Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links; we will earn a commision, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through one of our links.

We all love to drink water. It’s one of our sources of life as human beings, after all. The thing is, though, some people find water a bit too plain for their taste and prefer flavored water.

Water flavoring gives your water a hint of sweet fruitiness without adding any calories, ensuring a tasty, less boring water-drinking experience.

In this article, I highlight the best Crystal Light alternatives that you can buy depending on your needs. I will also go over how to choose the right flavor for you!

The 3 Best Crystal Light Alternatives

Finding a flavored water product like Crystal Light that you enjoy can be pretty challenging, but there are options that won’t damage your health.

Our top three alternatives are:

ImageProductDetailPrice
True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets

True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets

  • Best Overall
Price
Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder

Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder

  • Runner-Up
Price
SweetLeaf WaterDrops

SweetLeaf WaterDrops

  • Best for Budget
Price

Best Overall: True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets

True Citrus - True Lemon Crystallized Lemon (2 Boxes of 32 = 64 Packets)

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Provides a good dose of vitamin C
  • No artificial sweeteners or preservatives
  • Can be used for seasoning
  • Help you lose weight

Cons

  • There’s only one flavor

You can use the True Lemon Crystallized Lemon in your tea, water, and even in your recipes! True Lemon is as natural as it gets; the lemon juice is simply crystallized with no artificial preservatives added to capture the fresh flavor of the lemon.

True Lemon is available in only powder form. Every six packets are equivalent to one whole lemon. The flavor contains no artificial sweeteners or flavors, has zero calories, and it’s non-GMO verified too!

Runner-Up: Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder

Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder, Blue Raspberry, 30 Servings - Sugar Free, 0 Calories, 0 Carbs - Gluten-Free, Keto, Non-GMO, Vegan, with Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium

Pros

  • Contains electrolytes that provide health benefits for you
  • Zero sugar, gluten, and calories
  • Multiple plant-based fruit flavors
  • Keto-friendly

Cons

  • A bit expensive
  • Too much intake can result in some side effects

If you wish to keep your body hydrated and refreshed with zero sugar, carbs, or calories, Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder might be your best bet.

This product contains six electrolytes to keep your body and mind at peak performance. It also has vitamin C and it’s non-GMO verified!

The stick packs come in a convenient pouch and are easy to carry if you’ll be using the product at work or the gym. A canister is also available for household use.

Related: Top 4 Zipfizz alternatives on the market

Best Budget Choice: SweetLeaf WaterDrops

SweetLeaf WaterDrops, Mixed Berry, 1.62 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Keto-friendly
  • Various flavors

Cons

  • Contains additives to keep the product fresh
  • Not a good source of Vitamin C

Made by the well-renowned SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener, this product offers an excellent flavor to your water at almost no expense at all.

SweetLeaf WaterDrops are made with stevia leaf extract and monk fruit, enhancing the taste of your water to make it sweeter while not adding any extra calories!

How to Choose the Right Flavor for You?

Before buying a water-flavoring product, there are a number of factors that you must take into consideration.

Healthy Ingredients

Some water flavorings can simply provide you with just flavor, whereas others can contain many healthy ingredients like minerals and vitamins.

You should aim to make your water even more nutritious by opting for water flavors that contain electrolytes or other hydration-enhancing nutrients, such as vitamin C.

Amount of Caffeine

Do you want to stay awake and to be energized? There are many flavors out there with enough caffeine content to help you keep going throughout the day!

On the other hand, if you’re caffeine-sensitive and it makes you a bit anxious, you should avoid such flavoring products or simply not drink them too often.

Readers Also Checked: Why does Crystal Light make me pee a lot?

Artificial Flavors and Sweeteners

It’s best to stay away from any product made with artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Better yet, choose a water flavor with natural sweeteners, such as stevia or other fruits.

Product Use

You have three main options to choose from: liquid, powder, and tablet flavors. When it comes to flavor, either one of them will produce similar results.

You’ll mainly have to think about how you intend to use the product. For instance, powder and tablets are ideal for those looking for a compact flavor product that they can carry around and use at any time. If you prefer not to mix, bottled flavored water is another option.

Is Crystal Light Bad for You?

The artificial colors and sweeteners have ignited a lot of controversy around Crystal Light. The drink contains sucralose and aspartame.

Even though both additives have been declared safe by the FDA, there are people that suffer from allergies and headaches induced by these additives.

To sum up, Crystal Light isn’t bad for you per se, but it isn’t the healthiest option either

Is Flavored Water Healthy?

The main idea behind flavoring your water is to make it less boring and tasty so that you want to drink and, in turn, stay hydrated. Hydration has plenty of benefits that include preventing fatigue, brain fogginess, and headaches.

Flavored waters may have sugars or additives that are harmful to one’s health. However, there are available flavors on the market with health-promoting nutrients and little to no added sugars that can help you increase your water intake depending on your needs.

What’s more, some flavored waters contain electrolytes that can assist restore water loss from exercise or even high heat.

Final Thoughts

After carefully reviewing the previous products, it seems that the number one award will have to go to the True Lemon Crystallized Lemon!

Not only can it be used to enhance water taste but you can also use it in many other ways! It’s a healthy, budget-friendly option that you can find in stores or simply order from Amazon.

You’ll likely want to make your own decision based on the flavors you like and the relative ease of preparation. Many of the Crystal Light alternatives are great for a good hydration boost, and several of them are considered a healthier option.

Ultimately, if you want to enhance your water flavor, get your taste buds moving with whichever alternative makes you happy!

Leave a Comment