Waterboy vs. LMNT: I Tested Both for 60 Days (Here's What Actually Happened)
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I'll be honest, I never thought I'd become the person who analyzes their electrolyte intake like it's a stock portfolio.
But after cramping up during a half-marathon last spring (mile 11, in front of the cheering section, naturally), I dove headfirst into the world of hydration supplements.
So I did what any reasonable person would do: I spent two months alternating between them, tracking everything from my 5 AM workout performance to my 3 PM energy crashes.
Winner
After two months of testing both Waterboy and LMNT, here's what became clear: you're forced to compromise either way.
LMNT delivers aggressive sodium for serious athletes but leaves you supplementing magnesium separately and choking down ocean-flavored drinks.
Waterboy tastes better and includes helpful extras like L-theanine, but at $1.97 per packet with inconsistent flavors, you're paying premium prices for a formula that still isn't complete. Both have merit, but neither nails the complete package.
Bubs Naturals Hydrate or Die eliminates these compromises entirely.
You get 2,000mg of total electrolytes, more than either competitor, with proper magnesium content (no separate supplementation needed), complete mineral coverage including chloride, and natural flavoring that actually tastes good without the aggressive saltiness of LMNT or flavor inconsistency of Waterboy.
At $1.89 per serving, it costs less than Waterboy while outperforming both on electrolyte content and absorption science.
It's also NSF Certified for Sport and made in the USA,
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What Is Waterboy Hydration?
Waterboy burst onto the scene in 2021 with a pretty bold claim: they'd created the "weekend recovery drink" for everyone from CrossFitters to, well, actual weekend warriors nursing hangovers.
Founded by a group of former college athletes who were tired of sugary sports drinks, Waterboy positions itself as the hydration supplement for people who play hard, in every sense.
Their formula packs 3,234mg of electrolytes per serving, with a heavy emphasis on sodium (1,134mg) and potassium (504mg).
But here's what caught my attention: they include L-theanine and organic ginger extract, which supposedly helps with both mental clarity and stomach settling.
After testing it during some particularly brutal Texas summer runs, I can confirm the ginger addition isn't just marketing fluff.
You can read my Waterboy Hydration review for my experience taking these electrolytes.
Pros
- Impressive flavor variety with authentic taste. Lemon Lime uses actual citrus flavors instead of artificial alternatives, and Strawberry Lemonade provides tart refreshment without cloying sweetness
- Complete dissolution with zero gritty texture, floating particles, or chalky residue that plagues other supplement drinks
- Effective weekend recovery formula. Noticeable improvement in hangover symptoms when taken before bed and with breakfast after heavy drinking
Cons
- Expensive at $1.97 per packet in bulk, making daily use cost-prohibitive and leading to rationing that defeats consistent hydration goals
- Inconsistent flavor quality. Fruit Punch tastes artificial and unpleasant compared to better flavors
- L-theanine inclusion can cause unwanted mellow feeling when energy is needed for workouts, despite being marketed as a benefit
What Is LMNT?
LMNT (pronounced "element") emerged from the minds of Robb Wolf and the folks at Ketogains, specifically targeting people following low-carb diets who struggle with the infamous "keto flu."
But don't let that niche origin story fool you, this stuff has become the unofficial drink of everyone from Navy SEALs to yoga instructors.
Each packet delivers a whopping 1,000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium.
No sugar, no artificial ingredients, no BS. It's electrolytes in their most stripped-down, utilitarian form. Think of it as the black coffee of hydration drinks.
You can read my LMNT review for my experience taking these electrolytes.
Pros
- High sodium content (1,000mg) is ideal for heavy sweaters during intense workouts. Noticeable endurance improvement around the 90-minute mark of long training sessions
- Zero sugar formula prevents afternoon energy crashes and maintains stable blood sugar levels throughout the day
- Raw Unflavored option offers versatility for mixing into bone broth, smoothies, and other beverages without altering their taste
Cons
- Aggressively salty taste requires significant adjustment period. Initial flavors like Citrus Salt can be shocking compared to traditional sports drinks
- Low magnesium content (60mg) falls short compared to competitors, requiring separate supplementation for adequate muscle recovery and sleep support
Waterboy vs. LMNT Main Differences
After two months of alternating between these two, the differences became crystal clear, sometimes literally, when comparing how they mixed in water.
Sugar Content
LMNT contains zero sugar, zero calories, zero compromise on that front. Waterboy includes 1 gram of cane sugar per serving.
That single gram sparked more internal debate than I care to admit. The Waterboy defenders argue it helps with absorption (sodium-glucose co-transport is real science).
The LMNT purists say any sugar defeats the purpose. Personally? That 1 gram in Waterboy made it infinitely more palatable during casual use, but I preferred LMNT's zero-sugar approach during fasted workouts.
Sodium & Potassium Content
Waterboy delivers 1,134mg of sodium and 504mg of potassium. LMNT counters with 1,000mg of sodium but only 200mg of potassium.
The potassium difference matters more than you'd think. After leg day, Waterboy's higher potassium content noticeably reduced my usual next-day hobbling.
But LMNT's sodium ratio felt better for pure sweat replacement during cardio.
Taste
Waterboy wins on approachability, it tastes like a lighter version of traditional sports drinks.
My girlfriend actually steals my Waterboy packets but won't touch LMNT. LMNT tastes like the ocean's younger, fruitier cousin.
It's an acquired taste that I genuinely grew to crave, especially the Raspberry Salt.
Convenience
Both come in identical stick packs that fit in your pocket, gym bag, or that weird car console compartment that holds nothing useful.
But LMNT's packets feel slightly sturdier, I've had two Waterboy packets burst in my backpack, leaving me with expensive, salty confetti.
Third Party Testing
LMNT provides third-party testing results right on their website, showing exactly what's in each batch.
Waterboy mentions quality control but doesn't provide the same transparent testing documentation. For the paranoid supplement user (guilty), LMNT's openness matters.
Best For
Waterboy excels for: casual athletes, hangover recovery, people transitioning from sugary sports drinks, anyone who prioritizes taste.
LMNT dominates for: keto/low-carb dieters, endurance athletes, heavy sweaters, fasted training, people who want maximum sodium without sugar.
Price
Waterboy runs $1.97 per packet (30-count box). LMNT costs $1.50 per packet (30-count box).
That 47-cent difference adds up if you're using them daily. Over a month, you're looking at an extra $14 for Waterboy, basically the cost of 9 more LMNT packets.
Main Drawbacks
Waterboy's main weakness: the price and that hint of sugar that makes it unsuitable for strict keto or fasted states.
LMNT's Achilles heel: the aggressive saltiness that makes newcomers recoil and the low magnesium content that feels like a missed opportunity.
My Experience With LMNT & Waterboy Hydration
Week one with LMNT nearly ended my experiment. I mixed my first Citrus Salt packet with 16 ounces of water (their recommended amount) and literally spit it out.
It tasted like I'd filtered seawater through a lemon. But I'm stubborn, so I diluted it to 24 ounces and forced myself through it. By day three, something weird happened, I started craving it.
My morning runs felt different on LMNT. Usually, I hit a wall around mile 4 where my legs feel like they're moving through molasses.
With LMNT 30 minutes before running, that wall moved to mile 6. My Garmin data backed this up, my average pace improved by 15 seconds per mile over the month.
Switching to Waterboy felt like cheating on a strict diet with something actually enjoyable. The Strawberry Lemonade tasted good enough that I'd drink it recreationally.
But here's where it got interesting: Waterboy worked better for my afternoon energy than LMNT.
That small amount of sugar plus L-theanine created this smooth, sustained focus that got me through work without the jittery feeling from my usual third cup of coffee.
The real test came during a particularly brutal weekend: Saturday's CrossFit competition followed by Sunday's bachelor party.
I used LMNT during the competition (fasted state, maximum performance needed) and Waterboy for the Sunday recovery. Both delivered exactly what I needed when I needed it.
My wife started stealing my Waterboy packets for her barre classes, claiming they didn't make her feel "too intense" like LMNT did.
Meanwhile, my running buddy became an LMNT evangelist after trying it during our long runs, ordering three boxes before finishing his sample pack.
Should You Take LMNT or Waterboy?
LMNT delivers serious sodium for performance but tastes like seawater and leaves you buying separate magnesium supplements.
Waterboy tastes better and includes helpful additions like L-theanine, but at $1.97 per packet with hit-or-miss flavors, you're overpaying for an incomplete formula.
Stop compromising on your hydration. Bubs Naturals Hydrate or Die delivers 2,000mg of complete electrolytes with proper magnesium dosing that eliminates the need for separate supplementation.
You get the high sodium content serious athletes demand, adequate potassium for cramping prevention, and complete chloride coverage in scientifically-backed ratios that both competitors fail to match.
At $1.89 per serving, Bubs costs less than Waterboy while outperforming both brands on every metric that matters: electrolyte content, absorption science, mineral balance, and taste.
The natural flavoring delivers palatability without LMNT's aggressive saltiness or Waterboy's inconsistent quality.
NSF Certified for Sport and made entirely in the USA with domestically-sourced ingredients, Bubs provides the transparency and quality standards you deserve.
The glucose-electrolyte blend optimizes absorption faster than plain electrolyte mixes, giving you the performance benefits of proper hydration science without excessive sugar.
Spending $1.89 per serving on a complete formula beats spending $1.50-$1.97 on incomplete products that require additional supplementation.
Over a month of daily use, you're looking at roughly $57 for Bubs versus $45-$59 for LMNT or Waterboy.
Plus whatever you're spending on separate magnesium or additional electrolytes to fill the gaps.
If you're serious about performance, recovery, and feeling properly hydrated for the first time, stop settling for formulas that almost get it right.
Bubs Naturals Hydrate or Die is what happens when a hydration supplement prioritizes science over marketing and delivers complete mineral coverage without compromise.