Tech moves fast․ One week everyone is talking about AI agents․ The next‚ it is chips‚ robots‚ cybersecurity‚ or some new gadget nobody saw coming․
That’s why podcasts are useful; you can listen to them while you’re driving around‚ working out‚ doing pretty much anything․
According to Edison Research’s Infinite Dial 2026‚ overall podcasting is growing; among Americans aged 12+‚ 58% (roughly 167 million people) have listened to a podcast in the past month․ Weekly consumption reached 45%․
But which shows are actually worth your time?
Here are 17 tech podcasts that cover everything from AI engineering to startups‚ gadgets‚ and cybercrime․
1. Hard Fork
Best for: Tech news without the headache
Kevin Roose and Casey Newton talk about AI, social media, big tech, and how the internet works, in a more relaxed way.
If you want to keep up with what is going on, this is a solid place to start, especially if you do not want to hear very technical talks all the time.
2. Acquired
Best for: Business and tech strategy
One company gets bought, then we dig in. The hosts may take about four hours going through the company’s past, its plan, its money, and the big calls it made. Each episode, the show claims, is built on over 200 hours of work, from research through production.
Recent episodes have covered companies such as Disney, Vanguard, Ferrari, and Home Depot. If you like business stories, this is one of the good tech podcasts to have in your queue.
3. Latent Space
Best for: AI engineers and builders
This one goes beyond “AI is changing everything.” Latent Space focuses on agents, foundation models, code generation, multimodality, GPUs, and the infrastructure needed to actually build AI products.
It is one of the stronger podcasts for technology professionals who want technical depth.
4. Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast
Best for: Gadgets
Phones, cameras, cars, wearables, laptops and whatever new device just appeared. Waveform brings Marques Brownlee and his team together for weekly conversations about consumer technology.
If you want something lighter than an engineering podcast, start here.
5. Darknet Diaries
Best for: Cybersecurity stories
Darknet Diaries shares real stories about hacking, security failures, cybercrime, and the grim parts of the online world.
In 2026, the new episodes focus on things like penetration tests, leaked data, and planned criminal schemes. I find the tone more like a suspense story than a dry tech talk.
6. Software Engineering Daily
Best for: Developers
This is meant for people who want to get a real picture of what is going on under the apps and services they use.
The list covers databases and systems that run across many machines. It also includes APIs, cloud setup, and the stuff that keeps things safe. There is also AI and programming languages. Its September 2026 episodes include discussions about Google’s database infrastructure for the AI era and TypeScript 7.
7. The Cognitive Revolution
Best for: AI’s bigger picture
Nathan Labenz talks with researchers, startup leaders, and AI specialists about what might come next for artificial intelligence.
In each episode, the guests talk about AI agents, how models are built, robotics work, and what it could mean for companies as these systems get more capable.
8. No Priors
Best for: AI startups
Hosted by investors Sarah Guo and Elad Gil, No Priors focuses on AI companies, founders, products, and the technology behind the current AI wave.
It is particularly useful if you’re interested in the business side of AI rather than only the technical side.
9. Better Offline
Best for: Critical tech analysis
Not every new technology deserves applause.
Better Offline looks at the business decisions, promises, failures, and consequences behind the technology industry. It is a useful counterbalance to overly enthusiastic tech coverage.
10. The Vergecast
Best for: General technology
The Vergecast brings you the biggest tech stories from the week. It also talks about new products and updates across platforms. You will hear about shifts in the industry too.
This show fits people who want tech news in one place. It covers many topics, not just one kind of subject.
11. Search Engine
Best for: Internet mysteries
Search Engine takes unusual questions and investigates them.
Instead of simply explaining a technology headline, it often asks why something strange happens online and follows the story wherever it leads. That makes it one of the more interesting podcasts on this list.
12. The AI Daily Brief
Best for: Quick AI updates
Too busy for a two hour conversation? The AI Daily Brief helps you stay on top of key artificial intelligence updates without the long sit down.
Good if you want steady news but you still need time in your day and do not want to read tech updates all morning.
13. Practical AI
Best for: Real-world AI
The program is not about far off ideas but is about the use of AI and machine learning in real work.
It is suitable for developers, data professionals and business organisations interested in visualising the inner workings of AI.
14. Machine Learning Street Talk
Best for: Deep AI discussions
This talk is for you if you enjoy research-oriented talks. In these episodes, there is a possibility of discussing machine learning papers. Neuroscience related topics can also be covered. At times we get into this model layout. And I discuss the science that underlies contemporary AI systems.
Not exactly background listening. But if you’re serious about AI, it is worth sampling.
15. Tech Won’t Save Us
Best for: The social impact of technology
Technology affects much more than software. Tech Won’t Save Us looks at the political, economic, and social consequences of the technology industry.
It is useful if you want technology discussions that go beyond product launches and company valuations.
16. The Gradient Podcast
Best for: AI research
The Gradient Podcast focuses on researchers and the science behind machine learning. Instead of simply asking what the newest model can do, it digs into the research that makes these systems possible.
For anyone looking for technology podcasts with academic depth, this is worth adding.
17. The Future of Everything
Best for: Science and emerging technology
Technology isn’t limited to apps and AI. This podcast looks at developments across science and technology, including areas such as genetics, medicine, energy, and engineering.
It is a good reminder that some of the biggest technological changes are happening far away from the smartphone screen.
Which Tech Podcast Should You Start With?
It depends on what you want.
| If you’re interested in… | Try |
| AI engineering | Latent Space |
| Tech podcasts news | Hard Fork |
| Business strategy | Acquired |
| Gadgets | Waveform |
| Cybersecurity | Darknet Diaries |
| Software development | Software Engineering Daily |
| AI research | The Gradient Podcast |
| Internet culture | Search Engine |
| AI business | No Priors |
| Tech’s social impact | Tech podcasts Won’t Save Us |
Why Podcasts Are Worth Following in 2026
The best popular tech podcasts don’t all do the same thing. Some explain. Some investigate. Some challenge the industry. Others simply make complicated technology easier to understand.
That mix is why podcasts work so well.
If you are checking the best tech podcasts for 2025, and you are asking what is still worth your time now, do more than count downloads. See if the episodes still match what you want to learn. Also check the newest shows and ask if they give you real takeaways.
Last But Not Least…
For companies, podcasts can fit into a bigger plan for content. A digital marketing agency can take strong discussions and turn them into blog posts, social updates, short videos, and other formats.
And if your business needs mobile app development or other tailored IT solutions, Soft Tech Cube provides technology services built around different business needs.
Start with a show you will not quit. Choose a subject that grabs you, hit play, and start from there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some good tech podcasts to listen to?
You could try Hard Fork, Acquired, Darknet Diaries, Latent Space, Waveform, The Vergecast, and Software Engineering Daily.
What are the top 10 popular podcasts?
Some well known options including top tech podcasts 2026 are The Joe Rogan Experience, Crime Junkie, The Daily, Call Her Daddy, This Past Weekend, Huberman Lab, SmartLess, The Diary of a CEO, Morbid, and Dateline NBC. Edison Research’s Q1 2026 U.S. list puts The Joe Rogan Experience, Crime Junkie, and The Daily in the top three for reach.
What are the top 5 AI podcasts?
Worth your time: The AI Daily Brief, Latent Space, No Priors, TWIML AI Podcast, and Machine Learning Street Talk. In 2026, episodes focus on AI agents, how models are built, research, the tools behind it, and real world use.
What is the most famous podcast ever?
Many people point to The Joe Rogan Experience. Edison Research put it at #1 in the U.S. by reach in Q1 2026 for weekly listeners aged 13 and up.