Two Ways to Hydrate. Very Different Labels.
Liquid I.V. is the electrolyte mix most people already have in their pantry. But each stick only carries half the sodium of one scoop of Mike's Electrolytes — so matching the actual dose takes two sticks, not one. Once you compare apples to apples, the price story changes. We broke down exactly what's in each one — ingredients, doses, and price — so you can see what you're actually choosing between.
Best For
Anyone who wants a full 1,000mg sodium dose, plus creatine, in one scoop — and doesn't want to pay for two sticks of something else to get there.
Best For
Anyone who's fine with a lighter 500mg sodium dose per stick, doesn't mind added sugar, and is getting creatine from somewhere else.
Mike's Electrolytes vs. Liquid I.V., Side by Side
| Mike's Electrolytes | Liquid I.V. | |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium (per serving) | 1,000 mg | 500 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg | 370 mg |
| Creatine Monohydrate | 5,000 mg | Not included |
| Servings to match 1,000mg sodium | 1 scoop | 2 sticks |
| Added Sugar, dose-matched | 0 g | 22 g |
| Calories, dose-matched | 10 | 90 |
| Price / day, one-time, dose-matched | $1.97 | $3.50 |
| Price / day, subscribed, dose-matched | $1.63 | $2.44 |
| Vitamin C | Not included | 73 mg / stick |
| Third-party tested | Yes — COA public | Yes |
Raw per-stick price: Liquid I.V. is $1.75 one-time / $1.22 subscribed for 500mg sodium. "Dose-matched" above means 2 sticks, to equal the 1,000mg sodium in one scoop of Mike's Electrolytes — which also means 2x the sugar and calories shown here.
What 11g of Sugar and No Creatine Actually Means
Liquid I.V.'s original Hydration Multiplier carries 11 grams of added sugar per stick — cane sugar and dextrose, specifically — and contains no creatine at all. Mike's Electrolytes carries zero grams of added sugar and a full 5,000mg clinical dose of creatine monohydrate in every scoop.
If you're reaching for an electrolyte mix daily rather than only after intense exercise, that 11g of added sugar adds up fast — and it's sugar with no functional purpose beyond taste. Creatine, on the other hand, is one of the most well-studied supplements for muscle strength, recovery, and cognitive performance. Liquid I.V. drinkers get none of it unless they buy a separate product.
If daily added sugar or getting creatine from a second product matters to you, Mike's Electrolytes addresses both. Liquid I.V. addresses neither.
What's Actually in Each Scoop
Mike's Electrolytes
- Sodium1,000 mg
- Potassium200 mg
- Creatine Monohydrate5,000 mg
- Added Sugar0 g
Liquid I.V.
- Sodium1,000 mg
- Potassium740 mg
- Vitamin C146mg (2 sticks)
- B3 / B5 / B6 / B122x label dose
- Added Sugar (Cane Sugar + Dextrose)22 g
Matching Liquid I.V.'s sodium to what's in one scoop of Mike's Electrolytes takes 2 sticks — which also means double the sugar, double the calories, and still no creatine. Liquid I.V. does come out ahead on potassium even at that dose.
Cheaper Per Stick, Not Cheaper Per Dose
Look at the shelf price alone and Liquid I.V. wins: $1.75/day one-time or $1.22/day subscribed, versus $1.97 and $1.63 for Mike's Electrolytes. But that's comparing a half-dose to a full dose. Liquid I.V. only carries 500mg of sodium per stick — to actually match the 1,000mg in one scoop of Mike's Electrolytes, you need two sticks a day.
Once you price it that way, it's $3.50/day one-time or $2.44/day subscribed for Liquid I.V. — and you still haven't gotten any creatine, and you've now taken on 22g of added sugar instead of 11g. Mike's Electrolytes stays at $1.97 and $1.63 for the same sodium dose, with creatine included and zero sugar.
Per stick, Liquid I.V. is cheaper. Per matched sodium dose — the number that actually matters — Mike's Electrolytes costs less, at both one-time and subscription pricing, and throws in a full creatine dose Liquid I.V. doesn't offer at any price.
Different Products, Different Priorities
Liquid I.V. built a product for fast, cheap, widely available hydration at a lighter dose — and it delivers exactly that. Mike's Electrolytes was built by two guys who relied on a full sodium dose and recovery basics under real physical demand, and priced it around matching that dose properly, not stretching it across more servings.
- Match the actual sodium dose, and Mike's Electrolytes costs less than Liquid I.V. at both one-time and subscription pricing — with a full creatine dose included.
- Liquid I.V. is cheaper only if you're comparing half-doses, and it still has no creatine and more sugar at the matched dose.
- Liquid I.V. does edge out potassium, even dose-matched — worth knowing if that's your priority.
Mike's Electrolytes
Citrus flavored. 30-day supply.
Hydration and performance formula.
Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee.
A Few More Places to Look
The Science
What sodium, potassium, and creatine monohydrate do — and why the doses matter.
Electrolytes & Creatine Benefits →Is It Worth It?
See the ingredient-by-ingredient cost breakdown against standalone products.
Price by Ingredient →Why We Built This
Joe Linares and Mike Glover, and why Longevity Farms and Mike Glover built this together.
Why Mike's Electrolytes →Ready to Try It?
See serving options and subscribe.
Shop Mike's Electrolytes →Liquid I.V. formula, doses, and pricing: liquid-iv.com (checked August 2026). Mike's Electrolytes formula and pricing: Longevity Farms Supplement Facts label.
Product formulations, pricing, and other competitor information are based on publicly available information as of August 2026 and may change. Longevity Farms is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Liquid I.V. or Unilever. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.