Monster Energy vs Red Bull:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Red Bull had more branded searches than Monster Energy among energy drink brands in the United States. Red Bull had about 450,000 branded searches, while Monster Energy had 110,000. Red Bull made up 48.6% of all energy drink brand searches we track, and Monster Energy accounted for 11.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about energy drink brands, Red Bull appeared in all five answers and Monster Energy in two. Red Bull was mentioned before Monster Energy in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Red Bull, about 4 searches for every 1 for Monster Energy
Who does AI mention more?
Red Bull, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Red Bull, named ahead of Monster Energy in every answer
Follow Monster Energy vs Red Bull and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top energy drink brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Red Bull appeared in all five answers. Monster Energy was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Red Bull was listed before Monster Energy in every answer.
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
Celsius5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Alani Nu3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ghost3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
C43 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Monster Energy2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
NOS1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Reign1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Rockstar0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Bang0 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 should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best energy drink brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What is the healthiest energy drink?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“energy drinks”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best energy drink”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 26, 2026.
Is Monster Energy or Red Bull more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Monster Energy and Red Bull by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 energy drink brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Red Bull, Monster Energy. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Red Bull | Celsius | Monster Energy | Alani Nu | Ghost | C4 | Rockstar | Bang | NOS | Bucked Up | Reign | ZOA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.1% | 28.5% | 15.1% | 6.8% | 3% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.49% | 0.4% | 0.74% | 0.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 42.7% | 26.1% | 15.7% | 7% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.51% | 0.28% | 0.63% | 0.51% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.5% | 26% | 16.8% | 9.2% | 4.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.67% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.7% | 21.9% | 16% | 8.8% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.96% | 0.43% | 0.28% | 0.52% | 1.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.4% | 23.8% | 14.2% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1% | 1% | 0.46% | 0.25% | 0.57% | 0.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.9% | 25.5% | 13.5% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.54% | 0.29% | 0.66% | 0.36% |
| Apr 2026 | 44.9% | 20.9% | 13.5% | 11% | 4% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.54% | 0.36% | 0.66% | 0.54% |
| May 2026 | 48.8% | 21.2% | 14.6% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.59% | 0.39% | 0.72% | 0.39% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.3% | 28.7% | 12.4% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.74% | 0.4% | 0.74% | 0.49% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.7% | 31.2% | 13.5% | 6% | 4.9% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.81% | 0.43% | 0.81% | 1.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.2% | 22.3% | 11.7% | 14.4% | 6.4% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.86% | 0.7% | 0.38% | 0.58% | 0.86% |
| Sep 2026 | 48.6% | 19.9% | 11.9% | 8% | 5.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.87% | 0.71% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
How has the Monster Energy and Red Bull comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Red Bull was ahead of Monster Energy in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Monster Energy’s share of searches among energy drink brands in the United States moved from 15.1% to 11.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Red Bull’s share of searches among energy drink brands in the United States moved from 41.1% to 48.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 450K.
How did search popularity change for United States energy drink brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Red Bull gained share of searches among energy drink brands in the United States, from 39.2% to 48.6%.
In September 2026, Monster Energy rose from 4th to 3rd among energy drink brands in the United States.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Monster Energy’s and Red Bull’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.
Monster Energy
1 branded search term
- monster energy
Red Bull
1 branded search term
- red bull
Other head-to-heads among energy drink brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.