I have a pretty high heat tolerance, which makes finding satisfying hot sauces pretty difficult. I’ve found that as brands turn the heat way up, their emphasis shifts from maximizing flavor to maximizing pain. But then I tried Crazy Bastard’s Carolina Reaper & Blueberry on a trip to Berlin. The German company cleverly blends ingredients like tropical fruits, berries, and fresh ginger with red hot chiles to create sauces that are delicious, balanced, and more than capable of making my ears sweat. The extra spicy Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper sauces are perfect for my fellow masochists looking for the “hottest hot sauce” out there, but even my more sensitive friends have fallen in love with more mild options like Chipotle & Pineapple and Habañero & Tomatillo. It’s a nice elevated option if you want to add something special next to your bottles of buffalo sauce, Tabasco, Texas Pete, or Cholula. They’re tangy, sweet, and hot enough to keep things interesting without burning out your taste buds in the process. —Alma Avalle, digital operations associate

Spice level: Low
Ingredients: White grain sorghum extract, apple cider vinegar, peach purée concentrate, salt, water, smoked pepper mash (habanero red peppers, salt, acetic acid)
Flavor profile: Sweet and vinegary

Red Clay’s Peach Hot Sauce has been one of my latest sauce obsessions. With dozens of chili sauces in my fridge, I’ve been reaching for this sweet-and-spicy delight. Its peach flavor complements the habanero heat smoothly, and it won’t leave your tongue scorched. It goes well over BBQ pork, Thai peanut noodles, and Taco Bell crunchwraps. All taste tested and approved. —Julia Duarte, contributor

Spice level: Medium
Ingredients: Red jalapñnos, white vinegar, maple wood smoked onions, and salt
Flavor profile: Bright, smoky, subtly sweet

This is one hot sauce in my fridge that I never let run out. At a really great medium heat level, it’s the perfect fiery top end for an average heat-eater or a nice gentle spice for those who tend to make spicy their normal. Where this sauce really shines is the strength of its backing flavor. The maple-smoked onions are bold enough to be the main player for your wings but cohesive enough to meld with every single soup you try (my personal favorite way to use it). —Oadhan Lynch, associate producer

Spice level: Low
Ingredients: Caramelized onions, blackberry juice, red wine vinegar, blueberries, molasses, habanero, balsamic vinegar, white vinegar, black garlic, salt, sugar, olive oil
Flavor profile: Sweet onion, garlic, jammy/concentrated blueberries, clean/bright vinegar

Think of this hot sauce as more of a “makes it all better” sauce that happens to have a bit of a kick to it. I put this on everything that needs a little extra oomph, whether that’s mediocre takeout or otherwise simple fare, like grilled cheese sandwiches or store-bought hummus. —Carly Westerfield, associate manager, audience strategy

Spice level: Moderate
Ingredients: Pineapple, yellow bell pepper, onion, distilled vinegar, habaneros, sugars, lime juice, sea salt, garlic, non-GMO canola oil, ale
Flavor profile: Bold fruitiness

I’ve never finished a bottle of hot sauce as quickly as I have with this brand. I’m quite particular about habanero hot sauces, but the bright fruitiness of the pineapple here balances the heat beautifully. Featured on Hot Ones, this tangy, citrusy hot sauce pairs well with a range of dishes—whether you’re drizzling it over leafy green salads, jerk chicken, and, my personal favorite, pork katsu and rice. While the spice level is on the milder side, the sweet heat offers a satisfyingly well-rounded balance to savory and salty foods. —J.D.

Spice level: Medium
Ingredients: Lindera Farms Vinegars (Gardener, Ramp), ramps, heirloom peppers, salt
Flavor profile: Grassy/herbaceous greens, leeks, pickled ramps, garlic

To me, great hot sauce has to bring the heat, yes, but it also has to taste great. This one passes the test with deep onion flavor in the form of short-seasoned ramps, as well as herbaceous notes from the green chiles. I put it on eggs, nachos, samosas, rice bowls, and even green goddess salad. —C.W.