Top Picks

Top Picks Blu-ray Players

Magnetar UDP800 Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player: $1,599
For enthusiasts who prefer watching movies on disc over streaming, the UDP800 is an impeccably built universal player that can handle just about any disc might want to play, including SACD, DVD-Audio, and even Kodak Picture CD in addition to the expected 4K and HD Blu-ray (including 3D!), DVD, and CD. Making a good thing even better, the UPD800 supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) and plays media files encoded in the H.265 and H.264 format as well as music and movie files from your home network or a connected external hard drive.The UDP800 doesn’t come cheap but it is ideal for performance-minded AV-philes who enjoy spinning high-quality music and movie discs. (Posted 5/2/24, Read Full Review)
Reavon UBR-X100 and UBR-X200 Ultra HD Blu-ray Players: $799, $1,699
From Reavon, a startup out of France you never heard of, comes not one but two new high-end 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players. Reavon’s UBR-X100 ($799) and its up-market sibling, the UBR-X200 ($1,699), are based on the latest version of the MediaTek reference video processor that formed the heart of 4K players from Oppo, the beloved brand that abruptly exited the business in 2018. Stepping up to the X200 gets you a more robust power supply plus analog RCA and balanced XLR outputs and a 7.1-channel RCA output alongside the standard HDMI and optical/coaxial digital connections. The extra 900 bucks also elevates you to “universal disc player” status with the ability to spin DVD-Audio discs and SACDs, which are still released regularly by boutique audiophile labels. In addition to playing high-res audio files and supporting Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range (HDR), both players are nimble and deliver performance Kris Deering described as comparable to Oppo’s fabled players and Panasonic’s outstanding DP-UB9000. (December/January 2022, Read Full Review)
Top Picks Archive
< $199
LG BP540 3D: $130
The BP540 is more expensive than today’s average Blu-ray player but it represents one heck of a bargain if you’re looking to add streaming capability to your AV setup. It’s not the fastest player on the market but in addition to putting a bevy of streaming options at your fingertips—including Netflix, Vudu, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu Plus—it plays regular and 3D Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs without a hitch. (December 2014, Read Full Review)
Panasonic DMP-BDT220: $150
Panasonic has released some of the best budget Blu-ray players year-to-year, and the latest crop has yielded the DMP-BDT220, which reviewer Kris Deering found delivered “reference-quality Blu-ray playback,” along with 2D-to-3D conversion and a host of streaming video options. “What’s not to love here?” he wrote. “This one goes straight to the top of my budget player recommendations and delivers the Blu-ray experience in spades.” (October 2012, Read Full Review)
Samsung BD-H6500: $180
The BD-H6500 has a lot to offer for less than $180: An easy-to-navigate user interface, 4K/Ultra HD upscaling, 3D capability, smartphone screen mirroring, built-in Wi-Fi, and apps for Netflix, Vudu, and other streaming services. But, most important, it delivers outstanding audio and video performance. As reviewer David Vaughn noted: “The player’s audio and video prowess didn’t let me down in any way and matched the experience from my reference Oppo BDP-103D player.” Impressive. (July/August 2014, Read Full Review)
$200-$999
Sony BDP-S790 3D: $250
Sony’s best, late generation player offers up cutting edge features, including 4K upscaling of 1080p content when mated with one of the new 4K displays, as well as 2D-to-3D conversion. Reviewer David Vaughn found it offered “flawless playback of Blu-ray Discs, outstanding DVD upconversion, and more streaming services than you can shake a stick at.” (September 2012, Read Full Review)
Sony UBP-X800 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $300
Sony may be late to the UHD Blu-ray party but at least it showed up with a versatile HDR-enabled player that delivers mouth-watering 4K HDR images to your TV without breaking the bank. For three hundred bucks, you get kick-ass performance with 4K discs and 4K streams plus a decent remote control and comprehensive iOS/Android control app and the ability to play DVD-Audio discs and SACDs. The player also does a stellar job of upconverting 1080p discs to 4K resolution. Yep, it’s a Sony. (July August 2017, Read Full Review)
Samsung UBD-M9500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $400
Samsung’s second-generation Ultra HD (UHD) player delivers exceptional performance at a fair price and doubles as an entertainment hub that can stream media from your home network, a USB drive, or Netflix and other popular online services. But when all is said and done, tried-and-true physical discs still deliver the ultimate UHD experience. Comparing a 4K stream of the 2015 James Bond thriller Spectre with its UHD Blu-ray counterpart, David Vaughan did not mince words: “The UHD disc blows it away.” (December 2017, Read Full Review)
Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $400
The next generation of Blu-ray is here at last and it was definitely worth the wait. As the world’s first Ultra HD player, the UBD-K8500 isn’t perfect (what first-generation product is?) but with the right disc and a topnotch TV it will deliver a mind-blowing home theater experience that puts state-of-the-art advances such as as high dynamic range and wide color gamut on vivid display. Best of all, it’s only 400 bucks. (June 2016, Read Full Review)
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $499
Streaming is all well and good but if you want consistent reference-level performance with impeccable high-dynamic range (HDR) playback, the DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray player is the way to go. Reviewer Kris Deering called it the “first must-own player to hit the market” — one that sets a new bar for HDR playback with flat-panel TVs and projectors. Much of the credit goes to Panasonic’s unique HDR Optimizer, which draws on an assortment of brightness presets and controls to correct common HDR tone-mapping issues. “I’m sure it will improve playback of 4K/HDR on the majority of displays,” wrote Deering. “A Top Pick for sure!” (Posted 9/12/18, Read Full Review)
Oppo BDP-103 3D: $499
An update to the highly regarded BDP-93, which has won the favor of many on our staff, the BDP-103 holds the line on price but adds 4K video upscaling, 2D-to-3D conversion, dual HDMI inputs, and MHL USB-port compatibility for watching video from compatible smartphones and tablets. Add its performance chops into the mix and it’s no wonder it comes highly recommended: Near flawless playback, support for DVD-Audio and SACD, home network streaming, and best-in-class video processing are just some of the things you get in the bargain. (January 2013, Read Full Review)
Oppo UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $549
The arrival of the UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray player is a momentous occasion for AV enthusiasts everywhere because no one pushes the envelope like Oppo. The company has once again delivered a player that excels in audio and video performance with support for HDR10 (and Dolby Vision via a future firmware update). Yes, you can buy a UHD player for less, but as Tom Norton explained, "I can’t imagine you’ll find one that offers better performance, flexibility, and build quality.” (May 2017, Read Full Review)
Oppo BDP-103D: $599
When it comes to Oppo Blu-ray players, the good just keeps getting better. An update to the BDP-103, the BDP-103D costs $100 more but bears gifts that will make videophiles giddy: Fully featured and updatable Darbee video enhancement (see our review of the Darblet processor ), DVDO VRS ClearView processing for 4K scaling and detail/edge enhancement, support for high-res DSD music files, and a convenient iPad app. Everything about this player is top shelf, which is why reviewer Kris Deering rated it five stars across the board and proclaimed it a “revolutionary.” (SoundandVision.com, Read Full Review)
Panasonic DMP-UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $600
One of only two players to make our 2016 Top Picks of the Year list, Panasonic’s first Ultra HD Blu-ray player has nearly everything you could want in a 4K disc player: Solid build quality, excellent upconversion of standard HD content, and overall excellent performance, including support for hi-res audio and high dynamic range video (though only HDR10). The UB900 is further distinguished as first UHD player to receive THX certification.” (February/March 2017, Read Full Review)
Cambridge Audio CXUHD Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $700
If faultless video performance delivered from a low-profile player appeals to you, then you owe it to yourself to check out Cambridge Audio’s CXUHD. The British company is, of course, known for its universal disc players, which are based on the revered Oppo Digital platform but offered without digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and analog audio outputs. Reviewer Al Griffin praised the player’s video chops and recommended it as a streamlined (albeit pricier) alternative to Oppo’s excellent 4K Blu-ray players, which as it turns out are gradually being phased out. (June 2018, Read Full Review)
Oppo Digital BDP-95 Universal 3D: $999
Essentially a BDP-93 universal player with a multichannel analog audio output outfitted with high end DACs for superior audio playback. Set for replacement by the BDP-105, which adds 4K video upscaling, 2D-to-3D conversion, dual HDMI inputs and MHL USB-port compatibility for watching video from compatible smartphones and tablets. Watch for availability and reviews; we expect this to perform as good as or better than its predecessor. (August 2011, HomeTheater.com; Read Full Review)
$1,000 >
Panasonic DP-UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $1,000
Listen up disc aficionados: If you're in the market for a 4K Blu-ray player that can do everything you want, and plenty of things you didn't know you wanted, Panasonic’s flagship model is a technical tour de force guaranteed to impress you. Beyond supporting all of the high dynamic range (HDR) formats, the DP-UB9000 is THX-certified and provides a number of unique audio and video settings, including dynamic tone mapping — it even generates its own metadata to ensure optimal picture quality. Veteran reviewer Tom Norton called it “unequalled by any other video disc player on the market.” (October/November 2019, Read Full Review)
Pioneer UDP-LX500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player Review: $1,099
Pioneer has stepped up to fill the void left by Oppo, which stopped making Blu-ray players last year. Aimed squarely at die-hard enthusiasts, the UDP-LX500 boasts first-rate HDR (high dynamic range) tone mapping for projector setups, custom presets with sliders for HDR conversion, and the ability to play hi-res music files as well as SACDs and DVD-Audio discs. All in all, it’s a versatile player built to deliver breathtaking 4K images. (June/July 2019, Read Full Review)
Oppo BDP-105: $1,199
Successor to Oppo’s outstanding BDP-95, the BDP-105 is a Blu-ray player and serious A/V processor rolled in one. You get reference-quality video playback, two HDMI inputs, three audio inputs, an excellent headphone amplifier and onboard video processing in the form of the exceptional Marvell QDEO chip. Marveling over the 105’s audio prowess—complete with two Sabre32 Reference Audio DACs— reviewer Kris Deering wrote: “Taken all together, you have a very capable audio/video processor here that could easily replace a digital pre/pro…” (April 2013, Read Full Review)
Cambridge Audio Azur 752BD: $1,299
With the Azur 752BD, Cambridge melds a custom audio section with the video platform used in the acclaimed Oppo BDP-105 to deliver reference-quality audio and video. “From the exceptional build quality to its flawless Blu-ray performance, the 752BD really doesn’t leave much on the table,” wrote reviewer Kris Deering. If you’re in the market for a topnotch Blu-ray player, this is definitely one to consider.(HomeTheater.com, Read Full Review)
Pioneer Elite BDP-88FD: $2,000
Is the BDP-88FB the end-all, be-all universal disc player? Yes and no. The answer is a resounding yes if you limit the scope to Blu-ray in terms of video. The 88FD is one of the most impressive players out there. But if you’re looking ahead to the next-generation 4K/UHD disc format expected to debut in late 2015, the 88FD falls short because it won’t be able to play native 4K content. Still, if budget is not a concern and you’re content with five-star Blu-ray performance from a player that doubles as an audiophile CD/SACD player, the 88FB is well worth a look. (June 2015, Read Full Review)
McIntosh MVP891 Universal 3D: $5,500
Reviewed as part of our review of a complete $34,000 McIntosh system in our June 2012 issue, the MVP891 is a full universal player that features Anchor Bay video processing and Analog Devices 12-bit/297MHz video D/A conversion with noise-shaped video processing, and digital noise reduction. The player includes five two-channel, 192khz/32-bit audio D/A converters. Reviewer Michael Fremer called the MVP891 “a superb-sounding digital-audio player on CD via its balanced outputs, as well as on DVD-Audio discs through it’s single-ended, 7.1 channel, analog outputs.” (June 2012, Read Full Review)
Ayre Acoustics DX-5 Universal A/V Engine: $9,950
A serious audiophile deck that plays all disc types (except 3D Blu-ray) and combines state-of-the art video playback with a USB DAC for processing high-resolution music files from a computer or hard drive. Reviewer Shane Buettner wrote, “The DX-5 not only bridges our disc-based past with our discless future; it also goes substantially further in bridging the still golden sound and tonality of analog with digital audio than any other component I’ve yet encountered. In my opinion, the Ayre Acoustics DX-5 is destined to become a classic.” (June 2011 Read Full Review)

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