ZOA has more caffeine than UPTIME Energy: 160mg vs 142mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 18mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
ZOA vs UPTIME Energy: the numbers
| ZOA | UPTIME Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 160mg per 12 oz can | 142mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 13.3mg | 11.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.5 | 2.8 |
Sources: ZOA's figure is verified in our ZOA caffeine guide against ZOA FAQ (source); UPTIME Energy's figure is verified in our UPTIME Energy guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick UPTIME Energy 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
- ZOA: the full caffeine guide
- UPTIME Energy: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does ZOA or UPTIME Energy have more caffeine? ZOA: 160mg per 12 oz can versus 142mg per 12 oz can for UPTIME Energy.
Which is stronger per ounce? ZOA, at about 13.3mg per fluid ounce versus 11.8mg for UPTIME Energy.
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.