The Best Energy Drinks to Help You Get Through the Day

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 drinks taste great and provide anywhere from one to three times the caffeine a traditional cup of coffee does.

Energy drinks rely on a variety of energy sources to give you that needed boost, but it’s important to understand what’s inside the beverage you’re buying before you start to regularly consume it. 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, and 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 he or she eats 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 11 best energy drinks available on Amazon in 2020.

1. Red Bull Energy Drink

BEST OVERALL

It may not give you literal wings, but you’ll certainly 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 their advertising and their investment in extreme sports. And, although their marketing can be a bit in-your-face, this energy drink does deserve top spot on a list of the best energy drinks. The original flavor has 80 mg of caffeine, which is about the same amount as you’ll find in a cup of coffee. It also has the same amount of sugar as a cup of juice, giving you an energy kick without too much of a sugar high. The energy in each recyclable can comes from caffeine, taurine, B vitamins and real sugars. And, if the original flavor isn’t to your taste, Red Bull makes several other flavors that might tickle your palate.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink red bull

Buy: Red Bull Energy Drink $32.99

2. Reign Total Body Fuel

BEST VALUE

For people looking for a pre-workout hit of energy that won’t break the bank, Reign Total Body Fuel may be the answer. This drink contains 300 mg of natural caffeine for a sustained release of energy throughout your time at the gym. It also contains CoQ10 which may help you use more power during your exercises, and the included BCAAs as well as the B vitamins might help you recover after working out. In addition, each can contains no sugar, no artificial flavors or colors and only 10 calories. The best part, though, is the variety of flavors Reign offers for their drinks. We’re fans of this Orange Dreamsicle flavor with its citrus notes and vanilla finish.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink reign

Buy: Reign Total Body Fuel $17.76

3. Monster Energy Zero Ultra

BEST ZERO SUGAR

If you’ve tried Monster energy drinks in the past and found them to be a little too sweet, you may want to reconsider the brand by giving the Monster Energy Zero Ultra a try. Instead of the super sugary, heavy-on-the-syrup Monster you may be used to, this drink contains zero sugar and only five calories to create a blend that’s more like drinking sparkling water than a can of soda. The lighter-tasting energy drink, which comes in 10.5-ounce cans, still contains an impressive 100 mg of caffeine. And, if this low-cal, citrus version isn’t your favorite, Monster also makes their Ultra line in eight other flavors with only 10 calories per can.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink monster energy

Buy: Monster Energy Zero Ultra $19.99

4. 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 mg of caffeine, the company has created the Amp line of energy drinks to offer consumers even more caffeine per can. Each 16 ounce serving of Mountain Dew Amp Energy contains 142 mg of caffeine as well as added B vitamins. Yet, the energy drink still features the same bold, citrus flavors as the original, giving you the extra boost of energy without sacrificing the taste you know and love.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink amp energy

Buy: Mountain Dew Amp Energy $19.99

5. 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 mg 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.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink zevia zero

Buy: Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink $19.99

6. CELSIUS Sparkling Orange Fitness Drink

BEST PRE-WORKOUT DRINK

CELSIUS is quickly becoming one of the most popular pre-workout drinks on the market thanks to the clean and natural way they provide energy to the body. Each 12-ounce bottle contains 200 mg of caffeine yet has zero sugars, artificial flavors or preservatives. In addition to providing healthy energy, this drink may also accelerate your metabolism and help your body burn fat. That’s because CELSIUS 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 in over a dozen flavors with both carbonated and flat options.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink celsius

Buy: CELSIUS Sparkling Orange Fitness Drink $21.00

7. 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 mg of caffeine yet has no preservatives, artificial sweeteners or taurine. This results in a drink with no calories and no sugar. So, get ready for an extra dose of energy without the guilt.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink hiball energy

Buy: Hiball Energy Sparkling Energy Water $23.99

8. 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 mg of caffeine versus the 160 mg in the original, and they’re also sugar-free. Rockstar Energy Drinks are available in over 25 flavors, but we love this fruit punch version called, “Punched”.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink rockstar energy

Buy: Rockstar Pure Zero Energy Drink $29.28

9. 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 mg 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. Flavors in this pack include peach mango and orange pineapple. This is really one energy drink you can feel good about consuming.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink v8 energy

Buy: V8 +Energy Variety Pack $19.63

10. 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 express and 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 mg 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.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink starbucks

Buy: Starbucks Tripleshot Energy Extra Strength $29.00

11. UPTIME Blueberry Pomegranate

BEST SPLURGE

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 mg 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.

© Provided by SPY
best energy drink uptime

Buy: UPTIME Blueberry Pomegranate $29.99