The Better Life is the debut studio album by American rock band 3 Doors Down, released by Universal Records on February 8, 2000.

The Better Life has sold over seven million copies worldwide and received septuple platinum certification by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) on February 26, 2020.

[18] Arnold was convinced to be the singer after receiving positive feedback from Harrell's girlfriend, and since none of the remaining members had the vocal ability.

[22] In 1999, a sampler CD with audio clips of six songs from The Better Life was released by Republic Records to promote the album.

[26] The live audio was also separately released digitally and on streaming services as The Better Life: Rarities Edition in 2010.

[27] The package also included an exclusive band poster, a 3 Doors Down shirt, a digital download of a remastered version of "Kryptonite", and a "Pit Pass" for early access to general admission concerts.

[27] In 2020, a remaster of the album, The Better Life: 20th Anniversary Edition, was released on vinyl, as well as on CD and digitally in 2021; all three versions include the band's eponymous 1997 demo, with the ten songs being listed as the "Escatawpa Sessions."

The CD and digital releases of the 20th Anniversary Edition also include acoustic versions of "Kryptonite" and "Be Like That," along with "The Better Life (XX Mix)" and the studio recording of "Wasted Me", as bonus tracks.