Keep 4K or go to 1080p?
This page starts with the “Free up space” preset, which keeps the original 4K resolution and frame rate and lowers only the bitrate. That is the right choice for archiving: you keep the detail for a 4K TV and future editing. If you are going to share the video or watch it on a phone or laptop, set Resolution to 1080p — the file becomes roughly four times smaller again, and on a screen under 27 inches the difference is hard to see.
How big are 4K files?
| Device | Typical bitrate | Per minute |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 4K 30 fps HEVC | ≈ 45 Mbit/s | ≈ 350 MB |
| iPhone 4K 60 fps HEVC | ≈ 65 Mbit/s | ≈ 480 MB |
| GoPro HERO 4K 60 | ≈ 100 Mbit/s | ≈ 750 MB |
| DJI drone 4K | ≈ 100–150 Mbit/s | ≈ 0.75–1.1 GB |
| YouTube 4K stream (for comparison) | ≈ 15–25 Mbit/s | ≈ 110–190 MB |
Streaming services deliver 4K at a third or less of what cameras record — and it still looks great. That gap is what compression recovers.
Will my computer handle it?
Encoding 4K is heavy, but CompressLab uses your graphics card’s hardware encoder through the browser. On a laptop with Intel Quick Sync, AMD or NVIDIA graphics, or an Apple Silicon Mac, 4K usually encodes at or above real time. On older machines, convert to 1080p — it is about four times faster.
HDR footage
iPhones and many cameras record 4K in HDR. When you keep HEVC, CompressLab keeps the picture as close as the browser allows; when you convert to H.264 or 1080p for sharing, HDR is mapped to standard colors so it doesn’t look grey on non-HDR screens.
Questions
How do I compress 4K video without losing quality?
Keep the resolution and use the “Free up space” preset with HEVC. Files typically shrink by 50–70% with no visible difference.
How do I convert 4K to 1080p?
Turn on Advanced settings and set Resolution to 1080p, or pick the “Plays anywhere” preset, which also converts to H.264.
Is 4K to 1080p a big quality loss?
On phones, laptops and TVs under about 50 inches viewed from a sofa, most people can’t tell. On a large 4K TV up close, you will see the difference.
Last updated: 2026-10-30