How to Compress MKV Files Without Losing Quality [Newly Update]

Better quality always means bigger sizes when it comes to video and audio formats. As compared to mp4, which is widely accepted because of its compatibility and compressed size, MKV is of better quality with the ability to contain more than one audio and subtitle track. However, sharing, uploading, or downloading MKV files becomes a nightmare. So Swagwall Jackson from Reddit raised this question:

If you have the same problems, you must know how to compress MKV files. This article highlights a few of the best MKV compressors for Windows and Online to reduce MKV file size without loss in quality. Let's dig deeper.

The following table presents the test data used in our experiments to evaluate the effectiveness and difficulty of these selected tools.

Compress MKV Files With EaseUS VideoKit

EaseUS VideoKit is a powerful video editing tool with great compressing capacity. This audio converter works with hundreds of different audio formats, including MP3, M4A, MAV, M4R, AIFF, APE, FLAC, ACS, AAC, OGG, AMR, MP2, etc. Whether you want to convert audio to audio or extract audio from video, it will be your great choice.

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Also, this media converter makes 8k/5k/4k/HD video conversion a piece of cake. By decoding and encoding videos with advanced conversion technology, it enables flawless video conversion - the converted videos can maintain 1:1 or get higher quality than the original files. In addition, this video converter can also convert multiple video files simultaneously to save you time and effort.

For example, you may follow these simple steps to compress MKV files:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS VedioKit and move to the "Video Converter" tab.

Step 2. Click "Choose File" or drag and drop your video files to the area. Add another file or folder atop. 

Step 3. Select the target format that you want to convert, and define its ratio, or you can choose a specific rate under "Device" and "Web Video" for certain platforms. You can also tab the gear icon next to the file to access the same interface.

Step 4. Click "Save to" for the location, and check "Merge all files" to merge them. Choose turn on "High-speed conversion" and "GPU Acceleration" optionally.

Step 5. Press "Convert" at the right of the clip or click "Convert All" in the bottom right to convert. After that, you can find the converted file in the designated folder.

Compress MKV Video Files with HandBrake

HandBrake is an open-source video converter and compressor, and although it doesn't have any overly advanced features it has just simple features that can convert and compress videos well and quickly and without loss in quality. HandBrake video compression deals with compression at the codec level. So, when compressing or converting, it is better to just stick to the steps and not mess with any of the settings else you might lose a lot of video quality.

To Compress Video with HandBrake:

Step 1. Upload Video

The home screen of HandBrake has the instructions to upload video, you can drag and drop video or a whole file folder.

Step 2. Set Compression settings

Go under "Video" select Video codec and change to h.265; h.265 has a better compression rate and better quality enhancement than the fairly common h.264. You can also use any of the compression presets available.

Step 3. Start Encode

Click on the preview to see if the settings are just as you want them. Rename and change the save location at the bottom of the screen. Click on Start Encode and wait for the compression to finish.

Reduce an MKV File to a Smaller Size in VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is well known among movie lovers as one of the best video media players out there. It is available on most of the popular platforms. However, its features when it comes to video editing are a bit lacking, although it does compression well for software that was not mainly made for video editing. Its compression involves editing the MKV video codec, so you can be sure that there is only little quality loss, barely even noticeable most times. The compression speed is okay and the upload speed is at least fast. The best part is it supports upload of the same number of formats supported by VLC, and we know VLC supports almost all video formats and some major audio formats.

To Compress MKV using VLC:

Step 1. Upload Video

To start, click on Media, then Convert. In the next pop-up box, click on Add and select your video from your local disk.

Step 2. Change Resolution

You can upload as many videos when you are done. Click on the arrow beside Convert/Save and select Convert from the options. Next, click the settings icon and go to Video Codec>Resolution on the next screen. Downscale the resolution and click on Save.

Step 3. Compress

To change the save location, click on browse and select a save location. Click on Start to begin to compress the MKV video file.

Make an MKV File Smaller with Online Compressors

If you just want a casual MKV compressor for simple video compression, then use online tools. They work completely online and do not require you to download any software. Regardless of their limited capabilities, they still perform well, and some perform on the level of standard video editing software. You can try;

1. VEED.IO

VEED.io is, without a doubt, one of the best YouTube video Compressors. It can convert, compress, and edit video and audio. The compression option is a bit more advanced than most online converters. It has features like "pasting URL," which makes it easy to upload and compress video from any website. What's more? VEED.io uses the drag and drop feature, so you can just pick the video from your file explorer, drop it in the VEED.io interface and start editing.

2. Clideo

Clideo is another rare online video compressor that can compress video to at least 70% of its original size. It supports over 50 formats and has a breakneck compression speed, although uploading might take a little time depending on your video size. You can upload videos from your local drive or the cloud or use it to compress video on Mac.

In Conclusion

This article has gone through some simple methods to finish MKV compression and reduction. Using VLC, HandBrake, EaseUS VideoKit, and a series of online tools, you can reduce MKV file size with little to no quality loss.

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FAQs on Compressing MKV Files

Apart from the information given above, you may also want to know:

1. Why are MKV files so big?

MKV files are incredibly larger than your typical MP4 video files because they can contain a lot more features than MP4. While they both use the same h.265 or h.264 codec and HEVC, MKV can contain multiple subtitles and audio tracks.

2. Can you zip MKV video files?

Yes, you can compress and zip MKV files.

Although this may affect the quality, you will need the converters to convert without quality loss

3. How to compress MKV to MP4?

On your computer, you

• Download a reliable zip software popular ones include 7Zip, WinRAR, etc.
• Launch the software, navigate to the video location, and select the videos you want to zip
• Click on zip files to zip and compress videos into one file

If you've learned valuable insights on compressing MKV from our article, why not share it with your network and let them in on the secret?