Best Energy Drinks - Review

Energy drink is the new hype these days. Ever since Red Bull was introduced in the mid 1980’s, over 100 plus energy drinks have rushed out into the market. With so many choices to choose from how do you know which one is better. To be honest it is hard to say, the only way to know which one is the best is to taste them all.

To make your life easier I decided to break it down to the top 10 energy drinks on the market. The rating is from a scale of 1-10 (1 = low 10 = high) and is based on taste, price, selections, and most of all, level of energy!

1. XS Energy Drink - Retail Price: $1.99 per can (8.4 fl. oz.)
Available Size: 8.4 fl. oz.
Taste: 8.5/10
Price: 7/10
Selection: 10/10
Energy Level: 7.5/10
Total Points: 33

Where To Buy - XS Energy Drinks are not available at convenience stores, you can only buy them online or through Independent Business Owners. To buy XS energy drinks online, email my moderator at kevin@energyfanatics.com and he will be glad to help you find cheaper deals online.

XS Energy Drink taste is amazing because there are 10 (plus 3 caffeine-free versions) different flavors to choose from. If you do not like one flavor, you got 9 other flavors to sip on. The 2 newest drinks are Black Cherry Cola Blast and Peach Tea Blast. My favorite is the Cranberry Grape Blast which tasted just like its name, Cranberry Grape. I’m surprised how good it tasted even without no sugar, the artificial sweetener (sucralose) does add a different sweetness to the flavor but I can barely notice it. All of XS Energy Drinks are low in calories and carbs, some even have no carbs and sugar, making it one of the healthiest energy drinks out there. Price is a little expensive, but then again most energy drinks cost about 2 dollars per can.

Energy level is rocket powered by B-vitamins which are the building blocks for long lasting energy. The great thing about using B-vitamins instead of sugar to boost your energy is that it gives you endurance energy. Sugar and caffeine gives you a quick boost of energy but have the negative side effect of draining your body’s energy. B-vitamins are more natural, healthier and helps the body in ways that caffeine and sugar can not.

It’s sad that you can’t find XS Energy Drinks in stores or gas stations. You can only order them online because Quixtar is strict on how their products are sold…but I can understand, they just want to protect the value of their products and give their IBOs more opportunities with less competitions.

Click here for the full review of all the XS energy drinks.

2. GURU - Retail Price: About $1.70 per can (8.3 fl. oz.)
Available Sizes: 8.3 fl. oz., 12 fl. oz.
Taste: 8/10
Price: 8.5/10
Selection: 9/10
Energy Level: 7/10
Total Points: 32.5

Where To Buy - GURU is available locally in New York City at Amish Market, Dean & DeLuca, Jubilee’s, Zaytuna’s and health clubs. GURU is also available at Whole Foods and Wild Oats nationwide, For online deals visit amazon.com.

GURU is distributed by GURU Beverage Co. which is located in New York, United States. GURU has 6 different type of energy drinks which are GURU Energy, GURU Lite, GURU Juicy Tangerine, GURU Iced Tea, GURU Juicy Superfruit and GURU Full On Lemonade. All of their energy drinks contain no preservatives, no taurine and are non-carbonated except for the original and sugar-free flavor. Most of GURU energy drinks tasted like organic fruit juice instead of the traditional bitter-sweet-herbal taste found in most energy drinks. The energy rush from GURU energy drinks are competitive except for the sugar-free flavor. I recommend GURU energy drinks for people who are health conscious and want an energy drink that taste more organic.

3. Rockstar - Retail Price: $1.99 per can (16 fl. oz.)
Available Sizes: 8.4 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz., 24 fl. oz.
Taste: 6.5/10
Price: 8/10
Selection: 7/10
Energy Level: 8/10
Total Points: 29.5

Where To Buy - Rockstar energy drinks are available at most convenience stores and is also available online. For more reviews on Rockstar energy drinks visit the links (tags) on the right sidebar.

Rockstar energy drink is produced by Rockstar Inc. and joined the energy drink battle in 2001. Rockstar has 3 different size you can choose from and is also available in 3 alcoholic version. Rockstar energy drinks are too sweet for me, the original version tasted like carbonated cotton candy that gets sweeter and sweeter with every sip. If you like a lot of sweet, then Rockstar energy drinks are just for you.

Rockstar also has a sugar-free version of its original flavor. Price for the 16 fl. oz. is about the same as XS and Red Bull, but since it is bigger you are getting more for the money. Right now there are 6 different types of Rockstar energy drinks and out of those 6 is a sugar free and zero carb version. Energy comes from B-vitamins, caffeine, and lots of sugar.

4. Monster - Retail Price: $1.99 per can (16 fl. oz.)
Available Sizes: 8.3 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz., 24 fl. oz.
Taste: 8/10
Price: 8/10
Selection: 6/10
Energy Level: 7.5/10
Total Points: 29.5

Where To Buy - Monster energy drinks are available at most convenience stores and is also available online.

The old version of the original Monster energy drink did not taste very good, had a medicine taste to it. The new version is much better and tasted like carbonated sweet-citrus. The negative things about Monster energy drinks is that their smell is stronger than most energy drinks and their aftertaste may irritate some people. Price is decent due to the bigger size and still cost the same as XS and Red Bull.

Right now there are 5 selections of Monster energy drink plus a low carb version. Monster also has 3 coffee version called Mean Bean, Loca Moca and Big Black. Monster’s main source of energy comes from caffeine, B-vitamins and sugar. Like most energy drinks that come with a lot of caffeine and sugar, there is always a downside to it once the energy disappears.

If you want an intense energy rush, drink the coffee versions of Monster. Be warned, don’t drink the 3 coffee energy drink on an empty stomach because the intense energy rush may give you minor side effects, such as increase breathing, heart rate, stomachaches and light headaches.

5. Xyience Xenergy - Retail Price: $2.79 per can (16 fl. oz.)
Available Sizes: 8 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz.
Taste: 8/10
Price: 6/10
Selection: 9/10
Energy Level: 6/10
Total Points: 29

Where To Buy - Xyience energy drinks are available at certain convenience stores, check your local stores to see if they sell them.

Xyience currently has a total of 6 different flavor which are Cran Razz, Big Apple, Citrus Clear, Blu Pom, Mango Guava and Pink Lemon. All their energy drinks have no sugar, low in calories and are powered by B-vitamins for endurance energy. Xyience energy rush was a little less than most energy drink but felt more natural and had no noticeable side effects. My favorite is the Cran Razz and my least favorite is the Citrus Clear. I recommend Xyience Xenergy for people who are weight conscious and want to increase their mental and physical energy without the side effects.

6. Crunk - Retail Price: About $1.70 per can (8.3 fl. oz.)
Available Sizes: 8.3 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz.
Taste: 7.5/10
Price: 8.5/10
Selection: 4/10
Energy Level: 8/10
Total Points: 28

Where To Buy - Crunk energy drinks are available at certain convenience stores and are also available online.

Crunk was co-created and launched in 2004 by Sidney Frank and Lil’ Jon. Crunk currently has three different types of energy drink which are regular, sugar-free and citrus. The original and sugar-free version tasted like pomegranate juice and is powered by B-vitamins and a lot of energy blends. The citrus flavor had a strong lemon taste and does not kick as hard as the original Crunk energy drink. The original Crunk energy rush was intense and lasted for about 3 hours. The sugar-free version was not as intense but is better than most sugar-free energy drink. I recommend Crunk energy drinks for people who want an energy drink that can boost their energy fast and keep them up for long periods of time.

7. Hype - Retail Price: About $1.50 per can (8.4 fl. oz.)
Available Size: 8.4 fl. oz.
Taste: 7.5/10
Price: 9/10
Selection: 4/10
Energy Level: 7/10
Total Points: 27.5

Where To Buy - I have not seen any Hype energy drinks on sale at gas stations or grocery stores but Hype is available to purchase online.

Hype currently has 3 different flavor, Hype Energy, Hype Enlite and Hype MFP. Out of these three, my favorite is the MFP flavor because of its good taste and amazing energy rush. The Enlite flavor had the best taste but its energy rush was somewhat disappointing. If you are weight conscious, go for the Enlite flavor because it only has 10 calories per 100 milliliters. All the Hype energy drinks are powered by caffeine, sugar, B-vitamins and energy blends.

8. Full Throttle - Retail Price: $1.99 per can (16 fl. oz.)
Available Size: 16 fl. oz.
Taste: 7/10
Price: 8/10
Selection: 5/10
Energy Level: 7/10
Total Points: 27

Where To Buy - Full Throttle energy drinks are available at most convenience stores, such as gas stations. If your local grocery store sells them, you can usually get them at a cheaper price.

Full Throttle is owned by Coca Cola and came to the market in late 2004. The original Full Throttle tasted like citrus lime but not as great as Vault, price is the same as Monster but only comes in 16 fl. oz. Right now there are 4 types of Full Throttle energy drink and is available sugar free too. Energy is boosted by sugar, caffeine and B-vitamins. Most of the energy comes from sugar and caffeine which last over an hour but also gives you an energy break down once the energy disappears. Great for people who need a quick energy boost and don’t mind lots of caffeine.

9. Red Bull - Retail Price: $1.99 per can (8.3 fl. oz.)
Available Sizes: 8.3 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz.
Taste: 7.5/10
Price: 7/10
Selection: 3/10
Energy Level: 8/10
Total Points: 25.5

Where To Buy - Red Bull energy drinks are available at most convenience stores, you can also buy them at certain liquor stores and online.

Red Bull is the drink that started the energy drink epidemic. Red Bull had a bittersweet citrus taste followed by a light bitter aftertaste. If you do not like the bittersweet taste, I suggest drink it cold to refresh the taste more or mix it with something else. Price is on the expensive side and there is not much selections. Right now there are two different types and two different sizes, one comes with sugar and the other one is sugar-free. Energy is powered by B-vitamins, caffeine and sugar.

Even though Red Bull is second to last, it’s still one of the most popular energy drinks in the market. Red Bull is also very popular in night clubs and bars, and is one of the top choices for alcohol mixed drinks. The amount of selections really damaged its rating but its energy level is right behind the leaders XS, Crunk and Verve.

10. Verve Energy Drink - Retail Price: About $2.99 per can (8.3 fl. oz.)
Available Size: 8.3 fl. oz. (245 ml)
Taste: 8/10
Price: 6/10
Energy Level: 8/10
Selection: 2/10
Total Points: 24

Where To Buy - Verve energy drinks are not available at public stores, you can only buy them online or from independent distributors. For more information or to buy Verve energy drinks online visit www.myverve.com/energyhealth.

Verve is created by a company in Arizona, United States called Vemma Nutrition Company. This energy drink is one of the healthiest energy drink on the market and is also one of the best in taste. Most healthy energy drink lacks energy but Verve actually packs an incredible amount of energy for a health dietary supplement drink.

The thing I like the most about this energy drink is its unique flavor. I have reviewed over 100 flavored energy drinks and none of them tasted like Verve. The most noticeable flavors are citrus, tangerine and mango. Verve also had a light-bitter tea aftertaste which did not bother me because I like the taste of tea. If you do not like the bitterness of tea, this energy drink may be hard for you to drink. This energy drink is also available sugar-free which makes the total selection to two. If it was not for the low selections, Verve would of been near the top next to XS or even as the best energy drink on the market. This energy drink does not give you a crash at the end like most energy drinks and is great for people who are weight conscious because it is very low in calories.

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