Red Bull has the same amount of caffeine as a regular coffee beverage. If you want to consume an energy drink that is truly an “energy” drink, you need more caffeine. And among beverages that have more caffeine than Red Bull, Bang Energy and Monster Energy are the most popular.
Key Takeaways:
The main difference between Bang and Monster energy drinks is the caffeine content. Bang contains 300 mg of caffeine, nearly twice as much as an equivalent volume of Monster Energy. Where Monster Energy is higher in calories, Bang Energy has more Essential Amino Acids and vitamins. Bang is technically healthier but more addictive and easy to overdose on than Monster.
The comparison requires context because either beverage can be better based on its use. In this article, we will compare each drink’s ingredients, calories, and caffeine alongside use contexts to come to a definitive conclusion. By the end, you’ll know which one is better for you. Let’s get started with their fundamental differences.
Bang Energy vs. Monster Energy – What Are the Key Differences?
Bang Energy and Monster compete for the second position behind Red Bull in the energy drinks market.
Monster holds second place year after year yet is considered comparable to Bang Energy simply because Bang Energy keeps its spot with far fewer marketing dollars than Red Bull and Monster Energy.
Where Monster Energy aligns with UFC, Bang Energy monetizes influencer relations to get its containers at the forefront of viral videos. But there are differences between the two beverages’ formula and not just their marketing tactics. The following table highlights these fundamental differences:
| Bang Energy | Monster Energy | |
| Key Goal | Caffeinate consumers without contributing to weight gain | Energize consumers for optimal athletic performance |
| Date Introduced | 2012 | 2002 |
| Calories (16 oz) | 0 | 191 |
| Caffeine | 300 mg | 163.3 mg |
| Sweetener | Sucralose | Sugar |
| Benefits | • Peak caffeination in a convenient • package • Vitamins and Essential • Amino Acids1 • 7+ flavors to choose from • Zero calories and weight-related guilt | • Caffeine + sugar, for instance, energy • Widely available and well-recognized • Available in over 34 flavors • Includes vitamins • It is a source of taurine |
| Flavors | 18 flavors, including the famous Rainbow Unicorn flavor and the popular Cherry Vanilla flavor. | 34 flavors, including Monster Classic, which is the most popular Monster Energy Drink. Other popular flavors include Monster Ultra Blue and Khaos. |
| Vegan Friendly | Yes | Yes, except Monster Java. Monster Energy manufactured outside the USA might use non-vegan ingredients. |
| Form | Ready to drink | Ready to drink |
| Electrolytes | 125 mg+ including Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium. | Nominal. Monster Hydro is the manufacturer’s hydration drink. |
| Sugar Content | 0 g | 50 g |
Is Bang or Monster Healthier?
Bang Energy is healthier in every way except its caffeine content. While the beverage doesn’t exceed the daily permitted caffeine limit of 400 mg, it surely makes it easy to cross the limit.
Most energy drinks you can consume at least two of within a 24-hour period. After having Bang Energy, you have to be careful drinking coffee throughout the day.
Monster, while containing sugar, is healthier long-term when compared to Bang Energy because Monster Energy doesn’t shoot up your caffeine tolerance.
It is also easier to stop consuming Monster because other caffeinated beverages with similar caffeine content exist. With Bang Energy, you get tied to the brand when addicted to a 300 mg dose of caffeine.
Bang vs. Monster – Calories, Sugar, & Carbs
Where Monster Energy is healthier with its caffeine content, it fails on the fitness metrics.
The classic energy drink formula combines caffeine with a simple carb like sugar for immediate metabolic activity and instant energy. An effective energy drink needs sugar, and Monster doesn’t shy away from this like Bang.
- Calories – Where Bang has 0 calories, Monster Energy has 191 calories. It is possible to drink Monster without prior carb-loading and get decent performance. Drinking Bang on an empty stomach will not give you the same energy boost.
- Sugar – Bang Energy has 0 grams of sugar, and your pre-consumed sugars get metabolized with the caffeine kick you get from the beverage. Monster comes loaded with 50 grams of sugar that get broken down for an immediate jolt of energy.
- Carbs – Again, Bang Energy has 0 carbs. That means your body metabolizes other materials like pre-consumed Carbs for energy when it is under the influence of caffeine. With Monster Energy, there are plenty of carbs, all of which are also sugars (50g). These are made available to the body when the caffeine kicks in.
How Do They Rank In Performance?
Bang Energy can perform better if you drink it after having fruit juice. Otherwise, Monster Energy outshines Bang despite having barely over half the caffeine in Bang Energy.
Why?
Because Monster provides a source of energy (sugar) alongside the stimulant (caffeine), in contrast, Bang Energy pumps you full of caffeine but doesn’t give your body anything to turn into energy.
But given that having Bang Energy on an empty stomach is so rare, the average consumer does have enough sugar in his body to make the most of Bang. Bang is twice as effective as Monster Energy in the presence of outside sugars.
What do People Prefer?
Monster Energy sales indicate that people prefer it more than Bang Energy. Where Bang Energy earned $1.2 billion in retail sales, Monster earned over $1.3 billion.
The difference is likely due to the marketing and exposure that Monster Energy gets. In fact, when you account for Monster’s high visibility, Bang Energy seems to be impressively close to Monster.
This aligns with Bang Energy’s reputation as one of the most delicious energy drinks on the market (interestingly, some people think Monster tastes like metal). Bang Energy would win by its customer retention compared to visibility on taste alone. For its much higher visibility, Monster doesn’t seem to retain customers at the same rate as Bang Energy.
Conclusion: Monster vs. Bang
As of writing this, Monster is the #2 energy drink in the world, while Bang is #3. Monster outranks Bang partly because of the 10-year head start they had.
Bang Energy has nearly double the caffeine of Monster while doing it without sugar or calories. The immediate caffeine jolt from Bang can be good in a pinch, but you really have to be disciplined and limit your consumption to 1 can per day. Go with Monster if you crave more than 1 can per day.
