Reign vs Celsius: My Honest Comparison
I didn’t set out to compare Reign Total Body Fuel and Celsius. It just sort of happened after I realized they kept showing up in my fridge for very different reasons. Some days I wanted a serious kick before a workout. Other days I just needed something to sip on instead of coffee without feeling wired or gross afterward. Over time, I started to notice how differently these two drinks made me feel, even though they’re both marketed as “better-for-you” energy options. So this isn’t a lab test or a brand breakdown from a marketing angle. It’s just my honest experience drinking both and figuring out when one works better for me than the other.
What Is Reign Total Body Fuel?
Reign Total Body Fuel is a high-stimulant, performance-focused energy drink from Coca-Cola, and in my experience, it’s clearly made for people who already have a pretty high caffeine tolerance. This isn’t something I grab just to sip on while answering emails.
It comes in a 16-oz can and packs a serious 300 mg of caffeine. There’s no sugar, which I appreciate, and the branding leans hard into fitness. Reign markets itself with added BCAAs, electrolytes, CoQ10, and B-vitamins, all things you usually see in pre-workout supplements.
That’s honestly how it feels to me when I drink it. Reign sits much closer to a pre-workout than a casual daily energy drink. When I open one, it’s usually because I’m about to train, need to power through something physical, or know I’m going to need sustained intensity, not just a mild pick-me-up.
What Is Celsius?
Celsius is a zero-sugar fitness energy drink that feels a lot more approachable in everyday situations. It’s usually sold in 12-oz slim cans, and the whole vibe is lighter and more lifestyle-focused compared to something like Reign.
What Celsius really leans on is its ingredient list. It talks a lot about clinically studied ingredients, plant-based caffeine sources, and vitamins meant to support energy and metabolism. Whether all of that matters on a scientific level is debatable, but from my experience, it definitely feels cleaner and less aggressive.
I see Celsius everywhere, at the gym, in office fridges, and even at social stuff where people want energy without going full energy drink mode. I use it both as a mild pre-workout and as a daytime pick-me-up when coffee sounds unappealing. It’s popular with calorie-conscious and gym-focused people for a reason. It gives me a noticeable boost without making me feel like I’ve crossed into pre-workout territory.
Electrolyte Amounts (Exact Numbers per Can)
Here’s how the electrolyte content breaks down based on what’s actually in each can:
| Nutrient | Reign Total Body Fuel (16 oz) | Celsius (12 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | ~200–220 mg | ~0–5 mg |
| Potassium | ~70 mg | Minimal |
| Magnesium | Small amount | Trace |
| Calcium | — | ~50 mg |
My take
This is one area where Reign clearly does more. I actually notice the difference when I drink it before or during a tough workout. The sodium alone makes it feel more functional, especially if I’m sweating a lot.
That said, even Reign doesn’t fully replace a real sports hydration drink. It helps, but it’s not something I’d rely on for long endurance sessions or heavy electrolyte loss.
Celsius, on the other hand, isn’t an electrolyte drink at all in its standard form. When I drink it, I’m doing it for energy and flavor, not hydration. If electrolytes matter to you, Celsius really doesn’t move the needle here.
Caffeine Content
Here’s the straight comparison on caffeine, which honestly ends up being one of the biggest deciding factors for me.
| Drink | Caffeine per can |
|---|---|
| Reign Total Body Fuel | 300 mg |
| Celsius | 200 mg (Essentials: ~270 mg) |
Reign hits hard. At 300 mg in a single can, it’s very high and gets pretty close to the FDA’s recommended daily upper limit of 400 mg. When I drink Reign, I’m fully aware that I’m committing to that level of stimulation. It’s intense, fast-acting, and not something I’d stack with coffee or another energy drink.
Celsius feels more manageable day to day. The standard 200 mg puts it roughly in the range of two strong cups of coffee, which for me is energizing without being overwhelming. Even the Celsius Essentials version at around 270 mg still feels more controlled than Reign.
My verdict: Reign wins if you want maximum stimulation and don’t mess around with caffeine. Celsius wins for better daily tolerance and situations where I don’t want to feel like I’ve crossed the point of no return.
Sugar and Carbohydrate Content
From a sugar standpoint, there’s no real difference between Reign Total Body Fuel and Celsius. Both have 0 grams of sugar, and both rely on sucralose and acesulfame potassium for sweetness. For me, that makes this a tie unless you personally try to avoid artificial sweeteners altogether. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, neither drink is going to win.
Carbs are also basically a non-issue. Reign has around 3 grams of total carbs per can, while Celsius usually falls in the 0 to 2 gram range depending on the flavor. In real-world terms, I’ve never noticed any difference in how either one affects my energy or blood sugar. The carb content in both is negligible and doesn’t meaningfully impact blood sugar levels.
Ingredients Breakdown
When I look at the ingredient lists, this is where the personality difference between the two really shows up.
Reign’s formula is built for intensity. You’re getting 300 mg of caffeine sourced from green coffee extract, plus BCAAs like L-leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are usually associated with muscle support and recovery. It also includes Coenzyme Q10, electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, and a standard lineup of B-vitamins (B3, B6, B12). Add in artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and the whole thing reads much more like a canned pre-workout than a casual energy drink. When I drink Reign, I can feel that it’s designed to push performance, not just keep me awake.
Celsius takes a different approach. Its 200 mg of caffeine comes from green tea and guarana, which feels smoother to me overall. It also includes green tea extract with EGCG, ginger root extract, chromium, vitamin C, and a full B-vitamin complex. The ingredient list feels more wellness-leaning and metabolism-focused, even if some of those benefits are subtle in real life. Like Reign, it uses artificial sweeteners, but the overall blend feels lighter and more balanced.
In short, Reign’s ingredients feel engineered for maximum output, while Celsius feels designed to support steady energy and daily use. I don’t read these labels and expect the same experience, and in practice, I definitely don’t get one.
Health & Wellness Benefits (Reality Check)
This is where I try to separate marketing language from what I actually feel when I drink these.
Reign
Pros:
Reign delivers a strong alertness and performance boost, no question. When I need to be locked in or push hard during a workout, it does exactly that. It’s also zero sugar and low calorie, which makes it easier to fit into a fitness-focused routine. The ingredient list looks solid on paper and clearly targets performance.
Limitations:
That said, the BCAAs and CoQ10 are present in fairly small amounts, so I don’t expect them to meaningfully impact recovery or long-term health. The electrolytes help a bit but aren’t anywhere near what you’d want for endurance training. And the very high caffeine can be a downside. If I’m not careful with timing, Reign can make me feel jittery or overstimulated.
Celsius
Pros:
Celsius feels more balanced. It uses clinically studied ingredients like EGCG paired with caffeine, and the lower caffeine content compared to Reign makes it easier for me to tolerate regularly. It also fits cleanly into calorie-controlled diets, which is one reason it’s so popular.
Limitations:
The metabolism and fat-burning claims are often overstated in my opinion. I don’t notice anything dramatic beyond the energy boost. It also offers minimal electrolytes, so hydration support is basically nonexistent. Overall, the benefits are real but modest. Helpful, not transformative.
In real life, neither drink is a health product in the traditional sense. Reign is about performance and stimulation. Celsius is about steady energy and diet-friendly convenience. Which one feels “healthier” really depends on how and how often you use it.
Price Comparison (U.S. Averages)
When it comes to price, this is one area where the difference actually adds up over time.
| Drink | Price per can |
|---|---|
| Reign Total Body Fuel | ~$2.50–$3.50 |
| Celsius | ~$1.97–$2.50 |
In my experience, Celsius is almost always the cheaper option, especially if you buy it in bulk from warehouse stores or online. Reign isn’t outrageously expensive, but it does tend to sit on the higher end of the energy drink price range. If you drink these regularly, Celsius is easier on the wallet.
Flavor & Taste
This is obviously subjective, but my experience with these two is pretty consistent.
Reign Total Body Fuel flavors are bold, candy-like, and very sweet. It’s clearly designed to hit hard in both taste and stimulation. Popular options like Reignbow Sherbet, Melon Mania, and Razzle Berry taste almost like liquid candy. I enjoy them when I’m in the mood for something intense, but some flavors do have a noticeable artificial aftertaste that can linger.
Celsius goes the opposite direction. The flavors are lighter, more citrus-forward, and less sweet overall. Ones like Playa Vibe, Retro Vibe, and Spritz Vibe feel more refreshing, especially when they’re ice cold. That said, Celsius can be hit or miss depending on the flavor. Some are great, others I probably wouldn’t buy again.
If I want something bold and dessert-like, Reign wins. If I want something I can sip without getting palate fatigue, Celsius is usually the safer pick for me.
Customer Experience
From a day-to-day usability standpoint, both drinks are easy to find and easy to fit into a routine, but they still feel aimed at slightly different people.
Availability is a wash. Reign Total Body Fuel and Celsius are both widely available at grocery stores, gas stations, gyms, and online. I’ve never gone looking for either and come up empty.
Where they differ is brand appeal and overall experience. Reign leans hard into a hardcore, performance-first fitness image. The 16 oz can feels big and purposeful, like something I commit to finishing. My satisfaction with Reign tends to be flavor-dependent. When I like a flavor, I really like it. When I don’t, it’s tough to get through the can.
Celsius feels more lifestyle- and gym-oriented. The slimmer 12 oz can is easier to drink casually, and I don’t feel as locked into it once I open one. Overall satisfaction is more consistent for me. Even if a flavor isn’t amazing, it’s usually still drinkable and refreshing enough to finish without thinking about it too much.
Which One Should You Choose?
After spending a lot of time with both, this is how I’d break it down.
Choose Reign Total Body Fuel if:
- You want maximum caffeine in a single can
- You’re already an experienced energy drink user
- You like bold, sweet, candy-style flavors
- You want something that feels closer to a pre-workout than a drink
Reign is what I reach for when I need to go all in. It’s not subtle, and it’s not meant to be. When I need that level of stimulation, nothing else here really compares.
Choose Celsius if:
- You want high energy without pushing into extreme caffeine territory
- You drink energy drinks daily or close to it
- You prefer lighter, fruitier, more refreshing flavors
- You want a better balance between price and regular use
Celsius is the one I default to more often. It fits into normal days better, costs a bit less, and gives me enough energy without feeling like I’ve hit a hard ceiling. For most people, most of the time, that balance matters more than raw power.
Final Thoughts
After going back and forth between these two, I don’t really see this as a “one is better” situation. It’s more about context.
Reign Total Body Fuel is what I use when I need to be fully switched on. It’s intense, strong, and very deliberate. I don’t drink it casually, and I don’t drink it often, but when I need a serious push, it does exactly what it promises.
Celsius fits into my life more naturally. It’s easier to drink, easier to tolerate, and easier to justify day to day. The energy is real, just not overwhelming, and that makes it more versatile.
If you’re choosing between them, think less about the label claims and more about how you actually plan to use the drink. Big workouts and heavy stimulation point toward Reign. Daily energy and consistency point toward Celsius. I keep both around for a reason.
