Monster and Red Bull are definitely two of the most famous brands when we talk about energy drinks. It’s also the ones that beginners in energy drinks turn to for the “safest” path.
Of course, the hype that the two drinks have a reason. Both Monster and Red Bull truly have good offers, especially for those who have long been drinking energy-boosting beverages.
The question is, which is the better one? Monster or Red Bull? This is what we’re going to try to find out in this article.
For a short answer: The question as to whether which is better between Monster and Red Bull will depend on your preferences. Monster is better if you want a strong energy boost and you don’t mind taking high-sugar drinks. If you want a lighter yet still effective energy booster, then try Red Bull.
If you want a better overview of each drink, read on to the following sections.
Contents
Ingredients Of Monster
The ingredients of Monster Energy Drink mainly consist of caffeine, sugar, and a variety of vitamins and extracts.
Here is a full view of Monster Energy Drink’s ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Glucose
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Color Added
- Panax Ginseng Extract
- L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
- Caffeine
- Sorbic Acid
- Benzoic Acid
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Sucralose
- Salt
- D-Glucuronolactone
- Inositol
- Guarana Extract
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Maltodextrin
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
In terms of contents, Monster actually has notable offers. With four kinds of B vitamins, amino acids, and extracts like Panax and Guarana, this surely builds several health benefits for the drink.
Ingredients Of Red Bull
Red Bull’s ingredients include caffeine, sugar, acidity regulators, and B vitamins.
Below is a complete list of the drink’s ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Citric acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Pyridoxine HCl
- Vitamin B12
- Natural Flavors
- Artificial Flavors
- Colors
The ingredients of Red Bull are quite on the average side. Apart from the B vitamins, there is nothing particularly worth noting. The good thing is that it didn’t use salt or double preservatives, which is a big plus.
What Is In One Serving Of Monster?
A 16 fl.oz serving of Monster contains 160mg of caffeine, 54g of sugar, and 210 calories, all of which are in relatively high amounts.
One serving of Monster amounts to 16 fl. oz. This is almost double the serving offered by Red Bull. Below are more specific details about what you will get from the drink:
Nutrition Facts
First up, here is a table about the nutrition facts of Monster:
| Nutrient | Serving per 16 fl.oz |
| Energy | 210 calories |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrates (Of which Sugars) | 54g (54g) |
| Caffeine | 160mg |
| Protein | 0g |
| Sodium | 370mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 3.6mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 46mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 4.6mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 13µg |
Monster has generous amounts of B vitamins in it. It’s fat-free, which is also one of its key qualities. You should be mindful of the drink’s sodium, sugar, and caffeine, though. This is because they are in comparatively high amounts.
Caffeine
A 16 fl. oz serving of Monster contains 160mg of caffeine.
Monster’s caffeine content is undoubtedly on the high side. However, this ensures the drink’s effectiveness. It will surely give you an energy boost that will last you for the whole day or even for an all-nighter.
On the flip side, you should monitor your intake since taking more than one serving can easily push you off the FDA’s daily limit of 400mg.
Sugar
Monster has 54g of sugar in a 16 fl. oz serving.
Personally, I think that the main disadvantage of drinking Monster lies in its sugar content. Its 54g sugar is higher than the daily sugar limit set by the FDA, which is 50g.
Hence, drinking this can lead to a lot of sugar-related side effects like:
- Fatigue
- Sugar Crash
- Mood Issues
- High Blood Pressure
- Weight Gain
If you’re sensitive to sugar, then it’s most likely that you’ll fit Red Bull more. Better yet, you can look for Monster’s sugar-free version. You also have the option to try out other sugar-free drinks.
Calories
You will get 210 calories in a 16 fl.oz serving of Monster.
If you’re looking for an energy drink that you can take daily without affecting your diet, then Monster isn’t the right one for you.
Although 210 calories isn’t that high compared to FDA’s recommended 2,000-calorie daily intake, this can easily overthrow your planned intake for the day. You may also have to make big adjustments with your meals.
What Is In One Serving Of Red Bull?
An 8.4 fl.oz serving of Red Bull mainly has 80mg of caffeine, 27g of sugar, and 110 calories.
Because Red Bull comes in a smaller serving (8.4 fl.oz) compared to Monster, you can expect its ingredients to be in lower levels. This makes it a good option if you don’t like the strength of the former brand.
Nutrition Facts
See below for the nutrition facts of Red Bull Energy Drink:
| Nutrient | Amount per 8.4 fl.oz serving |
| Calories | 110 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 105g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Sugars | 27g |
| Caffeine | 80mg |
| Protein | Less than 1g |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 100% |
| Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) | 50% |
| Vitamin B6 | 250% |
| Vitamin B12 | 80% |
The exact amounts of B vitamins weren’t established, but based on the daily values given, it’s safe to say that Red Bull was also generous in terms of the ingredients.
It also has moderate caffeine, sugar, and calories. Not to mention, its sodium content is comparatively lower than Monster.
Caffeine
An 8.4 fl.oz serving of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine.
Caffeine-wise, Red Bull is on the safe side. In fact, it’s equivalent to just one cup of coffee, if not less. Because of this, you can feel more at ease with drinking the said brand. It also possesses fewer risks.
If you’re going in for a quick run or any light activity, you can expect the drink’s offers to be enough.
Sugar
Red Bull has 27g of sugar in an 8.4 fl.oz serving.
In terms of sugar, Red Bull still has a lower level than Monster. However, it’s still more than half of the FDA’s recommended daily limit. This means that there is still a chance that you may go through the adverse effects brought by sugar.
On the good side, healthy adults can feel free to drink one serving without any worries.
Calories
Red Bull comes with 110 calories per 8.4 fl. oz serving.
For those that trying to lose weight, Red Bull may be an ideal go-to energy drink. It has a low-calorie count, which means that it’s unlikely to cause weight gain if kept in moderation.
Can you drink Monster every day?
The 8.4-ounce (248-ml) can of Monster has the same amount of sugar as a can of Red Bull, 28 grams. The extra sugar in even one of these energy drinks every day might have negative effects on your health.
Because of the harmful effects of the artificial caffeine, sugar, and other additives included in energy drinks, doctors recommend that healthy individuals consume no more than one can per day.
Does Monster or Red Bull give you more energy?
Red Bull is a better choice for those watching their sugar and calorie intake than Monster Energy Drinks. With caffeine content per serving, Monster has more than any other energy drink.
Monster energy drinks, on the other hand, provide the same amount of caffeine at a lesser price.
Price difference between Monster and Red Bull
Red Bull normally retails for roughly 5% more than Monster, despite Monster’s larger size, so this price difference is noticeable. The fact that Red Bull was the first major player in the energy drink sector is believed to have contributed to its success.
Calories, protein, and carbohydrates are about the same across the two brands, and caffeine content is similar to that of an 8-ounce (240-ml) cup of coffee. A lot of the carbohydrates in these foods come from the added sugars they include.
Which Is Stronger: Monster Or Red Bull?
Monster is a lot stronger than Red Bull because of its 160mg of caffeine and Taurine.
Caffeine plays a big part in how strong an energy drink is. Hence, because Monster has 160mg of caffeine, it can provide a stronger and longer-lasting energy kick.
Not to mention, it also has Taurine, which enhances physical performance.
If your priority when choosing a drink lies in strength, then this brand is the better option between the two. Just keep in mind that you should limit your intake to only one serving to avoid taking more caffeine than your body is capable of.
On the flip side, if you want to keep it safe, then Red Bull will be enough for a light energy boost.
Is Monster Healthier Than Red Bull?
Neither Monster nor Red Bull is a healthy option for an energy drink.
You may initially think that because of the extracts, Monster is healthier than Red Bull. However, remember that it has a high amount of sugar, which simply compensates for the drink’s benefits.
Red Bull, on the other hand, has moderate amounts in its content, but it lacks when we talk about extracts and health supplements.
These being stated, I personally recommend opting for powder energy drinks since these usually have the best offers when it comes to healthiness. If you want a canned energy drink, then at least look for all-natural brands like Guru or 28 Black.
Taste Rating Of Monster And Red Bull
Monster comes with more varieties of flavors, which puts it at a higher advantage compared to Red Bull’s all fruit-based tastes.
Flavors Of Monster
- Original Low-Carb
- Original Assault
- Original Absolute Zero
- Rehab White Dragon Tea
- Rehab Lemonade
- Rehab Peach Tea
- Rehab Pink Lemonade
- Rehab Orangeade
- Rehab Raspberry Tea
- Ultra Zero
- Ultra Blue
- Ultra Red
- Ultra Sunrise
- Ultra Citron
- Ultra Black
- Ultra Violet
- Khoas Juice
- Pipeline Punch Juice
- Ripper Juice
- Mango Loco Juice
- Baller’s Blend Punch
- Mad Dog Punch
- Mean Bean (Coffee-Based)
- Loca Mocha (Coffee-Based)
- Kona Blend (Coffee-Based)
- Irish Blend (Coffee-Based)
- Vanilla Lite (Coffee-Based)
- Salted Caramel (Coffee-Based)
- Espresso Monster (Coffee-Based)
- Caffe Monster (Coffee-Based)
Flavors Of Red Bull
- Original
- Sugar-Free
- Total Zero
- Red
- Ruby Red
- Blue
- Yellow
- Orange
- Green
- White
- Peach
- Pear
- Lime
- Purple
- Winter Edition
In terms of taste, it will all be up to your preference. My personal choice, however, is Monster because of its wide array of offers.
Here’s a video that you can refer to for a full review of Monster and Red Bull’s tastes:
Monster vs Red Bull: Which One is Cheaper?
Monster is cheaper than Red Bull.
For an overview, a 24-pack of 16 fl.oz cans of Monster is priced at around $33 to $34. At the same price range, you can also buy a 24-pack of Red Bull cans, but only in 8.4 fl.oz servings.
As you can see, Monster is a lot more budget-friendly because it offers bigger servings than Red Bull even at the same price.
If the price range isn’t the best option for your budget, then you can always look into discounts and deals online.
Conclusion: Which Is Better, Monster Or Red Bull?
If you’re going to ask for my recommendation, I’d opt for Monster but in a smaller serving like its 10.5 fl.oz serving. This is mainly because of its contents, flavors, and price.
Red Bull is still a good energy drink, but I think it only covers limited benefits. Its 8.4 fl.oz serving is the safest one out of all its variations, so you can’t opt for a smaller one. Similarly, I think this may be too weak for those who need a strong energy boost. It also lacks extracts.
Of course, it will still depend on whichever brand you liked best. Make sure to take all factors into account when choosing. You can also turn to other brands if you didn’t like either.