Short answer: All three have about 100 mg of caffeine and zero sugar. Most people should pick Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine, because it's the only one built as a full sweat electrolyte: 670 mg sodium (vs Hydrant's 260 mg), 90 mg magnesium and coconut water, at about $1.41 a stick. If you want L-theanine with your caffeine, Hydrant and Liquid I.V. both include it.
Specs and prices are from each brand's own website as of October 8, 2026. Fire Salt publishes this comparison.
Side-by-side specs
| Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine | Hydrant Energy | Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 100 mg | 100 mg | ~100 mg |
| Sodium | 670 mg | 260 mg | Part of 955 mg total electrolytes (sodium not listed separately on page) |
| Potassium | 190 mg | 200 mg | Part of the 955 mg |
| Magnesium | 90 mg | 30 mg | "Excellent source" (mg not shown on page) |
| Coconut water powder | Yes | No | No |
| Sugar | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 5 | 10 | Not shown on product page |
| Caffeine source | Caffeine anhydrous | Green tea | "Natural caffeine," plus coffee fruit extract |
| L-theanine | None | 200 mg | 200 mg |
| Sweetener | Stevia | "No artificial sweeteners," per Hydrant | Allulose |
| Mix with | 16 to 32 oz | 8 to 16 oz (per Hydrant) | Not shown in the page text we checked |
| Box | 32 sticks, $44.99 | 30 sticks, $39.99 | 14 sticks, $24.99 |
| Per stick | ~$1.41 | ~$1.33 | ~$1.79 |
| HSA/FSA | Yes, via Truemed (per Fire Salt) | Not stated on the pages we checked | Not stated on the pages we checked |
This compares Liquid I.V.'s Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier, not its regular Hydration Multiplier +Energy line.
Why most people pick Fire Salt
Same caffeine, a lot more electrolyte. All three give you about 100 mg of caffeine, roughly a cup of coffee. Fire Salt adds 670 mg sodium per stick, more than 2.5 times Hydrant's 260 mg, and 90 mg magnesium, three times Hydrant's 30 mg. Liquid I.V. doesn't list its sodium on its own.
Built for people who sweat. Fire Salt was started by a firefighter. On a hot jobsite, in turnout gear or in a hard training session, caffeine gets you moving, but salt is what you're actually short on. Fire Salt gives you both in full.
Coconut water. Fire Salt has coconut water powder. Neither of the others lists it.
Big-bottle mixing. One stick goes into 16 to 32 oz of water. Fill the jug, drink it through the morning.
Value. About $1.41 a stick, around 38 cents less than Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Energy on a single pouch. HSA/FSA eligible through Truemed, per Fire Salt.
One base, three ways. The caffeine stick shares its base with caffeine-free Essential Hydration and Electrolytes + Creatine. Caffeine in the morning, caffeine-free later, same formula.
The edge cases
- Hydrant Energy adds 200 mg L-theanine and costs about $1.33 a stick. If you want L-theanine and green tea caffeine at a desk, it works.
- Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier adds L-theanine plus B vitamins and vitamin C. If you want vitamins with your caffeine, it works.
Where does the caffeine come from?
Fire Salt uses caffeine anhydrous, which is purified caffeine, the same molecule as in coffee and tea, measured to 100 mg per stick. Hydrant uses green tea caffeine. Liquid I.V. says natural caffeine and adds coffee fruit extract.
Can you have more than one a day?
Count all your caffeine. The FDA says up to 400 mg a day is generally not linked to negative effects in healthy adults. Coffee, pre-workout and energy drinks count. Need more electrolytes late in the day? Switch to caffeine-free Fire Salt Essential Hydration so you can still sleep. See the shift work hydration and caffeine guide.
The bottom line
If you just want a lift at a desk, any of these will do. If you sweat, Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine is the one built for it: 100 mg caffeine, 670 mg sodium, 90 mg magnesium, coconut water and zero sugar, about $1.41 a stick, made in the USA.
Shop Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine in Blue Raspberry or Watermelon.
Related
Product details for Hydrant and Liquid I.V. come from drinkhydrant.com, liquid-iv.com and shop.liquid-iv.com as of October 8, 2026, and may change. Hydrant and Liquid I.V. are trademarks of their owners. Fire Salt is not affiliated with them. Fire Salt is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Fire Salt Caffeine, Hydrant Energy or Liquid I.V. Energy?
For most people who sweat, Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine. All three have about 100 mg caffeine and zero sugar, but Fire Salt adds 670 mg sodium, 90 mg magnesium and coconut water at about $1.41 a stick. If you want L-theanine, Hydrant and Liquid I.V. include it.
Which has more sodium, Fire Salt Caffeine or Hydrant Energy?
Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine has 670 mg sodium per stick. Hydrant Energy has 260 mg. Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier lists 955 mg of total electrolytes on its product page without breaking out sodium.
Does Fire Salt Caffeine have L-theanine?
No. Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine has 100 mg caffeine, electrolytes and coconut water powder. Hydrant Energy and Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier each list 200 mg L-theanine.
How do the prices compare per stick?
As of October 8, 2026, Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine is about $1.41 per stick, about 20% less than Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier (about $1.79). Hydrant Energy is about $1.33, but Fire Salt gives you 670 mg sodium per stick to Hydrant's 260 mg.
What's a good Hydrant Energy alternative with more electrolytes?
Fire Salt Hydration + Caffeine. Same 100 mg caffeine, with 670 mg sodium and 90 mg magnesium versus Hydrant's 260 mg and 30 mg, plus coconut water and zero sugar.
Is Liquid I.V. Energy Multiplier sugar-free?
The Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier has 0 g sugar and is sweetened with allulose. Liquid I.V. sells other energy products too, so check the label.
Where does the caffeine in each come from?
Fire Salt uses caffeine anhydrous, purified caffeine that's the same molecule as in coffee. Hydrant uses green tea caffeine. Liquid I.V. says natural caffeine and adds coffee fruit extract.
