration, clean taste	Mid-Range
Essentia	Purified (Ionized Alkaline)	Added for taste and pH	Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium	Alkaline water enthusiasts, wellness	Mid-Range to Premium
Evian	Natural Spring	Naturally Occurring	Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium	Everyday hydration, natural taste	Premium
Propel	Purified	Added for hydration	Sodium, Potassium	Athletes, active lifestyles	Value/Mid-Range
Gerolsteiner	Natural Mineral	Naturally Occurring	Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium	Mineral water drinkers, rich taste	Premium
Liquid I.V.	Powder Mix	Added for hydration	Sodium, Potassium	Post-workout recovery, illness	Premium (per serving)

Alternative Electrolyte Options and DIY

Beyond bottled water, there are other effective ways to get your electrolytes. Powdered drink mixes, such as Liquid I.V. or LMNT, offer a concentrated dose of electrolytes that can be added to regular water. Coconut water is also a great natural source of potassium and other electrolytes.

For a simple and cost-effective do-it-yourself option, you can create your own electrolyte water at home. A basic recipe involves mixing water with a pinch of sea salt for sodium, a splash of citrus juice (e.g., lemon or orange) for potassium, and optionally a teaspoon of honey or a small amount of fruit juice for sweetness and energy. This allows you to control the ingredients and sugar content completely.

Making the Right Choice for Your Needs

Choosing the right brand depends on your personal hydration goals. For intense workouts or recovery from illness, products with higher concentrations of sodium and potassium, like Propel or electrolyte powders, may be more effective at replenishing lost minerals. For daily hydration with a subtle mineral boost, brands like Smartwater or natural mineral waters like Evian are excellent choices. If you prioritize natural sourcing and taste, a naturally mineral-rich spring water is your best bet.

Ultimately, whether the electrolytes are naturally occurring or added, they serve the same purpose: to enhance your body's hydration and support overall function. Reading the labels for specific electrolyte content and considering your activity level will help you find the best fit. For more information on electrolyte benefits, check out this guide from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/electrolyte-water.

Conclusion

From naturally mineral-rich spring waters to vapor-distilled options with added minerals, numerous bottled water brands include electrolytes to aid in hydration. Prominent choices include Smartwater, Essentia, Evian, FIJI, and Propel. Your decision should be guided by your specific hydration needs, flavor preference, and whether you prefer naturally occurring or added electrolytes. For a more intense replenishment, products like Propel or concentrated powders are ideal, while natural mineral water offers a premium taste with its naturally occurring mineral profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all bottled water contains significant levels of electrolytes. While most tap and bottled waters have trace amounts, only brands that are specifically enhanced or sourced as natural mineral water will contain meaningful quantities. Purified water with no added minerals contains virtually no electrolytes.

Added electrolytes are minerals that are intentionally put into purified water by the manufacturer for flavor and hydration purposes (e.g., Smartwater). Naturally occurring electrolytes are found in natural mineral and spring water, having been absorbed from the rocks and soil at the water's source (e.g., Evian).

For most people with a balanced diet, tap water is sufficient for daily hydration. However, for those engaged in intense exercise, experiencing illness, or sweating heavily, electrolyte-enhanced water can be more effective for replenishing lost minerals and improving fluid retention.

While sports drinks like Gatorade contain electrolytes, they also typically contain high levels of sugar and calories for energy replenishment. Brands like Propel, which are made by the same company, are specifically formulated as zero-calorie electrolyte waters for hydration without the added sugar.

It is most beneficial to drink electrolyte water during or after prolonged exercise (over 60 minutes), after spending time in a hot and humid environment, or when recovering from an illness involving vomiting or diarrhea.

Not necessarily. While many alkaline water brands, such as Essentia, add electrolytes to achieve their high pH and taste, the primary marketing focus is on the pH level. The health benefits of alkaline water are not scientifically proven to be superior to other types of electrolyte water.

Yes, you can easily make a DIY electrolyte drink. A simple recipe involves adding a pinch of sea salt, a squeeze of fresh citrus juice (like lemon or orange), and a small amount of a natural sweetener (like honey) to plain water.