Media Player reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 268 Reddit reviews across 49 subreddits and 62 posts to rank the best Media Player brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/hometheater, r/Piracy, r/Windows10, r/qBittorrent, r/Windows11. Top-rated brands include VLC (4.8/5), PotPlayer (4.6/5), MPC-HC (4.7/5).
Stats
Reviews268
Subreddits49
Posts62
Brands95
Products14
268 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
VLC
4.8
(27)
"VLC is just freaking reliable. Really, you can throw almost any type of file at it and it will open it."
"VLC definitely"
"Nothing is better than VLC Player ✅"
"Definitely VLC. No other video player needed."
"VLC is the best"
"Obligatory VLC"
"VLC. It’s free, open source, and can play almost ANYTHING you throw at it."
"VLC player is the best for .MKV files"
"VLC is the standard."
"VLC for the win...as always :)
Used it for 20+ years."
#2
PotPlayer
4.6
(17)
"PotPlayer with MadVR is very close to MPV."
"Potplayer"
"PotPlayer is my second go to, behind VLC 3.0 Vetinari"
"PotPlayer is the best. It is chokeful of features."
"Best audio dialogue for movies during loud explosions and such."
"PotPlayer, unquestionably. It is insanely customizable and packed full of features."
"Daum Potplayer"
"I've had really nice experience with Potplayer."
"I personally use pot player and its amazing as ever"
""PotPlayer" hands down, I have a huge library and it's never failed me."
#3
MPC-HC
4.7
(13)
"MPC-HC + madVR is hard to beat on Windows"
"MPC-HC from cslid2 due to HDR and Dolby Vision support embedded"
"Mpc-hc"
"I'm a huge fanboy of the filters and the way my movies look when using it on a PC."
"I use Media Player Classic (MPC-HC) and I use K-Lite (standard) for all the codecs you might need; K-Lite works with VLC too."
"Also MPC-HC"
"I still use the last version (v1.7.13) of MPC-HC."
"I'm very satisfied with it."
"MPC is the most lightweight and epic player for PC
VLC is awesome too"
"Besides VLC, I like MPC-HC"
#4
IINA
4.1
(13)
"IINA is the best."
"IINA handles HDR beautifully on my Mac."
"The best one by far."
"I can’t image how it could be better than IINA but I will give it a shot."
"Personally I love IINA, very simple and fast."
"I paid for Elmedia but recently switched to IINA."
"I have both IINA and VLC installed."
"IINA is the new kid on the block."
"IINA has always been better than VLC since its inception."
"IINA is great."
#5
MPV
4.3
(10)
"MPV is usually recommended as the best general player."
"Mpv is the best, just download mpvnet off github and you're good to go"
"Mpv"
"I use MPV for 60fps+ videos since it stutters a lot with VLC"
"MPV, it's just clean."
"I've been a longtime VLC fanboy but recently have been learning about MPV."
"For very old laptops, you should try mpv if vlc doesn't work for you."
"Potplayer is good, but so is MPV. MPV is simple, light."
"I've tried everything, and always come back to mpv."
"Let me present you "MPV"
VLC is still the best for general usage though"
#6
Winamp
4.4
(9)
"Winamp all day long, it's internet feature gives you shout cast access."
"Winamp, Foobar, etc."
"Winamp by far."
"I used Winamp back when Windows 98 was current and I still use it today lol"
"Winamp 5.8, the older version."
"Winamp for sure."
"I'm old school, and I use Winamp."
"WinAmp with a plugin."
"Winamp."
#7
Kodi
4.4
(9)
"Kodi(Nerds) is the only one that will play absolutely anything I throw at it."
"My preference NAS+kodi on google tv."
"Kodi, i use it for all my local media files."
"I use Kodi to stream from my NAS via NFS."
"Probably kodi"
"Kodi or Nova Player on a Android or Android TV device work well."
"I use Linux mint with Kodi and other useful stuff like an ad blocking browser for streaming websites"
"You could set it up as a KODI system. There are specific Distros for that."
"In my livingroom, I've got a SFF HTPC running Kodi, which indexes and builds a library of all those files."
#8
Infuse
4.3
(9)
"Infuse"
"Infuse"
"Amazing app and I find it far better than any other app I have tried."
"Try Infuse."
"I love Infuse working with Emby server."
"I use infuse to play non dobly Atmos movies for free."
"Infuse is great."
"Infuse works fine."
"Infuse maybe."
#9
VLC Media Player
4.1
(7)
"Vlc goat"
"VLC."
"VLC ftw."
"VLC."
"VLC 4e."
"VLC."
"VLC."
#10
Nvidia Shield
4.3
(6)
"The Shield seems expensive but from my experience it's worth it."
"Get a Nvidia shield for usb playback."
"Nvidia Shield or AppleTV 4K."
"The Shield and Apple TV 4K are extremely close in quality."
"Home theatre setup I’m using Nvidia Shield with KODI."
"I have both the latest shield pro and apple tv."
#11
NVIDIA Shield Pro
4.2
(6)
"Shield pro"
"The shield pro doesn't do hdr 10+ plus but it does do DV and hdr 10."
"The Streamer looks nice but I doubt they're beating the Shield/Apple hardware."
"An Nvidia Shield Pro is what you're looking for."
"Shield Pro. It pretty much direct plays everything I throw at it."
"The shield pro is also a great device."
#12
NVIDIA
4.2
(6)
"Nvidea shield pro the best but fire stick is the best budget option."
"Nvidia Shield pro. That is the best."
"Just get an AppleTV and a Shield (in your case Shield is probably the better option)."
"NVIDIA Shield because Apple TV can’t pass TrueHD Atmos from remuxs."
"I’d get an Nvidia shield or set up an HTPC."
"The Shield "tube" is a device that never should have been on sale."
#13
Raspberry Pi
4.6
(5)
"I'd go for a Raspberry Pi 4 (a 3 would also work). You can pick one up for ± 40 EUR."
"I put a day in mine and am very happy."
"This is one of the situations where you should get a Raspberry Pi."
"Ended up getting a used RPI4 to hook up with the external HD."
"Maybe a raspberrypi (5). you could connect an usb hard drive and out movies ect on it."
#14
Zidoo
4.6
(5)
"For local media and remuxes Zidoo Z9X."
"I just bought a zidoo z9x pro to do all this. Handles all formats of video and audio perfectly including 3D."
"If picture and sound quality matters the most... zidoo is really good."
"Using the Zidoo Z9X 8k since 6 months"
"Look at Zidoo and Dune new 2024 releases if streaming is not a priority."
#15
KMPlayer
4.4
(5)
"KMPlayer"
"Recently switched to kmplayer.
Kmplayer is the best for me"
"KMPlayer"
"KMPlayer, VLC."
"KMPlayer, you will never regret."
#16
Plex
4.4
(5)
"You don't even need the files you wanna play to be on your console."
"I run my own Plex server and have found that it works amazingly in conjunction with Prologue ( for iPhone )."
"Plex."
"Run a Plex server and get him a $20 fire stick?"
"I use plexamp, the audio files are on a NAS with Plex Media server."
#17
MusicBee
4.2
(5)
"Musicbee. I've tried everything & settled on musicbee."
"Ive been using Music Bee for the last sev years with a huge library myself. Highly configurable and has a bit of a learning curve but its great."
"MusicBee is good to listens and organize large music files."
"I use musicbee as my music player."
"Have a look at Musicbee or Foobar."
#18
Apple
4.8
(4)
"Apple TV 4K."
"Best for streaming: Apple TV 4K"
"I’d say Apple TV 4k, Kaleidescape Strato V and late gen Sony TV with Bravia Core is pretty good combo."
"Apple TV 4K / nvidia shield pro (shield pro is starting to get outdated now with its SOC)"
#19
Poweramp
4.3
(4)
"Poweramp here, I went ahead and paid for it and when out of cel range it is a lifesaver."
"Poweramp"
"I got pointed to Poweramp recently. Still new with it but so far pretty decent."
"Anyways I use poweramp, beautiful visualizations from old Winamp days."
#20
Bigscreen
4.3
(4)
"For anyone else trying to answer this near the end of 2024, Bigscreen is the way to go."
"You can try Bigscreen or Play’a directly from Steam."
"Bigscreen beta"
"I use Bigscreen and 4XVR."
#21
Foobar2000
4.0
(4)
"Foobar2000"
"Foobar2000, AIMP, Winamp, MusicBee - All of these have plugins and theming support."
"Foobar2000"
"[https://www.foobar2000.org/](https://www.foobar2000.org/)"
#22
Apple TV 4K
4.7
(3)
"I've found the Apple TV 4K to provide excellent image quality."
"For everything else (including HDR10+ support for your projector) get an AppleTV4K."
"I sold the Shield and now use my ATV 4K for streaming."
#23
MPC-BE
4.3
(3)
"MPC-BE with included MPC video renderer works very well"
"MPC-BE and MPC-HE aren't as feature-rich as PotPlayer but they already put VLC to shame."
"MPC-BE with madvr"
#24
SMPlayer
4.3
(3)
"SMPlayer"
"I found SMplayer probably 3 or 4 years ago and have never searched for another."
"Convenient, powerful, skinnable, crossplatform."
#25
AIMP
4.0
(3)
"AIMP is good."
"Aimp"
"AIMP"
#26
Amazon
4.0
(3)
"This checks all the boxes, but no movies though."
"Doesn't the firestick 4k max support the most video and audio formats?"
"This will play HEVC, I have used them on multiple tvs and they work great."
#27
Zidoo Z9X Pro
5.0
(2)
"The best thing I tried and still use on an almost daily basis is Zidoo Z9X pro."
"I am in love with my zidoo z9x pro I highly recommend it."
#28
Movist Pro
5.0
(2)
"Movist Pro no problems so far."
"I use movist pro for all things I click on."
#29
Apple TV
5.0
(2)
"I’m using the AppleTV for streaming everything."
"Apple TV"
#30
Ugoos
5.0
(2)
"Ugoos am6b+ with coreelec for local media files."
"The best for highest quality local streaming with plex is the ugoos am6b+ with coreelec"
#31
5KPlayer
5.0
(2)
"5kplayer is the best media player for mac."
"5kplayer is the best media player for mac."
#32
WiiM Pro
4.5
(2)
"The Wiim streaming platform is great and the Wiim Amp is a pretty good amp."
"Get a good amp, and then find a reasonable streamer to fit your needs."
#33
MediaMonkey
4.5
(2)
"My primary is MediaMonkey, for the insane amount of media management it does."
"MediaMonkey for me"
#34
Screenbox
4.0
(2)
"Screenbox also, it's a fork of VLC but looks a lot better."
"Screenbox."
#35
Wiim
4.0
(2)
"I'd probably agree Wiim Ultra, but know there's better out there."
"Full-featured, good sub controls, PEQ and room correction."
#36
Skybox
3.5
(2)
"Or you can get Skybox that you can download through ARMGDDN browser."
"Skybox VR but it's a paid app."
#37
Nova Video Player
3.5
(2)
"Nova Video Player?"
"After some research I have found and tried 'Nova' video player."
#38
Apple AirPort Express
5.0
(1)
"I bought a used Apple AirPort Express on eBay and use it to airplay Plexamp to my stereo."
#39
WiiM mini
5.0
(1)
"WiiM has been my go-to recommendation for those looking for a solid DAC device."
#40
Apple TV 3rd gen
5.0
(1)
"I use an Apple TV 3rd gen as an Airplay 1 receiver since it has an optical output to my NAD amp."
#41
Roku Media Player
5.0
(1)
"I have used the Roku Media player for years. and have not had any recent issues."
#42
Mount Cristal Glasses
5.0
(1)
"Best media player, all modes, with controller, VRTV, no doubt."
#43
immerGallery
5.0
(1)
"I would like to hint at my app immerGallery."
#44
Xiaomi
5.0
(1)
"Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen checks all your requirements and it's cheap."
#45
Sony NW-A306
5.0
(1)
"It's played everything I've thrown at it so far and is tiny."
#46
Audirvana
5.0
(1)
"Hands down the best sounding of all the music players for Mac."
#47
NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
5.0
(1)
"Nvidia Shield TV Pro is objectively the best, but you're paying the price for it."
#48
Gmu
5.0
(1)
"Gmu Music Player (Port): [https://portmaster.games/detail.html?name=gmu.music.player]"
#49
AppleTV
5.0
(1)
"AppleTV has a better UI (in my opinion) and is generally more user friendly."
#50
Fire TV 4K Cube
5.0
(1)
"I use a Fire TV 4K Cube and it does everything you're looking for."
#51
UAPP
5.0
(1)
"UAPP for android is goated."
#52
Foobar
5.0
(1)
"Foobar is great."
#53
DeoVR
5.0
(1)
"Dude, DeoVR is the best."
#54
MPlayer
5.0
(1)
"Mplayer for GarlicOS in rg35xx.com very good video player."
#55
Media Player Classic
5.0
(1)
"[Media Player Classic](https://www.filehorse.com/download-media-player-classic-32/)"
#56
CoreELEC
5.0
(1)
"CoreELEC is one of the best options out there."
#57
Ugoos AM6B Plus
5.0
(1)
"Ugoos am6b plus is one of the only ones that can do everything."
#58
JRiver Media Centre
5.0
(1)
"JRiver Media Centre - been a happy users for several years."
#59
MoonPlayer
5.0
(1)
"Best by far is MoonPlayer."
#60
Cowon Jet Audio
4.0
(1)
"Cowon jet audio."
#61
Audacious
4.0
(1)
"Audacious."
#62
Musicolet
4.0
(1)
"I ended up going with Musicolet. The UI is minimalist, which I prefer, but it has a gazillion customization options."
#63
JRiver
4.0
(1)
"I personally use JRiver for my library and Foobar2000 for quick plays of audio files."
#64
Swinsian
4.0
(1)
"Swinsian."
#65
Doppler
4.0
(1)
"Doppler."
#66
Titan
4.0
(1)
"Titan video player v1.4.6x"
#67
Xbox
4.0
(1)
"Grab a used Xbox One from a pawn shop. Won’t cost you much at all"
#68
PS4 Media Player
4.0
(1)
"For local videos I recommend use the official Media Player."
#69
Infuse Pro
4.0
(1)
"Infuse Pro"
#70
MX Player
4.0
(1)
"MX Player is what I use on my phone."
#71
mpv
4.0
(1)
"Mpv player is good. Simple and good :)"
#72
Onn
4.0
(1)
"The new Onn Google TV 4K box has a full size USB port."
#73
K-Lite Codec Pack
4.0
(1)
"Less ram, speed up down with mouse click."
#74
iTunes
4.0
(1)
"Still iTunes for me. I can slice and dice my library using its smartplaylists."
#75
onn 4K Google TV
4.0
(1)
"Onn 4k. google tv $20 walmart."
#76
Amazon Fire Stick
4.0
(1)
"A fire stick, because it’s the cheapest one with Plex/Jellyfin."
#77
MPC
4.0
(1)
"I prefer MPC over VLC for general legacy use."
#78
BlackPlayer
4.0
(1)
"BlackPlayer"
#79
YouTube Music
4.0
(1)
"YouTube music"
#80
Steam VR
4.0
(1)
"Most definitely Steam VR media Player"
#81
Firestick 4K Max
4.0
(1)
"The Firestick 4K max is by far the least expensive option."
#82
Astell & Kern SR25 MKII
4.0
(1)
"I use a Astell & Kern SR25 MKII and am very happy with it."
#83
Fiio
4.0
(1)
"Fiio is another brand that makes digital media players."
#84
Hiby R2 III
4.0
(1)
"I have a Hiby r2 iii, was about $100."
#85
Surfans F20
4.0
(1)
"I found a portable media player that I really like (mostly), and the audio quality is incredible for the money."
#86
Surfans
4.0
(1)
"Had good luck with [this](https://www.surfans.net/products/irulu-f20-hifi-mp3-player-lossless-dsd-high-resolution-digital-audio-music-player-with-32gb-memory-card) over the last few years."
#87
Sony NW-A55
4.0
(1)
"Sony NW-A55."
#88
MPC-HE
4.0
(1)
"MPC-BE and MPC-HE aren't as feature-rich as PotPlayer but they already put VLC to shame."
#89
Amazon Fire Stick Max
4.0
(1)
"A cheap $35 Fire Stick Max is a good complement to an Apple TV."
#90
Elmedia
4.0
(1)
"I’ve been using Elmedia. I like to cast to my AppleTV and this one just works."
#91
Dopamine
4.0
(1)
"Dopamine media player"
#92
nPlayer
4.0
(1)
"NPlayer, Outplayer and vidhub. Install any one of these."
#93
Apple 4K
4.0
(1)
"If it was right this minute then probably the Apple 4K."
#94
Cisdem Video Player
3.0
(1)
"It's just a regular media player, nothing special."
#95
PMPlayer Advance
3.0
(1)
"The only one I could find is 'PMPlayer Advance PSP'."
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