Energy drinks have been on the market for so long that they have evolved into many variants, and new companies have emerged to join the business.
What with everybody always on the go and needing some sort of booster to keep them going, it’s no wonder the energy drinks industry is as big as it is today.
Though energy drinks are a fantastic pick-me-up and do really boost our energy levels when needed, they can sometimes be a bit pricey, which can be a source of concern for customers.
To know about the average price of an energy drink and why they cost what they cost, keep reading.
But for a quick answer, I’d say the average cost of a can of energy drink is somewhere between two to three dollars. Although the price varies depending on who is selling them and what brand they are, they’re usually under 5 dollars.
Contents
How Expensive Are Energy Drinks?
The cost of an energy drink is determined by the brand and volume purchased. Mostly, a can of 16 fl. oz would cost you around 2-3 dollars. But you would save bucks if you buy in packs.
Many online retailers, such as Amazon and eBay, frequently go on sale and even offer discounts on 12 or 24 packs of energy drinks.
Energy drinks are a massive market now, with a projected reach of 86 Billion USD by 2026 according to Market Research Future (MRFR). With all we that have to do every day, all that daily grind and stress, it’s no wonder energy drinks are one of the most sought out products in the market.
A lot of people resort to energy drinks to help them get through the day and complete their duties. Sometimes coffee just isn’t enough to charge one’s energy bar.
What’s In Energy Drinks?
It’s important to know what is in the product you’re buying before you buy them. Here are what’s in energy drinks.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most typical component in energy drinks due to its stimulating properties.
Caffeine acts by inhibiting adenosine receptors (a substance in our body that causes sleepiness). As a result, we feel more attentive and aware. Furthermore, riboflavin (vitamin B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3), magnesium, potassium, and other phenolic compounds, or antioxidants, are among the nutrients present in coffee.
Caffeine is a stimulant that acts quickly. Caffeine’s effects peak 30-60 minutes after ingestion and progressively decrease after 5 hours. It ultimately exits your system after approximately 12 hours, but depending on your tolerance, it may produce side effects such as fatigue.
Here are some other benefits of caffeine:
- Improve energy levels
- Can boost metabolic rate
- Improve physical performance
- Contains nutrients
- Antioxidant
However, you should be careful about the amount of caffeine you put into your body. The FDA’s daily limit is 400mg and anything beyond that might damage your health.
Here’s a video talking about what can happen if you have too much caffeine:
Sugar
Sugar is also a prominent component in energy drinks. This is due to the fact that sugar is a carbohydrate that converts to energy.
Sugar, in sufficient quantities, may also be helpful. Here are some of the ways sugar can benefit you:
- Can give you immediate burst of energy
- Helps store energy for later use
- Can improve thinking skills
- Has added nutrients
However, not all energy drinks have sugar in them. Some have artificial sweeteners. This is so that companies can market their drinks to people who can’t have sugar for personal or medical reasons.
If you’re interested in reading about sugar-free energy drinks, I wrote an article about it that you can check out.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, which is a type of chemical. It is naturally present in the human body and performs a number of functions. Taurine is prevalent in the brain, retina, heart, and platelets, which are blood cells. Meat, fish, and eggs are the greatest food sources.
Taurine can be used to treat several medical ailments like high blood pressure and cystic fibrosis. It’s also used to improve athletic performance, hence why it is common in energy drinks.
Carnitine
Carnitine is a necessary component of energy production. It works by transporting long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are oxidized (burned) to produce energy. It also prevents harmful chemicals generated by this cellular organelle by transporting them.
Guarana
Guarana is a kind of plant native to South America. It got its name from the Amazonian Guarani people, who used its seeds to prepare a drink. Guarana seeds are used in medicine today.
Caffeine is present in guarana. Caffeine stimulates the neurological system, the heart, and the muscles. Theophylline and theobromine, both caffeine-like compounds, are also found in guarana.
What is the average cost of Red Bull?
The cost of Red Bull can vary depending on the location and the store where it is purchased. In general, a single 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull typically costs between $2.00 and $3.00 USD in the United States.
Larger cans or multipacks of Red Bull may cost more. Prices may also vary depending on sales or promotions offered by specific retailers. It is always a good idea to compare prices and shop around to find the best deals on Red Bull or any other beverage.
How many energy drinks is a healthy amount?
It is generally recommended to consume energy drinks in moderation and to limit consumption to no more than one or two servings per day. The exact amount of caffeine and other ingredients in energy drinks can vary widely depending on the brand and the specific product, so it is important to read the labels and be mindful of the amount of caffeine and other ingredients you are consuming.
Consuming high levels of caffeine and other ingredients found in energy drinks can have negative health effects, including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, jitters, insomnia, and dehydration. People with certain medical conditions, such as heart problems or high blood pressure, or who are sensitive to caffeine, may be at a higher risk for these negative health effects.
How do you use energy drinks wisely?
Using energy drinks wisely involves consuming them in moderation and being mindful of their potential health effects. Here are some tips for using energy drinks wisely:
- Limit consumption: It is generally recommended to consume no more than one or two servings of energy drinks per day, and to avoid consuming them on a regular basis.
- Read labels: Read the labels and be mindful of the amount of caffeine and other ingredients you are consuming. Different brands and products may contain varying amounts of caffeine and other stimulants.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when consuming energy drinks. Energy drinks can be dehydrating, so it is important to stay hydrated to avoid negative health effects.
- Avoid combining with alcohol: Avoid consuming energy drinks in combination with alcohol, as this can increase the risk of negative health effects and alcohol-related accidents.
- Be mindful of health conditions: People with certain medical conditions, such as heart problems or high blood pressure, or who are sensitive to caffeine, may be at a higher risk for negative health effects. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating energy drinks into your diet or fitness routine.
How Much Do Energy Drinks Cost?
An energy drink usually costs between two to three dollars depending on the drink’s brand and where they’re being sold.
Its variety and location of sale would determine an energy drink’s pricing. For example, it is often cheaper to buy in person since online retailers may sometimes include the delivery charge from the initial price of energy drinks.
A normal 16 fl. oz. can of Monster Regular, for example, costs $1.99 at KMart but $2.77 at CVS. But, again, this is dependent on where you purchase the energy drinks.
Buying in bulk is usually less expensive. A 24-pack of 16-oz. Regular Monster Energy is just $32.99 at Costco and $31.95 at Target.
For reference, here’s a quick table showing the price of Monster Energy from different physical stores near you:
| Walmart | CVS | KMart | Target | Walgreens | |
| Price | $1.88 | $2.77 | $1.99 | $1.89 | $2.59 |
Now that we’ve established how prices may vary, here’s a table comparing the average prices of popular energy drinks, as well as their caffeine and sugar content.
| Brand | Caffeine | Sugar | Size | Price |
| Red Bull | 80mg | 27g | 8.4 fl. oz | $1.99 |
| Monster | 160mg | 54g | 16 fl. oz | $2.77 |
| Bang Energy | 300mg | 0g | 16 fl. oz | $2.17 |
| GFuel (Can) | 150mg | 0g | 16 fl. oz | $2.79 |
From this, you can tell that the price ranges from two to three dollars but they’re never above five dollars. So if you’re planning to walk into a store to buy an energy drink, having five bucks or so in your pocket will be enough to get you by.
Where To Buy Energy Drinks in Stores?
With the popularity of energy drinks, you can easily find them in any physical or convenience store. You can find them in:
- 7-Eleven
- Costco
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- CVS
Where to Buy Energy Drinks Online?
Energy drinks are available in a variety of online retailers. Buying online is usually a good idea because they occasionally go on sale or provide exclusive discounts to first-time purchasers, however, they might also charge extra for shipping fees.
Amazon
Amazon has a wide selection of energy drinks and their variants. Amazon is a popular e-commerce company since it meets all of your purchasing demands.
Amazon is wonderful since it displays product information as well as user reviews, in this manner, you’ll know whether the product is excellent or not.
EBay
eBay is another excellent e-commerce site that provides a wide range of energy drink options. They also sell discontinued flavors and have collaborated with PayPal for an all-in-one secure payment option.
Walmart
Walmart has recently established its online shop, and they are providing free delivery with no order minimum.
Walmart online also provides groceries and ShopBack earnings from Walmart shops to gas stations.
Drizly
Drizly is an online liquor store that tries to deliver your purchased drink to your door in 60 minutes, so it might be worth checking out.
The store works by partnering with local retailers to deliver your drink to you as fast as they can.
You can also try the brand’s official website to order your energy drinks.
Why Do Energy Drinks Cost So Much?
Energy drinks are costly due to the fact that they are ready to consume. Most of them are also imported, which raises the expense of shipping them internationally, and there are manufacturers, distributors, and middlemen involved. You might also wanna think about the packaging, marketing, and vitamin and mineral content of these beverages.
Moreover, in 2020, energy drink’s market size was valued at $57.4 billion. Between 2020 and 2025, the sector is anticipated to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. This expansion is due to growing affluence, more athletic activities, and urbanization.
A broader distribution network for these beverages, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and e-commerce sites, is projected to assist accelerate sales development in this business.
Are Energy Drinks Worth It?
The worth of a product is determined by whether they manage to do what is advertised or not, and since energy drinks can give you the promised energy boost by consuming them, I’d say energy drinks are definitely worth it.
That said, it’s good to remember that while energy drinks may be beneficial in the short term by alleviating your tiredness and giving you an energy boost, the long-term consequences outweigh the advantages.
Energy drinks are neither completely harmful nor completely good to your health. Energy drinks, in essence, are beverages that briefly relieve weariness or fatigue.
Energy drinks include sugars and caffeine, which create the majority of the negative effects that people may experience depending on their tolerance for the components when consumed in excess.
In terms of safety, the best approach to prevent the side effects of energy drinks is to consume them in moderation and not rely only on them to meet your energy needs.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle to the maximum extent possible is still the best approach to boost your energy and improve your health in the long run.
If you’re still wondering what else you can do to relieve your temporary weariness, consider these beverages, which you can even make at home, plus they’re much cheaper compared to energy drinks:
- Coffee
- Green tea
- Yerba mate
- Lemon water
- Ginger tea
Conclusion
The price of an energy drink varies depending on the brand, the store, and in some cases, the flavor. Though they may be pricey, they do the job they promise to do, which is to give you energy.
If you buy in packs, it’ll save you money, but if you just need a quick fix to do something really important, you can pop into a Walmart or order from an online store and get a can for less than five bucks.
With that said, unless you’re having a group study where you’re sponsoring everyone’s energy drinks or you wanna stock up your fridge, I advise you not to buy a pack to drink in one sitting.
We all need that energy fix but a pack of energy drinks may bring more than just the boost you’re looking for. Always remember that energy drinks only alleviate the feeling of being tired, but they are not healthy drinks.
Be just as wary of what you consume as you are wary of what you’re spending your money on.