Energy Drinks · Tool Face-Off

Alani Nu Energy Drink vs Celsius Energy Drink

Quick answer

Both are sugar-free, fitness-focused energy drinks with 200mg caffeine, but Celsius edges ahead with broader retail availability, more flavors, and a stronger clinical-study marketing push. Alani Nu wins on taste satisfaction and aesthetic appeal.

Alani Nu Energy Drink

Pretty cans, punchy flavors, zero sugar guilt

4.2★

Our pick

Celsius Energy Drink

The 'clinically proven' gym bag staple

4.3★

Caffeine per can

200mg

Sugar

Calories

10 kcal

10-15 kcal

Can size

12 fl oz

Price per can (retail)

~$2.29-$2.99

~$1.99-$2.49

Flavor count (approx.)

~20+ flavors

~30+ flavors

Key added ingredients

B vitamins, L-theanine, biotin

MetaPlus blend: ginger, guarana, green tea extract

Clinical studies cited

None

6 university studies (metabolism claims)

Artificial sweeteners

Sucralose

Sucralose + erythritol

Sold at major retailers

Target, Walmart, GNC, Amazon

Costco, Target, Walmart, 7-Eleven, Amazon

Subscription / bulk discount

Yes (alaninutrition.com)

Yes (celsius.com + Amazon Subscribe & Save)

Brand aesthetic / target demo

Millennial/Gen Z women, lifestyle-focused

Fitness & gym crowd, gender-neutral

Alani Nu Energy Drink

Availability★★★½☆

Value for Money★★★½☆

Branding & Packaging★★★★★

Energy & Performance★★★★☆

Taste & Flavor Variety★★★★★

Ingredients & Transparency★★★★☆

Celsius Energy Drink

Availability★★★★★

Value for Money★★★★☆

Branding & Packaging★★★½☆

Energy & Performance★★★★½

Taste & Flavor Variety★★★★☆

Ingredients & Transparency★★★★½

Worth knowing

Both cans deliver exactly 200mg of caffeine — about 2 standard cups of coffee in a single sip-able package.
Celsius has been sold since 2004; Alani Nu launched in 2018 and blew up almost entirely via Instagram and influencer marketing.
Celsius secured a massive $75 million investment from PepsiCo in 2022, turbocharging its retail footprint overnight.
Alani Nu is co-founded by fitness influencer Katy Hearn and has leaned hard into the 'pretty can = pick me up' niche.
Neither drink is FDA-approved as a metabolism booster — Celsius settled a class-action lawsuit in 2022 over those claims for $7.8 million.

Celsius's 'clinically proven to boost metabolism' claim got it sued — turns out funding your own university studies is a gray area. The cans still say it though.

If you want

You care about taste above everything else

Alani Nu's flavor game (Tropsicle, Mimosa, Cosmic Stardust) is consistently rated more enjoyable in consumer taste tests.

→ Pick Alani Nu Energy Drink

If you want

You want the best deal and widest availability

Celsius is cheaper per can, sold almost everywhere, and available in Costco bulk packs for the truly caffeinated.

→ Pick Celsius Energy Drink

If you want

You want extra functional ingredients beyond caffeine

Celsius's MetaPlus blend adds green tea extract and guarana for a slightly more layered energy effect.

→ Pick Celsius Energy Drink

If you want

You want a drink that doubles as an aesthetic Instagram prop

Alani Nu's pastel, eye-catching can design is unmatched — your feed will thank you.

→ Pick Alani Nu Energy Drink

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.