Winning The Voice is one thing. But being a truly winning coach on NBC‘s enduring sing-off, quite another.
Any successful recording artist — well, almost any; sorry, Nick Jonas & Co. — can lead a wannabe Cassadee Pope or Sundance Head across the finish line to victory. However, for a coach to reign supreme with the audience takes a special combination of mentoring ability, personality and a knack for thinking quickly on one’s feet.
A willingness to participate in hella-goofy skits helps, too. (They are par for the course.)
So which of the show’s 20+ coaches have had what it takes to click with not only their team members but viewers as well? Before Season 26’s fall premiere seats rookies Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg next to returning coaches Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani, TVLine asked itself exactly that question.
Below, you’ll find our rankings for all of The Voice’s coaches, from the best of the best (whose name may or may not rhyme with Shake Meltin’) to… well, the rest. They’ve been judged on their track records, of course. But also taken into consideration has been their ability to connect — first and foremost with their contestants but, just as importantly, with us.
To see who came out on top — or, perhaps more interestingly, who didn’t — just keep scrolling. Then hit the comments with the order in which you’d have placed the coaches.
Season(s): 4, 6. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: The bonds that the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer formed with her contestants seemed as genuine as her enthusiasm. But as winning as her personality was, she didn’t just lose both of her seasons, she didn’t even manage to get a single contestant to the finale.
Season(s): 18, 20. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: The hottest of the Jonas Brothers galvanized the sing-off with boyish charm and a mile-wide competitive streak. Trouble was, he never scribbled in Nick’s Notes™ a strategy that was foolproof enough to usher a contestant over the finish line.
Season(s): 21. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: Once she loosened up, the “Dangerous Woman” singer impressed with her technical analyses of the performances as well as her tearfully heartfelt connections with her team members. If only that had led any of her contestants to the finale.
Season(s): 22. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: The X-Factor grad made a charming addition to the coaching panel, armed as she was with a playful kid-sister energy. And at least she managed to get one singer to the finale (Morgan Myles, who came in third place).
Season(s): 25. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: Though the country-pop tag team struck out in their rookie season, their boundless enthusiasm still managed to win us over (and make it worthwhile for the show to have engineered a special double chair for the duo).
Season(s): 11, 13. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: The erstwhile Hannah Montana brought to The Voice an irreverent vivacity. But winning the show takes more than a winning personality, it takes song selections that leave viewers going “Aw, yeah!” instead of “Yeah, no.”
Season(s): 1-3, 5. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: Although the Grammy-winning “F–k You” vocalist never managed to steer a contestant to victory, he remains one of the sing-offs more memorable coaches, owing to a wardrobe that rivals Gwen Stefani’s and a purr-fectly adorable sidekick.
Season(s): 13, 15. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: We’ll excitedly throw a shoe the day that the Oscar-winning American Idol alum reclaims her red swivel chair. She may not have ushered anyone into the winners’ circle, but she infused the panel with a much-needed jolt of energy.
Season(s): 4, 6. Number of wins: 1. Reason for the ranking: Even Blake Shelton can’t say that his contestants won half the seasons that he was a Voice coach. What’s more, Usher made his chair a hot seat by occasionally pulling out some fancy footwork and regularly demonstrating his way with words.
Season(s): 7, 9, 12, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26. Number of wins: 1. Reason for the ranking: Even on a show where the commentary often lacks substance, the former No Doubt frontwoman’s remarks stand out like empty speech bubbles. Like CeeLo Green before her, she’s likelier to be remembered for her wardrobe than her coaching.
Season(s): 23, 25. Number of wins: 0. Reason for the ranking: Fellow Season 23 rookie Niall Horan took the win, but the hip-hop star still made a lasting first impression with his sense of humor and obliviousness to classic songs. (TVLine deeply inhaled the breath of fresh air that the duo brought to the show.)
Season(s): 24-. Number of wins: 1. Reason for the ranking: Picking up where OG Blake Shelton left off, the country legend steered Asher HaVon to victory in her second season with a unique method of offering feedback. And every step of the way, she was, as she’d put it, just as cute as a button.
Season(s): 11-12, 14. Number of wins: 1. Reason for the ranking: A Grammy winner 15 times over (and counting), Keys added to the coaching panel a welcome dose of serenity; when she spoke, contestants didn’t just believe her, they felt her. Plus, she shined a spotlight on the sublime Chris Blue.
Season(s): 1-3, 5, 8, 10. Number of wins: 1. Reason for the ranking: It took the Grammy winner (quite) a while to find her footing. But once she sprung that genie from a bottle, so to speak, she entered the record books by becoming the first female coach to emerge victorious (in her final season, with Alisan Porter).
Season(s): 16-22, 24-25. Number of wins: 1. Reason for the ranking: The EGOT winner made a lasting first impression with Maelyn Jarmon’s victory in his inaugural season. Since then, he’s proven to be a formidable recruiter and, appealingly, one who wears his heart on his always-chic sleeve.
Season(s): 7-10. Number of wins: 1. Reason for the ranking: Though the “Happy” singer only made a victor of Season 8’s Sawyer Fredericks, he’s still a standout in our book for the way he looked out for the contestants — to the point that he’d stick with underdogs assuming the MVPs would be stolen.
Season(s): 23, 24. Number of wins: 2. Reason for the ranking: Two seasons, two wins — there’s a tough-to-beat track record for ya, eh? On top of that, the former One Direction heartthrob gamely mugs his way through the goofy schtick that had always been the stock-in-trade of “dad” Blake Shelton.
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Season(s): 14-21, 23. Number of wins: 4. Reason for the ranking: Sure, the “She talks a lot” schtick got old fast. But the first-ever American Idol winner was spirited and fun, racked up an enviable number of victories and made Voice history with the show’s first group win (Season 21’s superlative Girl Named Tom).
Season(s): 1-16. Number of wins: 3. Reason for the ranking: No coach ever sparked more brightly with Blake Shelton than Maroon 5’s frontman. And while his competitive streak made him highly enjoyable for a long time, it ultimately led to an exit that left many a viewer puckered up from the taste of sour grapes.
Season(s): 1-23. Number of wins: 9. Reason for the ranking: The Voice’s GOAT was altogether right to anoint himself the king of the sing-off. Not only has he racked up more wins than any other coach, but his contestants have by and large gone on to the most successful post-show careers.
“The Voice” coaches ranked.
Where is the article ranking “The Voice” winners?
“The Voice” is only about the coaches and the show’s gimmicks.
This is my favorite show that I brush home to see every time it plays. As a music teacher, I appreciate the solid coaching that these Stars give to the new talent.
I am out any season Gwen shows up her wardrobe is for the most part ridiculous and pulling the BS card she is deff out of her lane no matter how hard she tries surprised B who says his old country thru and thru doesn’t Stand by that statement I could go on but I won’t long and short of it she is a disruption to the show and far better coaches been bring back niall or usher or anyone else
Of course Blake has to be number one gotta love him and I would say Niall Horan should of come in second. He made the show the 1st season without Blake
This year seemed like the best balanced team of judges. Will not watch next season because of Snoop and Gwen.
I’ll probably watch the next season only because I’m curious to see how Buble will do. But I’m not looking forward to see Snoop as a judge. Enough with these rap artists–how about an R&B artist like Weeknd, Miguel, Ne-Yo et al.
Or John Legend?
It seems the public votes for their favorite Coach moreso than the best singer/voice. Shelton has a lot of fans. What helped Nial win was his continual reference to Shelton. There have been plenty of exceptional voices over the years that deserved to win, but didn’t. This season had good singing, but none were that great, comparatively speaking. I’m glad exceptional voices didn’t waste their time auditioning this season.
Miss Blake, but love Reba
I love the voice❣️.
I think Reba & the rest of the team did a great job this year. I hope the other judges are just as good.
Blake has always been my favorite 💗 I hope he decides in a few years to come back on the Voice❣️
I stop watching boring judges show went to pot without Blake
As soon as I clicked, I said Niall better at least be top 5. Glad I was not disappointed
Not saying he didn’t deserve it but there was absolutely zero surprise for who would be number one. An underdog pick for the spot would have made the article much more interesting and fostered a robust debate among commenters.
As much as I dislike him, Morgan Wallen is the most successful person to come from the show. Blake is the only person who didn’t support him (ironic given the genre he pursued) as Shakira and Usher turned for him, he joined the latter’s team and Adam saved him for one round.
So, the comment about Blake having the most successful contestants is not exactly true.
While I agree re: Morgan Wallen, another ironic thing after his horrible comment’s he was on Ushers team.?! Crazy.
But – Blake’s teams actually have had the most success of all teams.
Blake was always my favorite coach and I miss him😢😢
Is Adam Levine ever coming back, Christina Aguilera ?????
I loved Adam and was very sorry to see him go!
Great show, entertaining, has a bit of humor and depth plus the coaches, Reba, Blake, Dan and Shay, John Legend and Chance are the best. Gwen is just so tacky.
Keep the show going.
No more voice at our house ! We
Don’t like Reba at all or the double chair guys or chance !
John needs stay the rest bye bye ! BLAKE NEEDS COME BACK WITH OUT GWEN FOR
SURE WE DONT LIKE HER EITHER ! So many people say this ! SO BLAKE COME
BK PICK OTHER COACHES BE
PERFECT AND FUNNY ADAM NEEDS COME BK USED BE BEST EVER
Loved this season, but definitely missed Blake.
I watched the last of AI and Voice had far superior talent.
Blake is my favorite haven’t watched since he quit. He’s #1
With me
Blake added something to that show that they will never have again. Take care Blake have a blessed life you deserve it.
The voice is about nothing other than country music and I thought we had a country music show as it was but obviously we don’t so that’s why the country people win. Needless to say you seen none of them in the future they win and they’re gone.
He is as close to the real deal as your gonna get in the GAME of Big BUCKS. I love 😘💗 BLAKE
The voice is not the same without Blake Shelton plz Blake come back as a couch
The voice is not the same without Blake plz Blake come back u belong on the voice
We love Reba, wish she would stay, her personality is cute & she is very sentimental