Almost always falling into trainers’ lists of most beloved Pokemon, Eevee and its assorted elemental evolutions are some of the most iconic. No matter what you need to round out your team, there’s a good chance an Eeveelution has the firepower you’re looking for.

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But with a growing number of these precious pals comes the inevitable – although they start off the same, some of them end up being more helpful than others in the end. While every Eeveelution is special in its own way, we’re taking a look at their stats and movesets to determine the very best Eevee evolution.

Updated on August 30, 2023 by Gabrielle Castania: While Pokemon Scarlet and Violet didn't introduce a new Eeveelution to the ever-beloved line of elemental favorites, we still wanted to come back to our Eeveelution ranked list to make sure we still stand by our picks for the best Eevee evolution.

8 Glaceon

glaceon in battle pokemon eeveelutions

Even among the other Eeveelutions, Glaceon often stands out as absolutely adorable. And it's not so statistically dire that it's inadvisable in the single-player campaign. Indeed, the bunny-eared little Ice-type is perfectly viable for many mainline storylines. Its Defense stat is quite solid, and its Special Attack is outstanding.

So, what's not to love? Unfortunately, Glaceon has a pretty low total HP and Speed. Both have a base of 65, which really can't be spun - it's not a great number. Glaceon's high Defense is somewhat less impressive by proxy, and that fragility, paired with the fact that Ice is relatively fragile by default, means you really need the frosty fox to move first in battle if you intend to win.

7 Jolteon

jolteon against the stars pokemon eeveelutions

Jolteon is a glass cannon. Its HP is slim, its physical Defense is bad, and its Special Defense, while decent, remains unremarkable. But a great Special Attack and exemplary Speed ensure that in almost every case, the Electric-type Eeveelution will score the first blow.

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Unfortunately - and this is a common problem for several Eeveelutions - Jolteon's movepool prevents it from providing the sort of diversity a Champion-worthy Pokemon needs. Thunderbolt for STAB ("Same Type Attack Bonus") is a given, but for further coverage, there's not a lot on the table. It delivers on what it promises - lightning-fast speed - but that's about it.

6 Flareon

flareon wearing a hat pokemon evolutions eevelutions

Before a massive overhaul with Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, physical (Attack-based) moves and special (Special Attack-based) moves were dictated entirely by type. Fire was considered a Special type, so Flareon's capabilities were completely hampered by a one-two punch of a lower Special Attack, without much available for its superior Attack stat.

But even still, its movepool remains puddle-deep, while its HP and Speed are both dire. As if that wasn't bad enough, its Defense is even lower. Flare Blitz and Superpower can deal some fantastic damage, but just know in advance that you're effectively sending this fluffy fire baby out to a quick death thereafter.

5 Vaporeon

vaporeon in mid-air pokemon

Vaporeon continues the trend of a few terrible stats potentially undermining the entire package, but still manages to make a splash thanks to some noteworthy strengths - Attack, Defense, and Speed are this Eeveelution's bruised heels.

Vaporeon may have pretty bad Speed, but with a 130 HP stat and 110 Special Attack, it soon becomes apparent that the seaworthy buddy is worthy, indeed. The bulk keeps it going for a few rounds to hammer away at opponents with the potentially burn-inflicting Scald, and if you can get off a Rain Dance to increase that power, even better.

4 Espeon

espeon about to attack pokemon eevee evolutions

Espeon isn't quite as swift as Jolteon, but 110 for a speed stat is nothing to scoff at. It's exactly as much as Espeon needs to take advantage of its whopping 130 Special Attack with moves like Psychic or Shadow Ball. You can risk spending a turn with Calm Mind to turn all that into nothing short of a massacre with a two-stage increase to the already-lofty stat.

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The purple pal is best served with the Ability called Magic Bounce, which will reflect certain status moves back at the opponent. Even so, though, Espeon still can't get over every hill - its weak defenses may be traditional among most Eeveelutions, but it's a downside nonetheless. Just be mindful to pack some powerful first moves, and you'll be good as gold!

3 Sylveon

sylveon sitting in the grass pokemon

Happy, perky, and covered in ribbons, Sylveon is still the newest entry to the Eevee family as of Gen Nine. But maybe it's taken it a while to clear the stage, though, because Sylveon is pretty slow, with Attack and Defense stats that aren't much more impressive.

So what makes up for all of this? Its efficiency in Double and Triple Battles, where it shines as the rare healer. With access to moves like Heal Bell to cure the team's status conditions and Hyper Voice to dish decent damage to a full enemy party, Sylveon packs quite a punch when it's got a team behind it that allows it to shine.

2 Leafeon

leafeon from the pokemon anime eeveelutions eevee evolutions

No one has ever called Leafeon "Beefeon," at least not to our knowledge, but it wouldn't be far off from the truth if they did. In contrast to most of its family, Leafeon's Defense is terrific.

Leafeon earns its place this high in our list because it's a physical "wallbreaker," with that 110 Attack stat capable of dealing heavy damage with moves like Leaf Blade and X-Scissor. Thanks to its aforementioned Defense, it will endure much of what those walls will throw at it in the meantime.

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1 Umbreon

umbreon on a roof pokemon eevee evolutions

No asterisks are involved here, Umbreon is an absolute tank of a Pokemon. It's easy to look at that 65 on Attack and Special Attack and walk away posthaste, but a careful build on this dark dog can make it into one hell of a teammate.

Be sure to give Umbreon Foul Play - this move takes the opponent's Attack stat into account rather than the user's. After that, fill out the active moveset with stall buffs like Wish and Protect to maximize this best Eeveelution's greatest contributions.

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