Pedialyte and LMNT both replace electrolytes, but they’re formulated differently. This comparison looks at Pedialyte Classic liquid—also sold under the name Essential Rehydration—and LMNT Original drink mix, not other versions of either brand.
Sodium, potassium, and magnesium
A 1-liter bottle of Pedialyte Classic lists 1,030 mg sodium and 780 mg potassium; it doesn’t list magnesium. One LMNT stick pack provides 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium.
Those numbers are for different amounts of drink: Pedialyte is ready to drink by the liter, while LMNT’s electrolyte amounts are per packet, and its concentration depends on how much water you add. Overall, Pedialyte provides more potassium per liter; LMNT adds magnesium and delivers its sodium in a packet.
Sugar and calories
Pedialyte Classic has 25 g of sugar and 110 calories per liter. LMNT has 0 g of sugar and 5 calories per stick pack. That makes LMNT the lower-sugar option, while Pedialyte’s glucose is part of its electrolyte formula.
Ingredients and sweeteners
Pedialyte Classic’s base includes water, dextrose, sodium and potassium salts, citric acid, and zinc gluconate. Flavored versions may also include flavorings and sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium; check the specific bottle’s label, since ingredients vary by flavor.
LMNT’s flavored mixes use sodium chloride, magnesium malate, potassium chloride, acids, natural flavors, and stevia leaf extract. Its unflavored option leaves out the flavoring and stevia.
Taste and flavor
Pedialyte offers familiar fruit flavors and a sweeter profile from its glucose. LMNT’s flavored packets are more salt-forward and tart, with sweetness from stevia. Taste is personal, but if you dislike salty drinks or stevia’s flavor, that difference may matter more than the flavor names.
Price and cost per serving
At the prices checked, LMNT’s official site listed a 30-pack for $45, or $1.50 per stick. Walmart listed a 1-liter bottle of Pedialyte Classic for $5.44.
These aren’t equal serving sizes: one is a ready-to-drink liter, the other a packet mixed with water. The LMNT price is lower per packet, but your cost per liter depends on how much water you use. Prices and availability vary by retailer.
Hydration effectiveness
For mild to moderate dehydration associated with fluid loss, Pedialyte is formulated as an oral rehydration solution with both glucose and electrolytes. Glucose and sodium work together in the intestine to support fluid absorption, a mechanism studied in oral rehydration solutions.
LMNT offers a concentrated dose of sodium, plus potassium and magnesium, with no sugar. Its profile may suit someone seeking electrolytes around exercise or heavy sweating, but more sodium does not automatically mean better hydration for everyone. I found no head-to-head clinical evidence showing that either product hydrates better in every situation.