Now, about that famous Scoville Scale. Since hot sauces come in all kinds of bottles and flavors — habanero, green chili, Sichuan, red pepper, the list goes on — the Scoville Scale at least helps us organize them by spice level. For reference, between the 90 and 16,000,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units), your average bottle of Tabasco falls at 2,500 SHU. With all that saucy info squared away, prepare for the sweet, savory, and of course, spicy top picks, ahead.
Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
World Market The Reaper Sauce
Scoville Scale: N/A
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 29 spicy reviews
Per its description (and that morbid packaging), this habanero hot sauce is "not for the faint of heart." The reviews all agree, however, that this flavorful Chef's kiss of death can't be missed. "This sauce is HOT," writes one World Market customer. "My lips were slightly puffy after eating two wings covered in this stuff, but honestly it was worth it." Let's just say this: If you dabble in culinary masochism, The Reaper is your best bet.
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World Market The Reaper Hot Sauce, $, available at World Market
Da'Bomb Beyond Insanity Hot Sauce
Scoville Scale: 135,600 SHU
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 16,750 spicy ratings
If you didn't bat an eyelash at the grim reaper, then let us bring in the one and only hot sauce bomb. Excuse us, da hot sauce bomb. You might recognize the bottle from the critically-acclaimed series Hot Ones and its slew of celebrity victims. Despite all the documented agony, it's still flying off the shelves to this day. As for the flavor? One (possibly traumatized) Amazon reviewer leaves us with this: "Not sweet. No real taste other than hot." Meanwhile, another Da'Bomb customer's dad was "sweating and red for at least 10 minutes," after consumption, but "he loved it and said it had amazing flavor."
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Da'Bomb Beyond Insanity Hot Sauce, $, available at Amazon
Uncommon Goods Sweet and Savory Hot Sauce Duo
Scoville Scale: N/A
The Hype: 4.95 out of 5 stars and 21 spicy reviews
Introducing the only good cop-bad cop handmade hot sauce duo you'll ever need. First enjoy some sweet, spicy heat complemented by fruity pineapple and mango. Next, take a break with the savory side's herbal blend. Per one Uncommon Goods verified buyer, this combo is the "perfect mix" and "sweet and savory with just the right amount of kick that won't burn your mouth off." Another reviewer chimes in, "Great balance of flavors. Perfect gift for a hot sauce fan!"
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Uncommon Goods Sweet and Savory Hot Sauce Duo, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp
Scoville Scale: N/A
The Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 1,845 spicy reviews
The secret behind Fly By Jing is the 100% all-natural chili sauce. The combination of searing heat, crispy spice, and bold pepper will have your mouth a bit numb but watering nonetheless. For on-site reviewer Casandra S., it's "the only chili crisp [they] have in [their] home," despite trying other store brands out of convenience. Verified buyer Pat M. keeps her review short n' sweet after giving a golden 5-star rating: "Amazing."
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Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp, $, available at Fly by Jing
TRUFF Truffle-Infused Hot Sauce
Scoville Scale: 2500 SHU
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 25 spicy reviews
You say "trendy hot sauce," we all say "TRUFF," and understandably so. It's not every day that we come across premium chili spice blends waltzing with decadent truffles inside a dashing glass bottle. In fact, a majority of reviewers purchased it for special occasions. Food52 customer Laura gave a set to her husband who now "puts it in everything," as a result of the "great quality and taste." As for verified buyer Lynda S., this sauce was "the star for [their] Christmas dinner appetizer" that everyone adored. Choose a single, couple, or trio of your favorite flavors and your tastebuds (and guests) will thank you.
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TRUFF Truffle-Infused Hot Sauce, $, available at Food52
Mike's Hot Honey 10 oz Easy Pour Bottle (1 Pack)
Scoville Scale: 450 SHU
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 49,570 spicy ratings
Probably the most hyped hot sauce retailer on our list: Mike's Hot Honey. The brand prides itself on having perfected the beloved "sweet heat" combo, and plenty of happy customers agree. Amazon Reviewer Mike Scarione discovered the flavor at a pizza shop and is now hooked. "It gives everything a touch of sweetness with just a hint of heat," he mentions. "I since bought some and last week added it to my pot of sauce, everyone raved about it." This specific bottle contains no artificial sugar, preservatives, or gluten — which only leaves room for 100% pure honey, real chili peppers, and a splash of vinegar.
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Mike's Hot Honey 10 oz Easy Pour Bottle (1 Pack), $, available at Amazon
Bachan's Yuzu Japanese BBQ Sauce
Scoville Scale: N/A
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 503 spicy ratings
While we're not sure if this counts as a hot sauce, Bachan's Japanese BBQ concoction is at the very least a hot topic. Our very own beauty writer Karina Hoshikawa has sung the praises of its harmonious sweet, savory, and citrus notes as well as its versatility in the kitchen. Dramatics aside, she thinks it may be "the best sauce to ever sauce." Not only that, but she's well-versed in Bachan's tasty merchandise and still considers this BBQ to be "seriously on another level."
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Bachan's Yuzu Japanese Barbecue Sauce, $, available at Amazon
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