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If you’ve spent any time looking at electrolyte supplements, you’ve probably run into both LMNT and Magna. They’re both popular in fitness and low-carb/keto circles, but they take pretty different approaches. Here’s an honest, ingredient-level breakdown to help you figure out which one actually fits what you need.
Quick Take
- Choose LMNT if: you want a high-sodium formula built for heavy sweating, low-carb diets, or intense training days.
- Choose Magna if: you want a broader mineral profile with more moderate sodium, or you’re not doing intense/prolonged sweat sessions.
What’s Actually in Each
LMNT
- Sodium: ~1,000 mg per serving — this is the headline feature. It’s designed around the idea that most people (especially low-carb eaters and athletes) are chronically under-salted, not over-salted.
- Potassium: ~200 mg
- Magnesium: ~60 mg
- No sugar, no fillers. Sweetened with stevia.
LMNT’s whole pitch is “salt is good, actually” — it leans hard into sodium replacement, which makes sense if you sweat a lot, do fasted training, or eat low-carb (where the body flushes sodium faster).
Magna
- Sodium: Lower than LMNT, closer to what you’d find in a “balanced” electrolyte mix.
- Magnesium: Typically the stronger focus — Magna markets itself more around magnesium adequacy than sodium replacement.
- Potassium: Included, similar range to most electrolyte mixes.
Magna reads more like a general “fill mineral gaps” product than a sweat-replacement product. It’s a reasonable fit if your main concern is magnesium (a mineral most people are actually low in) rather than sodium loss from training.
Who Should Pick Which
| If you… | Go with |
|---|---|
| Train hard, sweat heavily, or do fasted/low-carb workouts | LMNT |
| Are mainly trying to fill general mineral gaps (especially magnesium) | Magna |
| Get headaches or fatigue on a low-carb diet | LMNT (sodium is usually the fix) |
| Already eat a sodium-heavy diet and don’t want more salt | Magna |
| Want a no-sugar, no-filler formula | Either — both are clean-label |
The Honest Caveat
Neither of these is inherently “better” — they’re solving slightly different problems. Electrolyte needs are individual: how much you sweat, what you eat, and your activity level all matter more than which brand you pick. If you’re unsure, the simplest test is trying a stick pack of each and noticing how you actually feel — cramping, energy, headaches — rather than going off marketing copy.
Bottom Line
- LMNT — best for people who sweat a lot or eat low-carb and need serious sodium replacement.
- Magna — best for people who want a more moderate, magnesium-forward mineral mix.
My Personal Faves
My go-to LMNT flavor is Mango Chili—it has a bold taste with just the right amount of kick. For Magna, I reach for Watermelon Lime, a refreshing blend where both flavors really come through.
Jawn Picks 
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