This is an updated ranking of the current best prepper YouTube channels. Our first rankings were in 2016, and we will continue to update these rankings as creators keep producing content and as new channels emerge on the scene.
There are all sorts of prepping resources on the web, and YouTube is a treasure trove of great prepping videos. Over the past year, a few of the top channels finally eclipsed 1 million subscribers- a testament to the growing interest in modern prepping. Here are the 10 best YouTube prepper channels that are worth checking out (plus several honorable mentions and some more in the comments).
Prepping, as a topic, is very broad so you’ll find that many of these channels are very different in terms of the content the creators make. This is why it makes sense to subscribe to more than just one- get out there and explore all of the free prepping knowledge YouTube has to offer.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
What is a Prepper?
A prepper is a regular person who prepares for emergencies or disasters by stockpiling supplies and developing skills to be self-sufficient. They want to be ready for the worst-case scenario and protect themselves and their family.
On YouTube, preppers share various survival skills, review prepping gear, and give advice on self-reliance. The best prepper YouTube creators do all of this but make it entertaining as well!
Occasionally, you’ll see a channel shift focus, so channels will jump between our other lists when they focus less on broad general preparedness: The 10 Best Off-Grid Homesteading YouTube Channels and The 10 Best Wilderness Survival YouTube Channels.
10. Alaska Prepper
Founded in 2013
220,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 9
Rudy Martinez
Rudy has been steadily building a following all the way up in Alaska, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a likable guy but he can get into a little bit of prepper prophesizing, which we discourage around here. Still, he gives sound advice for real issues and situations like inflation when it’s not predictive.
Some of his best videos involve pantry preps and reviewing the cheapest survival items for those on a budget.
9. PreparedMind101
Founded in 2012
240,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 8
Chris Tanner loves bushcraft and knives, but also covered survival and preparedness on his channel.
Chris Tanner gives us a slew of survival topics but his love of knives is apparent. He has designed several of his own that you can buy: Jess-X, Jessmuk, Jessmuk-C, JX3, JX4, JX5, MK2 Leviathan, JX6, and JX Omega.
He covers a wide range of topics well, but his knife videos really excel just because you can tell he loves the art.
8. Survival on Purpose
Founded in 2013
274,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 7
Bryan Stevens runs this growing channel that casts a wide net on survival and prepping.
Bryan isn’t afraid of any topic and delves into every corner of preparedness. He is upfront and seeks out experts if he doesn’t have all of the information, which is very refreshing.
His channel has steadily grown over the last ten years by sharing common sense preparedness tips that can make your life and prepping projects easier.
7. The Urban Prepper
Founded in 2011
290,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 6
Cliff (The Urban Prepper) has taken a hiatus lately but isn’t done yet. He’s promised more once he’s settled into his new job.
Cliff is a great guy who is self-described as ‘prepper adjacent’ because he doesn’t get into the tactical aspects of prepping. He has built his own brand of prepping as many often do, and recognizes that everyone can have their own unique approach to preparedness.
He shares all of his interests with his fans and subscribers which shows how down-to-earth he really is. He enjoys building survival kits of all sizes, and those videos really highlight what he is about.
6. Full Spectrum Survival
Founded in 2012
375,000 subscribers
Previous rank = N/A
Prepping and preparedness, but with the urgency of ‘imminent threats’ identified by Brad’s algorithm.
Brad Harris’ brand of prepping is based on a news scraping algorithm he coded to try to stay ahead of the news. It results in one of the most fearmongering titled and thumbnailed channels on the list- but Brad isn’t about panic. When you watch the channel he does keep up with current events but calmly shares information and skills/resources related to the events.
The urgency of the current event ‘predictions’ can be off-putting for some, but it’s a successful formula that most of the top prepping channels put to use to draw attention to their channels.
5. Survival Dispatch
Founded in 2016
379,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 5
Survival Dispatch is a group of over 20 survivalists that work together as a network to publish content for the channel.
Survival Dispatch can be a little all over the place due to all of the contributors, but every video has one thing in common: it shares useful survival information. Some of the contributors, like Alan Kay (the winner of Alone’s season 1) are well-known heavy-hitters of the preparedness and survival circles.
Don’t miss out when a Survival Dispatch video drops- it’s a channel worth subscribing to.
4. Black Scout Survival
Founded in 2012
625,000 subscribers
Previous rank = N/A
Jack Richland’s channel has leaned into preparedness and news evaluation lately in a turn past wilderness survival.
Jack started off reviewing wilderness survival gear and showing off some tactical survival skills but has grown significantly over the last decade. It pops up on our prepper list this year due to the direction he’s taken the channel. Tune in for current events, preparedness advice, and a lot less time in the woods than he used to show.
He still has a huge video catalog chock full of cool skills and quick survival tips, like paperclip lockpicking:
3. Sensible Prepper
Founded in 2014
840,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 3
Don Porter does more than just shoot guns as Sootch00, he also runs Sensible Prepper- one of the most successful prepping channels.
Sootch00 (Don Porter) reviews a lot of great prepping and survival gear on this channel. Tons of survival hacks can be found here too, which is great to expand your resourcefulness if SHTF.
He has been a big presence for prepping on YouTube for a while now and is somewhat of a stalwart among the large channels.
2. City Prepping
Founded in 2015
1,020,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 2
Kris started his channel out of his California home and has plenty of relevant experience that he shares with his viewers.
Kris’ editing skills really bring prepping info to the next level in his videos. He doesn’t just share prepping information, he makes it interesting to watch. This separates him from the many others that emulate his style to lesser effect.
He is climbing the subscriber count faster than any other channel on here, so he is definitely one to watch to see if he can take the top spot in future roundups.
1. Canadian Prepper
Founded in 2014
1,260,000 subscribers
Previous rank = 1
Nate Polson, AKA Canadian Prepper, pops up the charts to the number one spot after championing prepping on YouTube over the last several years.
Survival situations and survival gear are what this channel is all about. The boys from America’s hat know how to prepare for anything, and are generous enough to let us take a look at their resourcefulness on YouTube. Physical fitness is a big deal for them, which cannot be stressed enough for prepping.
Nate Polson pairs his YouTube channel with his store, which gives him access to all sorts of awesome equipment and gear. The one downside to the Canadian Prepper channel is the constant fearmongering and prophesizing. When a prepper tells you a situation is ‘imminent’, they’ve gone too far- nobody can predict the future and they’re either delusional themselves or just trying to sell you stuff.
Nonetheless, Canadian Prepper is the largest prepping YouTube channel and he does put out some great content.
Honorable Mention Channels
These channels were reviewed and have good content, but did not have the subscriber count or active uploads to stack up against our top 10. Still, they may be a good option for you if you are looking for even more prepping YouTube channels:
- Bear Independent – 196,000 subscribers – Also running a prepper podcast, Mr Bear stays busy.
- Commsprepper – 34,800 subscribers – No politics, no weapons – just amateur radio as it applies to prepping. Straightforward and informational, this channel is great to check out if you are into HAM radio.
- DEMCAD – 81,300 subscribers – A lot of politics, but this guy was ahead of the curve on the Flint, MI water crisis. He is in a very small minority as a black libertarian prepper and is very knowledgeable and speaks his mind. He posts a couple of times a week and is worth checking out.
- funkyprepper – 131,000 subscribers – A former British Infantry soldier shares his knowledge on mostly Bug Out preps. There are several good survival gear reviews as well. This a great YouTube prepper resource if you are looking for something different.
- Goshen Prepping – 167,000 subscribers – Situational prepping with current event analysis mixed in.
- Living Survival – 183,000 subscribers – Mostly gear reviews, but good ones at that.
- Magic Prepper – 158,000 subscribers – Best known for information videos, like explaining MVEs or current events.
- The Provident Prepper – 221,000 subscribers – A lot of videos on long-term food storage and practical preparedness.
- Step One Survival – 136,000 subscribers – Tactical survival videos with plenty of great bug out bag videos as well.
- Survival Know How – 185,000 subscribers – A well-done series on beginning preparedness with some survival hacks sprinkled in.
- VikingPreparedness – 173,000 subscribers – He has hit his stride as a YouTube contributor after blogging for many years and is constantly uploading informational, entertaining videos with an awesome beard.
The Final Word
Prepper YouTube channels are out there in droves, but these channels are the biggest and best you can find. If you are looking to try something new, give our editor’s pick a go. If you are looking for other mediums to explore prepping and survival topics, check out these rankings and roundups:
If you have any favorite channels that we may have missed or chose not to rank, weigh in below in the comment section. We’ll always take the time to review it before our next roundup and see where it stacks up.
Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.
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