Here’s a concise, global guide to the best packaged chips (bagged crisps / chips) to try — covering mainstream classics, regional favorites, premium kettle crisps, and standout flavored snacks. Availability varies by country, but these are widely loved and worth hunting down.

Top 10 worldwide (broadly available / iconic)

1. Lay’s / Walkers Classic (Original / Salted) — the global benchmark for a light, crispy salted potato chip.
2. Pringles (Original, Sour Cream & Onion) — uniform stackable crisps with bold, consistent flavors.
3. Kettle Brand (Sea Salt, Sea Salt & Vinegar) — thick, crunchy kettle-cooked chips with natural potato flavor.
4. Miss Vickie’s (Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar, Jalapeño) — hand-cooked, thicker texture and artisanal appeal.
5. Cape Cod (Sea Salt, Sweet & Spicy) — New England–style kettle chips known for crunch and quality.
6. Ruffles (Original, Cheddar & Sour Cream) — ridged chips that hold up to dips and heavier toppings.
7. Calbee (Jagabee, Shrimp & Seaweed flavored lines) — Japan’s leading potato snack maker; great for unique regional flavors.
8. Tyrrells (Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar, Mature Cheddar) — UK premium potato crisps with rustic chips and bold flavors.
9. Utz / Herr’s (Original, BBQ) — beloved regional U.S. brands with classic American flavors.
10. Takis (Fuego) — crunchy rolled corn snacks with intense chili-lime heat (not potato, but hugely popular worldwide).

Great picks by category

• Classic salted: Lay’s / Walkers Original.
• Kettle-cooked / premium: Kettle Brand, Cape Cod, Tyrrells, Miss Vickie’s.
• Ridged / dip-friendly: Ruffles, Kettle Ridged.
• Bold spicy / snack-style: Takis, Flamin’ Hot varieties (e.g., Cheetos Flamin’ Hot if you include corn puffs).
• Asian regional hits: Calbee (Japan), Nongshim Shrimp Chips (Korea), Oishi (Philippines) — lots of unique flavors.
• Gourmet / artisanal: Hand-cooked small-batch lines (many local brands in the UK, US, Australia) — often unique oils, salt types, and potato varieties.

Standout flavors to try

• Sea Salt & Vinegar (Kettle Brand / Tyrrells / Walkers Salt & Vinegar)
• Sour Cream & Onion (Pringles, Lay’s, many local brands)
• Sweet Chili & Sour Cream or Sweet & Spicy (Cape Cod, many Asian brands)
• Smoky BBQ (regional variations from Utz, Herr’s, Lay’s)
• Unique regional flavors: shrimp, nori/seaweed, kimchi, curry, wasabi, sea urchin (found in Asian markets).

Tips for choosing

• For dunking/dips: choose ridged chips (Ruffles) or thicker kettle chips.
• For maximum crunch and potato flavor: kettle-cooked / hand-cooked brands.
• For consistent, stackable snacking: Pringles.
• For trying new tastes: look for local/regional specialty flavors—Asia, Latin America, and the UK are great places to discover unusual seasonings.

If you want, I can:

• Suggest the best chips available in your country (I can tailor the list by country).
• Recommend pairings (beer, wine, dips) for specific chips.