Minecraft may be one of the most popular games of all time, but there is one department that the game has lacked for quite some time that almost everyone can agree on, which is the looks. The blocky world does not hold up graphics-wise against some of the major best-selling titles it stands with.
Best Minecraft Modpacks
From floating castles to training Pokemon, here are the best modpacks you can download for Minecraft.Of course, there have been many efforts to help make the game look better, such as texture packs and mods. One variation of mods that has become common is shaders. These are mods that enhance the lighting of the game. Here, you can find some of the best Minecraft shaders out there.
Updated February 21, 2024 by Jacqueline Zalace: Minecraft shaders are a staple within the community. As such, we've added a few more options for you to enjoy, and removed some shader packs that aren't quite up to snuff anymore.
10 Too Many Effects
People with strong computers and who want to beef up their Minecraft client to unprecedented graphical heights should take a look at CrankerMan's Too Many Effects Shaders. Everything that you would want to infuse into a shader mod is included with TME.
This includes animated trees as the leaves wave around with the wind, as well as clouds that also have their own individual shadows. There is a massive downside though, as even some of the stronger rigs out there will have a hard time dealing with the low frame rate.
9 Nostalgia Shader
When the concept of Minecraft shaders was first introduced, it didn't have all the crazy graphical upgrades most packs have today. Instead, it focused on just upgrading the lighting and general look without taking away from the classic look of the game.
This is why the Nostalgia Shader pack is perfect. A polar opposite of Too Many Effects, this pack not only keeps it simple but also adds many elements that make the game perform better as a whole.
8 Lagless Shaders
When all is said and done, everyone deserves to experience a shaders pack in Minecraft in some capacity, so Lagless Shaders is here to provide all players a chance to play their favorite sandbox game with beautiful lighting without any crazy ray effects.
Minecraft: 8 Best Farming Mods
These farming mods will enhance your agricultural experience in Minecraft.The main focus for Lagless Shaders is performance. Being able to walk around and do normal things in the game without random lag spikes can go a long way, so this pack tries to give the best of both worlds.
7 Sildur’s Shaders
For a complete overhaul of the Minecraft lighting system, look no further than Sildur's Shaders. According to the mod's website, the pack features effects such as "volumetric lighting, bloom, ambient occlusion, and reflections."
On top of all that, the mod performs surprisingly well so that the gameplay experience isn't completely hindered. Sildur's Shaders also offers a few different editions that allow people with different graphic cards to pick what they feel fits best. With lite versions, you can experience the cool effects on an older computer.
6 Continuum Shaders
A lot of the shaders made for Minecraft tend to look the same after a while, but Continuum Shaders stands out with how professional the lighting looks. The resource pack uses a lot of the same effects players may see in the triple-A games made at top studios.
Some features of the pack include color gradients in the sky, water that is consistently moving and reflections bouncing off the surface, and shadows that morph as the players or sunlight move around.
5 BSL Shaders
Another professional-looking pack, BSL Shaders was inspired by Chocapic13's Shaders but with a heavier focus on functionality rather than all-out graphical overload. This pack will definitely give you a warm and pleasant feeling while walking around Minecraft as the sun is rising to its high noon point.
The water is made abundantly more clear in this pack but doesn't stick out. The sun's lighting is a little bit more centralized in this pack but still provides a solid look. Overall, this is another well-rounded shader pack that fits right in.
4 Naelego's Cel Shaders
Out of all the packs on the list, Naelego's Cel Shaders contrasts widely from what the others offer. Instead of giving you intense lighting effects and realistic moving water, it instead transports you into a comic book.
Naelego's Cel Shaders add a thick outline around objects and enhance some of the colors to help match the energy of these borders. This is in no way a realistic shader, but it adds a different and unique lighting effect for you to try out.
3 AstraLex Shaders
AstraLes Shaders are gorgeous; so gorgeous, in fact, that the download page mentions that the pack was developed primarily for content makers! Whether you make Minecraft videos or play for fun, you deserve to experience a beautiful world.
This shader pack enhances physical blocks, as well as both the water and the sky. Ever wanted to lounge by the ocean and look up to the stars, seeing an aurora and the moon at the same time? Now you can.
2 Oceano Shaders
Some shader packs can alter textures, but Oceano Shaders focuses exclusively on lighting, light refraction, and reflections. This pack says true to what makes Minecraft great, while bringing a fresh new visual component.
In addition to the water looking more real, you can expect to see upgraded clouds and warm lighting. Oceano Shaders has leaned into the warm and cozy feel of torches, making Minecraft feel even more nostalgic.
1 Sonic Ethers’ Unbelievable Shaders
The best of the best shaders packs is Sonic Ethers' Unbelievable Shaders. It is a complete overhaul of the game's lighting and has been a staple in the Minecraft community for years. Along with the soft lighting, the pack added natural rain effects that make storms feel smoother and a wet look to every block the rain touches.
The pack is constantly updated with various experimental features such as ray-tracing. It is the pinnacle of all shaders and is a must-try.
