While Windows 10 has added native support for MKV, many users complain that they cannot play MKV videos on Windows 10. In fact, everyone needs a great media player. Whether you are looking for the simplest of programs to get the task done with a minimum of fuss or you need a tool that gives you complete control over each aspect of image and audio playback, there are plentiful options that will deliver what you want.
Of course, you are not limited to using only one video player, but with so many programs to choose from, discovering the best MKV file player can be tricky. That is why we are testing the popular video players available to MKV files. This article will show you the top list and you can find the right one for you quickly.
AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player is a versatile media player with extensive features, such as:
1. Play any video files, including MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, MTS, etc.
2. Read multimedia contents on DVDs, DVD folders, ISO or IFO image files.
3. Let you watch Blu-ray discs, Blu-ray folders and ISO image files with the original quality.
4. Offer excellent quality and smoothness playback when playing 4K and 1080p videos.
5. Provide a wide range of custom options to adjust bit rate, frame rate and other parameters.
Apparently, it is the best MKV video player for enjoying MKV files on Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and Mac OS X/11/12.
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Step 1: Import an MKV video into the best MKV player
This MKV player offers two versions, one for Mac OS X/11/12 and the other for Windows. Download and install the right version to your computer and launch it when you want to watch MKV. Click the Open File button to trigger the open file dialog. Then navigate to the MKV file and open it in the media player.
Step 2: Play MKV on computer
After importing, you will see the menu interface. Then you are allowed to select the desired audio track and subtitle based on your need. Click the Play Movie icon to start enjoying the MKV video.
Note: There are custom options in the Audio and Video menus on the top ribbon, which you can used to adjust the quality and other parameters. Moreover, the Control menu allows you to control the playback, such as adjust the playback speed.
SMPlayer is a free media player for Windows. With built-in codecs on Linux, it can play virtually all video and audio formats. It doesn't need any external codecs. Apart from MKV files, it also supports the most popular formats and codecs like AVI, MP4, MPEG, MOV, DivX, H.264, etc. Besides the local MKV videos, it also lets you search for YouTube videos for watching.
Pros
1. This best MKV player for Windows 10 almost supports all video formats, including MKV, AVI, WMV, M4V, MOV, DAT, MTS, M2TS, DAV, MXF, M3U8, etc.
2. It will remember most of the settings and play video files based on your settings.
3. It can detect the subtitles in your videos and let you to decide which subtitle.
4. You are allowed to completely control the playback of your video file, such as speed, audio track and more.
5. It has the capacity to search subtitles online automatically.
Cons
1. It will download extra software when installing, although it is free to download.
2. SMPlayer is not compatible with Windows 7 and earlier.
Media Player Classic, also known as MPC-HC, is an extremely light-weight, open-source media player for Windows computer. This MKV player lets you customize options to for almost any needs. However, this MKV file player is not under development since 2017.
Pros
1. This MKV media player is capable of VCDs, SVCDs and DVDs without extra software or codecs.
2. The built-in codecs support for subtitles and codecs for LPCM, MP2, 3GP, and more.
3. It is based on the DirectShow architecture and integrates DirectShow decoding filters.
4. If you install a supported TV tuner, you can use the media player to record and play TV programs.
Cons
1. It cannot remember your settings, for example, it will play a video from the beginning if you hit stop and start it again.
2. Sometimes, the free MKV player will mute audio by default.
3. This player is only compatible with Windows. (Check here to get more DVD players for Mac.)
JetVideo is an MKV video player for Windows 7 and XP. It supports all major file formats. Besides, it has special sound effects and subtitle features to create a wonderful watching experience. Apart from MKV playback, it can edit ID3 tag for MP3 files, change the playback speed, and supports a wide range of equalizer modes for digital video, digital audio, Video-CD and DVD.
Pros
1. The MKV player for Windows can play almost any video and audio formats like MP4, MOV, WMV, MKV, AVI, MP3, FLAC, AIFF, etc.
2. It permits you to edit tags easily without extra software.
3. The alarm and timer feature is able to set the starting and end points freely.
4. You can control audio volume, video speed and sound effects.
5. The interface is nice-looking and the playback is smooth.
Cons
1. Some features take time to learn how to use and beginners might feel frustrated.
2. It is not available to the latest operating systems, like Windows 10/8.
MediaMonkey is an MKV video player and manager. Apart from playing MKV files, it has powerful features that you cannot miss. It can record CDs, download music, manage video and audio genres, sync data among Android, iPhone, iPad and others. It can share Audio/Video files with TVs, BD Players, and other UPnP /DLNA devices.
Pros
1. The free MKV player supports a variety of multimedia formats, like MKV.
2. It packs a tag editor to adjust video tags automatically.
3. MediaMonkey is not only a media player but also a library organizer.
4. You can sync multimedia contents between your computer and mobile device within the program.
5. It provides an array of video managing and playback tools for free.
Cons
1. The interface is messy and difficult to learn, especially for beginners.
2. The free version lacks some features and you have to purchase the Gold version if you want to advanced tools.
uView is a comprehensive program that allows you to play videos while working with other applications. It can play local media files like MKV, MP4, MOV, etc., and streaming videos from Twitch, Prime video, Crunchyroll, Bilibili, Tencent video, Dailymotion, and more. It is optimized for multi-tasking, which lets you play MKV videos while working without the hassle.
Pros
1. This MKV media player allows you to play MKV videos from local folders.
2. You can play MKV files with the program while working or playing games.
3. It can be set to stay always on top and lock the window size and position.
4. You are allowed to acquire general data, such as video URL.
Cons
1. It requires you to install Adobe Flash Player on your computer.
2. It is only available to Windows operating systems.
FreeSmith Video Player is a free media player that deals well with a variety of media formats including MKV, MP4, WMV, and more. It can also play Blu-Ray discs without the need for extra codecs. Its interface looks nice and slick, and you can enjoy MKV files with clear controls.
Pros
1. It is a free MKV player that deals well with various media formats and optical discs.
2. The player supports almost any video and audio formats without extra codecs.
3. You can change the videos, like crop, rotate, change the volume, or adjust speed.
4. The full version also allows you to make screenshots, select subtitles and create playlist.
5. The interface is nice.
Cons
1. It takes a while to load media files.
2. When playing MKV and other HD videos, it is a bit laggy.
3. There is no full screen control.
DAPlayer is a free Blu-ray and digital video player for Windows. This player was renamed to 5KPlayer, which is an all-in-one player, AirPlay media streamer, and online video downloader.
Pros
1. The best MKV player not only supports standard file formats, but also 1080i/1080p HD videos.
2. It could play region protected DVDs and change your DVD drive from one region to another.
3. The interface is stylish and quite intuitive.
4. It can import video files from the browser, tree view or by dragging and dropping.
5. You can adjust video aspect ratio, image flip, angle or deinterlacing.
Cons
1. It is not compatible with Windows 10 or Mac OS X.
2. It cannot play videos on Blu-ray discs.
VLC Media Player is a free media player for multi-platforms. It can play DVDs, CDs, VCDs, and other digital video files including MKV, MP4, MOV, WMV, AVI, and more.
Pros
1. The MKV player for Mac is open source and free of charge without ads or virus.
2. It is able to optimize video and audio playback for chosen device.
3. It can convert MKV to other formats and let you enjoy on any devices.
4. This media player also supports streaming and recording videos.
5. As a versatile media player, it also have the capacities to convert videos and rip DVDs.
Cons
1. Though VLC has a lot of functionalities, they are hidden in the menus and difficult to find out.
2. It takes longer time to convert DVDs to MKV.
DivX Player is not only an MKV player, but also offers more features to users like video converter, media server, and more. Its advanced playback and audio features can help you quickly navigate to your favorite scenes or find different scenes.
Pros
1. This MKV video player on Mac lets you watch movies up to 4K.
2. It supports a large number of video formats, like AVI, DIVX, MKV and MP4.
3. You can decide to play videos from the beginning or view certain chapters.
4. It is able to switch between soundtracks and subtitles seamlessly.
5. If you have oceans of videos, you can create playlists and watch videos without interruption.
Cons
1. When playing online MKV videos, it needs a web browser.
2. The player sometimes freezes due to unknown reasons.
KMPlayer is an HD video player application for Mac. It offers all the basic playback features like playlist management, subtitle settings, timer, equalizer, search feature, and more to watch the MKV files freely on Mac.
Pros
1. The MKV player for Mac offers quick playback and fully customizable interface.
2. When playing videos, the system time will be displayed for changing into elapsed or total playback time.
3. It lets you view information regarding the file and filters.
4. You can set audio streams, repeat and shuffle options based on your needs.
5. The built-in help menu is useful to average people and beginners.
Cons
1. It will download extra software, like Opencandy, when you install.
2. If you get it from website, chances are that it packs virus or malware.
Like its Windows version, 5KPlayer for Mac is a free multifunctional media tool. It is integrated with video converter, video downloader, media streamer, and video player for a variety of formats like MKV, MP4, MOV, and more.
Pros
1. The MKV video player for Mac is able to play MKV and other video files up to 5K/4K/1080p.
2. In addition to MKV, it also supports FLV, MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, and more.
3. If you use it on Nvidia or Intel, it will smooth the playback with hardware acceleration technology.
4. You can stream music and videos from iPad, iPhone and iPod to computer within the player directly.
Cons
1. It lacks some important features as an MKV player, such as no subtitle options.
2. It is not very configurable.
Elmedia Player is a free media player for Mac computer. MKV, FLV, MP4, AVI, MOV, DAT, MP3, FLAC, M4V, Blu-ray are all supported as well as many others. It supports the native macOS full-screen mode to loop MKV video and other files continuously.
Pros
1. The MKV player for Mac can play HD movies in MKV format smoothly.
2. Besides MKV, it is compatible with almost all commonly used video formats.
3. You can watch online videos within the program through URL or download them to hard disks.
4. It has the capacity to extract audio files from MKV or other videos.
5. If you have an iOS device, it could help you to stream videos via AirPlay.
Cons
1. Some advanced features are only available in the pro version.
2. You cannot convert MKV videos to other formats within the media player.
MplayerX is a simple but powerful MKV video player on Mac. It provides you easiest way to control the video playback by pinching, tapping, and swiping. It can also detect and convert the encoding method of the subtitle file automatically and seamlessly.
Pros
1. The MKV video player fits in Mac OS X and above environment perfectly with the hotkeys and design.
2. It will remember the interrupted spot and start file reproduction from here.
3. The player will detect your video library and play next video file automatically.
4. You can control the playback with an Apple remote and mouse.
5. It allows you to stream videos to smart TV or home center and enjoy them on larger screen.
Cons
1. It is only available to Mac OS X.
2. The media player cannot create playlist.
Kodi is a powerful and open-source software for organizing your media library. It can play your local collection of movies, television shows, music and photos. It supports Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more, and you can play your MKV files on multi platforms.
Pros
1. It is not only an MKV player, but also a media library for videos, audio, movies and images.
2. The interface is user friendly and customizable with oceans of add-ons.
3. The open source feature allows you to build you won favorite add-ons.
4. The video player's sound quality is pretty good.
Cons
1. The installation and configuration are pretty complex.
2. Some add-ons are not free though the player is free to use.
Seeking for media players for Android? Here is the list.
Based on our reviews, you should grasp at least 15 best MKV players. Now, you can pick your favorite one and start enjoying your HD movies.
Updated by Riley Mitchell to PlayerRelated Articles
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