Sometimes you need an extra burst of energy to get you through your day. That’s where energy drinks thrive. But with so many different options out there, it can be a challenge trying to determine which one to get.
Which energy drink brand is the most popular, and which one is right for you? We break down the numbers and give you the pros and cons of each brand here! Here are the eight most popular energy drinks in the world:
The 8 Most Popular Energy Drink Brands
1. Red Bull
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $8.87 billion |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 31 mg |
| Founding Year: | 1984 |
If you’re looking for the top energy drink brand in the world, the clear answer is Red Bull, and it’s not that close. It has annual revenues of close to $9 billion, which is almost more than $2 billion higher than its next closest competitor.
It comes down to the fact that Red Bull is popular everywhere, not just in one country. The brand itself has been around for a while and has come out with even more flavors in recent years. But while Red Bull is the most popular energy drink, it’s also the most expensive.
A 16-ounce can of Red Bull will cost you twice as much as the next closest competitor. While it’s expensive, it has a devoted following.
- By far the most popular energy drink brand
- Long history and worldwide acclaim
- Tons of different flavors
- More expensive per can
2. Eastroc Super Drink
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $6.9 billion |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 20 mg |
| Founding Year: | 1987 |
While Eastroc Super Drink is a huge name in the industry, it’s mostly only available in China and surrounding countries.
The caffeine content is likely a tad bit lower than other energy drink brands, but we can’t get an exact verification of the caffeine content per 100 mL for this product. Still, it’s a well-established brand, and if you’re traveling around China, it’s worth checking out!
- Low priced
- Well-established brand
- Only available in China and other surrounding countries
- Can’t verify exact caffeine content
3. Monster
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $4.59 billion |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 33.8 mg |
| Founding Year: | 2002 |
Besides Red Bull and Eastroc, Monster Energy is the only energy drink brand in the world to top $1 billion in annual revenue, and it does so by a comfortable margin, clearing $4.5 billion in yearly revenue. Its primary market is in the United States, but Monster energy drinks are sold just about everywhere.
It’s an American company, and it offers a ton of flavors that you can try. While it’s not nearly as expensive as Red Bull, Monster isn’t a cheap energy drink. It’s more expensive than most other energy drink options, but many people still purchase them.
- S. company
- Tons of different flavors
- Not as expensive as Red Bull
- Available worldwide
- Still a pricey option
4. NOS
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $367 million |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 33.8 mg |
| Founding Year: | 2005 |
NOS is an energy drink brand that doesn’t seem popular, but it’s always there when you look at the highest sales numbers. The caffeine content is identical to Monster, but the sugar content is through the roof.
Compared to Monster and Bang, it’s more affordable per can, but it’s not a huge difference. However, while Bang, Monster, and Red Bull all have multiple flavors, with NOS, what you see is what you get. You either like it or you don’t.
- More affordable option
- Similar caffeine content to top brands
- Few flavors
- High sugar content
5. Lucozade
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $362 million |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 12 mg |
| Founding Year: | 1938 |
Lucozade is one of the most popular drinks in the U.K. market. While it markets itself as an energy drink — and in many ways, it is — the caffeine content per serving is far more similar to that of a soda.
The brand itself is the oldest on this list, though, and if you make your way to the U.K., it’s definitely a drink that you’ll want to try.
- Low caffeine content
- Affordably priced
- Been around a long time
- Low caffeine content
- Only available in select European markets
6. Bang Energy
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $299.4 million |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 63.4 mg |
| Founding Year: | 1993 |
Many people think that Bang Energy is a new energy drink brand, but it’s been around since 1993. It’s just been growing quite a bit in popularity in recent years.
There are plenty of flavors to choose from, and if you’re looking for an energy drink with tons of caffeine, this is it. But while that extra caffeine is a perk for some people, it’s a drawback for others. It’s in the same price range as Monster energy drinks, so it’s not the most expensive choice out there, but it’s not the most affordable either.
- High caffeine content
- Multiple flavors to try
- Not as expensive as Red Bull
- High caffeine content
- Still a pricey option
7. 5 Hour Energy
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $196 million |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 350.5 mg |
| Founding Year: | 2004 |
5 Hour Energy is an energy shot, not a drink, but it’s by far the most popular energy shot in the world. There’s a ton of caffeine in each shot, but that’s because you’re only supposed to consume it 2 ounces at a time.
It’s also super expensive, and you’ll finish it in just a second or two. But if you want a boost of energy without having to consume an entire drink, 5 Hour Energy has you covered. If you want something that you can enjoy and will last a while, though, this isn’t it.
- Most popular energy shot
- Tons of caffeine
- Can drink it quickly
- Expensive
- Not a full drink
8. Rockstar
| Annual Revenue (USD): | $163 million |
| Caffeine per 100 mL: | 33.8 mg |
| Founding Year: | 2001 |
Rockstar Energy used to stand toe-to-toe with Monster Energy, but the current annual revenues show that’s not the case anymore. Today, Rockstar Energy is more of a budget brand, with each drink costing about half the price of a Monster.
Even so, Rockstar doesn’t move a ton of products. Many people simply can’t get past the taste, and there are not quite as many flavor options to choose from.
- Low-priced option
- American company
- Few flavors
- Sales are declining each year
Final Thoughts
When you’re looking at the most popular energy drink brands out there, Red Bull and Monster clearly lead the way, but that doesn’t mean they’re the ones that you’ll enjoy the most or even if it will remain that way forever.
So, try these drinks out and make your own decision — they’re all good in their own right!
See also: How Much Caffeine in Coolah Energy Drinks? What to Know!
Featured Image Credit: Jan Kopřiva, Unsplash
