These Are My Favorite 24/7 YouTube Radio Stations

One of my favorite ways to enjoy YouTube is its vast array of 24/7 radio stations. These all-day, all-night music channels typically play music from a specific genre (or a group of similar genres) and are a great way to grab some music when you just don’t know what to listen to.

There is a huge variety of 24/7 YouTube radio stations, but these are some of the best.

I love all things synthwave—it’s perfect music for working, studying, gaming, or just general background music. So Starburst’s 24/7 FM blend of “chillwave, chillsynth and retrowave” with some “vaporwave and some synthwave arps” is an excellent blend of it all.

The chilled-out synths are accompanied by a range of retro-styled video graphics that constantly warp and change. It’s great to stick on a second monitor to prevent other distractions, and I find the 24/7 stations a more simple experience than YouTube Music.

While the channel name is a mouthful, the Cuba Cafe channel plays a great mix of Latin-influenced mixes filled with beautiful rhythms, cascading flows, and the odd horn or two.

The channel also includes the legendary Buena Vista Social Club in its title, and the Cuban influence on this channel is clear.

Now, I’d really prefer a 90s hip-hop channel, but this 2000s Hip-Hop channel still works in a pinch. And really, the noughties were still an excellent time for hip-hop, with some of the most legendary names plying their trade.

Switch on to hear Eminem, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Missy Elliot, Method Man, and so many more absolute bangers play non-stop.

If you’re looking for something a little heavier than chillwave and hip hop, check out this 24/7 tekno radio station.

First up, yes, techno and tekno are different; tekno is faster and harder and really designed to push the boundaries of beats and bass. You’re more likely to hear techno in a licensed club, and tekno at that multi-day rave in the middle of nowhere.

Both are good, but this station specializes in the darker stuff, and is worth a listen for a good old stomp, and is one way I find new songs on YouTube.

This rock-focused YouTube radio station is perfect when you want to hear some of those iconic rock ballads. You know those songs that blasted out on the radio when you were growing up?

You’ll find all of those on this radio station, covering the “best rock ballads of the 70s, 80s, and 90s.” It delivers a really good mix of rock, classic rock, and some rock and roll, and you can keep it going for hours without skipping a beat.

No list of 24/7 YouTube radio channels is complete without LoFi Girl, arguably one of the longest-running 24/7 stations.

It’s host image of an anime-style girl studying is definitely one of the most iconic among YouTube radio stations, spawning a whole series of merch, spin-offs such as Lofi Boy Synthwave Radio (both from the Lofi Girl channel; the boy is meant to be in the apartment block opposite), and even some wild Lofi Girl-inspired Fortnite maps.

At the time of writing, LoFi Girl has 14.5 million subscribers, which is a fair chunk considering it’s just relaxing hip-hop beats for relaxing or studying.

I must admit that a not insignificant number of the 24/7 YouTube radio stations are focused on background music and lofi beats. While I love that for some concentration, it can feel stale after a while.

That’s when you need to switch over to Neo Soul Music, a 24/7 radio station featuring a smooth combination of lyrical soul and RnB. It’s relaxing, sure, but it’s also a delightful listen.