Australian No-Sugar Cola Wars - I Made a Comparison Web app

AssociatedLbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 01/10/2026 - 23:02
Last edited 05/10/2026 - 22:55 by 2 other users

I blind-tested 10 no-sugar colas from Australian supermarkets and went slightly overboard with the data

A few family members and I decided to compare the no-sugar colas you can actually buy at Coles, Woolworths, ALDI and IGA.

It started as a blind taste test and somehow turned into recording ingredients, sweeteners, sodium, pH, bottle volumes, pricing and 50 individual taste evaluations across 10 colas.

There were a few results I genuinely wasn't expecting — particularly some of the cheap supermarket alternatives.

I turned all the data into an interactive thing here:

https://mindscale.com.au/labs/tools/anyaustralian/diet-cola-…

Nothing for sale, no affiliate links or sponsorship — it was just a little experiment that got wildly out of hand and I figured other Australians might enjoy exploring the results.

Would be interested to know what everyone's actual go-to no-sugar cola is.

Edit:
Appreciate the cola discussions. It was evident even in our small tester panel that taste is pretty unique. For further context this was conducted on Father's Day for fun, and some of the findings were interesting enough to give to an agent harness to visualise. Also, Ive had an agent review the comments on this chat - and it will push an update tonight around fluid weights.

The next topic will be Dairy Milk Chocolate…

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  • SBOB on 01/10/2026 - 23:14

    AI slop for softdrinks…. we've reached a new low

    • 40
    • skillet on 02/10/2026 - 22:45

      Thanks for the warning. The fonts is what triggered my close the tab action.

      • 2
    • oooooooo ahhhhhhh on 02/10/2026 - 09:45

      At least they did some work in collecting the data and actually doing real testing

      • -1
      • OZKap on 02/10/2026 - 13:39

        allegedly

        • 3
      • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 02/10/2026 - 19:39

        It's actually entirely human slop. Only threw data I collected at an agent harness to take the cumbersome task of visualising for web. All evaluated across multiple agents to ensure quality and accuracy.

        • 0
        • Telios on 03/10/2026 - 21:40

          Human slop

          Agent harness

          ???
          LOW FAT, NO FAT, FULL CREAM, HIGH CALCIUM, HIGH PROTEIN, SOY, LIGHT, SKIM, OMEGA 3, HIGH CALCIUM WITH VITAMIN D AND FOLATE OR EXTRA SLOPPY?

          • 0
  • QuickToThePointless on 01/10/2026 - 23:39

    Cool experiment - was it partially funded?

    or a Fully Funded Study?

    • 10
    • Guybrush57 on 02/10/2026 - 00:00

      I see what you did there

      • 2
    • HairyChickens on 02/10/2026 - 01:55

      Cheeky

      • 1
    • boomramada on 02/10/2026 - 08:24

      It's a faulty study, just because OP can use AI, study. Good thing OP doesn't work for any beverage company. Taste is a personal thing; hence, it requires mass tasting. Perhaps OP need to learn how static sampling works.

      • -1
      • QuickToThePointless on 02/10/2026 - 10:10

        yes

        • 0
      • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 03/10/2026 - 14:09

        It's not a study. Don't know how much more obvious I can be that this was fun with my family haha. Perhaps you could contribute some of your 'static sampling' knowledge for us all to applaud?

        • 0
  • Wiadro on 01/10/2026 - 23:16

    AI SLOP posters don’t know how the AI slop apps rules work do they

    • 9
    • randomusername2017 on 02/10/2026 - 09:50

      Mod: User is both older than 12 month and has activity within the past 12 months, therefore it won't be merged to the megathread as per our guidelines

      They now source older accounts 🤔

      • 9
      • tenpercent on 02/10/2026 - 13:43

        They all seem to be a similar vintage. 2018 ish.

        • 2
        • Wiadro on 02/10/2026 - 15:45

          no 2FA setup probably

          • 1
          • OZKap on 02/10/2026 - 23:58

            @Wiadro: Thanks, didn't realise Ozbargain supported 2fa.

            Just set mine up to protect my OzBucks Premium wallet

            • 2
  • Gunnar on 01/10/2026 - 23:58

    Rock and Roller cola wars · I can't take it anymore

    • 6
    • miwahni on 02/10/2026 - 23:36

      We didn't start the fire!

      • 0
    • Wiadro on 02/10/2026 - 00:05

      AI SLOGANS FOR DAYZ

      • -2
  • theHMASfriendship on 01/10/2026 - 23:31

    Where can I protest against this war I don’t like violence

    • 3
    • apsilon on 02/10/2026 - 05:13

      Another war to drive up prices

      • 1
    • jv on 01/10/2026 - 23:46

      Where can I protest against this war

      Here…

      • -1
  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/10/2026 - 07:37

    I don’t need AI to tell me Pepsi max is king.

    Ice cold Pepsi max only beat by an ice cold XXXX on a hot summers day

    • 3
  • Trekky on 02/10/2026 - 09:14

    I haven't tasted the others but my choice is also PEPSI MAX!

    • 2
  • Dollar General on 02/10/2026 - 11:09

    TaB cola ads were better

    • 2
    • Onemoredeal on 02/10/2026 - 14:45

      I still have the jingle in my head … TAB cola what a beautiful drink, just right for beautiful people” lol

      • 0
      • miwahni on 02/10/2026 - 23:38

        "TAB - it helps you stay that way - one calorie per serve…" early 70s?

        • 0
  • pinchies on 02/10/2026 - 11:41

    Tell me you know nothing about statistics without telling me you know nothing about statistics.

    • 2
    • Satchimo on 02/10/2026 - 11:55

      47.5 statistics are made up on the spot.

      • 0
  • belongsinforums on 02/10/2026 - 14:51

    Em dash count: 2

    • 2
  • brendanm on 02/10/2026 - 17:05

    Fark me that's an ugly website.

    • 2
    • skillet on 02/10/2026 - 22:59

      AI still learning, give it time.

      • 0
  • boomramada on 01/10/2026 - 23:13

    Any coke no sugar deals guys?

    • 1
  • hasher22 on 01/10/2026 - 23:49

    Pepsi-Max is always my go to no-sugar soft-drink but I opt in for the no-caffeine version as I don't want to be awake at night.

    Coke zero sucks, it's not sweet and cola enough, they are popular because of the brand name and the brand they created over the decades. It's not even that good

    I just care about taste and calories…..

    • 1
    • theHMASfriendship on 02/10/2026 - 07:14

      I don’t need caffeine to be awake at night I just question every decision I’ve ever made, works a treat

      • 9
      • hasher22 on 02/10/2026 - 11:09

        Remember that embarrassing moment when you…….

        I bet you just thought of it haha

        • 1
    • skillet on 02/10/2026 - 22:52

      Caffeine is bitter so without caffeine they may not taste the same.

      • 2
    • bardlee on 02/10/2026 - 14:33

      Pepsi max is the best tasting but the xtra caffeine gives me heart palpitations.

      • 0
  • Onemoredeal on 02/10/2026 - 04:12

    I’m a Coke Zero person…. Pepsi max for me has always had that artificial chemical taste and after taste I can’t get over. Having said that I think PepsiCo nailed Solo Zero, it’s by far the best non cola tasting sugar free

    • 1
  • Dollar General on 02/10/2026 - 07:45

    Maccas Coca Cola is meant to be the best, even better than Coca Cola

    • 1
    • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/10/2026 - 01:27

      They use a modified recipe, to provide a bigger hit. it has a bigger syrup to water ratio.

      • 0
      • Jono05 on 03/10/2026 - 18:04

        Except when they run out of syrup and don’t replace it/ top it up and it tastes like soda water.

        • 2
  • sandman20104159 on 02/10/2026 - 08:23

    theres a cola war? I can't take it anymore

    • 1
  • djsweet on 02/10/2026 - 09:02

    Obviously this is what AI is for.
    However, having tasted some of those soft drinks I can with 100% certainty, say that I disagree with the findings. So I guess the results aren't relevant to me.

    • 1
  • Satchimo on 02/10/2026 - 10:05

    This thread is useless without samples.

    • 1
  • 82norm on 02/10/2026 - 10:44

    Anyone remember Export Cola and pop tops on cans…. Those were the days. I know it’s not relevant to this thread, but what would OZB without digression?

    • 1
  • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 02/10/2026 - 12:22

    Just a fun taste test and product analysis, that we took the data and threw it an AI Harness to explore. Everything has been evaluated across various models. Yes someone called out about weights, that was raised by AI and already covered with a disclaimer.

    But yeah Just wanted to share for fun as some of the budget colas performed well.

    • 1
  • Drakesy on 02/10/2026 - 13:02

    Jesus christ did you just get made redundant?!

    Thats some time invested.

    • 1
    • SBOB on 02/10/2026 - 13:22

      Just trying to subtly link to/spruke/justify their one man AI dev house business
      I'm sure it will also get a small SEO bump from ozb traffic

      • 1
      • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 02/10/2026 - 16:24

        Appreciate you looking. I actually only did this study for fun on Father's Day with family and a couple friends.. just thought some of the findings were worth throwing at an agent harness to explore visuals. I'll have an agent read valuable comments and update where valid.

        • 0
  • Oofy Doofy on 02/10/2026 - 13:42

    Easily answered for me by whoever makes a caffeine- and sugar-free version. At least my kids can enjoy it, and I don't have to feel bad about rotting their teeth as fast or making the local dentist another Scrooge McFknDuck.

    • 1
    • tenpercent on 02/10/2026 - 13:44

      Why caffeine free?

      • 0
      • Oofy Doofy on 02/10/2026 - 13:45

        Because i prefer caffeine via coffee and not cola. And the kids don't need caffeine. Easier to just buy one type.

        Plus i front load all my stimulants before midday.

        • 2
        • skillet on 02/10/2026 - 22:57

          Teens rocking matcha at school are all high as F, they can't focus and their brain go bananas due to high caffeine intake.

          • 1
  • skillet on 02/10/2026 - 22:48

    Go visit some Asian Groceries stores and look for Pepsi RAW with real sugar, Made in Japan. There is also Pepsi RAW Zero. Hope your tastebud screams good.

    • 1
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 02/10/2026 - 23:37

      Good tip, I'll go find some over the weekend

      • 0
  • Docs888 on 03/10/2026 - 00:20

    Can you Pepsi Caffeine Free No Sugar Cola Cola Soft Drink Bottle 1.25L? https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/40895/peps…

    • 1
    • OZKap on 03/10/2026 - 10:59

      Caffeine Free No Sugar

      Hey Jimmy gimme a cola with nothin'

      • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 03/10/2026 - 14:13

      Oh we missed this one!.. Good find.. I might for fun just taste the difference between coke and Pepsi caffeine free for fun later

      • 0
  • capslock janitor on 03/10/2026 - 22:26

    i like the futurish visual design pleasing to my eyes

    • 1
  • Zyfer on 04/10/2026 - 12:12

    Good work OP.Good to know Na levels in each.
    Is there any comparison of what artificial sweeteners used ?

    • 1
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 04/10/2026 - 21:30

      You can filter the results by sweetener blend on this page. Across the 10 colas, three blend patterns were used to balance taste, aftertaste, stability and cost, but the blend itself wasn’t a strong predictor of taste or price.

      All sweeteners used are approved in Australia, though some are more extensively studied than others; aspartame has attracted the most ongoing scrutiny despite remaining approved at permitted intake levels.

      • 0
  • tenpercent on 01/10/2026 - 23:19

    You're equating weight with volume. Have you verified water + flavours + artificial sweeteners + CO2 weighs the same as water alone?

    • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 03/10/2026 - 14:03

      resolved

      • 0
  • Hybroid on 01/10/2026 - 23:24

    I'm a die-hard Coke Zero fan, and actually say no to 'is Pepsi okay', but something has changed with the formula in the past few months. Both 24-pack and 30-pack Coke Zero cans from both supermarkets now taste different with less carbonation. Now switched to Pepsi Max, the vanilla sweet taste takes some getting used to, but starting to enjoy it more.

    • 0
    • Wiadro on 02/10/2026 - 00:04

      pepsi max vanilla is top tier just after a&w root beer no sugar
      tbh I find Coke 007 no sugar no caffeine very well carbonated

      • 1
      • Cheaplikethebird on 02/10/2026 - 13:40

        Yeah the zero sugar versions A&W root beer and the creaming soda are the best of the lot.

        • 1
        • jv on 04/10/2026 - 22:05

          and the creaming soda are the best of the lot.

          Is this you?

          • 0
    • jv on 01/10/2026 - 23:44

      Agree…

      Coke Zero >>>>>> Pepsi Max

      • -6
      • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/10/2026 - 01:23

        Pepsi Max leaves Coca Cola for DEAD

        I support takeaway sites that stock Pepsi Max. If i goto maccas, hungry jacks or Costco, I being my own 600ml Pepsi Max.

        • 2
        • TheDukeOfNukem on 03/10/2026 - 11:39

          Costco swapping to Coke Zero a while back legit ruined half the fun of the store for me.

          To be fair though, the only fun part is walking through a shop with a hot dog and soda.

          • 2
  • Satchimo on 02/10/2026 - 00:04

    Only the original. Coke a cola. (I just strain the sugar content out.

    Best kept receipt of all time.
    No copyright, no patent
    6 people each know part of the receipt
    No more than two people at a time ever allowed to have hold recipe and they are never allowed to travel on same flight with each other.

    Hundreds have tried, nobody has yet been able to reverse engineer it.

    • 0
  • mapax on 02/10/2026 - 06:10

    I used to occasionally buy Lo Bros cola but it’s no longer available at the local stores that I shop at.

    • 0
  • Cludos on 02/10/2026 - 06:42

    Havn't heard of water

    • 0
  • Nugs on 02/10/2026 - 07:24

    full sugar coke thanks
    i'm only an occasional consumer
    .

    • 0
  • DingoBilly on 02/10/2026 - 08:43

    Isn't this largely irrelevant?

    Your data can show which coke tastes best to most people, but others can still hate it and prefer another.

    So it's cool as a little fun side project but otherwise with so few data points doesn't mean much.

    • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 02/10/2026 - 19:44

      Spot on. That's why I said this in the discussion topic. Just fun, but also for OzB it gives suggestions for cheap colas options that tend to score well in blind sampling.

      • 0
  • AustriaBargain on 02/10/2026 - 15:07

    Regal is probably the best one so your data is all wrong.

    • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 02/10/2026 - 16:20

      In the full line up, it just didn't have the sweetness.. Also, Regal is probably the most fascinating.. Double the sodium, more than 30x less acidic than Pepsi max, and it's bottle and cap were totally independent of the group

      • 0
      • AustriaBargain on 02/10/2026 - 16:43

        You don't want sweetness from a diet cola, you want it to kick your ass.

        • 0
  • tubeidea on 02/10/2026 - 15:15

    I prefer coke zero.

    I don't mind pepsi max, but I only got it when I used to go to kfc because they don't have coke, and it wouldn't be my first choice if I had options. The normal pepsi tastes better than pepsi max.

    But the king will always be vanilla coke, sugar substitutes can't compete. Normal coke comes in at a close second.

    • 0
  • shiver on 02/10/2026 - 17:33

    It will be a cold day in hell before a Pepsi product finds itself in my fridge

    • 0
  • md333 on 03/10/2026 - 00:52

    Did you read up on the "new coke" debacle where they changed the recipe based on blind taste tests and everyone hated it? Did you do anything in the test protocol to avoid those issues? I think partly the reaction to sipping a small sample being very different to how it is normally drunk.

    • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 03/10/2026 - 14:16

      My family did agree with this too.. the taste testing was 50ml each.. which was like 3 sips or so.. and definitely we felt like a glass of some could change your preferences. But also, there was lots of other techniques we were considering to further improve the accuracy, but ultimately only 5 of us - so didn't matter too much.

      • 0
  • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/10/2026 - 01:31

    on a side note, several years ago, i had the master list for Schweppes. on the list were regal Cola, coles home brand and Woolworths. i spoke to the rep about it and he confirmed they held the current contracts.

    • 0
  • will05 on 03/10/2026 - 11:39

    Drink water ~ problem solved !!!

    • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 03/10/2026 - 14:17

      No Sugar Cola is 99% water :P

      • 1
  • Kegsta on 04/10/2026 - 05:14

    Pepsi Max enjoyer here also.
    A few things to consider why Pepsi Max would be the most popular here.

    The can effect. Grabbing a cold pressurised can from the fridge is always better than pouring home brand cola from a 2l bottle.

    Price/can
    Pepsi Max slabs have always been cheap as chips and can be delivered by Amazon 6 cartons at a time.

    • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 04/10/2026 - 21:11

      Actually fun fact.. aluminium, plastic, and glass all impact flavour.

      Aluminium is actually the worst culprit for decreasing flavour. So I'd happily take the plastic 2L bottle of whatever cola any day.

      Glass is the best to retain flavour.

      • 0
      • skillet on 05/10/2026 - 14:19

        You could be tasting the plastic/polymer liner inside the Aluminium cans, without this acid in drinks will eat through raw aluminium quickly. However, manufacturers claim that this coating does not release any harmful stuff. Whether it is true is up to you.

        • 0
        • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 05/10/2026 - 22:05

          That's a good point. Might be fun to buy the same cola in 3 bottles variations, and blind taste test to see.

          • 0
  • Zycon on 04/10/2026 - 12:28

    Are you also going to do mitey-wars?

    Vegemite vs promite vs mightymite.

    This subject has divided families.

    • 0
    • Associatedbalexa47 @ mindscale.com.au on 04/10/2026 - 21:29

      Oh good idea.. I'll add it to the list

      • 0
  • Save Medicare on 04/10/2026 - 15:03

    Habibi, have you tried salaam cola?

    • 0
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