Death Wish Coffee (brewed) carries more total caffeine per serving (300mg per 8 oz brewed vs 200mg per 1.93 oz shot), but ounce for ounce 5-hour Energy (regular) is actually the stronger drink at about 104mg per fluid ounce against 38. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
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.
Death Wish Coffee (brewed) vs 5-hour Energy (regular): the numbers
| Death Wish Coffee (brewed) | 5-hour Energy (regular) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 300mg per 8 oz brewed | 200mg per 1.93 oz shot |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 37.5mg | 103.6mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.3 | 2.0 |
Sources: Death Wish Coffee (brewed)'s figure is verified in our Death Wish Coffee (brewed) caffeine guide against Death Wish Coffee published figure (source); 5-hour Energy (regular)'s figure is verified in our 5-hour Energy (regular) guide against 5-hour Energy facts page (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick 5-hour Energy (regular) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Death Wish Coffee (brewed) 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
- Death Wish Coffee (brewed): the full caffeine guide
- 5-hour Energy (regular): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Death Wish Coffee (brewed) or 5-hour Energy (regular) have more caffeine? Death Wish Coffee (brewed): 300mg per 8 oz brewed versus 200mg per 1.93 oz shot for 5-hour Energy (regular).
Which is stronger per ounce? 5-hour Energy (regular), at about 103.6mg per fluid ounce versus 37.5mg for Death Wish Coffee (brewed).
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