Monster vs NOS Energy vs Rockstar Original: which has more caffeine?

Monster has the most caffeine of the three at 160mg per 16 oz can, NOS Energy sits in the middle at 160mg, and Rockstar Original has the least at 160mg. The servings are identical, so the per-can numbers settle it outright: a 0mg spread from top to bottom.

Monster vs NOS Energy vs Rockstar Original: the numbers

Sources: Monster is 160mg per 16 oz can per Caffeine Informer (source), and the figure is carried in our Monster guide; NOS Energy is 160mg per 16 oz can per Caffeine Informer (source), and the figure is carried in our the caffeine database; Rockstar Original is 160mg per 16 oz can per Caffeine Informer (source), and the figure is carried in our Rockstar Original guide.

What a 0mg spread actually feels like

All three come in the same 16 oz can, so the gap is the whole difference. 0mg is less than half a cup of brewed coffee, which is the easiest way to size it if you already know your coffee tolerance. Switching from Rockstar Original to Monster once a day changes your weekly intake by about 0mg.

The three head-to-head pages

Each pairing has its own page with the full math:

• Monster vs NOS Energy, head to head
• Monster vs Rockstar Original, head to head
• NOS Energy vs Rockstar Original, head to head

Which one should you pick?

Take Rockstar Original when you want the smallest dose of the three, NOS Energy when you want a middle number without thinking about it, and Monster when you actually want the 160mg and know how you handle it. If you drink more than one caffeinated thing a day, the useful move is adding the day up against the 400mg reference rather than judging each drink alone.

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

• The verified caffeine database
• Every drink compared: the comparisons index
• Compare any two of 120+ drinks

FAQ

Which has the most caffeine, Monster, NOS Energy or Rockstar Original? Monster, at 160mg per 16 oz can. NOS Energy has 160mg per 16 oz can and Rockstar Original has 160mg per 16 oz can.

Which of the three is strongest per ounce? Monster, at about 10mg per fluid ounce, ahead of NOS Energy at 10mg and Rockstar Original at 10mg.

How many Monster servings reach the FDA 400mg reference? About 2.5 of them, at 16 oz can each. The FDA cites 400mg a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. This is information, not advice.