LMNT vs Ultima: My Honest Comparison After Testing Both for 6 Months
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I'll never forget the morning I nearly passed out during a conference call. Three cups of coffee, zero water, and my keto diet had me so depleted that my vision started tunneling while discussing Q3 projections.
That's when I knew I needed to get serious about electrolytes. Fast forward six months, and I've become that person who carries electrolyte packets everywhere, testing, comparing, and probably annoying my friends with sodium content discussions.
After extensively testing both LMNT and Ultima in every scenario imaginable (gym sessions, hangovers, 14-hour workdays, even a brutal stomach bug), I'm ready to share what actually matters when choosing between these two popular options.
Winner
LMNT delivers serious sodium (1,000mg) that prevents bonking during intense workouts, but at $1.50-$2.00 per packet with overwhelming saltiness and only 60mg magnesium, you're paying premium prices for an incomplete formula that tastes like flavored ocean water.
Ultima offers immediately accessible taste and gentle hydration perfect for daily sipping or sick kids, but the laughable 55mg sodium content leaves serious athletes bonking during century rides.
Bubs Naturals Hydrate or Die eliminates this impossible choice entirely. With 2,000mg of complete electrolytes, you get superior magnesium content that leaves LMNT's 60mg in the dust.
The natural flavoring delivers Ultima's immediate palatability without aggressive saltiness, and at $1.89 per serving, you're paying less than LMNT while getting more comprehensive mineral coverage.
NSF Certified for Sport and made in the USA, Bubs handles two-hour bike rides in Texas heat, casual daily hydration, kids' sports activities, and recovery equally well.
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What Is LMNT?
LMNT hit different from day one. Created by Robb Wolf (yes, the Paleo Solution guy), this isn't your typical sports drink powder trying to masquerade as healthy while loaded with sugar. It's essentially salt on steroids, and I mean that in the best way possible.
The first time I mixed a packet of LMNT Citrus Salt into my water bottle, I thought I'd made a mistake.
The saltiness hit like a wave, nothing like the sweet Gatorade I grew up with. But here's what hooked me: within 20 minutes of drinking it after a morning run, my usual post-workout brain fog completely vanished. No crash, no jitters, just clarity.
Each packet contains 1000mg sodium, 200mg potassium, and 60mg magnesium. Zero sugar, zero artificial sweeteners (they use stevia), and zero BS marketing claims.
They're transparent about being designed for people who actually need serious electrolyte replacement, athletes, keto dieters, folks doing intermittent fasting, or anyone who sweats more than average.
My LMNT review goes into detail about my experience taking these electrolytes.
Pros
- Exceptional sodium content (1,000mg) addresses actual depletion needs during workouts, eliminating the wall that typically hits at the 45-minute mark
- Diverse flavor variety including Citrus Salt (salted lemonade), Watermelon Salt (summer essence), Chocolate Salt (evening treat), and unflavored option for flexibility
- Superior convenience with virtually indestructible packets that survive gym bags, car consoles, and washing machines while mixing completely in seconds without grittiness.
Cons
- Premium pricing at $1.50-$2.00 per packet makes it significantly more expensive than competitors, often requiring rationing during tight budget periods
- High salt content can be overwhelming for non-depleted users or those unaccustomed to higher sodium intake, tasting like "ocean water someone tried to flavor"
- Insufficient magnesium at only 60mg per serving leaves gaps for those specifically targeting magnesium deficiency
What Is Ultima Electrolytes?
Ultima plays a completely different game. Where LMNT comes at you with a salt sledgehammer, Ultima whispers sweet nothings about balanced hydration.
I discovered it when a yoga instructor handed me a sample after a particularly sweaty hot yoga session, promising it would "restore my minerals gently."
The approach here is all about variety and balance. Each serving contains a blend of six electrolytes: calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.
But here's the kicker, only 55mg of sodium per serving. That's less than what's in a slice of bread.
They've been around since 1996, which in the supplement world makes them practically ancient.
The formula uses organic stevia leaf extract for sweetness, contains zero sugar, and they're proud of their clean label, no artificial anything.
My Ultima Electrolytes review goes into detail about my experience.
Pros
- Immediately accessible taste that appeals to children and adults alike. Raspberry tastes authentically like summer and Lemonade resembles the real thing
- Exceptionally gentle on stomach with ability to consume on empty stomach, during illness, or first thing in morning without digestive issues
- High versatility with mild flavor suitable for smoothies, adjustable strength mixing, homemade popsicles, and bulk canister options that reduce per-serving costs
Cons
- Inadequate sodium content (55mg) is insufficient for serious sweat replacement during intense activities like two-hour bike rides in summer heat
- Electrolyte ratios optimized for general wellness rather than athletic performance, making it inadequate for serious training demands
- Some flavors like Grape have artificial aftertaste resembling children's medicine despite natural flavoring claims
LMNT vs. Ultima Main Differences
After six months of testing both in every conceivable situation, the differences are stark. It's not just about which is "better", they're designed for completely different humans doing completely different things.
Sugar Content
Both score identical zeros here. No sugar, no calories, just electrolytes and flavor. But the sweetness profiles couldn't be more different.
LMNT uses just enough stevia to take the edge off the salt, while Ultima uses more to create that fruit juice vibe.
Neither triggered sugar cravings for me, though LMNT's saltiness actually seemed to curb them.
Sodium & Potassium Content
This is where they're playing different sports entirely. LMNT's 1000mg sodium vs Ultima's 55mg isn't just a difference, it's a philosophical divide.
LMNT believes modern dietary advice has made us all sodium-phobic to our detriment. Ultima thinks balance is key.
Potassium tells a similar story: LMNT at 200mg, Ultima at 250mg. Not a huge difference, but Ultima edges ahead here.
During a month where I was cramping frequently, I actually combined half packets of each to get the best of both worlds.
Other Electrolytes
Ultima's six-electrolyte blend looks impressive on paper. Calcium for muscle contractions, phosphorus for energy production, chloride for fluid balance.
But the amounts are modest, we're talking 65mg calcium, 70mg phosphorus. Nice to have? Sure. Game-changing? Not in my experience.
LMNT keeps it simple with just the big three. Their philosophy: nail the essentials at meaningful doses rather than sprinkle in everything at tiny amounts.
Taste
LMNT tastes like athletic performance. Salty, purposeful, slightly aggressive. After workouts, it tastes like salvation. On lazy Sundays, it can be a bit much.
Ultima tastes like a lifestyle choice. Light, refreshing, something you'd sip poolside. It never feels medicinal or utilitarian.
Convenience
Both come in packets, both mix easily, both travel well. But LMNT packets are slightly more robust, I've never had one break. Ultima packets occasionally split at the seams in my gym bag.
Ultima's bulk canisters are actually more convenient for daily home use. Scooping is faster than tearing packets, and you can adjust serving size easily.
Third Party Testing
LMNT doesn't third-party test, which surprised me given their premium pricing. They claim their manufacturing standards exceed requirements, but without independent verification, we're taking their word.
Ultima proudly displays their third-party testing results. Clean label project verified, NSF certified. For someone paranoid about supplement quality (guilty), this matters.
Best For
LMNT shines for serious athletes, keto dieters, intermittent fasters, and anyone who sweats buckets. If you're cramping during workouts or feeling that keto flu, LMNT is your answer.
Ultima works for daily hydration, gentle recovery, kids, elderly folks, or anyone with a sensitive stomach. It's hydration for humans, not just athletes.
Price
LMNT will hurt your wallet at $45-50 for 30 packets. I budget for it like I budget for good coffee, expensive but worth it for specific uses.
Ultima runs $20-30 for 30 servings in packets, or even cheaper in bulk. The canister option brings it down to about $0.30 per serving, making it sustainable for daily use.
Main Drawbacks
LMNT's aggression can backfire. Too much sodium when you don't need it leaves you bloated and constantly thirsty. I made this mistake during a rest week and felt like a water balloon.
Ultima's gentleness becomes weakness during real depletion. After that disastrous century ride, I keep LMNT in my bike kit even when I'm drinking Ultima regularly.
My Experience Taking LMNT & Ultima
Six months ago, I started this experiment skeptical that fancy salt water could really make a difference. Now I plan my electrolyte strategy like some people plan their coffee routine.
The first month was LMNT exclusive. Morning workouts became noticeably easier, that 5 AM sluggishness disappeared faster, and my afternoon energy crashes virtually vanished.
But I also learned that LMNT at night guarantees multiple bathroom trips. And drinking it without adequate plain water alongside left me feeling paradoxically dehydrated.
Month two introduced Ultima into the mix. Immediately, my digestion improved. Where LMNT sometimes sat heavy, Ultima felt like drinking enhanced water.
I started using it for general hydration throughout the day, saving LMNT for workouts and particularly draggy mornings.
The game-changer came month three when I started mixing them strategically. Half packet of LMNT plus half packet of Ultima created my perfect blend, enough sodium to matter, enough variety to cover bases, and a taste that didn't assault my palate.
My running times improved (whether from better hydration or placebo, who cares?), and those tension headaches I'd blamed on stress? Gone.
But the real test came during a stomach bug in month four. LMNT was absolutely out of the question, one sip sent me running back to the bathroom.
Ultima, but, stayed down and probably saved me from an ER visit for dehydration. That experience alone justified keeping both in my arsenal.
Now, my routine is dialed: LMNT before and after intense exercise or on keto days. Ultima for daily hydration, travel, and recovery.
Both mixed together for long outdoor activities or when I'm speaking at conferences (vocal cords need hydration too).
Should You Take LMNT or Ultima Electrolytes
LMNT delivers serious sodium (1,000mg) that genuinely prevents bonking during intense workouts and keeps you strong through the 45-minute wall.
Ultima offers the opposite experience: immediately accessible taste that even kids enjoy, gentle enough for empty stomachs and sick days, with versatile mild flavoring perfect for smoothies or popsicles.
However, the 55mg sodium content is almost laughable for serious athletes.
Bubs Naturals Hydrate or Die delivers 2,000mg of total electrolytes with 650mg of sodium.
More than adequate for serious sweat replacement without LMNT's ocean water intensity or Ultima's inadequate 55mg.
You get complete mineral coverage including superior magnesium that addresses the cramping and recovery needs LMNT's 60mg barely touches, plus balanced potassium and chloride that both competitors shortchange.
At $1.89 per serving, you're paying less than LMNT's $2.00 while getting more comprehensive electrolyte coverage and significantly more functionality than Ultima's wellness-focused formula.
NSF Certified for Sport and made entirely in the USA, Bubs handles the two-hour Texas bike rides where Ultima fails spectacularly, provides gentle daily hydration without LMNT's bloating on rest days, works for kids' sports without overwhelming saltiness, and delivers complete recovery support that LMNT's minimal magnesium can't match.