By Robin Owens 10 days ago, Hardware
What is the best inexpensive Blu Ray player for music?
By using the best Blu-Ray players, you can watch movies at high resolution without any lags. You won’t need to worry about such common streaming issues as buffering or low bandwidth. Blu-Ray players are pretty affordable, which makes them a perfect option for anyone who wants to get top-notch video and audio quality.
This list of Blu-Ray players includes models released by Panasonic, Sony, LG and Pioneer that support a resolution of up to 4K. Such video game consoles as Xbox and PlayStation can also be used for playing video content. All of these players deliver high sound and video quality, come with a variety of features and don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 17 x 3 x 12 inches | Weight: 17.2 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
⊕ Four types of HDR support
⊕ Powerful display optimizer
⊕ New-generation processor
⊕ High-quality components
⊖ None
The DP-UB9000 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray is the recent flagship model released by Panasonic that can be considered one of the most impressive high-end devices in its class. It has a streamlined design and supports four main types of HDR.
This model is equipped with 2-channel and 7.1-channel analog outputs and supports Hi-Res audio. The Panasonic DP-UB9000 is considered by many as the best Blu Ray player as it is fitted with a new-generation HCX processor.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 17 x 2 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 8.4 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
⊕ Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
⊕ High video quality
⊕ Good sound quality
⊕ Supports rare formats
⊖ No Dolby Vision support
⊖ No analog audio output
The UBP-X800M2 is a multimedia player with top-notch features. Besides playing Blu-Ray, DVD and CD, it also supports Super Audio CD and DVD-A.
What’s more, it’s perfectly compatible with various High-Res Audio codecs. As for connectivity options, this DVD Blu Ray player has two HDMI outputs.
This home theater supports dual-band Wi-Fi. Thanks to Bluetooth support, you can use wireless headphones.
There is also one Ethernet LAN port for wired connection. You will find one USB 2.0 port on the front panel and the other one on the back panel.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 17 x 9.5 x 1.75 inches | Weight: 5.59 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD
⊕ Supports many audio formats
⊕ Backward compatibility
⊕ Low price
⊕ Multi-HDR support
⊖ Doesn’t support DTS: X
⊖ Dated design
The LG UBKM9 boasts a low price and relatively high quality. This cheap Blu-Ray player can play files in almost any audio format, including Dolby Atmos. However, it doesn’t support DTS: X. This HDR Blu-Ray player delivers great images with high contrast and rich colors.
As it can be connected to the Internet, the LG UBKM9 delivers uncompromising image quality when you are using such online services as Netflix and YouTube, which allows you to get access to high-resolution content. This 4K video player is backward compatible and allows creating libraries of Blu-Ray and DVD videos.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 17 x 2.4 x 9 inches | Weight: 5.07 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
⊕ Plays high-quality audio files
⊕ A USB port and an SD-card slot
⊕ Supports streaming from a smartphone
⊕ Wired and Wi-Fi connection
⊖ No analog audio output
⊖ Doesn’t support Super-Audio CD and DVD-Audio
While the DMP-UB700 doesn’t allow one to play DVD-Audio or Super Audio CD, this model supports high-res audio files. There are two HDMI ports for audio and video content, besides, the device comes with a digital optical audio output, one SD-card slot and a USB port.
You can connect it to the network by using the 10/100/1000 Ethernet port or Wi-Fi. There is an in-built DLNA server, which allows you to use an impressive choice of streaming services. Besides playing content from an external HDD, you can stream it from your tablet or smartphone.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 9.05 x 1.53 x 7.63 inches | Weight: 1.81 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
⊕ Direct access to servers
⊕ Quick performance
⊕ Simple to navigate interface
⊕ High-quality sound
⊖ No video indexing
⊖ No RCA outputs
The BDP-S3700 enables you to stream content from more services than its counterparts, including such video streaming services as Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Video, Pandora. Besides, the device supports Blu-Ray, DVD and CD.
This Blu-Ray video player is equipped with an HDMI port, a digital coaxial cable and a USB port, which allows you to connect it to other devices. You can access the Internet by using either a wired Ethernet connection option or Wi-Fi.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 17 x 2 x 10.4 inches | Weight: 8.59 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
⊕ IR port
⊕ Isolating feet
⊕ Remarkable image quality at 4K UHD
⊕ An impressive choice of streaming services
⊖ Can’t play MQA files
⊖ No Dolby Vision support
The UBP-X1000ES is a smart Blu Ray player from Sony that supports 4K. It is fitted with 192kHz/ 32bit DAC and has an analog audio output on the back panel. Besides, it features a remarkable power supply and an FL status display.
The UBP-X1000ES supports all the main protocols for smart home control, including Control4, Savant and Crestron. It’s also equipped with coaxial and optical digital outputs, a USB port and a remote IR port.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 15 x 12 x 4 inches | Weight: 3.09 pounds | Wi-Fi: No | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: Dolby Vision (Netflix), HDR10
⊕ HDR 10 and Dolby Vision support
⊕ Perfect sound rendering
⊕ Compact form-factor
⊕ Small size
⊖ Can’t be used for streaming
⊖ A limited number of features
The Sony UBP-X700 has an integrated streaming player and special apps that allow you to access Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Thanks to high-quality image and audio rendering, this Blu-Ray player for projector will be a great option for those who want to purchase a home theater system.
It also supports various formats, such as HDR10, Dolby Vision HDR, DVD, CD and SACD.
Besides a power cable, the device has a small remote control with two AAA batteries, an HDMI cable for connecting it to your TV, projector or A/V receiver.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 10.83 x 11.5 x 2.76 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: Dolby Vision (Netflix), HDR10
⊕ Powerful Wi-Fi chip
⊕ Quick streaming
⊕ High-res audio format support
⊕ Wireless sound transfer
⊖ Doesn’t support Bluetooth
The Sony BDP-S6700 is a video player that allows you to watch videos from Blu-Ray disks at 4K UHD. It delivers perfect wireless audio transmission regardless of the size of a room.
This powerful system supports 24-bit high-res audio formats and allows streaming audio to wireless speakers or headphones via Bluetooth thanks to the Sony LDAC audio codec.
This Blu-Ray video player has a powerful Wi-Fi module and an Ethernet port, which ensures quick streaming at 4K. Finally, the Sony TV SideView app allows you to control it remotely with the help of a smartphone.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 7.6 x 12.6 x 1.8 inches | Weight: 2.87 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: Dolby Vision (Netflix), HDR10
⊕ A 2-in-1 system consisting of a video player and console
⊕ 12 GB of RAM
⊕ 4К UHD support
⊕ Powerful processor
⊖ No high-level upscaling
⊖ The Blu-Ray Player app occasionally lags
The Xbox One X is a great game console that doubles as a Blu-Ray player. It boasts 6 TFLOPs of power and 12 GB of GDDR5 SDRAM.
This device can play 4K UHD content and supports Dolby Atmos sound, however, you are unlikely to be impressed with the video quality. It has an integrated 4K HDR output that allows you to connect it to a monitor for Xbox One X to watch high-quality videos or play action-packed games.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 17 x 11.4 x 4.4 inches | Weight: 10.89 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
⊕ HDR streaming
⊕ An IR blaster
⊕ Small chip
⊕ No frame rate drops
⊖ Subpar GPU performance
⊖ Console interface
As it features a Blu-Ray drive and can stream Netflix content in 4K Ultra HD, the Xbox One S is a great option for anyone who wants to play UHD content.
On the back panel, you will find a wide selection of inputs and outputs, such as two HDMI ports, two USB 3.0 ports, IR-blaster output, an optical sound S/PDIF output and an Ethernet port. There is also a third USB port on the front panel.
It’s worth mentioning other features of its integrated Blu Ray DVD player as well, such as its 64-bit 8-core AMD Jaguar processor running at 1.75 GHz, the GPU AMD Radeon and a small, energy-saving 16nm FinFET chip.
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Dimensions: 18.5 x 16.8 x 6.94 inches | Weight: 15.17 pounds | Wi-Fi: Yes | 3D support: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
⊕ Impressive RAM
⊕ High-speed drive
⊕ Powerful CPU
⊕ A lot of accessories
⊖ Expensive
⊖ Weighs too much
The Sony PlayStation 5 is one of the most expected consoles scheduled to launch at the end of this year. The manufacturer claims that the new console will meet the expectations of all users who are waiting for 4K resolution support and want to play Blu-Ray discs.
The PS5 is equipped with an 8-core AMD Zen 2 processor with 10.3TFLOPs of power and 16 GB of RAM.
Regardless of the version you choose, it will come with an 825 GB SSD that delivers high-speed performance thanks to the NVMe technology. The basic version comes with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray Drive.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Panasonic DP-UB9000
OUR CHOICE |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Sony UBP-X800M2
VIRTUALLY SILENT |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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LG UBKM9
4K CONTENT STREAMING |
CHECK PRICE → |
Choosing the best Blu-Ray player might be a challenging task. Before shelling out your money on a new player, make sure that you already have a 4K TV to use it. If you have an HD TV or monitor, your 4K Blu-Ray player will play movies at up to 1080p regardless of the video input quality.
When you are trying to decide which Blu-Ray player to choose, pay attention to the supported disc formats. Some Blu-Ray and DVD players are universal models that can play SACD and DVD-Audio discs at high resolution.
To watch the most popular new 3D movies on a high-resolution 3D TV from rented or purchased 3D Blu-Ray disks, you will need to use a Blu-Ray player with 3D support. Make sure to check if a device you are going to purchase has this feature.
Make sure to check if a Blu-Ray player can upscale videos to 4K. It should also allow you to adjust settings, feature a USB port and a Wi-Fi module. Another important thing to consider is HDMI support, as it enables a device to play high-definition videos.
Regardless of a model you are going to buy, you will base your decision on a price tag. This is why it’s important to read reviews written by people who have already bought a device to learn more about its advantages and disadvantages. It will facilitate your choice and help you find the best Blu-Ray player.
I recommend considering devices released by both these manufacturers as they are known for the excellent video and audio quality. Besides, their players are quite reliable, which makes them a great value for the money. However, after testing the most popular devices, I believe that the Panasonic DP-UB9000 is the best buy Blu-Ray player available on the market today.
A Blu-Ray player is a universal device that can play discs and stream content from various video services. Besides supporting many audio and video formats, it allows you to watch movies in 3D.
No, there is no need to connect your video player to the Internet to play movies. However, the Internet connection is required when you need to use extra features, download updates, watch movie trailers, etc.
Unless you use it in a harsh environment, it will serve you even longer than DVD players and other similar devices. However, Blu-Ray players are more prone to scratches and can be damaged easily so it’s better to treat your device carefully to ensure that it will serve you for many years.
