Best Energy Gels of 2026
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Energy gels are a popular choice among athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking for a quick and convenient source of energy during intense workouts or endurance activities. These portable and easily digestible gel packs are designed to provide a concentrated burst of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and sometimes caffeine to support performance and maintain energy levels. With a range of flavors and formulations available, energy gels offer a practical solution for those seeking an instant boost during physical exertion without the need for bulky snacks or drinks.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Energy Gels
Neuro Energy & Focus Variety Gum Pack
The Neuro Focus Energy Gum offers a convenient way to boost your mental sharpness with three tasty flavors: peppermint, spearmint, and wintergreen. This variety pack keeps your routine fresh and enjoyable. Each piece contains natural caffeine, L-theanine, and B vitamins, providing a quick and portable energy lift without the need for pills or sugary drinks. Designed to help you stay focused without the jitters, this gum supports clearer thinking and better concentration. Plus, it’s sugar-free and free from artificial ingredients, making it a clean and guilt-free choice for your daily energy and focus needs.
Honey Stinger Organic Fruit Smoothie Energy Gel 12 Pack
The Honey Stinger Energy Gel offers a tasty fruit-flavored boost that’s perfect to grab on the go. It provides 24 grams of carbohydrates per serving, giving you a quick and lasting energy lift to keep you active during workouts or runs. Designed to be easy on your stomach, these gels digest quickly, so you won’t feel weighed down. Plus, they contain organic ingredients, including potassium to help replace electrolytes after exercise, and natural sweeteners to restore your energy stores. Whether you’re training at home or pushing through a race, this gel supports your endurance and keeps you fueled efficiently.
Honey Stinger Organic Fruit Smoothie Energy Chew
Honey Stinger Organic Fruit Smoothie Energy Chew is a perfect portable fuel with 23g carbs per serving that provides quick and sustained energy on the go. This energy chew has 3 flavors in a 12ct box: cherry, orange, and berry. It is easy to digest and contains quality ingredients such as an excellent source of Vitamin C, USDA Organic, and blend of natural sweeteners that improves the capacity for endurance. Honey Stinger Energy Chews are perfect to keep you going without weighing you down.
TRUEplus Glucose Tablets Tropical Fruit 50 Count
TRUEplus Glucose Tablets provide a quick and effective way to raise your blood sugar with 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates in just four chewable tablets. Whether you need a boost of energy during physical activity or a fast glucose source at any time of day, these tablets are designed to help. The easy-to-open bottle makes it simple to keep them handy at home, so you’re always prepared. Plus, the tasty tropical fruit flavor makes them pleasant to chew, especially if swallowing tablets is difficult for you. These tablets are also gluten and fat free, fitting well into various dietary needs and active lifestyles.
GU Energy Gels, 24-Count Variety Pack
Introducing the GU Energy Variety Pack - a must-have for athletes looking to enhance their performance. This pack contains 24 gels, including four delicious flavors: Birthday Cake, Campfire Smores, Lemon Sublime, and Strawberry Banana. The best part? All these flavors are vegan and gluten-free, catering to a wide range of dietary needs. Each gel is packed with 100 calories and essential electrolytes, providing the energy boost you need to push through your training or racing sessions. With a unique combination of maltodextrin and fructose, these gels offer dual-source energy that is efficiently absorbed and provides long-lasting energy. Plus, the inclusion of branched-chain amino acids helps to reduce muscle damage and mental fatigue. Don't miss out on this convenient and effective fueling option - try the GU Energy Variety Pack today!
Huma Chia Energy Gel, Variety 12 Pack
Huma Chia Energy Gel is a natural sports nutrition energy gel that provides stomach-friendly, real food energy for endurance exercise. Made with fruit puree, powdered chia seeds, and brown rice syrup, the gel is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly. The finely milled chia seeds help modulate an even energy output, and the 2:1 ratio of short and long chain glucose to fructose maximizes carbohydrate uptake. With no dextrose or maltodextrin, Huma energy gels give your stomach real food it can easily process, and they taste great too!
CLIF BLOKS Energy Chews - Black Cherry with 50mg Caffeine
CLIF BLOKS Energy Chews with black cherry flavor and 50mg caffeine are designed for athletes to provide quick, chewable energy for training and racing. They are easy to handle, chew and customize, thanks to their sleek and portable packaging. They come in 33-calorie cubes and different flavors with sodium and caffeine levels to suit any goals.
TRUEplus Glucose Gel Fruit Punch 15g, 6 Pack
The TRUEplus Glucose Gel offers 15 grams of quick-acting carbohydrates in each pouch, helping you quickly raise low blood sugar levels and boost your energy whenever needed. Its compact, squeezable design makes it easy to carry and use on the go—no scissors required, just tear and squeeze. The fruit punch flavor is pleasant and smooth, ideal if you find it hard to chew tablets. Plus, this gel is both fat-free and gluten-free, fitting well into various dietary needs while supporting an active lifestyle. The TRUEplus Glucose Gel is a convenient and tasty way to manage your glucose levels efficiently.
GU Energy Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel
The GU Energy Roctane Gel is a high-performance energy gel designed for endurance activities like running and cycling. With 100 calories and essential electrolytes, it provides a quick and convenient source of fuel during intense workouts. The gel contains 1425mg of amino acids, which help reduce muscle damage and mental fatigue, allowing you to push harder and go further. The dual-source energy from maltodextrin and fructose ensures efficient absorption and lasting energy, keeping you fueled throughout your activity. Whether you're racing or training, simply take one packet 5 minutes before your workout and another every 45 minutes during. The GU Energy Roctane Gel comes in a variety pack with different flavors, ensuring there's something for everyone.
Skratch Labs Energy Chews Variety Pack
Skratch Labs Energy Chews provide a delicious and effective way to fuel your workouts. Made with real fruit, they offer a refreshing taste that keeps you energized. Their unique design makes them easy to digest, unlike typical sticky energy gels, ensuring you can focus on your performance without stomach discomfort. Ideal for various activities like running or cycling, these chews help maintain your energy levels. With 80 calories and a blend of glucose and fructose, they deliver quick energy absorption, making them a smart choice for athletes seeking sustained performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When should you take energy gels?
It is recommended to take energy gels around the 60-minute mark during a run, especially for those with sensitive stomachs. This allows for a gradual release of simple sugars into the bloodstream and prevents overwhelming the body with too much sugar at once.
2. Do you really need energy gels?
Energy gels are not necessary for runs under 60 minutes, easy-paced runs, or if you have already consumed a carbohydrate-rich meal before your run. However, they can be beneficial during longer runs when your carbohydrate stores start to deplete, providing a quick source of energy.
3. What are the disadvantages of energy gels?
Some disadvantages of energy gels include limited variety in textures, the potential for upset stomachs due to the high concentration of carbohydrates, especially if not consumed regularly or without sufficient water, and consuming them at the wrong time.
4. Do energy gels really work?
Yes, energy gels can be effective in replenishing your carbohydrate stores during long-distance running. They provide a quick source of energy, helping to fuel your muscles. During running, your body utilizes both fat and carbohydrates as fuel, and energy gels can help replenish the carbohydrates and give you an extra boost.
5. How many gels do I need for a 5-hour marathon?
For a 5-hour marathon, it is recommended to take 2 or 3 energy gels every hour from the start of the event. This strategy ensures that you have a sufficient supply of carbohydrates available for a strong finish by mile 17.
6. Do you need gels for 10 miles?
Gel training is suitable for intermediate distance runs of 8-12 miles. For these runs, it is recommended to use either one or two energy gel packs. The gel can be taken either immediately before or during the run.
7. How many gels are too many?
It is important not to exceed the absorption limit of around 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour. This is equivalent to approximately two or three energy gel sachets. Taking energy gels more frequently may provide better benefits, but moderation is key to avoid overwhelming the body's ability to absorb and utilize carbohydrates effectively.
During our energy gel research, we found 24 energy gel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 306,502 customer reviews through our big data system to write the energy gels list. We found that most customers choose energy gels with an average price of $29.60.
The energy gels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of energy gels, including Neuro, Honey Stinger, TRUEplus, GU Energy, Clif Bloks. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,353 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Bonnie Salem is a stay-at-home mother with two-year-old twins and has spent almost half of her life surrounded by baby products. As a mother and a professional copywriter, she has an insightful and unique eye for researching products suitable for infants. Bonnie Salem is an expert in health and nutrition who lives with her family in New Jersey. She has over 15 years of working experience in an institute of medicine after graduating from the University of Toronto. She is highly interested in personal health and wellness.
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| Brand | Neuro | Honey Stinger | Honey Stinger | TRUEplus | GU Energy | HÜMA CHIA ENERGY GEL | Clif Bloks | TRUEplus | GU Energy | Skratch Labs |
| Flavor | Variety | Fruit Smoothie | Fruit Smoothie | - | Assorted Caffeine-Free Flavors Variety Pack | Variety Pack | Black Cherry | - | Assorted Flavors | Variety Pack |
| Item Form | Chewable | Syrup | Pastille | Tablet | Liquid, Powder, Tablet, Sticks, Balls | Gel | - | - | Gel | Gummy |
| Unit Count | 9.00 Count | 26.2 Ounce | 21.6 Ounce | - | - | 18 Ounce | 37.8 Ounce | - | 26.4 Ounce | 17.6 Ounce |
| Product Benefits | Energy Management | Energy Boost | Energy Management | - | - | Portable and Convenient,Stomach-Friendly,Real Food Ingredients | Energy Boost | - | Energy Management | Energy Management, Glycogen Replenishment |
| Primary Supplement Type | gum | sodium | Carbohydrates | - | - | - | - | - | Potassium | Energy, Glucose |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 2.25 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches | 5 x 2.5 x 5.5 inches | 9.5 x 3 x 4.75 inches | - | - | 6 x 2 x 4 inches | - | - | 6.75 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches | - |
| Diet Type | Vegan | - | Gluten Free | - | - | Gluten Free, Vegan | - | - | Vegan | Gluten Free, Plant Based, Vegan |
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