You’ve heard of the classics such as Red Bull and Monster, but ever wondered about the other great energy drinks that are available on the market?
Well, today’s your lucky day.
In this article, I’ll be going through the best energy drink brands you can find, both online and off the shelf, and discussing the perks and downsides of each brand.
If you want to know amazing energy drinks that effectively work, stick around as I compare different energy drink brands and even provide some aspects you want to consider before getting your pick-me-up.
Let’s dive right in.
What To Look For In An Energy Drink
Caffeine
Like your morning cup of java, caffeine is the main ingredient in energy drinks that supply you with an invigorating boost, jolting you awake when you’re feeling too sluggish to do anything.
Caffeine works by stimulating your brain and nervous system, causing the release of dopamine and adrenaline throughout your body which makes you feel more alert and awake.
Aside from improving your alertness, caffeine can also enhance your physical performance. A 2014 study found that the ingestion of a caffeine-containing energy drink increased the performance of 18 soccer players.
Furthermore, caffeine also helps improve your cognitive performance. A 2016 study reported that low to moderate doses of caffeine enhanced brain functions and improved alertness, attention time, and reaction time.
As with most things, however, it’s best to keep your caffeine intake at a tolerable level.
According to the FDA, the recommended daily caffeine intake is 400mg for healthy adults. Any more than that, and you might end up with adverse effects like:
- Restlessness and shakiness
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Rapid heart rhythm
Thus, it’s important to know your limits and pick out the energy drink with the right amount of caffeine that suits your personal needs.
So as long as you stay under the daily caffeine limit, you’ll reduce the risk of side effects after the boost has worn off.
Sugar Content
Many energy drinks also tend to contain large quantities of sugar for flavor and taste. Although it’s perfectly fine to indulge in some sugar occasionally, consuming too much regularly is pretty unhealthy.
Of course, sugar isn’t entirely bad; it’s a great source of energy for our brains in the form of glucose, but an excessive amount of sugar in your diet might lead to health issues in the future.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a daily sugar intake of 36g and 25g for men and women respectively.
If you continue to consume too much sugar over time, you may experience health problems like:
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- Acne
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
While having a sugary energy drink is great, you can occasionally opt for a sugar-free version to help you cut down on all the sweet calorie-filled stuff, as they have fewer calories and carbs.
Besides, sugary energy drinks will make you prone to sugar crashes, which leaves you feeling fatigued and sluggish.
To conclude, always check the sugar content on the energy drink can and consider if you really want to have that amount of sugar in a day before making your purchase. Moderation is key after all.
Price
When it comes to prices, everyone loves good deals and discounts. Who wants to pay more for something they can get for less?
There are several low-cost and effective energy drink brands available. The fact that an energy drink is on the pricier end of the spectrum should not be taken as proof that it is superior than cheaper options.
Energy drinks of lower prices can also work as well as expensive energy drinks while containing simple ingredients and providing you with ample energy.
One brand that comes to mind is REIZE, which only costs $1 per drink, but more on that later…
Is Monster Stronger Than Red Bull?
Monster is definitely stronger than Red Bull in terms of caffeine and sugar content.
A 16 fl. oz can of Monster contains 160mg of caffeine whereas Red Bull only has 80mg of caffeine per 8.4 fl. oz, thus Monster definitely is the stronger energy drink of the two.
Best Energy Drink Rankings
| Energy Drink Brand | Volume | Caffeine | Sugar |
| Red Bull | Customizable | 80mg | 27g |
| Monster | 16 fl.oz | 160mg | 54g |
| Reign | 16fl.oz | 300mg | 0g |
| Celsius | 16fl.oz | 200mg | 0g |
| Mountain Dew AMP Energy | 16fl.oz | 142mg | 58g |
| Rockstar | 16fl.oz | 160mg | 24g |
| 3D Energy | 16fl.oz | 200mg | 0g |
| Bang | 16fl.oz | 300mg | 0g |
| Zipfizz | Customizable | 100mg | 0g |
| REIZE (10 Out Of 10) | Customisable | 50mg | 0g |
In no particular order, here are some of the best energy drink brands out there, each with its own distinct pros and cons:
Red Bull
An 8.4fl.oz Can of Red Bull
Caffeine Content: 80mg
Sugar Content: 27g
Price: Around $1.50
I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t know about Red Bull by now – unless it’s banned in your country.
With its signature tagline ‘Gives You Wings’ (not literal wings sadly), you’ll feel like you’re flying after the first time you have a Red Bull.
Red Bull comes with a moderate 80mg of caffeine which equals a cup of coffee. If your caffeine metabolism is low, having a can of Red Bull won’t overwhelm you with side effects.
Plus, Red Bull has a large assortment of flavors to choose from if the original flavor doesn’t appeal to you.
However, you might need to watch the number of Red Bull cans you have in a day since it has a decently high amount of sugar in it.
Monster
A 16fl.oz can of Monster Energy
Caffeine Content: 160mg
Sugar Content: 54g
Price: Around $2
Monster is another well-known brand that’s garnered quite a loyal following over the years.
With 160mg of caffeine, Monster packs a bigger punch than its competitor Red Bull. Monster also contains ingredients like B vitamins, inositol, and Panax ginseng extract for longer energy boosts throughout the day.
Another great thing about Monster is its extensive range of flavors and series like Dragon Tea and Java Monster that will surely tickle your fancy.
That being said, you might want to stick to only a can of Monster per day as it contains quite a bit of sugar which will often lead to a crash if you’re too careful with your intake.
Reign
16fl.oz can of Reign Energy Drink.
Caffeine Content: 300mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $1.60
REIZE Energy Drink Review Article
If you’re looking for a pre-workout energy drink that’s effective and affordable, Reign may just be it.
First of all, Reign contains 300mg of caffeine and is completely sugar-free, which means zero crashes and pure energy that’ll last long enough until the end of your workout.
Plus, every can of Reign is filled with tons of B vitamins and amino acids like BCAAs to improve your exercise performance.
The downside of this drink is that it’s not recommended for everyone due to its elevated caffeine content. If your tolerance for caffeine is low, you might want to stick to lower-caffeine beverages like Red Bull instead.
Celsius
Celsius Wild Berry, 12fl.oz
Caffeine Content: 200mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $2, varies according to flavor.
Celsius Energy Drink Review Article
Celsius may be less known compared to big brands like Red Bull and Monster, but it’s actually been around for more than a decade. There are four series under this brand, namely Originals, Naturals, On-The-Go, and Heat.
Each series has between 200mg to 300mg of caffeine and is sugar-free. Besides, all of these product varieties also contain the proprietary MetaPlus Blend, which consists of ingredients like taurine, ginger extract, and green tea extract.
Each variety under the Celsius brand comes with plenty of helpful vitamins and minerals that contribute to a smooth energy boost and increased alertness. Though, if your caffeine metabolism is on the slower side, this drink might not be for you.
Mountain Dew AMP Energy
A can of Mountain Dew AMP Energy Drink.
Caffeine Content: 142mg
Sugar Content: 58g
Price: Around $2.50
AMP Energy brings you the taste of classic Mountain Dew with a caffeinated twist in the mix.
Although AMP Energy doesn’t have as much caffeine as Monster or Reign, its moderate 142mg of caffeine will surely supply you with a smooth boost to keep you awake and active for a sufficient amount of time.
Plus, AMP Energy also contains ingredients like orange juice, taurine, and guarana extract to benefit your performance.
But AMP Energy isn’t a beverage you want to have every day, as it has 58g of sugar, way more than Monster. It’s also lacking in the flavor department since it only has 4 flavors for now.
Still, if you’re a fan of the original Mountain Dew, you might find AMP Energy to be pretty enjoyable.
Rockstar
A 16 fl. oz can of Rockstar, for your viewing pleasure.
Caffeine Content: 160mg
Sugar Content: 24g
Price: Around $2
Rockstar may be designed for those who lead an active and exhausting lifestyle, but you don’t have to be a race car driver to enjoy the advantages it can provide you.
With as much caffeine as a can of Monster, Rockstar is set to supply you with a boost for better and longer performance. The good part is that Rockstar keeps its sugar content to 24g, much lower than that of Red Bull and Monster.
It also has a pretty wide variety of flavors and series for you to choose from, so you definitely won’t get bored with this easily.
3D Energy
a 16fl.oz can of 3D Energy’s Citrus-flavored ‘Frost’.
Caffeine Content: 200mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $2
3D Energy not only comes in a colorful selection of flavors, but it also has a pretty high caffeine content for an explosive energy boost.
With 200mg of caffeine, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, 3D Energy will indeed improve your performance. It’s also sugar-free, so no sugar crashes are guaranteed.
If you’re looking for something more powerful than Monster without the extra sugar, 3D may be the answer.
Bang
16fl.oz can of Bang Energy Drink.
Caffeine Content: 300mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $2.50
It may have the same features as Reign, but Bang has undoubtedly grown more popular over the years with a cult following of its own.
It’s known as one of the strongest energy drinks with a caffeine content of 300mg that’ll boost your energy levels for a long period.
Furthermore, it’s sugar-free and contains healthy ingredients like BCAAs and COQ10 for enhanced exercise and mental performance.
Though it’s more expensive than Reign and a few of the other brands listed, if you prefer extra ingredients in your energy drink, Bang is definitely a prime choice for you.
Zipfizz
A row of Zipfizzes.
Caffeine Content: 100mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $2.20
Unlike the other brands, Zipfizz is a powdered energy drink that comes in a tube. Each serving is to be mixed with 250ml of water.
Zipfizz is a pretty nifty energy drink with a modest 100mg of caffeine and is sugar-free without many calories too. It has a broad range of fruity flavors and contains beneficial ingredients like grape seed extract, potassium, and chromium to help improve your energy levels and performance.
However, Zipfizz tends to lean on the more expensive side, which is great if you have extra cash to spare, but might bite into your spending a bit if you don’t.
REIZE (10 Out Of 10)
REIZE ranks best for value, efficiency, and convenience.
In my opinion, REIZE is the best energy drink brand out of all of these brands in this list.
Why?
Allow me to fill you in on that.
REIZE is a powdered energy drink that comes in light 4g sachets, which make it easy and convenient to carry. With a sensible 50mg of caffeine, REIZE is also sugar-free with only 11 calories per serving.
You don’t have to worry about REIZE leaving a notable impact on your daily sugar and carb intake. Plus, its low caffeine content is also great if you happen to be caffeine-sensitive.
Furthermore, REIZE is filled with a special blend of healthy ingredients such as ginseng, B vitamins, and 1000mg of taurine, which work together to give you the perfect energy boost without the crash afterward.
Besides, REIZE is exceptionally versatile; just pour in the contents of a sachet and mix with 250ml of your liquid of choice (be it juice or water) to prepare your energy drink.
Best of all, REIZE ships to your doorstep for only $1 per sachet, including shipping, which is pretty great value for money.
Give REIZE a try, and you might find it to be the smarter and healthier option than the other brands.