The best energy drink in NZ overall is the Monster Ultra Blue Hawaiian, a zero-sugar 24-pack that delivers Monster’s classic strong caffeine hit in a lighter tropical flavour. It’s a safe, familiar pick for anyone who already likes Monster and wants a full case on hand.
This guide covers ten energy drinks available in New Zealand, from household names like Monster, Red Bull and V through to powder-based options from Celsius, JUICD and EHP Labs for people who want something lighter to carry or completely caffeine-free. Delivery costs vary at the time of writing, since these aren’t stocked on local NZ shelves in the same pack sizes — some multi-can cartons carry a real delivery fee on top of the product price, which is worth checking before you buy.
Each entry below lists what the drink actually contains — caffeine source, flavour and format — taken directly from the product’s own listing, plus an honest note on trade-offs like delivery cost or pack size.
Quick comparison
| Rank | Energy drink | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monster Ultra Blue Hawaiian | Best overall |
| 2 | Red Bull Energy Drink 473ml | Best single can to try first |
| 3 | V Green Guarana Energy Drink | Best classic Kiwi favourite |
| 4 | V Raspberry Lemonade Energy | Best flavoured small pack |
| 5 | V Energy Sugar Free Guarana | Best sugar-free V |
| 6 | CELSIUS On The Go | Best powder stick / on-the-go |
| 7 | JUICD Energy Drink Powder Dragon Rage | Best focus / nootropic pick |
| 8 | EHP Labs OxyShred Gummy Snake | Best low-calorie “clean” energy drink |
| 9 | EHP Labs OxyShred Cali Cola | Best cola-flavoured alternative |
| 10 | EHP Labs OxyShred Infinity | Best caffeine-free pick |
The Best Energy Drinks in NZ
1. Monster Ultra Blue Hawaiian – Best overall
Monster Ultra Blue Hawaiian is the zero-sugar version of Monster’s Ultra line, carrying the same high-caffeine Monster Energy blend in a lighter, crisp tropical fruit flavour rather than the heavier taste of the original green can.
It’s made in Australia and sold as a 24 x 500ml case, so it suits someone who already drinks Monster regularly and wants to stock up rather than buy single cans.
As with any high-caffeine drink, Amazon’s own listing flags it isn’t recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone sensitive to caffeine.
Pros
- Full 24-can case works out cheaper per can than buying singles
- Zero sugar with the tropical Blue Hawaiian flavour instead of a heavier original taste
- Made in Australia
Cons
- A full 24-pack is a big commitment if you haven’t tried the flavour before
- High caffeine content isn’t suited to anyone caffeine-sensitive
Key specs:Zero sugar, 24 x 500ml cans, tropical fruit flavour, made in Australia.
2. Red Bull Energy Drink 473ml – Best single can to try first
This is a single 473ml can of the original Red Bull rather than a multipack, making it an easy way to try the brand or grab a one-off boost without committing to a full case.
It carries Red Bull’s standard formula of caffeine and taurine plus B-vitamins for energy metabolism, with the familiar tangy, slightly citrus taste.
At this size it’s better suited to an occasional buy than a regular habit, since the per-can cost is higher than a multipack.
Pros
- Lets you try Red Bull without buying a full multipack
- Larger 473ml format than the standard 250ml can
- Familiar, trusted formula
Cons
- Costs more per can than buying a multipack
- Single can means re-ordering often if you drink it regularly
Key specs:Caffeine, taurine and B-vitamins, 473ml single can.
3. V Green Guarana Energy Drink – Best classic Kiwi favourite
V is New Zealand’s own energy drink brand, and this is the classic Green Guarana flavour in a 24 x 330ml case, the same formula many Kiwis already know from supermarket shelves.
Amazon’s listing highlights the guarana-based caffeine boost for alertness and concentration, alongside the familiar green-can taste.
It’s the closest thing on this list to buying V exactly as sold in NZ, just in a larger imported case size.
Pros
- The genuine, familiar V Green flavour Kiwis already know
- Full 24-can case for regular drinkers
- Guarana-based formula aimed at alertness and focus
Cons
- This case carries a real delivery charge on top of the product price
- 24 cans is a lot to commit to if you haven’t had this exact pack size before
Key specs:Guarana energy formula, 24 x 330ml cans, classic Green flavour.
4. V Raspberry Lemonade Energy – Best flavoured small pack
This is a small 4-can pack of V in the Raspberry Lemonade flavour, a lighter-sugar alternative to the classic Green can for anyone who prefers a fruitier taste.
It’s aimed at people who want to try a different V flavour without buying a full 24-pack, or who just want a few cans on hand.
Amazon’s listing pitches it at athletes, students and busy professionals looking for a quick, low-sugar energy top-up.
Pros
- Small 4-can pack is a low-commitment way to try the flavour
- Lower in sugar than the classic V formula
- Cheaper upfront cost than the big multipacks on this list
Cons
- Works out more expensive per can than the 24-pack formats
- Smaller pack means running out faster if you drink it regularly
Key specs:Low-sugar guarana energy drink, 4 x 250ml cans, Raspberry Lemonade flavour.
5. V Energy Sugar Free Guarana – Best sugar-free V
This is the sugar-free version of V’s Green Guarana formula, sweetened with sucralose instead of sugar but keeping the same guarana, vitamins and caffeine blend as the original.
It comes as a 12 x 500ml case, a middle-ground pack size between the small flavoured 4-pack and the full 24-can classic case on this list.
It’s the pick for anyone who wants the familiar V taste and caffeine hit without the sugar.
Pros
- Same guarana and caffeine formula as classic V, without the sugar
- 500ml cans rather than the smaller 330ml/250ml formats
- Mid-size 12-can case suits moderate drinkers
Cons
- This case carries a real delivery charge on top of the product price
- Sucralose sweetener won’t suit everyone who prefers the original sugar formula
Key specs:Sugar-free guarana energy drink sweetened with sucralose, 12 x 500ml cans.
6. CELSIUS On The Go Kiwi Guava Lime – Best powder stick / on-the-go
Rather than a can, this is a box of 14 single-serve powder sticks in a Kiwi Guava Lime flavour, each mixed with water rather than drunk straight from a can.
Amazon’s listing states 200mg of caffeine per stick alongside 7 essential vitamins, and the product is gluten-free, non-GMO and certified vegan with no added sugar.
The stick format makes it easy to carry in a bag or drawer and mix only when needed, rather than storing a case of cans.
Pros
- Lightweight powder sticks are easy to travel with
- 200mg caffeine per serve for a strong boost
- Gluten-free, non-GMO and certified vegan, no added sugar
Cons
- Needs water and mixing rather than a ready-to-drink can
- 200mg caffeine per stick is a strong dose, not one for the caffeine-sensitive
Key specs:200mg caffeine per stick, 7 vitamins, 14 sticks per box, Kiwi Guava Lime flavour.
7. JUICD Energy Drink Powder Dragon Rage – Best focus / nootropic pick
JUICD Dragon Rage is a 99% sugar-free powder with 180mg of caffeine per serve alongside Alpha GPC and other nootropics, aimed at people who want mental focus alongside the energy hit rather than just a caffeine buzz.
Each tub covers 40 servings, and Amazon’s listing works out as one of the cheaper per-serve options on this list despite the upfront tub price.
It only has 0.7g of sugar per serving, so it’s a genuinely low-sugar option rather than just “reduced sugar”.
Pros
- 180mg caffeine plus Alpha GPC and nootropics for focus
- 40 servings per tub works out cheap per serve
- Only 0.7g sugar per serving
Cons
- Needs mixing with 500-700ml of water rather than ready to drink
- 180mg caffeine per serve is a strong dose
Key specs:180mg caffeine, Alpha GPC nootropics, 0.7g sugar per serve, 40 servings per tub.
8. EHP Labs OxyShred Healthy Energy Drink Gummy Snake – Best low-calorie “clean” energy drink
This is EHP Labs’ OxyShred Healthy Energy Drink in the Gummy Snake flavour, a sugar-free, carb-free and calorie-free 12-pack built around what Amazon’s listing calls “clean caffeine” sourced from green tea.
Each can carries 113mg of caffeine, a more moderate dose than Monster or the powder-based picks on this list, alongside Vitamin C, B vitamins, chromium, natural guarana, green tea extract and L-carnitine.
It’s aimed at people who want a pre-workout style lift without the sugar, artificial fillers or the jittery crash of a heavier energy drink.
Pros
- 113mg caffeine is a more moderate, balanced dose
- Carb-free, calorie-free and sugar-free
- Added Vitamin C, B vitamins and L-carnitine
Cons
- 113mg caffeine is lighter than Monster or the powder-based picks if you want a bigger hit
- Ready-to-drink can costs more per serve than the powder tubs on this list
Key specs:113mg caffeine, sugar-free, carb-free, calorie-free, 12 x cans, Gummy Snake flavour.
9. EHP Labs OxyShred Healthy Energy Drink – Best cola-flavoured alternative
This is the same OxyShred Healthy Energy Drink formula as the Gummy Snake pick above, in a Cali Cola flavour for anyone who prefers a classic cola taste over a fruitier can.
It carries the same 113mg clean caffeine from green tea, plus Vitamin C, B vitamins, chromium, guarana, green tea extract and L-carnitine, and is sugar-free, carb-free and calorie-free.
It’s a straightforward flavour swap rather than a different product, so it suits the same use case as the Gummy Snake can with a more familiar cola taste.
Pros
- Familiar cola flavour rather than a novelty fruit taste
- Same 113mg clean caffeine and vitamin blend as the Gummy Snake pick
- Sugar-free, carb-free and calorie-free
Cons
- Same moderate 113mg caffeine dose, not for anyone wanting a bigger hit
- Only a flavour difference from the Gummy Snake pick, so no reason to buy both
Key specs:113mg caffeine, sugar-free, carb-free, calorie-free, 12 x cans, Cali Cola flavour.
10. EHP Labs OxyShred Infinity Caffeine Free – Best caffeine-free pick
OxyShred Infinity is built for people who want the focus and lift of an energy drink without any caffeine at all, using Enfinity (paraxanthine) as a jitter-free alternative stimulant instead.
Amazon’s listing pairs that with Alpha-GPC and L-Theanine for mental clarity and focus, plus B3, B6 and B12 vitamins and a decaf green tea extract for antioxidants, in the Strawberry Sunrise flavour.
It’s positioned as safe for daytime or late-night use without disrupting sleep, since it’s the only pick on this list with zero caffeine.
Pros
- Genuinely zero caffeine, so it won’t disrupt sleep
- Enfinity (paraxanthine) plus Alpha-GPC and L-Theanine for focus without jitters
- Zero sugar, zero calories, zero carbs
Cons
- No caffeine at all if that’s actually what you’re after from an energy drink
- Less proven as a stimulant than caffeine for most people
Key specs:Caffeine-free (Enfinity/paraxanthine), Alpha-GPC, L-Theanine, B3/B6/B12, 12 x cans, Strawberry Sunrise flavour.
How to choose the best energy drink for you
Finding the right energy drink comes down to how much caffeine you actually want, what format suits you (can, powder stick or tub) and whether sugar matters to you. The comparison table above is a quick starting point, but the ingredients below are worth understanding before you buy.
What are the common ingredients in an energy drink?
Beyond caffeine, most energy drinks add B vitamins, taurine, guarana or ginseng to give a more sustained effect. Not every drink uses the same combination, so it’s worth checking the label or listing for what’s actually included.
Guarana – a plant native to Brazil and Paraguay with a natural stimulant effect. It contains caffeine along with other natural substances like amino acids and taurine, and is the base ingredient in V and several other drinks on this list.
B vitamins – riboflavin, niacin and B12 help the body convert carbohydrates into glucose for energy, and are involved in protein and fat metabolism.
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) – a group of four amino acids the body can’t produce on its own. They’ve been shown to help reduce muscle damage during exercise and support recovery afterwards.
Taurine – a natural substance that helps regulate blood flow and cardiac function, and is a standard ingredient in Red Bull and several other drinks here.
L-carnitine – an amino acid involved in fat and energy metabolism, included in the EHP Labs picks on this list.
The majority of mainstream energy drinks are safe for occasional consumption, but they do contain real stimulants that can affect sleep or cause jitters if you’re sensitive to caffeine, so it’s worth reading the label rather than assuming every can is the same strength.
Energy drinks sold at retail in New Zealand are limited to a maximum of 32mg of caffeine per 100ml, meaning a 250ml can is capped at around 80mg. The imported picks on this list, bought individually via Amazon rather than off an NZ shelf, vary more widely – some (like the EHP Labs OxyShred cans) sit below that local benchmark, while others (like Celsius’s 200mg-per-stick powder) are considerably stronger, so check the specific caffeine amount listed for each pick rather than assuming they’re all the same strength.
Cans, powders or caffeine-free – which format suits you?
A ready-to-drink can is the simplest option and needs no preparation, which is why Monster, Red Bull and V make up half of this list. Powder-based options like Celsius, JUICD and the EHP Labs range are lighter to carry, often cheaper per serve, and let you control exactly how strong you mix it, but they do need water and a shaker or bottle on hand.
If you want the ritual of an energy drink without the caffeine itself, the OxyShred Infinity pick uses paraxanthine instead, which is worth trying if caffeine disrupts your sleep but you still want the alertness and focus benefits.
To round out the coffee corner, the guides to travel mugs, coffee machines and hot water dispensers are worth reading next.
Verdict
For most people who just want a trusted, familiar energy drink, the Monster Ultra Blue Hawaiian is the easiest all-round pick, and buying the 24-pack works out cheaper per can than smaller formats. If you’d rather try something before committing to a full case, the single Red Bull 473ml can is the lowest-risk way in.
For a genuinely local option, V Green Guarana is New Zealand’s own energy drink brand in its classic supermarket flavour, while the V Sugar Free Guarana covers the same taste without the sugar. Anyone who wants to travel light or mix their own strength should look at the Celsius or JUICD powders, and anyone avoiding caffeine altogether should go straight to the EHP Labs OxyShred Infinity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much caffeine is too much in an energy drink?
Health authorities generally advise adults limit caffeine to around 400mg a day from all sources combined, including coffee and tea. A single 200mg Celsius stick or a 500ml Monster can already makes up a large share of that, so it’s worth counting total daily caffeine rather than judging each drink in isolation.
Are energy drinks bad for you?
Occasional energy drinks are considered safe for most healthy adults, but regular heavy use has been linked to sleep disruption, increased heart rate and anxiety in caffeine-sensitive people. They aren’t recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with an existing heart condition.
What’s the difference between a sugar-free and regular energy drink?
Regular energy drinks like classic V or original Red Bull use real sugar for both taste and a quick energy spike, while sugar-free versions substitute sweeteners like sucralose to keep the flavour without the calories or sugar crash. The caffeine and other stimulant ingredients are usually the same in both versions.
Can teenagers drink energy drinks?
Most manufacturers and health bodies advise against energy drinks for children and teenagers due to their caffeine content, and New Zealand retailers are encouraged to restrict sales to under-16s. If in doubt, a lower-caffeine option or a caffeine-free pick like the EHP Labs OxyShred Infinity is the safer choice for younger drinkers.
Do energy drinks expire?
Yes, canned and powdered energy drinks carry a best-before date, typically 12 to 18 months from production for cans and slightly longer for sealed powder tubs or sticks. Flavour and carbonation can fade well before that date if a can is opened and left out, so it’s best drunk soon after opening.
What’s the best time of day to drink an energy drink?
Caffeine can take 4 to 6 hours to fully clear the body, so most sleep guidance recommends avoiding caffeinated energy drinks in the 6 hours before bed. A caffeine-free option like the EHP Labs OxyShred Infinity is a reasonable alternative for an evening or late-night boost.
