Nuun Vs. Propel Electrolyte Drinks: A Deep Dive Comparison

Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health and athletic performance. Electrolyte drinks help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat. Two popular options are Nuun and Propel fitness waters. But which one is better?

This comprehensive guide compares Nuun and Propel side by side. We’ll look at ingredients, nutrition facts, taste, price, and more. Read on to learn the pros and cons of each electrolyte drink and decide which is best for your needs.

A Quick Comparison Table

Before diving into the details, here is a quick overview of how Nuun and Propel stack up:

Feature	Nuun	Propel
Main Ingredients	Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium	Vitamins B & E, electrolytes
Calories per serving	10	20
Carbs per serving	2g	5g
Flavor options	10+	10+
Caffeine-free	Yes	Yes
Price per serving	$1 – $1.50	$0.50 – $1

Key Differences Between Nuun And Propel Electrolyte Drinks

As you can see, Nuun has fewer calories and carbs while Propel offers more vitamins. Both come in a variety of flavors. Now let’s explore each drink in more depth.

Ingredients in Nuun and Propel

The main ingredients in electrolyte drinks provide hydration and replenishment. Let’s look at what’s inside Nuun and Propel:

Nuun

Nuun contains 4 main electrolytes:

• Sodium – Helps maintain fluid balance and muscle contraction
• Potassium – Supports nerve transmission and muscle contraction
• Calcium – Important for bone health
• Magnesium – Helps regulate muscle and nerve function

Other ingredients include citric acid, sea salt, stevia, and vitamin C. Nuun is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and contains no sucrose, glucose or fructose. It’s keto-friendly with only 2g net carbs per serving.

Nuun comes in single-serve tablets that you drop into water. This allows you to control the strength of the drink. More tablets makes it more concentrated.

Propel

The main ingredients in Propel fitness water are:

• Electrolytes – Sodium and potassium
• Vitamin B – B3, B5, B6, and B12
• Vitamin E
• Zinc
• Magnesium

Propel also contains natural flavors, citric acid, sucralose, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), and soy lecithin.

Unlike Nuun, Propel uses powder packets rather than tablets. You just pour the powder into water and shake it up.

So while Nuun provides more electrolytes, Propel offers additional vitamins and minerals.

Nutrition Facts

Let’s compare the nutrition facts for a typical serving of Nuun and Propel:

Nutrition Facts	Nuun	Propel
Serving size	1 tablet (16 oz drink)	1 packet (20 oz drink)
Calories	10	20
Total fat	0g	0g
Sodium	270mg	35mg
Potassium	63mg	30mg
Total carbs	2g	5g
Sugars	0g	0g
Protein	0g	0g

Nuun has zero calories and minimal carbs. Propel clocks in at 20 calories and 5g carbs per serving.

Propel does contain more sodium than Nuun, which is the main electrolyte you lose through sweat.

Overall, Nuun is better if you want an electrolyte drink with zero or minimal calories and carbs. Propel offers a bit more sodium.

Flavors

Both Nuun and Propel come in a variety of delicious flavors.

Here are some of the most popular options for each:

Nuun Flavors

• Lemon Lime
• Fruit Punch
• Orange
• Grape
• Berry
• Citrus Fruit
• Strawberry Lemonade
• Watermelon
• White Grape
• Tropical

Propel Flavors

• Grape
• Kiwi Strawberry
• Mango Orange
• Peach
• Strawberry Lemonade
• Berry
• Orange
• Fruit Punch
• Raspberry Lemonade
• Mandarin Orange

So while the ingredients differ between the two brands, the flavor options are diverse for both.

It comes down to personal preference.

Nuun flavors tend to be more subtle and fizzy. Propel offers stronger fruit flavors, but some think they taste artificial.

Price

On average, Nuun costs between $1-$1.50 per tablet serving. Packs of 10-30 tablets range from $8-$20.

Propel powder packets cost approximately $0.50-$1 per serving. A box of 20 packets ranges from $7-$10.

So Propel is the more budget-friendly option per serving compared to Nuun. However, Nuun allows you to control the strength of the drink since you can add 1-2 tablets as desired.

Both offer good value for an electrolyte drink without the sugar found in sports drinks like Gatorade.

Caffeine Content

An important note is that Nuun and Propel are both caffeine-free. This makes them good options for hydration throughout the day, rather than just for workouts.

Many electrolyte drinks contain stimulants like caffeine which can dehydrate you further. The lack of caffeine in Nuun and Propel makes them better choices for sustained hydration.

Nuun Pros And Cons

Nuun has changed the game when it comes to electrolyte supplementation. But is it right for you? Here are the main pros and cons:

Nuun Pros

• Significantly higher in electrolytes than competing brands
• Minimal calories and carbs
• Tablet form allows you to customize strength
• Clean ingredients with no artificial sweeteners
• Portable for on-the-go hydration
• No sugar, gluten, dairy, soy, or caffeine

Nuun Cons

• More expensive than other electrolyte powders and drinks
• Some don’t like the subtle, fizzy taste
• Only available as tablets, not pre-mixed drinks
• Fewer flavor options than Propel

Nuun clearly wins when it comes to precise concentrations of key electrolytes, purity of ingredients, and low carb/calorie profile.

The biggest downsides are the higher cost and limited flavors compared to Propel. The tablet format also isn’t as convenient for some as powder or ready-to-drink options.

But if you want maximum electrolyte replenishment without extra fluff, Nuun is hard to beat.

Next let’s examine the pros and cons of Propel.

Propel Pros And Cons

Propel offers an affordable, vitamin-packed alternative to sports drinks like Gatorade. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of Propel:

Propel Pros

• Added vitamins B, C, E for energy and immunity
• Higher sodium content than Nuun
• Significantly cheaper than Nuun per serving
• Pre-mixed and powder options for convenience
• Sweeter taste than Nuun
• Wide range of fruit flavors

Propel Cons

• Not as many electrolytes as Nuun
• Contains artificial sweeteners and dyes
• More calories and carbs than Nuun
• Not as natural and clean as Nuun
• Powder clumps more than Nuun tablets

Propel saves you money compared to Nuun while providing B vitamins lacking in Nuun. It also contains helpful antioxidants not found in Nuun.

The downside is the lower electrolyte levels, artificial ingredients, and higher calorie/carb content compared to Nuun. The powder format can also clump if not thoroughly mixed.

But if you want a more affordable, vitamin-enriched electrolyte drink, Propel is a solid choice.

Nuun Or Propel: Which Is Better?

So when it comes down to Nuun and Propel, which electrolyte drink is right for you? Here are some key considerations:

• For serious athletes and endurance sports – Nuun provides higher electrolyte levels to replace sweat loss from intensive training.
• For low-carb/keto diets – With only 2g carbs per tablet, Nuun is a great electrolyte option for low-carb lifestyles.
• For an immunity boost – Propel’s vitamin C and zinc better support immune function.
• For convenience – Propel’s ready-to-drink and powder options are more portable.
• For best value – Propel costs significantly less per serving compared to Nuun.
• For clean ingredients – Nuun contains no artificial sweeteners or colors if you want a “cleaner” formula.
• For maximum hydration – Both Nuun and Propel enhance hydration far better than water alone.

In the battle of Nuun vs Propel, Nuun takes the lead if you prioritize higher electrolyte levels and a purer ingredient list. Propel pulls ahead for affordability and vitamin content.

Ultimately there’s no “winner” – the right electrolyte drink depends on your budget, nutritional needs, taste preferences, and lifestyle.

Hopefully this detailed comparison gives you the knowledge to select the best electrolyte drink for your goals. Both Nuun and Propel beat out sugary sports beverages for healthier hydration.

How To Use Nuun And Propel?

Nuun and Propel make hydrating throughout the day simple thanks to their portable formats. Here’s a quick guide on how to use each:

Nuun

• Fill water bottle with 16-20 oz water
• Add 1-2 Nuun tablet(s)
• Allow tablet to dissolve (approx 5-10 minutes)
• Shake gently and enjoy!

Propel

• Fill water bottle with 16-20 oz water
• Empty 1 Propel powder packet into bottle
• Shake vigorously until powder dissolves
• Drink and refresh with Propel!

Nuun and Propel both work great before, during, or after workouts. But they can also be used:

• On hot days to prevent dehydration
• When sick to replenish fluids and electrolytes
• To ease headaches by restoring hydration
• On low-carb diets to provide electrolytes without carbs
• While traveling to avoid dehydration on planes

Sip Nuun or Propel throughout your day to stay energized and hydrated when you need it most.

Tips For Picking The Best Flavor

Nuun and Propel both offer unique flavor varieties. Follow these tips to choose your perfect electrolyte drink flavor:

• Choose your favorite fruits – Both brands offer crowd-pleasing flavors like lemon, orange, berry, and fruit punch. Pick fruits you enjoy most.
• Try the lemon lime or citrus options – These flavors offer more universal appeal if you just want something refreshing.
• Sample flavor variety packs – Nuun and Propel sell sample packs with multiple flavors to try.
• Mind the sweetness level – Nuun flavors are more subtle than Propel’s sweeter varieties.
• Watch out for unpleasant aftertastes – Some report Propel leaves a chemical-like aftertaste from artificial sweeteners.
• Go unflavored – Nuun has an unflavored tablet if you want to avoid flavors entirely.

Experiment to find one or two go-to flavors you love. Variety will keep your electrolyte intake exciting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Takeaway: Choose The Electrolyte Drink That Meets Your Needs

When comparing Nuun and Propel, there’s no definitive winner. The ideal electrolyte drink depends on your budget, taste preferences, nutritional priorities, and lifestyle factors.

Choose Nuun if you want lower carb/calorie, higher electrolyte levels, and cleaner ingredients. Opt for Propel to save money and enjoy added vitamins. Both improve upon sugary sports drinks by better supporting hydration and nutrition needs.

Maximize your hydration by:

• Drinking 16-20 ounces of electrolyte water during and after exercise
• Carrying portable tablets or powder packets for on-the-go hydration
• Consuming electrolytes on hot days or when sick
• Avoiding excessive intake that may cause side effects
• Finding 1-2 favorite flavors you love

Nuun and Propel both make proper daily hydration easy and tasty. Quench your thirst the healthy way with these top electrolyte drink brands. Just be sure to choose the one that best fits your individual needs and preferences.

Your mind and body will thank you!