YouTube has come a long way since it first launched in 2005. What started as a platform for sharing videos of goofy cats and viral challenges has transformed into a powerful educational tool. From history to science to math, there are plenty of channels out there that can help you learn something new.
And with so many options to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. So if you’re looking for some educational entertainment, check out our list of the top 12 best educational YouTube channels.
- TED-Ed
With over 16 million subscribers, TED-Ed is one of the most popular educational YouTube channels out there. The videos on this channel cover a wide range of topics, from history and science to personal growth and Instagram marketing.
In addition to the library of lessons, TED-Ed also offers a platform for educators to create their custom lessons. These lesson plans can be used in the classroom or shared with other educators online.
- CrashCourse
CrashCourse is an educational channel created by the team at PBS Digital Studios. The channel offers over 40 different courses, covering everything from world history and biology to economics and literature. CrashCourse has over 13 million subscribers.
- SciShow
SciShow is a science-focused educational YouTube channel covering topics ranging from space exploration to the weirdest animals on Earth. With over 7 million subscribers, SciShow is one of the most popular science channels on YouTube.
- AsapSCIENCE
AsapSCIENCE is a YouTube channel dedicated to providing engaging and informative scientific content. The channel was created by two Canadian YouTubers, Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown, who met while studying biology at the University of Guelph.
Since launching in 2012, AsapSCIENCE has amassed over 10 million subscribers and 2 billion views. The channel covers a wide range of topics, from the science of love and sleep to the dangers of climate change.
In addition to their popular videos, Moffit and Brown have also written a bestselling book entitled “Why We Sleep.” They explore the importance of sleep for both our physical and mental health.
- SmarterEveryDay
With over 10 million subscribers, SmarterEveryDay is one of the most popular science channels on YouTube. The channel is known for its engaging and informative videos, which tackle a wide range of topics, from the science of sneezing to the physics of roller coasters.
But SmarterEveryDay isn’t just about entertainment. The channel’s creator, Destin Sandlin, is a former engineer who uses his background to explore the world in a truly unique way.
- Khan Academy
Founded in 2008, Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization to provides “a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” And it’s doing a pretty good job of it.
The Khan Academy has over 7 million subscribers and over 3 billion views. The channel’s popularity is partly due to its engaging and entertaining videos, which make complex concepts easy to understand.
If you’re looking to brush up on your algebra skills or learn about photosynthesis or stuck on a math problem, or need a little extra help preparing for that biology test, be sure to check out Khan Academy.
- Vsauce
Vsauce is a popular YouTube channel covering a wide range of topics related to science and history. The channel is hosted by Michael Stevens, who has a knack for making complex topics accessible and interesting to a general audience. Vsauce has over 17 million subscribers.
In each video, Stevens tackles a different question or topic, using a mix of humor and scientific research to break down the subject matter. Whether he’s discussing the nature of time or the universe’s origins, Stevens always manages to make his videos both informative and entertaining.
- The Brain Scoop
The Brain Scoop is a YouTube channel dedicated to studying animal anatomy and physiology. The channel is run by Emily Graslie, who serves as the chief curiosity correspondent for Chicago’s Field Museum.
The Brain Scoop has amassed over 600K subscribers and more than 100 million views. Graslie’s approachable and enthusiastic demeanor makes even the most complex topics digestible, and her passion for her work is evident in each video.
- Kurzgesagt
Kurzgesagt is a German-based educational YouTube channel that produces videos on various topics, ranging from politics to science. The channel is known for its simple but stylish animations and its informative and often humorous narration. Kurzgesagt has over 18 million subscribers.
Whether you’re looking to learn about the latest scientific discoveries or simply want to be entertained, Kurzgesagt is worth checking out.
- Vox
Vox is one of the most popular educational YouTube channels out there. Their videos cover a wide range of topics, from current events to history to science. Vox has over 10 million subscribers. They do it engagingly and entertainingly without dumbing things down.
- NASA
YouTube is a great place to learn about all sorts of things, including space! NASA has its own YouTube channel full of informative videos about our solar system, the universe, and the latest space news. NASA has almost 10 million subscribers.
You can also find videos of astronauts answering questions from kids, which is pretty cool. And if you’re feeling extra geeky, there are even videos of NASA engineers talking about the spacecraft they’re working on. So if you’re interested in space, be sure to check out NASA’s YouTube channel. You might just learn something new.
- Flocabulary
Flocabulary is an educational hip-hop company that creates songs, videos, and activities to help students learn. The company started out as a way to help kids learn vocabulary words but has since expanded to cover a wide range of topics, from the American Revolution to the science of evolution. Flocabulary has almost 200K subscribers.
To Sum Up
With so many educational YouTube channels to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Hopefully, our list of the top 12 best educational YouTube channels will help you get started on your learning journey. Have you discovered any other great channels that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!