Monster vs. Red Bull: Which Is Better? [Top Rated Analysis]

Red Bull is the leading energy drink in the United States, with a market share of almost 25%, generating a revenue of around $2.89 billion annually.

Monster Energy has nearly the same market share but remains a close second. However, which is actually better: Monster or Red Bull?

Key Takeaways:

Monster Energy delivers more nutrients per can due to its larger size than Red Bull. Additionally, Monster costs less per oz or ml than Red Bull. However, some users find the smaller Red Bull cans more convenient. Both Monster and Red Bull are effective energizing drinks.

There cannot be a subjective showdown of Monster vs. Red Bull because all consumers have their own personal preferences. What can be done is an objective assessment of all the finer details of the two champion energy drink brands. Read on for a complete Monster vs. Red Bull analysis.

But first, let’s compare Red Bull vs. Bang Energy at a glance:

Based on a 473 mL can	Monster	Red Bull
Caffeine	166 mg	151 mg
Sugar	54 g	51 g
Calories	210	220
Taurine	2000 g	1892 g
Best Use	One-off energy boost	One-off energy boost

Monster vs. Red Bull: Which Is Better?

Monster Energy cans are larger yet cheaper than Red Bull’s. You get a stronger dose of caffeine, glucose or sugar, and other nutrients, including vitamins and some beneficial extracts. However, each large can may be a lot for some consumers, meaning more is not always better.

Before I delve into even the most minuscule differences between these two drinks, I want to take a moment to discuss their similarities.

Similarities Between Monster and Red Bull

Most hydrating sports drinks have a few common ingredients, especially electrolytes. Likewise, energy drinks must deliver some of the same nutrients necessary to provide a boost. Both Red Bull and Monster share a few ingredients in their formulas to deliver a jolt of energy.

Both Monster and Red Bull Are Caffeinated Energy Drinks

Caffeine is a staple ingredient in energy drinks, as it stimulates the central nervous system, thus boosting alertness or focus and energy. While both Monster and Red Bull are caffeinated energy drinks, a direct comparison is impossible due to the varying can sizes.

If I use a 12 oz (355 ml) serving as the standard, Red Bull has 113.56 mg of caffeine, while the same amount of Monster contains ~120 mg. The difference is only around 7 mg, which won’t result in much of a difference for most consumers.

As a result, both Monster and Red Bull are equally energizing in the context of caffeine, albeit their different can sizes won’t deliver the same quantity if you gulp the two drinks bottoms up.

Furthermore, both brands use guarana extracts. Guarana is an Amazonian plant with fruits that resemble coffee berries in size. The guarana extract used in both Monster and Red Bull energy drinks comprises stimulants and antioxidants:

Caffeine
Catechins
Saponins
Tannins
Theobromine
Theophylline

Both Energy Drinks Contain Carbonated Water and Glucose

Monster Energy and Red Bull are somewhat fizzy drinks, as they contain carbonated water. The two brands also use glucose in their recipes, and the carbohydrate content is almost the same.

A 12 oz (355 ml) serving of Monster has 172.50 calories, whereas Red Bull contains 163.25 calories. The calorie difference is fewer than ten, making it practically negligible.

Monster and Red Bull Have Almost Identical Sugar Contents

Both Monster and Red Bull contain sugar, which is the main source of glucose or carbohydrates in these energy drinks.

Red Bull and Monster have similar sugar content. One serving of Monster has 40.5 g (1.43 oz) of sugar, while the same volume of Red Bull has slightly less at 39.04 g (1.38 oz).

Unlike the difference of only 10 calories, Monster’s 1 gram (0.03 oz) extra sugar per 12 oz (355 ml) is of significance, and more so due to the type of sweetener found in its formula (more on this below).

Both Brands Have a Zero Sugar or Low-Calorie Energy Drink

You’re probably familiar with the zero-sugar or low-calorie variants of Monster Energy and Red Bull. Both of these energy drinks offer a little less or more than 10 calories. Neither has any sugar, but the net calorie intake is different due to the varying sizes of Monster and Red Bull cans.

Red Bull and Monster Energy Drinks Have 3 Essential Vitamins

Both brands have three essential vitamins in common:

Vitamin B₃: niacin
Vitamin B₆: pyridoxine
Vitamin B₁₂: cobalamin

The quantities of B₃ and B₁₂ vitamins are almost the same in the two drinks. But Red Bull (7.2 mg) has a bit more B₆ vitamin than Monster (2.84 mg).

Vitamin B₆ can improve mood as it is essential for the neurotransmitters regulating emotion, including the following:

Serotonin
Dopamine
GABA: gamma-aminobutyric acid

Hence, Red Bull may have a subtly better impact on how you feel, but this experience is entirely subjective.

All Variants of Monster and Red Bull Energy Drinks Have Taurine

Taurine is a naturally-occurring amino sulfonic acid in the human body that is vital for many functions involving the following:

Blood
Brain
Heart
Muscle

Taurine is a conditionally essential organic compound with the following health benefits:

Taurine is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory effects.
The natural chemical boosts muscle growth and brain development.
Taurine may reduce blood pressure and increase insulin sensitivity.
The amino sulfonic acid might improve heart health and function.
Taurine can improve physical or athletic performance in exercise or sports.

Therefore, it’s not surprising that Red Bull and Monster both have taurine.

Monster and Red Bull Contain Colors, Flavors, and Preservatives

Both brands use natural colors and flavors. However, Red Bull also uses artificial flavors, something Monster doesn’t. All these ingredients, including the preservatives in any Monster and Red Bull energy drinks, are food-grade additives approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Differences Between Monster and Red Bull

Monster and Red Bull won’t have the same experiential impact on anyone. An identical impact is impossible when it comes to two distinct formulas.

People are unique, from their genetics to their current health. And when I say health, I don’t mean only physiological. Psychological health is also vital during exercise and any stressful situation. That said, most users will probably agree that Monster has a somewhat sweeter taste than Red Bull.

Monster Has Sucralose and Salt, and Red Bull Uses Sucrose

I have mentioned earlier that Monster Energy has 1 gram (0.03 oz) of extra sugar per 12 oz (355 ml) serving. This quantity isn’t significant enough to make the drink sweeter than Red Bull. However, Monster uses sucralose, which is exponentially sweeter than Red Bull’s sucrose.

Additionally, Monster Energy uses salt in its drinks, which Red Bull doesn’t. The combination of sucralose and salt makes Monster a bit tastier than Red Bull. However, this distinction is also entirely subjective. Plus, this difference isn’t applicable to the Zero variants of Monster and Red Bull.

Monster Contains Panax Ginseng Extract; Red Bull Doesn’t

Monster Energy contains Panax ginseng extract. The herbal extract is an adaptogen that can boost your ability to respond to fatigue and stress. The active chemicals in the extract, ginsenosides or panaxosides, may have a few benefits, including the following:

Reduced fatigue and faster recovery
Quicker reaction times during workouts
Better response to mental and physical stress

Red Bull doesn’t contain Panax ginseng extract.

Monster Energy Contains L-Carnitine L-Tartrate; Red Bull Doesn’t

Monster has L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) as an ingredient in its energy drinks. The supplement has antioxidant and chemoprotective properties. LCLT or L-carnitine L-tartrate in energy drinks may enhance fatty acid oxidation and reduce free radical formation and purine catabolism.

As a result, the L-carnitine L-tartrate in Monster may prevent or reduce fatigue and muscle weakness during or after a workout. Red Bull energy drinks don’t have any LCLT.

Monster Has Vitamin B₂, Whereas Red Bull Has Vitamin B₅

While Monster and Red Bull have 3 B vitamins in common, the 4th one in both energy drinks is different. Monster Energy has vitamin B₂ or riboflavin, whereas Red Bull contains vitamin B₅ or pantothenic acid. However, this difference has no tangible impact on your energy boost.

Both B₂ and B₅ vitamins in Monster and Red Bull have the same function, that of creating energy through the breakdown of:

Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins

As a result, you are unlikely to feel or realize any difference between the two energy drinks in the context of these vitamins.

Monster Energy Has Almost 2 Dozen More Flavors Than Red Bull

Monster and Red Bull come in various interesting flavors. However, Red Bull offers only 13 flavors, whereas Monster has come out with a whopping 36. If you’re someone who is quickly bored with a flavor or taste, Monster offers a significantly wider range of choices to satiate you.

The Flavors of Monster Energy Drinks

Aside from Monster’s well-known original flavor (which comes in the iconic black can and green brand logo), here are the company’s other energy drink varieties:

Monster Ultra

One can of Monster Ultra has only 10 calories, and no sugar, making it ideal for those watching their calorie and sugar intake.

Ultra comes in a range of tasty, fruity flavors:

Black. This drink has a crisp cherry flavor and comes in a black can.
Blue. Ultra Blue features a blue raspberry flavor and was created by Monster to pay homage to famous mountain towns like Chamonix, Aspen, and Park City. It comes in a blue can.
Fiesta. This variety has a juicy and tropical mango taste and a turquoise can.
Gold. Monster’s pineapple flavor drink is Ultra Gold and comes in an orange-yellow can.
Paradise. Reminiscent of a drink you’d enjoy on a tropical island, Ultra Paradise has kiwi, lime, and cucumber flavors.
Peachy Keen. In a peach-colored can, Peachy Keen has a refreshing peach taste.
Rose. Ultra Rose is a decidedly feminine drink with crisp floral taste notes and a pink-red can.
Red. If you enjoy berry-flavored drinks, you might enjoy Ultra Red.
Sunrise. This variety features citrus fruit, including oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.
Violet. Ultra Violet comes in a purple can and is grape-flavored with citrus notes.
Watermelon. The ideal summer drink, Ultra Watermelon, is refreshing and light.

Monster Juice

Even though Monster is only lightly carbonated, some folks don’t enjoy the fizz. In such cases, the Juice line is ideal. These products taste similar to normal fruit juice and come in these flavors:

Aussie Lemonade
Khaotic
Mango Loco
Pacific Punch
Papillon
Pipeline Punch

Monster Coffee

If you enjoy coffee but want to benefit from Monster’s other stimulating ingredients, they offer some delicious coffee drinks:

Java
Espresso Vanilla
Espresso and Milk

Monster Hydro

The Monster Hydro line is perfect for sports or physically-demanding work because it also has electrolytes to help rehydrate you. It comes in the following varieties:

Blue Streak
Killer Kiwi
Macho Mango
Red Dawg

Monster Nitro

Like other Monster lines, Nitro is lightly carbonated but is great for those who enjoy a different taste. It’s injected with a tiny amount of nitrous oxide to give it a smooth and rich texture and contains the same sugar and calorie level as Monster’s regular version.

Monster Rehab

Rehab is Monster’s non-carbonated energy drink line. It features a range of lemonade and iced tea drinks, which include the following flavors:

Green tea
Lemonade
Pink lemonade
Peach tea
Raspberry tea
Orangeade
White dragon tea

Monster Zero Sugar

One can of Monster Zero Sugar has only ten calories, making it perfect if you’re on a strict diet or for days when you exceed your daily intake. Moreover, the Zero Sugar variant is safe for diabetics. Monster Zero Sugar has 140 mg of caffeine, which is quite less than its regular 16 oz can.

Monster Assault

Monster Assault is an interesting take on the original version because it has a unique bourbon and cola flavor. At 200 calories per can, it’s not the best choice if you’re watching your weight. However, it’s a delicious option if you’re looking for an occasional treat.

Monster Lo-Carb

Monster has a low-carbohydrate variety that contains the same amount of caffeine as the other types but has no sugar, and only 9 g (0.3 oz) of carbohydrates, making it perfect for those on a low-carb diet. This line contains 35 calories in each can.

The Flavors of Red Bull Energy Drinks

Red Bull has fewer variants than Monster and, aside from regular drinks, here’s what they offer:

Red Bull Sugarfree

Red Bull’s sugar-free version has the same amount of caffeine and sodium as the regular variety. However, it has no sugar, making it an excellent option for diabetics.

The can is also slightly different and features lighter-colored blue blocks instead of darker blue.

Red Bull Zero

Red Bull Zero comes in a black and white can. It has the same nutritional content as Red Bull Sugarfree but a different taste. While both drinks have Red Bull’s iconic sweet and slightly citrusy taste, Red Bull Zero tastes sweeter, and the fruity taste is more concentrated.

Red Bull Special Edition

Red Bull boasts a range of special edition drinks that are not always easy to come by. However, you can buy them online, they come in sugar-free versions, and they are an interesting take on the original drink:

Tropical. This variety has a pleasant, tropical fruit taste and comes in an orange-yellow can.
Coconut. If you enjoy coconut water, you may enjoy the Coconut Edition, which comes in a white can.
Red Edition. Like Monster, Red Bull also has a watermelon-flavored energy drink in a cheerful red can.
Summer Edition. Typically only available during the summer, Red Bull’s Summer Edition has a strawberry and apricot flavor.
Green Edition. If you’ve ever wondered what a cactus-flavored drink is like, try the Green Edition.

Monster continues to improve its energy drink line. Based on market feedback, flavors come and go. People go as far as creating groups to help bring back some discontinued Red Bull energy drink flavors.

Monster Energy Costs Less Per Ounce or Milliliter Than Red Bull

Monster Energy (available on Amazon.com) is substantially cheaper than Red Bull (available on Amazon.com). The latter being a juggernaut of a brand worldwide may have something to do with the higher prices because Monster has a few more ingredients than Red Bull. However, price is also a subjective issue, like taste or experience.

The Smaller Red Bull Cans Are Easier To Drink Than Monster’s

Some users like the smaller cans and thus servings of Red Bull. Here is how Red Bull and Monster Energy sizes compare:

Can Size	Monster Energy	Red Bull
Small	10.5 fl oz (310.52 ml)	8.4 fl oz (248.42 ml)
Medium		12 fl oz (354.88 ml)
Large	16 fl oz (473.18 ml)	16 fl oz (473.18 ml)

Final Thoughts

Energy drinks are a completely subjective matter, not only due to individual taste or budget but also owing to the different objectives and experiences. There’s no winner between Monster and Red Bull, and this isn’t only my opinion. The brands’ almost equal market shares imply the same.