Top 4K Video Player for Mac in 2024 – Our Top 7

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Feb 12, 2024
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The use of a 4K video player has become increasingly popular due to the growing availability of 4K content. With four times the resolution of standard HD, 4K videos offer incredibly sharp and detailed visuals. However, users often encounter issues when playing 4K due to lacking a dedicated 4K video player with sufficient processing power and memory. Compatibility is often a problem for users that are looking for the best 4K media player.

That’s why we put together a list of players with guaranteed Mac 4K support, their main features, and what to look for when picking your favorite.

Best 4K Player for Mac - Elmedia

When it comes to playing 4K videos on a Mac, Elmedia Player is a top choice for users. This media player is specially designed to support various file formats making it an ideal choice for those looking for a comprehensive playback solution.

Elmedia Player also offers a range of customization options, allowing users to adjust video and audio settings to their liking. The player supports multiple audio tracks and subtitles, making it easy to switch between languages and subtitles.

Another advantage of Elmedia Player is its user-friendly interface, which is easy to navigate and provides quick access to all the essential playback controls. The player also offers support for playlists and bookmarks, allowing users to easily organize and access their favorite videos.

Overall, Elmedia Player is a top choice for Mac users looking for a reliable and feature-rich 4K video player. Its advanced features, ease of use, and compatibility with various devices make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality video content.

Price: free, Pro subscription costs $19.99

⭐User rating: 4.5 out of 5 on Mac App Store

4K video player - Elmedia

Pros

  • Extensive support for various audio and video formats
  • Advanced playback settings for an enhanced viewing experience
  • Capable of playing both external and internal subtitles
  • Able to stream local files to AirPlay, DLNA, or Chromecast devices

Cons

  • Limited compatibility with older devices

Elmedia Guide: How to Play 4K Videos on Mac

Using the Elmedia 4K video player is straightforward thanks to the app’s great interface. However, just in case you are having any difficulties playing your favorite files, here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Download and install Elmedia Player.

2. You have three options to open 4K videos with Elmedia

  • Simply drag and drop the file onto the Elmedia Player window
  • Click on the “Open File” button in the app and select the video
  • Use Finder to locate the file, right-click and choose Elmedia from the list

3. Enjoy a great experience with an amazing 4K media player.

Users situation:

I’m using VLC to play 4k files but it's very laggy and not smooth. Is there any other better player to play 4k movies? I normally connect my MacBook to my 4k TV via HDMI
— Reddit

Other 4K Player for Mac Alternatives

If you want to have more options when choosing the best ultra HD video player, we have you covered as well. Here’s a list of other great solutions to watch all your videos on a Macbook or any other macOS device.

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is a free media player software that supports high-quality video playback up to 5K resolution. It can play a wide range of video and audio file formats, including 4K and 1080p videos, and also supports DVD and radio playback. Additionally, it can stream media to other devices such as Apple TV, Chromecast, and AirPlay-enabled devices. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, providing a smooth user experience. One unique feature of 5KPlayer is its ability to download online videos from over 300 websites, making it a convenient all-in-one media player and downloader.

Price: free

⭐User rating: 2.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot

5KPlayer

Pros

  • Enables streaming and downloading of movies for offline playback.
  • Supports 8K movies, providing a high-quality viewing experience.
  • Able to play all audio file formats

Cons

  • No support for batch downloads, requiring each file to be downloaded individually.

VLC Player

Another great 4K video players that’s also compatible with macOS comes from VLC Player. It is a popular, free media player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including 4K videos. It offers advanced playback features such as customizable video filters, playback speed adjustment, and subtitle synchronization. Additionally, VLC is compatible with various operating systems, including Mac, Windows, and Linux. VLC’s ability to play 4K videos smoothly, along with its extensive range of features, has made it a favorite among users for playing high-quality video content.

Price: free

⭐User rating: 3.5 out of 5 on Mac App Store

4K video players - VLC

Pros

  • Ad-free
  • No spyware or user tracking
  • Supports a wide range of video, audio, and image file formats
  • Completely free to use

Cons

  • The interface can be challenging to navigate

Cisdem Video Player

Cisdem Video Player is a powerful media player that supports 4K video playback. With its advanced decoding technology, it can play high-definition videos with smooth and clear picture quality. The player’s intuitive interface makes it easy to use, with straightforward controls for play, pause, and seek functions. Additionally, the player supports a wide range of video and audio formats, including MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, and more. Cisdem Video Player also features a playlist function that allows users to create and save their own playlists for easy access to their favorite media files.

Price: free, Pro version prices start from $19.99

⭐User rating: 4.1 out of 5 on Mac App Store

Cisdem supports 4K

Pros

  • Offers a variety of playback controls and customization options
  • Provides smooth playback for 4K and 5K videos
  • Has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate

Cons

  • The conversion feature is only available in the paid version of the player

DivX Player

DivX Player is a versatile media player that offers powerful playback capabilities for a wide range of video formats, including 4K videos. It is equipped with advanced decoding technology that delivers high-quality video playback with stunning clarity and detail. The player also comes with a range of customization options, allowing users to adjust various settings to suit their preferences. In addition, DivX Player features a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it simple to find and play media files. Overall, DivX Player is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable 4K media player that delivers exceptional video playback performance and a range of features to enhance the viewing experience.

Price: free, Pro version costs $19.99

⭐ User rating: 3.6 out of 5 on CNET

DivX Player support 4K video

Pros

  • Compatible with both Windows and macOS operating systems
  • Provides the ability to cast the screen for added versatility
  • Easy to use
  • Advanced playback and audio features

Cons

  • Limited support for certain file formats may be a potential limitation for some users
  • Free version is limited

Plex

Plex is a powerful platform that, among many features,  offers excellent support for 4K video playback. Its advanced technology allows for smooth and high-quality video playback, delivering stunning visuals that truly showcase the beauty of 4K content. Additionally, Plex allows users to connect their streaming accounts and watch an almost unlimited library of movies, cartoons, TV shows and many other top-quality content.

Price: free, Plex Pass is available for $4.99/month

⭐ User rating: 4.4 out of 5 on Google Play

Plex

Pros

  • Offers access to a vast library of over 20,000 movies for streaming
  • Provides access to multiple TV channels for added viewing options
  • Features a well-organized user interface that is easy to navigate

Cons

  • Lacks offline playback capability, which may limit the flexibility of the service for some users

MacGo Mac Media Player

Macgo Mac Media Player is a powerful media player that provides exceptional support for 4K video playback on macOS. It features advanced decoding technology that delivers smooth and high-quality video playback, with stunning clarity and detail. The player also supports a wide range of video and audio formats, making it a versatile choice for users who need to play different types of media files. In addition, Macgo Mac Media Player comes with a range of customization options that allow users to adjust various settings to optimize the playback experience. Its user-friendly interface is easy to navigate, providing quick access to media files and playback controls.

Price: free

⭐ User rating: 2.9 out of 5 on MacUpdate

MacGo 4K video player

Pros

  • Provides high-quality DTS 5.1 sound for an immersive audio experience
  • Offers free use of the software, making it accessible to a wider range of users
  • Supports a comprehensive range of video file formats for added versatility

Cons

  • Only compatible with macOS 10.12 or later, which may limit its accessibility for users with older operating systems.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! A complete list of the most media player 4K alternatives you can opt for if you want an incredible watching experience. While all of them have pros and cons, it’s important to always go for versatility and a wide list of features without having to get the pro version. And, in that respect, Elmedia Player is an incredible 4K video player that gives you full control over playback, customization, and everything else you may need for a great time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Of course, any Mac is perfectly capable from a hardware point of view to play 4K videos. However, you also need the right software to get the job done. For the best experience, it’s recommended to use a dedicated 4K media player, like Elmedia that offers you support for multiple formats and various settings to tweak your experience.

There are multiple great players to watch 4K videos. However, you should always look for the best in terms of flexibility and customization. That’s where Elmedia Player raises over its competition and provides excellent services for all macOS devices.