Liquid IV vs Drip Drop: Which Hydration Drink Is Better?

Do you make hydration a priority each day? Since up to 60% of the human body is made of water, it’s essential that we’re taking in enough fluid each day. This helps support various bodily processes and allows us to feel our best. However, did you know that hydration isn’t as simple as just drinking water? There is a delicate balance of electrolytes that you need to be attentive to.

Two products that can help replace electrolytes and keep you amply hydrated are Drip Drop and Liquid IV. Which one of these hydration drinks is better? Let’s take a look at the details of each.

The Hot Takes

All About Liquid I.V.

Liquid I.V. has been out for a while. It was originally created in 2012 and has since gained a lot of popularity among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, people with health issues and more. Conveniently packaged in single-serve packets, Liquid I.V. is super simple to take on-the-go with you. You simply open up a packet and add the contents to a bottle of water. The formula contains essential electrolytes as well as B vitamins.

What’s In the Formula?

I like the formula that Liquid I.V. uses because they also include some essential nutrients in their blend. This includes vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12, along with vitamin C, sodium and potassium. The end result is a beverage that contains just 45 calories, 500 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of carbohydrates.

Liquid I.V. comes in a variety of flavors, including pear, seaberry, golden cherry, concord grape and acai berry. I also like keeping the unflavored variety around.

What Was My Experience Like?

I’ve used Liquid I.V. for many years to treat my autonomic dysfunction issues. Having dysautonomia makes it very hard for me to stay hydrated and feel my best. I pay close attention to my electrolyte balance and water intake each day. Liquid I.V. has always made it very easy for me to stay hydrated, even on very hot days or days when I’m not feeling well.

The taste of Liquid I.V. is very mild. If I’m really not feeling well, the unflavored variety is perfect for getting fluids into my body without making me feel nauseated. We keep this product around for when my kids get sick. My husband also uses it after hard workouts or a long day outside in the heat.

What I Like

• This is a great formula of ingredients that includes everything you need.
• There is a low-sugar option available as well as a sugar-free variety.
• There’s a large variety of flavors.
• Liquid I.V. helps me stay hydrated.

What I Don’t Like

• I wish stevia wasn’t used in all the formulas.
• Some of the flavors aren’t really to my liking.

Cost and Purchase Options

You can purchase Liquid I.V. on the brand’s website (https://www.liquid-iv.com/), but these products are also widely available in retail stores and other online sites.

The price will vary based on the product that you choose, but as an example, the basic unflavored Hydration Multiplier product costs $24.99 for a pack of 16 packets.

All About Drip Drop

Containing three times the electrolytes that are in a typical sports drink and half the amount of sugar, Drip Drop is a healthy option for improving your hydration. It comes in a large variety of flavors and is free of artificial preservatives. I like it because it’s free of many of the major allergens. Drip Drop is also vegan and kosher-friendly.

Drop Drop recommends that their product be used for things like exercise, heat exposure, illness, wellness, travel and sleep. I’ve used it in a pinch to ensure I stay hydrated when not feeling well.

What’s in the Formula?

Drip Drop uses a patented ORS formula that is designed to activate your body's sodium-glucose system to improve hydration and electrolyte levels. Included are the basic electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium and magnesium. Also added are vitamin C and zinc. This product can be a good immune boost if you’re not feeling very well.

There are a few different options available from Drip Drop, including a zero-sugar formula. Unfortunately, the brand uses sucralose to sweeten their products. This is much different than the natural ingredients that Liquid I.V. utilizes.

What Was My Experience Like?

I like the formula that Drip Drop uses. I’ve used this product on occasion with good results. The only thing that I don’t like about it is the sucralose. I don’t tolerate artificial sweeteners very well, so that ingredient can do more harm than good in my situation. Some people may not be affected by this. There are some people who require a completely sugar-free option.

What I Like

• If you need something that contains zero sugar, this is a good product option.
• There are a lot of flavors available.

What I Don’t Like

• The price of Drip Drop is a little higher than that of other electrolyte products.
• I don’t like that they’ve used sucralose as an artificial sweetener.

Cost and Purchase Options

As I mentioned, Drip Drop is a little more expensive than other similar products.

A bag of 32 packets of Drip Drop (available in various flavors) costs $35.99 for a one-time purchase. There is a subscription service available, which saves you 25% on the products you select.

Comparison Section Between Drip Drop and Liquid I.V.

Comparing Formulas

Drip Drop is an electrolyte product that is similar to Liquid I.V., but with some key differences. For example, magnesium is included in Drip Drop. This isn’t in Liquid I.V. Drip Drop uses sucralose as an artificial sweetener instead of the more natural stevia sweetener option that Liquid I.V. contains.

Comparing Taste

I think the tastes of these two product brands are quite different. Drip Drop has a much stronger flavor, regardless of which variety you choose. However, there’s a bit of an aftertaste that you’ll notice. I think that comes from the sucralose, as I’ve experienced that aftertaste with other products that contain that artificial sweetener.

I like the milder taste of Liquid I.V. as well as their unflavored option. Liquid I.V. has a much more natural taste to it. Some of my favorites include acai berry and pear.

Comparing Results

For me personally and what I’m using electrolyte powders for, I’ve found Liquid I.V. to be more effective. It contains the right ingredients to help keep you hydrated. I like its simple formula and natural ingredients. When I’m not feeling well or I want to make sure I’m staying hydrated all day long, I don’t want to be putting a bunch of artificial ingredients into my body. That’s going to do more harm than good.

While Drip Drop can help improve hydration, its formula isn’t something that I really prefer over other options.

What are the Main Differences Between Liquid I.V. vs. Drip Drop?

One of the main differences between Liquid I.V. and Drip Drop is their formulas. As I’ve mentioned previously, Drip Drop contains magnesium, which Liquid I.V. does not. Also, there is an artificial sweetener in Drip Drop.

The flavor choices are a bit different for these two products as well. Liquid I.V. has more natural options like pear, acai berry, concord grape and golden cherry. Drip Drop offers flavors such as bold variety, juicy variety, tropical variety and fruit punch.

Another main difference between Liquid I.V. and Drip Drop is their price points. Liquid I.V. offers some opportunities to save on their products, including the option to pick your own bundle of products at a discounted price. However, Drip Drop does offer a subscription service with a 25% discount.

Final Thoughts

No matter what you’re doing, whether it be working out or spending a day in the hot sun, hydration is incredibly important. When our bodies are not properly hydrated, we can feel fatigued, experience headaches and even deal with nausea. Replacing lost fluids is key, but you want to make sure that you are also supplementing with a healthy balance of electrolytes.

Both Liquid I.V. and Drip Drop can help you replenish your electrolytes so that you’re better hydrated. I personally like Liquid I.V. more because of its ingredient profile, but you can make your own decision.

My Recommendations

I recommend that you try both of these products, if money allows. You’ll be able to see which one helps you feel your best. If you need to try one over the other, I recommend that you start with Liquid I.V. It’s a product that you can find in retail stores and grocery stores, as well as online. It’s a very popular item that many doctors and practitioners recommend for a variety of issues. I know that I always have Liquid I.V. on hand in my own home.