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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!

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The X Factor was a singing competition on a mission to find America’s next undiscovered superstar. The X Factor, on FOX is going to give someone like you the chance to win a $5 million

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The X Factor Season 2 Episode 1 - Auditions No. 1
    7.9/10(58 votes)

    #1 - Auditions No. 1

    S2:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 9 - Boot Camp No. 3 / Judge's House No. 1
    7.7/10(38 votes)

    #2 - Boot Camp No. 3 / Judge's House No. 1

    S2:E9

    The final boot camp in Miami for the contestants, who are judged on their singing, dancing and performance styles. Also, mentoring by the judges.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 23 - LIVE Results Show #5
    7.7/10(28 votes)

    #3 - LIVE Results Show #5

    S2:E23

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 27 - Season Finale, Part Two
    7.7/10(27 votes)

    #4 - Season Finale, Part Two

    S2:E27

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 6 - Boot Camp No. 2
    7.6/10(32 votes)

    #5 - Boot Camp No. 2

    S1:E6

    The second night of Boot Camp will reveal the final 32 acts through to the Judges' Homes round, and the judges will find out what category they're mentoring for the rest of the season.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 5 - Boot Camp No. 1
    7.5/10(31 votes)

    #6 - Boot Camp No. 1

    S1:E5

    The first rounds of Boot Camp see the field of hopefuls pared down.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The X Factor

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  7. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 21 - LIVE Results Show #4
    7.5/10(26 votes)

    #7 - LIVE Results Show #4

    S2:E21

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 7 - Boot Camp No. 1
    7.4/10(31 votes)

    #8 - Boot Camp No. 1

    S2:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 17 - LIVE Results Show #2
    7.4/10(26 votes)

    #9 - LIVE Results Show #2

    S2:E17

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 4 - Auditions No. 4
    7.3/10(34 votes)

    #10 - Auditions No. 4

    S1:E4

    The final auditions episode features the acts auditioning in Newark.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 2 - Auditions No. 2
    7.3/10(33 votes)

    #11 - Auditions No. 2

    S2:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 2 - Auditions No. 2
    7.2/10(38 votes)

    #12 - Auditions No. 2

    S1:E2

    The premiere season of the "The X Factor" continues its auditions in Miami and Dallas as the quest for the $5 million recording contract winner continues. First up is Miami, where 29-year-old Ashley Sansone wears a glittery dress and says people mistake her for a pop singer. This doesn't seem like it's going to end well and she says she wants to channel all her energy into the audience and shares that her email address is "unstoppable talent." She doesn't want to sing songs about Gummi Bears. She starts singing what sounds like Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart." But she might have spared the show some royalties because her lyrics are completely unintelligible. L.A. Reid says he wanted to slit his wrists while she was singing. Simon says he couldn't understand a word she sang. This kicks off a string of bad acts, including a terrible singer who demands an explanation before leaving the stage, a trio of cowboy-hat-wearing fellas, and a mom-and-daughter duet who call themselves "Dreamgirlz, with a 'z'." Gloria Estefan is apparently hoping the rhythm is going to get someone, as she tries to inspire the waiting contestants. Finally, we get a fresh-faced girl who's got a bunch of family with her. Caitlynne Curtis, 16, shows some serious nerves while she sings just the opening bit of Katy Perry's "Firework." Nicole Scherzinger says "there's room to grow." Simon says that's not good news and suggests that she join a group where she doesn't have to "rely on a fantastic vocal." Simon votes no and Caitlynne starts to cry. Paula's worried a breakdown is coming and runs up to the stage to give Caitlynne a supportive hug. Fed up, Simon tells one of the producers, "I hope this is the worst session." The judges take a break and Simon's none too pleased with the talent in Miami. Paula is worried for Simon. Meanwhile, the next contestant tells us his boss fired him for taking time off to go to the audition

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 3 - Auditions No. 3
    7.2/10(33 votes)

    #13 - Auditions No. 3

    S1:E3

    Chicago/Seattle Auditions Episode 3 of The X Factor USA spanned the genre spectrum, with fans of Radiohead, Justin Bieber and traditional country facing judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, LA Reid and Nicole Scherzinger at auditions in Seattle. Oh, and one Ms Cheryl Cole made another brief cameo in Chicago...

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 6 - Auditions No. 6
    7.2/10(30 votes)

    #14 - Auditions No. 6

    S2:E6

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 10 - Judge's House No. 2
    7.2/10(29 votes)

    #15 - Judge's House No. 2

    S2:E10

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 22 - Top Finalists Perform LIVE Show #5
    7.2/10(25 votes)

    #16 - Top Finalists Perform LIVE Show #5

    S2:E22

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 24 - Top Finalists Perform
    7.2/10(27 votes)

    #17 - Top Finalists Perform

    S2:E24

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 25 - Live Results
    7.2/10(24 votes)

    #18 - Live Results

    S2:E25

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 1 - Auditions No. 1
    7.1/10(45 votes)

    #19 - Auditions No. 1

    S1:E1

    It's time. Simon Cowell's return to U.S. television on "The X Factor" arrives Wednesday night, sporting the largest prize in TV history: a $5 million recording contract. The judges are introduced: In addition to Simon, we've got Nicole Scherzinger, L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, "and introducing..." Cheryl Cole. The opening sequence features big, dramatic moments -- including Paula sobbing like nobody's business, and Simon saying he's "hating this," the whole thing is some kind of bleeped expletive and it's "just not working." Then we get title music that sounds eerily similar to "America's Got Talent." Host Steve Jones explains the whole deal: The first audition in L.A. has 20,000 people waiting to audition, which Steve calls a record audition turnout for the city. The rules: Anyone over 12 can audition, either solo or in a group. Then the judges are introduced -- again. Simon says he "walked away from the number one show in America to start a new show. The whole thing's a gamble." L.A. Reid says he walked away from his job as chairman at Island-Def Jam Records. Cheryl Cole joins the auditions in L.A., and Paula is back, saying she's "looking forward to sitting next to my partner in crime."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 8 - Boot Camp No. 2
    7.1/10(27 votes)

    #20 - Boot Camp No. 2

    S2:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 7 - Judges' Homes No. 1
    7.0/10(28 votes)

    #21 - Judges' Homes No. 1

    S1:E7

    In the first of the 3-part Judges' Homes round, the final 32 will sing at their mentor's homes around the globe as only 16 can go through to the live shows.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The X Factor Season 1 Episode 8 - Judges' Homes No. 2
    7.0/10(29 votes)

    #22 - Judges' Homes No. 2

    S1:E8

    In the second of the 3-part Judges' Homes round, the final 32 will sing at their mentor's homes around the globe as only 16 can go through to the live shows.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 4 - Auditions No. 4
    7.0/10(33 votes)

    #23 - Auditions No. 4

    S2:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 12 - Finalists Chosen #1
    7.0/10(26 votes)

    #24 - Finalists Chosen #1

    S2:E12

    The Top 16 acts compete.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The X Factor Season 2 Episode 13 - Top 16 Performances
    7.0/10(30 votes)

    #25 - Top 16 Performances

    S2:E13

    The remaining contestants visit the homes of the judges for mentoring.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Auditions No. 1" is the best rated episode of "The X Factor". It scored 7.9/10 based on 58 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/12/2012. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Boot Camp No. 3 / Judge's House No. 1".