When it comes to boosting your energy levels, there are a plethora of options on the market. From classic favorites to new contenders, here’s a rundown of some of the best energy drinks available today, including Red Bull, Alani Nu, Bang, Ghost, and Celsius.

With of course the caveat that caffeine content is a highly important and individual health consideration, the great thing about energy drinks are that they 1) are way less calories than a latte (usually only about 5-10 per can) ; 2) are super tasty; 3) can give you a boost for exercise in the heat.

Here is DAOFitLife’s Top 5 Energy Drink recommendations. Note all of these brands have minimal to no sugar, so if you still want to shop around, make sure you read the label (as per the DAOFitLife guide here) so you don’t inhale a lot of calories.

The Best Energy Drinks, and Why We Like Them

# 1 The Classic: Red Bull sugar free

Red Bull is the classic choice, and available in over 175 countries. It can come in the regular or sugar-free kind, and now has branched out with more flavors, like Watermelon, Tropical Fruits, Blueberry, Strawberry Apricot, Dragon Fruit, Peach, Coconut, Juneberry, and Curuba Elderflower.

What we like:

• Classic Choice: Red Bull is one of the most recognizable and widely consumed energy drinks worldwide.
• Consistent Formula: Known for its reliable boost, Red Bull contains caffeine, taurine, B-vitamins, and sugar (with sugar-free options available).
• Widely Available: I have found Sugar free Red Bull in almost every country I have traveled, in, so it is good to know it’s a reliable product in that sense.

# 2 The “Clean”: Alani Nu

What we like:

• Cute packaging: It’s got pretty, bright colors in a small, sleek can.
• Health-Conscious Ingredients: Alani Nu prides itself on clean ingredients and only has 10 calories a can
• Unique Flavors: Offers a variety of unique and fun flavors like Cosmic Stardust and Mimosa.
• Added Benefits: Includes biotin and B-vitamins for added health benefits.

#3 The “Redeye”: Bang

What we like:

• High Caffeine Content: Bang is known for its high caffeine content (300mg per can), which provides a powerful energy boost.
• No Sugar: Sugar-free, making it a good option for those watching their sugar intake.
• Variety of Flavors: Frose Rose, anyone? Or Cotton Candy, Purple Haze, and Black Cherry Vanilla are just some of the available flavors.
• Intensity: The high caffeine content may be too intense for some individuals and could lead to jitters or crashes.

#4 The “Cool Kids” Ghost

What we like:

• Fitness-Focused: Ghost Energy is designed with fitness enthusiasts in mind, containing ingredients like L-Carnitine L-Tyrosine, and taurine. L-Tyrosine is also an amino acid known to reduce appetite due to its dopamine effect.
• Transparent Labeling: Known for transparent labeling of ingredients and dosages.
• Great Taste: Receives high marks for flavor options, including Sour Patch Kids varieties and Orange Creamsicle, the ultimate throwbacks!
• Complementary products: Ghost also makes pre-workouts, protein powders (the Coffee Ice Cream is AMAZING, and even has a touch of caffeine if you want a milder dose) and even cereal! It’s all about making fitness fun. You can also check out my cookie dough Ghost Smoothie recipe!

#5: The “Oldie but Goodie” Celsius

What we like:

• Thermogenic Properties: Celsius claims to boost metabolism and help burn body fat in addition to providing energy.
• Healthy Ingredients: Contains natural ingredients, no sugar, and is non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher.
• Flavor Variety: Offers a range of refreshing sparkling fruit flavors, like raspberry acai. One of the more “chill” energy drinks.

Conclusion

Choosing the best energy drink ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a classic and reliable option, Red Bull might be your go-to. For a health-conscious choice with unique flavors, Alani Nu stands out. If you need a powerful caffeine punch, Bang is your best bet. For fitness enthusiasts, Ghost offers tailored benefits, and if you’re looking for a metabolism boost, Celsius is the way to go.

Remember to consume energy drinks in moderation and be mindful of your caffeine intake to avoid any adverse effects.