Best Blu-ray player: quality images and sound for enjoying your favourite films and games

Our pick of the best Blu-ray players will ensure the best picture and sound quality

Best Blu-ray player

Looking for the best Blu-ray player available? Blu-ray has taken over standard DVDs in the last few years, offering a higher definition viewing experience for your favourite films and games.

While they have the same format as DVDs and are just as simple to play, the notably higher quality offered by Blu-ray is recommended if you want the full home cinema experience. Blu-ray discs are also not compatible with your standard DVD player, which means you’ll need to invest in a new device in order to enjoy the privilege of better quality images.

Some Blu-ray players have more features than others, but you can rest assured that all Blu-ray players have backwards compatibility, which means you can watch all of your DVDs on a Blu-ray player still, you just won’t get the same quality.

Browse our pick of the best Blu-ray players, suitable for varying budgets and requirements to find the best model for you. Then, for more advice, information and expert buying guides, take a look at our technology hub page.

What is the best Blu-ray player?

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

In our opinion, the best Blu-ray player currently available comes in the form of the Panasonic DMP-UB900EBK 4K Blu-Ray Player, thanks to its 4K quality and smart features, which ensure a cinematic viewing experience. 

On top of this, it offers the opportunity to watch 3D films, which look particularly good on a 4K or OLED TV.

Want to browse more 4K Blu-ray players before making your final decision? It might be worth browsing our pick of the best 4K Blu-ray players before making your final decision. 

How to buy the best Blu-ray player

When it comes to buying the best Blu-ray player to suit your movie-watching and gaming needs, we'd recommend bearing the following features in mind:

4K or non 4K

If you have a 4K television and soundbar, it's definitely worth investing in a 4K Blu-ray player, which offers dramatically better quality picture than a non 4K model. 

Internet connectivity

Some of the newer Blu-ray players have features such as internet connectivity which allows you to stream content from the likes of Prime Video, and you can control all of this via an app on your smartphone.   

The best Blu-ray players you can buy right now

best blu-ray player: Panasonic DMP-UB900EBK

1. Panasonic DMP-UB900EBK 4K Blu-Ray Player

Best Blu-ray player: a smart 4K player for the best quality images

Specifications

Best for: Smart 4K
Dimensions: HWD 6.8x43.5x19.9cm
Ultra HD Support: Yes
Storage: None

Reasons to buy

+
Miracast function
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High-resolution

If you want the best of the best, we'd recommend investing in the Panasonic DMP-UB900EBK. But what makes this model so impressive?

Cinematic viewing

With 4K and smart features, you really can experience cinematic viewing from the comfort your living room. 

Image quality

Image quality is considered to be significantly better than that of a standard HD Blu-ray player and smart features include being able to mirror your smart device to the player to stream videos or images. 

Watch films in 3D

If you like to watch 3D movies, then this device is also said to display incredible 3D images and look particularly good on a 4K or OLED TV. 

Browse our guide to the best OLED players if you're looking to set up a high quality system. Shop more 4K Blu-ray players on Amazon.

Best blu-ray player: SONY BDP-S6700 Smart Blu-ray Player

2. SONY BDP-S6700 Smart Blu-ray Player

Best Blu-ray player for price: stunning visuals without the hefty price tag

Specifications

Best for: Quality/price
Dimensions: HWD 3.9x25.5x19.2cm
Ultra HD Support: Upscale to 4K
Storage: None

Reasons to buy

+
Rich colours
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Compact design

If the 4K Blu-ray player is completely out of your price range, this SONY BDP-S6700 Smart Blu-ray Player is the next best thing and comes in at a fraction of the cost. 

Excellent image quality

Users report excellent image quality, with the option to upscale to 4K, if you have a 4K TV, proving particularly popular. 

Small and compact design

On top of this, a small and compact design that's easy to use makes this Blu-ray player a quality piece of equipment.

Users were a little bit disappointed in its lack of apps, but with such good sound and image quality, this Blu-ray player is excellent value for money. 

Browse more Blu-ray players from John Lewis & Partners.

Best Blu-ray player: Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray Player

3. Oppo UDP-203 4K Bluray Player

Best Blu-ray player for movie buffs: a piece of kit to invest in if you’re serious about movies

Specifications

Best for: Serious piece of kit
Dimensions: HWD 7.9x43x31.1cm
Ultra HD Support: Yes
Storage: None

Reasons to buy

+
Speedy response
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Looks and feels expensive

Yes, this Oppo UDP-203 4K Bluray Player is expensive, but it really is true that you get what you pay for. 

Quality design

Customers have praised this device for its all-round quality from the images to the sound and even the build quality feels luxury. If you’re serious about movies and want to have the best viewing experience, then users are saying that this player ticks all the boxes. 

An investment piece

It doesn’t quite make our top spot due to its luxury price tag, but if you want something that will last, then this Blu-ray player is certainly a worthwhile investment. 

Quiet and speedy functions

On top of its stellar performance, it’s also said to be super quiet and speedy which makes the entire process that much more enjoyable. 

Best Blu-ray player: Sony UBP-X800B Smart 3D Blu-ray Player

4. Sony UBP-X800B Smart 3D Blu-ray Player

Best Blu-ray player for 3D: movies look great on this smart player

Specifications

Best for: 3D Quality
Dimensions: HWD 5x43x27
Ultra HD Support: Yes
Storage: None

Reasons to buy

+
Dolby Atmos installed for 3D sound field
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Multi-room compatability

If you're a fan of watching 3D films, the Sony UBP-X800B Smart 3D Blu-ray Player is the best option for you. Here's some of the reasons why:

Upscaled cotent

In addition to playing Blu-ray DVDs in high resolution, non 4K content, including documentaries and other TV content, will be upscaled to HD thanks to this handy player from Sony.

Built-in apps

Complete with a range of apps such as iPlayer, Netflix and more, multi-room compatibility means you can use your Blur-ray players as a hub to stream music to throughout the house, via Sony multi-room speakers. 

Browse more Blu-ray players available from Currys.

Best Blu-ray player: Sony BDPS1700B Smart Blu-ray Player

5. Sony BDPS1700B Smart Blu-ray Player

Best budget Blu-ray player: an affordable and reliable player that gets the job done

Specifications

Best for: Budget buy
Dimensions: HWD 3.9x23x19.4cm
Ultra HD Support: No
Storage: None

Reasons to buy

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Affordable 
+
Range of TV apps

If you simply want a Blu-ray player to enjoy movies, this Sony BDPS1700B Smart Blu-ray Player will get the job done without breaking the bank. It boasts no frills, but is simple to use and has the basic TV streaming apps available. 

Impressive images and speedy functionality

Despite not having 4K quality, users have been impressed with the images and the speediness of the box itself. 

Affordable option

For those who are looking to invest in their first Blu-ray player, or who don’t watch movies that often, then this is an affordable alternative to some of the flashier models that will still provide excellent entertainment. 

Best Blu-ray player: Microsoft Xbox One S

6. Microsoft Xbox One S

Best Blu-ray player for gaming: play your Blu-rays on this gaming device

Specifications

Best for: Gaming and movies
Dimensions: HWD 6.35x29.5x22.6cm
Ultra HD Support: Yes
Storage: 2TB

Reasons to buy

+
Games console
+
4k Quality 

If you’re a gamer, investing in an XBOX One S could save you some money on buying a Blu-ray player separately; offering 4K quality that's ideal for both gaming and viewing experiences.

Multifuncional console

If you’re not a gamer, this could just be an unnecessary purchase, but for large families who all like different things, this is a great multifunctional console that will save TV cabinet space. 

Built-in apps

You can also take advantage of apps such as Netflix, Amazon Video and you’ll get a 14 day Xbox Live Gold trial. 

Browse more Blu-ray players from AO.

Looking for more home tech advice? 

Emily Shaw

Emily first (temporarily) joined the Real Homes team while interning on her summer break from university. After graduating, she worked on several publications before joining Real Homes as Staff Writer full time in mid-2018. She left the brand in 2020 to pursue another career, but still loves a second-hand bargain and sourcing unique finds to make her rented flat reflect her personality.

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