Handling your audio formats can be challenging, primarily if you're new to the industry. You may need help opening, accessing, and editing them, so we're here to help. This guide will help you discover the best AAC audio players to support your needs and get the highest-quality results.
Keep reading for a bonus tip to help retrieve all lost AAC files from your devices if things go sideways.
In this article
What Is the AAC Format?
The AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) file format is better and faster than the standard MP3 format while using similar technical specifications. The audio format supports 48 full-bandwidth audio channels and can support up to 96kHz frequencies. It's compatible with numerous operating systems and devices, such as Mac, Android, iOS, Windows, Nintendo, web players, PlayStation, and many more, making it one of the most universal file formats on the market.
It came into the picture in 1972, and since then, it has improved immensely, offering numerous advanced features and technologies. Check out some of them:
- High-quality sound – The AAC format provides advanced compression features that don't compromise the audio's quality.
- Frequency – This format supports over 50 frequency effects and multiple channels to enhance audio encoding.
- Encoding variety – You can use numerous encoding methods on AAC files, making them compatible and flexible.
Criteria for Choosing the Best AAC Audio Player
Since selecting the ideal AAC audio player can be challenging, we've compiled a list of criteria you can use in your search:
- Helpful features
- Audio reproduction quality
- Seamless UX and UI
- Customization Compatibility with platforms and devices.
Best AAC Audio Players
Here is a quick check for you:
| Top AAC Audio Players | What for? |
| VLC | Best AAC Audio Player |
| AIMP | Lightweight AAC Audio Player |
| 5KPlayer | Universal AAC High-Quality Streamer |
| Winamp: | The Most Customizable AAC Player |
| Foobar2000 | An Excellent AAC Player with Tagging Features |
| Lark Player | Customizable AAC Fromat Player |
VLC: Best AAC Audio Player
VLC media player may be one of the most popular options. One of its best aspects is that it supports multiple file formats, some of which are rare, making this player one of the most universal solutions.
Key Features
VLC media player offers extensive features, including the following:
- DVD ripper
- Video converter
- Video downloader
- Internet radio player
Supported OS
This application is compatible with all popular operating systems, such as Windows, ReactOS, macOS, Linux, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and Xbox system software.
Pros and Cons
Pricing
VLC media player is free; you won't have to pay for a subscription to open your favorite AAC files.
AIMP: Lightweight AAC Audio Player
AIMP is a free audio player available for Windows and Android users. One of its best features is the smart playlist creator. The program will combine some of your similar files into one playlist for a more convenient experience.
Key Features
AIMP is another feature-packed tool. You can use some of the following advanced features to make your AAC experience more efficient:
- Multi-user mode
- Bookmarks
- CUE sheets support
- Plugin support
Supported OS
This program currently supports Windows, Linux, and Android operating systems. We hope that the list will expand in the future.
Pros and Cons
Pricing
AIMP is another entirely free audio player.
5KPlayer: Universal AAC High-Quality Streamer
5K Player is among the most universal audio players on the market. It's popular because it can download, stream, and open multiple audio formats and files. You can also convert your files with this tool, which is why it's so universal.
Key Features
5K Player doesn't offer many features, but those you'll find will improve your AAC experience. Here are some of the best features this program has:
- Downloaders
- Radio players
- Support for AirPlay and DLNA Wireless streaming
- Hardware acceleration
Supported OS
This audio player is currently compatible with Windows and macOS devices. Thus, you can only access it on your PC or Mac to open the desired AAC files.
Pros and Cons
Pricing
5K Player is also free; you won't have to spend a dime to play your AAC files.
Winamp: The Most Customizable AAC Player
Winamp is one of the world's oldest yet most loved players. Although it has been around for 25 years, the tool keeps improving and providing the best experience. One of its unique benefits is that you can ask the developers to add your ideas to the feature list.
Key Features
Winamp provides many valuable features, including the following:
- Interface skins
- Plugin support
- Winamp remote
- Podcatcher
Supported OS
The Winamp application is available on most operating systems, meaning you can enjoy your AAC experience across devices. All the supported OS are Windows, Android, MS-DOS (DOSamp), and macOS.
Pros and Cons
Pricing
Winamp is a free audio player with many excellent features. However, if you want professional experience and to share your creations easily, you can opt for Winamp for Creators for $50 a year. If you choose this option, you'll enter the audio world of limitless possibilities.
Foobar2000: An Excellent AAC Player with Tagging Features
Foobar2000 is an excellent player that fits all of your audio needs. It can open all file types without issues. One feature characteristic of this player is tagging; it has one of the best tagging functionalities in the audio player market.
Key Features
The application has many features, including the following:
- FLAC
- Radio bug fixes
- Custom keyboard shortcuts
- Gapless playback
Supported OS
Foobar2000 is available for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows NT, and macOS operating systems. You can use it on almost all devices and enjoy smooth AAC playback.
Pros and Cons
Pricing
Foobar2000 is a freeware tool, meaning you don't have to pay for a subscription to use its features.
Lark Player: Customizable AAC Fromat Player
Lark Player is an application that provides Android users with the best audio player experience. The app has many features, but the one that stands out is real-time synced lyrics. The program displays lyrics for all the songs you want to play.
Key Features
As mentioned above, Lark Player has many advanced features, but some that affect the listening experience the most are the following:
- Equalizers
- Numerous themes
- Sound customization
- Library management tools
Supported OS
Lark Player is currently only available for Android devices. If you have a phone with Android OS and want the best AAC experience, Lark Player may be your ideal choice.
Pros and Cons
Pricing
Lark Player is a free Android app you can get on Google Play. You don't have to pay to use any of its advanced features.
Bonus Tip: How to Recover Lost AAC Audio Player Files
Although AAC file formats are excellent and can hold high-quality audio files, nothing can guarantee they won't get lost. You may face corruption issues or get a computer virus, which may erase your data, including AAC files. If you ever experience such a situation, we're here to help.
One of the best methods to recover lost AAC files is to use a trusted third-party software solution like Wondershare Recoverit. This tool has 35 patented technologies and over 20 years of history in the recovery industry, meaning it will get your data back.
The tool's advanced scanning systems and recovery mechanisms provide a mind-boggling success rate of 98%. Thus, regardless of the data loss scenario or file type, you can rely on Wondershare Recoverit for a successful recovery experience.
Therefore, visit the official Wondershare Recoverit website and download and install the program. Once you get it up and running, follow the steps below for a successful AAC file recovery:
- Open Wondershare Recoverit and click Hard Drives and Locations.
- Choose the storage with your lost AAC files.
- The software will start an automatic scan. You can suspend it if you're short on time and resume it later.
- While the program searches for lost files, you can filter the results by file size and type (among other filters).
- You can also look for specific files by name.
- Once the program finishes scanning, preview and select the recovered files. Click Recover.
- Choose the destination.
The process will take a few minutes, helping you retrieve all your lost ACC files.
Conclusion
Coming into the picture in 1972, the AAC file format is better than the standard MP3 format while using similar technical specifications. Here, we've presented a list of the best, most reliable players supporting the AAC format to help you get the smoothest experience. We've also presented a powerful recovery tool to keep by your side if you lose your AAC files.
FAQ
What player can play AAC files?
Many audio players support AAC file streaming. Some of the most popular options include VLC media player, Winamp, and AIMP, but you can choose a player that best fits your audio preferences.Can Android play AAC?
Android can play your favorite AAC files, but you must download an app supporting the format. One of the best players on the Android market is Lark Player, which has many editing features.Can MP3 players play AAC?
Most modern MP3 players allow AAC streaming. Both audio formats are popular, so you can quickly find applications and programs that support them.What is High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding (HE-AAC)?
HE-AAC is an extension for low-complexity AAC files designed to deliver a better streaming and listening experience. It's used for numerous professions, such as radios, software media players, and many more, due to its advanced streaming capabilities. This audio format's typical configurations include 16/32 kHz, 22.05/ 44.1 kHz, or 24/48 kHz sampling rates, as well as 24kHz to 48kHz frequencies, making it ideal for professional use.
