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Healthy Energy DrinksHelping You Find the Best
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Healthy Energy DrinksHelping You Find the Best
  • 10 Best Healthy Energy Drinks  (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed) 1
  • 10 Best Healthy Energy Drinks  (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed) 2
  • 10 Best Healthy Energy Drinks  (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed) 3
  • 10 Best Healthy Energy Drinks  (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed) 4
  • 10 Best Healthy Energy Drinks  (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed) 5

10 Best Healthy Energy Drinks (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed)

We all get that mid-afternoon slump. It can be tempting to reach for an energy drink that helps you through the rest of the day. Unfortunately, most energy drinks are full of sugar and processed ingredients that can quickly leave you feeling worse than before.

Luckily, there's an increasing number of healthier energy drinks with less sugar and less junk that still provide the energy boost you crave. We've done the research, combed through reviews written by real people, and curated a list of the 10 best healthy energy drinks on the market. Read on for great choices, as well as a buying guide reviewed by a registered dietitian that will help you pick the best drink for your needs!
Last updated 11/28/2024

Quick List - Top Healthy Energy Drink

1

Celsius

Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack
Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack

A Sugar-Free Energy Boost With No Artificial Flavors

2

Campbell Soup Company

V8 +ENERGY®Peach Mango
Peach Mango

A Blend of Fruit and Vegetable Juice With Some Added Caffeine

3

Alani Nu, LLC

Alani NuBreezeberry Energy Sticks
Breezeberry Energy Sticks

Powdered Berry Flavor Energy Sticks With Zero Sugar

4

ZOA Energy

Variety Pack
Variety Pack

A Natural Energy Drink With Essential Vitamins Added

5

Alani Nu, LLC

Alani NuBlue Slush Energy Drink
Blue Slush Energy Drink

A Low-Calorie Energy Drink With A High Caffeine Content

Rachel Binkley
Expert
Registered Dietitian (RD, LD)
Rachel Binkley

Rachel Binkley is a registered dietitian who helps individuals develop healthy habits that fit into their lifestyle. She recommends adequate intakes of all micronutrients to help prevent deficiency as well as chronic conditions that may arise. You can keep up with her recipes, lifestyle, and more on Instagram or her blog, S'more Satisfaction.

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The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Healthy Energy Drink – Buying Guide

With a market full of options, we're here to help you know what to look for. Here's our buying guide on how to choose the best healthy energy drink for your needs.

1

Look for Energy Boosting Ingredients

Certain ingredients are known to boost energy levels, but too much of a good thing can be bad. Here's a breakdown of the ingredients to look for and how much of them you need.

The Right Amount of Caffeine Will Keep You Kicking

The Right Amount of Caffeine Will Keep You Kicking
Caffeine can help to boost energy levels, but too much can also lead to jitters, heart palpitations, or headaches. To be safe, we recommend sticking to less than 400 milligrams per day. For reference, an average cup of coffee contains about 120 milligrams. 

It's been estimated that you'll reach 400 milligrams of caffeine by drinking two commercial brand energy drinks, so try not to exceed that amount for your own well-being. 

Extra Boosters: Amino Acids and Vitamins

Extra Boosters: Amino Acids and Vitamins

In addition to caffeine, many energy drinks also employ other ingredients like amino acids and vitamins to enhance energy and benefit health.


An increasingly common ingredient is taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that has been shown to boost mental performance when combined with caffeine. However, while taurine is naturally occurring in meat foods like fish, it's usually synthesized for the sake of energy drinks. 


Still, taurine has many claims to a healthier lifestyle, including the fact that it reduces the risk of heart failure and diabetes. So long as you keep your taurine consumption under 3,000 milligrams a day, you can certainly benefit from having it in your energy drink.


Vitamin C is also a popular addition to healthy energy drinks. It's an antioxidant and immune system booster. Vitamin D, yet another common ingredient, can help improve your mood and mental performance. 


While healthy energy drinks do contain vitamins, we don't recommend relying on them for your nutrition needs. Please look to whole foods as your main source of essential vitamins. 

Rachel Binkley
Registered Dietitian (RD, LD)
Rachel Binkley

Although some micronutrients included in energy drinks can be beneficial, they should not be the reason behind choosing to drink one. Unfortunately, sometimes these nutrients have more to do with marketing


Vitamin C can absolutely support your immune system, though. If you are deficient in vitamin D, it may be beneficial to consume a supplement. These are all topics to discuss with a physician or dietitian.

2

Keep Sugars Low to Avoid a Crash

Keep Sugars Low to Avoid a Crash
It almost goes without saying, but the first thing you should check for in any energy drink is the sugar content. Sugar is normally a key component in energy drinks due to the sudden spike in energy it can give you.


This energy, however, is very short-lived and will inevitably lead to a crash. Worse, there's a lot of solid research showing that too much sugar leads to an increased risk of health issues like diabetes, fatty liver, and tooth decay. 


But you don’t want to be adding too many artificial sweeteners to your diet either, so stick to natural sugars in your energy drinks. A good rule of thumb is to look for a drink with less than 10 grams of sugar per eight ounces.

Rachel Binkley
Registered Dietitian (RD, LD)
Rachel Binkley

The energy you're getting from energy drinks is not the same as the energy that is provided with a well-balanced meal. With food sources, you can incorporate fiber or protein to help slow digestion. 


When energy drinks are high in sugar, it will lead to a blood sugar spike. This can be more concerning depending on chronic health concerns. There's no doubt that caffeine and sugar will give you energy. The question is, are you looking for quick or sustainable energy? That will depend on your plans and lifestyle.

3

Avoid Synthetic Ingredients

Avoid Synthetic Ingredients

Commercial energy drinks use synthesized caffeine made from urea and chloroacetic acid. While synthetic caffeine is structurally similar to the caffeine found in plants like tea or coffee, there's one dramatic difference: your body absorbs it much faster. This leads to jitters, post-caffeine crashes, and even an upset stomach on occasion.


Healthy energy drinks use natural caffeine sources like green tea and yerba mate, coffee beans, and the guarana seed. Some of these are denser in caffeine than others; guarana is even more potent than coffee! So long as you check the caffeine levels on your drink's label, you should be able to get the boost you need without overdoing it. 


It goes without saying, but you'll also want to steer clear of artificial colors and synthesized flavorings in your search for a healthy energy drink. There are plenty of natural flavors that taste just as sweet, and no one really needs their drink to be electric green. 

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Healthy Energy Drinks

Here are our three favorite healthy energy drinks, in case you need a little inspiration. They've been chosen based on sugars, caffeine, and other important ingredient factors.
Popularity
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Products
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Key features
Details
Item Weight
Number of Items
Flavor
Calories per Serving
Serving Size
Caffeine
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Sugar per Serving
Natural Ingredients
1

Celsius

Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack

Celsius Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack 1

A Sugar-Free Energy Boost With No Artificial Flavors

12 fl. oz.

12 items

Sparkling Orange, Non-Carbonated Peach Mango Green Tea, Non-Carbonated Raspberry Acai Green Tea, Sparkling Watermelon, Sparkling Kiwi Guava, Sparkling Fuji Apple Pear, Sparkling Grape Rush, Sparkling Wild Berry, Sparkling Cola

10 cal

1 can

200mg

0g

2

Campbell Soup Company

V8 +ENERGY®Peach Mango

Campbell Soup Company Peach Mango 1

A Blend of Fruit and Vegetable Juice With Some Added Caffeine

8 fl. oz.

24 items

Peach Mango

50 cal

1 can

80mg

11g

3

Alani Nu, LLC

Alani NuBreezeberry Energy Sticks

Alani Nu, LLC Breezeberry Energy Sticks 1

Powdered Berry Flavor Energy Sticks With Zero Sugar

0.2 oz.

10 items

Breezeberry

5 cal

1 stickpack

200mg

0g

4

ZOA Energy

Variety Pack

ZOA Energy Variety Pack 1

A Natural Energy Drink With Essential Vitamins Added

12 fl. oz.

12 items

Tropical Punch, Strawberry Watermelon, Frosted Grape, Cherry Limeade

unknown

unknown

160mg

0g

5

Alani Nu, LLC

Alani NuBlue Slush Energy Drink

Alani Nu, LLC Blue Slush Energy Drink 1

A Low-Calorie Energy Drink With A High Caffeine Content

12 fl. oz.

12 items

Blue Slush

10 cal

1 can

200mg

0g

6

Gorgie Inc.

Energy Drink - Bestsellers Collection

Gorgie Inc. Energy Drink - Bestsellers Collection 1

A Sugar-Free Energy Drink With Caffeine From Green Tea

12 fl. oz.

12 items

Watermelon Crush, Peach Tea, Paradise Punch, Mango Tango

5 cal

1 can

150mg

0g

7

LIFEAID Beverage Co.

FITAID EnergyVariety Pack

LIFEAID Beverage Co. Variety Pack 1

A Low-Calorie, Naturally-Sweetened Energy Drink With Recovery Vitamins

12 fl. oz.

12 items

Mango Sorbet, Blackberry Pineapple, Peach Mandarin, Raspberry Hibiscus

15 cal

1 can

200mg

3g

8

Jocko Fuel, LLC

Jocko GOEnergy Drink

Jocko Fuel, LLC Energy Drink 1

A Zero-Sugar Energy Drink Designed to Support Cognitive Function

12 fl. oz.

12 items

Watermelon

10 cal

1 can

95mg

0g

9

Celsius

HEAT Sparkling Cherry Lime

Celsius HEAT Sparkling Cherry Lime 1

A Drink With The Highest Caffeine Content on Our List

16 fl. oz.

12 items

Cherry Lime

15 cal

1 can

300mg

0g

10

Yerbaé

Variety Power Pack

Yerbaé  Variety Power Pack 1

An Energy Drink With Caffeine From Yerba Mate

16 fl. oz.

12 items

Watermelon Strawberry, Iced Triple Berry, Black Cherry Pineapple

0 cal

1 can

160mg

0g

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Celsius
Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack

Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack 1
Source:amazon.com
Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack 2
Source:amazon.com
Lowest price
$22.49
Mid
Lowest price
$22.49
Mid
FlavorSparkling Orange, Non-Carbonated Peach Mango Green Tea, Non-Carbonated Raspberry Acai Green Tea, Sparkling Watermelon, Sparkling Kiwi Guava, Sparkling Fuji Apple Pear, Sparkling Grape Rush, Sparkling Wild Berry, Sparkling Cola
Calories per Serving10 cal
Caffeine200mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Sugar-Free Energy Boost With No Artificial Flavors

The CELSIUS Assorted Flavors Official Variety Pack includes twelve cans with an array of flavors such as Sparkling Orange, Non-Carbonated Peach Mango Green Tea, Non-Carbonated Raspberry Acai Green Tea, Sparkling Watermelon, Sparkling Kiwi Guava, Sparkling Fuji Apple Pear, Sparkling Grape Rush, Sparkling Wild Berry, and Sparkling Cola. Each can contains 200 mg of caffeine, making it a good choice for a pre-workout drink and an alternative to coffee. With no sugars, preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors, and being gluten-free, this variety pack supports a health-conscious and active lifestyle.

Item Weight12 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Size1 can
Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Campbell Soup Company
V8 +ENERGY®Peach Mango

Lowest price
$17.96
Low Mid
FlavorPeach Mango
Calories per Serving50 cal
Caffeine80mg
Sugar per Serving11g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Blend of Fruit and Vegetable Juice With Some Added Caffeine

V8 +ENERGY® Peach Mango is a fruit and vegetable juice blend offering a natural energy boost from black and green tea. Each can contains a combined serving of veggies and fruit, along with 80 milligrams of caffeine. This drink is relatively healthy with only 50 calories and 12 grams of carbs per can, as well as providing a good source of B Vitamins. It is non-GMO, gluten-free, and contains no added sugar or artificial colors.
Item Weight8 fl. oz.
Number of Items24 items
Serving Size1 can
No.3

Alani Nu, LLC
Alani NuBreezeberry Energy Sticks

Lowest price
$9.98
Low
FlavorBreezeberry
Calories per Serving5 cal
Caffeine200mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

Powdered Berry Flavor Energy Sticks With Zero Sugar

Alani Nu BREEZEBERRY Energy Sticks offer a convenient on-the-go energy solution with a refreshing berry flavor. Each stick pack contains 200 mg of caffeine, B vitamins (B5, B6, B12), and biotin, supporting functional systems in the body and providing a steady boost of energy. With only 10 calories or less per serving and 0 grams of sugar, these vegan, gluten-free sticks contain no artificial colors, making them a guilt-free option to get some energy throughout the day.

Item Weight0.2 oz.
Number of Items10 items
Serving Size1 stickpack
No.4

ZOA Energy
Variety Pack

Lowest price
$24.99
Mid
FlavorTropical Punch, Strawberry Watermelon, Frosted Grape, Cherry Limeade
Calories per Servingunknown
Caffeine160mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Natural Energy Drink With Essential Vitamins Added

The ZOA Energy Variety Pack has a selection of sugar-free energy drinks, each containing natural caffeine from green tea extract and green coffee. Each can provides a balanced energy boost along with 100% of your daily Vitamin C needs, six essential B-vitamins, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and electrolytes for hydration. The variety pack includes eight different flavors, allowing you flavorful options without a sugar crash.
Item Weight12 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Sizeunknown
No.5

Alani Nu, LLC
Alani NuBlue Slush Energy Drink

Lowest price
$29.76
High Mid
FlavorBlue Slush
Calories per Serving10 cal
Caffeine200mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Low-Calorie Energy Drink With A High Caffeine Content

Alani Nu BLUE SLUSH Energy Drink is a low-calorie energy drink with 200 mg of caffeine, B vitamins (B5, B6, B12), and biotin, supporting natural energy and functional systems in the body. With only 15 calories or less per can and 0 grams of sugar, this lightly-carbonated drink is also vegan, gluten-free, and free from artificial colors.
Item Weight12 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Size1 can
No.6

Gorgie Inc.
Energy Drink - Bestsellers Collection

Lowest price
$30.89
High Mid
FlavorWatermelon Crush, Peach Tea, Paradise Punch, Mango Tango
Calories per Serving5 cal
Caffeine150mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Sugar-Free Energy Drink With Caffeine From Green Tea

The GORGIE Energy Drink Bestsellers Collection offers a selection of flavors each containing 150 mg of caffeine from green tea, providing an energy boost without the crash associated with sugary drinks. With only 5 calories and zero sugar, these drinks include natural flavors and beneficial ingredients like 30 mcg of biotin and 100% of the daily value of Vitamins B6 and B12, supporting hair, skin, and nail health.
Item Weight12 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Size1 can
No.7

LIFEAID Beverage Co.
FITAID EnergyVariety Pack

Lowest price
$27.99
Mid
FlavorMango Sorbet, Blackberry Pineapple, Peach Mandarin, Raspberry Hibiscus
Calories per Serving15 cal
Caffeine200mg
Sugar per Serving3g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Low-Calorie, Naturally-Sweetened Energy Drink With Recovery Vitamins

The FITAID Energy Variety Pack by LIFEAID includes twelve cans of energy drinks, each with 200 mg of caffeine and only 15 calories. These drinks are naturally sweetened and come in four flavors, making them ketogenic friendly, and certified for Paleo and vegan diets. Designed for both pre-workout and post-workout consumption, FITAID ENERGY combines recovery vitamins and supplements to help combat fitness fatigue. Ingredients include green tea extract, L-Arginine, L-Glutamine, D-Glucosamine, L-Leucine, Quercetin, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, Coenzyme Q10, turmeric extract, and DHA from algae, offering a light, clean taste with no aftertaste or sucralose.
Item Weight12 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Size1 can
No.8

Jocko Fuel, LLC
Jocko GOEnergy Drink

FlavorWatermelon
Calories per Serving10 cal
Caffeine95mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Zero-Sugar Energy Drink Designed to Support Cognitive Function

Jocko GO Energy Drink is a zero-sugar beverage designed to support cognitive and physical performance, making it ideal for high-demand situations like meetings, tests and negotiations. With 95 mg of caffeine derived from monk fruit and a scientifically formulated blend of ingredients, Jocko GO supports focus, energy, memory, and clarity without the crash associated with typical energy drinks.
Item Weight12 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Size1 can
No.9

Celsius
HEAT Sparkling Cherry Lime

FlavorCherry Lime
Calories per Serving15 cal
Caffeine300mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

A Drink With The Highest Caffeine Content on Our List

CELSIUS HEAT Sparkling Cherry Lime is a high-performance energy drink designed for pre-workout and thermogenic purposes. Each can contains 300 mg of caffeine and 2000 mg of L-Citrulline, providing a powerful energy boost and enhancing athletic performance. The carbonated cherry lime flavor is sugar-free. As CELSIUS transitions to new packaging, you might receive either black or white cans, but the formula remains the same.
Item Weight16 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Size1 can
No.10

Yerbaé
Variety Power Pack

Lowest price
$33.99
High Mid
FlavorWatermelon Strawberry, Iced Triple Berry, Black Cherry Pineapple
Calories per Serving0 cal
Caffeine160mg
Sugar per Serving0g
Amino Acids
Vitamins
Natural Ingredients

An Energy Drink With Caffeine From Yerba Mate

The Yerbaé Variety Power Pack includes twelve cans of Yerbaé energy drinks, offering a plant-based energy boost from yerba mate tea. Each can contains 160 mg of caffeine and has a selection of flavors like Watermelon Strawberry, Iced Triple Berry, and Black Cherry Pineapple. These drinks are sugar-free, calorie-free, and sweetened with organic Stevia leaf extract. Yerbaé is non-GMO and uses only eight plant-based ingredients, delivering energy without synthetic additives while supporting enhanced brain power and concentration.
Item Weight16 fl. oz.
Number of Items12 items
Serving Size1 can

Rachel's Recommended Healthy Energy Drinks

Rachel's Recommended Healthy Energy Drinks
Source:amazon.com
Rachel Binkley
Registered Dietitian (RD, LD)
Rachel Binkley

Celsius is low in sugar and moderate in caffeine. The variety of flavors is a bonus. One of these energy drinks contains about 200 milligrams of caffeine, which is similar to two cups of coffee. It doesn't overwhelm you with different additives, yet can give you the boost you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to commenting on our buying guide, Rachel also took the time to answer a couple of commonly-asked questions about energy drinks.

When's the best time to have an energy drink?

Rachel says, "When it comes to energy drinks, I wouldn't drink them unless you have plans ahead of you. The morning is good if you have a busy day scheduled. It can work in the afternoon as well; however, I wouldn't go later than 3:00 PM. 


If you are sensitive to caffeine, it might be a good idea to avoid caffeine after noon. The last thing you want is for an energy drink to prevent you from getting quality sleep."

Are energy drinks bad for you?

"Energy drinks can be harmful if they are not consumed in moderation," Rachel explains. "For individuals with cardiovascular disease, these can cause problems with any amount. Energy drinks can be very high in caffeine, which can easily affect heart rate and blood pressure. 


The other concern is sugar or sugar additives. Individuals who react negatively to either in large amounts should use caution. If you get into the habit of drinking energy drinks regularly, it may be a good idea to take a step back and consider other strategies."

Top 5 Healthy Energy Drink

No. 1: CelsiusAssorted Flavors Official Variety Pack

No. 2: Campbell Soup CompanyV8 +ENERGY®Peach Mango

No. 3: Alani Nu, LLCAlani NuBreezeberry Energy Sticks

No. 4: ZOA EnergyVariety Pack

No. 5: Alani Nu, LLCAlani NuBlue Slush Energy Drink

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