Most people shop for a sports drink the same way they shop for a snack. They look at the price, grab a familiar brand, and move on.

But a sports drink is not just a flavored beverage. It is a tool. And like any tool, its real value depends on what you need it to do.

If your goal is to hydrate athletes, the “best” drink is not always the cheapest option. It is the one that matches your workout, your sweat, and your stomach. That is why A-GAME vs Gatorade is not a simple taste test. It is a real sports drink comparison about electrolytes, sugar, and what you are paying for.

This guide breaks down A-GAME, Gatorade, Powerade, and Liquid I.V. using 2026 retail pricing and label nutrition. Then it gives you a simple way to choose, without marketing noise.

What you are really buying when you buy a sports drink

A sports drink can do up to three jobs:

1. Replace the fluid you lose through sweat
2. Replace electrolytes (primarily sodium, sometimes potassium)
3. Provide fast energy (carbs and sugar)

Some drinks add a fourth job: vitamins, which may matter more for people who want a “functional” drink and less for people who just need fuel.

Here is the part most labels do not make obvious: you rarely need all four jobs at once.

• If you are doing a short lift or a casual run, water is usually enough.
• If you are training hard, sweating a lot, or playing in the heat, sodium matters.
• If you are doing long-endurance work, carbohydrates can matter a lot.
• If you want a zero-sugar sports drink, you are trading fuel for lighter calories.

The question is: Are you paying for hydration, fuel, vitamins, or all of them?

A-GAME vs Gatorade vs Powerade vs Liquid I.V. (2026 snapshot)

To keep this fair, I used a single “real-world serving” for each product:

• A-GAME: 16 fl oz bottle
• Gatorade: 20 fl oz bottle
• Powerade: 20 fl oz bottle
• Liquid I.V.: 1 stick mixed into water (a “bottle equivalent” serving)

Prices are sourced from current retailer or brand listings, and nutrients are sourced from label or product nutrition information.

Prices vary by store and sales, so treat these as a snapshot, not a lifetime promise.

Quick comparison table (mobile-friendly)

Drink comparison (by serving used)

A-GAME Zero Sugar (16 oz bottle)

• Price per serving: $2.67
• Sodium (mg): 241
• Potassium (mg): 151
• Vitamin C (mg): 24
• Vitamin B6 (mg): 2.0

Gatorade Thirst Quencher (20 oz bottle)

• Price per serving: $0.92
• Sodium (mg): 270
• Potassium (mg): 78
• Vitamin C (mg): 0
• Vitamin B6 (mg): 0

Powerade Mountain Berry Blast (20 oz bottle)

• Price per serving: $2.59
• Sodium (mg): 400
• Potassium (mg): 130
• Vitamin C (mg): ~18*
• Vitamin B6 (mg): Not listed*

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier (1 stick)

• Price per serving: $1.46
• Sodium (mg): 490
• Potassium (mg): 380
• Vitamin C (mg): 62
• Vitamin B6 (mg): 1.93

*Note: Powerade lists vitamin C as 20% DV and vitamin B12 as 60% DV on the referenced label.

What the table actually means

1) If you want the cheapest bottle, Gatorade wins

If you buy a multi-pack, Gatorade is usually the lowest cost per bottle in this set. 

But you are not paying for vitamins. You are paying for:

• carbs
• a moderate amount of sodium and potassium

That is perfect when you genuinely need fuel. It is less valuable when you are cutting sugar or trying to stay light at night.

2) If you want zero sugar plus vitamins, A-GAME is built for that lane

A-GAME’s numbers are very “intentional” for a zero-sugar electrolyte drink:

• Sodium: 241 mg (solid for everyday training)
• Potassium: 151 mg (higher than many basic sports drinks)
• Vitamin B6: 2 mg
• Vitamin B12: 6 mcg (250% DV)
• Vitamin C: 24 mg 

That vitamin profile is not a small add-on. It is the point of the drink. That is why A-GAME tends to cost more than classic sugar-based bottles. 

3) If you want higher electrolytes per serving, Liquid I.V. is the outlier

Liquid I.V. is the highest in sodium and potassium here:

• Sodium: 490 mg
• Potassium: 380 mg

That is why many people treat it like a “hydration boost,” especially after heavy sweating.

But you are mixing a powder into water, not grabbing a cold bottle. Some people love that. Some people will not do it consistently.

4) Powerade sits in the “classic sports drink” middle, with some label extras

The referenced Powerade label shows:

• 400 mg sodium
• 130 mg potassium
• 20% DV vitamin C
• 60% DV vitamin B12 

It can be a strong pick when you want higher sodium than Gatorade, and you are fine with a traditional sports drink approach.

The “true value” metric: what are you paying per nutrient?

This is the part most people never calculate, but it explains why these drinks feel so different in value.

Using the prices and label numbers above:

Cost per 100 mg potassium (lower is better if potassium is your goal)

• Liquid I.V.: about $0.39 per 100 mg K 
• Gatorade: about $1.17 per 100 mg K
• A-GAME: about $1.76 per 100 mg K 
• Powerade: about $1.99 per 100 mg K 

If potassium is your primary target, Liquid I.V. is the clear value leader in this set.

Cost per 100% Daily Value of vitamin B12

FDA Daily Value for B12 is 2.4 mcg. 

• Liquid I.V.: 240% DV so about $0.61 per 100% DV 
• A-GAME: 250% DV so about $1.07 per 100% DV 
• Powerade: 60% DV so about $4.32 per 100% DV 
• Gatorade: 0% DV 

If B12 matters to you, A-GAME and Liquid I.V. are doing something Gatorade is not even trying to do.

So which one is “best” for you?

Here is the simple way to choose, without overthinking it.

Choose A-GAME if you want:

• A zero-sugar sports drink
• steady electrolytes for regular training
• a vitamin-forward label (B6, B12, C) 

This is the lane for people who train often, want clean hydration, and do not want a sugar hit every time they sweat.

Choose Gatorade if you want:

• the lowest cost per bottle (especially in bulk)
• carbs during long, hard sessions
• a familiar classic sports drink

This is the lane for tournaments, double-headers, long runs, and two-a-days when fuel matters.

Choose Powerade if you want:

• higher sodium than many basic sports drinks
• a classic grab-and-go bottle
• some added label nutrients depending on the product

Choose Liquid I.V. if you want:

• the biggest electrolyte punch per serving in this set
• a mix-in format you can control
• strong vitamin numbers (C, B6, B12) 

Is A-GAME healthy?

For most active adults, A-GAME is a “daily driver” hydration drink if you want zero sugar.

Here is why:

• Sodium is moderate at about 241 mg per bottle. That is meaningful for hydration, but not extreme. 
• Sugar is listed as 0 in the referenced nutrition entry. 
• B vitamins are high, especially B12 at 250% DV and B6 at 118% DV. Those are water-soluble vitamins, so your body typically excretes excess rather than storing it. 

Two precautions to take when choosing sports hydration drinks:

1. If you are sensitive to sweeteners or sugar alcohols, test it in training first (not on game day).
2. If you have kidney disease, high blood pressure, or a sodium-restricted diet, ask your clinician what sodium range is right for you.

That isn't fear. That is just smart hydration.

FAQ

Is Liquid I.V. better than a sports drink?

It depends on what you mean by “better.” Liquid I.V. provides more sodium and potassium per serving than the bottled drinks in this comparison, so it may feel more effective when sweat loss is high. 

Is Gatorade unhealthy?

Not automatically. Gatorade is a tool. The main downside is that a 20-oz bottle brings a lot of sugar, which is helpful during long, hard work and unnecessary for short, easy sessions. 

Do I need vitamins in my sports drink?

You do not “need” them for hydration. But if you are choosing between two drinks you will use consistently, vitamins can be part of the value, especially if you want a functional drink rather than just flavored sugar water. 

Is a zero-sugar sports drink always better?

Not always. If you are doing endurance work and need carbs, sugar is a fuel source. If you are doing shorter training or you care about cutting sugar, zero-sugar electrolyte drinks make more sense.

What is the simplest rule to follow?

Ask yourself one question: Do I need fuel right now, or do I just need hydration?

Fuel points you toward classic sports drinks. Hydration points you toward electrolyte-focused options, like A-GAME.