If you’re specifically looking for certifications that focus more on hands-on ethical hacking rather than just theory, a few stand out pretty clearly.
The first one most people mention is OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional). It’s known for being very practical—you actually have to hack into systems in a controlled environment to pass. There’s no shortcut with this one, which is why many employers respect it a lot.
Another good option is CPENT (Certified Penetration Testing Professional) by EC-Council. It’s also quite hands-on and focuses on real-world scenarios like network attacks, web exploitation, and advanced penetration testing techniques.
You also have GIAC GPEN, which is practical too, but slightly more structured compared to OSCP.
That said, one thing I’ve noticed is that many beginners jump straight into advanced certifications and struggle. It usually helps to first build a foundation with something like CEH and then move towards more hands-on certifications like OSCP or CPENT.
In the end, if your goal is real ethical hacking skills, certifications that include labs, simulations, and real attack scenarios will always be more valuable than purely theoretical ones.