The best shaders for Minecraft Java edition of 2020! Please note that I left every shader to its default settings, so even though there are settings ingame for changing the shader quality and performance, this comparison is based on the default values.
If you play MCPE, check out the best shaders for it over here: Best MCPE shaders.
1. SEUS Renewed
Download from: Official SEUS site
Performance requirement: High
Latest version of the legendary SEUS shader. Previously I used both SEUS v10 and v11 and loved them both.
All kinds of Minecraft texture packs and resource packs, to change the look of Minecraft in your game. Related: The best Minecraft texture packs for Java Edition While BSL and SEUS are both fantastic all-rounder, but if you're after a slightly more realistic shader then BSL is the one to go for.
2. Sildur's Vibrant Shaders (Extreme)
Download from: Official Sildur's site
Performance requirement: Medium
Very colorful and 'happy' feeling shader. Even though this is the extreme version of the shader, the performance requirement is quite medium – even on the lower end of this list.
3. Sildur's Vibrant Shaders (Lite)
Download from: Official Sildur's site
Performance requirement: Medium-Low?
The previous one was the extreme version, this is the lite version. I see very little change in frame rate between the two versions. Maybe they truly are that similar in FPS, or maybe Minecraft just utilizes the extra frames to something else. Just give it a try if the higher end versions lag!
4. Chocapic13 V8 (Ultra)
Download from: Curse Forge
Performance requirement: Medium-High
I have never used Chocapic13's shaders to my knowledge, but I think it is pretty popular, so I included it in this list. Has pretty 'realistic' feeling, and decent frame rates.
5. Continuum 2
Download from: Official Continuum site
Performance requirement: Extreme
Very realistic shader with a high performance impact. Not sure how much it can be customized for lower performance impact – as I said in the beginning, these performance values are based on the default shader settings.
6. Continuum v1.3
Download from: Official Continuum site
Performance requirement: Extreme
Honestly, I kinda prefer the older Continuum version to the new Continuum 2. I like the colors, and I used to use it in my cinematic back couple years ago. Very high performance hit, but if your computer can handle it, it can give very nice screenshots for an example.
7. KUDA Shaders v6.1
Download from: KUDA's developer site
Performance requirement: Medium
Another legendary shader, stands next to SEUS in my opinion. There's a newer shader from the same creator as KUDA called 'projectLuma', but it did not work for me for some reason – that's why I wanted to go with the classic KUDA instead.
8. Robobo1221's Shader v7.1 (Extreme)
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Shaders Download
Download from: Minecraft Forum
Performance requirement: Extreme
Extreme performance requirements, very beautiful. Has very nice weather effects, which makes it really stand out in this comparison. Check out the video above!
9. Robobo1221's Shader v7.1 (Medium)
Download from: Paradox Forum (Link disabled, as I think the forum got hacked – it redirects me to scam ads)
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Shaders Mods
Alternative download: Github
Performance requirement: Medium
More performance friendly version. Has some features missing from the extreme version, but way higher frame rates. Choose the version that better suits your desktop computer or laptop!
Download from: KUDA's developer site
Performance requirement: Medium
Another legendary shader, stands next to SEUS in my opinion. There's a newer shader from the same creator as KUDA called 'projectLuma', but it did not work for me for some reason – that's why I wanted to go with the classic KUDA instead.
8. Robobo1221's Shader v7.1 (Extreme)
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Shaders Download
Download from: Minecraft Forum
Performance requirement: Extreme
Extreme performance requirements, very beautiful. Has very nice weather effects, which makes it really stand out in this comparison. Check out the video above!
9. Robobo1221's Shader v7.1 (Medium)
Download from: Paradox Forum (Link disabled, as I think the forum got hacked – it redirects me to scam ads)
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Shaders Mods
Alternative download: Github
Performance requirement: Medium
More performance friendly version. Has some features missing from the extreme version, but way higher frame rates. Choose the version that better suits your desktop computer or laptop!
10. Sushi Shaders v2
Download from: Minecraft Forum
Performance requirement: Medium
Sushi Shaders has pretty unique colors compared to the rest, so I decided to include it. I also like the water, but the color screme is a bit too cold/blue for my liking.
This comparison was brought to you by JerenVids and Vaihe.
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition mixes exploration, survival and creativity all into a pixelated and blocky world of mystery and wonder. You can create fantastic structures and buildings and collaborate with the other players on the map. In fact, half the fun of Minecraft comes down to the gameplay with other players. Over the years, Minecraft has changed a lot, but the essence of the game remains the same. You have a randomly generated world that you can mine for materials, and you can explore underground caves and other things.
You start the game with your bare hands, but you can cut down trees to obtain wood and build other things. With the wood, you can create sticks and planks that help you to build a workbench. Using the workbench, you can craft tools and objects. While you might start with the more primitive tools, you continue to work your way up to creating armors, metal tools and weapons that will help you to survive in the world of Minecraft. Survival mode in Minecraft pits you against the dangerous monsters of the game, and while you can take to fighting them, your best bet is to take shelter until the sun rises.
Creative mode, where you do not have the monsters to contend with, is a little different. Instead you have other threats, like hunger, and you can use the game to create a variety of different structures. What becomes the main focus in Creative mode is to create interesting buildings. You have more of a 'LEGO' element in this mode, which is part of what made Minecraft into a wildly popular game with parents and children alike. In fact, Minecraft is one of the best games around for expressing your creativity, and even when you go into survival mode, you have a perfectly family-friendly game.
One aspect that has made Minecraft different from other games is how little gets explained. You start out inside of a world, and there are no instructions. Luckily, as the game has grown and continued, a rich and detailed online Wiki site has been constructed that lets you find guides and information. It might not look like the type of game where you can get a lot of depth, but Minecraft actually has a surprising level of depth to it. Once you grasp the basics of mining, survival and crafting, it becomes exceptionally fun to play. Few games, even in today's market, give you the same level of freedom that you find with Minecraft. The landscapes can be dramatic, and both the sunrises and sunsets are interesting to watch. Overall, it is a great game to check out that will give you and the whole family a creative outlet.
Pros
- Hours of Creative Fun, and Always More to Do
- A Gigantic Sandbox World
- Fun for the Whole Family
- Freedom to Explore and Try New Things
Cons
- Graphics are Blocky—Not the Best
- Cannot Cross Save with the PC Version
