Energy Drinks: a simple buying guide

Energy drinks by the can and by the case, plus energy shots and performance energy drinks from sports nutrition brands. The range includes Cellucor C4 Performance Energy and Explosive Energy, Applied Nutrition ABE cans, USN Qhush, Naughty Boy Energy, EHP Labs OxyShred energy drinks, NOCCO, Trec BoogieMan shots, BioTechUSA Black Blood shots, Olimp shots, HIGH5 and more, in both sugar and sugar-free versions.

The two numbers to compare are caffeine per can and sugar per can. Drinks with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre must be labelled "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women", and the caffeine amount per serving is stated on the can. Many performance energy drinks are sugar-free and sweetened instead, while others use sugar for quick carbohydrate. Buying by the case usually costs less per can than single cans. Plain and flavoured bottled water now has its own Water page, and protein shakes are in Ready to Drink. Our best energy drinks guide compares popular options.

Shop the range: Energy Drinks at NE Commerce

How to choose an energy drink

  • Caffeine: check milligrams per can and count all your caffeine for the day.
  • Sugar: choose sugar-free if you are watching calories.
  • Can or shot: shots give caffeine in a small volume; cans are more refreshing.
  • Value: cases cost less per can.

Related ranges and guides

FAQs

How much caffeine is in an energy drink?

It varies by brand and can size. The caffeine per serving is on every can, and drinks above 150 mg per litre carry a high caffeine content warning.

Which energy drinks are sugar-free?

Many performance energy drinks are sugar-free, including zero-sugar versions of popular brands. Check the nutrition panel for sugar per can, or use the product title, which often says zero or sugar-free.

Are energy drinks suitable for children?

No. Drinks with high caffeine content are labelled as not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Is it cheaper to buy energy drinks by the case?

Usually, yes. Cases cost less per can than buying cans individually.

Ready to compare? Browse our full Energy Drinks range.

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