AAC vs MP3: Which is the Best Audio Format?

Have you ever noticed the number of audio formats in your digital music library? Most of us listen to and use MP3 audio format, but what about AAC? When considering audio quality, which would you choose between MP3 and AAC for downloading music?

If you want to figure out which one is right for you, you first need to understand the differences between the two audio formats, and their pros and cons in terms of sound quality, file size, and compatibility. On this page, I'll go over the differences between AAC and MP3 and help you choose the best audio format for your needs.

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• How to Convert MP3 to AAC

AAC vs MP3: Which Format Is Best for Your Music?

AAC and MP3 are lossy audio formats that use compression to create smaller audio files. MP3 is a format specifically designed for audio and has long been the standard compressed format for music playback on digital audio players. While AAC is generally considered to be superior to MP3 in terms of audio quality and file size, it hasn't been as widely adopted.

MP3 Primer

MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) is a digital audio encoding format that, since its introduction in 1993, has become one of the most widely used audio file formats globally over the past three decades.

By discarding parts of the PCM audio data that are less important to human hearing, MP3s reduce the file size significantly, enabling compression to a much smaller file. The resulting files are typically one-tenth the size of the original. Their small size and acceptable audio quality contributed to their wide adoption.

An Overview of AAC

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is an audio coding standard for lossy digital audio compression, designed to be the successor to the MP3 format. It typically achieves higher sound quality than MP3 at the same bit rate.

Although AAC is of a higher quality, it has not been as widely adopted as MP3 – at least, not yet. It is, however, gaining popularity. Today, many streaming and broadcast services use AAC, including the iPhone, iPod, iPad, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo 3DS, iTunes, DivX Plus Web Player, and PlayStation 3. AAC is a more efficient audio codec than MP3.

AAC vs MP3: Which Is Better?

AAC and MP3 file formats differ in terms of audio quality, file size, and compatibility.

Audio Quality

Though the difference in audio quality between them is negligible, AAC performs better than MP3 at lower bitrates. The AAC format maintains a brighter and clearer sound because of its adaptive transform window sizes and pure MDCT algorithm. However, if you're dealing with files below 128 kbps, an MP3 file's quality might start to sound a bit muddled.

File size

AAC files are usually slightly smaller than MP3 files. When encoding MP3 and AAC files, AAC files tend to be smaller without sacrificing audio quality during the compression process. If you have limited storage space, using AAC for your music can save you a lot of room.

Compatibility

The MP3 file format is more compatible, as it is supported by virtually all music players and devices. In contrast, AAC might not be playable on all devices, particularly on Android and Windows platforms. Currently, AAC is widely used by Apple across its popular devices like the iPhone and iPod.

There is a comparison chart that might help you choose the right one.

If you're an Apple user with a high-quality audio setup and plenty of storage space, AAC is probably your best bet.

If you're used to Windows or Android, don't need the highest quality audio, and have limited storage, MP3 will be your best bet.

If you have many ACC files that you'd like to convert to MP3, give Video Editor a try. This app can help you make this transition effortlessly.

Best Format Converter Software - Video Editing Tools

Tool Video Editor is the best audio format converter software that not only supports audio format conversion but also video format conversion. With this app, you can also edit your audios and videos. If you really need to convert your files, Tool Video Editor would be the best choice.

Advantages:

• Best Free Audio Converter Software
• Supports video formats like MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, and more
• Allows adding music, filters, text, overlays, and video elements
• Features over 300+ special effects and transition options

How to Convert a Video to AAC or MP3:

Now I'll show you how to use the tool Video Editor to convert your video into either of these formats.

Step 1: Launch the video editing software, and the program will prompt you to choose a project aspect ratio. Pick one of the three options displayed on the screen.

Choose the video aspect ratio

Step 2: On the next screen, tap on "Import" at the top and select your video file.

Step 3: Locate your video, then select it. Right-click the video and select "Add to Project." This will add the video to your current project.

Step 4. Click the “Export” button on top to export the video as an MP3 file.

Step 5: On the next screen, click the “Audio” tab and then choose MP3. When you're done, click “Export” to save the converted file to your computer.

Conclusions

On this page, you'll learn the differences between ACC and MP3 audio formats and which one is more suitable for you. In terms of compatibility, MP3 is a better choice. If you're an Apple user and need smaller audio files with better quality, then AAC file format would be more appropriate for you. If you're unsure how to extract audio from a video or convert audio formats, the Video Editor tool will be your best assistant.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've gathered some common questions about audio formats to help you decide which one is right for you.

1. Is AAC better than 320kbps MP3?

The higher the bitrate, the less compression an audio file will have. AAC is slightly better than MP3, so if you're choosing between those options, 320kbps AAC would be the best. At the same bitrate, AAC is usually considered to be superior to MP3.

2. Is 256 kbps AAC good quality?

Bitrate is the best way to judge the quality of an audio file compared to its source. The higher the bitrate, the better the quality of the audio file. So, a 256 kbps MP3 or AAC file will be better quality than a 128 kbps one.

What is the best MP3 bit rate for the highest audio quality?

Bit rates range from 96 to 320 kbps. A bit rate of 128 kbps is typically sufficient for radio-quality sound. To match the quality of a CD, a bit rate of 160 kbps or higher is recommended.