You should also take a look at our roundup of the best 4K Blu-ray players in you want the best quality with all the bells and whistles. Otherwise, read on to see the best Blu-ray players to get. This Sony Blu-ray player can play CDs and DVDs in addition to Blu-rays. It supports numerous formats, including AAC, MP3, MP4, and several others, and it has an Ethernet port on the back. The Ethernet port is only for performing firmware updates though, and this player doesn’t have Wi-Fi connectivity. So, you won’t be using this player for streaming. On the plus side, UBK80 boasts a slim design, measuring less than two inches in thickness, so it can fit in just about any space. You also get a remote with batteries included. This is a simple, yet elegant Blu-ray player that serves its purpose without all of the extra bells and whistles. For many people, the BDP-S6700 will be the only device they need to access their shows, movies, and music. There’s a USB port for watching pictures and videos you have on a storage device. You can stream content too, with apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu available via a user-friendly interface. Play CDs, play DVDs, watch Blu-rays, and stream shows all on the BDP-S6700. There’s even a screen mirroring feature for watching your phone’s content on a larger screen, and DLNA-certification means you can share content across your home network. With 4K upscaling, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and TRILUMINOS color technology, the S6700 offers a high-quality picture and exceptional sound. This Blu-ray player is an amazing value for anyone who wants a smart budget Blu-ray player that can do it all. The Sony BDP-S3700 has internet streaming, with access to apps like Hulu, YouTube, Vudu, and Netflix via either wired or wireless network connectivity. The BDP-3700 also incorporates screen mirroring (Miracast), which allows you to share content from your smartphone. In addition, you can access media content stored on other network-connected devices, such as PCs and media servers. You get a standard remote control included in the package, but you can use Sony’s TV Sideview App to organize content and control the player’s transport controls. On the audio end, the DP-UB9000 is no slouch, with Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, and others so you can hook it right into your home theater surround sound system. For connectivity, you have everything you need including Wi-Fi, DLNA for wireless PC access, an Ethernet port, Miracast for casting your smartphone, and two HDMI ports. This model is the whole package, and it’s an excellent option for anyone looking for a premium smart Blu-ray player. In addition to a richer picture, you get audio enhancements like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for an improved surround sound experience. It’ll work great with existing home theater setup. There’s an Ethernet port, two HDMI outputs, and an optical port, which should cover all of your bases in terms of connectivity. Bluetooth is a nice bonus, letting you use wireless headphones for private listening. In addition to physical disc and hi-res audio playback, the UX800M2 is fully capable of streaming 4K content from the internet, via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, including Netflix. So, you can binge your favorite shows or watch a Blu-ray Disc on the same device. For audio, the UBP-X800M2 is compatible with most surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. You can also stream music from the UX800 to compatible wireless speakers via Sony’s SongPal App. No speaker system? Listen to your audio via compatible Bluetooth headphones or a portable speaker. However, as much as the X800M2 offers, only HDMI and Digital Coaxial outputs are provided. Although you can use this player with a non-4K TVs (you just won’t get the benefit of its 4K capabilities), your TV must have an HDMI input to accept a video signal. On the other hand, the X800M2 does provide two HDMI outputs, one of which is dedicated to audio-only output. This is very practical for those who own a 4K Ultra HD TV, but a home theater receiver that may not be compatible with 4K/HDR video signals. Ajay Kumar is Tech Editor at Lifewire. With over seven years of experience, he’s previously been published on PCMag and Newsweek where he reviewed thousands of products across all categories of consumer electronics. These include audio, TVs, media players, streaming sticks, and other devices.
What to Look for When Buying Blu-ray Players
4K and UHD
If you already have a television that’s capable of displaying 4K UHD video, you’ll enjoy exceptional video quality if you choose a Blu-ray player that also supports this level of video quality. If not, a player with upscaling might be something to consider.
Streaming
One of the great things about Blu-ray players is that a lot of them can also take the place of a dedicated streaming device. Look for a Blu-ray player that supports your favorite streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu.
Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet
If you want to use any streaming apps on your Blu-ray player, you need to connect it to the internet. Ethernet is the better choice if your Blu-ray player will be close enough to your modem to connect via an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is less likely to give you trouble with buffering and other similar problems, but you need to have a cable available. Otherwise, look for a Blu-ray player that’s capable of connecting to your Wi-Fi network.
