Quick answer: the energy in an energy drink comes from caffeine, not bubbles. The difference is how it feels to drink. Fizzy drinks are sharp and gassy and best drunk quickly; still drinks are smooth, easier to sip over a long session, and won't leave you burping or bloated.
What is a still energy drink?
A still energy drink is a non-carbonated energy drink: caffeine and other ingredients in a flat, water-like drink instead of a fizzy one. It's a small category in the UK. Of the seven popular cans we compared in our best energy drinks UK guide, six are fizzy.
Still vs fizzy at a glance
| Still energy drink | Fizzy energy drink | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the energy comes from | Caffeine | Caffeine |
| Mouthfeel | Smooth, like flavoured water | Sharp, gassy bite |
| Best drunk | Sipped over an hour or more | Quickly, before it goes flat |
| Burping and bloating | No gas to release | Can leave some people bloated |
| During sport or training | Easy to drink mid-session | Harder to gulp when you're moving |
| Once opened | Tastes the same an hour later | Goes flat |
Does carbonation make an energy drink work better?
No. The lift comes from the caffeine. Carbonation adds a sharper, more acidic bite that can make a drink feel stronger, but it doesn't add energy. The caffeine dose on the label is what matters.
Why fizzy drinks can leave you bloated
Fizzy drinks release carbon dioxide in your stomach. That's why some people burp or feel bloated after one, especially when drinking quickly or while moving around. A still drink has no gas to release, which is why many people find it easier to drink during a long workday, a gym session or a padel match.
Who still energy drinks suit best
- Long desk days: sip one through the afternoon instead of downing it.
- Sport and training: see the best drink for padel and gym energy drinks.
- Anyone who finds fizzy drinks uncomfortable or just doesn't like the gassy bite.
Where PÜRCHARGE fits
PÜRCHARGE is a still energy water and never carbonated. Each 330ml can has 125mg of caffeine from green coffee, 3.8g of sugar, L-theanine (from green tea extract), enXtra®, rhodiola, Panax ginseng, electrolytes, nine vitamins. Caffeine contributes to increased alertness and improved concentration. Not for under-16s, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Max two cans a day.
Curious about the category? Read what is energy water, or shop the range.
FAQs
Why does my still energy drink go "psshht" when I open it?
Some still drinks, including PÜRCHARGE, have a small amount of nitrogen added before sealing to keep the can firm. You hear it escape when you open the can, but the drink itself has no bubbles.
Are still energy drinks better than fizzy ones?
They give the same energy for the same caffeine dose. Still drinks are easier to sip slowly and won't leave you gassy; fizzy drinks suit people who like the bite. Check the sugar and caffeine either way.
Do still energy drinks have less caffeine?
Not necessarily. Caffeine varies by brand, not by fizz. PÜRCHARGE has 125mg a can, more than a 250ml Red Bull at 80mg.
