According to surveys of historians and political scientists, the best presidents of the United States are consistently ranked as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt, with Dwight D. Eisenhower often appearing in the top five125. These rankings reflect expert assessments based on leadership, crisis management, and contributions to the nation.

• Abraham Lincoln is almost universally regarded as the greatest president for preserving the Union during the Civil War and ending slavery125.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt is lauded for guiding the country through the Great Depression and World War II, and for fundamentally transforming the modern presidency25.
• George Washington set vital precedents as the first president, helping to establish American democracy and the peaceful transfer of power125.
• Theodore Roosevelt earned high marks for his progressive reforms, leadership on conservation, and strengthening the presidency125.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower is also frequently included in the top rankings for ending the Korean War and overseeing a period of prosperity and stability2.

Recent surveys note the following additional points:

• Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan are both highly rated among modern presidents, often placing within or just outside the top ten235.
• Scholarly consensus continues to shift slightly with newer polls, but Lincoln, FDR, Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt remain firmly at the top15.

In summary, expert rankings consistently place Lincoln, FDR, Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Eisenhower as the top U.S. presidents, with recent presidents like Obama and Reagan also recognized for their significant impact235.