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AzureMoon's avatar
AzureMoon
Silver Contributor
Oct 23, 2025

What’s your best YouTube to WAV converter for PC?

Hey guys,
I’m trying to grab some high-quality audio from a few YouTube videos for a project, and I specifically need WAV files (not MP3). I’ve seen a bunch of sketchy “free” youtube to wav converters online, but most are packed with ads or trashware.

So I’m wondering — what’s actually working for you these days?
Looking for something clean, simple, and that doesn’t kill audio quality. Ideally for Windows, but I’m open to options.

What’s your favorite YouTube to WAV converter for PC right now?

9 Replies

  • Dyloinan's avatar
    Dyloinan
    Silver Contributor

    You can use the AllCliipDown app for doing this. It works quite good for that.

  • KennedyScott's avatar
    KennedyScott
    Iron Contributor

    Using Internet Download Manager (IDM) to convert YouTube to WAV for free involves a workaround, since IDM itself doesn't have built-in audio conversion features. However, you can use IDM to download YouTube videos and then use a separate tool to extract and convert the audio to WAV format. Here's a general overview of how this trick works:

    1. Download Video from YouTube with IDM:

    • When you play a YouTube video in your browser, IDM can detect the video and offer you the option to download it directly.
    • Choose the highest quality available for the best audio quality.

     

    2. Save the Video File:

    • IDM downloads the video in formats like MP4 or WebM, which contain both video and audio streams.

     

    3. Extract Audio and Convert to WAV:

    • Use a free video/audio converter tool (Like Aud0city, or FFmppeg) to:
    • Open the downloaded video.
    • Extract the audio track.
    • Save or convert it directly to WAV format.

     

    IDM is primarily a download manager, so the "trick" involves leveraging its download capabilities and then using free YouTube to WAV converter. This process is free but requires a few extra steps and tools. Always respect copyright laws when downloading content from YouTube.

  • Bonniewest's avatar
    Bonniewest
    Bronze Contributor

    If you are finding a best YouTube to WAV converter for your PC. Foobar2000 is a free, versatile audio player that also supports converting audio files, including extracting audio from YouTube videos with the right setup. However, Foobar2000 itself doesn’t directly download videos. You’ll need an additional plugin or tool to download content first, then convert it to WAV using Foobar2000.

    How does the YouTube to WAV converter work:

    1. Download the Video or Audio

    2. Install Foobar2000 and Necessary Components

    3. Set Up Foobar2000 to Convert to WAV
       Launch Foobar2000.
       Add the downloaded audio file (MP3, MP4, etc.) to your playlist.
       Right-click the file, select "Convert" > "...".
       In the Converter Setup window:
       Choose WAV (Microsoft) as the output format.
       Configure the settings (sample rate, channels, etc.) if needed.
       Click "Convert".

    4. Save the WAV File
       Choose the output location and filename.
       Click "Convert" to start the process.
       Once done, you'll have a WAV version of your YouTube audio.

  • Record youtube video as WAV on a PC. If you're looking to capture YouTube audio in pristine WAV format while enjoying a visual interface that doesn't require command-line expertise, OBS Studio offers a surprisingly powerful solution.  This method bridges the gap between simple screen recorders and complex audio workstations, providing a visual, real-time approach to audio capture that shows you exactly what you're recording.

    1. Install OBS Studio from obsproject.com

    2. Setup Audio Sources:

    • Add Browser Source for YouTube
    • OR Add Audio Output Capture → Select your system audio
    • In Audio Mixer, click gear icon → Advanced Audio Properties
    • Set monitoring to "Monitor and Output"

    3. Configure Recording Settings:

    • File → Settings → Output
    • Set Output Mode to "Advanced"
    • Recording tab → Type: "Standard"
    • Recording Format: Choose "wav" or "flac" (lossless)
    • Audio Bitrate: Set to 320 or "Lossless" if available

    4. Record and convert youtube to wav:

    • Start YouTube playback
    • Click "Start Recording"
    • Stop when finished
    • File shows in specified folder

    Unlike browser-based youtube to wav converters that recompress audio or command-line tools that operate invisibly, OBS lets you monitor levels, visualize audio waveforms, and ensure perfect recordings before you even hit stop—all while maintaining the lossless quality that WAV format promises.

     

  • Treysil's avatar
    Treysil
    Iron Contributor

    How much do you know about YTDLGUI? This is a bit of a "cheat" answer, but as a YouTube to WAV converter for PC, it's worth mentioning because it completely eliminates the command-line complexity you want to avoid. It uses the yt-d11p engine under the hood but provides a simple Windows interface for it.

    Why it's great:
    All the power, none of the typing: You get the legendary reliability and quality of the best download engine without ever opening a command prompt.
    Direct WAV conversion: Easily select WAV as your output format.
    Batch downloads: Excellent for processing multiple videos.

    How does the YouTube to WAV converter work:
    Search for and download "yt-d1g" (yt-d11p GUI) from its GitHub page.
    You will also need to download FFmppeeg (as a separate ffmppeeg.exe file) and point the program to it in the settings. This is a one-time setup.
    After setup, you just paste URLs, select "wav" from the format dropdown, and click download.

  • Xanksipko's avatar
    Xanksipko
    Iron Contributor

    Using a browser extension in Microsoft Edge or Chrome is a very convenient and popular method if you are looking for a best YouTube to WAV converter for PC. It can be a great choice. Extensions add a small button directly to your browser (usually near the address bar). When you're on a YouTube video page, you click that button, and it gives you options to download the audio, often in various formats including WAV.

    Pros:

    • Extremely Convenient: The download button appears right on the YouTube page. No copying and pasting URLs into a separate website or program.
    • Fast: It's often just one or two clicks to start the download.
    • Integrated: Works seamlessly within your browsing workflow.

     

    Major Cautions:

    • Sketchy Extensions are Common: This is the biggest risk. Many free downloader extensions are packed with ads, track your browsing data, or can even contain malware.
    • They Break Frequently: Like other YouTube to WAV converters for PC (third-party). YouTube frequently changes its code to block these downloaders. An extension that works perfectly today might stop working tomorrow until the developer issues an update.
    • Unreliable Quality: You often don't get a choice for the audio bitrate, so you might not be getting the true "high-quality" WAV you're looking for.

     

    Based on popularity and longevity (as of late 2023), here are two types you can investigate. Always check the most recent reviews before installing.

    • "Vide0 Downloader Prime" / "Audi0 Downloader Prime": These are popular examples that have been around for a while and often support multiple formats.
    • "YouTube Audi0 Downloader" / "YT Audio Downloader": Extensions with names like this are specifically designed for audio and are more likely to have a WAV option.
  • Faudo's avatar
    Faudo
    Iron Contributor

    Windows Video Editor is a creative and 100% Microsoft-native workaround. It doesn't download from YouTube directly, but it can convert any video file on your PC to an audio file. This method gives you a clean, GUI-based application, perfectly aligning with your request for a simple, non-technical, and safe solution that avoids the more complex YouTube to WAV converter for PC.

    The Workflow:

    1. Get the video file: First, you need to download the video as an MP, 4 file on your computer. You can use one of the App Store apps mentioned above to download it as a video, which is a very common feature.

    2. Convert with Video Editor:

    • Open the "Video Editor" app (pre-installed on Windows 10/11, search for it in the Start Menu).
    • Create a "New video project".
    • Drag your downloaded MP4 file into the project.
    • Click "Finish video" in the top-right corner.
    • In the export window, you will see an option for "Audio-only" and can potentially select quality settings. While it may default to M4A, this method uses the built-in Windows codecs to create a high-quality audio file from your video.
  • Kamrynim's avatar
    Kamrynim
    Iron Contributor

    Media Downloader & Converter -- This is likely your best bet if you are looking for a best YouTube to WAV converter for PC. Several apps in the official Microsoft Store are designed for this exact purpose and are certified by Microsoft for Windows.

    How to use YouTube to WAV converter for PC:

    1. Open the Microsoft Store on Windows PC.
    2. Search for "Media Downloader".
    3. Look for highly-rated, free apps like:
      "Video to MP3 Converter & Media Downloader"
      "Media Downloader - Video & Music"
      "Free Video Downloader"
    4. Install your chosen app.
    5. Inside the app, you will typically find:
      A field to paste the YouTube URL.
      A format selection menu where you can choose WAV.
      A download button.

     

    Why this is a good choice:

    • Microsoft-verified: Downloaded from the official Microsoft Store, reducing the risk of malware.
    • User-friendly: Graphical interface—no command line needed.
    • Fits your workflow: Directly integrates with your Windows desktop.
  • Tracecea's avatar
    Tracecea
    Iron Contributor

    Many free YouTube to WAV converter for PC on the Microsoft Store or elsewhere for audio extraction are designed to work as part of a two-step process:

    1. Download the YouTube video using a separate downloader.
    2. Extract the audio as WAV using an audio conversion or extraction tool.

    Most dedicated YouTube to WAV converters are either paid or may come with ads or limitations. Free options tend to be simpler and often require combining a downloader with an audio converter for best results.
    If you're specifically seeking a single, all-in-one YouTube to WAV converter, those are quite rare and often limited or potentially unsafe. The most reliable approach is to:

    • Download the video with a trusted YouTube downloader (e.g., Cl1ipGrab)
    • Use a free YouTube to WAV converter like Aud0city or ffmmppeg to convert the downloaded video to WAV

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