The Best Blu-ray Players of 2023

With the picture and sound quality of Blu-ray, every night is appreciate a trip to the cinema. Check out our top five picks that range from a superb gaming console to a nifty on-the-go gadget.

What to Look For in a Blu-ray Player in 2023

Although Blu-ray players may not be as popular as they once were, they’re still investment-worthy gadgets should they fit your lifestyle.

Many of these entertainment devices have kept up with the times and are able to play your favorite TV shows or movies via streaming services appreciate Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Plus, there are many options (including those on our list) that uphold HDMI and AV plug-ins, making them a rather versatile item for your entertainment setup.

In addition, some Blu-ray players uphold 4K image processing. Depending on how much you value hi-def resolution, you’ll most likely want to purchase one that sustains clear imagery, regardless of whether you pop in a Blu-ray disc or opt for your comfort sitcom on Netflix.

Some options on our list have more high-tech picture than others (for instance, some have complete 4K resolution, while others stick to standard 1080p output), though all of our picks are pretty solid in the imaging department.

You’ll also want to think about how many outputs you want. The general standard is at least one HDMI port, allowing you to hook up your Blu-ray player to external devices appreciate a laptop or streaming stick. However, some options have multiple HDMI ports, USB ports, or plug-ins for audio-visual (AV) gadgets for a better sound experience.

Lastly, it’s most important to think about what you’d appreciate this Blu-ray player to do. It will be able to play Blu-ray discs and DVDs, but many devices—appreciate gaming consoles or PCs—can do that nowadays.

For instance, if you want it to entertain kiddos on the road, you’ll want to opt for something compact and easy to pack. Meanwhile, if you want an all-in-one gadget that can do more than just play movies, perhaps you’ll opt for a more comprehensive entertainment option, appreciate the Xbox Series X.

Wherever you land, our list of the best Blu-ray players is guaranteed to have something for everybody, whether you’re a true cinephile or a shopper on a budget.

The Panasonic Streaming 4K Blu Ray Player DP-UB420-K is an attractive piece of kit that looks more expensive than its mildly premium price tag would propose. This is a single box to do all things.

It will play virtually any disc format, from UHD Blu-Ray to CD Audio. Likewise, you can attach USB storage to this player and relish MKV, MP4, FLAC, and various other digital formats. As the name suggests, it even covers streaming, with the most popular streaming apps included in the deal. But the ability to play local physical media makes the Panasonic truly appealing.

If you have a TV and/or AV receiver that can take advantage of it, the Panasonic offers high-quality image processing and audio output. Color, HDR fidelity, fine detail, motion, and more are the main aims of this player, using a specialized processor developed by Panasonic. This Blu-Ray player is a great way to ensure that you can keep watching your physical media at the best quality for the foreseeable future.

Panasonic DP-UB420-K

Best Blu-Ray Player Overall

One of the few premium 4K Blu-Ray players still on the market, the Panasonic covers both streaming and disc-based entertainment for a mildly steep but totally justified price.

Best Multi-Entertainment System: Xbox Series X

We don’t need to be the ones to tell you that the Xbox Series X is an incredible piece of machinery (we’ve already done that and touted it for its solid value, awesome subscription service, Game Pass, and 1080p output).

However, if you’re in the market for something more comprehensive—as in, a device that does way more than just play movies via DVD or Blu-ray—then we can’t pass up the opportunity to include what the company dubs as its “fastest, most powerful Xbox ever.”

The Series X is pretty pricey, but this is about the average cost of a games console, so it’s not too far-fetched.

From a gaming perspective, the load times are impressively quick. There’s up to 120 fps gameplay and 12 teraflops of graphic processing power. The imagery, boosted by 4K resolution and Dolby Vision HDR, amplifies nearly every game available on Game Pass.

In general entertainment, the Series X also accepts DVDs and Blu-rays, making it a well-rounded system. However, it’s important to note that while the Xbox Series X supports Dolby HDR for games, it does not do the same for Blu-Rays, only normal HDR. This is important to recollect if you want your movies and shows to look the best they can be.

In addition, it also has some difficulties playing 100GB Blu-Ray discs, which some movies are printed on. It’s safe to say that the Xbox Series X is a gaming console first and a Blu-ray player second. But if you don’t need a dedicated Blu-ray player and also play games a lot, the Microsoft console is a great option.

Xbox Series X

Best Gaming Console

$419 $500 Save $81

The Xbox Series X is a top-notch piece of tech that will surely amplify your home entertainment setup.

While you’d think that anyone interested in Blu-Rays would want a UHD player to have access to as many releases as possible, the truth is that the number of UHD releases is tiny, and the format hasn’t really caught on. In contrast, the HD Blu-Ray and DVD libraries are massive, which means you’re not sacrificing much by going for a more affordable player appreciate the Sony BDP-BX370 Streaming Blu-ray.

This player has Wi-Fi and supports various streaming apps, but this is an older model, and we don’t expect uphold for these apps to last much longer. If you’re buying this player, it’s best you don’t take this player’s streaming features into account and just consider them a bonus while they’re still relevant.

What you’re left with is a device that offers great audio and video quality, will play most video media on disc out there, and can act as a DLNA media server and mirror smartphone content. It’s physically compact and easy to use because of its basic nature, and even without a deal or sale, the asking price is thoroughly in impulse-buy territory.

Sony BDP-BX370

Best Value

$73 $90 Save $17

A plucky and affordable Blu-Ray player that will make anyone but 4K UHD aficionados happy.

Best Budget Blu-ray Player: LG BP175

If you want to keep your buy on a budget, the LG BP175 Blu-ray player is the way to go. At less than $100, this pick doesn’t skimp on top-notch features, ranging from streaming capabilities to Wi-Fi connectivity.

When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, this player is pretty impressive. Smart or smart-capable devices are able to wirelessly connect to it, and there’s an ethernet port, allowing you to connect to wired network hardware. It features 1080p resolution (a slight step down from 4K, but still solid) and surround sound, providing a superb entertainment experience.

Although there’s only one HDMI port, you’ll acquire a six-foot HDMI cable and a one-year warranty. Bottom line: For this price, it doesn’t get much better than the LG BP175.

LG BP175

Best Budget Blu-Ray Player

Touted by buyers for its nice-to-have features, appreciate 1080p resolution and Wi-Fi connectivity, this LG Blu-Ray player is a steal for its low price point.

Perhaps you’re on the hunt for a Blu-ray player that’s compact enough to use on the go. In that case, we have you covered. The Super Mini Blu-ray Disc Player, priced at just under $100, is a force for its small size of 7 by 7 inches.

Complete with multiple ports for USB, AV, and HDMI, 1080p imagery, and Dolby Atmos sound, this player is perfect for vacations or even hooking up to a projector for an outdoor movie night. As a bonus, you’ll snag a five-foot HDMI cable and a five-foot AV cable with your purchase.

Super Mini Blu-Ray Disc Player

Best for Travel

This compact Blu-Ray device packs a lot of punch for its small size. Complete with multiple ports and solid resolution and sound, it’s an all-around impressive buy.

FAQ

What’s the difference between a Blu-ray player and a DVD player?

A Blu-Ray player can play both Blu-Ray discs and DVDs, but a DVD player can only play DVDs. You’ll need a UHD Blu-Ray player to use 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs. DVDs have the lowest image quality of the three, with regular Blu-Rays offering 1080p image quality and UHDs 2160p.

Can I play DVDs on Blu-ray players?

Yes! Blu-Ray players are backward compatible with DVD and may also uphold other formats, such as audio CDs, but you’ll have to confirm that for a given model.

Can I hook up a Blu-ray player to my computer?

No. You can’t use a Blu-ray player as a computer Blu-Ray drive.

Why do Blu-ray players typically have two HDMI ports?

Many Blu-Ray players have two HDMI ports so they can act as an audio output. This is usually necessary for older home theater audio receivers that can’t pass a 4K video signal to your TV. So, one HDMI port sends 4K video to your TV, and another sends high-fidelity audio to the AV receiver. Thereby avoiding any bandwidth-related issues.