Prime vs Liquid I.V. – What’s the Better Hydration Drink?

It’s amazing how differently you feel when you increase the amount of water that you drink each day. I recently decided I was going to attempt to increase my water intake to about 80 ounces per day. This is slightly more than I’m used to drinking. In addition to adding in more fluids, I also wanted to make sure I was consuming enough electrolytes. This helps ensure hydration and keeps your cells functioning optimally.

Instead of turning to high-sugar sports drinks, I wanted to use something a bit healthier. I’ve been using Liquid I.V. for a number of years now, so I decided to compare this product to the newly popular Prime.

Let’s see how they compare before deciding what the better option is.

The HOT Takes!

What Exactly Is Liquid I.V.?

Since coming out in 2012, Liquid I.V. has focused on a clean, simple electrolyte powder that is much healthier than sugary sports drinks. With convenience and health in mind, Liquid I.V. can be taken on the go wherever you are. It’s simple to open up a single serving packet and pour it into a bottle of water. It’s great for active lifestyles and even when you’re not feeling well. It replaces all of those electrolytes that are essential for optimal health, along with added nutrients like B vitamins.

What’s In the Formula?

Liquid I.V. is a bit different from other electrolyte beverages in that it utilizes a mixture of electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) along with sugar, stevia, vitamin C and the B vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12. Each packet of Liquid I.V. should be added to about 16 ounces of water to result in a beverage that contains 45 calories, 500 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of carbohydrates. Liquid I.V. offers a number of different flavor options, and you may find that the nutritional information varies a bit from one to the next.

My Experience: How Did I Like Liquid I.V.?

I personally love Liquid I.V. for a number of reasons. It’s a product that I’ve kept around for many years after my doctor diagnosed me with dysautonomia. I was told that staying hydrated and keeping my electrolytes balanced are incredibly important. It’s something I pay close attention to on a daily basis. When I’ve been busy, I’ve overexerted myself or I’m feeling under the weather, it’s even more important for me to make hydration a priority.

I started out years ago drinking some of the more old-school sports drinks. I wasn’t aware of different products that contained less sugar and fewer artificial ingredients. I was thrilled to come upon Liquid I.V. It honestly includes everything that I’m looking for, including B vitamins for a boost of energy.

I have a few different favorite versions of Liquid I.V. Their standard hydration multiplier is something I always have in the house. We all share that bag, including my kids when they’re sick and my husband when he’s been working outside in the heat all day. Otherwise, I like to drink flavors like passion fruit and tropical punch. I’ve tried almost all of the Liquid I.V. flavors, and I can honestly say that none of them are too sweet or unpleasant.

What Exactly Is Prime Hydration Drink?

Created by YouTube professionals Logan Paul and KSI, Prime was released in January 2022. It became popular incredibly quickly because of the internet backing that the creators have, but I’m honestly not impressed by it. It contains a lot of artificial ingredients. I know that the kids love it, but Liquid I.V. is by far the healthier choice for hydration.

What’s In the Formula?

Prime contains ingredients such as coconut water, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A and E. Unfortunately, Prime also contains non-organic natural flavors and sucralose as its sweetener. There is also Prime Energy which contains caffeine.

My Experience: How Did I Like Prime?

When I first took a sip of Prime, I noticed that it was very sweet. Because of the sucralose, there was an aftertaste that I wasn’t a fan of. Also, the coconut water tastes a bit odd mixed with the “natural flavors” that are in the formula. I get why kids like it. It’s similar to Gatorade, but has a trendy marketing concept behind it. However, if I’m looking for a product that I actually trust to help me stay hydrated, I’m going to choose something like Liquid I.V.

I tend to stay away from energy-type drinks that have loads of caffeine added to them, so I haven’t tried Prime Energy.

Comparison Section Between Prime vs. Liquid I.V.

Are you still wondering how the two of these drinks compare? Let’s take a look at Prime versus Liquid I.V.

Comparing Formulas

Both Prime and Liquid I.V. are hydration drinks that contain electrolytes. Liquid I.V. provides electrolytes by simply adding them into the formula. Prime also has added electrolytes, but their formula also contains coconut water. Coconut water naturally has electrolytes in it.

Liquid I.V. has added B vitamins, while Prime does not.

I like that Liquid I.V. has used stevia as a more natural way to sweeten their product, whereas Prime uses sucralose. This isn’t a very healthy option, as sucralose can cause all kinds of GI issues, headaches, etc.

Liquid I.V. has over double the number of carbohydrates that Prime has. Also, Liquid I.V. has 50 calories per serving. Prime has about 25 calories per serving.

Comparing Taste

The taste of these two products doesn’t really compare to one another, and aside from what’s in the formulas, this is what stands out the most in my opinion. I like that Liquid I.V. has a very subtle and natural flavor, regardless of which flavor option you choose. Prime is very sweet with an odd aftertaste.

I like the different flavors that are available from Liquid I.V. I recommend that you purchase the variety pack if you want to try a few different options before deciding what your favorite is.

Comparing Results

As I mentioned, Liquid I.V. is a product that I have in my house all the time. I keep it around because I know that it works. I don’t drink it on a daily basis, but I know that if I’m in need of some extra assistance with hydration, Liquid I.V. is going to get the job done. I don’t want to add a bunch of artificial ingredients to my body, thinking that I’m going to thrive and feel my best.

Liquid I.V. is one of those products that you can use day-to-day, but it’s something I consider essential in a medicine cabinet. When someone in our house goes down with a stomach bug or the flu, drinking Liquid I.V. is something that can potentially keep us out of urgent care or the doctor’s office.

Comparing Price

The price of Liquid I.V. varies a little bit based on the quantity of packets you’re buying and the flavor. However, the unflavored Hydration Multiplier bag of 16 packets is currently $24.99. You can build your own bundle, which saves you a few dollars and provides you with different products.

What Are the Main Differences Between Liquid I.V. and Prime?

The ingredients are very different when you compare the labels of Liquid I.V. and Prime. While taste is something that you’ll have to judge for yourself, I think the quality of ingredients that a company chooses to use really reflects how reputable of a company they are. There was a time when artificial sweeteners were popular because there weren’t a lot of natural alternatives out there. Nowadays, we have things like stevia, which can be a much healthier option than sucralose.

Prime stands out as a highly marketed hydration drink that is simply a selling product because of who its creators are. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option out there. I will continue to use Liquid I.V. in my own household.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Increasing your hydration is always something that you can do to benefit your health and wellbeing. Properly hydrating with a balance of electrolytes can help us feel more energized; it can help with recovery after working out; and it even boosts our mental health. It’s just important that you’re using the right products to obtain optimal hydration.

I recommend that you check out Liquid I.V. There are a lot of different flavors and options to choose from, so it might be wise to choose a variety pack or put together a bundle. Liquid I.V. often runs promotions that help reduce the cost of your purchase, so check out their website for more information.