Perhaps this[0] plugin will help? It's only for Firefox but I'm sure there are equivalents for other browsers. You can set a plethora of options, including auto-selecting playback quality of videos, playlists, pop-up players, embedded videos, when in full-screen mode and more.
I've been using this extension for years and consider it a must-have. It turns the hot mess that YT has become into a decent experience. The site says it's available on Chrome and Edge, as well.
I know this might be an odd request but does anyone know if there's a way I can get youtube into a view mode where it makes the video as wide as the screen but I can still scroll the comments below, without scrolling the video off-screen?
Like "Theater Mode", or even the default view, but the video stays fixed and the rest of the page scrolls. I don't like the popup player.
[0]: https://www.mrfdev.com/enhancer-for-youtube