What is Youtube Custom Playback?

Youtube Custom Playback is a lightweight browser extension that adds granular playback speed controls directly into YouTube's native settings menu. Instead of relying on clunky overlays or floating buttons, it extends the existing speed selector with options from 2.25x up to 16x, plus a volume boost feature that pushes audio up to 600%. The extension runs entirely locally, weighs under 30KB, and does not collect or transmit any user data.

Who it's for

• Power learners who need to binge-watch lecture series at 2.5x or 4x speed without missing key points.
• Detail analysts who require frame-by-frame precision at 0.25x to study sports replays, gaming highlights, or complex tutorials.
• Privacy-conscious users who want a speed controller that never tracks viewing history, injects ads, or shares data with third parties.

Key features

Extended speed menu

The extension unlocks a full range of speeds not available in YouTube's default player: 2.25x, 2.5x, 2.75x, 3x, 3.25x, 3.5x, 4.75x, 5x, 5.25x, 5.5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 12x, and 16x. Each option appears inside the standard YouTube settings dropdown, so there's no learning curve.

Native integration

All custom speeds use YouTube's original design language. There are no ugly overlays, floating buttons, or intrusive UI elements that block your video. The menu feels like it was always part of the player.

Quick toggle and visual indicator

Click the extension icon to instantly enable or disable all custom features with a single switch. A subtle "Max" badge appears in the settings menu whenever pro speeds are active, so you always know the current state.

Volume boost

Version 1.0.3 added a native volume control that can boost audio up to 600% — useful for quiet recordings or low-volume lectures. This feature also lives inside YouTube's settings menu.

What stands out

"It feels like a native feature, not a clunky add-on."

The extension achieves this by embedding its controls directly into YouTube's existing settings panel rather than adding separate buttons or pop-ups. Combined with a 28KB footprint and zero data collection, it delivers a polished, privacy-first experience that doesn't slow down page loading or clutter the interface.

Worth checking out if…

You regularly watch YouTube content at non-standard speeds — whether that's blasting through intros at 8x, slowing down tutorials to 0.75x for note-taking, or boosting audio on quiet recordings. It's also a strong choice if you value lightweight tools that respect your privacy and integrate seamlessly rather than adding visual noise.