The X Factor backdrop
Reality

The Best Episodes of The X Factor

Every episode of The X Factor ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The X Factor!

Binge this in 10d 22h•Peaking at 8.1/10

The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent, contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions.

Airs on
ITV1
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons15

All123456789101112131415

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The X Factor Season 7 Episode 6 - Auditions 6: Manchester Day 2
    8.1/10(20 votes)

    #1 - Auditions 6: Manchester Day 2

    S7:E6

    With Cheryl Cole still absent, the contestants in Manchester have one last chance to impress Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and guest judge Nicole Scherzinger in the final audition show before boot camp begins next week.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 3 - Auditions 3: Birmingham welcomes Natalie Imbruglia!
    7.8/10(17 votes)

    #2 - Auditions 3: Birmingham welcomes Natalie Imbruglia!

    S7:E3

    Guest judge Natalie Imbruglia helps Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh select the best solo singers and groups at the auditions in Birmingham, where highlights include a female duo whose attitude fails to impress Simon. Plus, more from London, where a pair of twins from Paris bring back memories of Jedward for the judges.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 11 - Live Show 1
    7.8/10(17 votes)

    #3 - Live Show 1

    S7:E11

    Tonights theme: Number one Singles. Dermot O'Leary hosts the first of the live shows. Thousands of singers auditioned across the UK and their numbers have been whittled down so that now only the 12 finalists remain to battle it out for a life-changing record contract. Each finalist is mentored by one of the judges - Dannii Minogue returns from maternity leave to support the boys, Cheryl Cole looks after the girls, Simon Cowell is mentoring the groups and Louis Walsh is helping the contestants in the new over-28s category. Tomorrow night, the first act will leave the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 15 - Live Show 3
    7.8/10(17 votes)

    #4 - Live Show 3

    S7:E15

    The 10 remaining acts battle it out to win the public's votes and stay in the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 28 - Series 7 - Elimination - 9 (Result)
    7.8/10(24 votes)

    #5 - Series 7 - Elimination - 9 (Result)

    S7:E28

    Britain has been voting over the last 24 hours and now the semi-finalists find out the result of the public vote. The act with the fewest votes will leave the competition, and the others will compete in next week's final. Including live performances from the cast of hit US series Glee, former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and chart-topping group the Black Eyed Peas. Hosted by Dermot O'Leary.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 29 - The Final 2010
    7.8/10(23 votes)

    #6 - The Final 2010

    S7:E29

    The finalists go head to head as they sing live in a bid to win this year's competition and bag a life-changing recording contract. Also battling it out are judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole, while host Dermot O'Leary is on hand to keep the warring parties at bay. Plus there will be performances by some amazing international guest stars. The voting lines open tonight as the countdown starts - tomorrow night, one act will win the X Factor.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The X Factor

    READ
  7. The X Factor Season 6 Episode 13 - Live Show 2: Diva Week
    7.7/10(17 votes)

    #7 - Live Show 2: Diva Week

    S6:E13

    Watch all 11 acts strut their stuff as they make their claim to The X Factor throne. Tonight the competition really hots up, and Whitney Houston is a special guest tomorrow night. Louis Walsh will be absent from both shows as he attends Stephen Gately's funeral in Dublin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 16 - Series 7 - Elimination - 3 (Result)
    7.7/10(17 votes)

    #8 - Series 7 - Elimination - 3 (Result)

    S7:E16

    Join Dermot O'Leary live for the results of the public vote. The two acts with the lowest number of votes must perform again in the final showdown. Then judges Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue, Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole will decide who stays to sing another day and who leaves the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 19 - Live Show 5
    7.7/10(16 votes)

    #9 - Live Show 5

    S7:E19

    The battle for the crown continues as the eight remaining acts step onto Britain's biggest stage for the fifth live show. Each of the performers will be hoping to impress the voting audience at home as well as judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh. Host Dermot O'Leary will be on hand to deal with the war of words as the judges give their views on each performance and defend their singers. Next time, one act will be leaving the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 21 - Live Show 6
    7.7/10(18 votes)

    #10 - Live Show 6

    S7:E21

    Only seven acts remain and the competition will be getting fiercer than ever as the performers battle it out to stay in the running. Judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh will be on the edges of their seats as they support the singers they are mentoring

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The X Factor Season 15 Episode 27 - Final Saturday
    7.7/10(19 votes)

    #11 - Final Saturday

    S15:E27

    The final acts perform in the hope of impressing the judges and the audience at home, while a lineup of guest performers takes to the stage.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 10 - Judges Houses 2
    7.6/10(18 votes)

    #12 - Judges Houses 2

    S7:E10

    The judges reveal who has made it through to the live finals.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 13 - Live Show 2
    7.6/10(16 votes)

    #13 - Live Show 2

    S7:E13

    Tonights theme: Heroes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 9 - Judges Houses 1
    7.5/10(20 votes)

    #14 - Judges Houses 1

    S7:E9

    Those who have made it through travel to the judges houses where they have one last chance to impress before the judges decide who they will put through to the live stages of the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 22 - Live Results Show 6
    7.5/10(16 votes)

    #15 - Live Results Show 6

    S7:E22

    It is time for the seven remaining acts to find out the result of the public vote. The two acts with the lowest numbers of votes must sing for survival in the final showdown. Then judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh will decide who stays in the competition and who is sent home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 24 - Live Results Show 7
    7.5/10(16 votes)

    #16 - Live Results Show 7

    S7:E24

    t is time to reveal the results of the public vote. The two acts with the fewest votes will have to perform again in a sing-off, and then it is up to the judges to decide who stays in the competition and who is eliminated.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The X Factor Season 15 Episode 12 - Judges' Houses 1
    7.5/10(21 votes)

    #17 - Judges' Houses 1

    S15:E12

    The remaining 24 acts jet off to the Judges' Houses stage. Offering a glimpse into the jetset lifestyle that the winner could have, the contestants travel to glamorous destinations across the world, and with just one more chance to impress their mentor, each act will be hoping to convince them that they have the star quality required to reach the live shows.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 14 - Live Results Show 2
    7.4/10(16 votes)

    #18 - Live Results Show 2

    S7:E14

    Join host Dermot O'Leary live as the 11 remaining acts find out the results of the public vote. The two acts with the lowest number of votes must sing for survival in the final showdown. Then it is up to the judges to decide who stays to sing another day and who leaves the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 25 - Live Show 8
    7.4/10(16 votes)

    #19 - Live Show 8

    S7:E25

    It is the eighth live show, and with only five acts remaining, the pressure is really on to make an impression on both the judges and the voters at home. Panellists Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh will be rooting for the performers in their categories

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The X Factor Season 10 Episode 1 - Room Auditions 1
    7.4/10(18 votes)

    #20 - Room Auditions 1

    S10:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The X Factor Season 10 Episode 32 - Final Results
    7.4/10(16 votes)

    #21 - Final Results

    S10:E32

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 17 - Series 7 - Elimination - 4
    7.3/10(20 votes)

    #22 - Series 7 - Elimination - 4

    S7:E17

    Live Show

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 20 - Live Results Show 5
    7.3/10(16 votes)

    #23 - Live Results Show 5

    S7:E20

    Dermot O'Leary hosts the live results show. The remaining performers will be on tenterhooks as the results of the public vote are revealed, as the two acts with the lowest number of votes must sing for their survival in the final showdown.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 23 - Series 7 - Elimination - 7
    7.3/10(17 votes)

    #24 - Series 7 - Elimination - 7

    S7:E23

    here are only six acts remaining in the competition, and today they must sing live again in a battle to win the biggest prize in pop. Also fighting it out are judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh, who are each mentoring one category of singers. Host Dermot O'Leary will be on hand to deal with all the tears and triumphs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The X Factor Season 7 Episode 30 - The Final 2010 Results
    7.3/10(23 votes)

    #25 - The Final 2010 Results

    S7:E30

    Britain has been voting for 24 hours and the finalists face a nail-biting wait to find out the results of the public vote. Joining them for the biggest pop event of the year are judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh as well as more top international guest stars. The two finalists left battling for the crown after the third-placed act has gone home will perform what will become the winner's single. Then it is the moment that everybody has been waiting for as Dermot O'Leary announces the winner of The X Factor 2010.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Auditions 6: Manchester Day 2" is the best rated episode of "The X Factor". It scored 8.1/10 based on 20 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/19/2010. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Auditions 3: Birmingham welcomes Natalie Imbruglia!".