If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you’ll know my family and I are big fans of YouTube. Like millions of others, we’ve been using it for years and follow countless channels and creators. I’ve previously shared my thoughts on YouTube Premium (here).
YouTube today is more convenient than ever. High-quality videos are constantly uploaded and available to watch across devices from your phone to your TV. Most of our viewing is on a 55-inch TV, with many videos available in 4K. The sheer amount of content on the platform is unmatched.
But there’s one big drawback: ads.
They interrupt long videos, get in the way of discovering new content, and can quickly turn a relaxing session into a stop–start experience.
I tried YouTube Premium in the past, but the higher price (and extra features I didn’t need) never felt worth it. All I wanted was ad-free viewing.
This summer, YouTube finally launched YouTube Premium Lite in the UK, a half-price plan that focuses on removing ads, with a few limitations. It’s exactly the subscription I always wanted and I have now been using it for 6 months.
Ad-Free Viewing
Premium Lite does exactly what it promises, ad-free videos, except for music videos and the occasional ad in Shorts.
As someone who mainly watches standard channels and long-form content, my viewing is around 99.5% ad-free.
We watch about 15 hours of YouTube a week and rarely see ads anymore. We don’t watch many music videos, and even Shorts appear almost entirely ad-free.
A Surprisingly Big Time Saver
Removing ads saves more time than you realise.
Longer videos become easier to watch, and you end up consuming more content without the constant interruptions.
Creators are regularly releasing 20–40 minute videos. Premium Lite doesn’t remove creator sponsorship segments (which I genuinely don’t mind), but it makes longer videos feel far easier to watch.
Price: The Reason It Works
At £7.99 a month, this feels like good value. Though price can differ depending on channel you use to subscribe e.g via Apple App Store is £10.49 currently, so subscribe directly via YouTube on your browser to get the best deal.
Full YouTube Premium offers extra features, downloads, background play, YouTube Music, but if you don’t use them, the extra cost is hard to justify. Premium Lite gives you the core benefit for half the price, and that makes all the difference.
I’m definitely sticking with it.
Better Content Discovery
This is a massive hidden benefit.
With ads removed, you can sample new channels instantly. No more watching an ad only to find out the video isn’t for you. It makes browsing and exploring new creators much more enjoyable.
When Lite Isn’t Enough
You may want full YouTube Premium if:
You watch lots of music videos, you want offline downloads or perhaps access to all of the extra features
And if you barely use YouTube, the free version is probably all you need.
Try Lite If…
You regularly watch standard YouTube channels, you follow lots of creators and ads annoy you. Maybe you just want a cheaper, simpler ad-free option
Check whether Lite is available in your country and whether a free trial is offered here.
Behaviour Changes
Going ad-free naturally leads to longer viewing sessions, quicker browsing, and discovering even more creators to follow. It genuinely improves the way you use the platform.
Final Thoughts
If you watch a lot of YouTube and would happily watch even more without ads, YouTube Premium Lite is absolutely worth it. It offers exactly what most people want at a fair price, and I haven’t regretted subscribing for a moment.
To find out more, including which countries currently offer Premium Lite, you can read more via Google here.
