The 7 Best Gaming Drinks For Energy and Focus (2023)

Looking to kick ass in your next big gaming session? Well, start now by improving your gaming performance with the best gaming drinks.

The best gaming drinks will be able to provide you with a boost in mental awareness, reduce fatigue, and help you focus on the game. All of this without making you crash afterwards.

Plus, they usually taste bloody awesome, much better than plain water.

These are some of the reasons why energy drinks for gamers have become popular lately. Plus, brands like G-Fuel are not just a drink, but a status symbol, and a way to make gaming even more fun.

Nonetheless, not all gamer drinks are equal; nor they will be as efficient.

Some gaming energy drinks might have negative side effects, such as weight gain, increased fatigue, or sugar crashes. Make sure to avoid these!

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the top energy drinks for gamers. These are some of the tastiest, most efficient and healthiest gamer drinks that you can buy.


#1 – Sneak Energy – Top Gaming Energy Drink For Focus & Performance

tropikilla Sneak Energy gaming drink
  • Awesome taste and a great selection of flavours.
  • 12kcal, 0g of sugar, 150mg of caffeine.
  • A great blend to increase focus and performance while gaming.
  • The best Blue Raspberry, is simply delicious.
  • From $1 per serving.
  • Ships Worldwide.

#2- Rogue Energy – Best Tasting Energy Drink

Rogue Energy drink best tasting gamer drink
  • 175mg of caffeine per serving.
  • 5kcal, 0g of sugar and packed with active ingredients.
  • Good for long gaming sessions.
  • No chalkiness, mixes to perfection and lovely taste.
  • Great price-quality ratio.
  • Pink Lemonade is the way to go.

Best For Long-Term Memory, Focus and Performance Boost

Hunter Focus for gamers

Hunter Focus

  • Brain supplement designed to increase cognitive performance
  • For those looking only for an increase in focus, alertness and mental agility.
  • Great for long gaming sessions and can also help you with studying (memory booster).
  • Can consume it together with your gaming drink.

BEST in the UK –> Sneak Energy Drink

BEST CAFFEINE FREE –> Sneak Hydration


Gaming Drinks Considered

ProductKcalCaffeine (mg)SugarsPrice ($)Ships to
Rogue517501.1US, EU
Endless1115001.1EU, US
G-Fuel1514000.9US, EU
Nau36071.4World
Sneak1215001.0US, EU
GamerSup010000.4EU, US
Command015001.0UK
Ghost015001.0US, EU, AUS
Mixt Energy016600.5US, CAN, EU
Mountain9090231.9US
Razorwire1515000.7World
Respawn209500.75US
Runtime10080202.3EU, US
Adrenalize530000.57World
Wraith Energy520001.03World
JuJu Energy1518001.20World
Holy Energy2016000.8EU
EU includes UK.

Some of the popular energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, Bang or Rockstar are often used as gaming drinks; but I have not taken these into consideration. Read below why.


Best Gaming Drinks for Focus and Energy

1. Sneak Energy

Best Gaming Drink

Sneak Best Energy gaming drink for focus
Taste95%
Ingredients85%
Boost95%
Price95%

Pros

  • Affordable – $1/serving
  • 14 delicious flavors – Try Blue Raspberry!
  • 12kcal, zero sugar, natural colours and flavours
  • Great at increasing focus and boosting performance
  • Available worldwide

Cons

  • Free shipping only after $100 spent

Without a doubt, Sneak’s Energy drinks are some of the best gaming drinks for focus you can buy. They offer a great blend between value, taste, and efficiency.

I’ve had them regularly over the past year and I am yet to get bored of them!

Now, Sneak Energy’s gaming drinks are some of the best gaming energy drinks out there for multiple reasons:

  • They offer some of the best boost in focus and mental sharpness
  • No sudden crash
  • I can drink them regularly
  • Best tasting drinks

Let’s start with the taste. Sneak has the best-tasting gaming energy drinks. My favorite is Raspberry Lemonade, but I recommend starting with the starter pack so you can try out all the flavors.

Sneak taster pack
The taster pack has tons of great flavours!

Besides, Sneak drinks will be super efficient at keeping you focused and energized in your gaming sessions. Like many other drinks they have only 12 kcal and 0g of sugar, but the right blend of active ingredients.

This includes 150mg of caffeine, together with 100mg of L-theanine, 1500mg of L-tyrosine etc. For example, L-tyrosine helps you reduce stress and anxiety, therefore focusing better. Similarly, L-theanine + caffeine is a very powerful combo that increases your attention span, reaction speed and alertness without giving you any jitters.

Note: Sneak also offers Hydrate now, a caffeine free alternative!

Sneak also adds other proven boosters that will definitely have a positive impact on your energy levels, mood and performance. I love how they have a transparent formula and you can safely know what you are getting.

All of this at the affordable price of $1/serving and free shipping in orders above $100 (3 tubs).

Key Stats

  • Calories (kcal): 12
  • Sugar (g): 0
  • Caffeine (mg): 150
  • Price: $1
  • Best Flavour: Blue Raspberry
  • Flavours available: Blue Raspberry, Strawberry Millions, Sour Apples, Tropikilla, Strawberry Watermelon, Stealth, Bubblegum Millions, Purple Storm, Cherry Bombs, Origins Option B, Grape Crush, Neon Punch, Blizzard, and Blankberry.

2. Rogue Energy

Best Tasting

Rogue Energy best tasting energy drink for gamers
Taste95%
Ingredients95%
Boost90%
Price90%

Pros

  • 175mg of caffeine – Ultra boost
  • Proven active ingredients to help you focus and energized
  • Very effective for long gaming sessions
  • Caffeine-free formula also available
  • Pink Lemonade is the best-tasting gaming drink

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
  • 175mg can be a lot for those not used to caffeine

When it comes to deciding what the best gaming drinks are I consider the price, taste and boost to be 3 of the most important factors.

Rogue Energy gaming drinks offer you just that; a perfect blend of great-tasting and efficient gamer drinks.

Like many of the other best energy drink for gamers, Rogue Energy has 0kcal per drink and 0g of sugar. This is perfect to both avoid the sugar crash and make gaming drinks healthier.

However, Rogue Energy packs a whopping 175mg of caffeine per serving, one of the highest in the market. This paired with their energy complex (L-carnitine, l-citrulline, taurine, glucuronolactone) will keep you energized for a longer period of time.

Furthermore, they also add N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, l-phenylalanine, choline L-bitartrate and other active ingredients to enhance your focus. Many of these ingredients have proven effects to enhance brain functioning (see below).

So what about taste? While Rogue Energy might not have as many flavours available as some of the fiercest competitors, the ones they have mix great and taste even better.

The lack of chalkiness and how perfectly mixes took me by surprise. It’s like having the best soda you can imagine, but without bubbles. Plus, I felt no jitters or big crashes after consuming it.

Looking for a caffeine-free boost? Try Rogue Hydrate. This is their caffeine-free formula, but still contains other nootropics to boost your performance.

Key Stats

  • Calories (kcal): 0
  • Sugar (g): 0
  • Caffeine (mg): 175
  • Price: $1.16
  • Starter Pack: Yes.
  • Best Flavour: Pink Lemonade.
  • Flavours available: Pink Lemonade, Mango Pineapple, Watermelon, Cherry Limeade, Blue Raspberry, Grape Popsicle, Strawberry Kiwi, and Green Apple Extreme.

Best Mind Performance Booster

Why not try Hunter Focus nootropic mix for the max boost, and take your gaming seriously?

Ideal to take it alongside your gaming drink, and get better results. Great for long-term performance, too.

WARNING: For serious gamers only!

hunter focus benefits for gmers
Nootropic pills for the ultimate boost in mental focus.

Benefits

This is what I use when I really need to focus on work, or when I’m climbing the ladder. It’s not a drink, but it’s the ultimate recipe for mental performance in my opinion.

Here are some highlights:

  • Improved brain energy for strategic thinking
  • No extra stimulants, so you can take it with your gaming drink
  • Whole brain optimizer, safeguard for long-term brain health
  • Only for those that want to take their gaming to the next level and make use of any advantages they can get
  • Good for competitive gamers and long hours
  • From $1.73/serving

3. Mixt Energy

Most Affordable

Mixt Energy Orange best gaming drink
Taste80%
Ingredients95%
Boost90%
Price95%

Pros

  • Incredibly affordable — $0.5 per serving
  • Noticeable performance boost
  • 166mg of caffeine, 0kcal, 0 sugar
  • Great user reviews
  • 9 delicious flavors

Cons

  • Texture and taste a notch below the top 2
  • Less active ingredients than competitors

Looking for the best deals on gaming drinks? Mixt Energy gaming drinks are prove that good does not mean expensive. For about $0.5 per serving, you can enjoy one of the best energy drinks with a refreshing taste.

While their formula is simpler (with less fancy ingredients) than alternatives; it contains the key ingredients to boost your performance: tons of caffeine, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, and B-vitamins to help you focus.

One thing I like about Mixt is that despite the boost in focus it provides and the caffeine content, I get 0 jitters. There are no nasty side effects, or stomach pains either.

All of this in 9 different flavors, including Fresh Lemonade, Rainbow Candy or Fruit Punch. Each tub will offer you 60 servings; and will cost you about $30.

For me, when testing the products, the taste and texture of Mixt Energy were the weakest links. The drinks are still tasty, but I could feel that didn’t mix as well as Sneak or Rogue.

However, you can enjoy the Premier bundle and try out all the flavors at a discount!

Plus, you can now use the code LATEST for an extra 20% OFF!

Key Stats

  • Calories (kcal): 0
  • Sugar (g): 0
  • Caffeine (mg): 166mg
  • Price: $0.50
  • Starter Packs: No.
  • Best Flavour: Fruit Punch
  • Flavours available: Fresh Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Rainbow Candy, Starfruit Blast, Sour Slurp, Grape Popsicle, Blue Raspberry, and Orange Sherbet.

4. JuJu Energy

High Caffeine

Juju best gaming drink
Taste95%
Ingredients85%
Boost85%
Price90%

Pros

  • You can tell the difference in focus
  • 180mg of caffeine will wake anybody up
  • Surprisingly good taste, and 0 mixability issues
  • Tropical Juggernaut is lit
  • Highly rated by users

Cons

  • Wish it had more of some active ingredients (l-theanine)
  • Might have to pay customs for international purchases

Don’t sleep on Juju Energy Drinks! It’s perhaps less known than some of its competitors, but still an excellent gaming drink.

There are two things that took me by surprise: one, it’s how good they taste. The Tropical Juggernaut is excellent and mixes without any issues.

The second is efficiency. I’ve used it as a pre-workout, for rugby training (really needed for the pre-season struggles) and obviously gaming. On every occasion, I’ve noticed the difference and performed to a higher level than my sluggish self.

Besides, they have really competitive pricing, starting at $1.2/serving, but having a 15% discount for all subscriptions (which not many competitors have).

You can buy tubs of 30 servings or the starter pack ($16); the latter probably being the best way to start.

As it’s made in the US, best-shipping terms will be found there; but they also deliver to Canada and Europe ($100 for free shipping).

Key Stats

  • Calories (kcal): 15
  • Sugar (g): 0
  • Caffeine (mg): 180mg
  • Price: $1.2
  • Starter Packs: Yes.
  • Best Flavour: Tropical Juggernaut.
  • Flavours available: Bomber Pop, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Juggernaut, Cherry Bomb, Grapesicle, Green Apple, Horchata, and Watermelon Crush.

5. Team Command

Best UK Made

Team Command best gaming drink UK
Taste95%
Ingredients85%
Boost85%
Price85%

Pros

  • Mixes well, no chalkiness
  • 150mg of caffeine, vitmin B complex, L-Taurine, L-theanine and cognizin for maximum boost
  • Free next-day UK delivery after £40
  • Cans also available
  • Good taste

Cons

  • Only 4 flavors
  • Not as cheap as the competitors

Team Command is one of the newest gaming drink brands, but they already have 2 superb products. Both the powder and the cans are awesome choices to boost your gaming sessions.

Personally, I think that the cans are slightly better when it comes to texture and taste (it’s like a soft drink); however, the powder is significantly cheaper. In fact, it’s my go-to format, unless I’m feeling fancy.

For both, you will find 4 flavours. I think that Blue Raspberry is the way to go for the tubs, and Citrus for the cans.

But what about the actual performance? From my experience, Team Command’s gaming drink is top-notch. The 150mg of caffeine added to B-vitamins and common active ingredients like L-theanine and taurine will keep you focused.

I look forward to seeing more flavours from Team Command, but without a doubt, it’s one of the best gaming drinks you can buy in the UK. Fast delivery is key!

Key Stats

  • Calories (kcal): 21
  • Sugar (g): 0
  • Caffeine (mg): 150mg
  • Price: £2.3 (can)/£1.1(powder)
  • Starter Packs: Yes.
  • Flavours available: Blue Raspberry (both), Sour Apple (both), Grape (both), Tropical (powder), and Citrus (can).

6. G-Fuel

Most Popular

Best Gaming Drink Popular
Taste90%
Ingredients90%
Boost85%
Price90%

Pros

  • Most flavors – can’t get bored
  • Clear info – no hidden ingredients
  • 15kcal, zero sugars, with antioxidants
  • Cans also available
  • Easy to get

Cons

  • Some flavors are pretty bad
  • Best availability in the US

If you are looking for the best energy drink for gaming; you are probably aware of G-Fuel. They are, indeed, the most popular and beloved gamer drink brand. Why?

Because they make delicious energy drinks for gamers; and they have up to 30 flavours you can choose from. Shiny Splash, Moon Pie, Peach Rings, Sour Nightmare… are just a few of those.

However, it’s not only about the taste. G-Fuel provides you with 140mg of caffeine per serving, 1g of Taurine, 1mg of ATP salt (cell fuel) and 0g of sugars to increase your energy levels while you game. Plus, they add antioxidants to the mix; albeit the levels per serving are very low to be meaningful.

That aside, it’s great to see the transparency G-Fuel offers when it comes to how much of each ingredient you get. This level of professionalism adds trust to their product.

On top of all that, you need to add the cool factor. Simply, there’s no cooler drink than G-Fuel.

Key Stats

  • Calories (kcal): 15
  • Sugar (g): 0
  • Caffeine (mg): 140
  • Price: $0.90
  • Starter Pack: Yes
  • Flavours available: Shiny Splash, Lirik’s 9 Lives, Sour Nightmare Fuel, Faze X, Wumpa Fruit, Sonic’s Peach Rigs, Star Fruit, Moon Pie Flavour, Snow Cone, Hype Sauce, Sour Fazeberry, PewDiePie, Sour Blud Chug Rug, Bubble Gum, Nemesis Tea Flavour, Spicy Demon’ade, Guava, French Vanilla Iced Coffee, Strawberry Banana, Bahama Mama, Battle Juice, Black on Berry, Ragin’ Gummy Fish, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Sherbet, Tropical Rain, Fazeberry, Blue Ice, Watermelon, and Grape.

7. Nau Energy

Caffeine Free

Nau caffeine free gaming drink
Taste85%
Ingredients85%
Boost85%
Price85%

Pros

  • Vegan, no GMO, free of sucralose or ace-k
  • More natural ingredients and taste
  • Free of caffeine
  • Only 36kcal per serving
  • Great boost

Cons

  • 6.6g of sugar per serving
  • More expensive

So far, all the best energy drinks for gaming have been with caffeine. Hence, Nau, a caffeine-free energy drink that you can use to boost your gaming sessions, without troubling your sleep.

Not only that, but Nau offers a more natural formula suitable for vegans, that doesn’t contain tons of artificial sweeteners (only stevia glycosides). Consequently, Nau does contain 6.6g of sugar per serving, but only 36kcal.

Instead of caffeine, Nau uses Spanish sage and garden sage to boost your alertness, as well as L-theanine and lemon balm. These can also help you study since they enhance memory and help with learning.

Sadly, this more natural approach does affect the cost, with each serving costing over $1.25. Nonetheless, you will be able to get free worldwide shipping on orders above $80!

Key Stats

  • Calories (kcal): 36
  • Sugar (g): 6.6 – Sugar free options available
  • Caffeine (mg): 0
  • Price: €1.20
  • Starter Pack: Yes
  • Flavours available: Lemon Balm/Elderberry, Green Apple, Pineapple Twist, and Raspberry/Blueberry.

Nutrition 101 – Understanding Gaming Drinks

Simply put, most video game energy drinks are powdered forms of popular energy drinks like Red Bull or Monster. Their aim is to provide you with a mental boost, increase awareness and focus, as well as, help you reduce fatigue.

In order to do so, gaming drinks rely on active ingredients that stimulate your brain (nootropics); as well as, vitamins and minerals that can produce similar effects.

Gaming drinks, on the other hand, are usually low in calories. Thus, they won’t provide you with energy for physical abilities (fuel to burn); nor they will give you essential nutrients like fats, carbs, or protein. In other words, nootropics won’t provide you with movement points – won’t power your next action-, but they will enhance it.

Understanding Nootropics

Nootropics are boosters or enhancers for your brain; but they don’t provide you with any fuel.

While on it’s own this is a very complex topic, I will cover some of the most popular ingredients seen on gaming drinks:

  • Caffeine. Perhaps the most used nootropic in the world. Caffeine acts in the Central Neural System and increases your alertness. Daily recommended dosage is below 400mg, and long-term consumption is not linked with any negative effects.
  • L-theanine. This is a non-common amino acid that it’s not often present in our diets, and has structural similarities so GABA neurotransmitters. Among other stimulating properties; it’s synergistic effect in cognition and attention when combined with caffeine is why it’s so popular. Albeit, according to Examine.com, for optimal effects you should take 200mg of each.
  • L-tyrosine (N-acetyl tyrosine). Another amino acid that has strong links to stress reduction. It’s the precursor to neurotransmitters such as, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Thus, supplementation might increase mental chemicals and performance under stress.
  • Glucuronolactone. This naturally occurring substance is very common in energy drinks. In conjunction with other nootropics, it has been proven to increased attention, memory and concentration.
  • Choline L-Bitartrate. Choline is a hugely important nutrient with major roles in DNA regulation, cell signaling and early brain development. The reason why it’s found in energy drinks is that it’s needed to produce acetylcholine (neurotransmitter). L-Bitartrate, unfortunately, is the lowest quality source of supplementary choline.

Neurotransmitters: these are signaling molecules or messengers, required for the brain to tell the body what to do.

Other common ingredients found in energy drinks, include- not nootropics:

  • L-carnitine. Carnitine plays a key role in cellular energy production. It’s usually added to increase muscular endurance, but the quantities on energy drinks are too low to have any real impact.
  • Vit B group. This group of 8 essential vitamins have major roles in cellular functioning, helping proper brain function and synthesis of signaling molecules. For instance, vitamin B6 has a key role in the production of GABA neurotransmitters.
  • Vit C. This is another important vitamin, with key roles in regulating brain signaling, as well as, acting as an antioxidant in the brain.

Ingredients To Avoid in Focus & Energy Gaming Drinks

So, are there any ingredients that you should avoid or any nutritional cues you should be on the lookout for?

In short, yes. You will find you that few companies might be giving you a mix that either is useless or hazardous to your health. Here are few things to check:

  • Calories. First and foremost, it is important to be aware of the caloric input of the energy drink. Generally speaking, you don’t want to be drinking calorie rich drinks, since they will provide you low quality energy with very few nutrients. Drinking too many calories can lead to weight gain.
  • Sugar. You will do well looking out for sugars, too. If a gaming drink is rich in calories, it’s likely rich in sugars, too. As a rule of thumb, you don’t want to drink anything with over 10% of your DV in sugars. High sugar diets can lead to putting on weight, diabetes and obesity.
  • Caffeine content. Most energy drinks mentioned above have very high caffeine content (100mg + per serving). Going above 200mg per serving can be dangerous, even more if you are not used to caffeine.
  • Filler ingredients. Finally look out for filler ingredients that might seem out of place. This are often used to cheapen the product and don’t offer anything of value to your drink.

Are Gaming Drinks Bad for You?

Looking at the ingredients above, it must be said that neither of these cause any harm in the levels present in gaming drinks. Even more, most ingredients found in energy drinks for gamers are well below their toxicity levels.

Issue 1 – Tolerance

In spite of that, it must be said that you can build up a tolerance, which will reduce effectiveness and force you to drink more (e.g. caffeine). Increasing the daily servings could have negative effects.

Issue 2 – Not if Under 18

Furthermore, due to most research being done in adults, I would not recommend consuming excessive amounts if you are under 18. Considering that your brain is still developing, some of these active ingredients can have more hazardous effects.

Issue 3 – High in Artificial Sweeteners

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that most of these contain artificial sweeteners, namely acesulfame K and sucralose. While they’ve been deemed safe by the FDA and ESFA, they can cause discomfort (stomach) and might have long term effects (highly unlikely).

Are Gaming Drinks the Same as Regular Energy Drinks?

Energy drinks vs gaming drinks
Some of the most popular energy drinks.

Despite being similar to standard energy drinks, gaming drinks have few key differences:

SimilaritiesDifferences
Similar core ingredients: caffeine, taurine, l-carnitine…Gaming drinks are usually low in calories and have no sugars
Often have really high caffeine contentBest gaming drinks are often sold in powder vs cans –> to be more affordable
Same final aim: to provide you with a mental and physical boostRegular energy drinks contain calories and sugar to provide you with fuel for physical activities
Not advised to consume if under 18Energy drinks for gamers have more flavour options

Therefore, should you use regular energy drinks in your gaming sessions? In theory, they should have a similar effect; but if you decide to do so, I would recommend opting for a sugar free option to reduce the caloric input.

Personally, however, I would buy some of the best gaming energy drinks mentioned above due to them being more affordable, and having more flavours to choose from.

Gaming Drinks vs preworkout
Can gaming drinks be used as pre workout, and/or vice versa? Generally yes, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so. Each have specific ingredients that can have bigger impact when used “properly”.

Are Gaming Drinks the Best Energy Drink Powders?

This depends on what you are looking for, but if you want a Monsters or Redbull alternative in a powder form (because it’s cheaper); then yes. In this case, gaming drinks will be the best energy drink powders.

However, depending on the reason you are looking for an energy drink powder, you might want to look at an option with calories (e.g. you are exercising).

Other popular alternatives for the best energy drink powders are:

More Gaming Supplements

Are you trying to find out all the possible avenues to increase your gaming performance? Or maybe ways to keep your health at check while playing games for long hours? Here are some more supplements that might help you out:

Performance Lab vision gaming supplement

Performance Lab Vision

  • Protect your vision after long hours staring at the screen.
  • Enhances contrast sensitivity, motion detection and hand eye coordination.
  • Helps to reduce screen fatigue.
  • Safe for daily use.
  • Less than $1/serving.
Mind lab pro gaming supplement

Mind Lab Pro

  • Includes most proven nootropics that enhance your metal sharpness.
  • Made in USA and with third party testing for purity and potency.
  • Clear info on each ingredient.
  • Worldwide shipping.

FAQ

What are the side effects of gaming energy drinks?

Consuming energy drinks for gamers should not have any major negative side effects on your health. You might notice a drop-off in energy levels and attention after the effects have worn off, though. Furthermore, long-term continuous consumption might lead to tolerance; hence reducing the effectiveness of energy drinks.

Are there caffeine-free gaming drinks?

There are a few caffeine free energy drinks, but they are not the norm.

Are energy drinks for gamers safe to consume?

As mentioned above, gaming energy drinks are mostly safe to consume for most adults. However, I would recommend careful consumption as an underaged. Plus, consult your doctor if you see any adverse effects.

Will I notice an increase in my gaming performance?

Even the best gaming drinks for focus won’t drastically increase your skills. They will, nonetheless, increase your concentration, energy levels and focus.

Can I use gaming drinks as pre-workout?

Gaming drinks and pre-workouts share many of the same ingredients; thus you might occasionally want to use your gaming drink as pre-workout. However, the latter often contain ingredients like creatine that boost your physical performance, rather than increasing focus or mental awareness.

Conclusion: The Best Gaming Drink is

Sneak Energy. It is affordable, mixes without any issues and most flavours taste great. On top of that Rogue Energy is a great choice, too.

Nonetheless, many of the other top energy drinks for gamers mentioned here are amazing, too. For instance, Nau is the only caffeine-free energy drink on the list. Alternatively, G-Fuel offers more flavours than anybody else; thus, you are likely to find your match.

All in all, the best energy drinks for gamers can give you a boost in focus and mental capacity; but won’t dramatically increase your ability levels. The only way to stop being a noob is by trying harder and learning.

Have a good look at my top picks and enjoy!