Few foods inspire as much heated debate as the pickle. Some swear by the crisp snap of a refrigerated spear while others hunt for the perfect balance of vinegar and salt. Yet, with so many different brands to choose from, the pickle aisle is more often than not a lineup of disappointment. So, we set out to answer the important question, which pickle is truly superior? 

To make our ranking as accessible and relevant as possible, we focused solely on name-brand pickles—those widely available at grocery stores nationwide. While gourmet and artisanal pickles may offer unique flavor profiles, we wanted to ensure that our winner was something anyone could find at their local supermarket.

In order to avoid bias, we blindly tasted and ranked seven name-brand dill pickles: Claussen, Grillo’s, Mt. Olive, Vlasic, Sonoma, Signature Select (Safeway’s store brand) and Bubbies. We created a rubric assessing what we consider to be the four critical aspects of a pickle: crunch/snap, flavor balance, seasonings (dill, garlic, etc.) and presentation.

Although we have deemed ourselves pickle judges, our opinions are subjective and based on what we consider to be an ideal specimen of pickle goodness. However, by sticking to accessible brands and carefully evaluating each contender, we aim to settle the debate once and for all.

7. Sonoma 

Sonoma is known for its organic, naturally fermented pickles, but after testing we found that these good intentions do not translate to a strong pickle. 

From the very first bite, we could tell something was off. Instead of the crunch that separates a great pickle from its undeserving contenders, Sonoma’s texture is oddly soft—almost gelatinous, as if the cucumber started to break down before it even reached the jar. And the brine, the seasoned liquid that pickles are fermented in, does little to save it. Without the vinegar to provide the brightness and crisp structure needed in a good pickle, the taste is flat, leaving nothing but the musty aftertaste of a pickle that seems like it had been forgotten in the back of the fridge. 

Any flavor complexity Sonoma attempted was immediately covered up during fermentation, and what remains is the afterthought of a pickle. The appearance doesn’t do anything to help the overall pickle either—its pale green body looks translucent in comparison to the strong vibrancy of the other brands like Grillo’s or Mt. Olive. 

This is a pickle that’s trying to reinvent the wheel but instead ended up removing everything that’s loved in a traditional dill pickle. Without the tangy brightness of vinegar and the satisfying snap of a well-pickled cucumber, Sonoma simply doesn’t deliver on the core elements of an outstanding dill pickle.

6. Bubbies

Bubbies wasn’t initially one of the pickles we were expecting to test. However, after multiple people enthusiastically recommended it, we decided we had to try it. 

Bubbies prides itself on its naturalness, its transparent and dull color a result of that simplicity. However, Bubbies lacks in several of our desired categories. 

The snap and crunch did not stand out to us and the flavor deviated strongly from the traditional tangy and salty pickle taste. Instead, the pickle tasted oddly musky and had an earthy aftertaste. This distinct taste likely comes from their natural fermentation process, rather than relying on vinegar to mimic the traditional pickle flavor, like most companies do. 

However, the unique musky flavor might also occur because, instead of traditional tap distilled water, Bubbies uses well-water which contains a higher concentration of minerals, such as iron and manganese which are responsible for this musty flavor. Additionally, we found this taste to be overpowering and didn’t enjoy the unique flavors between the vinegar and salt. 

While well-water and natural fermentation have their benefits and are healthier, being more nutrient and mineral dense, the musty and earthy aftertaste isn’t something we necessarily enjoy in pickles. So, while Bubbies offers a unique, naturally fermented alternative, its overpowering stale flavor separated it from the top contenders.

5. Vlasic

Vlasic pickles are probably one of the most well known and iconic pickle brands out there; its stork mascot is a staple jar on grocery store shelves. But does familiarity equal greatness? Not quite.

The first bite is undeniably satisfying—Vlasic delivers a sharp, audible, crunch that rivals even the best refrigerated brands. Each pickle has a sturdy structure with none of the dreaded sogginess or limp texture we saw in Sonoma. 

However, we both found the flavor to be extremely vinegary and acidic. Overpowering the salt and herbs, the pickle leaves you with an intense and potent aftertaste that lingers on the tongue long after every bite, making it difficult to enjoy more than a few at a time. While we did not personally enjoy the sharp taste the pickles presented, some may appreciate this punchy and aggressive tang. 

Visually and textually, Vlasic sets a high bar for other competitors. And while it doesn’t suffer from the murkiness of Bubbies or Sonoma, it lacks the balance of flavor that appears in higher-ranked contenders.

4. Signature Select (Safeway Brand)

Signature Select was the most average pickle we tested. It was not bad, but it had no memorable features. The crunch fell flat in comparison to the others, giving resistance at first but never providing the satisfying snap that separates a good pickle from a great pickle. Flavors were very similarly lacking as it was stuck in an awkward in-between area where it was somehow both too acidic and not acidic enough. Its garlic and dill barely were noticeable, leaving the brine tasting incomplete. 

Even its appearance was mediocre, having an artificial green color that screams mass production and lacks the individuality needed to draw consumers’ eyes. It’s a placeholder pickle, something you add to a sandwich to make it look fuller. You would never necessarily seek out Signature Select over another option, and that’s where it falls short. A good pickle accomplishes something special, through its texture, seasoning or even just uniqueness. Signature Select accomplishes nothing special, just mediocrity among its pickle competitors.

3. Claussen 

Claussen was our initial front runner. Its refrigerated pickling process gives it an unbeatable edge—each bite containing such crunch that shelf-stable brands will never match. It is consistent and satisfying in a way that leaves every other pickle we tested tasting plain by comparison.

However, crunch isn’t everything. The brine must be able to hold its own as well, and at the beginning, Claussen’s does. The vinegar cuts through, the garlic adds spice and the dill provides a clean balance. It started off as a clear winner. 

Then the salt continued to build. As we took bites three and four, the saltiness became overwhelming and quickly began to hide the vinegar balance and crisp garlic seasoning we previously loved. Many will appreciate this extra kick, but most others will think it throws the entire pickle way too far out of balance. 

Visually, Claussen again takes the lead with its fresh, and natural color, solidifying its strong reputation. And while the salt issue keeps it from being perfect, it still knocks out most every other pickle in its category. If crunch is your biggest priority and you’re okay with a lot of seasoning, Claussen is a winner. But if balance is more important, then this isn’t the pickle for you.

2. Grillos

Grillo’s was undoubtedly the most highly regarded and applauded pickle of the bunch, earning widespread praise for its exceptional snap and vibrant flavor. From the moment we opened the jar, it was clear that this pickle was something special. The crisp, fresh scent of the dill and garlic immediately set it apart, hinting at the bold and vibrant flavor to come

One of the defining characteristics of Grillo’s was its incredible crunch. Unlike some pickles that can be too soft or dense, Grillos delivered the perfect balance—firm yet tender, with an audible crunch in every bite. This level of quality is what truly elevated Grillo’s above the competition and allowed it to perform this well.

Beyond its unbeatable crunch, Grillo’s offered a complex and refreshing flavor profile. The herbs were able to shine through the intensity of the vinegar—something most pickle brands struggle with achieving. However, we found the balance of flavor to be far too acidic. Unlike the Mt. Olive pickles that had a lingering acidity, Grillos was not playing around. The vinegar was like a sharp, aggressive sting—not unsimilar to an oral assault. However, something about them was addicting. The acidity didn’t cause us to create the typical “sour face” but instead left us wanting and craving more.

1. Mt. Olive

We significantly underestimated Mt. Olive, and it came back to slap us in the face. When we first set out to rank our top pickles, we assumed Mt. Olive would deliver a solid but unremarkable experience, checking the boxes for a classic store-bought pickle without standing out in any major way. However, as soon as we tasted it, we realized how much we underestimated it.

One of the standout qualities of Mt. Olive’s was its balance of salt to vinegar. Some pickles lean too heavily on the sour side, overwhelming the palate with an aggressive bite of acidity. Others go the opposite direction, relying too much on salt without providing enough vinegar or herbs. Mt. Olive struck that perfect middle ground, creating a tangy, well-rounded flavor that was bold and smooth. Additionally, it also had that classic and nostalgic pickle taste, and unlike Sonoma, the skin wasn’t too thick and it wasn’t soggy.

In the end, Mt. Olive didn’t just meet our expectations, it exceeded them. From its expertly balanced seasonings to its satisfying crunch, it proved to be the ultimate pickle, earning its spot as the undisputed champion.