10 Best Zero-Sugar Energy Drinks To Try in 2025
If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy your favorite post-workout beverage without the sky-high sugar content, you may be glad to know that there are plenty of zero-sugar energy drink alternatives available.
Emphasis on plenty: There are so many zero-sugar energy drinks out there that it can be hard to know which ones are worth checking out. After all, even zero-sugar energy drinks aren’t always the healthiest picks, and others are more about flavor than energy.
So, in the maze of the supermarket drink aisle, which are the best sugar-free energy drinks to grab? To help make the purchasing process easy, start with this list of the 10 best zero-sugar energy drinks.
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The 10 Best Zero-Sugar Energy Drinks
1. Celsius
Celsius is not only ranked as one of the best sugar-free energy drink brands but is also among the healthiest. All Celsius energy drinks are extremely low in calories and sugar, along with being packed with vitamins. Best of all, there are many flavors to choose from across the brand’s two lines of zero-sugar energy drinks: Celsius Live Fit and Celsius Essentials.
These zero-sugar energy drinks are a little more like sodas than the traditional sweet energy drink, although non-carbonated versions are available and are marketed as a pre-workout drink that boosts metabolism and energy. Notably, these zero-sugar energy drinks are sweetened with Stevia rather than sucralose. The latter is a very common sugar substitute that’s been linked to negative health impacts.
According to sources like WebMD, it can cause problems with inflammation and change your gut microbiome by lowering good bacteria by up to half. Other studies have suggested that sucralose can be mutagenic (causing genes to mutate) in high concentrations, though further research is needed to solidify those connections.
These potential health concerns with sucralose as a sweetener for low-sugar energy drinks is why Celsius gets the nod here: plant-based Stevia sweetener is currently thought to be one of the safest sugar substitutes.
That said, drink Celsius in moderation, as most of the drinks have a whopping 200 milligrams of caffeine or kore. Therefore, just one Celsius drink contains half of the recommended caffeine limit for healthy adults as outlined by the FDA. You’re drinking a zero-sugar energy drink for the energy, but remain aware that there is such a thing as too much caffeine.
2. Zevia
Another Stevia-based pick, Zevia is widely thought to be one of the best sugar-free energy drinks for the health-conscious. With no artificial sweeteners, sugar, carbs, sodium or fat, Zevia also ranks among the top keto energy drinks available.
Moreover, this zero-sugar energy drink has a slightly lower caffeine content than some of the best low-sugar energy drinks, at 120 milligrams per can. This makes a solid case for Zevia being one of the healthiest energy drinks if you’re looking to get a caffeine boost without overdoing it. That said, 120 milligrams is still a decent amount of caffeine, so if you’re more sensitive to caffeine, it might not agree with you.
Adding to its appeal, this zero-sugar energy drink comes in eight fruity flavors, including strawberry and kiwi, raspberry with lime and mango with ginger. There’s also a cola flavor if you want a soda with an added hit of energy. If you enjoy its Stevia-based alternative to traditionally sugary drinks, the company also sells sugar-free sodas, iced teas and even drinks for kids.
3. Teacher Power
As its name implies, this zero-sugar energy drink was created with teachers in mind. As such, it’s designed to keep you energized and on your feet through the 9 to 5, which it does with a low-calorie, zero-carb formula.
Interestingly, this zero-sugar energy drink comes in powder form that you add to water rather than as a canned drink, making it one of the best low-sugar energy drink options if you want to be able to control the caffeine content of your drink.
Additionally, if you want your caffeine fix but know you have to watch your intake, Teacher Power is the drink for you: a full scoop of this energy powder contains only 100 milligrams of caffeine compared to the 120+ seen with other zero-sugar energy drinks, and you can always scoop less into your drink if that’s still too much caffeine.
However, you should be warned that Teacher Power uses sucralose as its sweetener. While its controllable portions make this slightly less problematic for your health than it would be in a pre-packaged zero-sugar energy drink, sucralose is not the healthiest sweetener choice, as previously covered.
4. ZOA Energy
ZOA has a celebrity pedigree: it’s the brainchild of Hollywood star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. It’s marketed as a natural alternative to many popular energy drinks, deriving its caffeine from green tea and green (unripened) coffee beans, and, of course, this energy drink is sugar-free.
With 160 milligrams of caffeine, it’s a mid-range energy drink in terms of the amount of caffeine, and with 10 flavors available, you’ll never need to get bored. You can also get mixed packs to easily switch up your zero-sugar energy drink flavors throughout the week.
The drawbacks of this zero-sugar energy drink are, for once, not really related to your health. Yes, it contains sucralose. Sure, it always pays to be cautious about caffeine, whether to stave off anxiety or keep yourself from staying up all night.
But the main thing customers aren’t satisfied with after trying ZOA is the price. Thanks to its higher-quality ingredients (and maybe its celebrity branding), ZOA is more expensive than most similar drinks. Still, if those premium ingredients are worth it to you, you’ll find a great zero-sugar energy drink option in ZOA.
5. NOCCO
While most energy drinks advertise themselves as sources of caffeine to get you through your workout or workday, this zero-sugar energy drink has a different strategy. The Swedish-based company instead emphasizes that NOCCO contains important vitamins and amino acids. Not only is it one of the best sugar-free energy drinks, but it’s also low-carb and low-calorie.
One of the unique selling points of the NOCCO brand is that it actually offers a caffeine-free version of its standard energy drink. Though it is not abundantly clear how energizing this version of the drink would be, it’s nevertheless an option for people who are trying to watch their caffeine intake or are otherwise sensitive to it.
And having a decaffeinated version is a good thing because with 180 milligrams of caffeine per bottle, NOCCO is one of the highest-caffeine options on this list of the best sugar-free energy drinks. Add that to the use of sucralose for sweetening, and this is an energy drink you will want to consume in moderation. NOCCO may pack a nutritional punch that other energy drinks don’t, but that doesn’t negate the need to be wary of its potential drawbacks.
6. C4 Smart Sugar-Free Energy Drink
C4 Energy by Cellucor is a line of carbonated, zero-sugar energy drinks with a variety of flavor options, but the C4 Smart variation offers something unique among zero-sugar energy drinks (and energy drinks in general): increased focus.
Rather than pure energy, C4 Smart claims to offer a boost in mental stamina and attention span. Sounds amazing, right? Sometimes your energy drink needs to fuel a study session or overtime work instead of a workout.
That boost in focus is thought to come from Cognizin, a compound that the company claims can sharpen your cognitive function and help you stay alert. It also contains natural caffeine derived from coffee beans rather than a synthetic compound.
That said, this is another zero-sugar energy drink that uses sucralose. It’s also tied with Celsius for the drink with the amount of caffeine, containing 200 milligrams in a 12-ounce can. Excess caffeine can have adverse impacts not only on your mental state and mood but also on your heart health. If you’re worried by that number, you might get the same cognitive benefits from only half a can of this unique zero-sugar energy drink.
7. Pureboost Superfoods Clean Energy Drink
The name of this drink should tell you everything you need to know about what niche in the market it’s trying to fill. Sold in powdered packets that you can mix with water or add to another beverage of your choice, this zero-sugar energy drink bills itself as “sugar-free and crash-free,” promising a gentle boost of energy that won’t cause jitters or an ugly crash later.
Moreover, this drink avoids two of the biggest health pitfalls of energy drinks: sucralose and excessive caffeine. At 100 milligrams of natural green tea caffeine per serving, these powdered energy drink packets offer a lower dose than most of the other options on this list of the best sugar-free energy drinks.
This zero-sugar energy drink also contains only natural sweeteners, using stevia and erythritol instead of potentially problematic sucralose. Plus, Pureboost Superfoods Clean Energy Drink contains over 25 vitamins, especially a high amount of vitamin B12.
Do note, though, that while the FDA has deemed erythritol to be safe in small quantities, it can contribute to cardiovascular issues when over-consumed. This should not be an issue if you’re drinking this zero-sugar energy drink in moderation, but it wouldn’t be smart to go through three packets of the stuff in a single night of cramming for a test.
8. Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy Booster
We all get our dopamine fix from different things: a good workout, funny Instagram Reels, conversations with friends — but this (borderline) sugar-free energy drink suggests you can get it just as easily from a 12-ounce can of caffeinated goodness.
Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy Booster is also lower in caffeine than its counterparts, so it’s no surprise that it promises more cognitive benefits than physical ones. 70 milligrams of caffeine make it a much safer choice if you’re worried about jitters or heart palpitations, and it’s designed more for people who need to be able to focus well than for people looking for a workout performance boost.
Even if the promised focus boost isn’t as profound as you’d hope, Alpine Bliss is a unique company because its drinks aren’t focused on fitness. Even non-athletic types (and, let’s be real – isn’t that most of us?) would get something out of their products.
The company also offers drinks that are said to promote weight loss and skin health. Be careful, though: all flavors contain sucralose.
9. Bang
With 13 flavors in punchy, eye-catching packaging, Bang is a sugar-free energy drink that looks great on the shelf — but how does it stack up as an energy drink?
Well, it’s certainly packing a punch. It’s not just caffeine this time: Bang boasts that it offers energy from amino acids and creatine as well. “Body-rocking fuel,” the drink’s website promises. It’s not hard to see how that would be the case.
All of that leads to a whopping 300 milligrams of caffeine, though, meaning this 16-ounce zero-sugar energy drink is not for the faint of heart. It’s also worth noting that Bang uses sucralose as a sweetener.
It also contains creatine, which, while considered to be a safe supplement in small doses, has been linked to significant health risks if overused. Creatine can interact with other medications in harmful ways, so make sure that there are no known problems with any medications you take before trying this sugar-free energy drink, and always consult with a healthcare professional if unsure if this drink is suitable for you.
10. Yoli Passion Energy Drink Powder Mix
Health supplement brand Yoli has a whole range of energy-enhancing products for sale, and this is one of the best. Its Passion line of products is proudly all-natural, using plant-based caffeine and natural fruit flavors in powdered products. Moreover, this zero-sugar energy drink powder contains only natural sweeteners.
If you’re looking to avoid many of the potentially problematic ingredients in other energy drinks, this comparatively natural sugar-free energy drink powder would be a good choice. While its caffeine boost might be milder than some competing products, it’s gentler on the body and will reduce the post-caffeine crash effect. There are also many tasty flavors to choose from, including piña colada and tropical melon.
Not all zero-sugar energy drinks are created equal, so it’s important to look for a few key things when you’re deciding which to try. Firstly, natural ingredients and sweeteners are always better for your health.
Although caffeine is the whole point of an energy drink, it’s also best to be aware of the amount in your energy drink and decide how much it’s safe to consume based on that number. And if you can find a drink that has additional health benefits like vitamins or electrolytes, that’s something to consider, too.
The best sugar-free energy drinks don’t always have all of those things, but you’ll no doubt be able to find an option that works for you. But always remember that even the best low-sugar energy drinks are no substitute for a good night’s sleep, a balanced diet and proper hydration.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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