The verdict, first
Nuun edges this one — 54/100 to Liquid I.V.’s 51 — mostly on sugar and price. Nuun Sport is a light effervescent tablet with 300 mg sodium and about 1 g of sugar at $0.75 a serving. Liquid I.V.’s Hydration Multiplier carries more sodium (510 mg) but leans on 11 g of added sugar and costs twice as much per serving. For everyday sipping, Nuun does the job with far less sugar and half the cost.
Liquid I.V.’s case is real, though: the higher sodium and the glucose co-transport from that sugar make it a faster, more aggressive rehydrator after real fluid loss, and many people prefer its sweeter taste. If you want a bigger sodium hit and don’t mind the sugar, it’s the stronger rehydration tool. If you want light, cheap, low-sugar hydration, Nuun wins.
The comparison table
| What we checked | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.00 / 16 sticks | $7.49 / 10 tablets |
| Cost per serving | $1.50 | $0.75 |
| Sodium | 510 mg | 300 mg |
| Potassium | 380 mg | 150 mg |
| Magnesium | — | 25 mg |
| Added sugar | 11 g | ~1 g |
| Format | Powder stick | Effervescent tablet |
| Amounts disclosed | All electrolytes stated | All electrolytes stated |
| Relationship to this site | None — no affiliate relationship | None — no affiliate relationship |
| Our score | 51/100 — full review | 54/100 — full review |
| Facts checked | 2026-07 | 2026-07 |
Spot a change on either label? Tell us and we’ll re-verify on the record.
The sugar divide
This is the line that separates them: Liquid I.V. carries 11 g of added sugar per serving, Nuun about 1 g. Liquid I.V.’s sugar isn’t pointless — glucose helps pull sodium and water across the gut wall, the co-transport principle behind oral rehydration. But 11 g is roughly three teaspoons, and across two or three servings a day it adds up for anyone watching carbs or blood sugar.
Nuun keeps sugar minimal, which makes it lighter and easier to drink all day, at the cost of that co-transport boost. Neither hides its numbers — both fully disclose — so the choice is about how much sugar you want in the glass.
Cost and format
Nuun is half the price per serving ($0.75 vs $1.50) and comes as portable tablets that drop into any bottle. Liquid I.V.’s single-serve sticks are convenient too, but pricier and messier. For daily, low-stakes hydration the math and the format both favor Nuun; for a bigger sodium dose after real fluid loss, Liquid I.V. earns its price.
Which one fits you
Liquid I.V. makes more sense if…
- You want more sodium (510 mg) and the glucose co-transport rehydration effect
- You prefer a sweeter taste and the sugar fits your diet
- You’re rehydrating after real fluid loss, not just sipping through the day
Nuun Sport makes more sense if…
- You want minimal sugar (~1 g) for light, everyday hydration
- Portability and a $0.75-a-serving price matter
- You like a lighter, less sweet effervescent tablet
Where to find them
Both links are plain Google searches — we have no affiliate relationship with either brand on this page and earn nothing from these buttons. Prices carry the date we checked them and change often.
Frequently asked questions
Which has more sugar, Liquid I.V. or Nuun?
Liquid I.V., by a wide margin — 11 g of added sugar per serving versus about 1 g in Nuun. Liquid I.V.’s sugar aids water absorption but is roughly three teaspoons per glass.
Which is cheaper?
Nuun, at $0.75 a serving versus Liquid I.V.’s $1.50 — half the cost, and in a more portable tablet.
Which scored higher?
Nuun, 54/100, just ahead of Liquid I.V. at 51 — mostly on the sugar load and cost. Both disclose their electrolyte amounts.
Which rehydrates faster?
Liquid I.V. leans on more sodium and glucose co-transport for aggressive rehydration after fluid loss. Nuun is lighter and better suited to steady daily sipping.
Sources
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier — Supplement Facts (510 mg sodium, 380 mg potassium, 11 g added sugar). Checked July 2026.
- Nuun Sport — Supplement Facts (300 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, 25 mg magnesium, ~1 g sugar). Checked July 2026.
- The Ingredient Report — Liquid I.V. review, 51/100 (facts checked July 2026).
- The Ingredient Report — Nuun Sport review, 54/100 (facts checked July 2026).
- 2026-07-19 — Page published. Both labels verified this date.
This comparison is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Medical disclaimer.