The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
I’ll admit it — I have an energy drink addiction. I’ve made an effort to cut back, but the instant burst of energy paired with a signature tang that I can’t help but like makes them irresistible. Over the years, I’ve switched up which brand my go-to drink is, meaning I’ve had plenty of opportunities to test out which truly works best for a stressed out college student. So with my expertise, I’m going to rank my top brands, and give you all the inside scoop on the best energy drinks that will truly keep you awake through the earliest of classes.
1. UpTime
An underrated drink for sure, I first stumbled upon UpTime in the 7 Eleven next to my college. I wanted a unique drink, and UpTime’s sleek packaging caught my eye. In terms of design, UpTime’s minimalism stands out amongst the other often bright and cluttered energy drink cans. It also boasts a natural caffeine, which I honestly tend to prefer. While UpTime does successfully wake me up, it doesn’t give me a headache or make me feel too panicked. It’s the perfect amount of caffeine, and my top pick.
2. Reign
Reign is another lesser-talked about option, but this one particularly stands out for its flavors. While many other energy drink brands tend to all blend together into one general taste or stick to relatively simple combinations, Reign has some of the coolest ideas in the game. My personal favorite would have to be the Melon Mania, as I feel like melons besides watermelon aren’t often represented in the energy drink world. This one leans honestly more towards a honeydew, which I adore. The caffeine content is also intense, but still manageable.
3. Celsius
Now my college was actually seemingly sponsored by Celsius at one point, so I felt a slight obligation to rank this higher on my list. Not due to any financial connection, but rather because for a while it felt like Celsius was all I was drinking. Suddenly, all of the dining options at my college were full of Celsius and their huge, branded fridges. And honestly, I’m glad that drink was Celsius! It’s a solid one, with caffeine that once again doesn’t feel too unnatural. They also have some real stand out flavors, like Mandarin Marshmallow, or any of their Essentials line.
4. Bang
Now this is slightly more embarrassing, considering the amount of lawsuits and problems Bang has been through during its time on the market. However, Bang was the drink that started my addiction! I think the flavor names were what really drew me in (although it’s not higher on this list because admittedly, many of them tasted pretty similar). I remember loving the Whole Lotta Piña Colada flavor, though.
5. Alani
A year ago, Alani would have been much higher on this list. I adore Alani, and it shares many similarities with UpTime in regards to a more natural caffeine and cool design. The flavors are decent overall, but its special Halloween flavor, Witch’s Brew, is genuinely to die for. Why isn’t this higher, then? Because of one very specific TikTok video that I saw all over my For You Page back in March. The original video has been lost to time (and alleged shadowbanning by Alani itself), but TikToker @notaverykatherine recaps how this original Alani drinker found a whole dead rat in one of their cans. And just the horror of that thought has unfortunately knocked this towards the bottom of my list.
6. Monster
I feel bad ranking such a staple energy drink so low, especially considering I currently have a 12-pack of the drink in my room while writing this. I do like Monster, don’t get me wrong. But I can never drink a full Monster in one sitting. The caffeine makes me feel jittery and almost nauseous if I drink too much, and I often drink half of one at one time, saving the other half for the next day. I will say that their newer flavors, like Strawberry Dreams and Rio Punch, have been very successful with me.
7. Red Bull
Red Bull, possibly the most well-known of the energy drinks, is sadly my least favorite. I don’t think I’ve ever had a good time drinking a Red Bull, only looking towards one in times of dire need. Many people swear by the drink, but I just can’t get behind the flavors, which have never tasted any different to me, or the unnatural feel of the caffeine. Red Bull may give you wings, but wings like that have only ever made me feel like Icarus, flying much too close to the sun.