NOS Energy has more caffeine than English breakfast tea on both counts: 160mg per 16 oz can against 47mg per 8 oz cup, and about 10mg per fluid ounce against 6. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
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.
English breakfast tea vs NOS Energy: the numbers
| English breakfast tea | NOS Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 47mg per 8 oz cup | 160mg per 16 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 5.9mg | 10.0mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 8.5 | 2.5 |
Sources: English breakfast tea's figure is verified in our English breakfast tea caffeine guide against Twinings published figure (source); NOS Energy's figure is verified in our NOS Energy guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick English breakfast tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and NOS Energy 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
- English breakfast tea: the full caffeine guide
- NOS Energy: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does English breakfast tea or NOS Energy have more caffeine? NOS Energy: 160mg per 16 oz can versus 47mg per 8 oz cup for English breakfast tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? NOS Energy, at about 10.0mg per fluid ounce versus 5.9mg for English breakfast tea.
Comparing caffeine? The caffeine comparison tool puts hundreds of drinks side by side, and the caffeine curfew calculator can check your cutoff time for tonight.