7 Best Energy Drinks for Workout

_{Our team recommends products that we love and feel you will too. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission.}

Energy drinks for working out can provide the surge of energy you need to power through an intense exercise session. Although energy drinks have gotten a bad rap in the past thanks to their sugar and caffeine content, there are several healthier options on the market that are ideal for athletes. They contain caffeine and low amounts of natural sweeteners, along with other ingredients to help maximize your workout efficiency and energy levels. Below, we share some of our favorite energy drinks for workout and exercise, along with how to use them safely and effectively.

What are the best energy drinks for a workout?

Best Overall Energy Drink: SUPER FUEL by EBOOST

EBOOST’s SUPER FUEL is a powerful energy drink made with clean ingredients and full of healthy additions like natural caffeine, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. As a pre workout beverage, it delivers 110 milligrams of jitter-free caffeine to help you power through even the most intense workouts. It’s also non-GMO and completely free of artificial ingredients like sucralose, gluten, and soy.

Best Tasting Energy Drink: Essential AMIN.O. Energy + Electrolytes Sparkling Hydration Drink by Optimum Nutrition

Optimum Nutrition’s Essential Amino Energy is a pre-workout drink designed to be consumed prior to your workout. It’s an Amazon best-seller and comes in a variety of popular flavors, including Wild Berry, Fruit Fusion, Green Apple, Concord Grape, and Blueberry Lemonade. Each serving delivers 100 milligrams of caffeine, plus a blend of amino acids designed to promote explosive energy production. Reviewers love the taste and variety of flavors.

Best Caffeine-Free Energy Drink: Red Juice by Organifi

Caffeine-free or “non-stimulant” pre-workout drinks are full of powerful, naturally energy-boosting ingredients that don’t provide the same powerful stimulating effects as caffeine does. Many people prefer non-stims, and Organifi’s Red Juice is one of the best options on the market. It contains natural energy boosters like beetroot and antioxidants from whole food sources like berries and mushrooms. In addition, it’s completely organic, non-GMO, and Certified Glyphosate Free.

Best Budget Energy Drink: C4 Smart Energy Drink by Cellucor

C4 is a well-known and widely available pre-workout beverage that’s often available for less than $2 per serving. It contains 2000 milligrams of caffeine per serving, along with several other pre-workout ingredients shown to help boost energy and recovery. It’s also available in a wide variety of flavors. Opting into the “Subscribe & Save” option can help to further reduce the price per serving.

Best Sugar-free Energy Drink: Cosmic Stardust by Alani Nu

Alani Nu’s popular line of energy drinks and pre-workout powders are totally sugar-free and sweetened with sucralose. They also come in a wide variety of flavors and contain a hefty 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving — a level that’s sure to give you a noticeable energy boost before you start working out. Being completely free of sugar and carbs, this pre-workout energy drink is a great option for active people who are on keto or avoiding added sugars.

Best Organic Energy Drink: Plant Based Energy Drink by OCA

Looking for a straightforward, organic energy drink for a pre-workout, or an anytime caffeine boost? This one from OCA fits the bill perfectly. It’s made with organic tapioca and contains 120 milligrams of caffeine per serving. It also comes in some unique flavors, like Guava Passion Fruit and Prickly Pear & Lime. In addition to being certified organic, it’s also made with simple, natural ingredients.

Best Energy Drink for Muscle Building: BULK by Transparent Labs

If your goal is muscle growth, a pre-workout tailored to that goal with the addition of recovery-enhancing ingredients is an excellent choice. BULK from Transparent Labs delivers a powerful 200 milligram dose of caffeine, plus citrulline, beta-alanine, and betaine anhydrous — all of which may help you lift heavier and recover better. In addition, this blend is Informed Choice certified, making it an excellent choice for competitive athletes.

Best Energy Drinks for Workout FAQ’s

Are energy drinks good for working out?

Caffeine is often used prior to workouts. However, this is mostly in the form of pre-workout supplements, which are low in sugar and contain other ingredients that may help enhance performance and recovery. Low-sugar energy drinks may also be a fair pre-workout alternative, but it’s generally best to avoid sugary energy drinks for optimal health.

What should I drink before the gym for energy?

Pre-workout supplements can be a helpful tool to provide a burst of energy for your workout. Even if you’re avoiding or limiting caffeine, there are non-stim (caffeine-free) options available like Organifi’s Red Juice.

Do bodybuilders use energy drinks?

Bodybuilders often use pre-workout energy drinks or supplements prior to a workout. The caffeine in these drinks can help provide energy for the workout, while tailored pre-workout blends contain other ingredients that may assist with performance or recovery.

Are pre-workouts worth it?

For highly active people, a pre-workout may be a wise addition to help optimize energy levels, physical performance, and muscle recovery. However, for workouts that are low-intensity, or less than 30 minutes in duration, you probably don’t need the boost that a pre-workout would provide.

Is it OK to use pre-workout every day?

Yes, it is safe for people in good health to use most pre-workouts daily for a few months at a time. There isn’t enough research to know if they are safe for daily use across longer time periods.

It’s also important to be aware of your total caffeine intake when using pre-workout energy drinks. Negative side effects may arise from consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, and many pre-workouts contain 100-200 milligrams per serving. They need to be carefully balanced with other sources of caffeine in your diet.