Is YouTube Premium Worth It? A Brutally Honest Review

Let’s be real: no one likes ads. They’re the speed bumps on the highway of our binge-watching bliss. Every time a mid-roll ad interrupts a perfectly good cat video, a little piece of my soul dies. Naturally, YouTube Premium sounds like a dream: no ads, background play, offline downloads, and a sidekick app called YouTube Music.

But the question is: is it actually worth paying real, hard-earned money for it? Or is YouTube just dangling the "ad-free" carrot to see who’s desperate enough to bite?

I signed up, tested it out, and here’s the no-fluff, brutally honest breakdown you deserve.

What Does YouTube Premium Actually Offer?

Before I start handing out gold stars or rolling my eyes, let us get super clear about what you are actually paying for when you click that “Start Free Trial” button.

1. Ad-Free Experience

Imagine watching an entire 10-minute video without a single "Visit XYZ.com for miracle weight loss" ad screaming in your face. With YouTube Premium, every video - yes, even those weird two-view indie uploads - plays without ads.

No pre-roll ads. No mid-video interruptions. No awkward sponsored outro segments (although if a creator sneaks them in, YouTube cannot save you there.)

Real Talk: If you watch a ton of YouTube daily - lectures, tutorials, podcasts, gaming streams - the ad-free experience alone feels like upgrading from a beat-up bike to a Tesla.

2. Background Play

Without Premium, the second you lock your phone or open another app, YouTube just stops. It is like trying to listen to music on a broken Walkman. Premium lets your videos keep playing in the background. You can close the app, text your mom, scroll Instagram; your audio keeps flowing.

Real Talk: Background play is a gift for people who treat YouTube like their personal podcast platform. If you love listening to long interviews, debates, or motivational rants while multitasking, this feature alone feels almost non-negotiable.

3. Offline Downloads

Premium lets you download videos directly to your device, whether it is your phone, tablet, or even a Chromebook. You can pick video quality, set auto-downloads from your favorite channels, and stash up hours of content for when Wi-Fi ghosts you - planes, subways, shady rural motels, you name it.

Real Talk: It is incredibly useful if you travel a lot or have unreliable data. If you are a homebody with unlimited Wi-Fi, you might not use this feature as much as you think.

4. YouTube Music Premium

YouTube also throws in YouTube Music Premium, their answer to Spotify and Apple Music. It offers ad-free music, offline downloads, background play, and full album access.

As a bonus, you can also watch official music videos and live performances, something Spotify does not offer natively.

Real Talk: If you already pay for Spotify or Apple Music, YouTube Music may feel like an unnecessary overlap. However, if you love music videos or discovering covers, remixes, and niche tracks, it is a solid plus.

5. Exclusive Content (YouTube Originals)

You also unlock access to YouTube Originals - movies, documentaries, and series funded by YouTube itself. A few standouts like Cobra Kai made waves, but most Originals are honestly hit-or-miss and nowhere near Netflix’s depth.

Real Talk: YouTube’s original shows are not a reason to subscribe. They are more like a random free dessert after a big meal - nice, but not why you went to the restaurant in the first place.

Why It Feels Worth It - And Why It Might Not Be

Now that we’ve broken down what YouTube Premium offers, let’s dive into why it feels worth it for some, and why it might not be the best investment for others.

1. No More Ads, Ever

This is the feature that will make you reconsider ever watching YouTube the same way again. The ad-free experience is honestly a game changer. Imagine starting a video and just watching it all the way through without being interrupted by the same 30-second car commercial for the fifth time in a row. It’s pure bliss.

So, if you watch a lot of YouTube - tutorials, music videos, podcasts, or even long rants about the latest tech - you’ll find that the absence of ads feels worth the price. It’s one of those things that once you get it, you can’t go back. No more "Skip Ad" buttons - just uninterrupted content.

But, let’s not kid ourselves - YouTube knows you hate ads. That’s why they’ve made sure this feature is the main selling point. It’s almost like the least they could do after bombarding you with them for years.

2. Background Play: The Unsung Hero

Without YouTube Premium, the second you lock your phone or switch to another app, the video stops. It’s like YouTube doesn’t understand that sometimes you just want to hear the audio while doing other stuff. With Premium, you can have videos play in the background while you scroll Twitter, text your friends, or even check your email.

Background play is a productivity win. It’s not just about music - if you listen to long podcasts, debates, or news clips, this feature is a game changer. You’ll find yourself using it more than you ever expected.

But, if you’re someone who mainly watches YouTube for visual content (like music videos or reaction videos), you might not appreciate this as much. Also, it’s a feature that feels like it should be part of the standard YouTube experience. It shouldn’t cost extra.

3. Offline Downloads: For the Nomads

Offline downloads are a godsend if you’re someone who travels a lot, has unpredictable Wi-Fi, or simply doesn’t want to burn through data while binge-watching on a long bus ride. Downloading videos to watch later is so convenient that once you start, it feels like a necessity.

This feature makes a lot of sense if you're constantly on the go - whether it’s planes, trains, or just a really bad Wi-Fi connection at a coffee shop. It’s about freedom - not being tethered to a data plan.

But, if you’re someone who mostly watches YouTube at home, with stable Wi-Fi and good data, offline downloads might not be that exciting. It’s one of those features that’s a luxury when you travel but feels unnecessary if you’re always within reach of decent Wi-Fi.

4. YouTube Music Premium: One App to Rule Them All

YouTube Music Premium is YouTube’s version of Spotify, and it offers ad-free music, offline downloads, background play, and full album access. If you’re into music videos, live performances, or obscure remixes that aren’t available on other platforms, YouTube Music delivers. The beauty here is that it combines both music and video into one app.

If you’re already invested in Spotify or Apple Music, YouTube Music might feel like an overlap. However, for music lovers who enjoy watching videos, exploring live sets, or diving into the niche stuff that only YouTube has, it’s a solid bonus. You’re getting more than just a regular music service; you’re getting an entire world of content that is uniquely YouTube.

But, if you’re perfectly happy with your existing music service, paying extra for YouTube Music might feel like a redundant purchase. Plus, some people just don’t care for YouTube’s music library the way they do for other services.

5. Exclusive Content (YouTube Originals)

YouTube Originals are a mixed bag. A few series like Cobra Kai got a lot of attention, but most of YouTube’s exclusive content isn’t exactly breaking the internet. Sure, it’s nice to have access to these shows, but are they game-changing? Not really.

YouTube Originals are a nice perk, but they’re not the reason to get Premium. You’re not paying for an extensive catalog of must-see content like Netflix or Disney+. It's more like a bonus feature that you’ll use when you’ve run out of everything else to watch.

But, if you're already hooked on other streaming platforms, YouTube Originals won’t be enough to justify the monthly fee. They’re more of an afterthought - like an extra side dish when you were really hoping for the main course.

So, Is YouTube Premium Worth It?

If you’re someone who spends a significant amount of time on YouTube, whether for entertainment, education, or just to kill time, the ad-free experience, background play, and offline downloads can make it feel like an upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

However, if you’re not a heavy user, or if you’re happy with free YouTube, then paying $12 a month for those perks might feel like a stretch. There are plenty of workarounds: like using ad-blockers or sticking with the standard YouTube experience, that let you enjoy the platform without the price tag.

Bottom line: For heavy users, YouTube Premium is a game changer. For casual viewers? Maybe not so much.