Top 5 Low‑Resource Video Players That Still Offer Playlist + Queue + Resume Playback — Ideal for Older Machines or Long Series Binging

Watching videos on older or low-resource machines can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re used to features like playlists, queues, and resume playback. Fortunately, there are some lightweight media players that manage to pack in these perks without dragging your system to a halt. Whether you’re planning a long weekend of anime binging, or just want a reliable player that remembers where you left off, this guide highlights the top 5 video players that deliver the goods with a minimal footprint.

TL;DR

If you want a smooth binge-watching experience without taxing your older computer, there are several excellent lightweight video players worth exploring. The top five on our list not only support playlists, queues, and resume playback, but they also consume very little RAM and CPU. Options like MPV and SMPlayer combine robust features with minimal interfaces, while others like Light Alloy are tailor-made for long marathon viewing sessions. Choose one based on your preferred UI style and specific system limitations — all of them offer performance without sacrificing functionality.

1. MPV — Minimalist and Mighty

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Resource Usage: Very low
Best For: Tech-savvy users who prefer customization and performance

MPV is a command-line media player that may seem barebones at first glance but hides an enormous amount of power under the hood. Despite its minimalist design, MPV supports a wide range of video formats, hardware acceleration, and even scripting.

Key Features:

• Auto-resume playback with saved positions
• Custom playlist and queue support via scripting or front-ends
• GPU video decoding for ultra-smooth playback on old hardware

For users who want to make the most of MPV but aren’t keen on command-line setups, several lightweight front-ends like Celluloid (for Linux) or IINA (for macOS) can help introduce GUI comfort.

2. SMPlayer — Feature-Rich But Lightweight

Platform: Windows, Linux
Resource Usage: Low
Best For: Users who want a full-featured GUI without compromise

SMPlayer is a graphical front-end for MPV and MPlayer, offering nearly all the advanced features you’d expect in a premium player without the RAM-heavy burden. What makes SMPlayer so appealing is its unique blend of usability and performance.

Key Features:

• Remembers playback position of every file
• Supports playlist management and video queues
• YouTube integration via a built-in browser
• Custom skins and icon themes for low-resolution screens

Unlike many other players, SMPlayer also integrates easily with subtitles and offers playback tweaks like audio delay and deinterlace — all valuable for fans of older or foreign media content.

3. Light Alloy — Purpose-Built for Binging

Platform: Windows
Resource Usage: Low
Best For: TV show bingers who like a compact, clean interface

Designed with ergonomics in mind, Light Alloy aims to make video playback straightforward and efficient. This player boots fast, loads quickly, and offers granular control over queues and playlists without monopolizing system resources.

Key Features:

• Auto-bookmarks for last played position
• Highly customizable video queues and playlists
• Hardware acceleration and wide codec support
• Built-in timeline preview for long videos

Fans of watching documentaries, multi-part series, or lengthy lectures will especially appreciate the timeline preview, which offers a snapshot of progression without needing to fast-forward blindly.

4. VLC Media Player — The Reliable Classic

Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS
Resource Usage: Moderate (but still friendly for older systems)
Best For: Users who need format versatility and long-term support

Often the first name in media player circles, VLC remains a go-to option for many users. While newer and lighter options have gained ground, VLC still balances features and resource usage well, particularly on modest systems.

Key Features:

• Powerful playlist and queue editing including loops and shuffles
• Remembers where you stopped watching (with a plugin)
• Handles virtually all audio/video formats — no additional codecs required
• Stream media from local or networked sources

Its massive international user base and strong developer support also mean stability and reliability, which can make a big difference when all you want is uninterrupted enjoyment. Best of all, you likely already have it installed.

5. PotPlayer — Advanced Yet Resource-Savvy

Platform: Windows
Resource Usage: Low to moderate
Best For: Advanced users looking for fine-tuned playback on older rigs

PotPlayer is the Swiss army knife of video players for Windows, packed with customization options and output settings. While it runs richer than something like MPV, it’s surprisingly optimized to perform well even on aging laptops or desktops.

Key Features:

• Customizable playlist tools and playback queue
• Resume video from exact past timestamp without plugins
• Screen capture, slow motion, and subtitle options galore
• Hardware acceleration for smoother high-definition playback

The aesthetic may feel slightly cluttered to minimalists, but its deep control over playback settings will win over power viewers who regularly switch between formats or subtitle setups.

Honorable Mentions

Although not quite in the top five, it’s worth giving a nod to a couple of other players that may appeal to particular audiences.

• MPC-HC (Media Player Classic – Home Cinema): Very lightweight, though its development has slowed. Great for enthusiasts who value a retro feel.
• GOM Player: Includes playlist options and built-in codec support but comes with ads in the free version, which may frustrate some users on older PCs.

Tips for Best Results on Low-Resource Machines

To get the most out of these players, a few extra optimizations can help significantly:

• Always enable hardware acceleration if supported
• Use lower resolution or compressed formats when available
• Disable background apps and visual system effects when watching

Even the most powerful player won’t help if you’re trying to run it alongside a dozen browser tabs and streaming music in the background.

Final Thoughts

Being stuck with an older machine doesn’t have to strip away your enjoyment of long form or bulk content. With wisely chosen software, you can build the perfect binge-watching setup without sacrificing speed or functionality. Whether you lean toward command-line efficiency or prefer a polished GUI, there’s a player in this list that checks all the boxes: playlist creation, queue management, and resume playback.

Give one or more a try — your CPU (and favorite series) will thank you.