The order to do it in
Work through the panel in the same order every time. Serving size first, because it sets the scale for everything else. Then sodium, then the remaining declared minerals, then sugar, carbohydrate and calories, then caffeine status, then format and packaging, then cost per serving.
| Step | What to compare | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Declared serving size | Comparing a scoop against a tablet |
| 2 | Sodium per serving | Reading a per-package figure as per serving |
| 3 | Potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride | Treating a blank as zero |
| 4 | Sugar, carbohydrate, calories | Assuming an undeclared sugar figure means sugar free |
| 5 | Caffeine status | Missing an energy variant in the same line |
| 6 | Format and packability | Choosing a tub for a use case that needs sticks |
| 7 | Cost per serving | Comparing pack prices with different serving counts |
Normalise before you judge
Every figure belongs to a declared serving, so two products are only comparable once you have both servings in front of you. Tablets are declared per tablet and powders per stick or scoop; that alone explains most apparent gaps in sodium.
Servings per package is the number that turns a shelf price into a cost per serving, and it is the only fair way to compare a tube against a tub.
Let the tools do the work
The comparison tool puts two or more products on identical rows, shows undeclared values as undeclared, and links to each product's own label data and verification date. The database view does the same job across the whole catalogue with sorting and filtering.
Our category rankings are built on the same declared values, and each category page states its eligibility rule and what the ordering represents.
Category pages
Side-by-side comparisons
Data and method
General information disclaimer
This page is general information about product labelling and nutrition, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Individual needs vary. Consult a qualified health professional about your own hydration, sodium intake or medical conditions.