You’ve got a killer product, but your audience is still scratching their heads.
Sound familiar?
That’s where explainer videos come in. They take complex ideas and break them down into clear, compelling messages. The right explainer video increases engagement and boosts conversions with your target market.
In this post, we’ll showcase some of the best explainer video examples out there and highlight what makes them so effective. From strong storytelling and clear messaging to eye-catching visuals and compelling calls to action, these videos set the standard for impactful videos. Let’s dive in!
What makes a great explainer video?
A great explainer video starts with an emotional or relatable hook—whether it’s humor, empathy, or curiosity—to grab attention and keep viewers engaged. Once you’ve gotten their attention, deliver a clear message that gets straight to the point. Your audience should easily understand what you’re offering and why it matters to them.
But clarity alone isn’t enough. All effective explainer videos use engaging storytelling to draw viewers in with a captivating narrative or character journey.
Suggested reading: Want to learn how to craft impactful stories? Check out our blog post: Conquering the Art of Storytelling: With Ali Gallop
Pair this with high-quality visuals, whether that’s motion graphics, animation, or live-action elements, and make sure they’re polished and professional.
Finally, end with a strong call to action (CTA) that guides viewers on the next step that you want them to take like signing up on your website.
Tip: If your explainer video doesn’t hook the viewer in the first 10 seconds, they’ll likely drop off, so make those moments count!
Top Explainer Video Examples & Why They Work
1. Dollar Shave Club – "Our Blades Are F*ing Great"
Why it’s great:
This ad grabs attention with humor and an unexpected opening line, instantly setting it apart from traditional razor commercials. The conversational and direct tone makes it engaging, while the founder Mike Dubin’s presence and direct speaking to the camera adds authenticity and credibility.
Every second is entertaining yet purposeful, leading to a clear call to action to sign up for the shave club on their website.
Lesson:
Dollar Shave Club’s video is a masterclass in disruptive product explainer videos. This video proves that humor and confidence can turn a simple item like a razor into a must-have with unforgettable storytelling.
2. Slack – "So Yeah, We Tried Slack"
Why it’s great:
This explainer video by Slack stands out by featuring real employees instead of actors, which makes it feel genuine and relatable. The video uses everyday office scenarios with a touch of humor that resonates with teams struggling with communication and tool overload.
Instead of just listing features, it shows how Slack improves workflows and collaboration, which makes the benefits clear and compelling. The employees in the video are even using Slack in the video to collaborate on the video they’re filming.
Lesson:
This video works because real testimonials can be more persuasive than scripted pitches in a corporate video. By showcasing genuine experiences, brands build trust and make their value proposition clear.
3. Headspace – | Meditation | How It Works
Why it’s great:
Headspace’s animated explainer video uses minimalist, calming visuals to explain meditation in a way that reflects the brand’s core message of mindfulness and relaxation. The simple narration breaks down meditation in a way that feels approachable to beginners.
It also uses repetition to reinforce key takeaways about the benefits of meditation.
Lesson:
This ad shows how a video’s tone and visuals should match the brand and product’s purpose. Headspace makes meditation feel like an inviting, achievable practice by keeping everything in the ad calm, clear, and simple.
4. Duolingo – "How does Duolingo teach new subjects?"
Why it’s great:
This video takes a deep dive into Duolingo’s teaching methodology while keeping the presentation fun. The colorful animations and dynamic visuals make language learning feel more accessible and engaging. It also explains how their gamified learning system keeps users motivated through bite-sized lessons, streaks, and rewards.
Plus, the speaker Bozena Pajak’s friendly and upbeat tone aligns with the brand’s playful personality to reinforce the idea that learning should feel effortless and enjoyable.
Lesson:
Adding gamification and a lighthearted tone to your company explainer video can make even the most complex subjects feel approachable. If your product involves an interactive or educational aspect, consider breaking down information into engaging, interactive elements to keep your audience interested.
5. Spotify – "Spotify: CTA Cards"
Why it’s great:
Spotify’s video blends animation and live-action to show how their call to action card feature benefits advertisers. The visuals are dynamic and make it easy to understand how the feature works within the Spotify app.
By directly addressing advertisers’ needs and demonstrating the feature in action, the video keeps the message clear and potent.
Lesson:
Combining animation with live-action can make product demonstrations more engaging and accessible. If your product has complex or interactive features, consider visually showcasing them in action in a video rather than just talking about them so your target audience can understand them more easily.
6. Grammarly – "How Does Grammarly Work"
Why it’s great:
Grammarly’s video uses clean, professional visuals to make the video easy to follow and keep the focus on how the tool enhances writing. It clearly demonstrates Grammarly’s features in action with an animated screen depicting the user correcting verb use and rephrasing sentences with the tool to improve their writing.
The video ends with a strong call to action to encourage viewers to try Grammarly for themselves.
Lesson:
Showing real-world use cases in a simple, engaging way helps potential users instantly grasp how your product can benefit them. Instead of listing features, show them in action to make the impact tangible and immediate.
7. Airbnb – "Welcome to Airbnb"
Why it’s great:
This unique video uses beautiful animation with smooth transitions between miniature replicas of Airbnb properties. The storytelling is simple yet emotionally engaging, which makes viewers feel the warmth and inclusivity of the Airbnb global community.
Rather than listing features, the video highlights community and the meaningful experiences that travelers can have.
Lesson:
Focusing on the emotional aspects of your service creates a deeper bond with your audience. Instead of just explaining what your product does, show how it impacts lives and creates memorable experiences.
Ending note
Explainer videos are a powerful tool for businesses looking to engage, educate, and convert their audience. A well-crafted video can simplify complex ideas and drive real results.
As you plan your own professional explainer video, think about your brand’s personality and message. Do you need something fun and animated or sleek and professional? Choosing the right style will make all the difference in how your audience connects with your content.
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