If you are comparing Buoy vs Liquid IV, the biggest difference is not simply sodium, sugar, or price. These two electrolyte products are designed around completely different hydration routines.

Buoy Hydration Drops are concentrated, essentially unflavored liquid drops that you can squeeze into water, coffee, tea, smoothies, or other drinks throughout the day. Buoy contains zero sugar, zero calories, and no sweeteners or added flavors. The company recommends adding its standard Hydration Drops to multiple drinks throughout the day.

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, on the other hand, is a flavored powder stick designed to create one dedicated electrolyte drink. The classic Lemon Lime formula currently provides 500 mg sodium, 370 mg potassium, 11 g added sugar, and 45 calories per stick. Liquid I.V. also sells a separate Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier line.

So which one is better?

Quick Answer: Buoy or Liquid IV?

Buoy is our pick for everyday, low-sugar hydration, particularly if you want electrolytes that disappear into drinks without turning every bottle of water into a sweet sports drink.

Liquid I.V. is the stronger choice when you want a convenient, pre-measured electrolyte serving after substantial sweating, exercise, travel, or heat exposure. Its classic Hydration Multiplier delivers significantly more sodium in one serving and uses glucose as part of its hydration formula.

Our simplified verdict:

• Best for everyday hydration: Buoy
• Best for workouts and heavier sweating: Liquid I.V.
• Best for avoiding sugar: Buoy
• Best for flavor variety: Liquid I.V.
• Best for fasting: Buoy
• Best for adding to coffee, tea, or smoothies: Buoy
• Best for grab-and-go single servings: Liquid I.V.
• Best if you want a stronger single electrolyte serving: Liquid I.V.

Neither is automatically better for everyone. Your activity level, diet, sweat rate, taste preferences, and total sodium intake matter.

For another comparison with a lighter electrolyte formula, see our Hydrant vs Liquid IV comparison.

Buoy vs Liquid IV at a Glance

Feature	Buoy Hydration Drops	Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Format	Concentrated liquid drops	Powder stick
Main approach	Small servings throughout the day	One dedicated electrolyte drink
Sugar	0 g	11 g in classic Lemon Lime
Calories	0	45 in classic Lemon Lime
Sweeteners	None in Hydration Drops	Cane sugar/glucose in classic formula
Flavor	Essentially unflavored; subtle mineral taste possible	Strong flavored drink
Sodium	Lighter standard serving; designed for repeated daily use	500 mg per classic Lemon Lime stick
Potassium	Part of mineral/electrolyte formulation	370 mg per Lemon Lime stick
Trace minerals	87 trace minerals claimed by Buoy	Not the core selling point
Vitamins	Formula-dependent	Vitamins C, B3, B5, B6 and B12 in classic formula
How to use	One quick squeeze into a drink	One stick mixed with water
Recommended routine	Buoy suggests 4–7 drinks/day	Generally one stick at a time
Best suited to	Everyday hydration and sugar-free routines	Exercise, travel and stronger electrolyte replacement
One-time price checked	$39 for 120 servings	$24.99 for 16 sticks
Approx. unit cost	About $0.33 at $39/120	About $1.56/stick

Buoy’s current product page also advertises a subscription price around $30.03 for a one-month, 120-serving supply, while Liquid I.V. lists its 16-stick pouch at $24.99 one-time or $17.49 on subscription. Promotions can change, so verify the final checkout price.

What Is Buoy Hydration?

Buoy takes a different approach from most electrolyte powders.

Instead of opening a flavored packet and making an electrolyte drink, you carry a small bottle of liquid concentrate and squeeze it into beverages you were already planning to drink.

Buoy’s flagship Hydration Drops contain no sugar, sweeteners, or added flavors. The company says the formula combines ocean-sourced electrolytes with 87 trace minerals. One serving is approximately 1.5 mL, or one quick squeeze.

Buoy recommends adding Hydration Drops to 4–7 drinks per day, including beverages such as:

• Water
• Coffee
• Tea
• Smoothies
• Juice

That makes Buoy less like a traditional sports drink and more like a daily mineral and electrolyte concentrate.

What Does Buoy Taste Like?

Buoy calls Hydration Drops unflavored, but that does not necessarily mean completely tasteless.

Electrolyte minerals naturally have a salty or mineral character. Buoy says some people notice a subtle mineral taste, particularly when too much concentrate is added to a small amount of liquid.

In flavored drinks or coffee, the drops are generally easier to hide than a full electrolyte powder.

What Is Liquid IV?

Liquid I.V. is one of the better-known electrolyte powder brands in the United States.

Its core product, Hydration Multiplier, comes in individually portioned sticks that dissolve in water.

Unlike Buoy, Liquid I.V. is intentionally flavor-forward. The current classic Hydration Multiplier lineup includes numerous fruit, citrus, tropical, dessert-style and limited-edition flavors.

For reference, one current Lemon Lime Hydration Multiplier stick provides:

• 500 mg sodium
• 370 mg potassium
• 11 g total and added sugar
• 45 calories
• Vitamin C
• Niacin
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Pantothenic acid

Liquid I.V. says glucose is included to help water absorption, while sodium helps with fluid retention and distribution.

That matters because the sugar in classic Liquid I.V. is not there purely to make the product taste sweet. However, people trying to reduce added sugar may still prefer another formula.

Liquid I.V. now offers a substantial Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier lineup as well, so remember that the 11 g sugar comparison applies to the classic Hydration Multiplier rather than every Liquid I.V. product.

Buoy vs Liquid IV Ingredients

The ingredient philosophy may be the most important difference in the Buoy vs Liquid IV comparison.

Buoy’s Approach

Buoy emphasizes a very minimalist formulation.

Its standard Hydration Drops are built around ocean-derived electrolytes and trace minerals without:

• Sugar
• Sweeteners
• Added flavors
• Calories
• Carbohydrates

This makes Buoy attractive if you already like what you drink and simply want to add electrolytes without changing the drink into something sweet.

Liquid IV’s Approach

Classic Liquid I.V. uses a more traditional electrolyte-drink strategy involving sodium, potassium and glucose, along with several vitamins.

Liquid I.V. specifically identifies glucose, sodium and five essential vitamins among the important components of its Hydration Multiplier formula.

Neither approach is inherently superior.

They are solving slightly different problems.

Buoy: Make almost any beverage contain some additional electrolytes.

Liquid I.V.: Create a dedicated, relatively electrolyte-dense hydration drink.

Buoy vs Liquid IV Electrolytes

This is where comparisons can become misleading.

A Liquid I.V. stick is not equivalent to one squeeze of Buoy.

Liquid I.V. puts a substantial electrolyte serving into one drink. Standard Buoy Hydration Drops spread smaller servings across multiple beverages during the day.

Buoy itself recommends Hydration Drops in 4–7 drinks daily. Its product page describes an individual Hydration Drops serving as containing roughly one-third of the electrolyte content of a sports drink.

Liquid I.V.’s classic Lemon Lime stick, meanwhile, contains 500 mg sodium and 370 mg potassium in one serving.

What About Buoy Rescue Drops?

If you are an athlete comparing Buoy with Liquid I.V., Buoy’s standard Hydration Drops may not actually be the most appropriate Buoy product to compare.

Buoy also sells Rescue Drops, its stronger electrolyte option. Rescue Drops provide 300 mg sodium per serving.

That makes Rescue Drops more directly relevant to:

• Heavy sweating
• Exercise
• Hot environments
• Higher sodium requirements

So someone who loves Buoy’s liquid format but wants more sodium has an alternative within the brand.

Sugar: One of the Biggest Differences

For many shoppers, the Buoy vs Liquid IV decision will come down to sugar.

Buoy Hydration Drops

0 g sugar

Buoy also avoids stevia, monk fruit and artificial sweeteners in its standard Hydration Drops.

Classic Liquid I.V.

11 g added sugar per Lemon Lime stick

The sugar works alongside sodium within Liquid I.V.’s formulation, so calling it simply an unnecessary ingredient would be an oversimplification.

But 11 grams is still 11 grams of added sugar.

If you consume one classic stick every day, that becomes a meaningful consideration if you are intentionally minimizing added sugar.

Liquid IV Sugar-Free Changes the Comparison

This is important.

Liquid I.V. currently offers Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier with zero sugar and a wide selection of flavors. For example, current Sugar-Free Lemon Lime is sold in 14-stick pouches and is marketed as providing 870 mg total electrolytes.

So if your only objection to Liquid I.V. is sugar, you do not necessarily need to leave the brand.

Buoy vs Liquid IV for Daily Hydration

Winner: Buoy

For normal everyday use, we prefer Buoy’s format.

You can add one squeeze to whatever you are already drinking without committing to another sweet flavored beverage.

It is particularly convenient for people who:

• Drink several beverages throughout the day
• Do not like sweet electrolyte powders
• Want zero added sugar
• Want zero calories
• Want electrolytes in coffee or tea
• Experience flavor fatigue from powdered hydration products

The tradeoff is that standard Buoy Hydration Drops are intentionally lighter per serving.

That can be an advantage for everyday use but a disadvantage when you need to replace a larger amount of sodium quickly.

Also remember that healthy people generally obtain electrolytes from both food and fluids. An electrolyte supplement is not automatically necessary every time you drink water.

The CDC notes that plain water is an important everyday hydration choice, while MedlinePlus explains that sodium, potassium, magnesium and other electrolytes contribute to fluid balance and normal muscle and nerve function.

Buoy vs Liquid IV for Workouts

Winner: Liquid I.V. for most conventional workout situations

If you have just finished a long run, intense gym session or sweaty outdoor workout, a full Liquid I.V. stick is easier to understand and dose.

One packet gives you a predictable electrolyte serving containing 500 mg sodium in the classic Lemon Lime formula.

That is more straightforward than gradually accumulating several standard Buoy Hydration Drops servings.

Electrolyte replacement becomes more relevant as sweat losses increase. The CDC notes that prolonged activity in hot conditions can produce meaningful losses of water and electrolytes through sweat.

For lighter exercise, however, you may not need a strong electrolyte drink at all.

And if you prefer Buoy, Rescue Drops are its more logical heavy-sweat option.

Which Is Better for Travel?

Winner: Tie

Both products are exceptionally portable, but in different ways.

Why Buoy Works for Travel

One bottle can be used across numerous drinks.

You do not need to carry multiple packets, and you can add it to:

• Airport water
• Coffee
• Hotel drinks
• Smoothies
• Restaurant beverages

Why Liquid IV Works for Travel

Individual sticks are:

• Pre-measured
• Lightweight
• Easy to pack
• Easy to share
• Easy to mix into a water bottle

If you want to know exactly what one serving contains every time, Liquid I.V. has the convenience advantage.

If you want one small bottle that can treat many beverages, Buoy wins.

Buoy vs Liquid IV for Fasting

Winner: Buoy Hydration Drops

Buoy Hydration Drops contain:

• 0 calories
• 0 carbohydrates
• 0 sugar

Classic Liquid I.V. contains 45 calories and 11 g of sugar per Lemon Lime stick, so it would not suit a strict zero-calorie fast.

If fasting compatibility matters, Buoy is the simpler choice.

Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free is lower calorie than the classic product, but strict fasting rules vary considerably depending on the type and purpose of the fast.

Buoy vs Liquid IV for Keto and Low-Carb Diets

Winner: Buoy over classic Liquid I.V.

With zero carbohydrates and zero sugar, standard Buoy Hydration Drops fit more naturally into a strict low-carbohydrate routine.

Classic Liquid I.V.’s 11 g of carbohydrate/sugar per stick makes it harder to fit into very-low-carbohydrate diets.

But again, Liquid I.V.’s Sugar-Free line largely eliminates this disadvantage if you prefer the Liquid I.V. format.

Taste and Flavor Variety

Winner for variety: Liquid I.V.

Liquid I.V. easily wins if you want your electrolyte drink to taste like something.

Current classic flavors include options such as:

• Lemon Lime
• Strawberry
• Tropical Punch
• Watermelon
• Mango
• Passion Fruit
• Piña Colada
• Cotton Candy
• Açai Berry
• Guava

alongside seasonal and limited-edition products.

Winner for neutrality: Buoy

Buoy takes almost the opposite approach.

There is no need to decide between watermelon, lemon, berry or tropical flavors because Hydration Drops are designed not to overpower the beverage you put them into.

For someone who is tired of sweet electrolyte powders, that is a genuine advantage.

Buoy vs Liquid IV Price

Price looks very different depending on whether you compare one serving or one day of use.

Buoy Price

At the time of our check, Buoy displayed:

• 120 servings
• $39 standard reference price
• Approximately $30.03 with its subscription offer

At $39, that works out to roughly $0.33 per squeeze.

But Buoy recommends several servings throughout the day, so simply saying “Buoy costs 33 cents while Liquid I.V. costs $1.56” would be misleading.

If you use four Buoy servings, your effective daily cost is closer to about $1.30 at the $39 purchase price.

Liquid IV Price

Liquid I.V.’s Lemon Lime page currently lists:

• 16 sticks
• $24.99 one-time
• $17.49 subscription
• $1.56/stick one-time
• $1.09/stick subscription

Price Winner: Depends on How You Use Them

The cost difference is smaller than it initially appears once Buoy’s repeated daily serving model is considered.

For a single occasional electrolyte drink, Liquid I.V. is straightforward.

For someone who wants to enhance many beverages throughout the day, Buoy’s multi-serving bottle may provide better flexibility.

Prices change frequently, so check the Buoy official store and Liquid I.V. official store before purchasing.

Buoy Pros and Cons

Buoy Pros

• Zero sugar
• Zero calories
• No sweeteners
• Essentially unflavored
• Can be added to almost any beverage
• Convenient reusable bottle
• 87 trace minerals highlighted by the brand
• Easy for daily hydration routines
• Good fit for people who dislike sweet electrolyte drinks
• Separate higher-sodium Rescue Drops available

Buoy Cons

• Standard Hydration Drops provide a lighter electrolyte serving
• Multiple daily servings are recommended
• Less convenient if you want one large, clearly labeled electrolyte dose
• Some people may notice a mineral taste
• Bottle dosing is less precise than opening a pre-measured stick
• Higher-sweat users may prefer Rescue Drops instead of the flagship formula

Liquid IV Pros and Cons

Liquid IV Pros

• 500 mg sodium in classic Lemon Lime
• 370 mg potassium in classic Lemon Lime
• Convenient pre-measured sticks
• Very wide flavor selection
• Easy for travel
• Useful after substantial sweating
• Contains several vitamins
• Sugar-Free line available
• Easy to find and understand serving size

Liquid IV Cons

• Classic formula contains 11 g added sugar
• Classic Lemon Lime contains 45 calories
• Strong flavor may become tiring for daily use
• More expensive per individual serving than one Buoy squeeze
• Less versatile because it creates a dedicated flavored drink
• A 500 mg sodium serving may be unnecessary for an inactive person who already consumes plenty of sodium

Is Buoy Healthier Than Liquid IV?

There is no universal answer.

If by “healthier” you mean less sugar, fewer calories and no sweeteners, Buoy Hydration Drops clearly fit that definition better than classic Liquid I.V.

If you mean better suited to replacing substantial sweat losses, classic Liquid I.V.’s stronger single serving may make more sense.

Your electrolyte requirements can also be affected by activity, climate, diet and health conditions.

People with kidney disease, cardiovascular conditions, fluid restrictions, or medically prescribed sodium or potassium restrictions should be especially cautious about routinely adding electrolyte supplements without professional guidance.

Electrolyte balance matters because both too little and too much of individual electrolytes can cause problems.

Is Buoy Better Than Liquid IV?

Buoy is better if you want:

• Zero sugar
• Zero calories
• No sweeteners
• Almost no flavor
• Electrolytes in coffee or tea
• Small servings throughout your day

Liquid I.V. is better if you want:

• A stronger single serving
• A predictable 500 mg sodium dose in the classic formula
• A flavored drink
• Pre-measured travel packets
• Post-workout convenience
• Many flavor choices

This is why our Buoy vs Liquid IV verdict is not a simple overall winner.

They serve different types of users.

What If Neither Buoy nor Liquid IV Is Perfect?

There are plenty of electrolyte products between these two extremes.

For example, some people want:

• More electrolytes per serving than standard Buoy Hydration Drops
• No 11 g sugar like classic Liquid I.V.
• A flavored powder rather than unflavored drops
• Magnesium as part of the electrolyte profile

That is where products such as Instant Hydration, Hydrant, Cure, Nectar and LMNT become relevant.

If you want a zero-sugar flavored powder rather than drops, read our detailed Instant Hydration vs Liquid IV comparison.

You can also explore:

• Instant Hydration Packets Review
• Best Electrolyte Drinks for Quick Hydration
• Hydrant vs Liquid IV
• Cure Hydration Review
• Nectar Hydration Review

Final Verdict: Buoy vs Liquid IV

So, which is better: Buoy or Liquid IV?

Choose Buoy Hydration Drops if:

You want an easy, sugar-free electrolyte supplement that can disappear into drinks you already consume.

It is our preferred option for everyday hydration, fasting, low-sugar routines and people who dislike sweet electrolyte powders.

Choose Liquid I.V. if:

You want a stronger, pre-measured electrolyte drink after workouts, travel, heat exposure or other situations where fluid and sodium losses may be higher.

Classic Liquid I.V. provides considerably more sodium in one obvious serving, while the growing Sugar-Free lineup gives users another option if the classic formula’s added sugar is the main concern.

Our Overall Result

Daily use: Buoy wins.

Sweaty workouts and stronger single-serving hydration: Liquid I.V. wins.

Flavor variety: Liquid I.V. wins.

Ingredient simplicity and zero sugar: Buoy wins.

Ultimately, the smartest Buoy vs Liquid IV choice depends less on which brand has the louder hydration claims and more on how you actually plan to use electrolytes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buoy better than Liquid IV?

Buoy is better for people who want zero-sugar, zero-calorie and essentially unflavored electrolytes that can be added to different beverages throughout the day. Liquid I.V. is generally better when you want a stronger, pre-measured electrolyte serving after meaningful sweating or exercise.

Does Buoy have more electrolytes than Liquid IV?

Not in a single standard serving. Buoy Hydration Drops are designed as smaller servings used repeatedly across the day, while classic Liquid I.V. Lemon Lime provides 500 mg sodium and 370 mg potassium in one stick. Buoy’s stronger Rescue Drops provide 300 mg sodium per serving.

Does Buoy have sugar?

Standard Buoy Hydration Drops contain zero sugar, zero carbohydrates and zero calories. They also contain no sweeteners.

How much sugar does Liquid IV have?

The classic Liquid I.V. Lemon Lime Hydration Multiplier currently contains 11 g of total and added sugar per stick. Liquid I.V. also sells a separate Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier with zero sugar.

How much sodium is in Liquid IV?

A current classic Lemon Lime Hydration Multiplier stick contains 500 mg sodium. Formulations can differ across Liquid I.V. product lines, so check the nutrition label for the exact product you purchase.

How much sodium is in Buoy?

Buoy has multiple electrolyte formulas, so there is no single Buoy sodium number that applies to the whole brand. Standard Hydration Drops use smaller servings throughout the day, while Buoy Rescue Drops list 300 mg sodium per serving.

Is Buoy good for workouts?

It can be useful for lighter activity and for building electrolytes into your hydration routine. For long or very sweaty workouts, Buoy’s stronger Rescue Drops may be a more appropriate comparison with traditional sports electrolyte products.

Is Liquid IV good after workouts?

Liquid I.V.’s 500 mg sodium per classic Hydration Multiplier stick can make it practical after substantial sweating. However, your need for supplemental electrolytes depends on workout duration, sweat rate, temperature, diet and individual health factors.

Can you use Buoy every day?

Buoy markets Hydration Drops specifically for repeated daily use and recommends adding them to several drinks during the day. People with medical conditions or prescribed electrolyte restrictions should discuss regular supplementation with a healthcare professional.

Does Liquid IV have a sugar-free version?

Yes. Liquid I.V. currently has a separate Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free lineup with zero sugar and multiple flavors.

Can I put Buoy in coffee?

Yes. Buoy specifically markets Hydration Drops as being suitable for beverages including coffee, tea, smoothies and water.

Which is cheaper, Buoy or Liquid IV?

Buoy costs less per individual squeeze, but the brand recommends using several Hydration Drops servings throughout the day. Liquid I.V. costs more per stick but delivers a much larger pre-measured serving. Comparing the cost of an actual daily routine is therefore more useful than comparing one squeeze with one stick.

Buoy vs Liquid IV: which one would we buy?

For daily hydration without sugar, we would choose Buoy.

For post-workout hydration after significant sweating, we would choose Liquid I.V. or compare Liquid I.V. against Buoy Rescue Drops instead of the lighter standard Hydration Drops.

If you want a middle ground—a flavored powder with zero sugar—see our Instant Hydration vs Liquid IV comparison.

Sources and Further Reading

For product specifications and current pricing:

• Official Buoy Hydration Drops
• Official Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
• Liquid I.V. Ingredients
• Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier

For independent hydration and electrolyte information:

• MedlinePlus: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
• CDC: Water and Healthier Drinks
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Potassium

Product formulations, prices, flavors and promotions may change. Check current product labels and brand websites before purchasing.