Energy drinks are a staple for those looking for a quick boost in energy and focus. They typically contain stimulants and performance boosters designed to aid mental or physical performance.
But with so many options out there, it can be hard to choose the best energy drink for you.
So, let’s review the different types of energy drinks so you can decide what’s best for your needs!
Workout Boosters
Energy drinks designed to aid workouts typically contain carbohydrates and electrolytes. These ingredients can provide a bit of extra energy and assist you in staying hydrated. Here are a few of the best energy drinks tailored for workout warriors:
- Tailwind Endurance Fuel: A powder mix that contains carbohydrates, electrolytes, and caffeine. It also has significant amounts of added sugar.
- Ghost Energy Drink: Sugar-free but very high in caffeine. Ghost also contains significant amounts of taurine, which studies have shown can boost athletic performance.
- Prime Energy Drink: This Logan Paul-sponsored drink also contains high amounts of caffeine and zero sugar. Prime is also high in electrolytes, which can help you stay hydrated.
- C4 Performance Energy: C4’s performance energy drink has several ingredients that may help with muscular endurance, including beta-alanine. This drink also contains quite a bit of caffeine.
- Red Bull Energy Drink: Contains less caffeine than other options on this list, but Red Bull also has taurine and sugar. It doesn’t have much in the way of carbs, so it is likely better used for a short burst of energy than as fuel for an endurance session.
Picking the right energy drink for your workout will come down to your individual needs and preferences. Drinks with a lot of sugar are generally better for high-intensity workouts. And studies have found caffeine improves workouts for some people while doing nothing for others.
Focus Your Mind
Many also use energy drinks to improve mental performance and focus. The caffeine in these drinks can contribute to feeling alert and awake. Additionally, there is some evidence that herbal additives like guarana and ginseng can boost memory and brain health.
- Nerd Focus: Contains multiple additives, like ginkgo biloba and ginseng, designed to improve mental performance. Its original formula is quite high in both sugar and caffeine.
- Rockstar Focus: This relatively new offering from Rockstar has plenty of caffeine and guarana. It also boasts lion’s mane mushroom extract, which may sound made up but does have some potential health benefits.
- Breinfuel: Marketed as a “cerebral beverage,” this drink mixes caffeine with zinc, creatine, glycine, and L-theanine. According to its creators, this blend provides a longer-lasting boost as opposed to a quick jolt.
- Monster Energy: Monster contains taurine and B-group vitamins that have been shown to help with concentration. This drink has lower levels of caffeine than some of the others on this list.
- Zipfizz: A powder that you mix with water, Zipfizz is sugar-free and contains guarana and about half the caffeine of many other energy drinks. In theory, you can get a longer-lasting mental boost without suffering a subsequent crash.
Stay Up All Night
Sometimes, you’re just looking for a little extra energy to get you through a long day or night. Here are some great all-purpose energy drinks that will let you keep going and going and going.
- Bang Energy: Bang features roughly as much caffeine as 3 cups of coffee and more creatine than most other energy drinks. It also features artificial sweeteners and no carbs or sugars, so you likely won’t experience a sugar crash when it wears off.
- Reign Total Body Fuel: Not to be outdone, Reign has just as much caffeine as Bang. Unlike Bang, Reign boasts Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that might help you sustain energy.
- Gorilla Mind: This drink has about two-thirds the caffeine of Bang and Reign, but many gamers swear by it for long sessions. It features Alpha GPC, which has been shown to increase motivation and positive feelings.
The Best Boost for You
While the above can serve as a guide in your search for the best energy drinks, the choice is ultimately up to you! Finding the right drink for your tastes will be largely about balancing personal preferences and desired effects. But the next time you need a boost, you’ll know where to look!
