From small, regional producers to big-name giants, there are plenty of delicious brands of potato chips to choose from – and, even though some chips have been discontinued, they still occupy a huge space in their fans' hearts. Here, we take a look at some of the finest and most flavorful packs to grace grocery store shelves over the years and decades. Did your favorite make the list? Click or scroll through our gallery to find out.

Our ranking is based on reviews, accolades, and the popularity of each variety and/or brand of potato chips, taking into account sales, longevity, and the reaction to the products at the time of their release.

Way back in 1906, Amadeo Obici and Mario Peruzzi founded Planters in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. When the company released its line of potato chips in the 1970s, it rivaled Pringles, with curved chips in a cylindrical container. However, thanks to their ridged form, Planters' chips had a crunchier bite. Unfortunately, Planters are no longer produced – perhaps with Pringles to blame – but that doesn't stop die-hard fans snapping up vintage tubs on auction and re-sale websites.

'You can’t stop eating ‘em' is Jays' slogan, and that’s certainly been the case since these beloved chips launched in Chicago, Illinois back in 1927. Minnesotan-born Leonard Japp created Jay’s by frying potato chips in oil instead of lard – and they were originally called Mrs Japp’s Chips, until they were renamed in 1941. Jays proved so popular that they were even mass-produced for Al Capone’s speakeasies.

Popchips are made in a similar way to puffed rice cakes, with half the fat of regular fried potato chips – so think of them as a healthier (but equally tasty) version. The Popchips brand was launched by Keith Belling and Patrick Turpin in 2007 and has six flavors, including Aged White Cheddar and Crazy Hot. In February 2023, it launched a brand-new Hot and Spicy flavor.

With the crunch of a chip and taste of a cracker, Munch ‘Ems – or 'the chips that have gone crackers', according to its ad – were truly one of a kind. Launched in 1964, the grooved chips were cooked until they had a bubbly texture, and were available in Ranch, Onion, and Cheddar flavors. Sadly, Keebler's potato chips were discontinued in the early 2000s, but fans think Cheez-It’s Baked Snack Crackers are almost as good.

Tom’s was founded in Columbus, Georgia by Tom Huston in 1925, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that its potato chips line was launched. And what a journey it’s been; as well as a new packaging design, Tom's flavors have now expanded to include the likes of Vinegar and Salt, Hot Stuff, and Barbecue.

Big in the 1980s, O'Gradys offered 'extra thick and crunchy' potato chips that went down a storm with snack lovers. Its Au Gratin flavor (pictured) was a big-hitter, as well as its Regular and Cheese flavors. While O'Gradys chips have now been discontinued, fans have hunted down a replacement that's fairly similar: Ruffles Extra Thick potato chips.

Now owned by Snyders, Jays are only stocked in the Midwest; their iconic smell lingers in many Chicagoans' memories. Even better than the original chips are the brand's Ridges variety: grooved chips that retain plenty of tasty flavorings. Pictured here is a pack of the popular Sour Cream and Onion flavor, while Cheddar and Buffalo Wing are other easy-to-eat options.

Tom’s also has a much-loved Ridges variety, spanning Mesquite BBQ, Crispy Ridges, and Buffalo Wing flavors. Some critics reckon the seasoning is a little heavy, but this can be balanced out with a plainer dip. Pictured here is the Thick & Bold range, which launched in 2010 – proving Tom's can perfect the chip-dipping game.

Following on from the success of Lay's Classic and Lay's Wavy, and catering to an increasingly health-conscious public, Lay's launched its Baked potato chips variety in 1996. This range contains fewer calories and zero saturated fats, and a mid-1990s ad for the healthier snacks featured none other than Miss Piggy (not to mention a few supermodels). These slightly thicker chips taste a little earthier than Lay's Classic chips, and come in exciting flavors like Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.

Granny Goose was founded by Matthew Barr in Oakland, California in 1946, and its three flavors – Original, Dip, and BBQ – were very popular in the mid-to-late 20th century. Granny Goose chips are a little harder to find today, but their simplicity and well-balanced taste are as loved now as they were decades ago; you can't go far wrong with a pack of these old faithfuls.

The creation of Gramercy, Louisiana resident Ron Zappe, Zapp's launched its first flavor, Cajun Crawtators, in 1985 – and it's claimed that they were America’s first spicy potato chip. The thicker chips are kettle-cooked in peanut oil, and come in a variety of Cajun-themed flavors. Voodoo Heat (pictured) is particularly popular, combining a strong, vinegary tang and a mysterious blend of spices.

Although Irving Hershkowitz (nicknamed Hal) started Hal's New York in 1986, its kettle chips range wasn't launched until 2019, by his son Lewis. All nine flavors are cooked in sunflower oil – and you can't go wrong with Buffalo Ranch, Sweet Chili, or Original Sea Salt. These days, Hal's chips are truly making a worldwide name for themselves: out of all of the company's products, potato chips are its biggest export, and are sold in countries like Canada, France, and Israel.

Founded by Angelo Grippo in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1919, Grippo's started producing potato chips in 1959. The brand innovatively expanded into the market by converting its ice cream cone system into a potato chip cooking process – and the rest, as they say, is history. Grippo's are the official chips of the Cincinnati Reds so, if you head to a game, there's only one snack to choose. They come in flavors like Bar-B-Q, Salt and Vinegar, and Sweet Onion, and there's also a Wavy variety, with more unusual tastes like Cheddar and Horseradish, and Sweet Maui Onion.

Mikesell's was established by Daniel W. Mikesell in Dayton, Ohio in 1910. The first potato chips Mikesell's made were Saratoga chips, which used premium oil instead of the then-standard vegetable oil. To fans' dismay, in 2023 Mikesell's announced that it was going out of business, but there's hope it could be bought by another snack food manufacturer. Mikesell's Facebook page runs plenty of flash sales, with packs of Smoked Bacon, Original, Honey Barbecue, Spicy Dill Pickle, and Kettle Cooked Jamaican Jerk Pork (in their Classic or Groove varieties) up for grabs.

Wise's Ridgies are, as the name suggests, ridged to better allow dips to cling to them. With seven flavors to choose from, including new flavor Buffalo Wings, these thicker chips taste best when dunked into sour cream, salsa, or whatever dips you fancy. The Sour Cream and Onion Ridgies (pictured here) are a firm fan favorite.

Believed to be the oldest potato chip manufacturer in the US, Tri-Sum was started up by JP Duchesneau in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1908 – and Duchesneau originally delivered the hand-cooked chips by horse-drawn wagon. Well over a century later, the potato chip brand is still run by the same family, using the original recipe. You'll mostly find Tri-Sum chips in the New England area, although they can be shipped nationwide. Flavors include Sour Cream and Onion, Barbecue, Plain, or Salt and Vinegar.

Lay’s crinkle-cut counterparts were launched in 1994 and became another of the brand's big-hitters, with flavors like Hickory BBQ and Southern Biscuits and Gravy making snacktime much more fun. Lay's Wavy are part of the Frito-Lay empire, which launched in 1961 and is among America’s most beloved manufacturers of potato (and corn) chips.

Crunch Tators made thier debut in the late 1980s, but despite their popularity, they were sadly discontinued in the mid-1990s. The chips even reached (minor) movie stardom; you can see them being eaten by Macaulay Culkin in the 1990 hit Home Alone. There were just two flavors: Hoppin’ Jalapeno and Mighty Mesquite BBQ. According to a Crunch Tators fan page, it seems they were re-released for a brief period in late 2022.

In 2018, Massachusetts-based chip brand Cape Cod released its tempting Waves variety to much fanfare. With wide, shallow ripples and the perfect amount of seasoning, Cape Cod Waves potato chips have a well-balanced taste and texture. Find them in Sea Salt, Reduced Fat Sea Salt, and White Cheddar, and Sour Cream flavors.

Herr’s was launched by James Stauffer Herr in Nottingham, Pennsylvania in 1946  – and the company is still headquartered there today. The family-focused brand produces a whopping one million pounds (453,592kg) of potato chips every week, with no signs of slowing down. Herr's is never short of innovative offerings either, and in 2023, it launched three limited edition flavors: Tomato Pie, Roast Pork Sandwich, and Korean BBQ Wings.

This Kosher-certified brand was founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1987 and originally supplied Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, before joining the Utz franchise in the 1990s. It’s ironic that Dirty Chips are some of the healthiest potato chips around; cooked in peanut oil, they’re all-natural, and are free from preservatives and cholesterol. Some of the brand's top-tier flavors include Pesto and Parmesan, Smokey Chipotle, and Funky Fusion.

Now over a hundred years old, Wise was founded by Earl Wise in Berwick, Pennsylvania in 1921. The brand produces an incredible 23 million packs of potato chips every month, and they're sold across 15 states – although you're most likely to find them on the East Coast. There are five flavors to choose from, but you can’t go far wrong with Golden Original or Lightly Salted. They're also the official potato chips of the New York Mets.

Husband-and-wife duo Bill and Salie Utz set up Hanover Hoe Brand Potato Chips in Hanover, Pennsylvania in 1921. The company – now known as Utz – expanded in the 1930s and 1940s. While its scrumptious snacks are now stocked nationwide, they're particularly popular on the East Coast. In May 2023, Utz collaborated with Mike’s Hot Honey to launch a new sweet and savory Hot Honey flavor.

Now a global household name, Pringles started as Pringles Newfangled Potato Chips in Evansville, Indiana in 1967. Controversially, under FDA regulations, Pringles can’t legally be called potato chips in the US since they're made with dehydrated processed potato rather than potato slices – which is why they've been known as 'crisps' since 1975. With their iconic curved, stackable shape, Pringles now come in more than 100 flavors, from classic Sour Cream and Onion to limited editions like Pumpkin Pie Spice and 2023’s Minecraft Suspicious Stew.

Another mighty household name, Kettle was founded by Cameron Healy in Salem, Oregon in 1982. Some of the bestselling brand's earliest flavors included Red Chili and Yogurt and Green Onion. These days, you can take your pick from even more adventurous flavors including Apple Cider Vinegar, limited-edition Special Sauce, and plum, garlic, and hoisin–infused Korean Barbecue (pictured). Although the taste is strong, it's not overbearing; this snack hits all the right spots.

We have Herman Lay to thank for one of the best potato chip brands of all time. Lay’s Classic chips launched in 1932, and while the original recipe may not have changed, the flavors certainly have. As well as its classics, more recent – and just as tasty – editions include Fiery Habanero, Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue, and wildcards like India’s Magic Masala.

In second place is this beloved potato chip brand, launched by Bernhardt Stahmer in Omaha, Nebraska in 1956. Today, Ruffles are the official chips of the NBA, so you know you're onto something good when you tuck into a pack. Cheddar and Sour Cream is America’s favorite flavor, but Ruffles is stocked worldwide; you can pick up a pack of Sour Cream ‘n Bacon in Canada, or serrano ham–flavored Jamón in Spain. 

Cape Cod chips were first sold in Hyannis, Massachusetts in 1980 – and what started as a local favorite eventually transformed into a popular nationwide snack. Cape Cod has always been committed to using high-quality, carefully selected ingredients, and they're the sort of chips that have overseas visitors wishing they were available back home. Classic flavors include Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper, and Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño.

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