10 Best Water Enhancers (for Flavor & Electrolytes)

March 17, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents

Water is one of the most important things on the entire planet. It makes up our oceans, it feeds all of the plants in the world, and it’s the thing our bodies rely on to keep our bodies functioning. It also doesn’t really taste like anything. Sure, there’s nothing like a glass of water in the middle of the night when you wake up feeling thirsty, and downing a full bottle when you’re gasping for air at the end of a long run is like pure electricity.

But water is boring, and it doesn’t have all of the nutrients a body needs to keep itself running, water is just the beginning. A good water enhancer can fill in the gaps that water is missing if you’re trying to get your electrolytes, a little bit of flavor, or just something to break the monotony of yet another glass of the good stuff, especially when you’re out camping, then read on, and maybe we’ll find something for you.

In a hurry? Here’s the test winner after 10 hours of research:

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10 Best Water Enhancers in 2021 – Overview

Here are the top 5 picks (keep scrolling for more details and picks 6-10).

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1. Trace Minerals Research – Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops

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Sometimes what you’re looking for in your water additive is something substantive and tangible. You want your vitamins and minerals, and you want them directly in your water bottle. If that sounds like you, then Trace Minerals Research’s Concentrace is what you’re looking for. It’s a water enhancer that puts exactly what you’re looking for directly inside of your bottle. You don’t have to trust that the word of a bottled water brand, you don’t have to cross your fingers and hope that your local tap water source is giving you what your body needs, and you don’t have to carefully pick through your diet to make sure you’re getting the minerals your body needs.

This is the water enhancer you should be reaching for if you’re trying to keep your body in tip-top shape, and it’s great when you’re out on a hike and you need a boost. It’s a no-frills enhancer that does more than satisfy a sugar craving and change the color of your water. It’s the kind of enhancer that actually enhances your water experience. You’re getting the minerals your body craves and tangibly improving your health.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • Actually adds nutrients to your water
  • Great for long backpacking treks, keeping your body topped up on nutrients you might be missing out on by being on the trail for so long
  • Takes the guesswork out of getting your nutrients

CONS

  • Doesn’t impart a lot of flavor to your water

Check Latest Price

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2. Pure Hydration Coconut Water Drops

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These water drops from Pure have all of the pageantry and high-class frills you’d expect from a water enhancer that turns all of your drinks into fresh-seeming coconut water. The bottle and dropper is a nice touch, and sometimes when you’re looking for a water enhancer, it’s nice to find something that’s not just a powder in a sack or concentrate in a cheap plastic bottle.

These water enhancers are made from natural sugar substitutes like stevia and Lo Han fruit, giving them a nice fresh-tasting edge over similar additives. It’s also made from coconut juice extract and has all of the benefits that coconut water seems to have, just on a much smaller scale. If you’ve been looking for something more natural feeling than water enhancers tend to be, then this is an excellent option. The flavor is subtle, and it’s a much more cost-effective way to enjoy coconut water than going out and finding those cartons in the grocery store every week.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • This is a delicious alternative to water enhancers that tend to overdo it on flavor
  • All around, just a nice water additive to splurge on
  • A great alternative to buying a container of coconut water

CONS

  • Coconut water, to some, is just a luxury without any real benefits

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3. MiO Energy

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MiO has a wide range of drink enhancers, if you have a craving, they’ve got a flavor for you. They have options for getting a little bit of flavor in your water bottle, options for giving you a little caffeine to get you through the day, and MiO additives that are full of vitamins you might be missing in your diet. These water enhancers have a little something for everybody, and it’s really hard to go wrong with a single one of them. We’ve picked the MiO Energy because it’s a great representation of all of those aspects of their water additives.

If you’ve been trying to ween yourself off of coffee, you’re not really a tea person, and you’re trying to get some caffeine to get you through a long day, then their caffeine additives are an incredible substitute. These drops aren’t so full of caffeine that you’d be jacked up after adding a decent squeeze into your drinks, but they’ll give you a nice boost. Plus, if you really do need a ton of energy, then you can just add more to your drinks. They’re a win-win, and once you start using them in your water, it’s hard to want to go back to anything else.  It’s not as abrasive or chock-full of sugar as an energy drink, they don’t require the ritualistic fussing of a cup of nice coffee, and there’s no time spent waiting for your drink to steep and cool down before you can reap that sweet sweet caffeine.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • A wide array of flavors
  • Almost as much caffeine as a cup of coffee per serving
  • A great way to get an extra bit of energy when you’re on the go

CONS

  • All of their additives are made with sugar substitutes, so if you’re looking for a quick glucose spike, this won’t do it

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4. Stur Natural Water Enhancer

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The flavor option Stur offers are all pretty inoffensive as far as water enhancers go. They’re a line of stevia-sweetened fruit flavors that give you water a nice extra kick. They don’t go very far in the way of gimmicks, and that’s their strongest suit. These water enhancers focus on using natural sources for their flavors. This is going to give you a much less offensive water drinking experience.

Their coloring comes from fruit and vegetable juices, so you don’t have to worry about whether your dyes come from bugs or anal glands or anything weird like that. Their flavors are all made from real fruit extracts. It’s the combination of concentrated fruit juice and natural fruit and vegetable dyes that make these water enhancers truly remarkable in the face of their competitors. There’s no funny business, they’re going to leave you with refreshing aftertastes and they’re going to be a delicious way to keep yourself hydrated. 

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • All-natural flavors and food colorings make for a delicious and healthy water enhancer
  • They’re a great way to cut down on sugar in your diet while still getting a tasty beverage
  • Great source of vitamin-C

CONS

  • The natural flavors make for a limited range of flavors, if you’re looking for something that tastes more like the sugary beverages you might be used to, then these aren’t for you

Check Latest Price

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5. Bubly Sodastream Drops

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These water enhancers are more geared towards folks with an at-home beverage carbonator, but they deserve a place among these other water enhancers. They’re a great way to get your sparkling waters to taste more like the sparkling waters you can go out and purchase at the grocery store. They’re a great way to save money, and since they’re the same flavors that Bubly uses, they’re going to be just as delicious without sacrificing flavor or quality when you make your own bubbly water at home.

While these are meant to be used for sparkling water, you can just them in still water just as well. If you love the flavors this brand offers, but you wish you could get them in a less carbonated environment, then grabbing yourself a set of these might be a good option for you. It’s all of the best things about a bottle of sparkling water with the added benefit of customization.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • Great way to save money on flavored sparkling waters
  • Just as good for still waters
  • If you’ve wished your sparkling waters had a touch more flavor, then you can finally fulfill that urge

CONS

  • They’re best paired with a beverage carbonator

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6. TRUE LIME Water Enhancer

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A lot of water enhancers on the market have started drifting towards the concentrated liquid model, but you lose out on a little bit when you start heading in that direction. You get a little bit more customization, but you lose out on precision. These crystalized pouches of flavor from True Lime are a great way to make sure your drinks are the same every single time. Take the guesswork back out of the equation with these delicious lime-flavored packages.

These are a great way to get a kiss of lime in your drinks without having to slice open a fresh fruit. Because they’re a simple lime flavor, you can also use them in places you’d use a lime, like in your salsas or any other cooking that asks for a little bit of lime juice. They’re versatile and delicious without becoming complicated or drifting too far into the world of strange tasting soda substitutes.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • Great for getting lime into your beverages without dealing with limes
  • Perfect for substituting lime juice in cooking
  • Premeasured packages are great for getting your drinks to taste the same every single time

CONS

  • If you’re looking for something subtle, these might have too much flavor for you

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7. Crush, Variety Pack, Liquid Water Enhancer

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If you love Crush sodas but you’re trying to cut down, then rejoice. They’ve thought of everything and brought the taste of Crush to the water enhancer arena. These are zero-calorie versions of all of the Crush soda flavors you’re used to. They’re an amazing alternative to the sugary calorie-dense sodas you’re probably trying to make your way away from. They’re liquid water enhancers, so you can customize the amount of flavor you’re imparting to your water.

If you’re just looking for a shadow of the original, then squeeze in just a touch, but if you’re trying to relive the glory of a fully flavored orange soda fresh from the vending machine, then go hog wild. The beauty of the water enhancer version of these flavors is the freedom you’re given to enjoy Crush without having to commit to a full bottle.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • The perfect alternative to Crush soda. Great for diets
  • Zero calories and zero sugar, unlike the real deal
  • Great for reaching hydration goals or making sodas at home

CONS

  • They’ll never be as good as an original Crush soda

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8. Jelly Belly Drink Mix

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Jelly Belly is more well known for their jelly beans, obviously. But they’re experts in isolating and celebrating a flavor. These water enhancers are some of the most flavorful ones you’ll find. They’re all sugar-free variations of some of Jelly Belly’s most famous flavors, and they’re a great way to make your water more exciting. Especially if you’re trying to cut sweets out of your diet.

If you’re backpacking and you want something more delicious than the water you’ve just filtered out of a lake, then these Jelly Belly flavors are going to be more than enough to get you a nice treat. They’re not much to speak of in terms of nutrition, but they’re also not going to jack up your blood sugar and give you one more source of glucose to monitor. They’re just a nice way to give yourself something to drink that’s more exciting than your eighth glass of water in a row.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • Great for folks looking for a way to spruce up their water
  • Some of the more flavorful water enhancers out there right now
  • Great for still or sparkling water

CONS

  • Not much to speak of when it comes to nutrients

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9. Gatorade G Zero Powder

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Gatorades are one of the best ways to rehydrate, replenish your electrolytes, and get a little bit of glucose in your body after some strenuous exercise. If you’re a fan of Gatorade, but you don’t like how much Gatorade is usually in one of their massive bottles, you’re not partial to the amount of sugar, or you’d just prefer to carry around some water enhancers because they’re easier to manage, then these are a great choice. These water enhancers condense the Gatorade experience into a tiny package ready to be unleashed when you’re sitting in the office or waist-deep in a backpacking trail.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • All of the benefits of a Gatorade, while becoming much more compact
  • Perfect for replenishing on a long trip

CONS

  • If you’re wanting to replicate a normal Gatorade, these might fall flat

Check Latest Price

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10. Crystal Light Pure Peach Iced Tea

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Crystal Light’s Peach Iced Tea is a sleeper hit. It’s mild and simple to throw together, but it really hits the spot. These little packets have just a touch of sugar in them, just barely enough to give you a little bit of a mid-afternoon kick when you’re trying to make it through a dull day, and they’re just a delight to have in your water. 

If you’re a fan of iced teas but you’re not ready to dedicate yourself to the gargantuan amount of sugar it takes to make a proper iced tea, these will hit the spot just fine. They’re not the most explosive thing in the world, but a good pack of Crystal Light will take a drab drink and make it just a little bit more exciting.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

PROS

  • More delicious than they would appear
  • Great for satisfying a sweet tooth

CONS

  • They’re not sugar-free like a lot of other water enhancers

Check Latest Price

Winner

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What this water enhancer lacks in spectacle it makes up for with functionality. A lot of water enhancers want to just load you up with flavor and fake sugar and call it a day. This one from Trace Minerals Research takes a totally different angle and actually attempts to add something to your day. You’re going to be taking a load off of your brain by using this water enhancer. A lot of the nutrients your body wants are found right inside of a couple of drops of this water enhancer.

If you’re the type of person looking for the best water enhancers, you’re probably looking for something that’s going to be a healthy addition to your diet, something that will help you fine-tune the complicated machine of your human body. This is the perfect way to do that. They’re not exactly the most flavorful thing on the water enhancer marketplace, but honestly, it’s nice to just have the refreshing feeling of a cold glass of water crashing down into your stomach.

These enhance your water without overwhelming you and turning your drink into a neon Slurpee or trying to mimic the taste of something much more delicious like a fresh root beer. Sometimes the simple answer is the best one, and this water enhancer is simple, useful, and the perfect option for you.

Bonus tip: This video is a great reminder of why it’s so important to get the right amount of water in your body.

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Riley Draper

Riley Draper is a writer and entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a world traveler, he has been to more than fifty countries and hiked some of the most elusive trails in the world. He is the co-founder of WeCounsel Solutions and has published work in both national and global outlets, including the Times Free Press, Patch, and Healthcare Global. When he’s not writing, he’s probably on a hiking trip or climbing in the mountains.

Riley Draper

Riley Draper is a writer and entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a world traveler, he has been to more than fifty countries and hiked some of the most elusive trails in the world. He is the co-founder of WeCounsel Solutions and has published work in both national and global outlets, including the Times Free Press, Patch, and Healthcare Global. When he's not writing, he's probably on a hiking trip or climbing in the mountains.

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