The 10 Best Science Podcasts in 2026

The science podcasts people actually listen to, ranked by audience, with what listeners praise and criticise about each one. All of them play free on The Pods.

Updated 2026-11-06 · 187 science & space pods on The Pods

  1. 1

    StarTalk

    Neil deGrasse Tyson · 6M subscribers · English

    Space and science, mixed with pop culture and comedy.

    What listeners sayNeil deGrasse Tyson with comedians and scientists. Praised for making science fun and accessible; critics find the host's interruptions and the comedy sidekicks distracting.
    • Accessible, entertaining science.
    • Great for families and newcomers.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  2. 2

    Theories of Everything

    Curt Jaimungal · 575K subscribers · English

    Deep dives into physics, consciousness and reality.

    What listeners sayCurt Jaimungal's long interviews with physicists and philosophers on consciousness and fundamental physics. Praised for taking hard topics seriously; it also gives airtime to fringe ideas.
    • Serious, technical conversations rarely heard elsewhere.
    • Host prepares deeply.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  3. 3

    Into the Impossible

    Brian Keating · 437K subscribers · English

    Scientists and Nobel winners on the universe's big questions.

    What listeners sayPhysicist Brian Keating interviews scientists and Nobel laureates. Well regarded for credibility; episodes vary and the host's politics occasionally surface.
    • Real physicists, including Nobel winners.
    • Good explanations of cosmology.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  4. 4

    Event Horizon

    John Michael Godier · 335K subscribers · English

    Space, aliens and the future, with researchers.

    What listeners sayJohn Michael Godier's space and astrobiology interviews. Calm, thoughtful and well researched; the pace is slow for some.
    • Rigorous, calm interviews with astronomers.
    • Great on exoplanets and the Fermi paradox.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  5. 5

    Sean Carroll's Mindscape

    Sean Carroll · 263K subscribers · English

    Physics, philosophy and big ideas with experts.

    What listeners sayPhysicist Sean Carroll interviews scientists and philosophers. One of the most respected science podcasts; it demands attention.
    • Serious ideas explained by a clear thinker.
    • Guests from every discipline.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  6. 6

    Stuff You Should Know

    Josh Clark & Chuck Bryant · 232K subscribers · English · #22 on the Apple Podcasts Science & Space chart

    How everything works, explained by two friends.

    What listeners sayJosh and Chuck explain one topic per episode. A comfort listen for millions; light research and frequent tangents are part of the charm and the main criticism.
    • Friendly, funny and endlessly varied.
    • Huge back catalogue.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  7. 7

    Radiolab

    Lulu Miller & Latif Nasser · 121K subscribers · English · #2 on the Apple Podcasts Science & Space chart

    Curious stories about science and the world.

    What listeners sayPioneering narrative science show. The classic episodes are still recommended everywhere; long-time listeners feel the show changed after the original hosts left.
    • Innovative sound design and storytelling.
    • Older episodes are classics.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  8. 8

    Science Vs

    Wendy Zukerman · 9.6K subscribers · English · #7 on the Apple Podcasts Science & Space chart

    Fact-checks popular beliefs with real research.

    What listeners sayWendy Zukerman fact-checks fads and claims against the research. Praised for citations and humour; some find the jokes and sound effects grating.
    • Every episode cites its sources.
    • Clear verdicts on popular claims.
    Sources →
    Watch free on The Pods →
  9. 9

    Ranveer Allahbadia

    @ranveerallahbadia · 11M subscribers · Hindi

    Welcome to the official Ranveer Allahbadia channel. What began as BeerBiceps has evolved into a global hub for personal growth. Our mission: to upgrade your …

    Watch free on The Pods →
  10. 10

    What If

    @whatifscienceshow · 9M subscribers · English

    An epic exploration of possibilities. Join Peter and explore science-based hypothetical worlds across space, technology, Earth, and prehistoric history. Each…

    Watch free on The Pods →

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How this list is made

How are the best science podcasts ranked?

By audience: The Pods picks first, then the biggest shows by YouTube subscribers. Where the show is also on the Apple Podcasts Science & Space chart, its chart position is shown.

Are these podcasts free?

Yes. Every show here plays from its official YouTube channel, free and with no account, right on The Pods.

Where do the listener summaries come from?

They sum up public reviews and discussions (Reddit, Apple Podcasts, Spotify) in our own words, with links to the sources on each show page.

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