Escape from Tarkov currently has nine maps, each requiring a unique set of skills. From small, close-quarter maps to large ones with massive areas, they all play in an interesting way.
With even more maps coming to the game, it seems like Tarkov is getting harder to play by the day. Don’t worry, though; we will show you which Escaper from Tarkov maps are the best and why. You’ll find the best map to learn, no matter your goals or playstyle.
This is a list based on our experience playing Escape from Tarkov, and it provides a general overview of all the maps. Bear in mind that the best maps are the ones you enjoy; just because a map is low on our list does not mean you cannot make money or have fun.
That being said, there are some maps that have problems, such as lighting or bad spawns, which make them frustrating to play; otherwise, they would be great experiences overall. Without further ado, let’s dive into our ranked list of every Escape from Tarkov map!
9. The Labs – Currently the Most Challenging Escape from Tarkov Map
Labs is not a bad Escape from Tarkov map on its own; it just sits in an awkward spot right now. It is the riskiest map in the game, and getting to practice it is hard as the consequences are high. But that is not why it is the worst Tarkov map to play right now.
Some of you may be aware of the recent cheating controversies, but playing a map with rare loot and people going to PVP with their best gear is a nightmare for both new and veteran players due to the large number of cheaters present in Tarkov at present.
You may not have a cheater in your lobby, but there is no way to know because of how Tarkov works. This arena can be enjoyable, but we recommend staying away from the Labs map in Escape from Tarkov until the cheating issue is resolved.
8. The Shoreline
This is a controversial entry on our list, and we know some of you may disagree, but let us explain. The Shoreline is a map similar to Woods, where almost any loadout can be successful. Well, not quite; on Shoreline, 90% of the loot is located at the Resort in the middle of the map.
This makes it almost pointless to go anywhere else. Not only that, but the PVP itself is not good due to the bad audio, never having to worry about whether someone is above or just next to you should not be an issue. Additionally, the spawns are highly unjust, and getting into the groove of Resort PVP can be tiring.
While the loot on the Resort map is good, its flow is really poor, as most people simply rush to Resort and neglect other parts of the map. Occasionally, you can find people sniping, but there are definitely improvements that can be made to this map for Escape from Tarkov players.
7. Interchange
Interchange is a big mall with plenty of rare loot spawns and dynamic PVP; at least in theory. In practice, taking fights is inevitable, and if one does so, it feels like the whole server is running to get them.
The many angles one can camp inside the mall are part of the design, but mixed with the poor audio and lighting, Interchange becomes quite frustrating. It seems like the core of this Escape from Tarkov map is good but its execution is horrible.
To make matters worse, the loot on the Interchange map has been nerfed several times, and now there seems to be no reason to go to Interchange; before, you could ignore the issues as the loot wasn’t bad, but right now we can only hope that Battle-State Games adds some improvements to this map.
6. Lighthouse
This is an interesting one; this map has the potential to be the best map in the game, but currently, its poor performance and the fact that it is rather difficult to survive on this map with all the broken AI, mines, spawns, and other players and player scavs make it less than ideal.
The loot is amazing on Escape from Tarkov’s Lighthouse map; you can make money almost anywhere you go, and a variety of playstyles are welcomed. If you manage to get past the Rogues, you can find some extremely rare loot from them.
The POIs are well-balanced, the Lightkeeper and his quests are interesting, and there are a lot of ways to make money on this map. However, until the aforementioned issues are addressed, this map sits below the middle of the Escape from Tarkov maps tier list.
5. Escape from Tarkov’s Factory Map – A Focused, Small PvP Map
The Factory is number five on our Escape from Tarkov ranked maps list, but it doesn’t mean it’s a bad map. Unlike some of the other maps with a lot of potential, Factory is the smallest map in the game and has no glaring issues whatsoever. It just does one thing really well.
This map is known for PVP and some loot; most players who go here do so for quests and PVP. Even though some of the spawns are unfair, this map is still a lot of fun to play if you don’t care too much about your gear.
In a way, you get exactly what you asked for on this map. While it doesn’t go above and beyond with loot or in-game events, it doesn’t need to, as it’s well-designed for PVP.
4. Customs – The Best Beginner Map in Escape from Tarkov
Customs is the best map for new players for a few reasons: The map is linear, and learning the map is much easier than any other map in the game, except maybe Factory. Also, all of your early-game quests are on the Customs map in Tarkov.
The map has good PVP, where you can notice your improvement relatively quickly by just playing it over and over again. This map is a fan favorite, but in our opinion, the linearity is a bit too much. Sometimes it can be hard to play safely or flank due to how constricting some of the spawns can be.
The loot is fine, and you can definitely make money if you know what you’re doing. However, compared to some of the newer maps, it doesn’t really hold up. Overall, it’s a good map, but you’ll be forced into fights, and trying to survive can be tough sometimes.
3. Reserve
This map is so high up due to its dynamic nature. If you are not familiar with Reserve, there is an underground level as well as a surface level. Most of the extractions on the map are located underground, with some located above.
That means that it plays differently than the typical get from one side to the other gameplay. One strength of Reserve is the variety of playstyles. You can take a sniper rifle and sit in one place for the entire raid, or you can take an SMG and take things up close and personal.
The Raiders that spawn are dynamic, and the Scav boss has six locations where he can spawn. The downside is the loot on Escape from Tarkov’s Reserve map is not what it used to be. You can still make money, but sometimes it feels pointless playing with how rare some things are. Overall, it’s a great map.
2. Streets Of Tarkov – The Most Loot-Dense Map
We recently made a guide on the best locations in the Streets of Tarkov, and unsurprisingly, the map has immense potential for money-making. The map has great PvP, and the POIs are all very well done: there’s loot to be found anywhere on the map.
With this being the newest map in the game, the loot spawns frequently and they might nerf it; but for now, enjoy it while it lasts. The reason it is not number one is that the performance for most people is just unplayable, and the map can be really dangerous.
We have seen good rigs barely reach 45 fps with frequent stutters, which, for a game like Escape from Tarkov—where every second matters and a minor thing can get you killed—is unacceptable. Still, if you can run it, it is one of the best maps in the game.
1. Woods – The Most Balanced Map In The Game
In our opinion, Woods is the best map in Escape from Tarkov. If you’re looking for PVP, Sawmill and USEC Camp are great POIs to go to. There are plenty of places to take cover on the map, as well as several long sight lines.
The money-making potential of this map has been extremely underrated for some time, and there are a few strategies, such as stash runs and nighttime activities, that are safe ways of obtaining money. Additionally, if you want to play it safe, you can do so; there is usually enough cover on the map.
The map has somewhat of a learning curve, though it can be tough to orient oneself on the map, and knowing where not to go is crucial. The PVP can also be kind of awkward if one is not used to it, but it gets better with practice. For more details, read our guide to the best locations on Tarkov’s Woods map.
Last Words
Those were all the maps in Tarkov ranked; we hope you learned something new. We have a map guide for every map in Escape from Tarkov linked above, and we recommend you check them out.
For more insights, feel free to also check out our insights on the best ammo types in Escape from Tarkov.
Good luck in your raids, PMCs!
