Which Water Brands Contain Electrolytes? A Comprehensive Guide

November 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Over half of the human body is composed of water, and maintaining proper hydration is crucial for every bodily function. But not all water is created equal, with a growing number of consumers asking which water brands contain electrolytes for better performance and health.

Quick Summary

This guide lists numerous water brands, including Essentia, Smartwater, and Flow, that contain added or natural electrolytes. It explains the different types, such as enhanced and alkaline water, and outlines their primary uses, whether for general wellness, exercise, or illness recovery.

Key Points

Essentia is an ionized alkaline water: It contains added electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and has a high pH of 9.5+.
Smartwater uses vapor-distillation: This process purifies the water before adding electrolytes for taste.
FIJI Water contains natural electrolytes: The mineral content comes from its source, a natural artesian aquifer, which gives it a distinct, smooth taste.
Electrolyte powders are also an option: Brands like Nuun and LMNT offer portable, dissolvable tablets or powders for targeted hydration, especially for athletes.
For everyday hydration, plain water is often enough: Most people get sufficient electrolytes from a balanced diet and don't need enhanced water unless they are heavily exercising or ill.
Check labels for added sugar: Some electrolyte drinks, particularly sports drinks like Gatorade, contain significant amounts of sugar, which may be unnecessary for average consumers.
Homemade electrolyte drinks are a cost-effective alternative: A simple mixture of water, salt, and juice can effectively replace lost minerals.

Understanding Electrolyte Water

Electrolytes are essential minerals—like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—that have an electric charge when dissolved in water. These minerals play a critical role in nerve function, muscle contractions, and maintaining the body's fluid balance. While regular tap water contains trace amounts, many popular bottled water brands add extra electrolytes to their products, either for taste or to promote enhanced hydration. This content will explore different categories of electrolyte-infused water and highlight specific brands in each.

Popular Enhanced and Ionized Water Brands

Many major brands create their products by purifying water through processes like reverse osmosis and then infusing it with a proprietary blend of minerals for a distinct taste and added benefits.

Smartwater: Glaceau Smartwater is a well-known brand that vapor-distills its water and then adds electrolytes like calcium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, and magnesium chloride for taste. It's designed for basic daily hydration with a crisp, clean finish.
Essentia: Marketed as supercharged ionized alkaline water, Essentia purifies its water through microfiltration and reverse osmosis before infusing it with electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, and potassium) and ionizing it to achieve a high pH of 9.5 or higher.
LIFEWTR: This premium bottled water is purified using a multi-step process, pH balanced, and then infused with electrolytes such as magnesium sulfate and potassium bicarbonate to enhance its taste.
Core Hydration: This brand creates its product using a reverse osmosis filtration process before balancing it to a perfect 7.4 pH and infusing it with electrolytes and minerals.

Naturally Mineral-Rich Spring Water

Some brands offer spring water that naturally contains electrolytes due to the source's mineral-rich geology. The electrolyte content can vary by source, but it provides a natural alternative to enhanced products.

FIJI Water: Sourced from a natural, sustainable artesian aquifer in the remote Fijian Islands, this water naturally filters through volcanic rock, picking up minerals and giving it a balanced pH and smooth taste. FIJI naturally contains more than double the electrolytes of some top premium bottled waters.
Flow Alkaline Spring Water: This naturally alkaline spring water has a high pH and is rich in naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals. It is often sold in eco-friendly packaging, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
Evian: This brand of spring water filters through rocks in the French Alps for over 15 years, naturally accumulating minerals and electrolytes before being bottled.

Comparison of Popular Electrolyte Water Brands


Brand	Source	Key Electrolytes Added/Natural	Sugar Content	Best For	Notes
Essentia	Purified, Ionized	Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium	Zero	Everyday wellness, taste	High alkaline pH (9.5+)
Smartwater	Vapor-distilled	Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Bicarbonate	Zero	Daily, basic hydration	Enhanced for taste
Propel	Purified	Potassium, Sodium	Zero (most varieties)	Post-workout, active individuals	Also contains vitamins C & E
FIJI	Natural Artesian Spring	Natural Silica, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium	Zero	General wellness, natural minerals	Naturally occurring electrolytes
Core Hydration	Purified	Added electrolytes	Zero	Everyday hydration, pH balanced	Balanced 7.4 pH
LIFEWTR	Purified	Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Bicarbonate	Zero	Taste enhancement	pH balanced
Nuun Sport	Mixed powder/tablet	Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium	Very low (1g)	Athletes, intense exercise	Comes in portable tablets

Considerations for Choosing Electrolyte Water

While enhanced bottled water can be a convenient way to get electrolytes, it's not always necessary for everyone. Here are some factors to consider:

Activity Level: For moderate daily activity, a balanced diet and regular water intake are sufficient for most individuals. However, if you are an athlete, engage in prolonged, intense exercise (over one hour), or sweat heavily, an electrolyte-enhanced beverage can be beneficial for replacing lost minerals.
Health Conditions: Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease, should consult a healthcare provider before increasing their mineral intake, as too much sodium or potassium can be harmful.
Added Ingredients: Pay attention to the ingredients list. Some brands, like sports drinks (e.g., Gatorade, Powerade), contain significant amounts of added sugar, which provides quick energy but adds unnecessary calories for non-athletes. Other products like Liquid I.V. also contain notable sugar content. Zero-sugar alternatives often use artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive issues for some.
Cost: Enhanced and specialty bottled waters are often more expensive than regular water or homemade electrolyte solutions. For budget-conscious consumers, a homemade mix of water, salt, and a splash of fruit juice can be an effective and cheaper alternative.

Conclusion

Which water brands contain electrolytes is a question with a varied answer, depending on the type of product. Enhanced waters like Smartwater, Essentia, and LIFEWTR add electrolytes for taste and potential hydration benefits. Naturally sourced waters such as FIJI and Flow contain electrolytes from their mineral-rich origins. For athletes and those with specific hydration needs, concentrated mixes from brands like Nuun and LMNT offer targeted mineral replacement. For the average person, a balanced diet and plain water are usually sufficient, but for specific instances like intense exercise, illness, or prolonged heat exposure, these specialty waters can be a beneficial choice. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual needs, taste preferences, budget, and activity level. Reading labels and understanding the intended purpose of each product will help consumers make an informed decision.

DIY Electrolyte Drink

For a simple and cost-effective homemade electrolyte drink, you can follow this recipe:

Combine 4 cups of filtered water.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
Mix in 1/2 cup of 100% fruit juice (like orange or lemon) for potassium and flavor.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup for a touch of carbohydrates if needed for energy.
Stir until dissolved and enjoy.

Making the Best Choice for You

To select the best option, consider your goals. If you want natural minerals, opt for spring water like FIJI or Flow. For a clean, neutral taste, vapor-distilled options like Smartwater are ideal. For intense physical activity, a product with a higher electrolyte concentration, such as Nuun or LMNT, is often more appropriate. Always consider your overall diet and health needs when adding specialty beverages to your routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all bottled water is considered electrolyte water. While all water contains some trace minerals, only products with intentionally added or naturally concentrated electrolytes are typically labeled as such. Brands like Essentia, Smartwater, and FIJI are known for their electrolyte content, while many basic purified waters are not.

People who engage in intense, prolonged exercise (over 60 minutes), sweat heavily, or are recovering from illness involving vomiting or diarrhea can benefit from electrolyte water. For the average person with a balanced diet, plain water is generally sufficient.

Enhanced water is purified and then has minerals added back in by the manufacturer, like Smartwater. Natural spring water, like FIJI or Evian, gets its electrolyte content directly from the geology of the source it flows through.

Yes, many brands offer sugar-free options. Products like LMNT, Nuun Sport, and Propel have zero-calorie varieties, often using stevia or other artificial sweeteners. It's important to check the label, as some sugar-free options may cause digestive discomfort for certain individuals.

Essentia is marketed for its high alkaline pH and added electrolytes. While it's a popular option, there is no strong, medically-backed evidence that alkaline water hydrates better than regular water for the average, healthy person.

Yes, you can make a simple and cost-effective electrolyte drink at home. A common recipe involves mixing filtered water with a pinch of sea salt and a splash of fruit juice to replace essential minerals.

The most common electrolytes found in bottled water are sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These minerals are crucial for maintaining fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle function.