Top 5 Best 4K BLU-RAY PLAYERS In 2024

Blu-ray players remain the go-to choice for enthusiasts seeking the highest quality viewing experience at home. Despite the growing popularity of streaming services, Blu-ray discs offer superior picture quality due to their higher bitrate, providing more detail and realism. Additionally, owning physical copies of movies ensures full control over your collection, complete with stunning box art and bonus features.

Panasonic dominates the market for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players, with Sony also maintaining a presence. While the market may not be as vibrant as it once was, there are still options available across various budget ranges. These players are essential for showcasing the capabilities of top-tier TVs, with their uncompressed sound enhancing the performance of soundbars and home theater systems.

In addition to dedicated players, gaming consoles such as the Xbox and PlayStation also support 4K Blu-ray discs. While these consoles offer versatility beyond Blu-ray playback, they are included separately in this roundup due to their gaming-focused nature.

Overall, for those seeking the ultimate home viewing experience, investing in a high-quality 4K Blu-ray player remains a compelling choice.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best 4K BLU-RAY PLAYERS In 2024

1.Panasonic DP-UB820

Last update on 2024-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Panasonic DMP-UB820 is easily the best 4K Blu-ray player on the market for most people. It offers full HDR support, plenty of connectivity options with up to 7.1 channels of analogue audio output, Wi-Fi capabilities including video streaming, and varied playback functionality. And as an added bonus, it comes at a very competitive price.

Picture quality on the Panasonic DP-UB820 is fantastic, with 4K HDR images looking particularly brilliant. Colors are punchy, textures are sharp and defined, and black tones are accurate. We found during our testing that this was the case across the board, whether it was 4K Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray and even DVD. In our review, we said “Its 4K upscaling is effective, giving regular (non-4K) Blu-ray a whole new level of detail”. So for those looking to get that little bit extra out of their Blu-ray picture, the DP-UB820 is here to help. 

Audio is another of the UB820’s strengths, with excellent Dolby Atmos reproduction in particular. During testing, we found that even through a mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar, the room-filling effect we were looking for was still present. The UB820 also boasts different external audio connections including a dedicated HDMI audio output and up to 7.1 channels of direct analogue audio output for those with a home theater setup. 

The Panasonic DP-UB820 offers stunning picture and audio reproduction at an outstanding price – and on top of this, it provides phenomenal value thanks to its rock-solid design. We’ve seen one run daily in a demo environment for years without breaking. If you buy this 4K Blu-ray player, it will most definitely give you a long life of entertainment.

2.Panasonic DP-UB154

Last update on 2024-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Panasonic DP-UB154 is a budget-friendly option in the realm of 4K Blu-ray players, offering excellent value for its price point. Despite being light on connections, its standout feature is its remarkable picture quality, which more than compensates for any shortcomings. Priced competitively around $169/£159, it presents a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers.

While availability may sometimes be limited, an alternative option is the Panasonic DP-UB150, which offers similar specifications to the DP-UB154.

The DP-UB154 excels in contrast and natural textures, enhancing the viewing experience of any movie it plays. Its 4K upscaling capability breathes new life into non-4K discs, delivering enhanced detail. For instance, in a review of “Godzilla vs Kong,” the DP-UB154 showcased vibrant and bold visuals during the climactic fight scene in Tokyo, elevating the viewing experience.

However, the DP-UB154 does have some limitations. It lacks Dolby Vision support and Wi-Fi connectivity, and its response times can be sluggish. Additionally, its design is somewhat conservative, bordering on mundane. Nevertheless, its impressive picture quality and budget-friendly price position it as a top choice for those seeking an affordable 4K Blu-ray player.

 3.Panasonic DP-UB9000

Last update on 2024-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Panasonic DP-UB9000 stands as Panasonic’s flagship 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player, representing the pinnacle of performance for elite home theater setups. Boasting a beautifully crafted design with premium materials, it exudes luxury and sophistication.

Beyond its aesthetics, the DP-UB9000 offers unrivaled functionality. It was the first Panasonic UHD deck to support all major HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. This comprehensive HDR support ensures compatibility with a wide range of content, providing users with the best possible viewing experience.

In addition to its impressive image quality, the DP-UB9000 excels in audio performance. Equipped with high-quality DACs and multiple analog outputs, including two-channel and 7.1-channel options, it delivers exceptional sound reproduction. Hi-Res Audio support further enhances the audio experience, catering to audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts alike.

Furthermore, the DP-UB9000 offers a plethora of smart features, making it a versatile and comprehensive media player. While its premium features come at a cost, the investment is justified for those prioritizing top-notch Blu-ray playback and immersive home entertainment experiences.

In summary, the Panasonic DP-UB9000 sets the standard for Blu-ray playback, offering unparalleled picture quality, audio performance, and build quality. Its comprehensive HDR support, powerful features, and cinematic imagery make it a must-have for videophiles and discerning enthusiasts alike.

4.Magnetar UDP800

The Magnetar UDP800 represents a premium offering in the realm of 4K Blu-ray players, boasting exceptional build quality and comprehensive support for various disc formats. Developed by the same company as Reavon, it inherits the reputation for high-quality hardware, with a substantial weight of 8kg ensuring stability during disc playback.

In addition to supporting all Blu-ray formats, the Magnetar UDP800 goes above and beyond by offering generous support for audio discs, including SACD and DVD-Audio. This comprehensive audio support, coupled with its built-in Burr-Brown PCM 1795 stereo DAC and balanced XLR stereo outputs, ensures an immersive and high-fidelity audio experience.

The player excels not only in picture quality, delivering vibrant and detailed images, but also in audio performance. Listening to high-resolution recordings such as The Earth Overture by Kosuke Yamashita demonstrates the player’s ability to reproduce crystal-clear sound with dynamic fanfares, providing an immersive listening experience.

However, it’s important to note that the Magnetar UDP800 lacks streaming options beyond basic file playback over UPnP from a local server. Additionally, a wired connection is required for this functionality, as there is no Wi-Fi support. While it offers two HDMI outputs—one standard and one audio-only—plus stereo analog outputs, it does not feature 7.1 analog audio outputs.

For users seeking 7.1 analog audio outputs, the Reavon UBR-X200 may be a better option, although it lacks DVD-Audio playback and HDR10+ compatibility. Ultimately, the Magnetar UDP800 stands out as an excellent choice for those prioritizing audio quality and comprehensive disc format support in their 4K Blu-ray player.

Pros:

1. Excellent build quality: The Magnetar UDP800 boasts premium construction, ensuring durability and stability during operation.
2. Universal disc support: It supports a wide range of disc formats, including all Blu-ray formats, SACD, and DVD-Audio, catering to diverse user preferences.
3. High-end AV performance: The player delivers exceptional audio and visual performance, with high-fidelity audio reproduction and vibrant, detailed images.

Cons:

1. No Wi-Fi: Lack of Wi-Fi connectivity limits streaming capabilities and requires a wired connection for network-based features.
2. No streaming apps: The absence of built-in streaming apps restricts access to popular streaming services directly from the player.
3. It’s not cheap: The premium quality and features of the Magnetar UDP800 come at a higher price point, which may not be accessible to all consumers.

5.PS5 Slim

Last update on 2024-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

It’s noteworthy that the Sony PS5 Slim continues Sony’s legacy in supporting 4K Blu-ray technology with its dedicated disc drive, reminiscent of their contribution to popularizing Blu-ray players with the PS3. While the discless version is available, the standard edition with the disc drive is particularly relevant for enthusiasts of physical media.

In terms of its capabilities as a media center, the PS5 Slim may not be as advanced as the Xbox Series X, especially considering its lack of support for Dolby Vision HDR over streaming. However, both consoles can transmit Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks to your TV, with minor adjustments in the settings. Neither console supports Dolby Vision HDR or HDR10+ from Blu-rays, ensuring parity in this aspect.

The PS5 Slim demonstrates an advantage in picture quality, as per tests conducted on the original PS5 model. It offers cleaner and sharper images for native 4K content and produces more natural results when upscaling HD Blu-rays. Consequently, among the two consoles, the PS5 is deemed the superior Blu-ray player.

However, it’s crucial to ensure you purchase the version of the PS5 that includes the disc drive if you intend to use it for Blu-ray playback. The PS5 Slim essentially carries the same capabilities as the original PS5, albeit in a slimmer form factor.

For further insights into the PS5’s Blu-ray capabilities, readers can refer to the provided link for a comprehensive review of the original PS5 console, which shares the same features as the PS5 Slim.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST 4K BLU-RAY PLAYER FOR YOU

Compatibility and your present configuration should also be taken into account. A 4K TV is required to get the most out of a new 4K Blu-ray player; while it can still function on an HD display, the quality of the picture will only be 1080p.

Though it might seem apparent, you should also consider the Blu-ray player’s size and design. Does your TV cabinet have enough space for a Blu-ray player? Will it be stashed away on a different shelf or beneath your soundbar? Now that you know the measurements of all the top 4K Blu-ray players, it’s time to grab your tape measure.

From there, you can refine the specifications even further.The best HDR standards, such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and surround sound audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos, are guaranteed by many Blu-ray players; however, you should confirm that the models you’re considering have everything you need, particularly if you’re thinking about getting an older one.

Are Blu-rays still worth buying?

To address the subject of whether it’s still worthwhile to purchase movies on 4K Blu-ray, we wrote an entire post. However, it is ultimately up to you, your tastes, and how valuable you think your collection of movies is.

Although purchasing physical movies is becoming less common, TV shows and movies are sometimes taken down from streaming services, which should make moviegoers reconsider relying solely on streaming since they cannot be taken away from them.

It should be noted that 4K appears to be the norm going forward. We don’t think 8K Blu-ray players will overtake their 4K counterparts very soon due to the pedagogue introduction (and uptake) of 8K TVs.

Furthermore, some of the greatest films ever made have only recently been released on 4K Blu-rays, and since the greatest 4K films are still utilizing Ultra HD Blu-ray technology, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players and discs are still something to think about if you want the best possible home entertainment.

Do you need a special Blu-ray player for 4K?

Let’s clear up some misconceptions first. There are two distinct formats for Blu-rays: the older Blu-ray format and the more recent 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.

This implies that you can play a Blu-ray disc on a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player in addition to a Blu-ray player. A 4K Blu-ray player is the only device that can play a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc.

When you purchase a Blu-ray disc, it may also include a standard DVD version that can be used with older machines. In a similar vein, purchasing a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc can also include a Blu-ray version. But keep in mind that this isn’t always the case, so double-check you have the right one before you buy.

What TV do I need to use a 4K UHD Blu-ray player?

Though it should go without saying, having one of the greatest 4K TVs is a requirement for justifying the purchase of a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player. If you’re using an HD TV, a 4K player will still function, but the picture quality will only be 1080p.

Nevertheless, by filling in the missing pixels, HD Blu-ray discs will be upgraded to 3840 x 2160 (4K) resolution; however, the quality will seem substantially worse than Ultra HD Blu-ray discs (which offer a native 4K image).

How do 4K Blu-Rays compare to streaming quality?

They’re superior by far. 40Mbps to 20Mbps is the data rate at which 4K video is sent, depending on the streaming service. Up to 128Mbps is far more what 4K Blu-Ray offers. Furthermore, it reliably delivers that data; network congestion won’t cause your stream to lag or pause when you reach the greatest parts.

That’s important since streaming requires tradeoffs due to its reduced bandwidth. For instance, compressed Dolby Digital+ format is typically used for streaming video with Dolby Atmos. Blu-ray features Dolby TrueHD in its entirety. It needs to be on a disc if you want DTS:X, which is more detailed and in control than Atmos.

Sony’s BRAVIA core, which is only available on its BRAVIA TVs and provides data speeds comparable to Blu-Ray, is the main exception in this case. Additionally, there is the very costly Kaleidescape streaming technology, which is not affordable for the general public despite offering amazing quality.

Streaming is attractive because it’s affordable, convenient (though some providers charge extra for greater quality streaming), and it gives you quick pleasure. But Blu-Ray remains the best option for the ultimate AV experience

conclusion

In conclusion, the landscape of 4K Blu-ray players and gaming consoles offers a diverse range of options catering to different preferences and priorities. From dedicated Blu-ray players like the Panasonic DP-UB9000 and the Magnetar UDP800 to gaming consoles such as the Sony PS5 Slim, each device brings its own set of strengths and weaknesses to the table.

For enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in audiovisual performance and versatility, flagship Blu-ray players like the Panasonic DP-UB9000 and the Magnetar UDP800 stand out. These devices offer exceptional build quality, comprehensive disc format support, and high-end AV performance, making them ideal choices for home theater setups.

On the other hand, gaming consoles like the Sony PS5 Slim offer a unique blend of gaming and multimedia capabilities. With features like 4K/120fps gameplay, revolutionary controller haptics, and lightning-fast SSDs, these consoles deliver immersive gaming experiences alongside basic Blu-ray playback functionality.

Ultimately, the choice between a dedicated Blu-ray player and a gaming console depends on individual preferences and requirements. For those primarily interested in top-tier Blu-ray playback and audiovisual performance, dedicated players remain the go-to option. However, gaming consoles offer added versatility and entertainment options, making them appealing choices for users looking for multifunctional entertainment devices.

It’s essential for consumers to consider factors such as budget, space constraints, and specific feature requirements when making their decision. Whether opting for a dedicated Blu-ray player or a gaming console, each device offers its own unique strengths, catering to a wide range of user preferences in the ever-evolving landscape of home entertainment technology.