All 23 MiO Water Enhancer Flavors, Ranked—Including the Original, Energy, Vitamin and Sports Flavors

Sure, it's still water, but some flavors are just tastier than others.

If you struggle to make your recommended daily water intake (about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports), then maybe you've tried the help of a water enhancer like MiO. A zero-sugar liquid water enhancer that adds flavor—and in some cases, energy, vitamins and electrolytes too—to your otherwise boring, unassuming water, Parade got to the bottom of the cup to rank the best MiO flavors from worst to best.

In our ranking, Parade included all of MiO's original flavors and all of its flavors from the Energy, Vitamins and Sports lines. Not included? Any discontinued flavors that are no longer available.

Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned. 

Is water with MiO still good for you?

Adding MiO to your water is an easy, tasty way to "enhance" the flavor of regular water. You simply add a few drops to your drink. But is it good for you? Could it really be as healthy as the real stuff?

Made by the Kraft Heinz food company, MiO is designed to be added to water as a way to encourage people to drink more water and prevent dehydration. For those purposes, MiO certainly does its part.

Related: Is Drinking Too Much Water Possible?

However, MiO contains sweeteners like Ace-K, sucralose and stevia leaf extract. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes each as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS), some research has suggested that sucralose may cause cancer in the long run, Ace-K may increase weight gain and cause gut biome imbalance, and other potential side effects that may be detrimental.

Right now, research is so limited that it's difficult to know for sure.

Are MiO flavors healthy?

If you are using MiO to help you drink more water and stave off dehydration, you can rest assured that MiO is "healthy" in that way. One bottle is only 1.62 ounces, and yet, delivers anywhere from 10 to 24 servings of hydration.

Each flavor is kosher, vegetarian, and is considered both sugar- and calorie-free.

Then there are the additional benefits that certain MiO lines may give: Electrolytes, Vitamins and Energy. These three lines include 10 percent of the daily needed B3, B6 and B12. As its name suggests, the MiO Energy line contains 60 mg of caffeine per serving as well as taurine, guarana and ginseng.

Related: All the Flavors of Gatorade—Ranked Worst to Best

Apart from MiO Energy, all other MiO flavors do not contain caffeine.

Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or diabetic should consult their doctor or registered dietician before using MiO, per MiO's website. MiO also explains that while MiO is generally safe for children to consume, parents should consult their child's pediatrician first and also understand that the Energy line contains caffeine.

Ultimately, it's hard to say if MiO is healthy. It's up to you to determine your specific health needs and whether or not MiO's benefits outweigh its risks.

What are the side effects of MiO?

While there is no existing research that overtly links the consumption of MiO to any specific side effects, there are a few things worth noting.

MiO uses two artificial sweeteners—Ace K and sucralose—that are controversial at best. As mentioned above, both may be linked to health risks like weight gain, cancer and gastrointestinal issues.

Related: 10 Severe Allergy Symptoms You Should Take Seriously

This water enhancer also contains the food dyes Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1 and potassium sorbate. Studies have found that Red 40 and Yellow 5 contain a carcinogen called Benzidine. Additionally, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1 may also produce allergic reactions.

MiO is also controversial for its use of preservatives including the preservative propylene glycol. While the FDA recognizes it as safe, overdosing on propylene glycol can be serious.

Related: What Is an 'Ingredient Household' and Why Is It Taking Over TikTok?

Then, there's the caffeine in MiO's Energy line to consider. While caffeine can promote energy, Medline Plus warns against possible side effects as well.

Why can't you mix MiO with alcohol?

As per its website, MiO does not recommend mixing MiO Energy with alcohol:

Related: How Long Does Alcohol Stay in the Body?

While MiO does not have an alcohol disclaimer on any of its other non-caffeinated lines, you may want to reconsider before adding it directly to alcohol.

What is the best MiO flavor?

Wondering what's the best MiO flavor? It's largely subjective, of course, but keep reading to find out which MiO flavor reigned supreme in Parade's ranking of worst to best flavors.

All Mio Flavors—Ranked

23. Orchard Apple (vitamins)

Simply put, we don't want to bring the apple orchard to our glass of water. It's just not necessary. If we wanted a similar but better taste, we'd eat an apple, bake a pie, or you know, have a glass of cider or something.

22. Fruit Punch

MiO Fruit Punch Liquid Water Enhancer (1.62 fl oz Bottle), Set of 3

Truth be told, the Parade team really wanted to love MiO's Fruit Punch flavor. But like so many other brands that have done the classic flavor dirty, the truth is that fruit punch-flavored MiO is just too sweet.

21. Berry Grape

Mio Liquid Water Enhancer, Berry Grape, 1.62 OZ, 3-Pack

It's not the most subtle of MiO flavors and truth be told, you really have to be a grape flavor enthusiast to enjoy this one. In the event that grape flavors remind you of medicine, skip, skip, skip!

20. Wicked Blue Citrus (energy)

Mio Energy Liquid Water Enhancer, Wicked Blue Citrus, 1.62 OZ, 2-pack

Wicked Blue Citrus is like a shot of lemon, lime and blueberry all wrapped into one. It's also from MiO's Energy line, so it has an extra kick of caffeine. It's fine enough and especially if you're groggy, it gets the job done. However, it's just not a standout flavor.

Related: It's a Showdown of the 40 Best Monster Drink Flavors of All Time—Ranked

19. Orange Vanilla (vitamins)

Mio Vitamins Liquid Water Enhancer, Orange Vanilla, 1.62 OZ 4-Pack

Sorry not sorry, but orange vanilla can be a tricky flavor to get right. While it's great as a creamsicle or soda, the Orange Vanilla MiO from the brand's Vitamins line feels more like a swing and a miss than a success. It kinda just feels... gimmicky.

18. Lemon Lime (sport)

Mio Sport Liquid Water Enhancer, Lemon Lime, 1.62 Ounce, Pack of 6

The words that come to mind are "just not having it." It's not as good as the lemon-lime Gatorade and unfortunately, that really is the barometer for lemon-lime flavors.

17. Green Thunder (energy)

MIO Green Thunder, 1.62-Ounce (Pack of 2)

First of all—love the name. Green Thunder, from MiO's Energy line, does in fact bring the thunder. Though dare we say we wish it was a tad stronger? It does the green-apple flavoring so much better than #23 (yuck!) and we even love that there's an extra dose of vitamins in there.

Related: 32 Best Ice Cream Flavors, Ranked

16. Blueberry Lemonade

MiO Blueberry Lemonade Liquid Water Enhancer Drink Mix (1.62 fl oz Bottle)

It's been said before but the Blueberry Lemonade MiO flavor makes it worth saying again: Lemonade flavors are tough to blend. Sure, the strawberry- and watermelon-lemonade hybrids of the world work together easily and as such, have become classics.

But blueberry lemonade? It's a little too sweet yet somehow not tangy enough, and if anything, it's more blueberry-flavored than it is lemonade-flavored. We give it a C-.

15. Orange (sport)

MiO Sport Orange Electrolyte Liquid Water Enhancer, 48mL/1.6 fl. oz., {Imported from Canada}

Not going to lie, it's usually pretty hard to mess up orange-flavored anything. MiO's take on Orange is average at best but it's certainly drinkable. The one thing it's not? It's not better than Orange Tangerine from MiO's Energy line. (See #10.)

14. Strawberry Watermelon

MiO Sugar-Free Strawberry Watermelon Naturally Flavored Liquid Water Enhancer 8 Count 3.24 fl oz

Welcome to citrus heaven! The Strawberry Watermelon MiO is undeniably scrumptious, but those who don't have a sweet tooth might find this one hard to swallow. It's bubblegum-y, for sure, but there's also something about it we can't stop thinking about?

13. Cranberry Raspberry

Mio Liquid Water Enhancer Cranberry Raspberry 1.62 Ounce (Pack of 4)

Cranberry Raspberry MiO gets a hard B-. If you're craving a vodka cran, but need to hydrate instead, this is the flavor you need to reach for. Of all the MiO flavors, it's the one that tastes the least like actual water and the most like a cocktail.

12. Lemonade

MiO Lemonade Water Enhancer (Pack of 2)

Lemonade really runs the gamut; it can either be sickly sweet or... lemon-water. Even though Lemonade MiO goes into water, the taste is far from watery! Luckily, it hits the ratio on the head quite nicely and it's neither sickly sweet.

Related: From Phish Food to Cherry Garcia, These Are the Best Ben and Jerry's Flavors—Ranked

11. Berry Blast (sport)

MiO Sport Berry Blast Liquid Water Enhancer, Caffeine Free, 1.62 fl oz Bottle, 4 Pack

We've got to say, the overarching theme here is that MiO does its berry flavors really, really well—like, down to a science. So too is Berry Blast from MiO's Sports line. It's not too syrupy or fake-tasting and for less of the sugar, it competes extremely well against red Gatorade.

10. Orange Tangerine (energy)

Mio Vitamins Liquid Water Enhancer, Orange Tangerine, 1.62 OZ

The best of the oranges, Orange Tangerine is another flavor from Energy. It, too, easily stands up against the orange-flavored Gatorade but with significantly less sugar, it really is the better option. Dare we also say, the tastier option!

9. Berry Pomegranate

Mio Liquid Water Enhancer, Berry Pomegranate, 1.62 OZ, 5-Pack

Expectations for Berry Pomegranate were not exceptionally high, but all it took was one sip to convert us. It's a hybrid of both sweet and sour but if a subtle MiO flavor is what you're looking for, this definitely isn't that. If it's a kick of berry you want, look no further!

8. Arctic Grape (sport)

Mio Sport Liquid Water Enhancer, Arctic Grape, 1.62 OZ, 6-Pack

MiO's Arctic Grape from its Sports line is significantly better than Berry Grape. We're not sure if it's the added electrolytes we have to thank, but Arctic Grape is so on point that even those who aren't grape flavor fans traditionally can overcome their biases.

7. Tropical Fusion (energy)

MiO Energy Tropical Fusion Naturally Flavored with other natural flavors Liquid Water Enhancer Drink Mix with Caffeine & B Vitamins, 1.62 fl. oz. Bottle

A standout from the Energy line, Tropical Fusion might as well be a perfectly blended smoothie. It's hard to believe that plain, old water can taste this good but turns out, it's the perfect hybrid of berries and pineapples—like eating fruit right off the vine on a tropical island.

Related: You'll Never Look at the Golden Arches the Same Once You Crack Open the McDonald's Secret Menu

6. Açaí Berry Storm

MiO Energy Acai Berry Storm Liquid Water Enhancer (1.62 fl oz Bottle)

With a name like that, Açaí Berry Storm MiO better live up to what it presents. And thankfully, it does! Its reputation precedes this MiO and there's a hurricane of flavor spiraling around inside your mouth with each sip. Once again, another berry flavor MiO gets right!

5. Cherry Blackberry

Mio Liquid Water Enhancer, Cherry Blackberry, 1.62 OZ, 5-Pack

The fruity combination we didn't know we needed from MiO, Cherry Blackberry is divine. If only MiO started making ice cream flavors because we would devour a sundae of this flavor in five minutes flat.

4. Strawberry Pineapple Smash (energy)

Mio Energy Liquid Water Enhancer, Strawberry Pineapple Smash, 1.62 OZ, 12-Pack

The electrifyingly tropical taste of Strawberry Pineapple Smash MiO (from the Energy Line) is a happy surprise. Pineapple can be tough to nail but with the appropriate ratio of strawberry in there, this flavor is both refreshing and pleasant.

Related: The Best Animated Movies of All Time—Ranked

3. Sweet Tea

MiO Sweet Tea Liquid Water Enhancer (1.62 oz Bottle)

The Sweet Tea MiO will knock your socks off! Anything "tea" flavored can sometimes turn out too watery, but we're happy to report that this one is one of the few that masters the taste. Especially when you're not looking for something too fruity or too sweet, Sweet Tea MiO turns your water from plain to fabulous.

2. Mango Peach

Mio Liquid Water Enhancer, Mango Peach, 1.62 OZ, 6-Pack

If peach-flavored things alienate you, this is the sign you never knew you wanted: The Mango Peach MiO will make a peachy-keen convert out of you and you can thank the perfect blend of mango flavors for that. Mango truly is the star here but kudos to MiO for getting the blend just right!

1. Black Cherry (energy)

MiO Energy Water Enhancer - Black Cherry Naturally Flavored Liquid Water Flavoring Drops Drink Mix with Caffeine & B Vitamins (6 ct Pack, 1.62 fl oz Bottles)

Funnily enough, the #1 MiO flavor happens to be the same flavor that dominated our complete ranking of White Claws too. It just goes to show—Black Cherry may be a polarizing choice but the people that love it really love it.

This MiO's cherry flavor really has a kick. It's not too tart (like cherry juice) and not too sugary like some candies. It's like... if the dark red Tootsie Pop was a drink that also hydrated and caffeinated you all at once.

Next up, the best Vitaminwater flavors—ranked.