LMNT and Redmond Re-Lyte are two of the most recommended electrolyte products in keto, carnivore, and endurance communities. Both are sugar-free and stevia-sweetened. Both cost roughly $45 per container. The critical difference: LMNT gives you 30 stick-pack servings at $1.50 each, while Re-Lyte gives you 60 tub servings at $0.75 each. That is exactly half the price per serving for Re-Lyte.
LMNT wins on sodium density with 1,000mg per serving versus Re-Lyte's 810mg. Re-Lyte wins on nearly everything else: double the potassium (400mg vs 200mg), dual-form magnesium, trace minerals from Redmond Real Salt, potassium citrate instead of chloride, and that 50% lower cost per serving. If maximum sodium per packet matters most to you, LMNT is the pick. If you want broader mineral coverage at a better price, Re-Lyte is the stronger value.
LMNT vs Redmond Re-Lyte: The Numbers Side by Side
| Metric | LMNT | Redmond Re-Lyte (Tub) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 1,000mg | 810mg | LMNT (+19%) |
| Potassium | 200mg | 400mg | Re-Lyte (2x) |
| Magnesium | 60mg | 50mg | LMNT (+10mg) |
| Sugar | 0g | 0g | Tie |
| Sweetener | Stevia | Stevia | Tie |
| Price/serving | $1.50 | $0.75 | Re-Lyte (50% less) |
| $/g sodium | $1.50 | $0.93 | Re-Lyte (38% less) |
| Servings | 30 | 60 | Re-Lyte (2x) |
| Container price | $45.00 | $44.99 | ~Tie |
| Form | Stick Pack | Tub/Scoop | Preference |
| Salt source | Evaporated salt | Redmond Real Salt | See below |
| Potassium form | Chloride | Citrate | See below |
| Magnesium form | Malate | Malate + Glycinate | See below |
Data verified against manufacturer websites. Prices as of March 2026. See the full 17-brand comparison →
The standout number: both products cost essentially $45. But you get 60 servings from Re-Lyte and 30 from LMNT. That is not a small difference. Over a month of daily use, LMNT costs $45 and Re-Lyte costs $22.50.
Where LMNT Wins
Higher sodium per serving. LMNT packs 1,000mg sodium into every stick pack. Re-Lyte has 810mg. For people on strict keto or those who sweat heavily during endurance training, research suggests sodium intake plays a direct role in exercise performance and hydration status.[1] Three LMNT packets hit 3,000mg. You'd need four Re-Lyte servings to reach 3,240mg.
Stick-pack convenience. Every LMNT serving is pre-portioned in a tear-and-pour packet. No measuring scoop needed. This matters for gym bags, travel, and office use. Re-Lyte's tub format requires carrying the container or pre-measuring into a separate bag.
Slightly more magnesium. LMNT has 60mg magnesium per serving versus Re-Lyte's 50mg. A small edge, but worth noting if you are tracking magnesium intake closely.
Wider flavor selection. LMNT offers more flavor options including seasonal limited editions. Re-Lyte's lineup is smaller, though both brands cover the basics (citrus, berry, unflavored).
Where Re-Lyte Wins
Half the price per serving. At $0.75/serving versus $1.50/serving, Re-Lyte costs 50% less. Both containers ring up at ~$45, but Re-Lyte gives you 60 servings to LMNT's 30. Over a year of daily use, that is $273.75 for Re-Lyte versus $547.50 for LMNT. The math is hard to ignore.
Double the potassium. Re-Lyte delivers 400mg potassium per serving. LMNT has 200mg. Potassium is critical for muscle contractions, fluid balance, and heart rhythm.[2] Most American adults fall short of the 2,600-3,400mg daily recommendation, so the extra 200mg per serving adds up.
Potassium citrate vs. chloride. LMNT uses potassium chloride. Re-Lyte uses potassium citrate. Research from Sakhaee et al. found that citrate forms of potassium may offer better bioavailability compared to chloride forms.[3] Citrate also tends to be easier on the stomach.
Dual-form magnesium. LMNT uses only magnesium malate. Re-Lyte combines magnesium malate with magnesium glycinate. Research on magnesium compound bioavailability shows that different forms have different absorption timelines and tissue targets.[4] Malate is associated with energy production and muscle function. Glycinate is associated with relaxation and sleep quality. The dual-form approach covers both bases.
Trace minerals from Real Salt. Re-Lyte uses Redmond Real Salt, mined from an ancient Utah seabed, containing 60+ trace minerals. LMNT uses solution-mined evaporated salt, which is high-purity sodium chloride with no trace minerals. Whether trace minerals matter at supplement-level doses is debatable, but research on the mineral composition of specialty salts confirms that unrefined salts do contain meaningful amounts of minerals like iron, zinc, and manganese.[5]
No maltodextrin controversy. Re-Lyte's ingredient list is clean and matches its label claims. LMNT is currently facing legal challenges over undisclosed maltodextrin (more on that below).
Better sodium value. Even on a per-gram-of-sodium basis, Re-Lyte wins: $0.93 per gram of sodium versus LMNT's $1.50. You get more sodium per dollar with Re-Lyte, despite LMNT having more sodium per individual serving.
Salt Source: Processed vs. Ancient Sea Salt
LMNT uses solution-mined evaporated salt. This is standard food-grade sodium chloride, purified to remove other minerals. It is consistent, clean, and effective at delivering sodium.
Re-Lyte uses Redmond Real Salt, harvested from a prehistoric seabed in Redmond, Utah. This salt has been untouched since the Jurassic period and retains its original mineral content. Independent analysis shows it contains trace amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, and dozens of other minerals.
A 2017 study in Food & Nutrition Research found that unrefined sea salt showed protective effects on blood pressure compared to refined salt in animal models.[6] The researchers attributed this partially to the trace mineral content. That said, the trace mineral amounts per serving of Re-Lyte are small. This is a nice-to-have, not a primary reason to choose one product over the other.
For people who already eat Redmond Real Salt in their cooking, Re-Lyte fits naturally into that ecosystem. For people who don't care about salt sourcing, this difference is negligible.
Mineral Forms: Citrate, Chloride, Malate, and Glycinate
The forms of electrolytes matter, not just the amounts. Two products can list the same milligrams of potassium while delivering meaningfully different results based on the compound used.
Potassium: LMNT uses potassium chloride, the most common and cheapest form. Re-Lyte uses potassium citrate. The citrate form has shown advantages in cellular uptake[3] and tends to cause less GI discomfort than chloride. This is especially relevant at Re-Lyte's higher 400mg dose.
Magnesium: Both products include magnesium malate, which supports energy production via the citric acid cycle. Re-Lyte adds magnesium glycinate on top of that. Glycinate is one of the most bioavailable magnesium forms[4] and is commonly recommended for its calming effects. If you take your electrolytes in the evening, the glycinate component is a practical addition.
LMNT's 60mg of magnesium malate is fine. Re-Lyte's 50mg of malate + glycinate is arguably better absorbed despite the slightly lower total milligrams.
The Maltodextrin Question
In May 2025, three federal lawsuits were filed against LMNT's parent company, alleging that its products contain 300-450mg of undisclosed maltodextrin per serving. The suits were filed in Montana, New York, and Florida.
Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate with a glycemic index between 85 and 105, higher than table sugar. LMNT markets its products as "Paleo-Keto Friendly" and "All Natural." The lawsuits argue these claims are misleading if the product contains a high-glycemic processed ingredient that is not listed on the label.
To be clear: the cases remain in discovery as of early 2026, and no findings have been made. But the controversy matters for strict keto and paleo followers who chose LMNT specifically because of its clean-label positioning. At 300-450mg, the alleged maltodextrin content exceeds LMNT's potassium (200mg) and magnesium (60mg) amounts.
Re-Lyte does not contain maltodextrin. Its ingredient list is straightforward: Real Salt, potassium citrate, magnesium malate, magnesium glycinate, calcium carbonate, coconut water powder, citric acid, natural flavors, and stevia. Re-Lyte is also Informed Sport certified, meaning it undergoes third-party testing for banned substances.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose LMNT if: You need the highest sodium per serving (1,000mg). You prefer pre-portioned stick packs for convenience. You are a heavy sweater during endurance training. You like having a wide selection of flavors.
Choose Re-Lyte if: You want the best value per serving ($0.75 vs $1.50). You prefer broader mineral coverage with 400mg potassium. You care about mineral forms (citrate potassium, dual-form magnesium). You want trace minerals from Real Salt. You prefer a tub format with less packaging waste. The maltodextrin controversy concerns you.
Both work well for: Keto and low-carb hydration. General workout recovery. Sugar-free daily electrolyte supplementation. Stevia-sweetened drinks.
The data leans toward Re-Lyte as the better overall value. You get more potassium, better mineral forms, trace minerals, and twice as many servings for the same container price. LMNT's advantage is concentrated sodium and stick-pack convenience. That is a real advantage for some use cases, but you are paying a significant premium for it.
Compare both brands alongside all 17 in our full comparison table to see how they stack up on every metric.
References
- Del Coso J, et al. "Effects of Oral Salt Supplementation on Physical Performance during a Half-Ironman." Nutrients, 2022; 14(6):1234. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. "Potassium — Health Professional Fact Sheet." Updated June 2, 2022. ods.od.nih.gov
- Sakhaee K, et al. "Bioavailability of potassium and magnesium, and citraturic response from potassium-magnesium citrate." J Clin Pharmacol, 1992; 32(10):953-959. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Uysal N, et al. "Timeline (Bioavailability) of Magnesium Compounds in Hours: Which Magnesium Compound Works Best?" Biol Trace Elem Res, 2019; 187(1):128-136. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- De Oliveira TM, et al. "Gourmet Table Salts: The Mineral Composition Showdown." Foods, 2023; 12(16):3109. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Mun JG, et al. "Natural sea salt consumption confers protection against hypertension and kidney damage in Dahl salt-sensitive rats." Food Nutr Res, 2017; 61(1):1264713. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov