5-hour Energy (regular) has more caffeine than Starbucks Refreshers on both counts: 200mg per 1.93 oz shot against 45mg per 16 oz grande, and about 104mg per fluid ounce against 3. 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.
Starbucks Refreshers vs 5-hour Energy (regular): the numbers
| Starbucks Refreshers | 5-hour Energy (regular) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 45mg per 16 oz grande | 200mg per 1.93 oz shot |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 2.8mg | 103.6mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 8.9 | 2.0 |
Sources: Starbucks Refreshers's figure is verified in our Starbucks Refreshers caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source); 5-hour Energy (regular)'s figure is verified in our 5-hour Energy (regular) guide against 5-hour Energy facts page (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: 5-hour Energy (regular) packs roughly 37 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 1.93 oz shot finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks Refreshers when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and 5-hour Energy (regular) 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
- Starbucks Refreshers: 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 Starbucks Refreshers or 5-hour Energy (regular) have more caffeine? 5-hour Energy (regular): 200mg per 1.93 oz shot versus 45mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks Refreshers.
Which is stronger per ounce? 5-hour Energy (regular), at about 103.6mg per fluid ounce versus 2.8mg for Starbucks Refreshers.
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