The best YouTube channels, according to hackers
48 YouTube channels were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 16 earn the Hacker Approved badge.
Top picks
The three most recommended YouTube channels with the badge. Each figure is 5 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Intuitive visual explanations of concepts
A math video channel whose visualizations make math concepts, including neural networks, intuitive and beautiful, though critics say viewers retain little without rigor, exercises or structure.
Well-researched, accurate science content
Recommended for well-researched, polished science videos that tell compelling stories about discoveries; the most common caveat is clickbait titles and misleading content.
Technology Connections YouTube channel
40 recommend, 3 criticize, 93% approval
Ranked 3 of 48 by recommenders
Favourite channel for many viewers
People praise its clear, detailed explanations of technology, with good editing and humor, though critics say videos run long and sometimes miss details.
All 48 YouTube channels, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same YouTube channel in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to YouTube channels that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.