The hit CBS reality series Survivor has introduced some favorite contestants through the years. Whether it be a winner or a first boot, there are particular best seasons because certain players competed. After the conclusion of Survivor season 44, it's time to revisit the best contestants from the show's history.

The best Survivor player is a subjective title, given that many fit the criteria for various reasons. Sometimes, contestants from the best seasons of Survivor are the most popular. Sandra Diaz-Twine could be the most impressive because she won the game twice on her first two tries. However, it could be Tony Vlachos because he defeated a cast of winners. Regardless, Ranker's list of the best Survivor contestants proves that the best player doesn't always win. However, they certainly play more than once.

Jeremy Collins (29, 31, 40)

Jeremy competed on Survivor three times, and is a top-rated player. His first appearance was in the San Juan del Sur season, alongside his wife, Val. While he didn't win on Survivor: Winners at War season 29, he notably did win season 31 in Cambodia. He played with honor and integrity, and was the victor in every jury vote.

Yul Kwon (13 & 41)

Yul Kwon is one of the most innovative players to ever compete on Survivor. He led his alliance of the Aitu 4 to victory, despite them being the minority going into the merge. He also found a hidden immunity idol on day 2, which was practically unheard of then. Yul's case to the jury on why he should win the game was straightforward and organized. He knew he played the best, and wanted them to see it that way too. When he returned for Winners At War, he was an early target because of his reputation for being so intelligent, turning his greatest strength into his ultimate downfall.

John Cochran (23 & 26)

John Cochran was a super-fan when he competed opposite Survivor legends Ozzy Lusth and Coach Wade on season 23. Despite knowing the ins and outs of the game by heart, he didn't reach victory his first time. He was ousted by Coach's majority alliance post-merge.

When he returned just three seasons later, things completely changed. Cochran saw himself in control of the game, voting out fellow fans (and fan favorites) left and right. He won season 26 unanimously, defeating two other contestants when it came down to Final Tribal Council. Cochran remained among the smartest people ever to play the game. He was sorely missed on Winners At War.

Sarah Lacina (24, 34, 40)

Sarah competed on three seasons of Survivor, and is a franchise favorite. She won as an individual in Survivor: Game Changers in 2017, but is also known as the partner of Tony. The undefeated duo was known as "Cops R Us" since both are police officers. Sarah finished fourth in Survivor: Winners at War, and was the fourth jury member.

Sandra Diaz-Twine (7, 20, 34, 40)

Sandra went down in Survivor history in 2010, after being the first person to win the game twice. Even though she wasn't seen as a massive threat from her winning season in Pearl Islands, Sandra's second win proved that she was among the best to play. She earned that title, and was ready to flaunt it.

Cirie Fields (12, 16, 20 & 34)

Cirie Fields was robbed of a win in Game Changers, after being ousted in one of the most controversial and unfair vote-offs to ever take place on Survivor. Not only was it her fourth time playing, but she'd remained under the radar, despite being one of the biggest threats to win the game. Cirie was instantly likable when she appeared on-screen in Survivor: Panama. She was an all-around lovable woman. She was out of her element on the island, but quickly transformed into a strategic mastermind. That's why she's gone down in history as one of the greatest to ever appear on the show.

Ozzy Lusth (13, 16, 23 & 34)

Ozzy Lusth never won Survivor, but it wasn't because he didn't try. The California native competed on the series on four separate occasions, making it to at least the merge each time. He was a challenge beast and a fan favorite. His fellow contestants often looked up to him, and didn't want to vote him out. When they did try to target him, it was often too late. Even though he never won the game, he gave it his all each time he competed, and continuously got invited back.

Parvati Shallow (13, 16, 20 & 40)

Parvati Shallow was labeled as a "flirt" on Cook Islands, and she took that stereotype and ran with it upon returning in Fans Vs. Favorites. She used it to her advantage, manipulating the men (and women) of her tribe into doing anything she said. Then, she got them to award her a million dollars.

Her game was so flawless that it seemed like it couldn't be replicated, but she did it again in Heroes Vs. Villains. Despite not winning that season, she played yet another (nearly) perfect game, alongside the biggest villain in Survivor history, Russell Hantz. Parvati's charm and wit made her likable, even when she was backstabbing her allies. That's why she is a Survivor idol.

'Boston' Rob Mariano (4, 8, 20, 22 & 40)

'Boston' Rob Mariano didn't even make the jury the first time he played on season 4, so it was a surprise that he was invited back for Survivor: All-Stars. However, his second appearance made him a legendary player and classic villain. Rob's showmance-turned-romance with Amber Brkich showed his softer side, while the two took down all their allies to make it to the final two. Even though he didn't win that season, he kept returning to the show, giving one hundred percent each time. When he finally won on Redemption Island, it was because he had somehow convinced everyone to trust him, something unusual for a four-time player to manage.

Tony Vlachos (28, 34 & 40)

Tony was a long shot at winning Survivor: Cagayan going into the finale. He was too big of a threat, and had made all the big moves that built his Survivor resume. There was no way anyone could beat him if they took him to the end, but somehow Wu did that anyway. Tony's return in Winners At War had fans believing he'd be first on everyone's hit list, but that was the opposite of true. Instead, Tony went the entire season without a single vote cast against him. He became the second two-time winner of Survivor, winning a season made up of previous champions.

Source: Ranker