Let’s face it: Everyone needs a little help to get through the day from time to time. If you rely on a morning or afternoon caffeine boost from coffee but still feel like you’re lagging, it might be time to try an energy drink. The best energy drink can taste great and provide anywhere from one to three times the caffeine a traditional cup of coffee does.
The strongest energy drinks rely on a variety of energy sources to give you that needed boost. Still, it’s essential to understand what’s inside the beverage you’re buying before you start to consume it regularly. These are the most common energy-providing ingredients in such drinks:
- Caffeine – Although caffeine occurs naturally in coffee and tea, it can now be manufactured and artificially added to any drink.
- Taurine – Another chemical that mimics a naturally occurring amino acid in the body. It’s thought but not proven that taurine can help the body perform better under stressful conditions. This additive has been banned in several countries.
- Guarana extract – Native to the Amazon, the Guarana bean contains more caffeine than a coffee bean. Natural energy drinks often rely on an extract from the bean to provide an energy boost.
- B Vitamins – This group of vitamins helps the body convert food into energy. Scientists still disagree whether this translates into providing energy through a supplement, but you’ll notice that a lot of energy drinks include plenty of B vitamins.
- Sugar – If you’ve ever watched a kid after they eat a lot of candy, you’ll know that sugar can provide a temporary energy boost. The crash is terrible, but that doesn’t stop loads of energy drinks from including sugar to boost your energy. If you’re concerned about the crash, look for an energy drink with zero sugar.
- L-Theanine – A relatively new addition to energy drinks, this amino acid is naturally found in tea leaves and is thought to increase concentration. It’s often used to counteract the jitters caffeine provides, but it may have its own energy-boosting properties, too.
Keep reading to learn more about the 25 best energy drinks available online in 2022. We’ve included a range of options for every kind of energy-boosting need, whether you’re heading to the gym and looking for a pre-workout sports drink or need that boost of energy to get through the rest of the workday.
Related Stories
1. Red Bull Energy Drink
BEST OVERALL
It may not give you literal wings, but you’ll undoubtedly feel like you’re flying after your first experience drinking a Red Bull. Over the last two decades, Red Bull has developed a cult following thanks to its advertising and investment in extreme sports. With its caffeine content at 80 milligrams, it’s comparable to a cup of coffee and its sugar content is comparable to a cup of juice. The energy in each recyclable can comes from caffeine, taurine, B vitamins and actual sugars.
2. Amazon Brand Solimo Red Energy Drink
BEST BUDGET
This Amazon Brand Solimo Red Energy Drink is an excellent option for anyone on a tighter budget. For under $15, you can have 12 cans of this caffeine-filled, energy-boosting beverage. Each can of this lightly carbonated sugar-free energy drink contains 152 milligrams of caffeine, as well as just 10 calories. Other ingredients include ginseng extract, guarana extract, taurine and B vitamins, which all combine to give the drink its red appearance and flavor.
3. Bang Mixx Hard Seltzer
BEST HARD SELTZER
If you’re a big fan of Bang’s popular energy drink and like to turn to the hard stuff from time to time, its hard seltzer should be on your shopping list. The beverage has a 5% alcohol by volume (ABV) and includes a range of additional ingredients, including electrolytes in the form of sodium, potassium and magnesium. It’s also available in a four-flavor, 12-can variety pack which comes with Strawberry Blast, Pina Colada, Froze Rose and Purple Kiddles, making it easy to find your favorite.
4. Reign Total Body Fuel
BEST VALUE
For people looking for a pre-workout boost of energy that won’t break the bank, Reign Total Body Fuel is the answer. This drink contains a high caffeine content with 300 milligrams of natural caffeine. It also contains CoQ10 which may help you use more power during your exercises and BCAAs, as well as B vitamins, that can help with post-workout recovery. Each can contains no sugar, no artificial flavors or colors, and only 10 calories. The best part, though, is Reign’s flavors, specifically this Orange Dreamsicle option.
5. Monster Energy Zero Ultra
BEST REVIEWED
If you’ve tried Monster Energy drinks in the past and found them to be a little too sweet, you may want to give the Monster Energy Zero Ultra a try. This sugar-free energy drink has only five calories and tastes more like drinking sparkling water than a can of soda. Though light in taste this Monster drink still contains an impressive 100 milligrams of caffeine.
6. Hydroxycut Energy Drink
BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS
By boosting your metabolism, Hydroxycut is not only an energy drink that will wake you up, it also might help you lose weight. It has no calories and no sugar so it can easily be incorporated into just about any diet. Even without any sugar, Hydroxycut still tastes great and is available in three delicious flavors — watermelon pomegranate, orange mango pineapple, and berry lemonade.
7. Mountain Dew Amp Energy
THE ORIGINAL
Long before the Red Bulls and the Monsters hit convenience store shelves across the country, Mountain Dew was giving us the energy boost we needed. While a can of original Mountain Dew contains an impressive 91 milligrams of caffeine, a 16 ounce serving of contains 142 milligrams of caffeine as well as added B vitamins. An Amp still features the same bold, citrus flavors as the original Dew, giving you the extra boost of energy without sacrificing the taste you know and love.
8. TRUE NORTH Pure Energy Seltzer
BEST FOR HYDRATION
TRUE NORTH Pure Energy Seltzer is a gluten-free, non-GMO, artificial flavor-free way to boost your energy and enjoy a dose of refreshment during exercise or outdoor adventures. Each can of this plant-based energy drink is made up of several ingredients including green tea, guarana, ginseng and 120 milligrams of organic coffee. In all six flavors of TRUE NORTH, you’ll also find a blend of minerals and vitamins.
9. CELSIUS Raspberry Acai Green Tea Fitness Drink
BEST PRE-WORKOUT DRINK
CELSIUS is quickly becoming one of the most popular clean and natural pre-workout drinks on the market. Each 12-ounce can contains 200 milligrams of caffeine yet has zero sugars, artificial flavors or preservatives. This drink may also accelerate your metabolism and help your body burn fat because it includes green tea extract, guarana seed extract and ginger root, as well as additional vitamins and minerals in their formula. Furthermore, this energy drink is available several colors in both carbonated and flat options, making it one of the most versatile best energy drinks.
10. C4 Energy Drink
BEST FOR ENDURANCE
With 150 grams of caffeine and added CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine, this C4 Energy Drink has you covered with extra energy and lasting longer. By consuming the drink before you hit the gym, you may find you enjoy more explosive energy, less fatigue and greater muscular endurance, helping make workout sessions harder and longer. It’s also safe for both men and women and includes zero grams of sugar, zero calories and zero carbs.
11. Mountain Dew Game Fuel Variety Pack
MOST POPULAR
With just shy of 9,000 five-star ratings from Amazon users, Mountain Dew Game Fuel is one of the most popular and best-reviewed drinks on our list. In this three-flavor variety pack, you’ll find four Charged Cherry Burst cans, four Charged Berry Blast cans and four Charged Orange Storm cans. In addition, these smarter-than-average cans sport a textured grip for greater in-hand security as well as a resealable lid to help prevent accidental spills and keep your drink fresh.
12. Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink
BEST VARIETY PACK
Unlike many of the most popular energy drink brands, Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink relies on natural caffeine to provide you with an energy boost. Each 12-ounce can has 120 milligrams of caffeine yet contains zero calories and zero sugar. The drink is also clear in color, gluten-free, and Non-GMO Project verified. Inside you’ll only find carbonated water, natural flavors, citric acid, tartaric acid, stevia leaf extract, and caffeine. But what we love most about the Zevia energy drinks is the variety pack the company offers. In this 12-can pack, you’ll get the fan-favorite flavors of mango ginger, grapefruit, raspberry lime and kōla.
13. Hiball Energy Sparkling Energy Water
BEST ALL-NATURAL
Do you love the refreshing taste of naturally flavored sparkling water? If so, the Hiball Energy Sparkling Energy Water is definitely the best energy drink for you. This all-natural drink combines sparkling water with organic caffeine, organic ginseng, organic guarana and B vitamins to provide an energy boost with every sip. Each 16-ounce can contains 160 milligrams of caffeine yet has no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or taurine.
14. Mountain Dew Rise Energy
BEST MORNING BOOST
If you like a dose of caffeine in the morning but aren’t particularly partial to a cup of coffee, Mountain Dew Rise Energy could be what you’re looking for. Each 16-ounce can contains 180 milligrams of caffeine, approximately the same amount you would find in two average cups of coffee. The drink has zero grams of sugar added and includes natural juice, zinc, vitamins A and C, and several antioxidants to support immune function and create the drink’s noteworthy taste.
15. Liquid I.V. Energy Multiplier Powder Packets
BEST PACKETS
These Liquid I.V. Energy Multiplier Powder Packets are easily stored and ideal for on-the-go consumption. Each packet is easy to open and can be stored in backpacks, pockets or gym bags until you need it. Once added to 16 ounces of water, this energy drink has a delicious lemon ginger flavor and uses cellular transport technology, or CTT, to deliver sustained energy throughout your workout or work day. Each packet delivers a comparable amount of caffeine to one to two cups of regular coffee, in addition to being non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.
16. Runa Organic Clean Energy Drink
BEST ORGANIC
The caffeine in plant-based Runa Energy Drink comes from brewing an Amazonian super leaf called Guayusa. This USDA certified organic drink is balanced with natural fruit juice, making it taste more like kombucha or iced-tea than a traditional energy drink. If you strive toward a clean, plant-based lifestyle, this organic energy drink is worth checking out.
17. ZOA Zero Sugar Energy Drink
BEST CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT
Celebrity endorsements aren’t always worth taking note of, but if Dwayne Johnson says something is great, we’re listening. This energy-boosting, immune-supporting, and hydrating beverage endorsed by The Rock contains a unique blend of 100% DV vitamin C natural sources, in addition to being free of preservatives, synthetic colors, and artificial flavors. In addition, each 16-ounce can of ZOA energy drink delivers 160 milligrams of caffeine and is available in a range of flavors.
18. Starbucks Tripleshot Energy Extra Strength
BEST COFFEE-BASED
Starbucks decided it didn’t need to reinvent the wheel when it released its energy drink. Instead of relying on added caffeine, they simply put three shots of espresso, a hint of mocha flavor, and a bit of smooth cream in each can. The result is an extra-strength serving of coffee with 225 milligrams of caffeine per 15-ounce can. While this energy drink does have more calories than others on the list with over 200 calories per can, it is a delicious start to the morning. The Starbucks Tripleshot Energy Extra Strength is best served chilled or over ice.
19. UPTIME Blueberry Pomegranate
ALSO CONSIDER
UPTIME is designed to be a premium energy drink for your mind and body. The beverage relies on natural L-Theanine as its energy-producing mechanism, resulting in 142 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce bottle. In addition, UPTIME is completely non-GMO and contains zero sodium and zero sugar. Besides being a premium product with only five calories per bottle, one of the best things about this energy drink is the fact it comes in a resealable bottle, so you can enjoy as much or as little as you need to get through the day.
20. Jocko GO Energy Drink
KETO DIET PICK
With its sugar-free, all-natural makeup, the Jocko GO Energy Drink is a suitable energy and cognition-boosting beverage for anyone following the keto diet. It’s free of any artificial ingredients and preservatives and contains 95 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce can to get you going through workouts or the workday. The drink is also pasteurized and uses only high-quality ingredients to deliver flavors you would want to drink regardless of their physical benefits.
21. V8 +Energy Variety Pack
BEST NON-CARBONATED
Not all energy drinks need to be suped-up versions of sparkling water or soda. The V8 +Energy Variety Pack contains 24 cans of non-carbonated energy drink. The 80 milligrams of caffeine in each can comes from green and black tea, so it’s completely natural. In addition, each can of this energy drink boasts one combined serving of fruits and veggies from sweet potatoes, apples, and carrots, making it a great source of vitamin B in addition to energy.
22. Alani Nu Energy
BEST ZERO-SUGAR
With over 85% of Amazon users awarding Alani Nu Energy a five-out-of-five-star rating, you can be confident you’re going to like it, too. Full of taurine, panax root extract, inositol, guarana seed extract, and of course, caffeine, this drink gives you an extra boost to get through those tough workouts. The smooth, lightly carbonated beverage contains no sugar, only 10 calories, and is produced in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant facility.
23. Rockstar Pure Zero Energy Drink
BEST FLAVORS
The Rockstar Pure Zero Energy Drink may be sold as the drink for “those who lead active lifestyles – from athletes to rock stars,” but you don’t have to be a motocross rider to enjoy the energy boost these canned beverages provide. The Pure Zero line of Rockstar Energy Drinks makes a slight improvement on the original in that they contain 240 milligrams of caffeine versus the 160 milligrams in the original, and they’re also sugar-free.
24. Magic Mind
BEST SPLURGE
Magic Mind is a matcha-based energy shot that is designed to decrease brain fog, procrastination and fatigue. Magic Mind’s matcha and mushroom infused formula contains 35 milligrams of caffeine to boost energy and increase clarity and focus. It can also be great to incorporate into your post-workout as it contains turmeric which helps reduce post-exercise inflammation. Drink alongside or in place of your morning coffee or tea to experience sustained energy throughout the day.
25. 5-Hour ENERGY Shot, Extra Strength
BEST SHOT
Great for a quick pick-me-up, 5-hour Energy’s extra strength formula provides as much caffeine as 12 ounces of premium coffee. It contains several vitamins and nutrients, has zero sugar, and can be easily consumed in seconds. The small compact bottle fits into any bag or pocket, and with no refrigeration required, you can take it with you anywhere you go.
The Best Pre-workout Supplement Powders for Energy, Recovery and Endurance