Best Energy Drinks in 2025: We Tried Them, So You Don’t Have To

Let’s face it—energy drinks come with baggage. Whether you’re grabbing a can before the gym, a shift, or a Zoom call that could've been an email, there’s judgment in the air. But that hasn’t stopped these ultra-caffeinated elixirs from becoming a $20 billion industry in the U.S. alone.

We cracked open the most popular energy drinks in 2025 and put them to the test. Taste, vibe, caffeine kick, and crash potential were all on the menu. From clean-burning wellness brews to loud, nostalgic flavor bombs, here are the five best energy drinks worth your attention—and your heartbeat.

The Best Energy Drinks - Ranked and Reviewed

1. Celsius Energy Drink

2. Guayakí Yerba Mate

3. Red Bull Energy Drink

4. Ghost Energy Drink

5. Rockstar Energy Drink

   
   

The Best Energy Drinks - Ranked and Reviewed

1. Celsius Energy Drink

Best For: Smooth, sustained energy without the crash

Flavor Highlight: Sparkling Orange, Fuji Apple Pear, Green Apple Cherry

Caffeine: 200mg

Calories: 10

Sugar: 0g

Celsius walks the tightrope between wellness and performance and somehow doesn’t fall. Packed with caffeine, B vitamins, and a wellness-forward pitch, it feels more like a health drink in disguise. Unlike syrupy competitors, its flavors are crisp, mildly carbonated, and best served ice-cold for max refreshment.

Taste Test Verdict: Pleasantly tart with a natural fruity kick. No medicinal aftertaste. You might even forget you're sipping an energy drink.

The Buzz: A clean lift that helps you focus, move, or gym-hop without the jitters or crash.

Buyer Tip: Great for morning routines, workout fuel, or beating back the 2 p.m. slump.

2. Guayakí Yerba Mate

Best For: Natural energy lovers, mellow buzz seekers

Flavor Highlight: Enlighten Mint, Lemon Elation, Revel Berry

Caffeine: 150mg

Calories: 120

Sugar: 29g

Guayakí Yerba Mate is the Patagonia of energy drinks: eco-friendly, outdoorsy, and quietly powerful. Made from naturally caffeinated yerba mate leaves, it's less about intense jolts and more about long-lasting alertness. Plus, it’s Fair Trade, organic, and doesn’t scream “gamer fuel” in a meeting.

Taste Test Verdict: Earthy, lightly sweet, and herbal. The mint variety is a standout.

The Buzz: Smooth and subtle. Like having a conversation with a friend who owns a compost bin.

Buyer Tip: Ideal for those who want to feel energized but not over-caffeinated.

3. Red Bull Energy Drink

Best For: Classic energy without the weirdness

Flavor Highlight: Original

Caffeine: 114mg

Calories: 160

Sugar: 38g

The OG. Red Bull has stayed relevant for a reason. It’s consistent, compact, and culturally iconic—from athletes to finance bros to last-minute crammers. The carbonation is tight, the flavor is citrusy, and the aftertaste is as minimal as its branding.

Taste Test Verdict: Nostalgic in the best way. Balanced and brisk.

The Buzz: Peaks quickly but holds steady. You’ll ride the wings without nosediving.

Buyer Tip: Perfect for a no-fuss fix on the go or your next Red Bull + [insert alcohol] combo.

4. Ghost Energy Drink

Best For: Hardcore gym heads and flavor thrill-seekers

Flavor Highlight: Sour Patch Kids, Cherry Limeade, Warheads

Caffeine: 200mg

Calories: 5–10

Sugar: 0g

Ghost is pure chaos in a can—and that’s a compliment. With flavors inspired by candy aisle nostalgia and collabs you didn’t know you needed, this is for the lifters, streamers, and hype beasts among us. It’s aggressive, loud, and tastes like the intro riff of a metalcore song.

Taste Test Verdict: Artificial candy tsunami. Not subtle—but kinda addicting.

The Buzz: Intense. One minute you’re lifting, the next you’re reorganizing your sock drawer.

Buyer Tip: Great pre-workout or productivity potion. Just maybe don’t drink two back-to-back.

5. Rockstar Energy Drink

Best For: Old-school energy drink fans and night owls

Flavor Highlight: Original, Punched, Recovery Lemonade

Caffeine: 160mg

Calories: 260

Sugar: 63g

Rockstar is the black nail polish of energy drinks. It's bold, a little edgy, and unapologetically sweet. While it’s not as trendy as newer entrants, it has personality—and that counts for something. Yes, it’s sugary, and yes, it’s intense, but sometimes, you want the full-throttle throwback experience.

Taste Test Verdict: Sweet, slightly bubblegummy, with tropical overtones. Not for the faint of tastebuds.

The Buzz: Strong and fast, with a slight crash later. Best paired with a rebellious attitude.

Buyer Tip: Drink responsibly (and maybe brush your teeth after).

Final Thoughts

The world of energy drinks in 2025 is as varied as ever—some are built for clean-living overachievers, others for candy-loving chaos goblins. Here's how our top five stack up:

Energy Drink	Best For	Flavor Profile	Caffeine	Calories	Sugar
Celsius	Pre-workout, daily energy	Light, fruity	200mg	10	0g
Guayakí Yerba Mate	Long-lasting mellow energy	Herbal, natural	150mg	120	29g
Red Bull	Classic, reliable boost	Citrusy, fizzy	114mg	160	38g
Ghost	Workout & gamer fuel	Candy-sweet, intense	200mg	5–10	0g
Rockstar	Bold flavor, nostalgia	Sweet, tropical	160mg	260	63g

Energy Drinks FAQs

What is the healthiest energy drink on this list?

Celsius and Guayakí Yerba Mate are the best choices if you’re looking for clean energy with minimal sugar and a smoother buzz.

Which energy drink hits the fastest?

Ghost delivers an immediate, jittery jolt—ideal before a workout or a crunch-time task.

Is Red Bull still worth drinking in 2025?

Absolutely. It’s the blueprint that others copy, and it still holds its own in flavor, energy, and reliability.

What’s the best value energy drink?

Celsius offers a great combo of price, taste, and performance—especially in bulk.

Which one tastes best?

That’s subjective, but Guayakí’s Enlighten Mint and Celsius Green Apple Cherry are standouts for most palates.