In a market flooded with options promising energy boosts, discerning which drinks truly support a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. To cut through the marketing hype, our panel of reviewers conducted a detailed investigation into some of the most popular energy drinks positioned as healthier alternatives. We focused on the critical factors that matter to consumers: caffeine content, calorie count, key functional ingredients, and overall health considerations. We even put them to the test for taste and versatility.

Our mission was to go beyond the labels and provide a clear comparison of four prominent contenders: Bloom Energy, Red Bull Zero, V8 Energy, and Celsius. By examining their core components and assessing their potential benefits and drawbacks, we aim to equip you with the information needed to make an informed choice.

Below, we present our findings, offering a side-by-side look at what’s inside each can and how they stack up against each other, as well as against less healthy traditional energy drinks.

Caffeine, Calories, and Key Ingredients: Our Panel’s Findings

Our panel’s first step was to analyze the nutritional facts and ingredient lists. Understanding what provides the energy – and what else comes along with it – was paramount.

• Bloom Energy:
  • Caffeine: At 180 mg per 12 fl oz can, our panel noted Bloom provides a significant energy kick, sitting towards the higher end of our tested group, though some Celsius varieties pack even more.
  • Calories: A major plus point identified by the panel was the low calorie count, typically just 10 per can.
  • Sugar: Critically, our analysis confirmed 0g of sugar.
  • Key Ingredients: Beyond the caffeine, the panel highlighted the inclusion of prebiotics and various plant extracts, suggesting potential added wellness benefits, particularly for gut health with the prebiotics.
• Red Bull Zero:
  • Caffeine: Our panel found Red Bull Zero contains a moderate 80 mg of caffeine per 8.4 fl oz can, suitable for those seeking a less intense boost.
  • Calories: With typically only 5 calories per can, it’s one of the lowest calorie options reviewed.
  • Sugar: As expected, it contains 0g of sugar.
  • Key Ingredients: The panel noted the presence of taurine and B vitamins, standard components in many energy drinks known for their roles in metabolism and nerve function. It contains fewer botanical extracts compared to Bloom or Celsius.
• V8 Energy:
  • Caffeine: Registering at 80 mg per 8 fl oz can, V8 Energy was found by our panel to have the lowest caffeine content among the four, offering a gentler lift.
  • Calories: The panel observed a higher calorie count compared to the others, typically 50 per 8 fl oz can, attributing this to its juice base.
  • Sugar: Importantly, the panel confirmed no added sugar, with natural sugars coming from the fruit and vegetable juices.
  • Key Ingredients: The inclusion of fruit and vegetable juice provides some inherent vitamins and nutrients, a differentiator noted by the panel. Caffeine is sourced from black and green tea.
• Celsius:
  • Caffeine: Our panel found Celsius caffeine levels vary, but can be quite high, often ranging from 200 mg to a robust 270 mg per 12 fl oz can in certain lines.
  • Calories: Similar to Bloom and Red Bull Zero, the panel noted a low calorie count, typically around 10 per can.
  • Sugar: Our analysis confirmed 0g of sugar.
  • Key Ingredients: The panel’s review showed Celsius includes various plant extracts and B vitamins, offering a blend of stimulants and metabolic support similar to Bloom in its use of botanical ingredients.

Health Considerations: What Our Panel Examined

Beyond the basic nutritional breakdown, our panel considered the broader health implications of these drinks compared to traditional energy drinks.

All four options earned points from our panel for being sugar-free and low in calories, a significant departure from many conventional energy drinks on the market, such as original Monster Energy. Our investigation into typical traditional energy drinks found they can easily pack over 50 grams of sugar and more than 200 calories per serving. In stark contrast, our top picks provide the desired energy boost with minimal or no sugar and substantially fewer calories, a critical factor in avoiding the negative health consequences linked to high sugar consumption, including weight gain and disruptive energy crashes. Furthermore, our panel noted that Bloom, Red Bull Zero, V8 Energy, and Celsius often incorporate beneficial ingredients like B vitamins, various plant extracts, and even prebiotics, offering potential functional benefits beyond just a stimulant effect.

• Bloom Energy and Celsius were highlighted by the panel for their inclusion of plant-based ingredients and extracts, which may offer additional wellness benefits. Bloom’s inclusion of prebiotics was seen as a positive for potential gut health support.
• Red Bull Zero was recognized for providing the classic energy drink components of taurine and B vitamins, supporting metabolism and neurological functions.
• V8 Energy was noted by the panel for offering some inherent nutritional value from its fruit and vegetable juice content, providing vitamins like Vitamin C and contributing to daily vegetable intake. Its lower caffeine level was also identified as a potential advantage for individuals sensitive to higher stimulant doses, possibly being a gentler option for cardiovascular health.
• Our panel’s review included a caution regarding the high caffeine levels in some Celsius varieties, noting this might not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with caffeine sensitivity or pre-existing heart conditions.

Summary: Our Panel’s Take

Based on our panel’s comprehensive review of caffeine levels and key ingredients, here’s a summary to guide your choice:

• Best for high caffeine with functional ingredients: Celsius (200-270 mg) and Bloom (180 mg). The panel found these are strong contenders if you need a significant energy lift and value the addition of plant-based ingredients or prebiotics.
• Best for moderate caffeine and classic energy blend: Red Bull Zero (80 mg). Our panel sees this as a solid option providing a familiar energy drink blend of taurine and B vitamins at a moderate caffeine level.
• Best for lowest caffeine and juice content: V8 Energy (80 mg). According to our panel, this is the ideal choice for those preferring a milder energy boost with the added benefit of fruit and vegetable juice content, potentially making it a gentler option.

Our panel concluded that all four are commendable for being sugar-free and low in calories. The best choice ultimately comes down to your individual caffeine tolerance, preference for specific added ingredients, and the level of energy boost you require.

Taste and Versatility: Putting Them to the Test

Our panel didn’t stop at the ingredients list; taste and how well these drinks perform as mixers were also part of our evaluation.

• Red Bull Zero: This drink was a standout for our panel, considered one of the best-tasting energy drinks on the market, particularly within the sugar-free category.
• Red Bull Sugar-Free: In contrast, the panel found that Red Bull Sugar-Free, a different product, suffered from an unpleasant “aftertaste junk,” especially when used as a mixer in social settings.
• Bloom Energy: Received strong positive feedback from our panel regarding its taste, described as genuinely good. The panel suggested it would work well as a drink mixer or as a pleasant alternative to multiple cups of coffee or espresso.
• Celsius: Our panel found Celsius had the least favorable taste when mixed with alcohol, although it was deemed acceptable when consumed on its own.
• V8 Energy: While specific taste notes weren’t the primary focus for our panel on this drink, its inclusion of juice content suggests a flavor profile leaning towards fruit or vegetable notes.

In terms of simply providing a sustained caffeine lift without the drawbacks of sugar and excess calories for daily activities like driving or work, our panel agreed all four options effectively deliver. For those prioritizing cardiovascular considerations, the panel noted that V8 Energy’s lower caffeine content is a more suitable choice.