Best leveling dungeons (instances) in World of Warcraft across expansions

[BlueRainsky]

🟢 Vanilla (Classic Zones)

These dungeons scale with Chromie Time (1–60), but here’s how they break down by original level bracket and efficiency:
Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
15–25 The Deadmines ★★★★☆ Short, good mob density. Good early runs.
20–30 Shadowfang Keep ★★★★★ One of the best XP/hour early dungeons. Great pulls.
30–40 Scarlet Monastery: Armory/Library ★★★★★ High mob density, fast clears, few breaks.
40–50 Zul'Farrak ★★★★☆ Large pulls, AoE heaven. Can be slower depending on group.
50–60 Blackrock Depths (Prison Route) ★★★★☆ Good route if done efficiently. Avoid full clears.

🔵 Burning Crusade (58–70)

Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
58–63 Hellfire Ramparts ★★★★☆ Short, fast, linear. Great early BC XP.
62–66 Slave Pens ★★★★☆ Efficient and less buggy than Underbog.
65–70 Mana-Tombs ★★★★★ Best XP/hour at 65–67, fast layout, high mob count.
🟣 Wrath of the Lich King (68–80)
Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
68–72 Utgarde Keep ★★★★☆ Very fast and linear. Great intro Wrath dungeon.
72–76 Azjol-Nerub ★★★★★ Extremely fast, very short with good XP.
74–78 Drak'Tharon Keep ★★★★☆ Solid XP and fun for AoE.
78–80 Halls of Lightning ★★★★★ Fast kills and great loot to finish Wrath leveling.

🟡 Cataclysm (80–85)

Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
80–82 Blackrock Caverns ★★★★☆ Good early runs, straightforward layout.
82–84 Throne of the Tides ★★★☆☆ Moderate XP, can be a bit buggy.
84–85 Grim Batol ★★★★☆ Decent XP, but slightly long.

🔴 Mists of Pandaria (85–90)

Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
85–87 Temple of the Jade Serpent ★★★★☆ Fast run, good XP/hour.
87–89 Shado-Pan Monastery ★★★★☆ Nice pacing, easy bosses.
89–90 Mogu'shan Palace ★★★★★ Best dungeon for 89–90. Very fast clears.

🟤 Warlords of Draenor (90–100)

Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
90–92 Bloodmaul Slag Mines ★★★★☆ Short and fast.
92–96 Auchindoun ★★★★★ Very fast XP, great layout.
96–100 Skyreach ★★★★☆ High XP/hour if group is geared.

🟣 Legion (100–110)

Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
100–104 Black Rook Hold ★★★★☆ Linear with big pulls.
104–110 Darkheart Thicket ★★★★★ Great mob density and short run time.

⚫ Battle for Azeroth (110–120)

Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
110–114 Atal'Dazar ★★★★★ Easily the best XP/hour in BfA.
114–117 Freehold ★★★★★ Short, simple, AoE-friendly.
117–120 Tol Dagor ★★★★☆ Good layout if you're familiar with the skips.

🟢 Shadowlands (50–60 or 60–70 post-Dragonflight)

If leveling 50–60 in Chromie Time, these apply:

Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
50–53 The Necrotic Wake ★★★★☆ Good trash density.
54–57 Mists of Tirna Scithe ★★★★★ Best XP/hour in SL. Fast and fun.
57–60 Spires of Ascension ★★★★☆ Slightly long but high XP.
🔶 Dragonflight (60–70)
Level Range Dungeon XP Efficiency Notes
60–64 Ruby Life Pools ★★★★★ Short, easy pulls, great XP.
64–68 The Nokhud Offensive ★★★☆☆ Long travel time unless skipped.
68–70 Algeth'ar Academy ★★★★☆ Fast and dense if group is good.
🔷 General Tips for Dungeon Leveling

Use Heirlooms for bonus XP.

Queue as a tank or healer for instant queues.

Combine with rested XP for best results.

Try to chain run the shortest, most mob-dense dungeons.

Avoid long or complex dungeons unless they’re top tier (e.g. Mana-Tombs, Azjol-Nerub).