ZOA has more caffeine than Sun Drop: 160mg vs 64mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 96mg 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.
ZOA vs Sun Drop: the numbers
| ZOA | Sun Drop | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 160mg per 12 oz can | 64mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 13.3mg | 5.3mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.5 | 6.2 |
Sources: ZOA's figure is verified in our ZOA caffeine guide against ZOA FAQ (source); Sun Drop's figure is verified in our Sun Drop guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Sun Drop when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and ZOA 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
FAQ
Does ZOA or Sun Drop have more caffeine? ZOA: 160mg per 12 oz can versus 64mg per 12 oz can for Sun Drop.
Which is stronger per ounce? ZOA, at about 13.3mg per fluid ounce versus 5.3mg for Sun Drop.
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.