If you’re like me, you want to get the most XP possible in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (COD BO7) without wasting time in inefficient playlists. Whether you’re grinding for camos, prestige, or just want to flex your stats, choosing the right game mode can make or break your progress. After weeks of testing and comparing XP rates across modes, here’s my breakdown of the 20 game modes in COD BO7, ranked purely by how efficiently they help you rack up XP.

1. Hardpoint

Hardpoint consistently delivers the best XP per minute thanks to its aggressive objective play and constant rotations. High kill counts plus objective time equals huge XP gains.

2. Domination

A classic for XP farming. Capturing and defending points offers steady objective XP, and the matches tend to run long enough for you to build solid killstreaks.

3. Kill Confirmed

Dog tags provide bonus XP on top of kills, making this an underrated choice for efficient grinding, especially in tight maps where tags are easier to collect.

4. Control

If you’re confident in your slaying skills and can anchor points, Control offers high XP returns, especially during overtime rounds.

5. Team Deathmatch (TDM)

Solid and predictable. While not as objective-heavy, a good KD ratio here still converts nicely into XP, especially with streaks and medals.

6. Ground War

Large-scale chaos means more kills, more captures, and more XP opportunities. It’s less consistent than smaller modes but can produce huge XP hauls on good runs.

7. Search and Destroy

XP per action is extremely high here, but the slow pace and lack of respawns make it less efficient unless you’re winning rounds and performing consistently.

8. Gunfight

Short, intense, and rewarding — Gunfight can deliver surprisingly fast XP in short bursts if you’re skilled.

9. Fireteam: Dirty Bomb

While not as popular, the multiple ways to earn XP (kills, bombs, assists) make this mode versatile for XP farming.

10. Zombies (Round-Based)

Classic Zombies still holds strong for XP, especially when focusing on challenges and efficient round progression.

11. Zombies (Outbreak)

Outbreak offers big XP if you play efficiently, but it can drag on without a solid plan or team.

12. Free-For-All (FFA)

Purely skill-dependent. High-kill lobbies can net fast XP, but consistently winning FFA requires sharp reflexes.

13. Prop Hunt

Surprisingly decent for casual XP farming. Easy medals and long survival bonuses help pad your XP steadily.

14. Infected

XP potential is high if you survive late rounds or go on long kill streaks as an Infected player.

15. Safeguard

Escort-based objectives give frequent XP ticks, but the pace can vary wildly depending on team coordination.

16. Capture the Flag (CTF)

CTF rewards players who can juggle both kills and objectives. Slower than modes like Hardpoint but still viable.

17. Headquarters

Similar to Hardpoint but less consistent. Can be hit-or-miss depending on how matches unfold.

18. One in the Chamber

High risk, high reward. If you’re accurate and quick, this can deliver solid XP bursts, but inconsistency holds it back.

19. Gun Game

Good for warming up, not great for XP grinding unless you’re consistently finishing first.

20. Party Modes (Sticks and Stones, etc.)

Fun but inefficient for XP. Medals help, but these modes aren’t designed for leveling.

Final Thoughts

If your main goal is to level fast in COD BO7, Hardpoint, Domination, and Kill Confirmed remain the most reliable choices. However, if you want to mix things up or target specific challenges, modes like Control or even Zombies have their place.

Some players prefer to skip the grind entirely and buy COD BO7 bot lobbies to streamline their XP farming. While it’s not for everyone, many turn to services like U4N when looking for reliable and efficient COD bot lobbies BO7 options. It’s a personal choice, but it’s worth knowing what’s out there if you’re serious about optimizing your time.

Ultimately, no matter your method, smart playlist selection will keep you ahead of the curve. Play smarter, not harder.