While streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ present quick and convenient ways to indulge in your favorite films, a 4K Blu-ray player is still one of the best ways to watch movies. A 4K Blu-ray disc is able to hold up to around 100GB of data and doesn’t rely on an internet connection for playback. It truly is a plug-and-play component, and some players even come with an HDMI cable!
Most 4K Blu-ray players are optimized to run the latest HDR and surround codecs, including formats like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Some models can even decode hi-res music formats. Of course, you may be wondering what company makes the best 4K players, which is why we’ve put together this roundup to highlight all the best 4K Blu-ray players you can buy right now.
Best overall 4K Blu-ray player
Panasonic DP-UB420
- Superb voice control capabilities
- Support for various hi-res audio formats
- All major streaming services supported
- Design and build is lackluster
| Specification: | |
| Connectivity | 1 x HDMI 2.0a, 1 x HDMI 1.4 (audio only), optical, Ethernet, USB-A |
| HDR compatibility | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Audio compatibility | Dolby Atmos + DTS:X (must be set to bitstream), Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD Master Audio |
Panasonic has a long and healthy track record of producing some of the finest mid- to high-tier Blu-ray players, and the UB420 is the latest in its lineup of connoisseur-style hardware. The UB420 comes loaded with the latest premier video codecs, including HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG formats. Colors and overall vibrancy are taken a step further by Panasonic's Hollywood Cinema processor, which delivers a chroma-enriched 4K image.
For those who are looking to ditch the remote control, Panasonic has got you covered. The Panasonic UB420 is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant. Just connect the player to Wi-Fi and you'll be able to play/pause, stop, rewind/fast forward, and view media menus using nothing more than your voice.
Best budget 4K Blu-ray player
Sony UBP-X700M
- Great picture and sound quality
- Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X support
- Built-in apps (internet connection required)
- Has a digital coaxial audio output
- Limited hi-res playback support
- Picture upscaling could be better
| Specification: | |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI 2.0a, digital coaxial, Ethernet, USB-A |
| HDR compatibility | HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Audio compatibility | Dolby Atmos + DTS: X (must be set to bitstream), Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD Master Audio |
It’s hard to find a 4K Blu-ray player for less than $200, but if you’re trying to make as frugal of a player purchase as possible, we recommend the Sony UBP-X700M. This model covers all the basics, including Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, and can decode sound formats all the way up to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. You’ll also be able to play everything from 4K and traditional Blu-ray discs to DVDs and CDs.
Should you decide to use the X700M for streaming, you’ll be able to access popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video once the player is connected to Wi-Fi (or hardwired to your router via Ethernet). Do keep in mind that while you’ll be able to stream 4K content through the Netflix and Prime Video apps, the only app to feature HDR support is YouTube.
The X700M even includes a front-facing USB port if you want to connect a flash drive with photos, videos, or music on it. While more advanced 4K players are more adept at decoding hi-res audio (the X700M doesn’t support any lossless formats), if you’re looking to get a great 4K Blu-ray player for less, this is the model you should buy.
Best for audio enthusiasts
Sony UBP-X800M2
- Sleek and minimalist design
- Bluetooth headphone streaming
- Dolby Vision support
- No HDR10+ support
- A little on the pricey side
| Specification: | |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI 2.0b, digital coaxial, Ethernet, USB-A |
| HDR compatibility | HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Audio compatibility | Dolby Atmos + DTS: X (must be set to bitstream), Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD Master Audio |
There was a lot to like about the original Sony UBP-X800, but most notable was its use of both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X alongside Sony's excellent Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE HX), which allowed it to offer cinema-level sound in your home. Combined, these traits offer unmatched audio.
The only problem was the lack of Dolby Vision support, but Sony corrected that mistake for the newer UBP-X800M2, making it a high-octane option that needs to be in any serious home theater setup. You'll pay handsomely for the upgraded fidelity, but it's worth the peace of mind knowing your UHD Blu-ray collection will always look and sound its best.
With the aforementioned DSEE HX support, the Sony UBP-X800M2 is the best option for those who like to pipe a lot of music through their home theater system. The Blu-ray player neatly unpacks compressed audio formats like MP3 and FLAC, among others, to deliver hi-fi sound that's far more abstract than others are capable of. It almost makes us forget that Oppo's UDP-203 ever existed. Almost.
Most fun 4K Blu-ray player
Microsoft Xbox Series X
- Gobs of potential
- More storage than PS5
- Accessible library through Game Pass
- Good value
- Lacking big exclusives
- Difficult to fit in most A/V cabinets
- Next-gen potential is untapped
| Specification: | |
| Connectivity | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x USB-A, Ethernet |
| HDR compatibility | HDR10 |
| Audio compatibility | Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos, DTS 5.1, up to 7.1 L-PCM |
The Xbox Series X is the quintessential all-in-one box that can take over a living room. You can play video games at resolutions up to 4K with HDR10 for lifelike color, and then grab some popcorn to wind down and watch your favorite movies in stunning detail.
You might think that a gaming console would skimp on connections, but the Series X features three USB 3.0 ports, 5GHz wi-fi, an Ethernet port, S/PDIF ports, and a single HDMI 2.1 port.
Unlike most other Blu-ray players, the Xbox Series X never stops evolving. It has tons of streaming apps in the Xbox Store, all regularly updated with the latest user experience and features. Netflix offers Dolby Vision support, for instance, which not even the Blu-ray disc player inside can yet claim. System updates also come in more regularly than traditional Blu-ray players, often with sweeping changes that only add to the experience such as when Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos eventually showed up (albeit in limited form).
While we consider it perverse not to pair your beautiful 4K TV with a console that takes full advantage of it, you may also want to check out the PS5. A competitor to the Xbox Series X, the PS5 features a built-in 4K Blu-ray drive, along with impressive hardware specs, speedy performance, and gorgeous next-gen graphics.
Best premium 4K Blu-ray player
Panasonic DP-UB820
| Specification: | |
| Connectivity | 1 x HDMI 2.0a, 1 x HDMI 1.4, optical, Ethernet, 7.1ch analog audio outputs, |
| HDR compatibility | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Audio compatibility | Dolby Atmos + DTS: X (must be set to bitstream), Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD Master Audio |
Similar to the Panasonic DP-UB420 Blu-ray player on our list, but takes it to the next level with support for Dolby Vision and, of course, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG as well. It's a step down from Panasonic's flagship $980 DP-UB9000, but has the same digital processing features, meaning the color and contrast are stunning, especially on Dolby Vision Blu-ray discs. Panasonic's HCX (Hollywood Cinema Experience) processing is here, too, which can take the 4:2:0 color from your Blu-rays and reproduce in incredible 4:4:4 color content, which, again, equals an amazing picture.
The DP-UB820 also supports high-res audio with a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that delivers up to 32-bit/192kHz audio for great audio, and it even supports a bunch of audio formats for listening to music, such as WAV, FLAC, MP3, AAC, WMA, and AIFF. Your streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, can be accessed through the UB820, and it even works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.
Also consider
Panasonic DP-UB150
- Bright and vibrant picture
- Great sound with support for Panasonic's hi-res audio
- Affordable
- No support for Dolby Vision
| Specification: | |
| Connectivity | 1 x HDMI 2.0a, Ethernet, USB-A |
| HDR compatibility | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Audio compatibility | Dolby Atmos + DTS: X (must be set to bitstream), Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD Master Audio |
Budget-pricing doesn't necessarily have to translate to a product's suite of features. This is especially true in the case of the Panasonic DP-UB150, a formidable player with the savvy shopper in mind. Right off the bat, the UB150 is capable of decoding three leading HDR codecs — HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG — ensuring that most of your HDR viewing will be top-notch. Additionally, Panasonic's 4K Chroma processing and HDR Optimizer are onboard to take picture quality to the next level. We also love how well the player handles 4K upscaling.
The UB150 is a decent player for audio playback, too, thanks in part to Panasonic's High-Res Audio Playback, designed to land you smack-dab in the middle of all your favorite songs and movie soundtracks. While there's no Dolby Vision support and a lack of streaming apps for those concerned with web content, the Panasonic DP-UB150 gets you more than just the bare necessities, functioning more like a mid-tier 4K player than a low-priced budget option.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you can guess, not all 4K Blu-ray players are created equal, so it’s important to know what features and specifications are important to you when shopping. We recommend keeping an eye out for the following:
Video and audio quality
4K Blu-ray players are incredible at delivering the kind of picture and sound the filmmakers who made your favorite movie would want you to hear and see (in most cases). Still, if you’re looking to use the player for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, or hi-res audio, you’ll want to be extra mindful when it comes to format support. Even some of the best 4K Blu-ray players don’t support every single single modern AV codec.
HDR10 should be your bare minimum for HDR support, and the player you purchase should at least be able to handle both Dolby and DTS traditional surround formats. If FLAC is important to you, you’ll want to pull up the player specs to make sure this format (and others) are covered by the player you want to buy.
Connectivity
When it comes to wiring up your 4K Blu-ray player to your TV or AV system, it’s essential to know what kinds of ports you’re dealing with. Ideally, you’ll grab a 4K player with at least one HDMI 2.1 connection for the absolute best picture and sound. HDMI 2.0 might be okay for some setups, though, especially if you’re running older HD or UHD hardware.
If you have advanced audio needs that require separate audio outputs, you’ll want to make sure the player you’re interested in has whatever digital or analog ports you’re looking for. Some advanced models even carry a second HDMI port for splitting your audio and video connections. And if you plan on hooking up a USB flash drive to view photos or play movies or music, you’ll want to confirm the 4K player has a USB port, too.
Streaming capabilities
While most modern TVs, game consoles, and dedicated streaming devices give you access to apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube (and we’re willing to bet you own one or two of these components already), Blu-ray players are another class of hardware with web-connected capabilities.
If you’d like to use your 4K player for streaming, you’ll want to make sure the player you’re looking to buy supports the apps you want to use. You’ll also want to keep this in mind: not all built-in Blu-ray player apps support 4K and HDR streaming. Lastly, if you’re planning on hardwiring the player to your router for faster internet, you’ll want to make sure the player actually has an Ethernet port.
We here at Digital Trends have years of AV expertise under our belts. While we haven’t officially tested most of the 4K Blu-ray players on our list, our experts have put hundreds of TVs, soundbars, streaming devices, and other AV peripherals through rigorous evaluations. And many of these devices share the same core features and specifications that you’ll want to look for in a 4K Blu-ray player.
We did test the Xbox Series X, though, which is a great 4K Blu-ray player option that also doubles as a cutting-edge game console!
