I can’t lie, I’ve had this weird personal disdain for the “gamer energy” market. Like anything targeted at gamers, it’s all just marketing and then bullshit.
But caffeine is kinda of our thing over at ninjarefinery.com and, well, I’m a hypocrite due to the sheer amount of more traditional energy drinks that I’ve consumed over the years.
So, taking my contrarian hat off, and inspired by a chat with a member of the Wraith team at FORMAT Liverpool. I’ve dipped my toe into the world of these powder-based caffeine hits. Is gamer energy as good as anyone else’s energy? Probably. So how does it compare to a coffee or other energy drinks?
What’s the crack with gamer energy drinks?
The gamer energy market is bloody huge at this point. More companies are touting their little tubs of powder than anyone can keep track of. Wraith, Sneak, Holy, GFuel and a host of others. They all seem to promise and sell the same stuff. Different flavours, different packaging, but so far as I can tell that’s really where the differences lie.
Shake it to make it. Pop your powder in water, use your branded shaker and boom! Gamer energy that tastes like blue raspberry or blood or some other concoction.
Is it different to Red Bull or Monster? More than I’d realised, but not in a significant way. If you look at the sugar-free options, remove the carbonation. The ingredients aren’t too different. I took an offer on the Sneak store (twice) and got myself some shakers and sachets of powder.
I’m not here to single out Sneak, so I’ll not go into details on flavours etc. That’s all personal preference, anyway. But, let’s look at the ingredients compared to say a sugar-free Red Bull and a black coffee.
Ingredients
| Feature | Sneak | Sugar-Free Red Bull | Black Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine Content | Highest (150mg) | Lowest (80mg) | Moderate (~100mg, varies) |
| Added Ingredients | Amino acids, ginseng | Taurine, B vitamins | None (unless you add to it) |
| Sweeteners | Artificial sweeteners | Artificial sweeteners | None (unless added) |
| Other | Natural flavourings | Carbonated | Antioxidants, natural compounds |
| Healthier Choice? | Potentially, due to added nutrients, but more research is needed on the long-term effects of ingredients. | Potentially, due to lower caffeine, but artificial sweeteners are a concern. | Likely the healthiest, being natural with no artificial ingredients, but caffeine content can vary. |
Important Note: “Healthier” is subjective and depends on individual needs. Someone sensitive to caffeine might find Red Bull the better choice. Someone prioritizing natural ingredients would likely favour coffee. Sneak’s extra nutrients might appeal to those with specific dietary goals. It’s always best to consider your own health, sensitivities, and what you’re looking for in an energy drink when making your decision.
Surprises all-around!
The added amino acids and ginseng are a great touch here, and the high caffeine content is what we all agree is a must for those marathon sessions. Raiding? Caffeine!
Interesting to me is that the Sugar-Free Red Bull is the lowest in caffeine content. This has been a personal dietary mainstay for many many years.
I’ve heard the rationale that it’s cheaper to buy a tub of gamer energy drink powder, but never really agreed, purely because of the bigger outlay that purchasing a whole tub costs. Sure, it’s less than £1 per serving (just), but when you have to spend approximately £40 in one go to get it at that price, it gets expensive. And what if you want more flavours? £40 each time? When will I ever find the time to drink them all?
Now, Sugar-Free Red Bull probably falls in the mid-range at £1.20-£1.50 per can. This makes it cheaper than a gamer energy order consisting of a few sample sachets which tends to push its cost up to £2 per serving. While black coffee, which I’d say offers the most variability, prices range from very affordable when brewed at home to £2.00-£4.00 per cup in a café, so it depends on how you plan to get your java.
Now, if this was a cost-saving exercise, I’d have to factor in my coffee machines and all the costs there to make it at home…..so let’s not focus too heavily on that.
It is interesting though that the average can of Red Bull can still work out cheaper than your standard gamer energy product unless you buy a bulk amount of it. Which then negates the short-term cost. Granted different vendors, offers etc can impact that, but we’ll never get anywhere if we try and monitor the global pricing of massive markets like coffee and Red Bull. So the averages above are fair.
Coffee or energy drinks?
Coffee is a natural caffeine source, full of antioxidants and other benefits. However, it’s not to everyone’s taste. So these sweeter, more accessible on the go drinks have a massive hold in the caffeine market.
A massive array of options exist now. The big boys have the share of the market with cans on shelves across the globe. So what sets these gamer energy brands apart?
I’ve had to eat humble pie throughout this process. The Sneak and Wraith drinks were actually nice. Plus there’s something about having a cool shaker bottle that I really like. Perhaps because generally shakers are used for health/gym beverages, so there’s a sub-conscious association there? Clever!
I’m in no rush to spend £30 – £40 on a tub of powder, still. There’s something that just doesn’t appeal to me. But, the flavours have been great, and the option is solid.
We love coffee, but how much do we actually spend on that per month? A good bag of beans from a small roaster usually starts at £8 for 220g so it’s not exactly cheap. But caffeine and the antioxidants, plus no calories is what works for me. Along with the brew options and process.
Gamer energy is absolutely all marketing, and I still dislike that angle. But the drinks are decent, the caffeine is significant and I’m just an old man shouting into the wind for no good reason.
Choice
We have choice and that’s the important thing. I’m no longer a snob about gamer energy drinks, I’ve enjoyed my little experiment and I’d absolutely get some more sachets on offer if there was a chance. But spending up to £40 on a single tub? No thanks. After all, variety is the spice of life so they say.
Nothing will replace a good old black coffee for me, but my normal energy drinks are likely to die-off a little in lieu of using my shaker, because that just works for me! Some clever gimmick right there.
If you need big caffeine, something like Sneak or Wraith is the way to go. Just don’t over do it, because 150mg is no joke!
Enjoy your options! Try new flavours or try new beans and brewing methods. It’s a great time to find your perfect caffeine delivery system and hit those late night sessions.
For more opinion pieces on all things gaming, including gamer energy drinks, check out our opinion pieces section.
