Best 4K YouTube Video Downloader (Free Options Tested)
Download YouTube videos in 4K and 8K quality with our tested free tools. Compare the best 4K video downloaders for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Get Ultra HD quality without quality loss.
Key Takeaways
- 4K Video Downloader is the best overall for 4K/8K downloads
- YT-DLP offers the most control for power users (free, open-source)
- Online converters cannot download true 4K quality—max is 1080p
- 4K downloads require 35+ Mbps internet speed for smooth downloading
- Check if the original video is actually 4K before downloading
- Storage requirement: ~7 GB per hour of 4K video
The best 4K YouTube video downloader is 4K Video Downloader—it's the only tool I've tested that consistently downloads true 4K (2160p) and even 8K content without quality degradation. Free users get 30 downloads per day, which is enough for most people. I've compared all major options to help you get the highest quality downloads possible.
Key Takeaways
- 4K Video Downloader is the best overall for 4K/8K downloads
- YT-DLP offers the most control for power users (free, open-source)
- Online converters cannot download true 4K quality—max is 1080p
- 4K downloads require 35+ Mbps internet speed for smooth downloading
- Check if the original video is actually 4K before downloading
- Storage requirement: ~7 GB per hour of 4K video
4K YouTube Downloaders Compared
| Tool | Max Quality | Free Limit | Platforms | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4K Video Downloader | 8K | 30/day | Win/Mac/Linux | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| YT-DLP | 8K | Unlimited | All (CLI) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| JDownloader | 4K | Unlimited | Win/Mac/Linux | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ClipGrab | 4K | Unlimited | Win/Mac/Linux | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Free Download Manager | 4K | Unlimited | Win/Mac/Linux | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Online converters | 1080p | N/A | Web | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Understanding YouTube Video Resolutions
Quality Comparison Table
| Resolution | Common Name | Pixels | File Size (1 hr) | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2160p | 4K / UHD | 3840×2160 | 7-14 GB | 35-68 Mbps |
| 1440p | 2K / QHD | 2560×1440 | 4-7 GB | 16-24 Mbps |
| 1080p | Full HD | 1920×1080 | 2-4 GB | 8-12 Mbps |
| 720p | HD | 1280×720 | 1-2 GB | 5-7.5 Mbps |
| 4320p | 8K / FUHD | 7680×4320 | 20-40 GB | 80-120 Mbps |
When Do You Need 4K?
✅ Worth downloading in 4K:
- Large 4K TV viewing
- Video editing/production
- Nature documentaries
- Gaming content
- Archival purposes
❌ 4K is overkill for:
- Phone/tablet viewing
- Small monitors (<27")
- Casual watching
- Limited storage
- Slow internet
Best 4K YouTube Video Downloaders
1. 4K Video Downloader (Editor's Choice)
Despite its name, 4K Video Downloader now supports up to 8K resolution, making it the go-to choice for maximum quality.
How to Download 4K Videos:
Step 1
Download from 4kdownload.com (official site only).
Step 2
Install and launch the application.
Step 3
Copy a YouTube video URL (must be a 4K video).
Step 4
Click "Paste Link" in the application.
Step 5
Wait for analysis—4K options appear if available.
Step 6
Select "4K 2160p" or "8K 4320p" from quality dropdown.
Step 7
Choose format (MP4 recommended for compatibility).
Step 8
Click "Download" and wait for completion.
Key Features:
- Downloads up to 8K resolution
- Supports HDR content
- Batch downloading
- Subtitle extraction
- Smart Mode for one-click downloads
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 30 downloads/day, all resolutions |
| Personal | $15 | Unlimited downloads, 3 PCs |
| Pro | $45 | Unlimited, 50 PCs, priority support |
2. YT-DLP (Best for Power Users)
YT-DLP is the most powerful open-source option with complete control over download quality.
Command for 4K Download:
# Download best available quality (up to 8K)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo+bestaudio" URL
# Download specifically 4K (2160p)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=2160]+bestaudio/best[height<=2160]" URL
# Download 4K as MP4 (merged)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=2160][ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]" --merge-output-format mp4 URL
# Download 8K if available
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=4320]+bestaudio" URLChecking Available Qualities:
# List all available formats
yt-dlp -F URLThis shows all resolutions available for the video, helping you verify 4K is actually available.
Pros:
- Maximum control over quality
- Completely free
- Supports all video sites
- Active development
Cons:
- Command-line only
- Learning curve for beginners
- Requires FFmpeg for merging
3. JDownloader (Best for Batch Downloads)
JDownloader is a free download manager that handles 4K YouTube videos well.
Key Features:
- Automatic link detection
- Resume interrupted downloads
- Bandwidth scheduling
- Plugin support
- Cross-platform
How to Use:
Step 1
Download from jdownloader.org.
Step 2
Install and run the application.
Step 3
Copy YouTube links—JDownloader detects them automatically.
Step 4
Right-click links and select quality.
Step 5
Start download queue.
4. Free Download Manager (FDM)
FDM integrates with browsers for seamless 4K downloading.
Features:
- Browser extension integration
- Download acceleration
- Torrent support
- Video preview
- Scheduled downloading
Supported Formats:
- MP4 up to 4K
- WebM up to 4K
- Audio extraction
How to Verify a Video Is Actually 4K
Before downloading in 4K, confirm the video was uploaded in that quality:
Method 1: Check Quality Settings
Step 1
Open the YouTube video.
Step 2
Click the gear icon (Settings).
Step 3
Select "Quality."
Step 4
Look for "2160p" or "4K" in the options.
Step 5
If highest option is 1080p, video isn't 4K.
Method 2: Check Video Details
Step 1
On desktop, right-click the video.
Step 2
Select "Stats for nerds."
Step 3
Look at "Current / Optimal Res."
Step 4
If it shows 3840×2160, video is 4K.
4K Content Sources on YouTube
- Nature documentaries (BBC Earth, National Geographic)
- Tech reviews (MKBHD, Linus Tech Tips)
- Travel vlogs (premium channels)
- Official music videos
- Gaming content (many game recordings)
- Demo content (YouTube's test videos)
4K Download Requirements
Internet Speed Requirements
| Resolution | Minimum Speed | Recommended Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 4K (2160p) | 35 Mbps | 50+ Mbps |
| 8K (4320p) | 80 Mbps | 100+ Mbps |
Storage Requirements
| Video Length | 4K File Size | 8K File Size |
|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | ~600 MB | ~1.5 GB |
| 10 minutes | ~1.2 GB | ~3 GB |
| 30 minutes | ~3.5 GB | ~8 GB |
| 1 hour | ~7 GB | ~15 GB |
| 2 hours | ~14 GB | ~30 GB |
Hardware for Playing 4K
Minimum for smooth 4K playback:
- Processor: Intel i5/AMD Ryzen 5 or newer
- GPU: Dedicated graphics with 4K decode support
- RAM: 8 GB minimum
- Display: 4K monitor/TV
- Storage: SSD recommended for smooth playback
Why Online Converters Can't Do 4K
Online converters have technical limitations:
| Limitation | Reason |
|---|---|
| Server processing power | 4K requires significant CPU/GPU |
| Bandwidth costs | 4K files are 4-7x larger than 1080p |
| Storage costs | Temporary storage for large files |
| Processing time | Would be too slow for free service |
| User experience | Most users don't need 4K |
Maximum quality from online converters
1080p (and often lower)
Troubleshooting 4K Downloads
"4K Option Not Available"
Causes:
- Original video isn't 4K
- Using online converter (doesn't support 4K)
- Free tier limitations
Solutions:
- Verify video is actually 4K on YouTube
- Use desktop application
- Check for software updates
Download Is Extremely Slow
Causes:
- Internet speed insufficient
- Peak usage times
- Server limitations
Solutions:
- Test your internet speed (need 35+ Mbps)
- Try during off-peak hours
- Use download manager with acceleration
File Won't Play
Causes:
- Missing codecs (especially for 8K/AV1)
- Hardware can't handle 4K
- Corrupted download
Solutions:
- Install K-Lite Codec Pack (Windows)
- Use VLC Media Player (handles most codecs)
- Redownload the file
- Try different format (MP4 vs WebM)
Downloaded File Is Smaller Than Expected
Causes:
- Didn't select 4K quality
- Tool defaulted to lower quality
- Video and audio downloaded separately
Solutions:
- Explicitly select 2160p/4K
- Use tool that merges video+audio
- Check both video and audio quality settings
Pros
- Crystal clear detail on large displays
- Future-proof your video collection
- Professional-quality archival
- Best experience on 4K TVs
Cons
- Massive file sizes (7+ GB per hour)
- Requires fast internet (35+ Mbps)
- Storage fills up quickly
- Many videos aren't actually 4K
- Most viewing doesn't require 4K
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is the best free 4K YouTube video downloader?
4K Video Downloader offers the best balance of features and ease of use, with 30 free 4K downloads per day. For unlimited free downloads, YT-DLP is the best option but requires command-line knowledge. Both support up to 8K resolution.
Q2Can I download 4K YouTube videos on my phone?
Android users can use TubeMate or Snaptube for some 4K content, though storage and processing limitations may be challenging. iPhone users are limited as iOS doesn't easily support 4K video downloading. Desktop is recommended for 4K downloads.
Q3Why can't I find the 4K download option?
First, verify the YouTube video actually has 4K quality—many videos only go up to 1080p. Check the quality settings on YouTube. Also, online converters don't support 4K; use desktop applications like 4K Video Downloader or YT-DLP.
Q4How much storage do I need for 4K videos?
4K videos require approximately 7 GB per hour (at standard bitrate). An 8K video needs about 15-20 GB per hour. Ensure you have sufficient storage before downloading, and consider using an external drive for a 4K video library.
Q5Is there a difference between 4K and 2160p?
4K and 2160p are essentially the same resolution (3840×2160 pixels) for consumer content. "4K" is the marketing term, while "2160p" is the technical specification. YouTube uses both terms interchangeably in quality settings.
Q6Can I download 8K videos from YouTube?
Yes, if the video was uploaded in 8K and you use a capable tool like 4K Video Downloader or YT-DLP. 8K content is rare on YouTube, file sizes are enormous (15-20 GB/hour), and you need very fast internet (80+ Mbps) and compatible hardware.
Q7Why are my 4K downloads taking so long?
4K video files are 4-7 times larger than 1080p. A 10-minute 4K video (~1.2 GB) requires at least 35 Mbps internet to download in reasonable time. Solutions: use faster internet, download during off-peak hours, or use a download manager with acceleration.
Q8Do all YouTube videos have 4K quality?
No, only videos uploaded in 4K (or higher) are available in 4K quality. Many videos max out at 1080p or even 720p. Check the video's quality options on YouTube before downloading. Professional channels and recent content are more likely to have 4K.
Conclusion
For the best 4K YouTube downloading experience, use 4K Video Downloader if you want ease of use, or YT-DLP if you need maximum control and unlimited downloads. Remember that online converters cannot handle 4K quality—desktop applications are required.
Before downloading, always verify the video actually has 4K quality available, and ensure you have sufficient storage and internet speed. While 4K offers stunning quality, it comes with significant storage requirements.
Related Resources:
- Best YouTube Downloader in 2026
- YouTube to MP4: Best Free Converters
- How to Download YouTube Videos
Written By
NoteLM Team
The NoteLM team specializes in AI-powered video summarization and learning tools. We are passionate about making video content more accessible and efficient for learners worldwide.
AI/ML DevelopmentVideo ProcessingEducational Technology
Sources & References
Last verified: January 8, 2026
Video quality depends on original upload quality. File sizes are approximate and may vary based on encoding.
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