Overview

HandBrake is a free, open-source tool for converting video between formats and shrinking large files without a noticeable quality drop.

Step 1

Open HandBrake and click Open Source to select your video file.

Step 2

Choose a preset from the right-hand panel — "Fast 1080p30" is a solid default for general use, while "Web" presets are optimized for smaller file sizes.

Step 3

Set your output format to MP4 under the Summary tab for the widest compatibility across devices.

Step 4

Click Start Encode and choose where to save the converted file.

Tips

  • Lower the "RF" (quality) value slightly for better quality at the cost of a bigger file, or raise it to shrink the file further.
  • Use the Preview window to check quality before committing to a full encode on a large file.

Conclusion

HandBrake covers nearly every everyday video conversion need without watermarks, file-size limits, or a subscription.