Burger Tier List 2026: 11 Burgers Ranked S to D
We ranked 11 burgers from S to D tier: bacon & egg, mushroom Swiss, guacamole, fish and more. See which burger wins and which falls flat.
Tier Maker Pro 7.5 min read
I've been there more times than I'd like to admit. So I did something about it: I lined up 11 burgers, ranked them from S to D, and wrote down exactly why each one landed where it did.
Burgers are everywhere in the news right now, which makes this a good time to do it. The 2026 World's 101 Best Burgers list has people arguing online, with a London spot taking the No. 1 slot. A new YouGov survey has Americans fighting about whether Five Guys, Burger King or In-N-Out is the best chain. And smash burgers keep taking over every food feed I follow.
Quick note: this is my personal taste, not a lab test. I made a simple tier list template for this post, so if you disagree with me (and some of you will), grab it, rearrange the burgers and share your own version. I really want to see it.
The Quick Summary: Burger Tier List at a Glance
Short on time? Here's the whole ranking in one place.
- S Tier: Bacon and Egg Burger, Bacon Cheeseburger
- A Tier: Gourmet Cheeseburger, Mushroom Swiss Burger, Spicy Fried Chicken Burger
- B Tier: Classic Cheeseburger, Avocado Cheeseburger, Crispy Chicken Burger
- C Tier: Guacamole Burger, Pancake Breakfast Burger
- D Tier: Fish Burger
Now let's get into the reasons. Some of these placements might hurt.
S Tier: The Burgers I'd Order Every Time
1. Bacon and Egg Burger
Why it's S tier: This is the one I'd pick if I could only eat one burger for the rest of the year. A runny egg yolk works like a built-in sauce, and crispy bacon adds salt and crunch. Together they turn a normal burger into something that feels like a full meal.
Best for: Anyone who wants maximum flavor with zero risk. It's rich, savory and satisfying.
2. Bacon Cheeseburger
Why it's S tier: Smoky bacon, melted cheese and a juicy patty. It sounds simple because it is simple, and it has been working for decades. You always know what you're getting, and it's always good.
Best for: The "I don't want to gamble" order. It's the most reliable burger on this list.
A Tier: Great Burgers With One Small Catch
3. Gourmet Cheeseburger
Why it's A tier: The ingredients look noticeably more premium: better bun, better toppings, more care in the build. It tastes like a burger you'd pay a little extra for. It misses S tier only because it doesn't have a signature "wow" ingredient.
Best for: A treat-yourself dinner.
4. Mushroom Swiss Burger
Why it's A tier: Earthy, savory mushrooms plus creamy Swiss cheese is a combination that just works. It feels a bit more grown-up than a standard cheeseburger. The only reason it isn't higher is that mushrooms aren't everyone's thing.
Best for: People who like deeper, more savory flavors.
5. Spicy Fried Chicken Burger
Why it's A tier: Crunchy coating, juicy chicken and real heat. This one wakes you up. Spicy chicken burgers are having a big moment, and this is a strong example of why. It lands in A rather than S because the spice can overpower everything else.
Best for: Heat lovers and anyone who thinks beef is too predictable.
B Tier: Solid, But Not Exciting
6. Classic Cheeseburger
Why it's B tier: No flaws, no surprises. A classic cheeseburger is the baseline every other burger gets measured against. It's good, but when it's next to bacon and egg, it can't compete.
Best for: Picky eaters, kids and purists.
7. Avocado Cheeseburger
Why it's B tier: It's fresh and creamy, and it feels lighter than most burgers. But avocado and cheese are both soft and mild, so the burger can feel one-note. It needs something crunchy or smoky to really shine.
Best for: Days when you want a burger but don't want to feel too heavy afterward.
8. Crispy Chicken Burger
Why it's B tier: Crunchy, reliable and always decent. But it's the plain version of the spicy chicken burger above, and without the heat, it's easy to forget. Good, just not memorable.
Best for: A safe pick when you're not in the mood for beef.
C Tier: Divisive and Easy to Overlook
9. Guacamole Burger
Why it's C tier: It tastes a lot like the avocado cheeseburger, which makes it hard to stand out. Guacamole can be great, but here it mostly adds creaminess without adding excitement. If I'm going to order avocado on a burger, I'd rather get the cheeseburger version.
Best for: Guac fans who want it on everything.
10. Pancake Breakfast Burger
Why it's C tier: Sweet pancake "buns," savory patty, maybe a fried egg. It's the most polarizing burger on the list. Some people love the sweet-and-salty mix, and others can't get past it. It's fun, but I wouldn't order it twice in a row.
Best for: Brunch lovers who like to experiment.
D Tier: Sorry, Fish Burger
11. Fish Burger
Why it's D tier: I know, I know. Fish burgers have loyal fans. But in this lineup, it's the mildest burger by far, and the flavor can feel flat next to bacon, cheese and spice. When it's done really well, it can be great, but on average it's the one I'd skip first.
Best for: Seafood lovers and anyone avoiding red meat.
Two Questions You're Probably Asking
Is bacon really that overpowered?
Yes, and I'm not even sorry about it. Bacon adds salt, smoke and crunch all at once, three things a burger usually needs. That's why both S tier burgers have it. Add a runny egg on top and you get an even richer sauce without needing any extra condiments.
Why is the Guacamole Burger below the Avocado Cheeseburger?
Because the two are very similar, and the cheeseburger version has one extra thing going for it: melted cheese. Cheese adds salt and richness that balance out the creamy avocado. The guacamole burger tends to be soft all the way through, and that's why it ranks lower for me.
Make Your Own Burger Tier List
I built this tier list from a simple template, and you can easily do the same. Here's how I'd do it:
- Pick your burgers. Ten to twelve is the sweet spot. More than that and the ranking gets messy.
- Choose your criteria. Mine were flavor, texture, how memorable it is and how risky it feels to order.
- Rank them honestly. Don't let nostalgia or brand loyalty decide for you.
- Share it. Post it, tag a friend and let the arguments begin.
If you try it, tell me where your list is different from mine. I'm especially curious who would put the fish burger higher.
Burger Tier List FAQ
What is a burger tier list?
A burger tier list ranks burgers into groups from S (the best) down to D (the weakest). It's a quick, visual way to compare many burgers at once and to see at a glance which ones are worth ordering.
What is the best burger on this list?
For me, the Bacon and Egg Burger takes the top spot. The runny yolk, crispy bacon and savory patty give it more depth than any other burger here.
What is the best burger topping?
Based on this ranking, bacon is the clear winner, followed by melted cheese and fried egg. Mushrooms and spicy chicken coating come next.
Is the fish burger really the worst?
It's the worst in this lineup, based on my taste. Fish burgers can be excellent, especially with good tartar sauce and a crisp coating. They just have a milder flavor than the rest.
Does a spicy chicken burger beat a regular chicken burger?
In my ranking, yes. The extra heat gives the spicy version more personality, while the plain crispy chicken burger tends to feel forgettable.
How often should I update my burger tier list?
I plan to redo mine every year. New trends, new menu items and new favorites keep showing up, so a 2026 ranking won't necessarily match a 2027 one.
Final Thoughts
That's my burger tier list for 2026: bacon and egg on top, fish burger at the bottom, and a lot of delicious arguments in between.
Now it's your turn. What would you move up? What would you move down? Drop your own tier list in the comments, and if you want more rankings like this, keep an eye out for my next one.