Whopper vs Bacon King: Which Burger King Burger Is Worth It?
The Whopper has been Burger King's flagship since 1957. The Bacon King is its biggest, most indulgent upgrade — two beef patties, six strips of bacon, and 1,010 calories of flame-grilled excess. Both are on the same menu, which makes this an unusual comparison: not two rivals fighting for the same customer, but a question of whether the upgrade is worth the extra spend.
Nutrition Breakdown
Whopper
The Whopper has been the defining Burger King product since James McLamore created it in 1957. Flame-grilled, customisable and bigger than anything McDonald's offered at the time, it launched the concept of "Have It Your Way" — fast food as a personal expression rather than a standardised product. Sixty-seven years later, the fundamental formula hasn't changed. The Whopper is the reason Burger King exists.
Bacon King
The Bacon King launched in 2016 as Burger King's most indulgent premium burger — two flame-grilled patties and six strips of bacon on a brioche-style bun. It was designed for the customer who wanted the Whopper experience but bigger, meatier and more substantial. At 62g of protein and 1,010 calories, it delivers on that brief completely. It's not an everyday burger — it's a statement.
Price History
How the price of each item has changed since launch — US dollars.
Timeline
Did You Know?
The Verdict
The Bacon King is the Whopper with the dial turned to 11 — more beef, more bacon, more of everything. Whether that's better depends entirely on what you're ordering for. As a pure calorie-to-protein vehicle it's excellent value. As an everyday burger it's too much. The Whopper remains the better default order for most people — it's more balanced, significantly cheaper and arguably more satisfying in the way a good burger should be. The Bacon King exists for the moments when you want to eat something that announces itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Whopper and the Bacon King?
The Whopper is a single quarter-pound flame-grilled beef patty with tomato, lettuce, mayo, pickles, ketchup and onion on a sesame bun. The Bacon King uses two beef patties and six strips of bacon — effectively doubling the beef and adding a significant bacon layer. The Bacon King has 340 more calories, 28g more fat, 37g more protein and 980mg more sodium than the Whopper.
Is the Bacon King worth it over the Whopper?
It depends what you want from the meal. The Bacon King delivers significantly more protein (62g vs 31g) and a much more indulgent experience, but it also has 1,010 calories and costs $3 more. If you want a satisfying classic flame-grilled burger, the Whopper is the better value. If you want maximum protein or a genuinely substantial meal that will keep you full for hours, the Bacon King earns its premium.
How many calories are in a Bacon King?
A Burger King Bacon King contains 1,010 calories, along with 67g of fat, 42g of carbs and 62g of protein. At 2,150mg of sodium, it covers nearly a full day's recommended sodium limit in one burger. It's one of the highest-calorie single-item burgers on any major fast food menu.
How many strips of bacon does the Bacon King have?
The Bacon King contains six strips of thick-cut bacon — more bacon than any other standard Burger King menu item. The six strips contribute around 300mg of sodium and roughly 120 calories on their own, making them the defining feature of the burger over the Whopper.
Is the Bacon King flame grilled?
Yes — like all Burger King beef patties, the Bacon King uses flame-grilled beef. This is one of Burger King's core differentiators from McDonald's flat-top grill method. The flame-grilling creates a slight char on the patty exterior that gives a smokier flavour profile. The bacon is also cooked separately and added to the assembly line.
What is cheaper — the Whopper or the Bacon King?
The Whopper at $6.49 is $3 cheaper than the Bacon King at $9.49. However, on protein per dollar the Bacon King (6.5g/$1) actually beats the Whopper (4.8g/$1) — you get more protein for each dollar spent, just at a higher total price.