David Bowie's albums ranked
The top 3 according to 1,546 votes from people: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars · Low · Hunky Dory. (Updated Jan 19, 2026.)
All of Bowie's studio albums in the order the big rankings tend to agree on: the 70s run on top, Blackstar close behind, the late-80s albums at the bottom.
Top 25
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1
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
1972. The alien rock star who made him a legend.
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2
Low
1977. The first Berlin album, half songs, half ambient.
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3
Hunky Dory
1971. "Life on Mars?" and "Changes".
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4
"Heroes"
1977. Recorded by the Berlin Wall.
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5
Station to Station
1976. The Thin White Duke's cold funk.
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6
Blackstar
2016. Released two days before his death.
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7
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
1980. "Ashes to Ashes" and new-wave edge.
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8
Young Americans
1975. His "plastic soul" album.
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9
The Man Who Sold the World
1970. Heavy, dark and influential.
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10
Aladdin Sane
1973. Ziggy goes to America; the lightning-bolt cover.
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11
Heathen
2002. A late-career return to form.
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12
Let's Dance
1983. His biggest commercial hit, with Nile Rodgers.
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13
Diamond Dogs
1974. A dystopian glam album inspired by Orwell.
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14
Lodger
1979. The last of the Berlin trilogy.
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15
Pin Ups
1973. A covers album of 60s British songs.
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16
Hours
1999. Calm and reflective; some critics' least favourite.
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17
Earthling
1997. Drum and bass Bowie.
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18
David Bowie (Space Oddity)
1969. Major Tom's first trip.
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19
Reality
2003. His last album before a long silence.
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20
The Next Day
2013. A surprise comeback after ten years of silence.
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21
Outside
1995. A dark concept album with Brian Eno.
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22
Black Tie White Noise
1993. Back to solo work after Tin Machine.
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23
Tonight
1984. Often cited as one of his weakest.
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24
Never Let Me Down
1987. Widely seen as his most disappointing.
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25
David Bowie (1967)
1967. His music-hall debut.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (2)
Low above Ziggy would be my pick but fair enough, both are perfect
Blackstar at 6 feels right. Still can't listen to Lazarus without getting emotional