diff --git a/docs/config.rst b/docs/config.rst
index 71805d2d..b95a5957 100644
--- a/docs/config.rst
+++ b/docs/config.rst
@@ -183,6 +183,12 @@ file_convert
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+format
+''''''
+.. autoclass:: ytdl_sub.plugins.format.FormatOptions()
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 match_filters
 '''''''''''''
 .. autoclass:: ytdl_sub.plugins.match_filters.MatchFiltersOptions()
diff --git a/src/ytdl_sub/config/preset_class_mappings.py b/src/ytdl_sub/config/preset_class_mappings.py
index 060d8c89..31a96363 100644
--- a/src/ytdl_sub/config/preset_class_mappings.py
+++ b/src/ytdl_sub/config/preset_class_mappings.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from ytdl_sub.plugins.chapters import ChaptersPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.date_range import DateRangePlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.embed_thumbnail import EmbedThumbnailPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.file_convert import FileConvertPlugin
+from ytdl_sub.plugins.format import FormatPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.internal.view import ViewPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.match_filters import MatchFiltersPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.music_tags import MusicTagsPlugin
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ class PluginMapping:
         "date_range": DateRangePlugin,
         "embed_thumbnail": EmbedThumbnailPlugin,
         "file_convert": FileConvertPlugin,
+        "format": FormatPlugin,
         "match_filters": MatchFiltersPlugin,
         "music_tags": MusicTagsPlugin,
         "video_tags": VideoTagsPlugin,
diff --git a/src/ytdl_sub/plugins/format.py b/src/ytdl_sub/plugins/format.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7f1ccc06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ytdl_sub/plugins/format.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+from typing import Dict
+from typing import Optional
+
+from ytdl_sub.config.plugin import Plugin
+from ytdl_sub.config.preset_options import OptionsValidator
+from ytdl_sub.validators.validators import StringValidator
+
+
+class FormatOptions(OptionsValidator):
+    """
+    Set ``--format`` to pass into yt-dlp to download a specific format quality.
+    Uses the same syntax as yt-dlp.
+
+    Usage:
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+       presets:
+         my_example_preset:
+           format: "(bv*[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080])"
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, name, value):
+        super().__init__(name, value)
+        self._format = StringValidator(name=name, value=value).value
+
+    @property
+    def format(self) -> str:
+        """
+        yt-dlp format, uses same syntax as yt-dlp.
+        """
+        return self._format
+
+
+class FormatPlugin(Plugin[FormatOptions]):
+    plugin_options_type = FormatOptions
+
+    def ytdl_options(self) -> Optional[Dict]:
+        """
+        Returns
+        -------
+        yt-dlp format
+        """
+        return {"format": self.plugin_options.format}
diff --git a/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/helpers/common.yaml b/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/helpers/common.yaml
index fda25402..0e00f73d 100644
--- a/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/helpers/common.yaml
+++ b/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/helpers/common.yaml
@@ -3,13 +3,13 @@
 presets:
 
   best_video_quality:
+    format: "bestvideo+bestaudio/best"
     ytdl_options:
-      format: "bestvideo+bestaudio/best"
       merge_output_format: "mp4"
 
   max_1080p:
+    format: "(bv*[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080])"
     ytdl_options:
-      format: "(bv*[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080])"
       merge_output_format: "mp4"
 
   chunk_initial_download:
diff --git a/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/tv_show/tv_show.yaml b/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/tv_show/tv_show.yaml
index 99a074cc..c889a053 100644
--- a/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/tv_show/tv_show.yaml
+++ b/src/ytdl_sub/prebuilt_presets/tv_show/tv_show.yaml
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@ presets:
       - "_plex_base"
       - "_episode_base"
       - "_episode_video_tags"
-    ytdl_options:
-      format: "(bv*[ext=mp4][vcodec~='^((he|a)vc|h26[45])']+ba[ext=m4a]) / (bv[ext=mp4]*+ba[ext=m4a]/b)"
+    format: "(bv*[ext=mp4][vcodec~='^((he|a)vc|h26[45])']+ba[ext=m4a]) / (bv[ext=mp4]*+ba[ext=m4a]/b)"
     overrides:
       tv_show_poster_file_name: "poster.jpg"
       tv_show_fanart_file_name: "fanart.jpg"
diff --git a/src/ytdl_sub/subscriptions/subscription_ytdl_options.py b/src/ytdl_sub/subscriptions/subscription_ytdl_options.py
index 4ce74409..ab492a85 100644
--- a/src/ytdl_sub/subscriptions/subscription_ytdl_options.py
+++ b/src/ytdl_sub/subscriptions/subscription_ytdl_options.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from ytdl_sub.plugins.audio_extract import AudioExtractPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.chapters import ChaptersPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.date_range import DateRangePlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.file_convert import FileConvertPlugin
+from ytdl_sub.plugins.format import FormatPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.match_filters import MatchFiltersPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.plugins.subtitles import SubtitlesPlugin
 from ytdl_sub.utils.ffmpeg import FFMPEG
@@ -107,6 +108,7 @@ class SubscriptionYTDLOptions:
             self._global_options,
             self._output_options,
             self._plugin_ytdl_options(DateRangePlugin),
+            self._plugin_ytdl_options(FormatPlugin),
             self._user_ytdl_options,  # user ytdl options...
             self._info_json_only_options,  # then info_json_only options
         )
@@ -126,6 +128,7 @@ class SubscriptionYTDLOptions:
             self._plugin_ytdl_options(SubtitlesPlugin),
             self._plugin_ytdl_options(ChaptersPlugin),
             self._plugin_ytdl_options(AudioExtractPlugin),
+            self._plugin_ytdl_options(FormatPlugin),
             self._user_ytdl_options,  # user ytdl options...
             self._download_only_options,  # then download_only options
         )
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_audio_extract.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_audio_extract.py
index 4f6c3e56..52277921 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_audio_extract.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_audio_extract.py
@@ -11,9 +11,8 @@ def single_song_preset_dict_old_format(output_directory):
         "preset": "single",
         # test multi-tags
         "music_tags": {"embed_thumbnail": True, "tags": {"genres": ["multi_tag_1", "multi_tag_2"]}},
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "postprocessor_args": {"ffmpeg": ["-bitexact"]},  # Must add this for reproducibility
         },
         "overrides": {
@@ -31,9 +30,8 @@ def single_song_preset_dict(output_directory):
         "music_tags": {"genres": ["multi_tag_1", "multi_tag_2"]},
         # test the new embed_thumbnail plugin
         "embed_thumbnail": True,
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "postprocessor_args": {"ffmpeg": ["-bitexact"]},  # Must add this for reproducibility
         },
         "overrides": {
@@ -53,9 +51,8 @@ def multiple_songs_preset_dict(output_directory):
     return {
         "preset": "albums_from_playlists",
         "audio_extract": {"codec": "vorbis", "quality": 140},
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "postprocessor_args": {"ffmpeg": ["-bitexact"]},  # Must add this for reproducibility
         },
         "overrides": {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_chapters.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_chapters.py
index 93d8aeb9..291e2e8f 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_chapters.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_chapters.py
@@ -35,9 +35,8 @@ def sponsorblock_and_subs_preset_dict(output_directory) -> Dict:
                 "Outro",
             ],
         },
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "postprocessor_args": {"ffmpeg": ["-bitexact"]},  # Must add this for reproducibility
         },
         "overrides": {"artist": "JMC"},
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_date_range.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_date_range.py
index 47bf1b73..f1f8bccc 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_date_range.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_date_range.py
@@ -15,9 +15,8 @@ def recent_preset_dict(output_directory):
     return {
         "preset": "tv_show",
         "date_range": {"after": "20150101"},
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "max_views": 100000,  # do not download the popular PJ concert
         },
         "overrides": {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_music_tags.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_music_tags.py
index 586bea3b..82d08956 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_music_tags.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_music_tags.py
@@ -13,9 +13,8 @@ def single_song_video_dict(output_directory):
         "output_options": {"output_directory": output_directory, "file_name": "will_error.mp4"},
         # test multi-tags
         "music_tags": {"genres": ["multi_tag_1", "multi_tag_2"]},
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "postprocessor_args": {"ffmpeg": ["-bitexact"]},  # Must add this for reproducibility
         },
     }
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_nfo_tags.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_nfo_tags.py
index d226b8ba..8c3addaf 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_nfo_tags.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_nfo_tags.py
@@ -11,10 +11,7 @@ def subscription_dict(output_directory):
         "download": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ucYmEqmlhFw",
         # override the output directory with our fixture-generated dir
         "output_options": {"output_directory": output_directory},
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
-        "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "best[height<=480]",
-        },
+        "format": "best[height<=480]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "nfo_tags": {
             "tags": {
                 "kodi_safe_title 🎸": "kodi_safe_value 🎸",
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_regex.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_regex.py
index c9c575a4..a081adee 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_regex.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_regex.py
@@ -20,10 +20,7 @@ def regex_subscription_dict_base(output_directory):
         "download": "https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BC0FC26BECA5A35",
         # override the output directory with our fixture-generated dir
         "output_options": {"output_directory": output_directory},
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
-        "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "best[height<=480]",
-        },
+        "format": "best[height<=480]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "regex": {
             # tests that skip_if_match_fails defaults to True
             "from": {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_split_by_chapters.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_split_by_chapters.py
index d1085e11..a7a39ae9 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_split_by_chapters.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_split_by_chapters.py
@@ -13,9 +13,8 @@ from ytdl_sub.utils.exceptions import ValidationException
 def yt_album_as_chapters_preset_dict(output_directory):
     return {
         "preset": "albums_from_chapters",
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "postprocessor_args": {"ffmpeg": ["-bitexact"]},  # Must add this for reproducibility
         },
         "overrides": {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_subtitles.py b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_subtitles.py
index 350b45c4..a8d6e840 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/plugins/test_subtitles.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/plugins/test_subtitles.py
@@ -18,10 +18,7 @@ def single_video_subs_embed_preset_dict(output_directory):
             "languages": ["en", "de"],
             "allow_auto_generated_subtitles": True,
         },
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
-        "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
-        },
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "overrides": {"artist": "JMC"},
     }
 
diff --git a/tests/e2e/soundcloud/test_soundcloud_discography.py b/tests/e2e/soundcloud/test_soundcloud_discography.py
index f435245e..6788118d 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/soundcloud/test_soundcloud_discography.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/soundcloud/test_soundcloud_discography.py
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ from ytdl_sub.subscriptions.subscription import Subscription
 def subscription_dict(output_directory):
     return {
         "preset": "soundcloud_discography",
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
-        "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp3]",
-        },
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp3]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "overrides": {
             "track_artist": "j_b",
             "sc_artist_url": "https://soundcloud.com/jessebannon",
diff --git a/tests/e2e/youtube/test_channel.py b/tests/e2e/youtube/test_channel.py
index f686277c..b9481521 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/youtube/test_channel.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/youtube/test_channel.py
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ from ytdl_sub.subscriptions.subscription import Subscription
 def channel_preset_dict(output_directory):
     return {
         "preset": "tv_show",
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
             "max_views": 100000,  # do not download the popular PJ concert
             "break_on_reject": False,  # do not break from max views
         },
diff --git a/tests/e2e/youtube/test_playlist.py b/tests/e2e/youtube/test_playlist.py
index 8235ce2c..4a186c9e 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/youtube/test_playlist.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/youtube/test_playlist.py
@@ -16,10 +16,7 @@ def playlist_preset_dict(output_directory):
             "season_by_collection__episode_by_year_month_day",
             "collection_season_1",
         ],
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
-        "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
-        },
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         "output_directory_nfo_tags": {
             "nfo_name": "tvshow.nfo",
             "nfo_root": "test",
diff --git a/tests/e2e/youtube/test_video.py b/tests/e2e/youtube/test_video.py
index 00f05144..f9fd9e33 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/youtube/test_video.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/youtube/test_video.py
@@ -23,12 +23,8 @@ def single_video_preset_dict_old_video_tags_format(output_directory):
             "output_directory": output_directory,
             "maintain_download_archive": False,
         },
-        # embed thumb into the video
-        "embed_thumbnail": True,
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
-        "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
-        },
+        "embed_thumbnail": True,  # embed thumb into the video
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         # also test video tags
         "video_tags": {
             "tags": {
@@ -49,12 +45,8 @@ def single_video_preset_dict(output_directory):
             "output_directory": output_directory,
             "maintain_download_archive": False,
         },
-        # embed thumb into the video
-        "embed_thumbnail": True,
-        # download the worst format so it is fast
-        "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
-        },
+        "embed_thumbnail": True,  # embed thumb into the video
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",  # download the worst format so it is fast
         # also test video tags
         "video_tags": {
             "title": "{title}",
@@ -76,8 +68,8 @@ def single_tv_show_video_nulled_values_preset_dict(output_directory):
             "thumbnail_name": "",
             "info_json_name": "",
         },
+        "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
         "ytdl_options": {
-            "format": "worst[ext=mp4]",
             "max_downloads": 2,
         },
         # test override variables added by ytdl-sub
diff --git a/tests/unit/config/test_config_file.py b/tests/unit/config/test_config_file.py
index f2716c7d..6dcb6769 100644
--- a/tests/unit/config/test_config_file.py
+++ b/tests/unit/config/test_config_file.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class TestConfigFilePartiallyValidatesPresets:
             {"output_options": {"file_name": "test"}},
             {"output_options": {"keep_files_after": "today"}},
             {"ytdl_options": {"format": "best"}},
+            {"format": "best"},
             {"overrides": {"a": "b"}},
         ],
     )
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ class TestConfigFilePartiallyValidatesPresets:
     def test_success__empty_plugins(self, plugin: str):
         excluded_plugins = [
             "embed_thumbnail",  # value is bool, not dict
+            "format",  # value is string, not dict
         ]
         if plugin not in excluded_plugins:
             self._partial_validate({plugin: {}})