SALTT vs. LMNT®: Electrolyte Drink Mix Comparison

Since we launched SALTT Electrolyte Drink Mix, the question we get most often is: "How does it compare to LMNT®?"

Disclaimer: we LIKE the team at LMNT® and the product they make.

Fair question. LMNT is good stuff - we personally know many of the people who founded it, and we used their electrolytes for years. We genuinely like them. But we also think SALTT does some things better, and we're going to show our work instead of just saying so.

Here's a complete breakdown of SALTT vs LMNT across taste, ingredients, electrolyte content, price, and who each product is best for.

Flavor and Taste

The main difference between SALTT and LMNT is the flavor and the way it tastes. Most people who have tried both brands tell us that SALTT is not as sweet, not as tart/sour, and not as salty (in the same volume of water).

You could get both to about the same flavor intensity by using a larger volume of water with LMNT (or less water with SALTT); and consequently, that same volume of water with SALTT would make the flavor even more mild. While there are certain people who like a stronger flavor and stronger salty taste, we designed SALTT to be milder without needing a ton of extra water.

Quick Comparison: SALTT vs LMNT at a Glance

Note that the figures above are for SALTT Zesty Orange and LMNT Orange Salt. 

Taste and Flavor

The most noticeable difference between SALTT and LMNT is how they taste in the glass.

Most people who've tried both describe SALTT as less sweet, less tart or sour, and less salty at the same volume of water. That's by design. We wanted an electrolyte drink you could actually finish without needing to mix it into a 32oz bottle just to make it palatable.

That said, flavor is personal. If you like a bolder, saltier punch — LMNT delivers that. If you want something milder and easy to sip throughout the day without taste fatigue, SALTT is built for you. You can also dial the intensity up or down by adjusting your water volume.

Electrolyte Content: Where SALTT Pulls Ahead

Magnesium: 178mg vs 60mg

The magnesium in SALTT is included as part of the spray-dried salt water and comes as magnesium chloride. This form of magnesium occurs naturally and is highly bioavailable, meaning that humans can easily absorb and use it (as compared to a poor source like magnesium oxide). Magnesium chloride is water soluble.

LMNT uses magnesium malate, which is also a highly bioavailable form of magnesium. It is made in a lab by combining malic acid with elemental magnesium.

Although these two forms are generally considered very comparable, SALTT has nearly 3x the magnesium of LMNT. Magnesium supports sleep quality, muscle relaxation, mood regulation, and hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body. Most people are deficient. A meaningful dose matters – and 60mg just doesn't move the needle the way 178mg does.

Potassium: 415mg vs 200mg

SALTT has more than double the potassium of LMNT. Potassium works with sodium to regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. The standard Western diet is notoriously low in potassium – so we made sure SALTT actually addresses that, not just checks the box.

Ingredients: What's Actually in the Packet 

Citric Acid vs Malic Acid

LMNT uses citric acid for tartness in its fruit flavors. Citric acid is common but has become controversial – most commercial citric acid is derived from black mold fermentation, and some people with sensitivities report reactions to it with more and more people taking a definitive stance against products that use citric acid.

SALTT uses malic acid, which is the naturally occurring acid found in apples, melons, and most other fruits. It has a cleaner, more natural sour profile – and no controversy attached.

Sweeteners

SALTT uses a purified form of stevia called RebD and RebM, which has no contamination from the proteins and other compounds that might be problematic for people with a seasonal ragweed allergy. (You can read more about that here.)

LMNT uses RebA, the most common and least expensive form - which is also the most bitter. Not a dealbreaker, but it's one of the reasons SALTT has a cleaner, more pleasant finish.

Both LMNT and SALTT also have an unflavored and unsweetened version available if you want to avoid any sweeteners.

Maltodextrin / Sugars

This one matters a lot if you're eating low-carb, keto, or fasting.

LMNT uses 250-550mg of maltodextrin in their flavoring – it's what helps the powder flow and dissolve. Technically maltodextrin isn't classified as a sugar, but it's a "polysaccharide" or a starch made of chains of glucose - when maltodextrin encounters the enzymes in your saliva it quickly turns into glucose/sugar. LMNT uses maltodextrin to help their flavors flow as a powder.

SALTT does not contain any maltodextrin in our natural flavors. We work exceptionally hard to make certain that none of our products have ANY maltodextrin. None. Not even a trace. We use acacia gum instead – it works similarly as a binder, and as a prebiotic fiber, your gut bacteria converts it to butyrate and short-chain fats (It’s cool stuff!). It's harder to work with in manufacturing, but it's worth it.

Price Comparison: Cost Per Mineral

To get the same mineral profile as one SALTT stick from LMNT packets, you'd need to spend about $4–5+. That's not a knock on LMNT - it's just math.

The Verdict

LMNT set a high bar for the "serious electrolyte" category – no sugar, real minerals, no garbage. We respect that, and it's part of why we made SALTT.

But SALTT was built to go further: 2x the potassium, nearly 3x the magnesium, zero maltodextrin, cleaner stevia, better-sourced minerals, and a lower price per serving. If you've been happy with LMNT, we think you'll be happier with SALTT. And if LMNT was never quite right – flavor, ingredients, or price – SALTT was built for exactly that.

Try it and see. We offer a 5-pack sampler so you're not committing to 30 sticks on faith.

If you have any questions about SALTT or the ingredients we use, our customer service team (real life human beings) are available at hello@saltt.com to help however they can!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SALTT better than LMNT?

SALTT has more potassium (415mg vs 200mg), nearly 3x the magnesium (178mg vs 60mg), zero maltodextrin, and a lower price per serving. Whether that makes it "better" depends on your needs – but for most people prioritizing clean ingredients and complete mineral coverage, SALTT delivers more.

Does LMNT have maltodextrin?

Yes. LMNT uses 250–550mg of maltodextrin in their flavored drink mixes to help the powder flow. Maltodextrin is a glucose-based starch that converts to sugar quickly. SALTT uses acacia gum instead and contains zero maltodextrin.

Which electrolyte is best for keto?

If you're strictly keto or low-carb, SALTT is a better choice because it contains no maltodextrin and only 0.65g of carbs per serving. LMNT has 2g of carbs per serving due to the maltodextrin in its flavoring.

What type of stevia does LMNT use?

LMNT uses Stevia RebA. SALTT uses RebD and RebM – the cleanest, rarest, and most expensive forms of stevia, with less bitterness and no contamination from compounds that can trigger reactions in people with ragweed sensitivities.

Is SALTT good for POTS?

Yes. SALTT offers a Low-K formula specifically designed for people with POTS, IBS, heart conditions, and other situations requiring high sodium with low potassium. This isn't something LMNT offers.

How much does LMNT cost vs SALTT?

LMNT is currently $1.50 per serving; SALTT is currently $1.20 per serving. But the bigger difference is mineral density per dollar - SALTT delivers significantly more potassium and magnesium per packet, making it a substantially better value when comparing what you're actually getting.