Top 10 4K Converter Programs to Try [List for 2021]

In this era, everyone wants to record, watch, and stream content in 4K Ultra HD resolution. 4K videos offer four times the pixels of Full HD videos, meaning they have more detail and clarity, thus looking better. With the popularity of 4K displays, the demand for 4K videos is on the rise. However, better quality means that 4K videos take up more space than Full HD videos. The large size of 4K videos can also be an issue when you try to upload them to any social media platform. If you want to save space and bandwidth, you must use a 4K converter to convert 4K videos into lower resolutions.

There are many free video converters for Windows 10 available online that you can use to downscale 4K videos. A 4K video converter will reduce the resolution of your 4K footage to something lower, like 720p or 1080p, in order to shrink the file size. Almost all such editors let you specify the final output resolution and tinker with other aspects of the conversion process. Here's a list of simple, free 4K video converters that you can use to shrink your 4K footage down to a lower resolution.

Top 10 4K Converter Programs to Try

1. Video Editor

If you're looking for a full-featured 4K video converter with professional-grade video editing tools, then the Video Editor tool is your go-to choice. It packs numerous powerful tools and features into an easy-to-use interface. With this GoPro video editor, you can convert 4K videos shot on your GoPro or iPhone to any format (like MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, and more) and lower resolutions at various frame rates for effortless sharing. It also offers presets tailored for sharing on social media platforms like iPhone, YouTube, Facebook, and more. The Video Editor provides over 300+ visual and transition effects and even lets you add music to your video without watermarks. You can even speed up or slow down certain parts of the video before converting. However, this application is only available for Windows systems.

How to Use a Video Editing Tool to Convert 4K Videos

Step 1: Go to the Video Editor website and download and install the app on your computer.

Step 2: Launch the app on your computer. You'll be prompted to choose an aspect ratio. Select the one that matches your video, then proceed.

Choose a video aspect ratio

Step 3: Now, you need to add the video file to the application. You can do this by clicking on the "Import" option and then selecting "File," or simply dragging the file into the application.

4. When you see your video in the app, right-click on it and select “Add to Project” to add the video to your current project.

Step 5: After adding the video to the project, click 'Export' from the top menu bar.

Step 6. On this screen, you can convert the video into several file formats. Click on the “Video” tab, and you'll see all the formats to which you can convert the file. Choose one of those, then click “Export” at the bottom.

Step 7. If you want to configure some advanced options, click on the icon next to Output Settings to configure them.

2. Handbrake

Handbrake is a popular, free, and open-source video converter that works on all major platforms – Windows, Mac, and Linux. It comes with a host of detailed video conversion options, including support for chapter markers, video filters, frame rates, and more. The converter can also downsize your existing 4K videos while keeping the same resolution. It also has presets for various devices, so you don't have to fiddle with conversion settings. However, Handbrake's problem is that it can be incredibly complicated for the average user. The myriad of options it displays might confuse regular users.

3. Converter

You don't need to install an app on your computer to convert 4K videos. You can use an online tool, like Convertio, to convert 4K videos for free. It's a simple and easy-to-use service that only requires you to upload your 4K video, choose the output format, and you're done. Even though it's web-based, Convertio supports all kinds of video formats, including converting videos to MP4. However, it has one major limitation: it can only convert videos up to 100 MB in size. Additionally, it doesn't have presets for iPhone or PC like the other video converters on this list.

Converter - Top 4K Converter

4. Zamzar is an online file conversion website that supports various file formats, including documents, images, videos, and audio files.

Zamzar is a free online file conversion service that also handles 4K video. It supports almost all popular video formats and resolutions, albeit with limited output options. While Zamzar lets you convert as many videos as you want daily, each file you upload can be no larger than 200MB. One advantage of Zamzar is that you can paste a video URL, and it will automatically convert the file for you to download, although this doesn't work with YouTube videos. You can also have the download link for your finished media file sent to your email for downloading later.

5. HDConvert

HDConvert is a straightforward, no-frills online 4K video converter. It lets you convert 4K videos to 720p or 1080p resolutions without having to tinker with video codecs and other transcoding settings. The free version of the service adds a watermark to all converted videos, and its conversion speeds are slightly slower than those of the other apps on this list.

6. VLC

VLC is an open-source media player that also happens to support free 4K video conversion. It works on Windows and macOS. The media player can convert almost any codec or resolution, but the feature is hidden in the “Settings” menu, and it's not very user-friendly. It offers so many options that average users might get confused.

（Image: VLC - Top 4K Converter）

7. Prism Video Converter

Prism Video Converter is a video converter with some video editing features. It supports converting 4K videos of almost any format to your preferred format. Additionally, it can compress 4K videos to reduce file size and save storage space. Other notable features of Prism Video Converter include adding color filters, watermarks, or subtitles to videos, adjusting brightness and contrast, and trimming or splitting videos before conversion. You can also use the application to convert video files to MP4. Prism Video Converter is ideal for users who need more than just 4K video conversion; it caters to their basic video editing requirements as well.

(Image: Prism - Premier 4K Converter)

8. Movavi Video Converter

Movavi Video Converter is a feature-rich 4K video converter that also offers some basic video editing features, including the ability to stabilize shaky footage. It's available on all platforms, including Windows and macOS. Like the other video converters on this list, Movavi supports virtually all video formats. It can also compress 4K videos to reduce their file size. One unique feature of Movavi Video Converter is its ability to search for subtitles online and then use them in your videos.

9. Video to Video Converter

This is a free 4K converter that supports more than 200 video formats. The Video to Video Converter also has a portable version, meaning you can use it without first installing it on your PC. It also comes with an inbuilt DVD ripper, a handy watermark remover tool, a video-to-image tool, and more. You can even add watermarks to your converted 4K videos.

10. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is an open-source, developer-focused converter that can transcode your 4K videos into whatever format you need. If you're interested in the libraries and dependencies a converter uses, you'll love FFmpeg. Unlike the other apps on this list, FFmpeg doesn't have a traditional UI. Instead, it has a command-line driven interface, which means you'll have to use Terminal on a Mac or Linux machine, or Command Prompt on Windows, to access it.

Which 4K Converter should I use?

Though there are plenty of 4K video converters, not all of them are fit for you. A 4K video converter should be easy to use and offer a wide range of options and presets to make the task at hand seem less daunting. Considering all these features, it's quite clear that a video editor is one of the best tools around. It allows users to convert 4K videos with ease and also offers many other useful options such as trimming and cropping videos, adding video effects, and so on. Even if you're looking for a free MP4 video converter, this can be quickly picked. Having said that, here are some answers to FAQs asked by readers.

Can 1080p be converted to 4k? How about converting 2k to 4k? To convert a 1080p or 2k video into 4k, you will need to use video processing software or an online conversion tool. Here are the basic steps: 1. **Choose the right software**: - For desktop software, you can use tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or HandBrake for professional video editing. - For online tools, consider services such as CloudConvert, Zamzar, or Online-convert.com, which provide online video conversion options. 2. **Import the video**: - Open your chosen software or website and locate the "Import" or "Add File" option to select the 1080p or 2k video you want to convert. 3. **Set output format and quality**: - In the video settings, choose 4k (usually with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, also known as 2160p) as the output resolution. - Note: Not all videos can be upscaled to 4k losslessly; the quality and encoding of the original source will affect the result. 4. **Start the conversion**: - Once you've confirmed the settings, click "Convert" or "Start" to process the video. 5. **Save the converted video**: - After the conversion is complete, save the 4k video to your device. Please note that upscaling a lower resolution video to 4k may result in quality loss, especially if the original video quality is low. True 4k videos have higher detail and clarity, so upgrading from a lower resolution to 4k may not yield the same visual quality as native 4k content.

While all of the converters above can upscale 1080p videos to 4K, it is not recommended that you do so, as it is technically impossible to convert a video with lower resolution to a higher one. Likewise, you cannot upscale 2K videos to 4K, although the reverse is possible.

Can it upgrade your TV to 4K?

Before you convert a 4K video for TV playback, make sure you have a 4K TV. There's no point in playing 4K content on a non-4K TV.

How to Convert 4K Video to Lower Resolution?

While you can use any of the above tools to downscale 4K resolution to a lower one, it's recommended that you use a video editor to convert the video file to mp4 with a lower resolution.