Biggest doesn’t always mean the best, and millions of subscribers don’t always mean that those channels are producing high-quality content. With the massive amount of content YouTube offers daily, it can be difficult to keep up with the content you like. You might not even know where you should begin.
Luckily, we do — if you’re looking for some quality content this year, we know which channels are worth checking out.
Science, philosophy, and learning
Minute Physics
Want to learn all there is to know about physics but don’t have a long attention span? Minute Physics makes science easy to understand with videos that rarely go on for more than a few minutes. The channel helps explain everything from “What Is Fire?” to the discovery of the Higgs Boson. Now you don’t have to feel lost when your geek friends discuss scientific topics — and you can stop trying to learn from The Big Bang Theory.
Crash Course
Made by the two siblings responsible for Vlog Brothers, Hank and John Green, this channel offers short video courses on anything from biology to literature. Using illustrations and animation, these videos can make anyone care about a nomenclature — and maybe even help you pass a test or two.
Big Think
Big Think gathers some of the greatest figures in philosophy, science, and other fields to discuss important ideas in short, comprehensible videos. Whether you want to hear physicist Michio Kaku talk about aliens or learn tips on how to improve your mental health, Big Think is a fountain of knowledge.
Arts and culture
Lessons from the Screenplay
Film theory can be hard to digest. Lessons From the Screenplay examines various popular films, breaking down what makes their stories work — or, in some cases, fail. The subjects vary: One video uses The Avengers to discuss the differences between three- and five-act narrative structures, another uses Blade Runner as a case study in building a sci-fi noir story.
Now You See It
Another film studies channel, Now You See It examines various aspects of filmmaking, explaining the different techniques a filmmaker might employ and why they might use them. Topics include costuming, the use of geometry in character design, and how to execute a proper jump scare in horror movies.
KEXP
Seattle public radio station KEXP hosts some of the most exciting musicians in alternative music today, and the station posts videos of these performances — half-concert, half-interview — on its YouTube channel. KEXP’s studio has incredible acoustics, and every performance sounds clear and intimate.
NPR Music
NPR isn’t just a source of insightful talk radio. Its music division features a number of programs, and NPR Music’s YouTube channel contains a bounty of great performances. The jewel in NPR Music’s crown is the Tiny Desk concert series, where artists visit the NPR office and perform intimate, often stripped-down shows.
Cooking and food
Epic Meal Time
If you’ve ever found yourself in a late-night conversation with your friends about how mixing lasagna and poutine would be the most delicious thing ever, Epic Meal Time is for you. These Canadians will take the bullet for you and add bacon or wings to pretty much anything — just to see what will happen. This is not for vegetarians or the weak of heart (or stomach).
Babish Culinary Universe (also known as Binging with Babish)
On his weekly series Binging with Babish, host Andrew Rea combines pop culture and cooking, recreating dishes seen in movies and shows with immaculate detail. Despite the premise, Binging isn’t just humorous; Rea walks viewers through each step in every recipe, explaining things with clarity and confidence that should allow any viewer to make their own beef Wellington (or pumpkin pasties from the Harry Potter films).
Cocktail Chemistry
If you want to entertain guests — or simply cut down on your bar spending — it’s a good idea to know how to make a cocktail. Cocktail Chemistry breaks down recipes for various cocktails, ranging from classics like the Old Fashioned to more fanciful recipes. The channel also includes videos on bartending techniques, so you can take your cocktail game to the next level.
Video games
Giant Bomb
Video game website Giant Bomb blends a passion for gaming with hilarious personalities; the site’s staff is a murderer’s row of games journalism veterans. The site’s YouTube channel hosts its free video content, including Quick Looks (wherein staff members demo games, giving a firsthand look at how they play), and tapings of GB’s popular podcasts.
Jim Sterling
Video game journalist Jim Sterling (formerly of Destructoid and The Escapist) is one of gaming’s most bombastic personalities, as a quick tour of his YouTube channel should demonstrate. Sterling’s flagship series is The Jimquisition, wherein he gives his pointed (often caustic) opinions of the latest trends in the games industry.
OfficialNerdCubed
For the gamers, Daniel Hardcastle’s spirited commentary on nearly every game in existence may be fun for you to sift through. It’s almost like if Tim Curry were to play a video game while also getting riled up enough to drop many bloody f-bombs. That’s OfficialNerdCubed in a nutshell. In some of his videos with his father, it can be difficult for viewers to tell who is who, which adds to the fun. Most of the videos on this channel are pretty long, so be prepared to set aside enough time to enjoy them properly.
Travel and adventure
Fun For Louis
The focus of this channel is to accompany Louis Cole on his many adventures around the world. Louis’ stunning travel videos can serve as the inspiration for your next vacation. His videos really aim to embody the culture of each place, which makes for a fascinating viewing experience. That said, you may not be able to find many travel tips within his videos—more than likely, you’ll find yourself trying to live vicariously through Louis.
Gareth Leonard
For a quick snapshot at tons of places around the globe, check out Gareth Leonard’s latest travel vlogging series, “Travel Deeper.” This series centers on Leonard as he hops from one foreign destination to another, hoping to “travel like a local” along the way. In these quicker videos, you’ll find beautiful shots from Leonard’s trips worldwide, travel tips, and lists of places to visit while you’re in another country or city.
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