10 Best Coconut Water Brands for Post-Run Recovery

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 1 gram
• Calories: 67.5 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.12/ounce

In terms of user popularity, Vita Coco and Harmless Harvest—the next brand on our list—compete head to head. Vita Coco started producing delicious, natural coconut water in 2004—before most adults started swapping sugary sports drinks for this healthier alternative. Their original coconut water contains less than 1 gram of added sugar, some vitamin C, and pure coconut water not from concentrate.

Furthermore, this bulk package is very affordable and comes in recyclable cardboard boxes. With over 2,000 user reviews, fans overwhelmingly love the taste and affordability. I’ve also consumed plenty of cartons of Vita Coco myself, and it’s my go-to whenever I want to buy in bulk for a good price.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Calories: 90 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.35/ounce

For most who have tried it, this is simply the best tasting and most refreshing coconut water on the market. Harmless Harvest uses organic coconuts and their own proprietary processing system to deliver the freshest and cleanest taste. According to them, it’s “the closest you can get to drinking from an actual coconut.”

One extremely unique thing about this product is that when refrigerated, the liquid turns pink. This is because of the antioxidants used and their interaction with certain elements. Most negative reviews of the product have something to do with the product not turning pink, which Harmless Harvest says “might happen.”

I’ve personally tried this coconut water and it’s incredibly refreshing, crisp, and delicious. Among a group of 1,200-plus reviewers, many noted that this is their favorite coconut water ever. However, it does come at a very high price.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Calories: 21 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.16/ounce

Nooma’s athletic drinks are coconut water with a kick. The traditional sports beverages that we grew up drinking are full of added sugars and unnecessary ingredients. Nooma started as a healthier alternative to rapid rehydration during or after activities. Their main ingredients are water and coconut water, with healthy added ingredients, like Himalayan pink sea salt and mushroom extract, to help boost hydration.

Because this isn’t pure coconut water, overall, Nooma contains fewer calories and sugars than most competitors. Their drinks come in a variety of flavor options, including a separate pre-workout line that contains caffeine. These drinks have a much more subtle flavor than the other options ion this list because they're more watered down.

This is a great and somewhat affordable option if you’re looking for a coconut water brand that will replenish you after a tough run but don't want something overly sweet.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Calories: 60 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.10/ounce

Laird’s powdered coconut water is a unique and sustainable alternative to bottled single-serving coconut water. In addition to powdered coconut water, it contains a bit of Aquamin. Aquamin is a sea algae that contains anti-inflammatory minerals and boosts overall health.

Reviewers overwhelmingly like the taste, but note that the milky appearance is a bit off-putting. While Laird’s powdered coconut water is very affordable, some users note having to double the brand's recommended concentration in order for the flavor to come through.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 17 grams
• Calories: 105 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.14/ounce

It is possible to hydrate while caffeinating. C2O produces a variety of different coconut water flavors and this unique drink adds 199 milligrams of espresso-based caffeine into a refreshing coconut water can. It’s still dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free and is an amazing alternative to sugar-filled lattes or sports drinks. I’ve personally enjoyed this beverage for many years, mostly as an afternoon pick-me-up for finishing out the workday strong.

On Amazon, this product averages a 4.4- out of 5-star rating from over 400 reviewers. Users rave over the subtle taste of espresso paired with the refreshing coconut base. Furthermore, when buying in bulk online, this drink is much cheaper than what you'd pay for it in most grocery stores.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Calories: 64 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.11/ounce

If you’re a daily coconut water drinker, you’ve probably recognized that it can quickly become an expensive habit. Luckily for coconut water devotees, the Happy Belly brand offers a 24-pack of the electrolyte-packed drink for just $30. While many store-bought options cost as much as $4 per can, this is an extremely affordable alternative—and one that uses only coconuts in its recipe, to boot.

Most users say that it has a clean, refreshing taste that is closer to water than the flavored alternatives on the market. Though there are hundreds of positive reviews for this product, the negative reviews all note a funky smell coming from the bottles upon arrival.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Calories: 15 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.08/ounce

Body Armor’s lighter versions of their popular sports drinks have the lowest sugar content and calories of any on this list. This beverage contains mostly filtered water, with coconut water concentrate and essential vitamins added for a bit of a hydration boost. For a quick potassium pick-me-up, this is a great affordable option. However, because it only contains 10 percent coconut water, it won't have the same rapid rehydrating effect as pure coconut water.

Though most users like the subtle flavoring, some do not like the watered-down taste. However, it gets high marks overall, with an average user rating of 4.8 stars across almost 30,000 reviews.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Calories: 22 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.39/ounce

According to the American Journal of Public Health, one in two kids is under-hydrated. Fortunately, Creative Roots gives kids a fun, easy, and tasty way to meet their daily hydration needs. This product is a diluted coconut water beverage with subtle flavoring that tastes like watermelon lemonade. It’s also low-calorie and only contains one gram of sugar overall.

This is a much better alternative to a typical carton of fruit juice or soda. It’s perfect for packing in a lunch box or handing out on the way to soccer practice. Parents overwhelmingly love this healthy drink for their kids, although it is fairly expensive.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 7 grams
• Calories: 105 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.13/ounce

Looking for a post-run summer treat that keeps you hydrated? The Zico chocolate-flavored coconut water is my absolute favorite recovery treat. It does include more added sugars than most other beverages here, so it’s perfect when serious refueling is needed. (My personal tip is to sprinkle in some pink Himalayan sea salt for an added electrolyte boost.)

Most reviewers agree that it's a standout beverage, too. Out of over 8,000 reviews on Amazon, the chocolate Zico has an average 4.6- out of 5-star rating, with most users raving about the taste and quality of the Zico brand.

Key Specs

• Added Sugars: 1 gram
• Calories: 80 calories/12 ounces
• Price Per Ounce: $0.14/ounce

If you’ve tried a variety of different coconut water brands and still haven’t found one you’ve liked, this one may change your mind. Vita Coco Pressed blends the brand's original coconut water with fresh coconut puree for a fresher and more “coconutty” taste. There’s still only one gram of sugar, but you still get all of the naturally-occurring electrolytes and minerals that you'd enjoy from pure coconut water.

Reviewers rave about the superior taste of the pressed version of Vita Coco, with some calling it richer and “more flavorful.” This variety of coconut water is particularly good for smoothies, thanks to its fuller taste and consistency.