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  4. 10 Best Sports Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed
  • 10 Best Sports Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed 1
  • 10 Best Sports Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed 2
  • 10 Best Sports Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed 3
  • 10 Best Sports Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed 4
  • 10 Best Sports Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed 5

10 Best Sports Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed

Sports drinks are a convenient and easy way to ensure optimal hydration and energy levels, before, during and after intense activity. If you're confused by the scientific jargon companies like to throw around, you may struggle to find the right sports drink for your needs. 


In this article, we discuss the difference between hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic drinks, the importance of electrolytes and the benefits of BCAAs. To help give your performance an added boost, we've handpicked 10 of the best sports drinks in the UK from Amazon and Decathlon. Also, we have partnered with Nutritionist Tara Corbett for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information to our users.

Last updated 28/03/2024
Tara Corbett
Expert
Nutritionist
Tara Corbett

mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.

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Table of Contents

Fact-Checked & Approved by Nutritionist Tara Corbett

Fact-Checked & Approved by Nutritionist Tara Corbett

Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients to lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through better nutrition. She specialises in helping busy parents improve their diets without overwhelming them with information, and get them back on track so that the whole family can benefit.

How to Choose a Sports Drink in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Choose a Sports Drink Based on Your Energy and Hydration Needs
  2. Decide Whether You Prefer to Buy Powder, Liquid or Tablets
  3. Look for Sports Drinks With Functional Added Ingredients
1

Choose the Type of Sports Drink Based on Your Energy and Hydration Needs

Choose the Type of Sports Drink Based on Your Energy and Hydration Needs

Pick Isotonic Sports Drinks for Short, High-Intensity Workouts

Isotonic sports drinks contain a similar concentration of carbohydrates, sodium, and potassium to those found in the human body. A good all-rounder when it comes to sports hydration. They're readily absorbed and able to replenish stores relatively quickly, which can be useful for short high-intensity exercise.

Get Hypotonic Sports Drinks for Faster Hydration

Hypotonic sports drinks have a lower concentration of carbohydrates, sodium and potassium than the human body. These sports drinks provide the fastest hydration as the lower concentration of electrolytes allows them to be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.


These drinks are a good option for those on a calorie-controlled and low carb diet, who still want to optimise their hydration but don't wish to consume excess carbohydrates. Luckily, hypotonic sports drinks are formulated with little to no carbohydrates per serving.

If You Want to Refuel After a Long Training Session, Use a Hypertonic Sports Drink

Hypertonic sports drinks are formulated with higher amounts of carbohydrates, minerals and salts to deliver the maximum amount of energy. These are best for recovery after intense exercise when you'll want to replace glycogen levels quickly.


A great choice if you carry out long training sessions regularly, or for refuelling after competing in a sporting event. However, due to the high amount of added calories from carbohydrates, they may be detrimental if you’re trying to get in shape. 

2

Select a Powder or Liquid Form to Mix Easily With Water, but Tablets Are More Convenient to Take With You on the Go

Select a Powder or Liquid Form to Mix Easily With Water, but Tablets Are More Convenient to Take With You on the Go
  • Powders: are the most common type, as they can be bought in bulk and are easy to dissolve and store. 

  • Tablets: are more convenient to take with you on the go. However, the number of servings per container can be quite limited - the average is only 20 tablets per tube. 

  • Concentrated liquids: are a great alternative to tablets and powders. They're the easiest to mix with water, so you won't be left with sediment or a chalky aftertaste.


Frustratingly, however, for the cost-conscious buyer, varying serving sizes between brands can make it difficult to discern the best value products. A good way to find a budget-friendly option is to compare the cost per serving.

3

Look For Sports Drinks With Functional Added Ingredients to Optimise Your Body's Performance

Look For Sports Drinks With Functional Added Ingredients to Optimise Your Body's Performance

Consider Protein for Optimum Recovery Post Exercise

Dietary protein is important for maintaining muscle mass and to support the growth of new muscle after training. That's why protein and amino acids are sometimes added to sports drinks. 


There are various types of protein derived from different sources. The most common is whey protein which comes from cows milk. However, there are also vegan options such as pea protein, soy protein and rice protein. 


In recovery drinks, branch chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as leucine, isoleucine and valine, as well as other amino acids like L-glutamine are sometimes added. These help ensure a complete amino acid profile and promote the rebuilding of muscle after intense training or an event.


Optimise your workouts with BCAA supplements.

Keep an Eye on Added Vitamins Like B, C or D to Support Your Body's Function

The most common added ingredients are vitamins and minerals. Supplementing sports drinks with certain key vitamins can be beneficial for supporting your body's function.


Vitamin C is thought to support your immune system, reduce tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin B contributes towards energy metabolism and vitamin D is needed to keep bones and muscles healthy. 

Look for Caffeine, L- Carnitine and Green Tea to Help Boost Your Performance

Some formulations go one step further by adding natural performance-enhancing ingredients. Caffeine is the most commonly used performance enhancer in coffee, tea, and energy drinks. It can be useful for giving you a boost in energy, mental alertness, and performance.


L- carnitine is an amino acid that you cannot get from your diet. It's thought to boost exercise performance by transporting fatty acids into your cells to be used for energy. Green tea extract can promote exercise recovery, metabolism and is a powerful antioxidant.


Try supplements such as whey protein or vegan protein powders to improve your performance potential.

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10 Best Sports Drinks in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Olimp

ISO Plus

Olimp ISO Plus 1

£11.35

Low Mid

A Good Value Energy Blend With Multivitamins and Minerals

2

HIGH5

Energy Drink Caffeine Hit

HIGH5 Energy Drink Caffeine Hit 1

£19.79

Mid

Energy and Hydration With a Caffeine Kick

3

Bulk Powders

Complete Hydration Powder

Bulk Powders Complete Hydration Powder 1

£10.79

Low Mid

A Complete High-Performance Isotonic Sports Drink

4

PowerBar

ISO Active

PowerBar ISO Active 1

£15.88

Mid

A Unique Carbohydrate Blend for Hydration and Energy

5

Kendal Mint

KMC ISO Mix

Kendal Mint KMC ISO Mix 1

£19.79

Mid

A Refreshing and Effective Fuel to Maximise Your Performance

6

Science in Sport

Go Electrolyte Energy Drink Powder

Science in Sport  Go Electrolyte Energy Drink Powder 1

£17.99

Mid

An Informed-Sport Accredited Sports Drink That's Vegan and Allergen-Free

7

Science in Sport

Rego Rapid Recovery Protein Shake

Science in Sport Rego Rapid Recovery Protein Shake 1

£27.99

High Mid

A Full Spectrum Protein-Packed Recovery Drink

8

Biotech

Multi Hypotonic

Biotech Multi Hypotonic  1

£13.66

Mid

A Concentrated Low-Sugar Liquid Sports Drink

9

HIGH5

Zero

HIGH5 Zero 1

£7.25

Low

Low Calorie and Easy to Dissolve Hypotonic Tablets

10

PowerBar

5 Electrolytes Sports Drink12 pack

PowerBar 5 Electrolytes Sports Drink 1

£37.99

High

A Calorie Free Electrolyte Drink to Rely on for 100% Refreshment

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

OlimpISO Plus

ISO Plus 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.35
Low Mid
Reference price
£11.35
Low Mid

A Good Value Energy Blend With Multivitamins and Minerals

An excellent choice for avid sports enthusiasts, ISO Plus is a cost-effective and versatile isotonic sports drink full of beneficial added ingredients. L-carnitine and L-glutamine, along with a host of multivitamins, are included to support your body's energy metabolism and recovery, while keeping you fueled and hydrated. 


This is a no-frills isotonic sports drink that will satisfy almost all users. Available in two sizes, it's excellent value with a high number of servings per container of 86 servings for the 1.5kg bag and 40 servings for the 0.7kg tin. This will make both your athletic performance and money last longer!

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

HIGH5Energy Drink Caffeine Hit

Reference price
£19.79
Mid

Energy and Hydration With a Caffeine Kick

Loaded with 140 mg of caffeine per serving, this sports energy drink will give you that extra kick. Perfect for helping you focus and push even further through the hardest training sessions or the toughest events.


A great choice for avid cyclists, this drink contains HIGH5's unique HEAC (High Electrolyte Anti-Cramp) formulation to prevent buildup of lactic acid. Just be careful if you're sensitive to caffeine!

No.3

Bulk PowdersComplete Hydration Powder

Complete Hydration Powder 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Complete Hydration Powder 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£10.79
Low Mid
Reference price
£10.79
Low Mid

A Complete High-Performance Isotonic Sports Drink

Complete Hydration is a high-performance sports drink, designed to optimize endurance by maintaining energy levels while enhancing the absorption of water during physical exercise.


With added BCAAs and vitamin B6, the handy pouch contains three different types of carbohydrates (maltodextrin, dextrose and fructose) to take advantage of different absorption pathways in the body. 

No.4

PowerBarISO Active

ISO Active 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.88
Mid
Reference price
£15.88
Mid

A Unique Carbohydrate Blend for Hydration and Energy

ISO Active is a dual-sourced carbohydrate mix, with a unique 2:1 ratio of glucose and fructose which PowerBar calls C2MAX. It contains 5 types of electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) to replenish those lost through sweat. 


A popular product that's free from artificial flavours and preservatives. It's perfect for those looking to avoid artificial ingredients while enjoying a refreshing drink that'll help you stay hydrated during training.

No.5

Kendal MintKMC ISO Mix

Reference price
£19.79
Mid

A Refreshing and Effective Fuel to Maximise Your Performance

Here's a product that ensures you're not compromising on taste, texture or performance, as this top-quality sports drink can be trusted to aid hydration and improve physical performance, thanks to its blend of 4 electrolytes. It's also gluten-free and suitable for vegans.


KMC ISO mix is an excellent product with rave reviews for its fresh fruity mint taste that is refreshing and sweet without all the added sugars of other sports drinks. More so, the mint it contains promotes digestion and clears your airways.

No.6

Science in Sport Go Electrolyte Energy Drink Powder

Reference price
£17.99
Mid

An Informed-Sport Accredited Sports Drink That's Vegan and Allergen-Free

This sports drink is Informed-Sport accredited, so you can rest assured that the highest quality control has been put in place. Vigorously tested by world-class sports laboratories, there are no banned substances in this formulation, giving you peace of mind if you're a competing athlete.


This product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and free from lactose, gluten, wheat, soya and nuts, which is great news for those with food allergies! What's more, it comes in different flavours including lemon and lime, tropical and blackcurrant, to name a few.

No.7

Science in SportRego Rapid Recovery Protein Shake

Reference price
£27.99
High Mid

A Full Spectrum Protein-Packed Recovery Drink

This recovery drink falls between a protein shake and a sports drink, to deliver you the best of both worlds. A fantastic a 2-in-1 product, it's formulated with everything you need to optimize recovery and help you adapt quicker to increasing performance demands.


If you are looking for the best sports drink to help you recuperate after training, then this is the one for you! Just be aware of the higher cost per serving.

No.8

BiotechMulti Hypotonic

Multi Hypotonic  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£13.66
Mid
Reference price
£13.66
Mid

A Concentrated Low-Sugar Liquid Sports Drink

Biotech's Multi Hypotonic is a low-carbohydrate sports drink designed to be quickly absorbed for fast energy and hydration. Perfect for use during intense training sessions, its concentrated liquid formula makes it easy to dilute in water.


Ideal for those looking for an alternative to powders and tablets, the only real downside is that the 1000 ml container makes it inconvenient to carry around.  

Reference price
£7.25
Low

Low Calorie and Easy to Dissolve Hypotonic Tablets

Zero is a convenient, low-calorie hypotonic electrolyte tablet for those with hydration in mind. It comes in a handy tube, so you can throw it in your gym bag without any worries or mess.


Unfortunately, its limited sports application and lack of servings per container, means that it won't be suitable for everybody. While its low carbohydrate and calorie content may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight, its not as effective for perfomance-minded athletes as other types of sports drinks. 

No.10

PowerBar5 Electrolytes Sports Drink12 pack

5 Electrolytes Sports Drink 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
5 Electrolytes Sports Drink 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£37.99
High
Reference price
£37.99
High

A Calorie Free Electrolyte Drink to Rely on for 100% Refreshment

Here's another suitable dietary supplement for sports men and women wanting to cut down calorie intake or looking for a sugar-free option. Opting for a drink like this without the extra carbohydrates can help to boost exercise performance and muscle function during selected workouts.


This electrolyte drink provides the 5 main electrolytes which you lose the most through sweat, namely, sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The lemon tonic flavour is also infused with 75 mg of caffeine per serving to improve concentration. Sadly, it comes with a higher price tag.

Why Should You Buy a Sports Drink?

Why Should You Buy a Sports Drink?

Sports drinks are designed to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts hydrate before, during and after exercise. They work by replacing electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, which are lost through sweat to promote proper hydration. By keeping optimally hydrated, this will enable you to maximise athletic performance and manage fatigue.


Most sports drinks also contain some form of carbohydrates. These are stored in the muscles in the form of glycogen and used by the body as fuel during exercise. Because the body can only store a limited amount, ingesting carbohydrates through sports drinks can replenish glycogen stores to improve overall endurance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sports Drinks Better Than Water?

While sports drinks are more beneficial when you are partaking in high-intensity exercise to replenish the electrolytes that you have lost through sweating, water should always be your go-to drink of choice for hydration

Are Sports Drinks Good For Diarrhea?

If you are suffering from a mild case of diarrhoea and it isn’t possible to eat something with adequate sodium and potassium content to replace what’s been lost isn’t possible then consuming a sports drink can be a good alternative. If it’s a serious bout of diarrhoea, you should consult your doctor for the appropriate treatment.

Written and researched by Elisha Chung

About Specialist Fact-Checked Articles

Tara Corbett
Nutritionist
Tara Corbett

We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.


- mybest UK

Top 5 Sports Drinks

No. 1: OlimpISO Plus

No. 2: HIGH5Energy Drink Caffeine Hit

No. 3: Bulk PowdersComplete Hydration Powder

No. 4: PowerBarISO Active

No. 5: Kendal MintKMC ISO Mix

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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