The best sugar-free energy drinks
Zero sugar doesn't have to mean a chemical aftertaste. These are the 20 highest-scoring zero-sugar drinks of the 115 sugar-free cans we've rated.
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| # | Drink | Caffeine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  C4 Black CherryC4 |
200 mg | 92 |
| 2 |  Celsius Spritz Vibe Sparkling Shirley TempleCelsius |
200 mg | 92 |
| 3 |  UPTIME Original Citrus Sugar FreeUptime |
142 mg | 92 |
| 4 |  Alani Nu Juicy PeachAlani Nu |
200 mg | 91 |
| 5 |  C4 Twisted LimeadeC4 |
200 mg | 91 |
| 6 |  Monster Ultra GoldMonster |
150 mg | 91 |
| 7 |  Monster Zero UltraMonster |
140 mg | 90 |
| 8 |  Alani Nu BreezeberryAlani Nu |
200 mg | 90 |
| 9 |  Ghost Sour Pink LemonadeGhost |
200 mg | 90 |
| 10 |  PRIME Energy Drink Lemon LimePRIME |
200 mg | 90 |
Zero-sugar status reflects each brand's current US formula. Check the nutrition panel if sugar matters to you.
Only drinks you can buy now are listed. Retired cans keep their scores in the full rankings.
The full list
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Shark Score 92
- 200 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 12.5 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Cherries jubilee ice cream flavor that makes for an instant classic.”Jared
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Shark Score 92
- Seasonal
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“I think this will appeal to a wide audience, whether you’re into Celsius, shirley temples, lemon-lime, or cherry.”Jared
-
Shark Score 92
- 142 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 11.8 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Original Citrus is the gold standard for the refreshing, moderate caffeine-content group of energy drinks.”Jared
-
Alani NuShark Score 91
4. Alani Nu Juicy Peach
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Incredibly juicy and quite peachy. Highly refreshing, smooth, and flat out delicious.”Cam
-
Shark Score 91
- 200 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 12.5 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Like a Diet Dew with a generous splash of lime.”Jared
-
MonsterShark Score 91
6. Monster Ultra Gold
- 150 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 9.4 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Captures the intended pineapple flavor with perfection.”Jared
-
MonsterShark Score 90
7. Monster Zero Ultra
- 140 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 8.8 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“It’s crisp, sweet, and refreshing with a nice aftertaste – definitely the drink I reach for if I want a consistent, delicious kick.”Jared
-
Alani NuShark Score 90
8. Alani Nu Breezeberry
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Sweet tart blue raspberry flavor, exciting moutheel, and overall excellent energy drink.”Cam
-
Shark Score 90
- 200 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 12.5 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Ghost Sour Pink Lemonade is extremely crisp and refreshing and absolutely lives up to the rest of the Ghost lineup.”Jared
-
Shark Score 90
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“If you like lemon-lime, or energy drinks in general, you should check out PRIME Lemon Lime.”Jared
-
Shark Score 90
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“The strawberry watermelon combination tastes like summer in a can.”Jared
-
Shark Score 90
- 300 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 18.8 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Smooth fruit punch flavor with melon aftertaste that walks the fine line of re-drinkability by not being too sweet.”Jared
-
Shark Score 90
- 142 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 11.8 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Elite
“Despite the relatively low caffeine content, I would recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a refreshing, fruity kick.”Jared
-
Shark Score 89
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Excellent
“My first thought was wow, that’s artificial. But my second thought was, damn, I really don’t care. It’s that good!”Jared
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Alani NuShark Score 89
15. Alani Nu Cherry Twist
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Excellent
“I’d prefer a bit more sour with the lime and less sweetness from the cherry – basically a slightly different limeade combo.”Jared
-
Shark Score 89
- 200 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 12.5 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Excellent
“A delicious blue beverage with a solid amount of carbonation and caffeine. With 200mg of caffeine, no calories, and a popular flavor, I would recommend this to all energy drink lovers.”Cam
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Shark Score 88
- 300 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 18.8 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Excellent
“A sweet and crisp nectarine flavor, complemented by a subtle, delicious blueberry aftertaste.”Cam
-
Shark Score 88
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Excellent
“Definitely tropical and incredibly refreshing.”Jared
-
Shark Score 88
- 300 mg caffeine
- 16 oz can
- 18.8 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Excellent
“A unique strawberry taste, great mouth feel, and high caffeine content that will leave you wanting more.”Cam
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Shark Score 88
- Leaving shelves
- 200 mg caffeine
- 12 oz can
- 16.7 mg/oz
- Zero sugar
- Excellent
“Unique mouthfeel with an excellent combination of flavors. The peach and nectarine combo may be overly sweet for some, but I think that it is one of the more refreshing beverages out there.”Cam
Questions
What is the best sugar-free energy drink?
C4 Black Cherry is the top-rated zero-sugar energy drink we've tried, with a Shark Score of 92.
Are sugar-free energy drinks healthier?
They skip the 50-plus grams of sugar in a regular 16 oz can, but they still carry the same caffeine. Most use sucralose, stevia, or erythritol instead. Caffeine is the number to watch.