The best 4K UHD video player

Get impressive streaming quality with one of the best 4K UHD video players.

A laptop open on a streaming platform

by Isabel Martins |
Updated on

When it comes to streaming, video players are an excellent way to improve and enhance your viewing experience. Especially if these video players have 4K and UHD, as it allows you to stream and watch high-quality videos.

For budget options, there's quite a large range. There are several video players that are inexpensive - some are free and basic, but overall are quite good. There are others that are a bit more expensive, but come packed with features.

So don't worry, no matter what your budget is, our best 4K UHD video players guide will help you find the one for you. Although 4K isn't as new as 5K or 6K, it still provides excellent definition - and ensures a cheaper price tag.

We've also included different video players for various platforms - so whether you're looking for a video player for Mac or a Window 10 software, our best 4K UHD video players guide has got it all.

Before you select one to purchase - make sure that your PC's operating system supports 4K playback and 4K UHD video.

Best free video player

If you're on a budget then this is the video player for you - aside from being free which is a pretty great perk, it supports up to 5K streaming, meaning you'll get excellent 4K quality. Another perk is that it can be used for both Windows and Mac.

best video player for Mac

An excellent choice for anyone with a Mac - the Cisdem Video player is quick and effective. There will be no need for any additional codecs or plugins, and it supports up to 5K video (as well as 1080p). It can also play and is compatible with more than 50 different file formats, and did we mention it's free?

Aside from being quite fast and powerful, a big plus of VLC Media Player is that it is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. It won't annoy you with ads whilst you use it and it supports all the up to date streaming protocols, meaning you can update live content without requiring any external plug ins.

DivX is an excellent option, supporting video playback in up to 4K. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac, as well as these following file formats: AVI, MP4, HEVC, DIVX and MKV. The software also gives you the option of downloading the DivX Converter and DivX Web Player.

What is 4K?

4K refers to the display and video resolution and it is measured in pixels. The higher the number of pixels, the better the resolution will be, and the better the resolution the more clearer, sharper and detailed the images or videos will be.

Is 4K the same as HD?

No, UHD stands for ultra high definition and is essentially a step below 4K. The 4K resolution is 4,096 by 2,160 pixels and the UHD resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels.

What is a video player?

A video player is a type of media player for playing digital video data. Video player can also support playback of digital audio as well as 3D playback of 2D video. They can also allow and support the downloading of most common media files such as FLAC, APE, MP3 and AAC.

What to read next?

The best 4K TVs under £500

The best USB sticks for smart TVs

The best Freeview box: HD, recorders and smart streaming

Isabel Martins is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, specialising in technology.

Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the What’s The Best team.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us