The Best Potassium Supplement

While sodium often takes the blame for high blood pressure, its quieter counterpart — potassium — deserves equal attention. Adequate potassium helps your body excrete excess sodium and keeps blood vessels relaxed, two effects shown to support healthy blood pressure in clinical research and large population studies.1 Yet most adults get only about two-thirds of the recommended amount, making potassium one of the few nutrients officially labeled a public-health concern in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.2 3

That gap matters. Too little potassium can affect blood pressure, hydration, and even muscle function — issues that can creep up whether you’re training hard, managing stress, or just trying to stay energized.4 Increasing intake through food is often the best approach, but for many people, supplements offer a safe and practical way to help close the gap.2 5

In this guide, we’ll break down what potassium does for your body, how much you need, and which supplements deliver real benefits without overdoing it. If you’re in a hurry, check out our quick summary below; otherwise, read on for our full reviews and insights into the best potassium supplements.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles.

At Innerbody, we thoroughly evaluate every product and service we review, including the potassium supplements in this guide. Our team has spent more than 1,000 hours examining potassium and related electrolytes, as well as reviewing dozens of scientific studies on how different forms and doses of potassium affect blood pressure, hydration, and overall cardiovascular health.

In addition to this research, we investigated the top potassium supplements on the market, determining which offered the best balance of safety, quality, and evidence-based effectiveness. To get a complete picture, our testers also purchased and tried these products directly, assessing taste, ease of use, and transparency in labeling.

As with all health-related content on our site, this guide was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy and will continue to be updated as new research and products emerge.

Identifying the market's best potassium supplements involved assessing brands on factors that normally influence consumer choices:

• Effectiveness
• Safety
• Cost
• Convenience

In the following sections, we explain how we chose the winner in each category.

Effectiveness

Advantage: NOW Foods Potassium Citrate 99mg Veg Capsules

In the peer-reviewed research we examined, potassium intake shows a direct relationship with healthier blood pressure and overall cardiovascular function.1 6 7 Those benefits depend on total daily intake rather than any single dose.

• Most adults need about 2,600–3,400mg of potassium per day to support cardiovascular health, hydration, and muscle function.2
• Higher potassium intake — around 4,000–4,700mg per day — may help support healthier blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium.37 55 High sodium intake tends to raise blood pressure by increasing fluid retention and vascular resistance.83
• Even so, most Americans get only 2,300–3,000mg of potassium per day, leaving a shortfall of roughly 300–1,700mg, depending on whether their goal is the general recommendation or the higher intake shown to offset sodium’s effects.2 8

To fill this gap, the best strategy is to eat potassium-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and dairy, which deliver potassium alongside other beneficial nutrients.9 When that’s difficult, a supplement can help.

The most effective approach for potassium supplementation is to mimic dietary intake by spreading smaller doses throughout the day, ideally with meals and plenty of water.10 11 In this regard, NOW Potassium Citrate stands out as a practical way to bridge a mild dietary gap. Each capsule provides 99mg of elemental potassium (K) in a sodium-free, well-tolerated form suitable for everyday use.12 13 Taken consistently, it’s an effective option for improving the sodium-to-potassium ratio that underlies much of potassium’s heart-health benefit.1

Not all potassium supplements serve the same purpose. Nutricost Potassium Chloride Powder, for example, can replace part of the sodium in table salt — a strategy validated in large clinical trials showing significant reductions in stroke and cardiovascular events when sodium intake was lowered and potassium increased.14 And for those who exercise frequently or sweat heavily, electrolyte powders with added potassium — such as those from Primal Harvest — can help restore fluid and mineral balance during recovery.15

Ultimately, potassium supplements are most effective when they’re used to enhance — not replace — a potassium-rich diet.

Safety

Advantage: NOW Foods Potassium Citrate 99mg Veg Capsules

Potassium supplements have an excellent safety record when used appropriately. Even higher doses — typically only found in prescription products containing 585mg or more of elemental potassium — have been shown in clinical trials to be safe in people with normal kidney function.7

Our evaluation of safety therefore comes down to manufacturing quality and formulation simplicity. NOW Potassium Citrate stands out because it contains only one active ingredient, adds no sodium or unnecessary fillers, and is produced in cGMP-certified facilities with extensive in-house testing for purity and contaminants. That combination minimizes both formulation risk and contamination risk.

By contrast, powdered forms like Nutricost’s Potassium Chloride are also safe when diluted properly but require more care in measuring and mixing.10 Even our high-dose pick, Pure Encapsulations Potassium Citrate (200mg per capsule), remains safe when taken with plenty of water. We also appreciate that Pure Encapsulations goes a step further by submitting all of its supplements for third-party testing and verification.

Still, NOW Foods Potassium Citrate earns the edge for safety because its moderate 99mg dose aligns with guidance to spread potassium intake throughout the day rather than taking large amounts at once.11

Cost

Advantage: Nutricost Potassium Chloride Powder

This category wasn’t close once we compared the cost per 99mg of elemental potassium in each supplement. Nutricost’s Potassium Chloride Powder delivers a significant cost advantage, providing far more potassium per dollar than any capsule or stick-pack option. Capsules like NOW and Pure Encapsulations are convenient for everyday use, but their per-serving cost remains much higher than a bulk option like Nutricost’s powder.

Note: At the time of this writing, Life Extension’s one-time purchase price was on sale for 40% off. The cost listed in the chart above reflects that discount.

Even after accounting for shipping, Nutricost’s cost advantage is clear — it’s 10-20x cheaper per 99mg of potassium than any capsule or drink mix. Its 1kg tub provides more than 1,400 servings, making it one of the most economical ways to maintain potassium intake consistently over time.

Pure Encapsulations comes closest among capsules thanks to its higher dose per pill and free shipping, while Life Extension and Primal Harvest carry higher costs but also deliver additional nutrients that enhance their overall value.

For overall affordability, Nutricost Potassium Chloride Powder retains a decisive cost advantage.

Convenience

Advantage: Life Extension Potassium with Extend-Release Magnesium

When it comes to potassium supplements, “convenience” isn’t just about how easy a pill is to swallow. It also includes factors like customer service, subscription flexibility, and return policies.

A capsule will generally be easier to take than a powder that needs to be mixed with water. And while all of the capsule products in our guide are easy to take, Life Extension stands out for a few practical reasons:

• Flexible subscription options: Customers can set deliveries every 1–12 months, skip shipments, or cancel anytime. Subscriptions also ship free and include a discount (though not applicable when the product is already on sale), making it easier to stay consistent without overstocking.
• Generous satisfaction guarantee: A 12-month return policy — the longest among brands in this guide — provides uncommon peace of mind if the product isn’t the right fit.
• Balanced daily formula: The combination of 99mg potassium with 250mg extended-release magnesium can simplify routines for people who need both minerals.

It should be noted that the upper limit for supplemental magnesium is 350mg per day, so for those already taking a magnesium supplement, Life Extension’s inclusion of it might actually make this product less convenient.16 Even with that potential tradeoff, Life Extension earns the advantage for convenience thanks to its flexible subscription system and long return policy, which are stronger than any other supplement in this guide.

The chart below offers a quick reference of how our top picks compare in several major ways, including their cost, serving counts, and more.

Note: At the time of this writing, Life Extension’s one-time purchase price was on sale for 40% off. The cost listed in the chart above reflects that discount.

Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte. It’s the body’s main intracellular cation (positively charged ion): about 98% of it lives inside your cells, where it helps maintain fluid balance and the electrical gradients that let nerves fire and muscles — including your heart — contract.2 It also plays a role in:17 18

• Blood pressure regulation
• Acid–base (pH) balance
• Carbohydrate metabolism

Your body tightly regulates blood potassium through the kidneys and hormones like aldosterone.19 After you eat potassium-rich foods, the mineral is absorbed in the small intestine, moves into cells, and excess amounts are excreted in urine to keep blood levels within a narrow, safe range.20

Most people get potassium from their diet — mainly fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy, and certain fish.2 This is important, because higher potassium intakes, especially from whole foods, are consistently linked with better cardiovascular outcomes in population research.9

Each potassium supplement combines elemental potassium with another molecule (anion). The anion changes how the compound behaves in solution and, in some cases, determines its therapeutic use. In healthy people, absorption of potassium is high (often above 90%) across all common forms, so no form is proven clearly superior for general supplementation.12

As mentioned, potassium is an essential mineral with wide-ranging effects on health, and research over the years has identified many potential benefits of maintaining adequate potassium levels. Here are some of the biggest benefits associated with potassium:

Blood pressure

One of potassium’s most well-known benefits is its ability to help lower blood pressure, especially in people with hypertension. Higher potassium intake can promote vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) and increase the excretion of sodium in urine, which in turn reduces blood volume and pressure.2 In fact, most clinical trials show that potassium supplementation leads to modest but significant blood pressure reductions.

• A 2017 meta-analysis of 25 trials found that potassium supplements (typically 1.2–4.7g of potassium per day as potassium chloride) reduced systolic blood pressure by about 4–5mmHg and diastolic pressure by 3mmHg on average.35
• The effect was even greater in participants who already had high blood pressure – their systolic and diastolic readings dropped by roughly 6.8 and 4.6mmHg, respectively.35

These improvements suggest that getting enough potassium can be an important factor in blood pressure control.

Heart health and stroke

Potassium also supports overall cardiovascular health. Because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, it’s not surprising that higher potassium intake is linked to a lower risk of stroke and other cardiac events. Large observational studies and reviews have found that people who consume more potassium tend to have significantly fewer strokes.

• In one meta-analysis of 11 cohort studies (with about 247,000 total participants), a daily increase of about 1,640mg of dietary potassium was associated with a 21% lower risk of stroke.6
• A 2016 analysis encompassing 16 studies (over 600,000 people) found that the group with the highest potassium intake had a 15% lower stroke risk than those with the lowest intake — and even after accounting for differences in blood pressure, they still saw a significant 13% average reduction.36

In recognition of these benefits, the U.S. FDA even approved a health claim stating that diets containing foods high in potassium (and low in sodium) may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.37

Kidney stone prevention

Getting enough potassium may also reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. Low potassium intake can impair the kidneys’ ability to reabsorb calcium, leading to more calcium being excreted in urine — this excess urinary calcium can contribute to the formation of calcium-based kidney stones.38 Observational research has consistently found an inverse relationship between potassium and kidney stones.

• One long-term study in men showed that those with the highest dietary potassium (over 4,000mg per day) had a 51% lower risk of forming kidney stones compared to men with low potassium intake (under 2,900mg).39
• In over 90,000 women studied, those consuming about 4,100mg of potassium daily had about a 35% lower risk of kidney stones over many years, versus women getting less than 2,400mg.40

Potassium supplements (particularly potassium citrate) are actually used as a therapy to prevent recurrent kidney stones. In one trial, patients with a history of multiple kidney stones took 30–60mEq of potassium citrate daily (equivalent to roughly 1,200–2,400mg of potassium) for three years; this regimen resulted in far fewer new stones compared to a placebo group.41 A 2015 Cochrane review of multiple trials confirmed that potassium citrate supplementation reduced the risk of new calcium stone formation and even reduced the size of existing stones in patients prone to kidney stones.42 The benefit appears to stem from potassium citrate’s ability to increase urinary citrate and pH (making the urine less acidic), which helps prevent calcium crystals from forming.

Bone health

Another area where potassium shows promise is in maintaining strong bones. Several studies associate high-potassium diets – typically rich in fruits and vegetables – with better bone density and bone health.

• Data from population studies suggest that people who consume more potassium tend to have higher bone mineral density, meaning their bones are stronger and less porous.43
• Researchers hypothesize that potassium’s alkaline salts (like potassium citrate or bicarbonate, which are abundant in plant foods) help neutralize excess acid in the diet and thereby reduce bone breakdown.43

There is also direct evidence from clinical trials that potassium supplementation can benefit bone health. In one study, older adults were given a daily potassium citrate supplement (providing about 2,346mg of potassium) along with calcium and vitamin D, over a two-year period. The group taking potassium saw significant increases in bone mineral density in their lumbar spine compared to the placebo group.44 Other trials have found that potassium (about 2,300–3,500mg per day) can reduce markers of bone turnover and decrease calcium loss in the urine, which are positive signs for bone preservation.45 While not every study has shown a large effect, the overall trend is that higher potassium intake (especially from fruits and veggies or alkaline potassium salts) contributes to healthier bones and may help protect against osteoporosis.46

Muscle and nerve function

Potassium is critical for the normal functioning of muscles and nerves throughout your body. It plays a key role in maintaining the electrical gradients across cell membranes, which is essential for muscle contractions (including your heart’s beating) and nerve impulse transmission.47

Even mild potassium deficiency may lead to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, cramping, and constipation.18 In more severe cases, low potassium becomes very dangerous: it can result in muscle paralysis or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that are potentially life-threatening.18 Doctors have long observed that severe hypokalemia (low potassium) can trigger cardiac arrhythmias and other muscle malfunctions that require urgent treatment.48 The good news is that getting enough potassium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function and reduces the likelihood of these problems.49

Blood sugar control

Emerging research suggests that potassium may also influence metabolic health and blood sugar regulation. One reason is that potassium is necessary for insulin secretion in the pancreas – the body needs potassium to properly release insulin, which helps lower blood glucose.50

• In one large analysis from the long-running Nurses’ Health Study, women who consumed the most potassium had a 38% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over six years compared to women with the lowest potassium intake.53
• A small randomized trial in adults with prediabetes showed that taking a potassium chloride supplement (around 1,600mg of potassium per day) for 3 months significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, relative to a placebo.54

Several observational studies have also noted a connection between low potassium status and a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.51 People with lower dietary potassium or lower blood potassium tend to have greater insulin resistance and higher fasting blood sugar, whereas those with higher potassium intake often have a lower incidence of diabetes over time.52 While more research is needed to fully confirm how potassium intake affects diabetes risk, these findings hint that maintaining adequate potassium might help with healthy insulin function and blood sugar management.

Most adults need around 2,600–3,400mg of potassium per day, according to the National Academies of Sciences.2 The FDA sets the Daily Value even higher at 4,700mg, based on typical intake levels that align with better health outcomes in population research.2 But surveys show that most Americans fall short, making potassium one of the nutrients of public health concern.37 55

Why food comes first — but supplements can help

Potassium-rich foods — like leafy greens, lentils, potatoes, bananas, and dairy — offer potassium in forms the body absorbs well, along with other beneficial nutrients.9 But many people struggle to get enough from diet alone. Most U.S. adults average only 2,300–3,000mg daily.37 55 That’s where supplements can help bridge the gap.

How to take potassium supplements:

What about electrolyte supplements?

Electrolyte powders and drinks often contain potassium along with sodium and magnesium. They can help replenish minerals lost through sweat or illness — especially after a long workout, sauna session, or bout of dehydration. Just check the label for potassium: an hour of vigorous sweating can purge roughly 150–350mg of potassium from your body, so it’s wise to choose a formula that provides on the order of a few hundred milligrams per serving to refill what you lost.58 59 (Potassium content in popular products ranges from about 30mg up to 350mg per serving, so aiming toward the higher end of that range is usually most effective.)

If you’re interested in using an electrolyte formula, we break down the top options in our electrolyte supplement guide.

What about potassium salt substitutes?

Another way to boost potassium is by using potassium chloride-based salt substitutes, often labeled as "lite salt" or "low-sodium salt." These products replace some or all of the sodium chloride in table salt with potassium chloride — helping you cut sodium and increase potassium at the same time.

Research supports their use: in a large study of over 20,000 older adults in China, replacing regular salt with potassium salt (75% sodium chloride, 25% potassium chloride) significantly lowered stroke and cardiovascular death rates over five years, with no increase in potassium-related side effects.57

You can use potassium salt just like table salt in cooking or at the table. However, it may have a slightly bitter aftertaste, especially if it's 100% potassium chloride. If that’s the case, then you can mix table salt with potassium chloride until you create a mixture that is palatable.

For most healthy adults, yes. Clinical trials using potassium supplements in doses up to 5,000mg per day — typically split into smaller doses — have consistently shown they’re safe and well-tolerated. These studies report only minimal increases in blood potassium levels, with no signs of kidney stress or heart rhythm problems.7 62

In fact, blood potassium levels typically range from 3.5 to 4.5 millimoles per liter in healthy individuals. And in large trials, potassium supplements raised those levels by just 0.14 mmol/L on average — a small, clinically insignificant change.7

So why the 99mg cap on most supplements?

That number isn’t based on modern safety data. It stems from an older FDA rule tied to rare cases of gastrointestinal injury caused by high-dose, enteric-coated potassium chloride tablets — the kind used decades ago to treat serious potassium loss.63 Because those tablets released potassium directly into the intestine, they occasionally caused small bowel lesions.

Today, non-coated potassium supplements dissolve in the stomach, and modern safety trials show they don’t carry the same risk.7 62 Still, since the FDA requires a warning label for prescription potassium products that exceed 99mg per dose, most over-the-counter supplements voluntarily stick to that limit.2

That doesn’t mean higher doses are unsafe. In fact, many studies safely use 1–3g of potassium per day. But even with that reassurance, it’s still smart to take potassium in smaller amounts throughout the day — ideally with meals and a full glass of water — to support absorption and reduce the chance of stomach upset.10 11

Common side effects

Potassium supplements are generally well-tolerated, but they can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, especially at higher doses or when taken on an empty stomach.18

• Nausea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Diarrhea

Taking potassium with meals and plenty of water can help reduce these effects and improve overall tolerance.10 11

Is taking too much potassium dangerous?

There’s no defined Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for potassium in healthy individuals, according to the National Academies of Sciences.64 That’s because the body typically excretes excess potassium through urine — as long as kidney function is normal. Still, very large single doses (e.g., 18g or more) may cause acute hyperkalemia (high blood potassium), even in people without underlying kidney issues.18 That’s far more than you’d ever get from typical supplements, but it reinforces why moderation matters.

Hyperkalemia can be serious, but it’s rare in healthy people. It’s primarily a concern for those with kidney disease, adrenal disorders, or medications that reduce potassium excretion (like ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium-sparing diuretics).60 61 While case reports have linked salt substitutes or high-dose potassium to hyperkalemia in vulnerable individuals, these outcomes are not typical — and large clinical trials consistently show potassium is safe for most people when used appropriately.7 62 65 66

Potassium supplements can benefit a wide range of people — especially those who aren’t getting enough from diet alone. Surveys suggest that most U.S. adults fall short of recommended potassium intake, averaging around 2,300–3,000mg per day — well below the 3,400mg target for men and 2,600mg for women.2 55 Supplements can help bridge that gap, particularly for people at higher risk of deficiency or with increased potassium needs. These groups include:

Who are they not for?

While potassium supplements are safe for most healthy adults, they’re not for everyone. In certain cases, excess potassium can be dangerous — especially when the body can’t properly excrete it.

Best overall

Founded in 1968, NOW Foods is a well-established name in the supplement industry. The company maintains its own ISO/IEC 17025–accredited laboratory, where it tests raw materials and finished products for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants. Its manufacturing facilities are audited by both the FDA and Intertek to verify adherence to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). While NOW does not perform third-party testing on every batch, its accredited lab work and regulatory audits provide a reasonable level of transparency and assurance about product safety and consistency.

Each capsule of NOW Potassium Citrate provides 99mg of elemental potassium bound to citric acid. Clinical research shows that potassium citrate helps maintain acid–base balance and may aid in preventing kidney-stone formation by reducing urinary calcium excretion.21 22

Because the 99mg dose aligns with common safety recommendations, this supplement works best when taken with meals several times per day to help gradually improve potassium status.11 18 That approach mirrors how potassium is naturally consumed throughout the day in food.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

A 180-capsule bottle of NOW Potassium Citrate costs $14.99 on the company’s website. Standard shipping is $6.95 for orders under $50, and free for larger purchases above that threshold. This comes to roughly $0.08 per serving before shipping, or $0.12 including shipping.

At the time of writing, pricing was lower through reputable third-party retailers — Amazon ($8.70) and iHerb ($9.17) — though those offers may fluctuate. NOW doesn’t offer subscriptions on its website, though both Amazon and iHerb provide autoship options for recurring deliveries.

Refunds and guarantees

NOW’s refund policy applies only to new, unopened items purchased directly from its website. Customers have 30 days from the purchase date to initiate a return for a full refund, excluding shipping costs. This means there is no true “money-back guarantee,” unlike Life Extension, which offers one for a full year on its products.

Still, NOW’s program is slightly more flexible than Pure Encapsulations, which adds a potential 15% restocking fee on top of the same 30-day unopened-only limitation.

Best high-dose capsule for higher potassium needs

Founded in 1991, Pure Encapsulations focuses on minimalist formulations that avoid common allergens and additives. Each product is made in NSF-GMP–registered facilities in the U.S. and tested by independent laboratories for identity, potency, and purity. The company screens raw materials for heavy metals, solvent residues, pesticide compounds, and allergens, supported by supplier audits and in-house verification — a combination that contributes to its reputation for consistent, high-quality supplements.

Each capsule of Pure Encapsulations Potassium Citrate contains 200mg of elemental potassium, providing twice the amount found in most over-the-counter potassium supplements. This higher dose allows for fewer daily capsules while remaining well below levels shown to cause adverse effects in safety trials, where doses as high as 1,000mg per serving were tolerated in healthy adults.7 62

The formula includes only potassium citrate, vegetable cellulose (capsule), water, and ascorbyl palmitate as a stabilizer. Because potassium citrate supports acid–base balance and may help reduce urinary calcium excretion, this higher dose may appeal to people looking to support kidney health while maintaining optimal potassium levels.21 22

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

Pure Encapsulations offers two different bottle sizes, with a 10% subscription discount option. That ends up looking like:

Pure Encapsulations offers delivery options every 1, 2, or 3 months with its subscriptions, making it easy to align shipments with your intake habits. For people taking one capsule daily, the 90-count bottle pairs well with a 3-month subscription; those taking two capsules per day for higher intake can use the 180-count option on the same schedule.

Refunds and guarantees

Pure Encapsulations accepts returns of unopened products within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. Customers must contact support before sending returns, and shipping fees are nonrefundable. There may also be a 15% restocking fee. Taken together, these conditions make Pure Encapsulations’ return policy the most restrictive in this guide — unlike Nutricost and Primal Harvest, which both offer full money-back guarantees.

Best potassium and magnesium supplement for heart health

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Life Extension is one of the most established supplement companies in the U.S. All of its products are manufactured in NSF- and GMP-registered facilities and undergo independent third-party testing for purity and potency.

Each capsule of Life Extension Potassium with Extend-Release Magnesium delivers 99mg of potassium (as potassium chloride) and 250mg of magnesium (as extended-release magnesium oxide) — two minerals that help support heart, muscle, and nerve health. Meta-analyses of controlled trials demonstrate that each mineral independently lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure.72 This combination makes Life Extension’s formula a practical choice for those looking to support cardiovascular and overall electrolyte health.

The extended-release magnesium formulation helps maintain steadier absorption and may reduce gastrointestinal discomfort compared to standard magnesium salts.73 However, because each capsule contains 250mg of magnesium, it’s not practical to increase potassium intake by taking multiple servings — the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for supplemental magnesium is 350mg.86 Still, for people who want two essential electrolytes in a single capsule, Life Extension offers a simple, well-structured option.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

At the time of writing, a 60-capsule bottle of Life Extension Potassium with Extend-Release Magnesium was on sale for $6.75, down from its usual retail price of $12.50. Because the sale price already reflects a discount, the 8% subscription savings does not apply concurrently.

Even without the sale, the per-serving cost is comparable to Pure Encapsulations’ higher-dose capsules. With the sale, it’s only slightly more expensive than NOW’s single-ingredient potassium supplement.

Shipping costs $5.50 on one-time purchases, but subscription orders ship free and can be scheduled at any interval from 1 to 12 months, allowing customers to match deliveries to their dosing schedule.

Refunds and guarantees

Life Extension backs all of its supplements with a 365-day satisfaction guarantee, which applies even to opened bottles. Customers can request a full refund if the product doesn’t meet expectations, making this the most generous return policy among all brands featured in this guide.

Best potassium salt substitute for blood-pressure support

Founded in 2013 in Utah, Nutricost has built its reputation on simple, single-ingredient formulas at budget-friendly prices. Every supplement is produced in GMP-compliant U.S. facilities and tested by ISO-accredited third-party labs for purity, potency, and heavy-metal safety.

Each 1/8-teaspoon serving of Nutricost Potassium Chloride Powder delivers 360mg of elemental potassium — one of the most economical ways to increase potassium intake available. Potassium chloride provides roughly 52% elemental potassium by weight and has been used in large clinical trials of salt substitution and blood-pressure reduction.

In the 2021 Salt Substitute and Stroke Study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, more than 20,000 adults who replaced part of their table salt with potassium chloride experienced significantly lower blood pressure and reduced risks of stroke and cardiovascular events compared with those using regular salt.74

For home use, the same approach works well, especially for those who cook regularly or prefer to control sodium intake directly.

Here are some culinary considerations when cooking with potassium chloride blends:87

• In yeast breads: Potassium chloride can speed fermentation and destabilize dough, affecting texture. A 3:1 blend of traditional salt to potassium chloride usually balances flavor and function, though results vary by recipe.88
• For meats and seafood: It acts similarly to regular salt, but it is slightly better at drawing and holding water inside the meat. When used heavily (especially in dry brines), this can sometimes create a slightly spongier texture or prevent the surface from getting as crisp during cooking.89
• To balance flavor: Potassium chloride adds a mild metallic edge that's most noticeable in simple broths or sauces. Balance it with acidic or umami ingredients like lemon, vinegar, or soy sauce.90

Taste and mixability

When dissolved in water, Nutricost Potassium Chloride Powder has a salty, slightly bitter flavor with a faint metallic aftertaste. It dissolves completely, leaving no grit or residue. At the recommended 1/8-teaspoon serving (about 360mg potassium in 12 oz of water), the flavor is noticeable but manageable, and it can easily be masked by adding it to juice or a smoothie.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

A 1kg tub of Nutricost Potassium Chloride Powder costs $26.97 and provides 1,425 servings. Shipping is $7 for orders under $59 but free above that threshold. Subscriptions save 20%, though deliveries are limited to every 30 days — impractical given the large container size.

To illustrate its value, here’s how Nutricost compares to NOW Foods’ potassium capsules:

Even including shipping, Nutricost delivers potassium at roughly one-tenth the cost of capsule options — making it ideal for long-term or household use for potassium support. The powder is highly shelf-stable and retains potency for years when kept sealed and dry, so the large container remains practical even with less frequent use.

Refunds and guarantees

Nutricost offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, even if the product has been opened. Customers who add the optional $2.98 “free returns” service at checkout receive a prepaid shipping label for store credit or exchange; without it, return shipping is the buyer’s responsibility.

While 60 days may not be long enough to gauge the full effects of potassium on blood pressure (many clinical trials lasted months to years), it’s more than enough time to assess taste, solubility, and ease of use.14 74

Best electrolyte powder with potassium

Founded in 2018, Primal Harvest produces a broad line of wellness supplements, with Primal Hydration as its electrolyte powder. Each single-serve stick provides a blend of electrolytes and vitamins designed to restore minerals lost through sweat: 400mg sodium, 350mg potassium, 50mg magnesium, and 20mg calcium, alongside small amounts of vitamins C and B-complex nutrients.

These levels align closely with research on typical hourly electrolyte losses during intense activity. Studies show that an hour of heavy sweating can deplete 150–350mg of potassium and 300–600mg of sodium, so one serving of Primal Hydration effectively replaces what’s lost in about an hour of exercise or outdoor labor.58 59 75 76 The inclusion of B-vitamins and vitamin C may further assist in energy metabolism, while the modest 7 calories and 1.6g carbohydrates per stick keep it light enough for daily use.77 78

Taste and mixability

When mixed with 12–16 oz of cold water, Primal Hydration generally dissolves well, though we observed mild clumping if the powder isn’t stirred or shaken thoroughly. The Lemon-Berry flavor is lightly tangy, with a gentle sweetness that balances the acidity. Its subtle sweetness comes from stevia and beet root juice, giving it the taste of a lighter sports drink without the syrupy aftertaste of traditional formulas. In our in-house testing, the flavor remained refreshing even with daily use, making it practical for both post-workout recovery and everyday hydration.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

A 30-stick bag of Primal Hydration costs $44.95 as a one-time purchase. Shipping adds $5.95, bringing the total to $50.90 (about $1.70 per serving). A 20% subscription discount drops the base price to $35.96, with free shipping, reducing the effective cost to $1.20 per stick.

Subscriptions are flexible — customers can set deliveries every 30, 60, or 90 days, skip shipments, or cancel anytime.

Refunds and guarantees

Primal Harvest offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, even if the product has been opened. Customers can contact support by phone, chat, or email to initiate a return, and the refund applies to both one-time and subscription purchases. This policy is among the most generous in the category, second only to Life Extension’s year-long guarantee.

You might be exploring potassium supplements to support healthy blood pressure or cardiovascular function. While nothing replaces potassium as an essential electrolyte, other supplements can help target similar pathways involved in vascular tone and heart health.

If your main goal is maintaining healthy blood pressure, magnesium and CoQ10 may offer complementary benefits.

Diet

For most people, food remains the best and safest source of potassium. Research shows that dietary potassium is typically better utilized than supplements, since whole foods can also supply magnesium, fiber, and other compounds that help regulate blood pressure and electrolyte balance.9

Here are some of the richest food sources of potassium:2

• Baked potato (with skin): 925mg per medium-sized
• Sweet potato: 540mg per medium-sized
• White beans: 502mg per ½ cup
• Avocado: 485mg per half fruit
• Banana: 422mg per medium
• Spinach (cooked): 420mg per ½ cup
• Yogurt (plain, low-fat): 380mg per cup
• Salmon (cooked): 370mg per 3oz
• Orange juice (fresh): 326mg per 8oz

Including a variety of these foods can help you meet or exceed the Adequate Intake (AI) for potassium — 3,400mg daily for men and 2,600mg for women — without needing supplementation.2 However, for people with restricted diets, increased needs, or difficulty maintaining electrolyte balance, potassium supplements can still be a practical option under medical guidance.