Best Blu-ray Players
As prices on Blu-ray players continue to drop, more and more consumers are making the switch from DVD to Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray players offer crisper image quality with full 1080p HD output as well as superior sound performance, making them the best way to enjoy high-definition movies in the home. But not all Blu-ray players offer the same level of performance or features, so it's important to consider many different factors when trying to determine the best Blu-ray player for your needs. If you're not yet sure exactly what you're looking for, take a look at our recommendations and buyer's guide below.
Best All-Around Blu-Ray Player:
The best Blu-ray players deliver an ideal home movie-watching experience with hi-def 1080p video output and support for the latest HD audio soundtracks such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. We've looked at Blu-ray video performance, DVD upconversion performance, audio quality, connectivity, and features such as internet connectivity and streaming content support to find the Blu-ray players that deserve to be at the top of your shopping list. Here's a look at the all-around best Blu-ray players on the market.
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim
Though known primarily as a gaming console, the PS3 Slim offers top-notch Blu-ray performance along with 3D support, Netflix Instant Streaming, Wi-Fi connectivity, DVD upscaling, and a 160GB hard drive, making it the best Blu-ray player on the market. All this is available for $299, making it an excellent value as well. Read Full Review »
Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray Player
The Panasonic DMP-BDT210 offers excellent overall performance wrapped into a sleek design. The touch-free sensor is gimmicky, but can be surprisingly useful in certain situations. Video and audio quality are top-notch, and Panasonic's efforts in improving disc load speeds have certainly paid off. Fans of internet content streaming will be happy to know that the DMP-BDT210 offers a wide range of sources to view content from. Best of all, this capable Blu-ray player is priced very reasonably. Read Full Review »
LG BD670 3D Wireless Network Blu-ray Disc Player with Smart TV
The LG BD670 and the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 come in so close together that the difference between the two is splitting hairs. Fans of online content will gravitate towards the BD670 and LG's Smart TV interface which allows easier access to sources. The BD670 is also more user-friendly when it comes to networked multimedia content, and supports many different file types. Disc loading performance falls behind the Panasonic DMP-BDT210, but the BD670 isn't exactly slow, either. Read Full Review »
Amazon.com$199.99
OPPO BDP-93 Universal Network 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
With superb audio and video quality, Wireless-N networking, excellent connectivity, and support for Netflix and Blockbuster, the Oppo BDP-93 is an ideal Blu-ray player for those that value performance and versatility. It also supports DVD-Audio, SACD, DVDs, and CDs, and is one of the best universal disc players on the market. Read Full Review »
Sony BDP-S580 Blu-Ray Player
The BDP-S580 offers up enough of its own features and capabilities to distinguish itself from another excellent Blu-ray player in Sony's lineup - the PlayStation 3. The BDP-S580 comes with Bravia Internet Video and the Sony XMB interface, and gives users access to tons of online content. Blu-ray video performance is excellent, and audio quality is high thanks to support for lossless high-definition codecs. Read Full Review »
Best High End Blu-ray Player:
While there are plenty of sub-$400 Blu-ray players offering a performance level that’s sure to satisfy most consumers, there are only a handful of players designed for audiophiles, and videophiles that demand the very best. If you’re willing to invest the money and have the necessary associated equipment, these high-end Blu-ray players offer far superior build quality and deliver the best possible audio and video performance while keeping the price well below $3000. Here are the best high-end Blu-ray players based on audio/video performance, load times and operational speed, features and technology, and value.
OPPO BDP-95 Blu-ray Player
Oppo's current flagship Blu-ray player, the BDP-95, leaves very little reason to spend more money on any other high-end options. At a hair under $1000, the BDP-95 comes overflowing with recognizable name-brand components that contribute to its excellent video and audio performance. Read Full Review »
OPPO BDP-93 Universal Network 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
The Oppo BDP-93 can't quite match the audio performance of the BDP-83SE, but it still offers superb performance along with Wi-Fi networking, streaming content from Netflix and Blockbuster, and support for 3D Blu-ray discs. At $499, it's an excellent value. Read Full Review »
Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD Blu-Ray Player
Pioneer has moved away from offering rebadged Sharp Blu-ray players, and has resumed the old Elite naming scheme. The Elite BDP-52FD is positioned as a successor to the BDP-51FD, and is entirely designed by Pioneer. Much like the Oppo BDP-93, the Elite BDP-52FD is a universal disc player built around a robust chipset. The BDP-52FD is an excellent Blu-ray player for the money, but high-end audiophiles may want to look at Oppo's BDP-95 if audio performance is a top priority. Read Full Review »
Best Budget Blu-Ray Player:
With the emergence of sub-$200 players from major manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung, Blu-ray is finally becoming mainstream. But despite their entry-level price tags, the best Blu-ray players under $200 are still packed with 3D capabilities, networking features (many with built-in Wi-Fi), and support for popular media streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant, and Pandora. Here is a list of the best Blu-ray players under $200 based on image and audio quality, networking features, operational speed, and value.
Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray Player
The Panasonic DMP-BDT210 is not just a good Blu-ray player for the price - this is easily one of the best of the current crop of Blu-ray players. Video and audio quality are both superb, and the DMP-BDT210 can access many different online content sources for video streaming. The DMP-BDT210 is also one of the faster Blu-ray players around in terms of disc load speed, so wait times are reduced noticeably. Read Full Review »
LG BD670 3D Wireless Network Blu-ray Disc Player with Smart TV
If you're a big fan of online content streaming, the LG BD670 may be a better choice. This Blu-ray player is priced incredibly reasonably, and comes with LG's Smart TV portal for access to sources like Netflix, CinemaNow, YouTube, etc. Video performance is excellent, and audio quality is high due to support for lossless codecs. Read Full Review »
Amazon.com$199.99
Sony BDP-S580 Blu-Ray Player
The Sony BDP-S580 shows that you don't need to spend the extra money for a PlayStation 3 to get a quality Sony Blu-ray player. The BDP-S580 comes with a long list of features, and access to online content is extremely easy thanks to the Bravia Internet Video portal and Sony's intuitive XMB interface. Read Full Review »
Sony BDP-S380 Blu-ray Disc Player
Sometimes, all that's needed is a simple Blu-ray player that offers up high video and audio quality without breaking the bank. If you can live without integrated Wi-Fi, the Sony BDP-S380 is a solid option. You can still access online content using the Bravia Internet Video portal by connecting the Blu-ray player via Ethernet, so there's no need to feel short-changed for buying the 'budget' option. Read Full Review »
LG BD640 Network Wireless Blu-ray Disc Player
The LG BD640 is one step up from the basic BD630, and comes with a USB Wi-Fi adapter which can be used for streaming online content. Sources are limited to Netflix, YouTube, Vudu, and CinemaNow - this may disappoint users who prefer to stream content from the internet. Still, Blu-ray performance is high with excellent audio and video quality. The LG BD640 is a great choice if you don't want to pay for a more expensive Blu-ray player bristling with features you'll never use. Read Full Review »
Best 7.1 Analog Output Equipped Blu-ray Player:
While Blu-ray players with 7.1 analog output are more expensive, they're the only option if you have an older AV receiver without HDMI inputs but still wish to take advantage of the latest high-definition audio soundtracks, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Though you can still use optical or coaxial digital audio output to get surround sound, these connections do not support the lossless audio soundtracks. Nearly all of the high-end Blu-ray players from brands such as Denon and Marantz are equipped with 7.1 analog outputs, but this list focuses on more affordable Blu-ray players. Here are our picks for the best affordable Blu-ray players with multichannel analog outputs based on audio/video performance, networking features, and value.
OPPO BDP-95 Blu-ray Player
Oppo clearly designed the BDP-95 to appeal to discerning viewers who want the best that high definition Blu-ray content can offer. The 32-bit 'SABRE' digital-to-analog converter gives the BDP-95 an edge when it comes to 7.1-channel analog sound output. At just under $1000, the Oppo BDP-95 is a bargain for audiophiles searching for top-level equipment. Read Full Review »
OPPO BDP-93 Universal Network 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
The Oppo BDP-93 Universal Blu-ray Disc Player offers 7.1 analog outputs, allowing buyers with older AV receivers to take full advantage of its excellent sound quality and onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. While more expensive than the other players on this list, its top-notch audio/video performance, versatility, and build quality set it apart from the competition. Read Full Review »
Panasonic DMP-BD85K Blu-ray Player
If you’re looking for an affordable Blu-ray player with 7.1 analog outputs and a full suite of networking features, the Panasonic DMP-BD85k should be at the top of your list. This player combines excellent Blu-ray and DVD image quality with fast, smooth operation. The DMP-BD85K provides Wi-Fi connectivity through a bundled USB dongle and supports video streaming services from Netflix and Amazon Instant to name a few. Read Full Review »
Blu-Ray Player Buyer's Guide
Still not sure exactly which Blu-ray player is for you? Here are some of the most important criteria to consider:
Image Quality
When it comes to Blu-ray image quality, there typically isn't a major difference between the top Blu-ray players on the market. The quality of your HDTV will make a much bigger impact, so if you're planning to buy a new TV at the same time, we recommend taking a look at our Best LCD TV or Best Plasma TV recommendations. Ideally, you want an HDTV that offers 1080p resolution and that can properly handle 1080p/24 signals (the standard film frame rate and the format most Blu-ray discs are encoded in). The Oppo BDP-93 offers the best Blu-ray image quality on this list, but unless you're a videophile, you'll be hard pressed to notice the difference.
DVD performance, however, can vary quite significantly between players because there is more processing involved in the upconversion process. This becomes an important factor to consider if you already own a large library of DVD discs. While all the recommendations on this list offer very good DVD image quality, the Oppo BDP-93 is the clear leader in this category – but again, unless you're a videophile, you likely won't see much difference.
Audio Performance and Connectivity
Blu-ray players are able to offer far superior audio quality than DVD players because of their support for high-definition audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. These soundtracks are lossless, resulting in crystal clear sound. With most Blu-ray players, the high-resolution is passed through HDMI, so you'll need an AV receiver with HDMI inputs to take advantage. However, some higher-end Blu-ray players also offer multichannel analog outputs, allowing consumers with older AV receivers that lack HDMI to still enjoy high-definition audio.
Networking and Streaming Content
With the latest crop of Blu-ray players, built-in networking and support for online content streaming services have mostly become standard. If you won't be able to easily run a wire to an Ethernet connection, be sure to buy a Blu-ray player with built-in Wi-Fi so that you can stream content wirelessly. Additionally, consider the different content providers supported by each Blu-ray player. The most popular services are Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, Roxio CinemaNow, Blockbuster, YouTube, Vudu, and Pandora.
It's also important to note that manufacturers often release firmware updates to fix issues and occasionally add new features. If your Blu-ray player can accept firmware updates via the Ethernet or wireless connection, it'll be much easier to keep updated.
