Top 10 YouTube How-To Channels - TopX Ep.16

- Sometimes we find YouTube channels that do so many different things, it’s hard to explain what they do in such a short amount of time. MonkeySee is definitely one of those channels.
- One of the best ways to figure out all the different things you can find on the channel is to check out their playlists. They have different lists for Home Improvement, Pets, Gardening, Cars, Relationships. The list goes on. They even have a whole playlist devoted to Duct Tape based crafts with 28 videos.
- Although you could accuse some of their videos of being a bit dry in the style department, there’s no arguing that there’s an enormous amount of knowledge packed into the channel. Chainsaw safety, massage techniques, a review of the new Honda civic or even just a recipe for noodle caboodle. Essentially, this is a channel that you use less as a source of content that you like to check up on all the time, and more of a library of knowledge that you can consult with for almost any question imaginable.

- After doing a little bit of everything with the last channel, here we get back to specific’s with Steve Ramsey and his show Woodworking for Mere Mortals. He does woodworking in case you couldn’t guess.
- Similar to I Like to Make Stuff, Steve like’s to emphasize that his projects are easy and don’t require loads of experience or know how. Not only that, but he’s a huge advocate of using repurposed or recycled wood, so most of his projects are ultra budget friendly.
- Those of you that are daunted by the idea of large projects, power tools and piles of lumber should know that most of the projects he outlines in his videos are pretty small. Cutting Boards, A xylophone for your kids and yes, of course, Spice Racks; these are the types of thing’s he’ll teach you how to make. My personal favorite though, is the Marshmallow crossbow.

- Now we shift over to a channel that’s definitely a lot more tech oriented. From the magazine of the same name comes this channel with a ton of neat little projects for those of you that are totally bummed out that Radioshack is going under.
- Much like the magazine that bears it’s name, Make’s youtube channel features a variety wide variety of things, from covering maker’s conventions to a whole playlist devoted to model airplanes, helicopters and drones called Maker Hanger. However, since this is the howto countdown, the playlist we’ll be most concerned with today is their Weekend Projects playlist. We hope you brought your soldering kit.
- The things they teach you to make on this playlist are not necessarily difficult, but they are “tech” to say the least. So that means wires, soldering irons, L.E.D.s and circuit boards. Don’t let that deter you though, cause this stuff is all really cool

- At #7 we come the first of several channels we’ll see today that deal in Life Hacks. Life hacks, in case you don’t speak millennial, are small tips, tricks and crafts for making you life easier. These range from how to pack a suitcase effieciently, how to prevent a pot from boiling over [KITCHEN TIPS] to how to fold a shirt in under 2 seconds.
- Although this channel’s videos are pretty dry from a stylistic point of view, they’re consistently clear, well edited and well voiced. The host’s charming accent is pretty much the only thing spicing up the videos, but everthing has been shot and edited in a tight, consistent way that’s makes each one easy to follow and understand.
- Also, as fun side note, his channel also features a ton of videos of stuff breaking or being broken in slow motion. It has nothing to do with How Tos or Life Hacks, but it’s pretty cool…

- Now, while those of you who were watching the videos for the Make channel and were super interested, but feel like they might be a bit too advanced will probably be interested in our next channel, KipKay. While many of his little hacks and projects are tech oriented, they’re definitely a bit simpler in design.
- The channel is described as a mix of how to, life hacks and pranks, that’s exactly what you’ll find. This is the only channel we’ve seen that’s really combined pranks with how to: now you can finally make that electro-shocking stapler you’ve always wanted.
- Okay so, I could go on about all other stuff on his channel but without a doubt the only other thing we really need to mention LASERS. He has a whole playlist devoted to totally sweet wicked awesome lasers and things you can do with em’. I hesitate to spread this info around the internet, but he has videos that show you how to make a laser that burns plastic and lights matches so…there’s that.

- At first glance, howcast is very similar to MonkeySee and another channel we’ll talk about later. They cover a bit of everything, or rather, a lot of everything. How to Tie a Bow Tie, how to read tarot cards, how to assemble a bento box. Nothing too out of the ordinary here.
- They have a few groups of videos that are oddly specific. 50 videos on Wing Chun. 38 videos on pole dancing excersises, and 40 videos that deal specifically with Australian slang. But, there is one pattern of videos that rise to the top when you sort by views, and it’s a one topic that’s been severely neglected so far. Sex, baby. Oh yeah.
- Sure, there’s tons of videos that will teach you how to make a cutting board or separate an egg white, but how about a channel that teaches you how to undo a bra with one hand? Or have sex in the workplace without other people finding out? This is valuable knowledge, people, and Howcast is here to teach you.

- While they do, say it with me now, cover a large variety of topics, HouseHoldHacker stays true to their name and specializes in life hacks for the household. While some of their videos are stand alone, like how to make an Air conditioner for 8 bucks, a lot of their recent clips are countdowns, such as 10 Things You didn’t know you could do with your microwave or 6 uses for Windex.
- One noteworthy thing about their channel, which doubles as a warning actually, is that they have a couple of videos that are meant to be jokes. Things like, 6 terrible life hacks you should never try are thing you probably would never try in the first place, but they’re definitely good for a chuckle. So, I know that video with 9 million views claiming to show you how to charge your phone with an onion LOOKS interesting, but proceed with caution.

- At #3 we have another channel that strives to be a font of knowledge for everything under the sun. Think I’m exaggerating? Expert village has 100,000 videos. Check for yourself if you don’t believe me.
- The idea behind the videos is that each one is hosted by an expert in the given field. While this certainly makes for a mixed bag of hosts, the level of knowledge they demonstrate is consistently reliable. On top of this, the videos are quite well produced and edited, which lends the whole channel a level of professionalism and trustworthiness that’s hard to beat.
- You’ll have to believe me when I say that they cover a innumerable amount of topics, but just to give you a few examples at random: How to change the pixel size on your digital camera, how to measure your dog for the perfect fitting color, and at least 14 different videos on breast exam techniques. I mean everything.

- Although he calls himself the King of Random, a better name might be the King of Cool stuff. Other channels we’ve seen today cover such variety that it’s hard to peg em down: Grant Thompson, who hosts this channel, seems to always be doing something that shoots, blows up, lights on fire or something equality awesome.
- As is almost always the case with top tier channels, Grant’s channel is first and foremost very clean and reliable. He publishes regularly and his videos are clear and well produced. This means that you can come back on a semi regular basis for dependable content, rather than just binging on all of his stuff for a day and never coming back.
- But enough of that dry factual stuff, let’s take another moment to look at some of the gnarly stuff he makes. My favorite is the micro-crossbow that launches matches. Do I really need to keep explaining why this is so cool?

Before we break ground on our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

HM1 I Like To Make Stuff
Channel URL: youtube.com/iliketomakestuffcom

HM2 Lifehacker
Channel URL: youtube.com/lifehacker

HM3 eHow
Channel URL: youtube.com/eHow

HM4 The Home Depot
Channel URL: youtube.com/homedepot

HM5 Cottage Life DIY
Channel URL: youtube.com/CottageLifeMagazine

- So, usually when I get to the top spot here on TopX, mention how our #1 pick does everything in a clearer, more consistent, more professional way than it’s competitors. That is not exactly the case when it comes to this week’s #1, CrazyRussianHacker.
- Basically, I’d be lying if I said that Russian Hacker’s videos are more clear or detailed than other entries, but that’s part of the charm. The host and his super thick accent make even trivial instructions entertaining while he’s explaining the life hacks outlined in his videos.
- Many of the CRH’s hacks are kitchen or food related. Among these, some of my favorites are the one titles “doing it wrong”. As in: you’ve been eating chicken wings wrong your whole life, you’ve been pouring juice wrong your whole life, or you’ve been cooking eggs wrong your whole life. Of course, he a video about how you’ve been taking your t-shirt off wrong your whole life, so there’s that too.
- Lastly, it should also be mentioned that CRH does improvised science experiments on his channel too. Although these will really not teach you all that much, aside from maybe how flammable ping pong balls are, these are worth a watch if only to hear him say “don’t try this at home” in his accent.
- As I mentioned before, this channel is not particularly professional or well produced, it’s just really fun, and the huge amount of subscribers it boasts proves this. I’d say don’t try this stuff at home, but I guess that’s sorta the idea behind this whole this, so just be careful and have fun ;)

Well, that’s it for our list, and by now I’m sure you’re all eager to get started on your laser-guided bacon shooting crossbows, so I won’t keep you long. Be sure to check us out on facebook, twitter and instagram, to vote on upcoming lists on our website and to subscribe to watchmojo.com for more great top 10s.