HBO Max review: plans, prices and who it is for
HBO Max starts at $10.99 a month with ads and $18.49 ad-free. It is the best pick for HBO originals and Warner Bros. movies; 4K needs Premium at $22.99.
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How much does HBO Max cost?
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic with Ads | $10.99/mo | $109.99/year; 2 streams, Full HD |
| Standard | $18.49/mo | $184.99/year; 2 streams, Full HD, no ads |
| Premium | $22.99/mo | $229.99/year; 4 streams, 4K where available |
Prices last checked November 9, 2026 on HBO Max plan page. Taxes and promotional offers not included.
A Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max bundle costs $21.99/month with ads or $34.99/month without ads.
Who is HBO Max best for?
- HBO series and Warner Bros. films
- Viewers who want prestige drama at a mid-range price
Who should skip it?
- Families who need a large kids catalog
- 4K on a budget
What do you get with HBO Max?
| Cheapest plan | $10.99/mo |
|---|---|
| Ad-free from | $18.49/mo |
| 4K | Premium plan only |
| Live sports | Live sports are included on select plans, according to the HBO Max plan page. |
| Kids and family | A family section with Cartoon Network and Warner animation, but smaller than Disney+. |
| Local channels | No local channels. |
| Free trial | No standing free trial. |
What should you know before subscribing?
HBO Max sells three plans. Basic with Ads and Standard both stream in Full HD on two devices. Premium adds 4K and four streams.
Annual billing saves money on every plan: $109.99, $184.99 and $229.99 a year.
If you already pay for Disney+ and Hulu, the three-service bundle is usually cheaper than adding HBO Max separately.
How was this researched?
This page is research-based, not a hands-on test. Prices and plan details come from each provider's own pricing or help pages, checked on the date shown. Feature and sports details come from provider pages and published news reports, which are linked. We do not assign star ratings. Read how we research.