C4 Smart Energy vs Starbucks Pike Place (grande): which has more caffeine?

Starbucks Pike Place (grande) has more caffeine than C4 Smart Energy: 310mg vs 200mg in the same 16 oz grande. That is a 110mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.

These are different categories of drink, which changes how the caffeine arrives. Energy drinks and sodas list an exact number because caffeine is a measured additive; brewed drinks vary with the beans and the brew, so their figures are compiled averages. The numbers here are the standard published values for each.

C4 Smart Energy vs Starbucks Pike Place (grande): the numbers

Sources: C4 Smart Energy's figure is verified in our C4 Smart Energy caffeine guide against Cellucor / Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks Pike Place (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks Pike Place (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).

Which one should you pick?

Pick C4 Smart Energy when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Pike Place (grande) when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.

For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.

Related reading

• C4 Smart Energy: the full caffeine guide
• Starbucks Pike Place (grande): the full caffeine guide
• The verified caffeine database
• Every drink compared: the comparisons index
• Compare any two of 120+ drinks

FAQ

Does C4 Smart Energy or Starbucks Pike Place (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks Pike Place (grande): 310mg per 16 oz grande versus 200mg per 16 oz can for C4 Smart Energy.

Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Pike Place (grande), at about 19.4mg per fluid ounce versus 12.5mg for C4 Smart Energy.