Choosing the right video player for your streaming device can make all the difference in your viewing experience. With so many options available, it can be tricky to know which players are the best fit for platforms like Firestick, Fire TV, and Android. This guide will walk you through the top video players to use in 2022 based on factors like compatibility, features, ease of use and more.
What to Look for in a Video Player
When selecting a video player, there are a few key factors to consider:
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Platform Compatibility – Make sure the player works with your device, whether it‘s Firestick, Fire TV, Android TV, smartphone, etc.
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Format Support – Look for players that support a wide range of video formats like MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, etc. as well as audio formats like MP3, FLAC, etc.
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Streaming Capabilities – Many players allow streaming from sources like Plex, Kodi, network shares, etc. which is useful.
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Subtitles – Support for subtitle files like SRT, SSA, etc. is important for watching foreign content.
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Hardware Acceleration – Players with hardware acceleration can process video more efficiently for smooth playback.
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Customization – Options to tweak the interface, playlists, playback settings etc. allows more personalization.
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Extra Features – Consider players with useful extras like casting support, playlists, libraries and more.
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Price – While most video players are free, some premium options have more features.
With these factors in mind, let‘s look at the top video player options available in 2022.
Best Video Players for Firestick and Fire TV
The Firestick and Fire TV platforms use Fire OS which is a fork of Android, so most Android video players are compatible. Here are some of the best choices:
MX Player
MX Player is arguably the most popular third party video player for Firestick and Fire TV. It‘s highly optimized for streaming and includes features like hardware acceleration, pinch to zoom, subtitles, kid lock and more. The free version has ads while MX Player Pro is ad-free.
Platforms: Firestick, Fire TV, Android TV, Android
Formats: All major video, audio and subtitle formats
Download: Amazon Appstore, Google Play
VLC Media Player
The open-source VLC player is loved by many for its no-nonsense approach to video playback. It handles just about any media format you throw at it. For Firestick/Fire TV, the Android version works well. VLC has a simple interface but lots of advanced settings available if needed.
Platforms: Firestick, Fire TV, Android TV, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and more
Formats: Extensive format support for video, audio, DVDs, Blu-rays and more
Download: Amazon Appstore, Google Play
Kodi
Although better known as a media center app, Kodi works very well as a standalone video player on Firestick and Fire TV. It can play just about anything you throw at it, handles high bitrate 4K without breaking a sweat, and has extensive customization via skins and addons.
Platforms: Firestick, Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, Linux, Mac and more
Formats: Plays all major media formats, online streams, ISO files and more
Download: Kodi.tv
Infuse
For users with an iOS device, Infuse is worth checking out. It has excellent format support, smooth streaming over AirPlay to Apple TV, offline syncing to iOS devices and more. The free version covers the basics while Infuse Pro unlocks features like Dolby Vision.
Platforms: iOS, Apple TV
Formats: Most major formats supported
Download: App Store
Best Video Players for Android
Since Android is an open ecosystem, there‘s tons of choice when it comes to video players. Here are some of the top options:
MX Player
As mentioned earlier, MX Player is a fan-favorite on Android. Play just about anything, pin videos in pop-up windows, enable subtitle gestures and more.
Formats: All major video, audio and subtitle formats
Download: Google Play
VLC for Android
The Android version of VLC brings all the same benefits like open-source transparency, no ads, format support and network streaming. It‘s lightweight and fast.
Formats: Extensive format support for video, audio, DVDs, Blu-rays and more
Download: Google Play
KMPlayer
KMPlayer has excellent format support, hardware acceleration, gestures, subtitle options and more. The Android version also supports multiple windows and UHD playback.
Formats: Most popular video and audio codecs
Download: Google Play
XPlayer
For local and online streaming, XPlayer checks all the boxes like Chromecast support, multi-track audio, playlists and pop-up play. Upgrade to the paid version to remove ads.
Formats: Major codecs supported plus network streams
Download: Google Play
In addition to video playback, FilmoraGo allows basic editing on Android like trimming, filters, text, transitions and more. Useful for quick fixes on the go.
Formats: MP4, MOV, M4V, 3GP and more
Download: Google Play
Best Video Players for Windows and Mac
Here are some top options for video playback on desktop operating systems:
Media Player Classic – Home Cinema (MPC-HC)
This extremely lightweight media player for Windows plays everything under the sun. It‘s open-source with frequent updates and customization via skins.
Platforms: Windows
Formats: Extensive support for video, audio and DVD playback
Download: mpc-hc.org
5KPlayer
5KPlayer is an all-in-one option for Windows and macOS supporting AirPlay, streaming from YouTube/Facebook, media library organization and 4K playback.
Platforms: Windows and macOS
Formats: Leading video and audio formats, 4K/8K video
Download: 5kplayer.com
IINA
Mac users who want an open-source media player without the complexities of Kodi should check out IINA. It‘s based on mpv and supports any format FFmpeg can handle.
Platforms: macOS
Formats: All major formats
Download: iina.io
GOM Player
GOM Player is a solid option for Windows with a clean interface, subtitle support, streaming to Chromecast and Roku, video effects and more.
Platforms: Windows
Formats: All key video formats plus streaming
Download: gomlab.com
Video Player Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes you may run into playback issues even with the best video apps. Here are some quick troubleshooting tips:
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Update the player app to the latest version for compatibility fixes.
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Make sure the video codec used is supported by the player. VP9, H.264 and H.265 are most compatible.
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Try an alternate player app – format support varies across players.
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Enable hardware acceleration in the player app settings if available.
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Lower the video resolution if it‘s 4K/UHD as this requires more processing power.
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Update the device OS and firmware to address any bugs.
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Clear app cache and data to reset the player. Re-install if issues persist.
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Use a USB OTG adapter to play the video directly from a USB stick instead of streaming.
So there you have it – the top options across various platforms to get the most out of your video playback. Each has their own pros and cons, so it‘s worth trying a few to see which player fits your needs the best. Using the right app can take your movie watching experience to the next level!