10 Best Media Players for Windows 11 Ranked [4K Included]
A carefully-curated list of quality media players to use on your PC
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Key notes
- Windows 11 built-in media player doesn’t offer the full range of features that dedicated tools do
- Most of the dedicated tools presented here will play 4k flawlessly
In this guide, we will show you the list of the best media players for Windows 11 that you can download today.
Windows 11 already comes with a media player, but like most built-in apps it lacks some more advanced features. Third-party apps offer better options like broader format support, streaming, and more advanced playback controls. Let’s check them out.
What is the best media player for Windows 11?
Cyberlink Power DVD – Overall best media player
With CyberLink PowerDVD you can experience 4K and 8K content in any format.
Support for Blu-ray, ISO, and Ultra HD is also present, and you can even play online content from both YouTube and Vimeo right from the app.
The software supports casting, allowing you to stream content wirelessly, and it’s fully compatible with Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV.
You can also experience 360 videos as well as VR and immerse yourself with spatial audio support. Lastly, there’s compatibility with Dolby Digital Surround, DTS, and Hi-Res Audio.
Cyberlink Power DVD
Get the ultimate multimedia experience, with both 4K and 8K support!GOM Player – Many video formats support
This app can play 20+ different video formats out of the box, and it also has great support for various audio types.
There’s an online library available as well, allowing you to easily download the subtitles for any movie or show that you’re watching.
Regarding playback, you can play UHD and 4K videos out of the box, and if needed, you can customize your picture or audio settings easily.
Overall, the GOM player is a solid multimedia player, and with a simple interface and online library of subtitles, it’s a great way to enjoy your favorite movies or shows.
GOM Player
Play any video format with ease using this reliable payer!VLC – Fast hardware decoding
If you’re looking for an extremely powerful, simple, and open-source media player, then VLC might be the right choice for you.
It’s worth mentioning that there’s extensive support for input media and the software can handle DVD videos, DVB, as well as online video playing using HTTP or FTP. This is why it is considered as the best free DVD player for Windows 11.
There’s also support for fast hardware decoding, so you’ll enjoy high-quality videos without any stuttering or issues.
⇒ Get VLC
KMPlayer 64X – Sleek interface
Thanks to the built-in codecs in KMPlayer 64X you should be able to play any file type without having to change your settings or install anything.
Speaking of video support, the software can handle 3D, 4K, 8K, and UHD content at 60fps without any issues. Hardware acceleration is also available, thus ensuring low CPU usage during playback.
With this app, you can also play Blu-ray and DVDs, and there’s also extensive support for different subtitle formats.
Lastly, we have to mention the option to download online content, as well as the GIF creation feature that might come in handy to some users.
⇒ Get KMPlayer 64X
PotPlayer – Subtitle support
Another software that is worth mentioning is PotPlayer, and just like previous entries, it supports a wide array of formats, and it doesn’t require installing any additional codecs for playback, in most cases.
Speaking of which, there’s OpenCodec support, allowing you to install additional codecs, in case you stumble upon a video that you can’t play.
Hardware acceleration is also present, and it can utilize DXVA, CUDA, and QuickSync to deliver lag-free playback at all times.
Navigation is simple thanks to the snapshot support, allowing you to easily find the scene that you need. There’s also a useful bookmark feature that will surely come in handy.
⇒ Get PotPlayer
5K Player – Exceptional codec library
The 5K Player is one of the most powerful media players for Windows 11. This is all thanks to its exceptional codec library.
This excellent codec library supports different video formats and can play DVDs, among other capabilities. Also, it is an HD and 4K player.
With this, it is rated by many as the best video player for Windows 11 for playing high-definition media.
Another excellent feature of this feature of the 5K Player is that it is GPU-accelerated. Among the video formats that this player can play are MP4, WEBM, MPEG, and FLV.
⇒ Get 5K Player
DivX Player – Easy-to-navigate interface
The DivX Player has a place on the list of best media and movies player for Windows 11 thanks to its quality and simplicity.
In terms of features, DivX Player is one of the few free players that allows you to play UltraHD 4K resolution videos.
This includes AVI, HECV, and MKV. With this, you don’t need to worry about the format your media comes in as DivX Player will readily play it.
Lastly, you can readily stream on Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) with this software.
⇒ Get DivX Player
MediaMonkey – Excellent media management
Keeping your media organized is of high importance and that is the strength of MediaMonkey. Aside from being a superb media player, it is also an excellent media manager.
MediaMonkey does not only manage your local media files. It can also help with your cloud files. Also, it helps you manage and organize over 100,000 files across different devices.
Speaking of devices, you can download this app on Windows, Android, and iOS devices. With this, you will enjoy the advantage of syncing your media on all your devices.
On a final note, with MediaMonkey, you can change media formats as you wish.
⇒ Get MediaMonkey
Kodi Player – Streaming feature
The penultimate entry on our list of the best video and audio players for Windows 11 PC is the Kodi Player. This is freeware and open-source software that does more than just play media.
The Kodi Player also supports different media formats including MP4, AAC, MIDI, and real-time videos. Also, you can use this app to stream live sports and other events.
What’s more, this software allows you to record live TV and play games. Another feature to look out for is the support for online and offline playback.
With this, you won’t be missing out on anything. Add its support for third-party plugins and you know it is a good option to have on your PC.
⇒ Get Kodi Player
Windows Media Player – Built-in media player for Windows 11
Last but certainly not least on our list is the Windows Media Player. This media player that is available on the earlier operating systems is now revamped on Windows 11.
It boasts an aesthetic interface that matches the build of the OS. It also offers a rare dark mode that gives it a refreshing look.
Just like most third-party media players for Windows 11, it also supports different formats. This includes but is not limited to MP4, MP3, and AVI.
If you need a media player that comes at no cost and requires no download, you can always use the Windows Media Player.
Summary
Having the best media player is important, especially if want to experience high-quality videos without any issues.
All of our entries should be able to handle almost any file type, video, or audio, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility.
While still on the media topic, feel free to check our list of the best music players to use on Windows 11.
What multimedia player do you use on your Windows 11 PC? Share your recommendations with us in the comments section below.
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