The Greatest powers on Middle Earth (3rd age)... Listed in order

[Elassar 516]

#1. Sauron*
#2. Gandalf the White*
#3. Saruman
#4. Balrog
#5. Galadriel
#6. Elrond/Glorfindel
#7. Cirdan/Celeborn
#8. Fangorn/Shelob**/Smaug**
#9. Witch King of Angmar***
#10. Aragorn/other Nazgûl

* I found picking number one the hardest because I think Gandalf the white using his full powers would be more powerful than Sauron without his ring (he never had it in the third age). Because Gandalf was forbidden to use his powers I have put Sauron above him.
** I placed Shelob and Smaug together because of their similarities, even though they may not be equal when it comes to power, it's kind of hard to gauge. They are both evil creatures not necessarily in league with Sauron. They are also both descendants of very powerful evil creatures (Ungoliant and Ancalagon the Black). I am curious to know why if people even include Shelob they put her so far down on the list.

The blade scored with a dreadful gash, but those hideous folds could not be pierced by any strength of men, not though elf or dwarf should forge the steel or the hand of Beren or of Túrin wield it.

That quote makes it clear that she belongs above any men.

***I am with Voralphion on the Witch King, He wasn't necesarily more powerful than any of the males, he just wasn't going to be killed by one.

Also, I agree with The Saucepan Man when it comes to Tom Bombadil. I have left him of the list because even if he should go in the Number One slot, he doesn't really affect ME in any way.