Monster Hydro vs. BODYARMOR [The Winner is…]

Many sports drinks can help you rehydrate. And there are many more energy drinks that can caffeinate you. However, the cross between caffeinating drinks and hydrating drinks is small. When two beverages claim to hydrate and energize their consumers, one cannot help but compare them.

The main difference between Monster Hydro and Body Armor is that Monster Hydro is better at energizing than hydrating, while Body Armor is better overall. Body Armor Edge has more caffeine than espresso and more than double the electrolytes in Monster Hydro and other caffeine-free beverages.

In this article, we will compare the two at length so you can see where Monster Hydro is ahead and where Body Armor takes the cake. By the end, you’ll know which one fits your needs better. The following table is a good start:

Monster Hydro vs. Body Armor: Which One is Better?

Body Armor Edge is packed with more than double the electrolytes and is hence a better hydration solution. In contrast, Monster Hydro contains double the caffeine, making it the better energy water of the two.

If you judge “better” based on the healthiness or fitness-related metrics, neither option would seem stellar because both bottles are packed with 10+ teaspoons of sugar. Monster Hydro offers readily available sugar-free alternatives, so it might be better overall despite lacking (relatively) electrolyte dosage.

Is Monster Hydro or Body Armor Healthier?

Body Armor offers multiple non-caffeinated products that are far healthier than Monster Hydro. However, its rehydration and caffeination product that comes the closest to Monster Hydro is Body Armor Edge, which features more sugar.

A deeper dive into the formula of both products shows that Body Armor Edge is better at supplementation and contains many vitamins that are missing from Monster Hydro.

Whether the added vitamins are worth the 10 grams of added sugar depends on an individual’s health goals and concerns. Neither option is better for a person with diabetes, yet someone with a Vitamin C deficiency will find Body Armor Edge much more beneficial.

How Do They Rank When It Comes to Performance?

Monster Hydro doesn’t even come close to Body Armor Edge in hydration and electrolyte supplementation. However, Monster Hydro performs better at delivering caffeine.

Looking for electrolytes and caffeine in one place is already an uphill battle because energy drink manufacturers seem to go after one another. It looks like Monster Hydro focuses on caffeination and throws in some electrolytes to avoid dehydration.

And Body Armor Edge, despite having more caffeine than an average espresso (and Red Bull), remains an electrolyte beverage primarily.

The better-balanced performance among the two is that of Body Armor Edge because it has more electrolytes than the average oral hydration drink and more caffeine than coffee.

Is Monster Hydro Good for Hydration?

Monster Hydro is not as good for hydration as it is good at preventing dehydration from caffeine. Its electrolyte content is slightly above average, but the caffeine it contains can leave you thirsty and dehydrated.

Note: Any caffeinated beverage is worse at hydration than a non-caffeinated electrolyte beverage.

And that’s a very relevant point in the Monster vs. Body Armor discussion. Monster has zero caffeine-free electrolyte beverages, while the Body Armor water roster contains only one caffeinated category. Most Body Armor beverages are better at hydration than Monster Hydro.

Monster Hydro vs. Body Armor Ingredients

Hydration isn’t the sole purpose of Body Armor Edge or Monster Hydro. So it would be unfair to compare the two beverages on their electrolytes alone.

Here’s a comparison of other relevant ingredients:

• Caffeine – Monster Hydro has 188 mg to 200 mg of caffeine in each bottle, while Body Armor Edge has 100 mg of caffeine. In this, Monster Hydro wins.
• Vitamins – Monster Hydro has Vitamin B3 while Body Armor Edge has A, E, B, and C group Vitamins, including Vitamin B3. Body Armor wins this round.
• Sweeteners – Both beverages use sugar, but Body Armor mentions its sweetener as “cane sugar,” alluding to its natural origins. Body Armor might have an edge there, but it is not conclusive.

Does Monster Hydro Have Caffeine?

Monster Hydro has more caffeine than an average cup of coffee.

Monster Energy doesn’t offer a version of its Hydration line without caffeine. In contrast, only Body Armor Edge has caffeine.

Body Armor is a much better choice for caffeine-sensitive people than Monster Hydro. In contrast, caffeine junkies will be right at home with Monster beverages.

There is a significant overlap between caffeine lovers and sports beverage lovers. And people who like both energy drinks and sports water can lean towards Monster Hydro or Body Armor based on taste.

Which do People Prefer by Taste?

It is hard to set a metric for something as subjective as taste, but if sales statistics speak for taste, then Monster Hydro wins.

Where Body Armor water generates an impressive $1.4 billion retail sales, Monster Beverage’s sales exceed the five billion mark. However, the energy drink manufacturer’s success can be attributed to its marketing strategy and budget.

People who like variety prefer Body Armor because it comes in 5+ flavors in over six categories. The different Body Armor beverages come to a double-digit total.

Monster Hydro, an energy drink spin-off, is limited to a smaller set of flavors. Your taste preference dictates what wins for you, but Body Armor is likelier to take the cake.

Body Armor vs. Monster Hydro: And the Winner is…

As with most “A vs. B” comparisons, it comes down to your goals, and Body Armor vs. Monster Hydro is no different.

Monster Hydro has a moderate amount of electrolytes and more caffeine. Body Armor Edge is less caffeinated but has 2x the amount of electrolytes.

If you’re open to considering a third option in the hydration drink game, check out Prime Hydration.