Reign vs C4: My Honest Comparison
If you’ve ever stood in front of the energy drink fridge trying to decide between Reign and C4, you’re not alone. On the surface, they both look like sugar-free, workout-friendly energy drinks that promise focus, endurance, and performance. But once you actually start using them, you realize they’re built for slightly different people and different goals.
Some days you want maximum caffeine and long-lasting energy. Other days, you want something that feels more like a true pre-workout with performance ingredients. That’s exactly where the Reign vs C4 debate comes in. Let’s break it all down in simple terms—no hype, no marketing fluff—just how they actually feel, what’s inside them, and who each one is best for.
Reign Total Body Fuel is one of those energy drinks that doesn’t mess around. It’s built for people who want serious energy, whether that’s for brutal workouts, long workdays, or just staying locked in mentally. The big thing with Reign is that it gives you a huge caffeine hit without sugar or calories, which is why a lot of people treat it like a pre-workout in a can.
Each can packs 300 mg of caffeine, which is definitely on the high end. On top of that, it includes BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) to support endurance, plus electrolytes to help with hydration. You’ll also find CoQ10 and B-vitamins, which are meant to support energy production and reduce fatigue. Because of all this, Reign is super popular with people who want strong, clean energy without feeling weighed down by sugar.
Now let’s talk about C4.
C4 is best known as a pre-workout brand, but these days it’s also a very popular ready-to-drink energy option. The idea behind C4 is a bit different from Reign. Instead of just raw energy, C4 focuses more on workout performance, strength, and focus. You can get it as a powder you mix with water or as a canned energy drink you grab on the go.
C4 still gives you caffeine for energy, but it also includes beta-alanine, which helps with muscular endurance (and yes, it’s the ingredient that causes that famous tingly feeling). Some versions also include creatine nitrate to support power and strength, along with focus ingredients like tyrosine for mental clarity. There are several versions of C4, such as Original, Sport, Smart Energy, and Ultimate, each with different caffeine levels and formulas. In short, C4 is made to help you feel more energized specifically for workouts, not just daily energy.
When it comes to ingredients, Reign keeps things pretty straightforward but powerful. It uses carbonated water, citric acid, and natural flavors as the base. The standout ingredient is the 300 mg of caffeine, along with BCAAs, electrolytes like sodium and potassium, CoQ10, and B-vitamins (B3, B6, and B12). It’s sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium, so there’s no sugar, and it also contains preservatives and food colors.
C4 Energy, on the other hand, is more performance-focused. It also starts with carbonated water, citric acid, and natural flavors. The caffeine content is usually around 200 mg, though it varies depending on the version. What really separates C4 is beta-alanine (CarnoSyn®) and tyrosine, which are there to support endurance and focus. It also includes B-vitamins, electrolytes like sodium citrate and potassium citrate, and the same artificial sweeteners used in Reign.
When you compare the two side by side, the differences are pretty clear. Reign hits much harder with caffeine at 300 mg, while C4 sits at a more moderate-to-high level around 200 mg. Both are sugar-free, but Reign has zero calories, whereas C4 usually has a small amount. Reign uses BCAAs for endurance, while C4 relies on beta-alanine and tyrosine for performance and focus. Reign feels more like an all-out energy drink, while C4 feels more like a traditional pre-workout.
Nutrition-wise, a 16-ounce can of Reign has zero calories, zero carbs, zero sugar, and about 200 mg of sodium, along with 300 mg of caffeine. C4 is still very light, but it usually has around 10 calories, a few carbs, and about 200 mg of caffeine. Reign includes BCAAs but no beta-alanine, while C4 is the opposite. Both include electrolytes and B-vitamins.
In real-world use, the experience feels different too. Reign gives you a strong, smooth energy rush that’s great for long workouts or all-day stamina. C4 feels more like a classic pre-workout, especially because beta-alanine can cause that tingling sensation, which some people love and others don’t.
Flavor is another big area where both brands shine. Reign has a massive lineup, especially in its Total Body Fuel (300 mg caffeine) range. You’ll find flavors like Reignbow Sherbet, Orange Dreamsicle, White Gummy Bear, Sour Gummy Worm, Cherry Limeade, Peach Fizz, Mang-o-matic, Watermelon Warlord, and many more. There’s also Reign Storm, which uses 200 mg of plant-based caffeine and includes flavors like Valencia Orange, Kiwi Blend, Peach Nectarine, Guava Strawberry, Mango, and Tropical.
C4 also goes hard on flavors and collaborations. The C4 Performance Energy line includes classics like Frozen Bombsicle, Midnight Cherry, Strawberry Watermelon Ice, Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, and Mango Foxtrot. Then there are collaboration flavors with brands like Jolly Rancher, Hawaiian Punch, Popsicle, Millions, and Starburst, which are basically candy in energy drink form. On top of that, C4 Smart Energy focuses more on mental focus with flavors like Black Cherry, Peach Mango, Electric Sour, and Blood Orange Yuzu. If you want maximum intensity, C4 Ultimate Energy offers high-powered options like Frost Bitten Citrus, Arctic Snow Cone, and Sour Blue Razzilla.
Price-wise, Reign usually sits around $2.48 to $2.49 per can at big retailers, though it can go as high as $3.99 depending on the store. Buying in bulk is cheaper, with 12-packs generally ranging from $29 to $37, and larger packs costing more but lowering the price per can.
C4 pricing is pretty similar overall. Single cans usually fall between $2 and $4, depending on the version. A 12-pack of C4 Performance Energy typically costs $25 to $30, Smart Energy packs can be cheaper, and Ultimate Energy packs tend to be more expensive.
So which one should you pick?
Go with Reign if you want maximum caffeine, zero sugar, zero calories, and long-lasting energy. It’s best for people who are already used to strong energy drinks and need something powerful for long workouts or all-day stamina.
Choose C4 if you’re more focused on pre-workout performance, strength, and mental focus. It’s a great option if you prefer slightly less caffeine, want the benefits of beta-alanine, or are newer to energy drinks and pre-workouts.
At the end of the day, Reign and C4 aren’t really competing for the same exact person—they just happen to sit on the same shelf.
Reign is for those moments when you want raw, powerful energy. With 300 mg of caffeine, zero calories, and BCAAs, it’s built for endurance, long workouts, and all-day stamina. If you’re already comfortable with high caffeine and want something that hits hard and lasts, Reign makes a lot of sense.
C4, on the other hand, feels more like a traditional pre-workout in a can. The caffeine is lower, but the added beta-alanine, tyrosine, and performance-focused ingredients make it ideal for gym sessions, strength training, and focused workouts. It’s especially good if you want energy plus that “locked-in” workout feeling.
So the choice is simple.
If you want maximum energy, go Reign.
If you want pre-workout performance and focus, go C4.
