C4 vs Monster Energy:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Monster Energy had more branded searches than C4 among energy drink brands in New Zealand. Monster Energy had about 6,330 branded searches, while C4 had 690. Monster Energy made up 22.1% of all energy drink brand searches we track, and C4 accounted for 2.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about energy drink brands, Monster Energy appeared in three of the five answers and C4 in two. Monster Energy was mentioned before C4 in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Monster Energy, about 9 searches for every 1 for C4
Who does AI mention more?
Monster Energy, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, C4 in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Monster Energy, named ahead of C4 in 3 of 4 answers
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Top energy drink brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Monster Energy was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. C4 was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Monster Energy was listed before C4 in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Red Bull5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- V Energy3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Monster Energy3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Mother2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
C42 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Prime0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about energy drink brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which energy drink brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best energy drink brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best energy drink brand in New Zealand for a quick boost?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“energy drink brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best energy drink”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is C4 or Monster Energy more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for C4 and Monster Energy by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six energy drink brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Monster Energy, C4. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Red Bull | V Energy | Monster Energy | Mother | Prime | C4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 52.5% | 17.7% | 21.2% | 3% | 4.1% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 57.1% | 16.2% | 17.7% | 2.8% | 4.6% | 1.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 45.9% | 22.8% | 19.8% | 4.2% | 5% | 2.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 43% | 24.7% | 22.8% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.3% | 22.6% | 23.8% | 4.3% | 3.4% | 1.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.5% | 23.3% | 22% | 5.4% | 3.8% | 1.9% |
| May 2026 | 40.8% | 24% | 24.1% | 5.1% | 4% | 2% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.1% | 23.1% | 21.6% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 51% | 18.7% | 17.4% | 3.5% | 7.5% | 1.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.1% | 24.9% | 23.3% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 2.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 43.4% | 26.2% | 22% | 4.1% | 2.5% | 1.8% |
| Oct 2026 | 42.7% | 24.5% | 22.1% | 5.3% | 3% | 2.4% |
How has branded search for C4 and Monster Energy changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Monster Energy was ahead of C4 in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, C4’s share of searches among energy drink brands in New Zealand moved from 1.6% to 2.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450 to 690.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Monster Energy’s share of searches among energy drink brands in New Zealand moved from 21.2% to 22.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6K to 6.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand energy drink brands in October 2026?
1 change
In October 2026, C4 gained share of searches among energy drink brands in New Zealand, from 1.8% to 2.4%.
How are C4’s and Monster Energy’s branded searches counted?
12 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using C4’s and Monster Energy’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
C4
4 branded search terms
- c4 energy
- c4 energy cans
- c4 energy drink
- c4energy
Monster Energy
8 branded search terms
- mango monster energy
- monster energy
- monster energy can
- monster energy cans
- monster energy drink
- monster energy flavors
- monster energy juice
- monsterenergy
Other head-to-heads among energy drink brands
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