16 Popular Energy Drinks, Ranked By Customer Reviews

Let's face it, life can be exhausting. Between work, school, sports, and responsibilities at home, sleep can quickly go by the wayside. Sometimes, you need a little pick-me-up, and energy drinks are a popular option for many people. But with so many types on the market, how do you know which to try? That's where we come in. We've scoured online customer reviews to find the most popular energy drinks and ranked them based on consumer comments. You can learn more about our specific methodologies at the end of this article.

These fruity, flavorful drinks are a relatively new introduction to the world of caffeinated beverages. They were introduced to consumers in Japan in the 1960s, but it took decades for them to become mainstream. Nowadays, there are countless energy drink brands to choose from, and they come in almost every imaginable flavor. Choosing between the myriad options can be a daunting task, and not all energy drinks are created equal. To help you find the right can to jump-start your day, here's a ranking of the best energy drinks you can buy, according to customer reviews.

The name of this energy drink, Cocaine Energy Supplement, gives a pretty clear picture of what the product is all about. The brand has consistently utilized drug-themed marketing for the beverage. Their initial tagline was "The Legal Alternative." This drew ire from several state attorneys general, per the Midland Reporter-Telegram. which ultimately forced them to drop the suggestive slogan in 2007. 

Cocaine contains nearly 280 milligrams of caffeine, which is considerably more than the vast majority of other energy offerings, per CityNews. A standard-sized cup of coffee, for example, contains only 135 milligrams. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 400 milligrams a day is a good benchmark for safe caffeine intake, meaning that only two cans of Cocaine could potentially put your health at risk.

Nevertheless, plenty of consumers love Cocaine. Its original taste combines the seemingly incongruous yet ultimately complementary flavors of cherry and cinnamon, a strange symbiosis that made Amazon reviewer Ndun remark, "It burns the throat and it hurts so good... the burning sensation helps wake you up" (via Amazon). A swift kick in the pants is exactly what you want out of an energy drink, and no one can argue that this drink does its job. However, its staggering caffeine content and narcotic-themed nomenclature earned Cocaine the bottom spot on this list.

5-Hour Energy was brought to market by Manoj Bhargava, an entrepreneur who spent his younger years job-hopping and traveling the world, per The Ringer. In an interview with Forbes, he claimed that "5-Hour Energy is not an energy drink, it's a focus drink," and he feels that consuming the shot is not a hindrance in his quest for tranquility. In fact, he drinks it every morning.

According to Era of We, each 5-Hour Energy shot contains 200 milligrams of caffeine; the extra strength variety has a whopping 242 milligrams (via WebMed). Putting this much caffeine in such a small amount of liquid was bound to have negative consequences. In 2012, The New York Times reported that 5-Hour Energy had been included in 13 death reports over the span of three years.

Despite the health concerns, the effectiveness of this energy shot cannot be discounted. Amazon user Lorah868, a devoted consumer of 5-Hour Energy, suggests that the product is incredibly effective in helping her maintain an active lifestyle, per Amazon. Whether she's hitting the slopes, taking a jog at first light, or doing what is perhaps her most exhausting activity — teaching elementary school students — 5-Hour energy is just the thing to propel her through the day, and it does so without making her crash.

Prime energy drinks burst onto the scene in 2022, and started flying off shelves shortly after. Founded and promoted by two influencers, Paul Logan and KSI, these internet personalities used their brands to create an instant buzz around the product. Like most of the energy drinks on this list, Prime is low in calories and high in caffeine. The Prime Original Energy has 10 calories per 12-ounce bottle, 0 sugar, and 200 milligrams of caffeine. 

Some of the Prime flavors available include Strawberry Watermelon, Tropical Punch, and Lemon Lime, however, the Ice Pop flavor is particularly popular. One happy customer wrote on Amazon, "The ice pop flavor is a burst of fruity goodness that instantly lifts your spirits. Not only does it taste amazing, but it also provides a much-needed energy boost without the crash afterward."

On the other hand, some consumers complain that the brand tastes overly artificial. Another Amazon reviewer said that "the syrupy flavor and consistency of the drink was a bit of a turn-off." Adding to the criticism are a pair of class action lawsuits. USA Today reports that the company is being sued over "misleading and deceptive practices." One plaintiff claims that Prime contains more caffeine than advertised and another says that the brand contains PFAs (aka "forever chemicals"). Despite the controversy, Prime gets the job done and is great if you don't mind sweetness. But will this relatively new energy drink weather the storm or is it already past its prime? Only time will tell.

If you buy this energy drink, you'll definitely get plenty of bang (no pun intended) for your buck. Bang is available in a staggering amount of flavors, which range from more standard fruity fare like Blue Razz, Mango Bango, Citrus Twist, or Wyldin' Watermelon, to less recognizable tastes like Birthday Cake Bash, Whole Lotta Chocolata, Champagne, and Radical Skadattle. But, not all flavors of Bang are created equal. Reviewing Birthday Cake Bash, Reddit user u/xdeadly_godx says, "I feel like I'm drinking a birthday cake. And that's also exactly the reason it sucks." User u/tricia_le says that Radical Skadattle, "Tastes like rainbow unicorn but a watermelon jolly rancher aftertaste."

Regardless of the flavor you choose, Bang contains Super Creatine, which is, "Creatine bonded to L-Leucine." While Super Creatine is an original invention of Bang's creators, according to Mayo Clinic, creatine is an amino acid that can aid in physical performance and muscle growth.

However, Bang simply has too much caffeine. One 16-ounce can contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, which is the highest amount featured on this list. However, the company advises that the drink not be consumed with any other caffeinated products, per The Silicon Review. Obviously, a pre-workout energy drink has to pack a powerful punch, so careful consumption of Bang can be a great first step to getting your workout on.

The official Celsius site provides links to six scientific studies that are meant to highlight the drink's myriad potential health benefits. The studies suggest that Celsius's thermogenic properties can improve your metabolic rate. Additionally, a single can of Celsius contains 60 milligrams of vitamin C, which is 67% of your daily recommended amount of the supplement (via Fitness Clone).

According to Celsius, the drink is made without sugar, aspartame, or artificial additives. The relative lack of chemical color and flavor additives, as well as the utilization of healthier ingredients, results in a beverage that is relatively mild, especially in comparison to other energy drinks. REIZECLUB describes both the Sparkling Orange and Wild Berry flavors in three words, "Crisp, refreshing, light." Reddit user u/semper299 says that Celsius products, "...are one of the few energy drinks that aren't overly sweet or taste like candy."

While the milder flavors of Celsius are certainly appealing to many consumers, they simply cannot compete with the bold and exciting flavors offered by other energy drink brands. This is why it's being placed in the number nine slot on our list.

In the world of energy drinks, there seems to be a constant state of competition between brands to market one's product in the most epic manner possible. Full Throttle may very well represent the apex of this hardcore hierarchy. If the company's slogan – "Unstoppable, Undefeated, Unbroken. We live Full Throttle" – isn't enough evidence, you need only to look at the most recent can design — which features a shrieking eagle with lightning strikes cracking around its ruffled feathers — to get a sense that the drink means business.

Currently, the Full Throttle Energy Drink website only features two flavors: Original Citrus and True Blue. Kristen, a Walmart reviewer, says that original citrus has a, "... mild citrus flavor," and notes that it lacks the other pungent chemical flavor that creeps into many energy drinks. YouTuber casualgamerreed awarded True Blue four out of five stars. In his review video, he tastes new flavor notes with every swallow, at one point saying, "...the more I sip this and the more I try this, the more I like it."

According to Beastly Energy, Full Throttle has, over the years, experimented with a wide variety of flavors, though many offerings, including their line of coffee-inspired cans, have been discontinued. As such, the drink finds itself in the lower half of this list, as it cannot compete with the sheer number of diverse products offered by other brands.

Rockstar has been around since 2001, and, according to Reuters, in 2020, the company was sold to PepsiCo for a whopping $3.85 billion. With the variety of fascinating, colorful designs that adorn its containers, the brand is instantly recognizable, as each can is emblazoned with a massive star (via Rockstar Energy).

As noted by REIZECLUB, the original Rockstar flavor is less sweet than other energy drinks, which makes for a pleasant drinking experience; they score the beverage 8.5 out of 10. YouTuber CaffeineMan sampled a handful of these products –- namely, the sugar-free Pure Zero Rockstar lineup — in a 2019 video. He comments that the mandarin orange flavor has no unpleasant aftertaste, which he feels is a common problem in sugar-free energy drinks. Amazon reviewer Katherine says, "I've tried other drinks... I always get an awful aftertaste. With the original Rockstar I can enjoy my drink 100% without ever getting annoying yucky flavors creeping up on me."

Mountain Dew Kickstart, which was introduced in 2013, has only 92 milligrams of caffeine in a 16-ounce can, which is considerably less than other energy drinks, per USA TODAY. This makes it a great option for those who want to get a mild caffeine buzz to start their day.

Each can of Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 5% juice. Those who enjoy drinking a tall glass of orange juice in the morning may be inclined to replace that pitcher of pulpy goodness with a can of Kickstart Orange Citrus, which has a taste profile that Fast Food Geek says, "...can be compared to the fancy sparkling fruit beverage San Pellegrino but with a bigger kick." Additionally, according to PepsiCo, a single can of Kickstart Orange Citrus contains 90 milligrams of vitamin C, which is 100% of the recommended daily value.

Mountain Dew Kickstart's fresh flavors have earned it a high ranking on this list. However, its relatively low caffeine content may be somewhat unappealing to ardent energy drink consumers. At the end of the day, Kickstart would simply need a little bit more kick to top this list.

GHOST energy drinks are touted as being healthier than the competition, perhaps because the drink has 200 milligrams of natural caffeine, 1000 milligrams of carnitine, and 100% of the recommended daily amount of vitamins C, B6, B12, and niacin. However, when reading through online reviews, the brand's unique flavors were mentioned most.

If you enjoy classic candies, GHOST has you covered with flavors like Warheads, Swedish Fish, and Sour Patch Kids. That being said, consumers are divided as to whether these flavors are incredible or simply too strong. On a Reddit thread, several fans claimed it was their favorite energy drink, with comments including: "The flavor is usually really accurate" and "I drink them instead of having a candy bar when a craving hits." Meanwhile, a less-impressed consumer noted, "WAYYYY too strong. Maybe I would have liked it 10 years ago but I'm too old to be drinking liquid Warheads."

For those non-candy fanatics, GHOST also offers more subdued flavors like Cherry Limeade and Tropical Mango.  The variety of flavors and vitamin content are definite pros, but with such conflicting reviews, we placed this drink right in the middle at number eight on our list.

Coming in at the No. 7 spot is Amp, another energy drink in the Mountain Dew family. According to Caffeine Informer, a 16-ounce can of Amp has 142 milligrams of caffeine. This makes it considerably stronger than its cousin, Mountain Dew Kickstart, but weaker than a lot of other beverages highlighted on this list.

Amp has been compared favorably to its parent product, Mountain Dew. REIZECLUB believes that Amp is one of the tastiest energy drinks on the market, relishing in the beverage's, "...high sugar content and soda-like consistency." Reddit user u/guttengroot concurs, explaining that there is, "Something appealing about its crazy sweet citrus flavors."

If you like Mountain Dew, it's virtually guaranteed that you'll enjoy drinking Amp. However, as previously explained, it has a low amount of caffeine in comparison to other energy drinks, and may not give you enough of a boost. Katrina A., a reviewer on Influenster, said that Amp, "...didn't have enough caffeine or give me the kick I'm looking for. If you have a low caffeine tolerance it's probably fine, but mine is higher as I drink coffee daily." Nevertheless, Amp's delicious taste is more than enough to counteract its relatively weak energy effects.

While some of the energy drinks included on this list are targeted towards athletes and exercise enthusiasts, G Fuel has always been marketed toward the gaming community (via G Fuel). This sugar-free beverage, which is now available in more than 40 flavors, has powered the engines of button mashers and joystick wizards the world over since 2012. In an effort to appeal to their base, G Fuel sells a Lingonberry-flavored can, in collaboration with the Scandinavian gaming superstar Pewdiepie.

YouTuber CaffeineMan, who has made hundreds of videos where he reviews different energy drinks, sampled four G Fuel flavors — Rainbow Sherbert, Blue Ice, Fazeberry, and Sour Cherry — giving them the respective rankings of 8.3, 8.6, 9.4, and 9.6 out of 10.

G Fuel's wide variety of unique flavors, as well as their affinity for the gaming community, make it one of the best energy drinks currently on the market. Before you embark on your next campaign or log in to a MMO, consider cracking open a can of G Fuel.

There is something about Alani Nu that reminds us of fun-filled summer days. It's easy to understand why since these energy drinks are packaged in colorful 12-ounce cans, with flavors including Mimosa, Juicy Peach, and Watermelon Wave. The company also gets bonus points for offering energy sticks, providing an on-the-go alternative to your standard cans. Just stash them in your purse or gym bag and mix them with water when you need a boost of energy.

Aside from the 200 milligrams of caffeine, this product also contains guarana and ginseng, which positively affect mood and performance according to Nutrition Reviews. On Amazon, one reviewer stated: "They don't make me feel hyped up, sluggish, or have any weird effects. They give me a great energy boost while having an amazing taste!" Although this particular consumer raved about the flavor, not everyone agreed. After trying the Hawaiian Shaved Ice flavor, another Amazon customer complained: "It tastes like a sour Warhead candy. Very sour! Not what I wanna be drinking."

All energy drinks are bound to get the occasional negative review, but most people had positive things to say. These reviews combined with an aesthetically pleasing product and fun flavors galore place Alani Nu No. 5 in our rankings.

What sets C4 Energy apart from other drinks is the inclusion of beta-alanine, which weight-lifting enthusiasts say gives them an intense pump at the gym. As one Reddit user put it: "That beta [alanine] just makes my muscles invincible the whole workout." And this claim isn't just fitness pseudo-science either. An analysis published in Amino Acids concluded that beta-alanine does indeed increase exercise capacity.

Aside from this one ingredient, a 16-ounce can of C4 Performance Energy also has 200 milligrams of caffeine, which seems to be the norm for most energy drinks on this list. Flavors in the Performance Energy line include Popsicle, Skittles, and Starburst, and a carbonated variety. If you don't want to experiment with beta-alanine, try C4's Smart Energy line which has 200 milligrams of natural caffeine, or, if you can handle it, the Ultimate Energy line with a whopping 300 milligrams of caffeine per can.

Overall, online reviewers seem to love this beverage. An Amazon user described it as "a game-changer in the energy drink realm. This 16-fluid-ounce can is not only bursting with flavor but also delivers an impressive boost without the sugar rush." And with a wide variety of options, some including the popular amino acid beta-alanine, we've ranked this energy drink as No. 4 on our list.

Fans might recognize NOS, or nitrous oxide, from the "Fast & Furious" franchise, where it can be seen supercharging sports cars at critical racing moments, per Screen Rant. In a similar way, drinking NOS energy is a great way to start your engine. In fact, NOS used to be sold in bottles that were modeled after nitrous oxide bottles, Reddit user u/Votethis recalls.

The primary reason that NOS has been chosen to occupy the number three slot in this ranking is its delicious selection of flavors. For example, Amazon reviewer Ron describes his experience with mango NOS, stating, "... it was as if I actually bit into the fruit." He expresses a similar sentiment about several other NOS offerings. Facebook user Jessica Webb describes her affinity for NOS, saying, "I finally found an energy drink that doesn't taste like cough medicine."

NOS is a delicious way to prime your engine. A can of this drink can be just the thing to propel you across the finish line of your goals and aspirations.

Red Bull's slogan was once, "Gives you wings," and it nearly managed to fly to the top of this ranking. This energy drink's silver and blue can is instantly recognizable, and the brand has become synonymous with extreme activities. In 2012, Red Bull sponsored Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking skydive from over 24 miles up, which was streamed to 8 million people live on YouTube, per Guinness World Records.

Red Bull's flavor is dissimilar to that of many other energy drinks. Drinks Saloon explains that the original flavor has notes of tamarind and licorice. They go on to say that while the first few swallows of Red Bull may not immediately wow you, the flavor quickly grows on you and only improves with each passing sip. Its peculiar yet pleasant taste has even made its way into the realm of alcoholic beverages. Vodka Red Bulls are a near-ubiquitous offering at bars around the country but be warned, a view of these cocktails might have you seeing red.

Red Bull's involvement in the world of extreme sports and daredevil stunts, as well as its unique flavor — which, when combined with vodka, makes for one heck of a cocktail — give it the runner-up spot in this ranking of energy drinks.

Monster Energy drink's logo is instantly recognizable. A jagged "M" — seemingly carved into the side of a can by a tri-taloned beast — serves as a guarantee that you are about to embark on a wild flavor journey.

Several years ago, Reddit user u/kyleplaysguitar compiled a near-exhaustive list of Monster Energy's offerings, and though his scores of the flavors varied, they seldom dipped below a six out of 10; in fact, the average score was over seven. The Impulsive Buy describes the Pipeline Punch as a beautiful, perfectly balanced blend of tropical flavors that are more reminiscent of fruit juice than an energy drink. YouTuber casualgamernerd reviewed sugar-free Monster Ultra Paradise and was stunned to find that the drink lacks the peculiar aftertaste that he feels often plagues drinks that use artificial sweeteners. He awarded the beverage 4.5 out of five stars.

Monster also utilizes hilarious, tongue-in-cheek copy in marketing its products. For example, the description of Monster Assault — a Bourbon Cola flavored beverage — reads, "At Monster, we don't get too hung up on politics. We don't care if you're right wing, left wing, or a chicken wing."

A wide variety of flavors and a creative marketing campaign make Monster the best energy drink currently on the market. Much like its horrifying namesake, this drink has quite the bite and has clawed its way to the top of the heap.

To find this list of popular energy drinks, we searched on sites including Reddit, Amazon, YouTube, and various food review sites. We observed the energy drinks that were mentioned consistently. After noting which drinks were the most popular, we looked for reviews across these sites to see how the majority of people felt about each one and why. We looked at all types of reviews, from the most positive to the most critical and everything in between. Finally, we ranked these drinks based on how frequently they were mentioned along with how positively they were reviewed.