Nix Biosensor: features, reviews, & alternatives

Are you an athlete looking to achieve peak performance while combating dehydration during sports or training? Are you unsure about what’s lost in sweat and which essential minerals you should replace? Your answer lies in conducting a sweat test.

The Nix Biosensor is one of the most popular hydration biosensors used globally for real-time insights into hydration levels and sweat analysis. But how accurate is its sweat test? Does it live up to its claims?

Let’s find out. We’ll explore its features, pros and cons, to determine its usefulness. You’ll also discover the Liipoo AbsolutSweat biosensor, an alternative hydration monitoring tool to watch.

What is the Nix Hydration Biosensor

The Nix Hydration Biosensor is an advanced biosensing innovation unveiled by Meridith Cass, a Harvard Business School graduate, 9-time marathoner, and collegiate athlete. It is a stick-on wearable design consisting of a pod housing the biosensor, a patch for sweat collection, and an app for instant and post-exercise analysis.

To use it, you should attach the biosensor to your bicep using the adhesive underside of the Nix sweat patch. As you exercise, your sweat will dribble across the patch’s electrodes, and the sweat’s content will be measured. The device then relays the hydration notifications to the Nix app in intervals.

Cyclists and runners can use the Nix Hydration Biosensor to measure the fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat. It doesn’t provide users with generic calculations but continuously analyzes sweat composition. This eliminates trial and error with optimal hydration plans, guiding you on what, when, and how much to replenish.

How the Nix Hydration Biosensor works

The Nix Hydration Biosensor is straightforward to set up. You simply patch, attach, and get activated.

Step 1: Add exercise details on the app

Use the Nix mobile application to enter relevant details about your training. This includes the type of sport or workout you intend on doing, whether outdoors or indoors, and what you plan on drinking.

Step 2: Sweat and track data

Attach the Nix Biosensor to your biceps and start your exercises. After you begin sweating, the Nix sweat patch will measure and analyze the amount of fluids and electrolytes you lose per hour.

Step 3: Check the analysis on the app

Your sweat and respiratory information is live-streamed to the Nix app, and you can easily monitor it across your devices.

Step 4: Get a post-workout summary

After exercising, you’ll receive a summary of your training with intel informing you about your hydration plan going forward. You will know your total fluid and electrolyte loss, as well as your sweat composition.

The Nix Biosensor is a reusable gadget with replaceable one-time sweat patches. The biosensor device costs about $130, and sweat patch refills cost $25 for up to four patches. You should use it to keep you informed without falling for the nasty pitfalls of dehydration.

Nix Biosensor sweat test reviews: is it useful?

The Nix Hydration Biosensor is a valuable investment that can boost your sports and workout performance. Here is what you should consider to determine whether it suits you.  

Pros

● Real-time viewing of crucial performance metrics.

● Realtime hydration prompts.

● Measures sweat production rate and salt content.

● Non-invasive sweat test with no needles involved.

● Analyses your optimal rehydration strategy for your sweat type.

● Easy to attach and secure on the body.

Cons

● The sweat data isn’t accurate.

● Your sweat data doesn’t show until after about 20-25 minutes of exercise.

● The Nix sweat patch isn’t reusable, and each workout needs a fresh one.

● Can’t be submerged in water, hence it isn’t suitable for swimming.

● Only supports cycling and running modalities.

In general, the Nix Hydration Biosensor sweat test for runners measures sweat information and reminds runners to hydrate effectively.

However, its accuracy is a bit low, and the estimations may be incorrect. This may not be reliable enough to provide proper hydration and nutrition suggestions. You may also not benefit from it much if you are a professional cyclist or runner.

So, is there a different at home sweat test for athletes that would yield better workout results and be applied to various sports modalities? Yes. Stay tuned to find out more in the next section!

Liipoo AbsolutSweat: best alternative for Nix Hydration Biosensor

Liipoo AbsolutSweat is a smart, feature-rich hydration biosensor developed by researchers led by Professor Xueji Zhang from the University of South Florida. It has undergone and passed many tests, proving to mimic lab-based sweat test accuracy.  

The Liipoo AbsolutSweat biosensor is worn on the chest to analyze sweat. It measures sweat biomarkers autonomously and continuously with real-time sensing as you exercise. It can track sweat, calculate sweat rate, monitor hydration, and provide personalized, actionable hydration metrics. The data is displayed on the AbsolutSweat app in real time so you can adjust your exercise intensity and rehydrate accordingly.

It is specifically designed for elite athletes in various sports, such as football, triathlon, soccer, marathon, badminton, cycling, etc. In fact, many international athletes have already adopted it, including Sawan Serasinghe, winner of 7 Oceania Championships, and football player Nemanja Bozovic. The Liipoo sweat test was also used in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

It helps to monitor sweat and hydration levels, evaluate dehydration endurance, and strategize replenishments.  

Key features

Liipoo AbsolutSweat is a comprehensive sweat test method that you can leverage for various stages of your workout. Here is what it can offer:

During sports or workout

You can use Liipoo AbsolutSweat mid-workout to monitor your body’s sweat loss, dehydration endurance, and hydration status. The biosensor sends notifications to the AbsolutSweat app to alert you each time your hydration levels drop. This helps athletes avoid early exhaustion, muscle cramps, and dizziness during sports or training.

After sports or training

After you finish a sport or exercise, you receive a sweat-loss report with scientific, personalized hydration strategies. The information is shown on the AbsolutSweat tracker app. It includes suggestions for the best foods and drinks to consume, how much you need, and how often you should rehydrate. You should apply this information for faster post-workout recovery.

Moreover, the Liipoo solution evaluates your performance during the subjected physical activity, including your dehydration and fatigue endurance, sweat production rate, etc. It helps you to know your hydration state and determine your dehydration limits. This helps to keep you hydrated and avoid starving after workout.

Before sports or exercise

If you have used the Liipoo AbsolutSweat solution in past training sessions, you can leverage the data to guide your pre-workout hydration and supplement needs. Since it has tracked your fluid and electrolyte loss patterns previously, it will generate a prehydration plan so you can prepare your body for optimal performance without early fatigue.  

How Liipoo AbsolutSweat works

The Liipoo Hydration Biosensor consists of a hydration pod, a replaceable sweat patch, and the AbsolutSweat tracker app. The hydration pod and sweat patch are usually placed on the chest for direct contact with the sweat sample. Once the sweat enters the pod, a chemical reaction is created, and an electrical charge is sent to the Liipoo detection module, where the sweat sample is analyzed.  

A full report of the sweat analysis is transmitted to the Liipoo AbsolutSweat app with details about your sweat rate, sweat composition, electrolyte loss, water loss, etc. You can easily interpret the results and act on them quickly. Additionally, scientific hydration plans are created based on your weight, age, and height.

Which is best: Nix or Liipoo AbsolutSweat

As seen above, the Nix Biosensor is a good sweat test option for individual sportspeople, groups, and teams. However, according to many athletes who go through sweat monitoring from lab tests, Nix and Liipoo, Nix has the least accurate results. Therefore, if you want an alternative hydration biosensor, Liipoo AbsolutSweat is very efficient. You can rely on Liipoo for its lab test accuracy, detailed sweat analysis, and comprehensive reports.

Get Liipoo AbsolutSweat for at home sweat tests done anywhere and at any time. It performs real-time analysis to keep athletes in form during sports or bicycle endurance training and provides data-driven feedback for a quick recovery.

FAQs

What is a hydration test?

A hydration test is a method used to measure and determine the fluid balance in an athlete’s body. It is a protocol that assesses the water level in the body to help maintain an euhydrated status, a state of normal body fluid balance. Devices like the Liipoo AbsolutSweat biosensor analyze your sweat to provide real-time hydration data. This shows how much fluid has been lost and when it's time to rehydrate. Athletes and fitness lovers can then better manage their fluid intake, especially in intense exercise.

Why is a sweat analysis important for athletes? 

Sweat analysis is crucial because it provides valuable insights into how an athlete’s body regulates hydration and maintains electrolyte balance, especially during physical activity. You can use it to manage your hydration accurately and prevent electrolyte imbalance. It also helps to customize your hydration plans and prevent under or overhydration. This ensures you are well-hydrated to perform at your best, especially during high-endurance exercise or sports.

Are there any syringes or needles involved in hydration biosensors?

No. A hydration biosensor like the Liipoo AbsolutSweat uses an adhesive sweat patch and pod that attaches firmly to your skin. It is a non-invasive, comfortable, painless sweat test without needles or syringes.

Can I share a sweat test pod with a friend/partner?

It depends on the sweat test device you use. For example, the Nix hydration tracker pod is designed for single-person use. However, with Liipoo AbsolutSweat, you can share the hydration biosensor pod with others. Just note that each user should log in with their own account as their health data (such as gender, height, weight) may differ.