What is a WAV file? WAV (WAVE) is short for Waveform Audio File Format. WAV is an audio standard developed by Microsoft and IBM specifically for storing audio bitstreams on computers. The WAV file is used for raw and uncompressed audio, and it has grown to become a standard computer audio format for everything from system and game sounds to radio broadcasting.
Since the WAV file is very popular now, it is not hard to find an audio player that is compatible with the WAV file. In this article, we have listed the 10 best WAV players we could find for you to play WAV player smoothly on PC/Mac.
| Products | Operating Platforms | Sound Quality | Supported Formats | Ease of use | Free/Paid |
| Free Media Player | Windows, Mac | Great (DTS-HD &Dolby TrueHD) | MP3, FLAC, AAC, WAV, OGG, ALAC, AIFF, etc. | √ | Free |
| Blu-ray Player | Windows, Mac | Excellent (HD/4K) | Blu-ray, DVD, MP4, MP3, FLAC, AAC, WAV, etc. | √ | Paid (Free Version) |
| VLC Media Player | Windows, Mac, Linux | Great | MP3, FLAC, WAV, OGG, ALAC, AIFF, etc. | × | Free |
| Windows Media Player | Windows | Good | MP3, WAV, WMA, WMV, AVI, etc. | √ | Free |
| iTunes | Windows, Mac | Great | AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, M4A, MOV | √ | Free |
| Winamp | Windows | Normal | MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG | √ | Free |
| Jumpshare | Online, Windows, Mac | Normal | MP4, MP3, WAV, AVI (cloud-based) | √ | Free/Paid |
| Elmedia Player | Mac | Great | WAV, FLV, SWF, AVI, MOV, MP3, FLAC | √ | Paid |
| MusicBee | Windows | Excellent | MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, WMA, OGG | × | Free |
| VOX Media Player | Mac, iOS | Great (Hi-Res) | FLAC, MP3, WAV, DSD, APE, etc. | × | Paid |
You may also need: 10 Best MP4 Players for Windows 11/10/7 PC, Mac, and Online.
Free Media Player is a free but versatile media player that supports various audio and video formats, including WAV, MP4, MP3, and other mainstream digital formats. It allows users to play WAV music without complicated settings. So it is ideal for casual listening or basic multimedia needs with a lower budget.
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Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player is designed for high-quality playback, supporting WAV audio and Blu-ray discs. It can play music or videos with clear sound and stable performance. For its cross-format support, this all-in-one WAV player is suitable for audio and video enthusiasts who seek a high-quality experience. Users can enjoy both music and movies in high fidelity.
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VLC Media Player, a free, open-source WAV player, supports WAV and almost every other audio and video format. It includes many customizable options, such as plugins, audio filters, and subtitle support. Therefore, it is an ideal WAV player for advanced users who want flexibility, but it will be a little bit difficult for some beginners. Find simpler VLC alternatives here!
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Windows Media Player is the built-in media player in Windows systems, supporting WAV and other common audio and video formats. It provides smooth playback, playlist management, and basic audio settings. It is convenient for users who prefer simple and integrated solutions, without the need to download programs.
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You may also need: Top 10 Windows Media Player Alternatives 2025 [Updated].
iTunes is Apple's WAV media player and library manager that plays WAV files and other formats. It allows users to organize music, create playlists, sync devices, and purchase content. It is ideal for Apple ecosystem users who want seamless music management among multiple devices. However, it is aimed to play and manage Apple music, not a professional WAV file player.
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Winamp is another classic music player that features customizable skins, visualizations, and plugin support. It is a lightweight and efficient WAV player, which can provide stable playback for music enthusiasts, although updates have been slow in recent years.
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Jumpshare, an online WAV player, allows users to play WAV files directly in the browser. It supports online streaming and previews, which is convenient without installation or extension. Besides, it features easy sharing across devices. Ideal for casual and fast usage without heavy software.
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Elmedia Player is a versatile multimedia player for Mac. It offers streaming, high-quality playback, supports showing lyrics and subtitles, and has flexible audio settings. It is a perfect WAV playing tool for Mac users who are looking for a reliable player for both local files and online streams.
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MusicBee is a powerful WAV player and library manager, which can play WAV files and other widely used audio formats. It offers customizable interface options, advanced audio effects, and automatic library organization. Ideal for audiophiles and users who want to personalize their listening experience.
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VOX Media Player is a high-fidelity audio player. It is compatible with WAV, FLAC, and other lossless formats. Unlike other WAV players above, it integrates with cloud storage. Designed with a clean, simple interface, it is appropriate if users seek premium higher audio quality and lower distractions.
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How to free play WAV files on Mac?
Free Media Player is definitely what you want. This free Mac WAV player is able to let you play WAV files with great audio quality.
Can VLC play WAV files?
Yes, VLC can play WAV files. VLC comes equipped with the digital programming that instructs it how to handle data sent via the WAV format.
1) Launch the VLC media player. Click on "Media" from the menu bar.
2) Click on "Open File" from the pop-up window and get ready to load your WAV files.
3) Click on the "Open" button. The WAV file will load and the VLC media player will start playing it automatically.
How do I play WAV file on my mobile phone?
You can use Free Video Converter to free convert music to WAV format and then play WAV iPhone or Android smartphone.
Conclusion
In this article, I have introduced the 10 best WAV players to help you play WAV files smoothly on Windows or Mac. You can choose one that suits your personal needs. Of course, a WAV player is not optional. You could also try to convert WAV file to MP3 for easy enjoyment on your iPhone/iPod/Android devices. Have a better WAV player recommendation? Feel free to leave your suggestion down below!
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Blu-ray Player is a powerful player that can play Blu-ray disc, Blu-ray folder, DVD disc/folder/ISO file, acting as common media player for any HD/SD video files.
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