My HBO Max Review (2026): After a Year, I’m Still Impressed

HBO Max offers three subscription tiers. Its ad-supported plan (Basic with Ads) is $10.99 a month or $109.99 a year. As a college student, I qualified for the student discount and got this package for just $5.49 a month. I’m happy with the price and plan, given that I only need to stream on one or two devices at a time. I also get access to Full HD 1080p resolution. However, the advertisements (six minutes per hour) did wear on me after a while, especially when in the midst of a tense horror film.

Premium subscription tiers don’t have this problem. Both Standard ($18.49 per month or $184.99 per year) and Premium ($22.99 per month or $229.99 per year) are ad-free, with access to live sports and the option to download content for offline viewing. Standard allows a 30-video download maximum, while Premium allows a 100-video download maximum. Premium also includes access to 4K Ultra HD video quality, with select titles including Dolby Atmos immersive audio.

HBO Max plans are generally more expensive than Netflix, which starts at $7.99 per month, and Hulu, which starts at $6.99 per month, but prices even out at the premium tiers. The Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle — which includes all three services — is also worth considering for $19.99 per month with ads or $32.99 per month ad-free.

HBO Max has a very sleek menu that is simple to navigate, even for my friends and family who may be unfamiliar with the service.

I’ve used the app on my TV, phone, and laptop without any issues with picture quality or loading times. Any TV show or movie I was in the middle of watching appeared underneath a carousel of “Today’s Picks,” and I was quickly able to pick up from where I left off.

I appreciate the variation of its curated selections, such as “Recommended For You,” “Popular TV,” and “Critically Acclaimed.” HBO Max also has a “Channels” feature where you can enter a live-stream of content, sorted by popular themes and shows like Adult Animation, True Crime, “Sex and the City,” “Mad Men,” and “Friends.” The channel will continue as episodes are automatically queued and played next, which is helpful when I’m feeling indecisive and want something new without having to scroll for it. Managing my subscription is easiest on desktop, where I can easily find the Help Center with clear instructions and common FAQs.

I originally subscribed to HBO Max for its Studio Ghibli library, which I worked through over the course of a year and thoroughly enjoyed. Even now that I’ve finished them all, I’m choosing to keep my subscription — I still need to get started on “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” or maybe this is the year I finally begin watching “The Pitt.”

The range of content is what keeps me here. I’ve found some new favorites in HBO original series like “Sharp Objects,” “Succession,” and “The Rehearsal.” And there’s more than prestige dramas, from the viral “Heated Rivalry” to the extended editions of “The Lord of the Rings” films. Every category contained a TV show or movie I recognized or knew was critically praised.

If you're a sports fan, the Basic with Ads plan isn't the right fit. Only Standard and Premium subscribers get access to live MLB, NHL, NCAA Men's March Madness, U.S. Soccer, and premier cycling events.