best-of-all-time.comAll 50 lists

The top 50

Vinyl albums of all time

Fifty researched picks for the vinyl albums of all time, selected for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

How we choseMusical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions. Rankings balance consensus with lasting ownership value and current buyability.
#1

What's Going On

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#2

Pet Sounds

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#3

Blue

Blue by Joni Mitchell is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#4

Songs in the Key of Life

Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#5

Abbey Road

Abbey Road by The Beatles is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#6

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#7

Thriller

Thriller by Michael Jackson is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#8

Purple Rain

Purple Rain by Prince is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#9

Blonde

Blonde by Frank Ocean is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#10

good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe Version)

good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe Version) by Kendrick Lamar is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#11

Back to Black

Back to Black by Amy Winehouse is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#12

Nevermind

Nevermind by Nirvana is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#13

Lemonade

Lemonade by Beyoncé is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#14

Rumours

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#15

OK Computer

OK Computer by Radiohead is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#16

The Blueprint

The Blueprint by JAY-Z is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#17

Highway 61 Revisited

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#18

21

21 by Adele is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#19

1989 (Taylor’s Version)

1989 (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#20

The Chronic

The Chronic by Dr. Dre is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#21

Revolver

Revolver by The Beatles is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#22

Born to Run

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#23

Discovery

Discovery by Daft Punk is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#24

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars by David Bowie is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#25

Kind of Blue

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#26

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#27

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#28

The Dark Side of the Moon

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#29

The Low End Theory

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#30

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#31

Jagged Little Pill

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#32

Ready to Die

Ready to Die by The Notorious B.I.G. is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#33

Kid A

Kid A by Radiohead is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#34

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#35

London Calling

London Calling by The Clash is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#36

BEYONCÉ

BEYONCÉ by Beyoncé is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#37

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#38

Tapestry

Tapestry by Carole King is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#39

Illmatic

Illmatic by Nas is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#40

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You by Aretha Franklin is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#41

Aquemini

Aquemini by Outkast is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#42

Control

Control by Janet Jackson is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#43

Remain in Light

Remain in Light by Talking Heads is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#44

Innervisions

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#45

Homogenic

Homogenic by Björk is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#46

Exodus

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#47

Take Care

Take Care by Drake is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#48

Paul’s Boutique

Paul’s Boutique by Beastie Boys is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#49

The Joshua Tree

The Joshua Tree by U2 is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →
#50

Hounds of Love

Hounds of Love by Kate Bush is a durable album choice, recognized for musical influence, critical consensus, replay value and strong vinyl editions.

Why it belongs →

Research starting points

Apple Music: 100 Best Albums ↗Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums ↗