The Best Zero-Sugar Energy Drinks (and What Sets Each Apart)
Zero-sugar energy drinks have gone from a diet afterthought to the biggest thing in the cooler. The good ones now taste as good as the full-sugar classics. Here are our picks, what's in them, and who each one suits best.
Best overall flavor lineup: Ghost Energy
Ghost is known for licensed candy and soda flavors like Bubblicious, Warheads and A&W Root Beer. Each 16 oz can has 200mg of natural caffeine and zero sugar, plus focus ingredients like Alpha-GPC and NeuroFactor. Shop all flavors in our Ghost collection.
Best light, fruity option: Alani Nu
Alani Nu packs 200mg of caffeine into a 12 oz can with about 10 calories, B vitamins and L-theanine. Fan favorites include seasonal flavors like Witch's Brew. Browse the Alani Nu collection.
Best for workouts: C4 and Bucked Up
C4 Energy gives you 200mg of caffeine plus CarnoSyn beta-alanine for endurance (that tingle is normal). If you want more, Bucked Up goes to 300mg with beta-alanine and taurine. It's strong, so stick to Bucked Up's limit of two cans a day.
Best for focus: Gorilla Mind
Gorilla Mind Energy pairs 200mg of caffeine with a nootropic blend: N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, Alpha-GPC, L-theanine, uridine, saffron and huperzine A. It's a solid pick for long work or study sessions.
Best low-caffeine pick: BUM Energy
BUM Energy has 112mg of natural caffeine from coffee beans plus 250mg of Cognizin citicoline, with 5 calories and no artificial colors. It's a good choice if 200mg cans leave you jittery.
Also worth trying
- Celsius: 200mg caffeine, seven vitamins, no aspartame.
- MAC Energy: 200mg natural caffeine plus goBHB ketones and citicoline.
- Bloom: natural caffeine with prebiotics, about 10 calories.
- Ryse Fuel: 200mg caffeine in Kool-Aid, Ring Pop and SunnyD flavors.
Quick comparison
| Drink | Caffeine | Can | Stand-out extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost | 200mg | 16 oz | Candy/soda collabs, nootropics |
| Alani Nu | 200mg | 12 oz | B vitamins, L-theanine |
| C4 | 200mg | 16 oz | Beta-alanine |
| Gorilla Mind | 200mg | 16 oz | Focus blend |
| Bucked Up | 300mg | 16 oz | Dynamine, TeaCrine |
| BUM | 112mg | 12 oz | Cognizin citicoline |
Try a few before you commit
The easiest way to find your favorite is to mix flavors. Build Your Own Pack lets you combine any brands into one 4, 6 or 12-pack. Orders over $80 ship free in the US.
Caffeine and ingredient amounts are from each brand's current labels at the time of writing. Brands do reformulate, so always check the can. Energy drinks aren't recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or anyone sensitive to caffeine.