Best comedy podcasts (2026)

Comedy is the second most popular podcast genre after true crime — and arguably the best use of the medium. A funny conversation between people who actually like each other is hard to beat when you're stuck in traffic or folding laundry. Here are 10 comedy podcasts worth subscribing to right now.

TL;DR

Celebrity conversations: SmartLess or Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
Unfiltered comedy: Bad Friends or H3 Podcast
Improv and games: Comedy Bang! Bang! or Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
Storytelling: The Moth Radio Hour
Culture commentary: Scam Goddess or Las Culturistas

Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend

Best for: Fans of Conan's particular brand of self-deprecating, absurdist humor
Episode length: 50-70 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Conan's guest interviews are good. The real gold is the interplay with his assistant Sona Movsesian and producer Matt Gourley, which bookends every episode. The pre- and post-interview segments are often funnier than the main conversation. Conan is at his funniest when the format is loose, and podcasting gives him that freedom.

SmartLess

Best for: A-list celebrity interviews with genuine surprise and chemistry
Episode length: 55-75 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes take turns surprising each other with a mystery guest. The format works because the hosts' reactions are genuine — two of them don't know who's coming. The banter between the three friends carries the show even when the guest isn't especially funny.

Comedy Bang! Bang!

Best for: Improv comedy nerds who like absurd characters and callbacks
Episode length: 60-90 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Scott Aukerman hosts a revolving cast of comedians who perform improvised characters alongside a celebrity guest. If you've never listened, it can be confusing — recurring characters, inside jokes, and a deliberately chaotic format. But once you're in, it's the funniest podcast on this list. Start with any "Best Of" episode to ease in.

Bad Friends

Best for: No-filter comedy with ridiculous chemistry
Episode length: 60-80 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino have the kind of friendship where they roast each other mercilessly and you can tell they love every second of it. The show is unscripted, unpredictable, and frequently goes off the rails. Not for everyone — the humor can be crude — but when it hits, it's laugh-out-loud funny.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Best for: Current events humor for people who read the news
Episode length: 45-50 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

NPR's weekly news quiz has been running since 1998 and remains one of the sharpest comedy shows in any medium. Host Peter Sagal and scorekeeper Bill Kurtis lead a panel of comedians through games about the week's news, plus call-in segments where listeners play along. Clean, smart humor that you can play in front of anyone.

The Moth Radio Hour

Best for: True personal stories told live on stage — often hilarious, sometimes moving
Episode length: 45-55 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Not a traditional comedy podcast, but many of the best Moth stories are genuinely funny. Real people share true personal stories in front of a live audience with no notes. The comedy comes from honesty and vulnerability, not punchlines. Perfect for when you want something warm and human.

H3 Podcast

Best for: Internet culture commentary with a comedic lens
Episode length: 120-180 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Ethan Klein's long-running show covers internet drama, viral content, and pop culture with an irreverent, meme-heavy style. Episodes are long — often 2-3 hours — but they work well as background listening. The community is massive and opinionated. Best for listeners already plugged into internet culture.

Scam Goddess

Best for: Con artist stories told with infectious enthusiasm
Episode length: 45-60 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Laci Mosley covers scams and fraud with the energy of a friend who just discovered something wild. Each episode breaks down a different con — from celebrity Ponzi schemes to small-town grifters — with humor and a clear-eyed fascination for how these schemes actually work. Great crossover pick if you also like true crime podcasts.

Las Culturistas

Best for: Pop culture deep-dives with theatrical flair
Episode length: 50-70 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang (SNL) discuss culture — movies, TV, music, internet moments — with the seriousness of critics and the humor of best friends. Their "I Don't Think So, Honey" segment is legendary. Consistently one of the most quoted podcasts on social media.

My Dad Wrote a Porno

Best for: Laugh-until-you-cry absurdity based on a true (and horrifying) premise
Seasons: 6 complete seasons + specials
Episode length: 25-40 minutes
Where to listen: Apple · Spotify

Jamie Morton reads chapters from the erotic novels his father has actually written, while friends James Cooper and Alice Levine react in real-time. The writing is so spectacularly bad that the reactions are genuinely uncontrollable. Six seasons in, it has not gotten less funny. A perfect binge.

How we chose

We prioritized shows that are actively releasing new episodes, have strong production quality, and — most importantly — are consistently funny. We skipped one-off specials and shows that haven't updated in over a year. We also intentionally included a range of comedy styles, from improv to interview to storytelling, so there's something for every taste. Check out what podcasts you should listen to for more genre recommendations.

Listen smarter with Podtastic

Get more out of your new podcast picks. Podtastic is a fully featured podcast player for iOS and Android, built around Pod-telligence — a set of AI features that helps you get more out of every show:

Smart Summaries — AI summaries of every podcast and episode so you know what's coming before you hit play
Smart Topics — key topics surfaced across your favourite shows so you can jump straight to what matters
Smart Playback — your queue fills itself based on what you actually listen to
Jump Ahead — automatically tightens gaps and pacing so episodes flow naturally

Join the waitlist at podtastic.app to get early access.

Best Comedy Podcasts (2026)