C4 Energy Drinks: Cellucor Crushed the Competition?

Man, I used to be so sick of energy drinks that didn’t work. Then, I found C4 Energy Drinks. This liquid gold contains 200mg of caffeine in each can and can kickstart my day.

That said, I need something with at least 200mg of caffeine to get me going (especially as a pre-workout supplement,) and some drink brands simply don’t put enough caffeine in their formulas.

After downing one of the C4 energy drinks, I feel more awake and focused. If you’re looking for a drink that actually delivers, give C4 from Cellucor a shot. I can say from experience it’s made a huge difference for me.

But let’s dive a little deeper into these drinks. I’m going to give you the good and the bad so that you can decide if C4 energy drinks are for you or if you should keep looking for something.

Key Takeaways

  • C4 Energy Drinks have 200-300mg caffeine per can and zero sugar.
  • Popular flavors include Jolly Rancher Green Apple and Watermelon, Skittles, and Starburst.
  • Key ingredients are beta-alanine (CarnoSyn®) and betaine (BetaPower®) for better workouts.
  • Some drawbacks are potential jitters from caffeine and the use of artificial sweeteners.
c4 energy drinks
Image Credit: Amazon/C4

C4 Energy Drinks: What Sets Them Apart?

Point blank… I love C4 energy drinks. End of story. Case closed. They’re my daily go-to for a boost.

C4 energy drinks have 200mg of caffeine per can. That’s a solid kick in the pants without going overboard.

The zero sugar, zero carb formula keeps me lean without adding all those liquid calories that none of us need.

Plus, the taste is amazing — JOLLY RANCHER Watermelon and the Popsicle Grape are my favorites.

C4 offers more than just caffeine. It packs beta-alanine and betaine for better workouts and to improve blood flow since it can help increase nitric oxide levels (and it’s even NSF certified for sport).

The Ultimate line ups the ante with 300 milligrams of caffeine. I’ve tried other brands, but C4’s mix of performance and taste keeps me coming back.

c4 energy drinks
Image Credit: Amazon/C4

I love C4 Energy Drinks. They come in so many tasty flavors. My favorites are the candy-inspired ones and the Popsicle flavors. If you haven’t tried them, you’re missing out.

1. Jolly Rancher Green Apple

I drink C4 PERFORMANCE ENERGY® X JOLLY RANCHER™ Green Apple at least 1-2 times a week. This flavor rocks! It tastes just like the candy but with zero sugar. Each 16 oz can packs 200mg of caffeine, giving me a solid energy and endurance boost.

The best part? No carbs at all in this pre-workout drink. It’s perfect before or pre workout or when I need a pick-me-up. The green apple taste is spot-on, and it keeps me going all day. I actually look at it as a “treat” when I want something sweet.

2. Skittles and Starburst Collaborations

C4 Energy drinks now come in Skittles and Starburst flavors. You can find it at over 45,000 shops, which makes them convenient when you need to replenish your stockpile. And when I say stockpile, I’m talking about the 20+ cases that I currently have at my office.

The Skittles flavor is a hit with my gym buddies and clients.

Starburst fans get four choices: Strawberry, Cherry, Orange, and Lemon. Each can contains 200 milligrams of caffeine — perfect for my pre-workout boost or to get me going in the morning before jumping in the office.

These fun flavors make my daily C4 habit even more enjoyable.

3. Hawaiian Punch and Popsicle Editions

I love C4’s Hawaiian Punch and Popsicle flavors. They’re my go-to drinks for energy and taste. C4 teamed up with Unilever’s Popsicle brand to create three amazing flavors: Cherry, Grape, and Hawaiian Punch.

Each can has 200mg of caffeine and CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine. The lineup includes Grape Popsicle (my absolute favorite), Hawaiian Pineapple, Orange Creamsicle, and Cherry Popsicle.

C4 energy drinks also come in Hawaiian Punch flavors like Fruit Juicy Red.

These drinks give me a big boost for workouts and taste great, too.

C4 Performance Energy Core Ingredients and Formulation

c4 energy drinks
Image Credit: Amazon/C4

I love C4 energy drinks! They pack a punch with caffeine, beta-alanine, and betaine. I drink them daily for a boost as well as for exercise performance.

Want to know more about what’s inside each can? Let’s dive a little deeper on Cellucor’s C4 drinks!

1. 200mg to 300mg caffeine ranges

I drink C4 energy drinks daily. They pack a punch with 200 to 300mg of caffeine per can. C4 Energy has 200mg, while C4 Ultimate ups it to 300mg. This range hits the sweet spot for my workouts, so I keep at least one 12-pack around of the Ultimate for when I need that added caffeine boost.

It gives me a solid energy boost without jitters. I’ve tried other brands, and they fall in the same caffeine range, but C4 stands out for its taste and how it makes me feel.

For the record, don’t try Wired Energy Drinks — the flavor about killed me. If you’re going to try something other than C4 energy drinks, give Ghost or 3D a try.

The caffeine kick helps me push harder at the gym. I feel more focused and alert during my sets. Plus, it helps me power through long workouts without crashing.

2. Beta-alanine and betaine for performance

C4 energy drinks pack a punch with trademarked versions of beta-alanine and betaine. These ingredients boost my workouts big time. Beta-alanine helps my muscles last longer. Betaine gives me more power and strength.

A study showed that using both ingredients together can improve lean body mass and reduce body fat. That’s why I love C4 — it’s not just tasty, it works.

I drink C4 daily and see real results. My muscles feel less tired during tough sets. I can lift heavier weights and do more reps.

The best part? My testosterone levels have gone up since I started using C4. Ok, that part isn’t true. Just checking to make sure you’re paying attention. I’m old as hell, and the only way my test levels are going up is if I would jump on TRT.

This drink isn’t just hype — it’s backed by science and my own experience. For serious workouts and results, C4 is my go-to.

3. Zero sugar and artificial dye-free options

One of the main things I like about C4 energy drinks is that the zero sugar option is perfect for my fitness goals. No guilt, just pure energy. The drinks are also free from artificial dyes.

This means I get clean energy without extra junk. C4 uses natural flavors to make their drinks taste great. I enjoy the fruity taste without worrying about hidden sugars or colors.

It’s a win-win for my workouts and my health.

C4 Energy Drinks Provide a Performance and Energy Boost

c4 energy drinks
Image Credit: Amazon/C4

I drink C4 energy drinks every day. They give me a big boost. The 200mg to 300mg of caffeine wakes me up fast. My workouts feel stronger, too. The beta-alanine makes my muscles work harder.

I don’t crash later like with other drinks. C4 keeps me going for hours. The zero sugar options are great for staying lean.

C4 energy drinks mix performance and taste so well.

Taste Test: How Do Cellucor C4 Energy Drinks Compare?

C4 energy drinks taste amazing. I drink them daily and love the flavors. My top picks are Frozen Bombsicle and Sour Gummy Splash. They’re sweet but not too sweet. The fizz is just right — not flat, not too bubbly.

In my opinion, C4 beats other brands in taste tests and can go head-to-head with brands like Ghost in the flavor department. The Starburst and Skittles flavors are spot-on and fun to drink.

These drinks give me a great boost without jitters. I feel alert and focused for hours after drinking one. The 200-300mg of caffeine works fast. Beta-alanine and betaine help my workouts, too.

C4 mixes well — no chalky taste or gritty texture. It’s smooth and easy to drink, even during intense exercise.

C4 Energy Drinks vs. Competitors

C4 Energy Drinks stand out in the crowded market. I drink them daily and love the benefits. Below is how they compare to competitors. Pricing is pulled from Amazon for one-time purchase and when not on sale.

FeatureC4 Energy DrinkGhost Energy DrinkMonster Energy Zero Ultra
  Price per serving  $2.33  $2.49  $1.66
  Calories per serving  5  5  10
  Caffeine content  200mg  200mg  150mg
  Key ingredients  CarnoSyn, BetaPower  CarniPure, Alpha-GPC, NeuroFactorTaurine
  Unique features  Zero sugar, dye-free options  Natural caffeine, nootropics  Budget-friendly

C4 Energy Drinks offer a strong caffeine kick. The zero sugar and dye-free options appeal to health-conscious consumers. While the middle of the road from a price standpoint, the brand’s popularity and taste make it worth the cost for many.

Do C4 Energy Drinks Have Any Potential Drawbacks?

Now, I told you I was going to tell you about both the good and the bad of C4 energy drinks. And I must admit they have some drawbacks.

The 200mg of caffeine can make you jittery if you’re not careful or you’re somewhat sensitive to stimulants. Sometimes, it can make you feel anxious, or your heart races after drinking one.

Also, C4 uses artificial sweeteners like sucralose. These might not sit well with everyone’s stomach. The drink doesn’t list exact amounts of key pre-workout ingredients, which bugs me as a fitness buff.

I wish I knew how much of each ingredient I’m getting. Still, these minor issues don’t stop me from enjoying my daily C4 boost.

Final Verdict: Did Cellucor C4 Energy Drinks Crush the Competition?

C4 energy drinks are amazing! The taste is great, and they help me crush my workouts and day. With zero sugar and 200mg of caffeine, C4 keeps me going strong.

Cellucor nailed it with these drinks — they’re my top pick for energy and focus. You can also check out their other C4 drinks like C4 Smart Energy Drink or even their C4 pre-workout powder if you’re in the market for a powdered version.

Check out the various C4 supplements over on the C4 website or on Amazon for even better pricing.

And Cellucor… if you’re reading this, I’d love to have you as a site sponsor and be the official energy drink of Weik Fitness!


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Matt Weik

Matt Weik, BS, CPT, CSCS, CSN, is the Owner and Head Keyboard Banger of Weik Fitness. He is a well-respected, prolific writer with a global following and a self-proclaimed fitness and supplement nerd. Matt’s content has been featured on thousands of websites, 100+ magazines, and he has authored over a dozen published books.