expensive

1. Monster – Retail Price: $1.99 per can (16 fl. oz.)
Available Sizes: 8.3 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz., 24 fl. oz.
Taste: 7/10
Price: 8/10
Selection: 10/10
Overall Energy: 9/10
Total Points: 34

The old version of the original Monster Energy did not taste very good, had a medicinal taste to it. The new version is much better and taste like carbonated sweet-citrus. The negative things about Monster energy drink is its smell and aftertaste. Its smell and aftertaste are stronger than most energy drinks. Price is decent due to the bigger size and still cost the same as XS and Red Bull.

As of this writing, there are 6 selections of Monster, plus alow-carb version. Monster also has 8 coffee versions, Nut-Up, Originale, Lo-Ball, Irish Blend, Russian, Chia Hai, Mean Bean and Loca Moca. Monster’s main source of energy comes from energy blends, caffeine, B-vitamins and sugar. Like most energy drinks that come with a lot of caffeine and sugar, there is always a downside to them once the energy disappears.

If you want an intense energy rush, drink the coffee versions of Monster. Be warned! Do not drink them on an empty stomach because the intense energy rush may give you bad side effects, such as an increase breathing and heart rate, and stomachaches and headaches.

2. 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: 10/10
Overall Energy: 9/10
Total Points: 33.5

Rockstar joined the energy drink market in 2001. Rockstar has 3 different sizes that you can choose from. It is also available in 3 coffee and 1 alcoholic version. Rockstar energy drinks are too sweet for me. The original version taste like carbonated cotton candy. If you are a person who loves sweet drinks, Rockstar energy drinks may satisfy your sweet-tooth.

Rockstar also has a sugar-free and zero-carb version of its original flavor. Price for the 16 fl. oz. is about the same as XS and Red Bull, but because it is bigger, you are getting more for the money. Right now there are 12 different types of Rockstar.

3. 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
Overall Energy: 7/10
Total Points: 32.5

GURU is distributed by GURU Beverage Co. which is located in New York, United States. GURU has 6 different types of energy drink which are GURU Energy, GURU Lite, GURU Juicy Tangerine, GURU Iced Tea, GURU Juicy Superfruit and GURU Full On Lemonade. According to Guru, its energy drinks contain no preservatives, no taurine and are non-carbonated, only its original and sugar-free are carbonated. Most of GURU energy drinks taste similar to organic fruit juice, instead of the traditional bitter-sweet synthetic flavor found in most energy drinks. The energy rush from GURU is 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.

4. 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
Overall Energy: 7/10
Total Points: 32.5

XS Energy Drink has 11 different flavors, plus 3 caffeine-free versions. If you do not like one flavor, you have 10 other flavors to choose from. Its 2 newest drinks are XS Gold Energy Plus and Peach Tea Blast. My favorite is the Cranberry Grape Blast. All of its energy drinks are low in calories and carbs, most of them have no sugar except for the Gold Energy Plus flavor. Price is a little on the expensive side, but then again, most energy drinks cost about 2 dollars per can.

The Energy from XS is powered by B-vitamins which are essential for the release of energy. The great thing about using B-vitamins instead of sugar to boost your energy is that they give you endurance energy. Sugar and caffeine give you a quick boost of energy but have the negative side effect of draining your body’s energy. If only XS’s B-vitamins were not synthetic, it would of been a great energy drink. The thing that concerns me about XS is its vitamin B12 levels. All of them have 4,900 percent of the percent daily value of B12, except for the new Gold Energy Plus flavor. It has 8,000 percent. Another ingredient in XS that concerns me is sucralose, a toxic artificial sweetener. XS is for people who want an energy drink that has many unique flavors. Click herefor the full review of all the XS energy drinks.

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
Overall Energy: 7/10
Total Points: 30

Xyience currently has a total of 6 different flavors which are Cran Razz, Big Apple, Citrus Clear, Blu Pom, Mango Guava and Pink Lemon. All their energy drinks have no sugar, are low in calories and powered by B-vitamins for endurance energy. Xyience’s energy is a little less than most energy drink but has no major side effects. However, if you are the sensitive type, you may experience major side effects. My favorite is the Cran Razz and my least favorite is the Citrus Clear. Xyience Xenergy is for people who want a great tasting energy drink that can quickly increase their physical energy. It is not for people who are health conscious because it contains artificial sweetener.

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
Overall Energy: 9/10
Total Points: 29

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 the original, sugar-free and citrus. The original and sugar-free version taste like pomegranate juice, and are powered by B-vitamins and energy blends. The citrus flavor has a strong lemon flavor and its energy rush is not as strong as the original. The original Crunk’s energy rush is intense and can last up to 3 hours. The sugar-free version is not as intense but is better than most of the sugar-free energy drinks I reviewed. Crunk energy drinks are for people who wants an energy drink that can quickly boost their energy and keep them up for long periods of time. It is not an energy drink for people who are health conscious.

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
Overall Energy: 7/10
Total Points: 27.5

Hype currently has 3 different flavors, Hype Energy, Hype Enlite and Hype MFP. Out of these three, my favorite is the MFP flavor because of its good taste and competitive energy rush. The Enlite flavor has the best taste but its energy level is somewhat disappointing. The different in energy levels may be from using artificial sweetener instead of sugar. If you like low calorie drink, 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, taurine and energy blends. Like most energy drinks, Hype also contain synthetic vitamins. Please drink in moderate.

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
Overall Energy: 7/10
Total Points: 27

Full Throttle is owned by Coca Cola and came to the market in late 2004. The original Full Throttle has a citrus lime flavor but its flavor is not as good as Vault. Price is the same as Monster but it only comes in 16 fl. oz. As of this writing, there are 5 types of Full Throttle, plus a sugar-free version. Its energy is boosted by sugar, caffeine, energy blends and B-vitamins. The thing I do not like about Full Throttle is that it gives me energy breakdowns after drinking it. Full Throttle is great for people who like quick energy boost and are not sensitive to caffeine. Like most energy drinks, Full Throttle contains synthetic chemicals, please drink with care.

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
Overall Energy: 7/10
Total Points: 24.5

Red Bull is the drink that started the energy drink epidemic. Red Bull has a bittersweet citrus flavor and a light-bitter aftertaste. If you do not like the bittersweet flavor, 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 many selections. As of this writing, there are 2 different types and sizes of Red Bull. One comes with sugar and the other one is sugar-free. Energy is powered by B-vitamins, caffeine, energy blends and sugar. Red Bull contains a good amount of synthetic ingredients. If you are worry about your health, stay away from Red Bull.

Even though Red Bull is second to last in my review, it is still one of the most popular energy drinks in the market. Red Bull is also very popular at night clubs and bars, and is one of the top choices for alcohol mixed drinks. Its lack of selections really damage its rating which is why it is in 9th place.

10. Verve Energy Drink – Retail Price: About $2.99 per can (8.3 fl. oz.)
Available Size: 8.3 fl. oz. (245 ml)
Taste: 7.5/10
Price: 6/10
Overall Energy: 8/10
Selection: 2/10
Total Points: 23.5

Verve is created by a company in Arizona, United States called Vemma Nutrition Company. Vemma claims that Verve is insanely healthy for an energy drink, but if you look closer at its nutrition facts, many of its vitamins are synthetic. Most synthetic vitamins are less effective than natural vitamins because they are cheaply made. Some are even considered toxic by many independent researchers. The insanely healthy energy drink does not sound too healthy to me. Verve actually packed a good amount of energy for a dietary supplement drink.

The thing I like the most about this energy drink is its unique flavor. I had reviewed over 100 flavored energy drinks and none of them tasted like Verve. The most noticeable flavors are citrus, tangerine and mangosteen. Verve also has a light-bitter tea aftertaste which did not bother me. The thing that bother me is its strange bittersweet mangosteen flavor. If you do not like the bitterness of tea, this energy drink may be hard for you to drink. Verve is also available sugar-free which makes the total selection to two.