Energy Drinks

23 products ranked by Scout score

Best energy drinks right now

Naked Sparkling Energy Drink 95/100
Scout's analysis: Naked Sparkling Energy Drink is an exceptionally clean energy drink made with only 6 ingredients — organic caffeine from unroasted coffee beans, organic lemon juice…
Mateina Yerba Mate 93/100
Scout's analysis: Mateina Yerba Mate is a premium organic energy drink made with brewed organic yerba mate, organic yerba mate extract, organic ginger juice, organic lemon juice…
Joggy Organic Energy Drink 92/100
Scout's analysis: Joggy Organic Energy Drink scores 92/100 — the cleanest formula on the energy shelf. USDA Organic, sweetened by nothing but real fruit juice (tart cherry, mango or…

What to skip

Monster Energy 3/100
Scout's analysis: Monster Energy scores 3/100. 54g of added sugar (108% DV) from sucrose and glucose in a single 16oz can — roughly 13.5 teaspoons, and by far the heaviest sugar load in…
Gatorade Gatorlyte Strawberry Kiwi Sports Drink - Bottle 25/100
Scout's analysis: This sports drink is ultra-processed and contains several concerning ingredients, including artificial dye Red 40 and added sugar, which contribute to potential health…
Red Bull Energy Drink 25/100
Scout's analysis: Red Bull Energy Drink scores 25/100. The original energy drink carries 26g of added sugar in an 8.4oz can, and that sugar load is the whole story — it outweighs every…

Independently lab-tested energy drinks

One of the 23 products ranked here has a lab panel on its page — each measured amount, the level it falls in and the report it comes from.

MAC Energy Drink 50/100

Ingredients to watch in energy drinks

The flagged ingredients that show up most often across these 23 products. Each link opens Scout's analysis of the ingredient.

Natural Flavors in 13 of 23
Sucralose in 12 of 23
Potassium Sorbate in 8 of 23
Sodium Benzoate in 8 of 23
Acesulfame Potassium in 7 of 23
Potassium Benzoate in 3 of 23

What the better energy drinks have in common

Taurine in 6 of 23
L-Theanine in 4 of 23
Niacinamide in 4 of 23
Cyanocobalamin in 3 of 23
Green Tea Extract in 2 of 23

Common questions about energy drinks

What scores highest in energy drinks on Scout?

Naked Sparkling Energy Drink leads Scout's energy drinks ranking at 95/100, followed by Mateina Yerba Mate (93) and Joggy Organic Energy Drink (92). Scores compare products within the category on ingredients, processing, packaging and any lab results.

What should I avoid in energy drinks?

Monster Energy scores 3/100, the lowest of the 23 products Scout has analyzed in energy drinks; next lowest are Gatorade Gatorlyte Strawberry Kiwi Sports Drink - Bottle (25) and Red Bull Energy Drink (25). Each product page lists the ingredients behind the number.

What drags scores down in energy drinks?

Across these 23 products the most common flagged ingredients are Natural Flavors, Sucralose, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Acesulfame Potassium, Potassium Benzoate. Each appears in at least two of the products ranked here.

Is anything in energy drinks independently lab tested?

One of the 23 products on this page carries independent lab results — MAC Energy Drink. Its product page shows each measured amount, the level it falls in and the report it comes from.

How does Scout score energy drinks?

Every product in energy drinks gets one 1–100 score for comparison within its category: the full ingredient list judged by a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. Lab results are disclosed, not scored. Scout takes no payment for scores or placement.

How Scout scores energy drinks

One 1–100 score per product, judged within its category: every ingredient on the label through a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. No brand pays for a score or a position on this list. Read the full methodology →