We’ve all heard of the OG energy drink brands like Red Bull and Monster, but why not try something new for a change?
In this article, I’ll be going through the best energy drinks you can buy, comparing their pros and cons, and even provide you with some criteria you want to consider.
You may be surprised at how well these options complement your gaming or workout session. I’ve also handpicked great choices to go with your diet plan.
If you’re interested to know how your favorite energy drinks compare to some of these options I’ve listed down, the article I’ve written on best energy drink rankings may be insightful for you.
Criteria To Consider Before Buying Energy Drinks
Caffeine
Energy drinks contain a caffeine limit of around 50mg to 300mg in each can, and the caffeine used in energy drinks can benefit you by enhancing both physical and mental performance.
If you find yourself stuck in a tiring and cognitively demanding situation, having caffeinated beverages will help boost up your mood.
That said, everyone has a different caffeine metabolism which is why you should always pay attention to the caffeine content of an energy drink to avoid overwhelming yourself with notable side effects such as:
- Jitteriness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
For guidance, the FDA recommends that healthy adults should not consume more than 400mg of caffeine daily. Keep in mind that moderation is key.
Sugar
Next is sugar, and it’s the main reason why energy drinks taste so great. But of course, like caffeine, you should always consume them in healthy doses. Otherwise, they can cause health issues such as:
- Acne
- Tooth decay
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
To avoid making unhealthy life choices, you should always follow the recommended maximum daily sugar intake of below 30g of sugars for adults.
You can also opt for sugar-free energy drinks that will definitely complement your diet plan better.
Price
Besides caffeine and sugar content, you should also consider how much an energy drink costs and if it’s worth the price.
Because we all love a good deal, right?
Here’s a little secret, some brands go crazy on the price because they claim that their energy drinks contain more benefits due to the special blend of formula and additional ingredients.
While this may be true but there’s also no guarantee it will be effective on you. You may be surprised that some more affordable brands may suit your lifestyle better.
If you’re interested to know more about affordable energy drink brands, my article on where to find the best cheapest energy drinks may be helpful.
Other Ingredients In Energy Drinks
Artificial Sweeteners
Although most energy drinks contain sugar, sugar-free ones use artificial sweeteners to give them sweet flavoring. Generally, they use Sucralose, which is a zero-calorie sweetener.
A great thing about artificial sweeteners is that they’re about 200 to 600 times stronger than regular sugar, minus the calories. This is a huge plus if you’re avoiding additional carbs in your diet.
However, they’re still concerns about whether it’s really safe for consumption despite already being approved by the FDA. My advice is to be mindful of your intake and limit your consumption.
Taurine
Taurine is another ingredient that’s commonly used in energy drinks. It’s a type of amino acid that your body naturally produces.
It’s no surprise that it’s present in energy drinks as it contains many benefits such as improving physical performance and lowering risks of disease.
Your body requires taurine to:
- Improve overall immune and central nervous system
- Regulate the minerals within your body
- Regulate antioxidants function
- Create bile salts that are vital for the digestive system
- Maintain the hydration and electrolyte levels in your blood cells
For further information on taurine and what exactly it can do for you, check out the article I’ve written all about the benefits of taurine, you’re sure to find it informative.
B-Vitamins
Energy drinks contain B-Vitamins to provide you with additional nutrients your body needs.
Check out the table below to see the common types of B-Vitamins used in energy drinks:
| Types of B-Vitamins | Purpose | Tolerable Upper Intake Level |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Converts carbohydrates into energy, keeps the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy | 35mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin or Niacinamide) | Involves in the process of production and repairing DNA cells, protects the body cells from harmful substances by being an antioxidant | 100mg |
| Vitamin B12 | Maintains healthy blood and nerve cells, involves in the process of DNA production | – |
Harvard wrote a detailed article on the purpose and benefits of each B-Vitamins, which you can have a look at for further explanation.
What Are The Benefits Of Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks can benefit you in terms of mental or physical performance, as long as you stay healthy and consume them in moderation.
On days where you’re crunching deadlines on a lazy afternoon, it’s always a good idea to grab an energy drink as it can help keep you awake and more focused. It’ll get through the day like a champ.
Besides, the caffeine in energy drinks helps maintain vigilance and psychomotor performance, which is great when you’re sleep-deprived and want to increase your alertness.
Apart from the benefits of caffeine, energy drinks also have B-Vitamins, which help in mood regulation, and other brain functions.
So, grab an energy drink the next time you need a quick boost for your energy or mood during a busy schedule.
The Most Effective Energy Drink
Most would think that the amount of caffeine in energy drinks influences their effectiveness, which is true, but it depends more on how well your body responds to it.
But if you’re looking at it from the caffeine perspective, Bang Energy has a high amount of 300mg of caffeine, making it one of the strongest energy drinks out there.
However, you can still get good results by drinking energy drinks that have moderate caffeine content, such as Celsius Energy and C4 Energy.
Although the claimed energy boost makes it tempting to purchase highly caffeinated energy drinks, it is never a good idea to exceed the suggested daily limit.
Is It OK To Drink Energy Drinks Every Day?
There’s no denying that energy drinks offer you lots of benefits, but too much of a good thing will eventually be harmful, mostly due to over-consumption of caffeine and sugar.
Regularly consuming many cans of energy drinks may lead to health issues like:
- Decreasing dental health
- Caffeine addiction
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
As an energy drink enthusiast, I always go for energy drinks that contain only 50mg to 100mg of caffeine as I find that to be the right amount to give me the perfect energy boost without the unnecessary side effects.
Best Energy Drink To Buy
| Energy Drink Brand | Volume | Caffeine | Sugar |
| Celsius Energy | 16 fl.oz | 200mg | 0g |
| Mountain Dew AMP Game Fuel | 16 fl.oz | 90mg | 23g |
| Reign Energy | 16 fl.oz | 300mg | 0g |
| Bang Energy | 16 fl.oz | 300mg | 0g |
| Advocare Spark | Customizable | 120mg | 0g |
| REIZE (10 out of 10) | Customizable | 50mg | 0g |
Here are some of the best energy drinks to buy for:
- Gaming
- Diet
- Pre-workout
And I’ll save the last for the best energy drink that can be used for any occasion, so let’s dive right into it!
Celsius Energy
Caffeine Content: 200mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $2 (varies according to flavor)
You can find four series under Celsius Energy, namely Originals, Naturals, On-The-Go, and Heat.
With each series containing about 200mg to 300mg of caffeine, Celsius will surely boost up your energy during those late-night gaming sessions.
Each can is also packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals that ensure a smooth energy boost and increased alertness. Furthermore, it’s completely sugar-free, so you won’t have to worry about any crashes.
The only downside is that Celsius contains quite a whopping amount of caffeine, so if you have a relatively low caffeine tolerance, this drink may not be suitable for you.
For a more thorough look at Celsius, check the Celsius Energy Drink review article I’ve written.
Mountain Dew AMP Game Fuel
Caffeine Content: 90mg
Sugar Content: 23g
Price: Around $2
Mountain Dew and AMP Energy teamed up to create Game Fuel, being an energy drink specifically made for gamers.
Game Fuel contains 90mg of caffeine, which can help you power through long gaming sessions, increasing your focus and alertness.
While it has a pretty modest amount of caffeine, it does contain 23g of sugar, which may cause a nasty sugar crash once the effect wears off.
That said, Game Fuel costs around $2 per can, which can be rather pricey, especially if you’re on a tight budget. So you might want to consider trying out other more affordable alternatives.
Still, it gives you the perfect power boost and has a delicious taste, which explains why it’s the go-to energy drink for gamers.
If you’re interested to find out more about Game Fuel, take a look at my Game Fuel review article.
Reign Energy
Caffeine Content: 300mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $1.60
Reign Energy drink is famous for being one of the best energy drinks to be included in your diet plan as it contains zero sugar and calories.
It also contains beneficial ingredients like BCAAs, vitamins, and electrolytes, which can improve your overall exercise performance.
However, it has a ridiculously high caffeine content, which may not be suitable for you if your caffeine metabolism is on the lower side.
That said, even if you have a high caffeine tolerance, it’s still not a good idea to consume Reign every day as you can easily tip over the limit of 400mg caffeine per day.
For a more detailed analysis of Reign, check out my Reign Energy review article.
Bang Energy
Caffeine Content: 300mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $2.50
If you’re looking for an energy boost before a workout session, Bang Energy may be for you.
Just like Reign, it contains 300mg of caffeine and has zero sugar, which is great if you’re on a low-carb diet. You’ll get to experience a long-lasting energy boost without worrying about any additional calories.
To add on, Bang Energy contains healthful ingredients like BCAAs and COQ10, which help build muscle growth and improve your overall physical performance.
Although it’s a little pricey, I think Bang Energy worth trying especially if you prefer extra ingredients and can tolerate a high caffeine content in your energy drinks.
Check out my Bang Energy review article if you’d like to learn more about
Advocare Spark Energy
Caffeine Content: 120mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Price: Around $2.20
Advocare Spark is a powdered energy drink that works well for pre-workouts. It also has a wide range of flavors to choose from, so you’ll definitely enjoy trying out the different variations.
Its sugar-free element makes it a good option for you, especially if you’re trying to cut down your sugar intake.
Also, Advocare Spark has 120mg of caffeine. This can increase your energy levels for a better workout experience, and to enjoy Advocare Spark, you need to mix the contents of the packet with 250ml of water.
However, I personally think that 120mg of caffeine is a little too much for me, but it’s still a good choice to consider.
If you’re interested to learn more about Advocare, take a look at my Advocare Spark review article.
REIZE (10 out of 10)
Caffeine Content: 50mg
Sugar Content: Sugar-free
Price: Around $1
Still not completely sold on the other energy drinks? That’s because you haven’t met the best energy drink yet.
Allow me to introduce REIZE Energy, the best energy drink for all occasions, regardless of whether you’re in a game session or on the treadmill.
REIZE is a powdered energy drink that comes in convenient 4g sachets so you can enjoy it anywhere, anytime.
With REIZE, you won’t have to worry about any additional sugar or carb intake as it contains zero-sugar and only 11 calories.
To add on, it has a sensible 50mg of caffeine, which is perfect if you’re not a fan of high caffeinated energy drinks.
REIZE also contains a special blend of healthy ingredients like taurine, ginseng, and B-vitamins, which can give you the perfect energy boost without the crash afterward.
Besides that, with only $1 per sachet, you can get REIZE shipped straight to your doorstep.
So, give REIZE a try today, and you might agree that it’s the best energy drink out there.