The best ambient albums

Ranked by every score on sleeves, critics' and listeners'. An album with few scores is pulled toward the average until more come in, so one perfect score cannot top the list.

  1. 1UntrueBurial · 4.5 from 3 scores
  2. 2Dawn FMThe Weeknd · 4.3 from 3 scores
  3. 3folkloreTaylor Swift · 4.5 from 2 scores
  1. 4Music Has the Right to ChildrenBoards of Canada5 from 1 score
  2. 5DangerousMichael Jackson4.5 from 1 score
  3. 6GeogaddiBoards of Canada4.5 from 1 score
  4. 7Selected Ambient Works 85–92Aphex Twin4.5 from 1 score
  5. 8Ray of LightMadonna4 from 1 score
  6. 9In ColourJamie xx3.8 from 4 scores
  7. 10SleepMax Richter3.5 from 1 score
  8. 11Black SandsBonobo3.5 from 1 score
  9. 12E•MO•TIONCarly Rae Jepsen3.5 from 3 scores
  10. 13The Campfire HeadphaseBoards of Canada3.5 from 3 scores
  11. 14ParachutesColdplay3.3 from 2 scores
  12. 15BabelMumford & Sons3 from 2 scores
  13. 16A Thousand SunsLinkin Park2.5 from 1 score
  14. 17Simple ThingsZero 72.5 from 1 score
  15. 18Ghosts I–IVNine Inch Nails2.5 from 2 scores
  16. 19The FragileNine Inch Nails1 from 1 score