The BEST episodes of Best Ink

Every episode of Best Ink ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Best Ink!

Best Ink follows a group of 10 tattoo artists from various cities in the United States. The winner of the competition wins a $100,000 cash prize and a cover article of a well-known tattoo-related magazine.

Last Updated: 4/3/2026Network: OxygenStatus: Ended

8.51

41 votes

#1 - Brand New Life

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/15/2013

The contestants use innovative animation technology to bring their artwork to life. Appearing: tattoo artist Miya Bailey.

Watch Now:Amazon

8.05

39 votes

#2 - Be Ready For Anything

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/22/2013

The ink artists must create photo-realistic tattoos. Also: a "fast-and-furious" challenge. Appearing: artist Jason Seiler.

7.97

39 votes

#3 - True Love

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/29/2013

The final four tattoo artists work with their family members.

7.87

39 votes

#4 - I've Got a Secret

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/10/2013

The contestants must create a tattoo using a controversial medium. Appearing: music artist Ray J.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.83

41 votes

#5 - Bigger and Badder

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/3/2013

Season 2 of the skin-art competition series kicks off with 12 top tattoo artists beginning their battle for $100,000 and a cover story in a magazine. Pete Wentz is the new host.

7.79

39 votes

#6 - Live Out Loud

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/24/2013

The contestants create abstract skin art for music aficionados. They also design guitars.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.72

40 votes

#7 - A Good Laugh

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/1/2013

The contestants must create a humorous tattoo. Justin Bua is the guest judge.

7.71

45 votes

#8 - The King of Ink

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/8/2012

The stakes are raised when the final four contestants are asked to create tribute tattoos to Michael Jackson, judged by his brother, Jermaine Jackson.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.70

10 votes

#9 - Shock and Awe

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/12/2014

The artists are caught off guard by an unreal shock-art performance. A heated conflict erupts between the remaining competitors.

7.64

11 votes

#10 - Full Body of Work

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/5/2013

The three remaining artists tattoo familiar skins as old customers return to the chair. After a surprise elimination, the final two artists ink masterpieces on celebrity guests Travie McCoy and AJ McLean, but only one artist will be crowned Best Ink.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.64

11 votes

#11 - The $100,000 Tattoo

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/26/2014

The 3 remaining artists are caught off-guard by a frantic flash challenge in Venice Beach. The final 2 artists battle for a life changing grand prize.

7.62

13 votes

#12 - Playing Dirty

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/11/2013

Enemies are created when one artist uses her advantage at the expense of another. The artists are challenged with covering-up comically bad tattoos with new designs.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.58

12 votes

#13 - Sexy Pin-ups

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/5/2014

The six remaining artists are surprised with an emotional visit from their significant others before creating sexy pin-up tattoos with a twist.

7.56

16 votes

#14 - For the Love of Ink

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/15/2012

The final three contestants tattoo three returning clients with three different symbols of love. Margaret Cho helps decide who has the Best Ink and wins the $100,000 prize.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.56

59 votes

#15 - Something to Hide

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/27/2012

Ten tattoo artists square off in skin-art battles in the premiere of this reality-competition series. Prizes include $100,000 and a magazine cover story.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.46

13 votes

#16 - Crash and Burn

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/19/2014

The artists get reckless in an adrenaline fueled demolition derby. After creating amazing 3-D tattoos, a top artist is sent home in a shocking elimination.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.43

14 votes

#17 - The Seven Deadly Sins

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/4/2013

Host Pete Wentz guides 14 of America's best tattoo artists through artistic ink challenges based upon the seven deadly sins. Face-Off's Glenn Hetrick is guest judge.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.42

12 votes

#18 - Fight Club

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/18/2013

After the artists face-off in the Best Ink fight club, an unexpected twist throws the competition into chaos. The artists work in pairs, in a way they've never experienced. Street Artist Justin Bua guest judges the dynamic flash challenge.

Watch Now:Apple TV

7.40

55 votes

#19 - Pinup Showdown

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/3/2012

Using live models as inspiration, the artists create classic pin-up girl tattoos, but tensions rise as the contenders are forced to swap designs. Hannah Aitchison guest judges.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.36

11 votes

#20 - I'm Sexy And I Know It

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/8/2013

The contestants try to soar when creating tattoos while in airplanes. Judge Joe Capobianco's famed style of tattoo art is also featured.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.27

52 votes

#21 - Emotional Skin-Pact

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/10/2012

The artists are asked to create a tattoo that commemorates a life-changing event in their client’s life. Singer Aaron Carter guest judges.

7.25

12 votes

#22 - Pain in the Ribs

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/1/2014

The artists head to The Viper Room to meet Pete Wentz and witness a surprise performance. They are then challenged to do painful rib tattoos, but one competitor's future in the competition is put in jeopardy when her skin can't handle the pain.

7.25

12 votes

#23 - Life's a Beach

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/29/2014

The artists create amazing nautical themed tattoos. Surf legend Laird Hamilton makes an appearance.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.23

13 votes

#24 - Quittin' Time

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/8/2014

The intense pressure of the competition pushes Danny over the edge. The artists create amazing Asian-inspired artwork.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.21

14 votes

#25 - Man and the Machine

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/22/2014

The artists get a crash course in the surreal style of bio-mechanical tattoos from tattoo legend Guy Aitchison. The competition gets personal as the artists face off against each other for the first time.