| The Essential Lou Reed | |
| Type: | Compilation |
| Artist: | Lou Reed |
| Cover: | The Essential Lou Reed.jpg |
| Released: | September 13, 2011 |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Length: | 156:12 |
| Label: | RCA |
| Producer: | Lou Reed, Hal Willner, Richard Robinson, Doug Yule, Tom Wilson, Sterling Morrison, Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Sean Fullan |
| Prev Title: | The Creation of the Universe |
| Prev Year: | 2008 |
| Next Title: | Lulu |
| Next Year: | 2011 |
The Essential Lou Reed is a compilation album by Lou Reed released in 2011 by RCA Records. The album features classic Lou Reed solo work and songs from his band the Velvet Underground. The track listing is identical to NYC Man (The Ultimate Collection 1967–2003).