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The Best Energy Drinks To Improve Your Energy Levels
Written By OvertimeReviews Team
In today’s fast-paced world, where time is of the essence and deadlines are always looming, it’s no wonder that more and more people are reaching for energy drinks to help them power through the day. Whether it’s to boost their performance at work, stay alert during a long road trip, or fuel through an intense workout, energy drinks have become famous for people looking for a quick and effective energy boost. But not all energy drinks are created equal. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the top energy drinks of 2025 to help you stay focused, motivated, and productive.
Comparing the Top Energy Drinks of 2025 in Detail
TransformHQ Energy Drink
Best Overall
The TransformHQ Everyday Boost Shot promises to elevate your energy levels like never before. With this non-GMO and gluten-free supplement, you can create your own energy drinks from home. With 28 servings in a pack, this energy drink option offers an invigorating strawberry lemonade flavor. It’s sure to refresh and recharge your energy levels instantly.
Couples who prioritize health-conscious choices are falling in love with this energy boost shot. It’s a hit among those who value nutrition and wellness because it offers an energy kick without any guilt. The strawberry lemonade flavor brings a refreshing twist that will turn your daily energy boost into a delightful treat. This energy drink supplement ensures an energizing and health-conscious experience, making it our top choice.
Key features/specs
| Favorite flavor: Strawberry Lemonade | |
| How the caffeine affected me: This energy drink supplement is the perfect caffeine kick. It wakes you up without making you shake or jitter. |
ZOA Energy Drink
Best Sugar-Free
The ZOA Zero Sugar Energy Drink, created by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is an excellent choice for an all-natural healthy energy boost without sacrificing taste. The all-natural formula has essential ingredients, including vitamins, electrolytes, antioxidants, and natural caffeine from green tea and coffee beans. As a result, this provides an energy boost without the jitters or crashes usually associated with artificial caffeine.
The energy drink also contains a healthy dose of Vitamin B and C, critical for maintaining a healthy immune system and keeping your body at peak performance. Electrolytes such as magnesium and potassium help keep your body hydrated and working at their best. Amino acids offer benefits such as muscle reconstruction, growth, and the production of hormones and enzymes. In addition, camu camu extract is in the formula, which helps support your immune system and reduce inflammation while improving mental well-being. With essential vitamins, electrolytes, antioxidants, amino acids, natural caffeine, and more, this drink provides everything you need to maintain a healthy immune system while improving mental focus and concentration, making it the best drink on our list.
Caffeine (per can): 160 mg
Nutrition facts (per can): 10 calories, 0g total fat, 2g total carbs, 0g protein, 0g total sugar, 0g added sugar, 110mg sodium
VITAL 4U Energy Drink
Best for Fast Energy
The VITAL 4U Screamin Energy Max Hit Energy Shot is your solution for an instant and powerful energy boost when you need it most. This compact and potent energy shot is designed to provide you with a quick jolt of vitality. That’s why it’s the perfect companion for demanding moments in life. Packed with a concentrated blend of energizing ingredients, this energy shot includes caffeine and B vitamins.
Let this energy shot become your go-to source when you need enhanced alertness and stamina. Not only is it a convenient energy solution but it’s also a flavorful one. With a variety of delicious flavors to choose from, you can select the one that will tantalize your taste buds while giving you the boost that you crave. These shots are compact and easy to carry. Plus, they can also fit seamlessly into any busy lifestyle, ensuring you always have a quick energy fix on hand.
Nutrition facts per shot: 40 calories, 0g total fats, 9g total carbs 1g protein, 9g total sugars, 9g added sugars, 0mg sodium
Key features/specs
| Favorite flavor: Coffee Mocha | |
| Least favorite flavor: Coffee | |
| How the caffeine affected me: This product results in a caffeine kick that keeps me going all day long. |
Celsius Energy Drink
Most Flavors
If you consider yourself a member of the health-conscious community like me, I’m sure you noticed CELSIUS burst onto the energy drink scene over the past two years (even though it’s been around since 2005). Although marketed towards those living an active lifestyle, the CELSIUS Essential Energy Drink has 200 milligrams of caffeine to provide an energizing kick whether you’re headed to the gym for a workout session or simply need a boost for a long day at the office.
There are seven essential vitamins in these energy drinks to help promote optimal health. It stands out from the crowd of energy drinks since it does not contain common unhealthy additives like sugar, salt, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, artificial flavors, or colors.
The classic blend of flavors available to choose from are refreshing, bold, and will electrify your tastebuds. What’s more, I love that I could choose between sparkling and non-sparkling options.
Caffeine (per can): 200 mg
Nutrition facts (per can): 10 calories, 0g total fat, 0g total carbs, 0g protein, 0g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 5mg sodium
Key features/specs
| Favorite flavors: Green Apple Cherry (sparkling) and Peach Mango (non-sparkling) | |
| Least favorite flavor: Cola (sparkling) (To be fair, I was expecting it to taste like Coca-Cola, but I felt it missed the mark just a bit.) | |
| How the caffeine affected me: I tried this drink as a pre-workout and noticed a nice boost in energy that resulted in a great workout. I did, however, feel a bit of a crash afterward. |
PROSUPPS Energy Drink
Best for Athletes
The PROSUPPS Energy Drink is a complete drink with powerful ingredients. This drink has everything you need to boost your energy and overall health. Try this energy drink before your workouts, study sessions, and work meetings to improve focus and alertness. For athletes, this drink doesn’t contain any banned ingredients, so all you get is improved energy without any of the unnecessary additives. This energy drink is gluten-free and sugar-free, so it’s part of a balanced diet.
Your muscles and brain need blood flow to function properly, and this energy drink promotes better blood flow to improve your concentration and overall stamina. The flavor is delicious and easy to consume, so you’ll enjoy drinking this blue raspberry formula. This drink is safe to consume and contains natural ingredients like creatine and caffeine to help you stay awake and alert. This energy drink is the best option on this list thanks to its delicious taste and overall effectiveness.
V8 +Energy Drink
Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
If you’re feeling a blast from the past by simply hearing the name V8, me too. The V8 +Energy Drink is an excellent choice for a tasty and energizing energy drink. The star of this fruit-flavored energy drink is its blend of six blended vegetable and fruit juices, providing a smooth taste (but, no, it doesn’t taste like the tomato juice you’re expecting it to taste like).
Plus, the natural tea-based energy in the drink contains roughly the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. So not only does it taste great, but it’ll give you the energizing boost you need. Also, each can contain one combined serving of fruits and vegetables for an energy drink you can feel good about putting in your body.
The V8 energy drink differed from others in that it reminded me of a smoothie but with a thinner consistency, which could be a nice switch-up if you’ve become tired of sparkling drinks (which I had become after all these taste tests). It’s also a smaller-sized can than most options, which could be good or bad depending on your love for drinking energy drinks.
Caffeine (per can): 80 mg
Nutrition facts (per can): 45-60 calories, 0g total fats, 12g total carbs, 0g protein, 10g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 40-65mg sodium
Key features/specs
| Favorite flavor: Peach Mango (Maybe I’m biased toward peach-flavored drinks, but trust me, others love it just as much as I do) | |
| Least favorite flavor: Strawberry Banana (Weirdly enough, it didn’t taste strongly like either one) | |
| How the caffeine affected me: I tried this before a workout and didn’t experience as great or noticeable of an energy boost as other energy drinks, which made sense given the lower caffeine content. I tried it again as an evening pick-me-up after work and did notice I had a little more energy than normal. If you regularly drink caffeine, you, like me, probably won’t experience any crazy crash feeling. |
REIGN Energy Drink
Sweetest Tasting
The REIGN Total Body Fuel Energy Drink is an impressive fitness and performance drink for those with an active lifestyle. Those looking to power through workouts need not look any further because this energy drink provides a pre-workout boost, thanks to its natural caffeine, for sustained energy throughout the day.
Each can of energy drink contains 300 mg of natural caffeine, BCAAs, coq10, electrolytes, and B vitamins with zero artificial flavors or colors. Despite their lack of sugar, these drinks are perfect for those who have a sweet tooth and come in flavors that venture outside your typical fruit-flavored energy drinks.
Caffeine (per can): 300 mg
Nutrition facts (per can): 10 calories, 0g total fat, 3g total carbs, 0g protein, 0g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 200mg sodium
Key features/specs
| Favorite flavor: Orange Dreamsicle | |
| Least favorite flavor: Lilikoi Lychee | |
| How the caffeine affected me: Despite the high level of caffeine in a can, I didn’t experience much of a crash from this drink. If you’re not used to drinking large amounts of caffeine, however, you might experience a bit of a crash. |
Ghost Energy Drink
Most Indulgent
GHOST has the perfect energy drink for those who are looking for a boost without all the extra calories and sugar from regular energy drinks. Each can contains 200mg of natural caffeine from coffee beans, which has been found to deliver a smooth, feel-good energy with fewer jitters and no crash. Not only does this energy drink contain caffeine, but it also combines brain-boosting nootropics like Carnipure L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC, Neurofactor, and AstraGin to help your body convert fatty acids into energy, boost brain and cognitive function, and absorb a wide range of nutrients.
What’s more, GHOST is 100% transparent with its ingredients (a.k.a no secret proprietary blends), so you know exactly what you’re getting in each can. It’s also vegan-friendly, soy-free, and gluten-free. This drink is a great way to get the energy and focus you need, while still having an amazing enough taste to make me feel like I’m a kid in a candy shop.
Caffeine (per can): 200mg
Nutrition Facts: 5-10 calories, 0g total fat, 1-2g total carbs, 0g protein, 0g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 30-35mg sodium
Key features/specs
| Favorite flavor: Sour Patch Kids Blue Raspberry, Swedish Fish (It tasted just like the candies.) | |
| Least favorite flavor: Warheads Sour Green Apple (Only because it was pretty acidic to the point where I had to sip on it slower than preferred. The taste was still amazing.) | |
| How the caffeine affected me: I drank this about 30 minutes before I started working and was in full swing of things by the time 8 a.m. rolled around. I got a productive couple hours of work done and didn’t feel a crash at all. |
Monster Energy Drink
Best Low-Cal Alternative
The Monster Energy Drink is a sugar-free energy drink that acts as a lower-calorie option to the classic Monster Energy Drinks. Perfect for any occasion, it contains ten calories and zero sugar, yet still packs a punch with the complete Monster Energy blend. The more delicate taste is a refreshing sparkling flavor that is neither sweet nor bitter.
This drink is perfect for any setting — in the office or on an outdoor adventure. If you’re looking for an energy drink that’s lighter tasting and more refreshing than anything else on the market — this is your go-to drink. It gives you everything you need to stay energized without compromising your dietary needs or sacrificing flavor.
Caffeine (per can): 140-155mg
Nutrition Facts: 10 calories, 0g total fat, 6g total carbs, 0g protein, 0g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 2g Erythritol, 370mg sodium
Key features/specs
| Favorite flavor: Ultra Peachy Keen (I love peach rings, and this tasted just like that!) | |
| Least favorite flavor: Zero Ultra | |
| How the caffeine affected me: I didn’t have the sugar crash that regular Monster Energy drinks tend to give. Also, because the caffeine content is less so than other energy drinks, I noticed less of a boost in energy but also less of a crash as well. |
Finding Quality Energy Drinks: A Buyer's Guide
Our world moves at lightning speed, and sometimes we barely keep up. Whether you’re a student burning the midnight oil, a busy professional racing to meet deadlines, or just trying to stay sharp during a long day, you need energy that won’t disappoint you. Enter energy drinks, the magical elixir of caffeine, vitamins, and other ingredients that promise to boost your energy, focus, and overall performance.
But with countless brands and flavors vying for your attention, how can you be sure you’re making the right choice? Fear not! Our buying guide will help you cut through the noise and find the energy drink perfect for enjoying the benefits.
How to Pick the Right Energy Drinkba
Sugars and artificial sweeteners
Check for added sugars or artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame. Some energy drinks contain as many as 25g of sugar per can, so look for lower sugar content and don’t contain artificial sweeteners.
Caffeine content
Check the label for the amount of caffeine in the beverage. Look for drinks with around 100mg of caffeine per serving so you don’t risk over-caffeinating yourself.
Nutrients
Some energy drinks have added nutrients like electrolytes, B vitamins, and antioxidants, which may provide benefits beyond just giving you a boost of energy. Look for drinks with added vitamins and minerals that benefit your health.
Ingredients
Check the ingredients list for potential allergens, as some energy drinks include ingredients like soy or wheat that could trigger an allergic reaction.
Natural vs. artificial ingredients
Find drinks that don’t include any artificial sweeteners or flavors. Natural ingredients are healthier, more sustainable than synthetic counterparts, and usually better for your body long-term.
Types of Energy Drinks
Caffeinated energy drinks
Caffeinated energy drinks are the most common energy drink, giving you a quick boost of energy and mental alertness. They contain caffeine, usually in amounts ranging from 50 to 300mg per serving, and other stimulants like taurine, guarana, and ginseng. Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that can improve focus, mood, and physical performance, but it can also have adverse side effects in high amounts, so be sure to limit how much you consume.
Non-caffeinated energy drinks
Non-caffeinated energy drinks are a newer category of energy drinks that offer an alternative to caffeine. They are usually made with natural ingredients like green tea, ginseng, and B vitamins to promote energy and mental alertness. They are a good choice for those sensitive to caffeine or who want to avoid it altogether.
Sports drinks
Sports drinks are for athletes and people who engage in intense physical activity. They contain electrolytes, carbohydrates, and other nutrients to replenish energy and fluids lost during exercise. They may contain caffeine or stimulants but primarily aim to rehydrate and restore energy levels. Sports drinks are not recommended for casual consumption, as their nutrient content is for intense physical activity.
Ingredients in Energy Drinks
Caffeine
It is a stimulant that can improve focus, alertness, and physical performance.
Taurine
It is an amino acid that may improve athletic performance and reduce muscle fatigue.
Guarana
It is a plant extract that contains caffeine and other stimulants that may increase energy levels and improve mood.
B vitamins
These vitamins play crucial roles in producing energy and cognitive performance.
Sugar and artificial sweeteners
These enhance the taste, but excessive consumption may have adverse health effects, including weight gain and diabetes.
Ginseng
This herbal ingredient may improve mental and physical performance and reduce stress.
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