The Singles 86-98 was released in 1998. It was released as a follow-up to the band's previous compilation, The Singles 81-85, which was also re-released in the same year. The compilation covers the band's 7-inch single releases spanning five studio albums (from 1986's Black Celebration to 1997's Ultra), as well as including the band's 1998 stand-alone single "Only When I Lose Myself". Also included is "Little 15" (from Music for the Masses, released as a single in Europe), and the live version of "Everything Counts" (from the live album 101) which was released as a single in 1989.

All tracks on The Singles 86-98 were newly remastered, as was the case with the re-release of The Singles 81-85.