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What Is Marques Brownlee’s Net Worth?
Marques Brownlee, an American social media personality primarily known for his technology-focused content on YouTube, has accumulated a substantial net worth. As of 2025, Marques Brownlee’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his successful YouTube channel “MKBHD,” boasting over 17 million subscribers and more than 3.5 billion views. His income streams include ad revenue from YouTube videos, brand partnerships, merchandise sales, and revenue from his podcast, “Waveform.” He began his digital content journey back in January 2009 when he started uploading videos to his YouTube account.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Marques Brownlee was born on December 3, 1993, in Maplewood, New Jersey. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in technology, particularly the emerging landscape of the internet. He capitalized on this passion by launching his YouTube channel in 2008 while still a high school student. After graduating from Columbia High School in 2011, he pursued higher education at the Stevens Institute of Technology. In 2015, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and information technology, equipping him with the skills to manage and grow his online platform effectively.
Brownlee’s YouTube channel, “MKBHD,” which stands for Marques K Brownlee High Definition, became his primary platform for sharing his tech insights. Initially, his videos centered around reviewing new products and offering tutorials on hardware and freeware. Over time, his channel gained traction, attracting a growing audience and attention from established tech review sites. In 2012, Engadget featured his video tour of a cloud storage service called Insync, further boosting his visibility. The following year, a video showcasing the LG G Flex phone went viral, garnering over one million views within a single day.
In December 2013, Brownlee began conducting interviews, starting with Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside. The following year, he interviewed Evan Blass over-the-air. One of Brownlee’s most impactful videos was his review of the iPhone 6, uploaded in July 2014. This review gained widespread attention, being featured on prominent platforms such as “The Verge,” “Forbes,” “HuffPost,” “CNET,” and “Time” magazine. It also made its way to “NBC News” and various newspapers worldwide. Since then, he has consistently created iPhone-related content, solidifying his reputation as a go-to source for iPhone reviews.
In 2014, Marques established the Smartphone Awards series, a yearly event where he selects the best smartphones in various categories. By 2017, he had begun creating physical awards and sending them to the companies that created the winning phones. In December 2015, Brownlee’s interview with NBA star Kobe Bryant, titled “Talking Tech with Kobe Bryant!”, highlighted Kobe’s interest in technology and his collaboration with Nike on the Kobe 11 shoe.
Notable Interviews and Collaborations
Brownlee’s influence extends beyond product reviews. He has also engaged with prominent figures from various fields. During one of the 2016 Democratic presidential primary debates sponsored by YouTube, he posed questions to the candidates about the government’s role in regulating technology companies concerning encryption and national security. In October 2016, he interviewed Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, around the release of the latest MacBook Pro 2016. He spoke with him again later in June 2020.
In March 2018, Brownlee interviewed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, expanding his content to encompass broader scientific topics. The following month, he received a Shorty Award in the Creator of the Decade category, recognizing his consistent contributions to YouTube since 2008. In June of that year, Marques appeared on “Hot Ones,” the Internet interview show where guests answer questions while eating increasingly spicy hot wings. In August 2018, Brownlee interviewed Tesla CEO Elon Musk, leading to a video titled “Tesla Factory Tour with Elon Musk.” By the end of 2018, Brownlee was featured in “YouTube Rewind,” an annually-released video by YouTube in which that year’s most popular and viral content was highlighted.
In February 2019, Marques interviewed Bill Gates. In the same year, he interviewed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella before the announcement of the Microsoft Surface. He also interviewed actor Will Smith. By the end of 2019, Brownlee had reached 10 million subscribers on YouTube, making his channel one of the most-subscribed-to-technology-focused YouTube channels overall. In 2019, Brownlee also co-created the podcast “Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast” with his co-host, Andrew Manganelli. The podcast focuses on consumer electronics and related topics and aired its first episode in July 2019. In February 2020, Brownlee again interviewed Bill Gates. In September of that year, he interviewed Mark Zuckerberg and discussed the future of virtual reality and holograms. At the end of 2020, he interviewed former President Barack Obama and discussed the use of technology and social media in government. “Forbes” magazine included Marques on their “30 Under 30” list in December of that year in the social media category. In May 2021, he interviewed Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google.
“MKBHD” Channel Growth and Monetization
The “MKBHD” YouTube channel has witnessed substantial growth over the years. Starting with basic product reviews and tutorials, Brownlee has expanded his content to include in-depth analyses, interviews with industry leaders, and coverage of major technology events. The channel’s monetization strategy primarily revolves around ad revenue generated from video views. The precise CPM (cost per mille) or revenue per 1,000 views can vary based on factors such as ad rates, viewer demographics, and ad engagement. However, technology-focused channels generally attract higher CPMs due to their appeal to a tech-savvy audience.
In addition to ad revenue, Brownlee’s channel generates income through brand partnerships and sponsorships. Many tech companies seek to collaborate with “MKBHD” to promote their products and services to his large and engaged audience. These partnerships can involve sponsored videos, product placements, or affiliate marketing arrangements. The specific terms of these deals are typically confidential, but they contribute significantly to his overall income.
Merchandise sales also contribute to Marques Brownlee’s net worth. His online store features “MKBHD” branded apparel, accessories, and other items that appeal to his fan base. The revenue from merchandise sales, while likely smaller than ad revenue or brand partnerships, adds to his overall income stream. He leverages the “MKBHD” brand to engage his audience and boost the reach of sales.
Other Ventures and Interests
Outside of his online presence, Marques Brownlee has pursued other interests. He is a professional ultimate frisbee player, having played for the Philadelphia Phoenix and the Garden State Ultimate. Brownlee has also played in the American Ultimate Disc League for the New York Rumble. In July 2022, Brownlee won the World Flying Disc Federation World Ultimate Club Championship. While details of his earnings from frisbee are not publicly available, these endeavors showcase his diverse talents and interests.
Brownlee created and produced his videos in his apartment in New Jersey until 2016, when he began working out of a studio space in Kearny, New Jersey. He enjoys Tesla vehicles, having owned a Model S and a Model S Plaid. These personal preferences also reflect his interest in technology and new advancements in the car market. It also boosts his understanding of Tesla related products which can then be reviewed by Marques, increasing the value of his channel “MKBHD”.
Marques Brownlee’s career serves as an example of how someone can achieve substantial financial success through a combination of hard work, passion, and strategic use of online platforms. His ability to stay relevant in the ever-evolving tech landscape, coupled with his engaging content and collaborations, has solidified his position as a leading figure in the online tech community. The combination of all these assets has allowed Marques Brownlee’s net worth to stay relatively stable.
