10 Best Smart Blu-Ray Players 2025 in the United States

The Panasonic Streaming 4K Blu Ray Player DP-UB820-K is a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their home theater experience. It excels in video resolution with its ability to playback 4K Ultra HD content, providing stunning color and detail thanks to Panasonic's Hollywood Cinema Experience (HCX) technology. The player supports multiple HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), ensuring rich and dynamic picture quality. Audio performance is also a highlight, with high-resolution audio support and twin HDMI outputs for superior sound clarity.

The player is versatile in terms of disc compatibility, handling Blu-Ray, DVDs, and streaming 4K video on demand from popular services like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video. The inclusion of voice assist features via Alexa and Google Assistant adds to the convenience, allowing for hands-free operation. Connectivity options are ample, though it mainly centers around HDMI connections. Some users might find the user interface and ease of use to be straightforward, but it could feel a bit outdated compared to more recent smart devices.

The device is also relatively lightweight at 5.3 pounds and compact, making it easy to fit into most entertainment setups. One potential drawback is the price point, which might be higher compared to other Blu-Ray players on the market, but the features and performance could justify the cost for those seeking a premium viewing experience.

The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K is a high-end 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player designed for those who want top-notch video and audio performance in their home theater. It supports a full range of HDR formats including HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log-Gamma, delivering bright, vibrant, and lifelike picture quality on compatible TVs. The built-in HCX processor helps deliver colors and details as filmmakers intended, making movie watching a more immersive experience.

On the audio side, this player excels with high-quality analog audio circuits and a powerful digital-to-analog converter that supports various sound formats, providing rich, clear sound through balanced XLR or traditional connections. This makes it a great choice for audiophiles with advanced sound systems. Connectivity options are robust, including twin HDMI outputs for both video and audio, USB Type-C, optical, and coaxial ports, offering flexibility to connect to a wide range of home theater setups. The interface is user-friendly and supports voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which can simplify operation but requires separate devices for voice commands.

The player is compatible with Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and supports 4K streaming. It is quite heavy and somewhat large, requiring a sturdy space in your entertainment area. With a price and design aimed at enthusiasts, it may be more than necessary for casual users who only want basic Blu-ray playback. For those seeking exceptional video and audio quality with modern features and who don’t mind a premium price, the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K is a strong option. However, simpler and more affordable players are available for others.

The Sony BDP-S1700U is a straightforward Blu-ray player that delivers Full HD video for Blu-ray discs and can upscale regular DVDs close to HD quality, which is great if you want better picture from your older DVD collection. It supports Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS audio formats, so you get solid sound quality with compatible home theater setups. The player comes with an HDMI cable, making it easy to connect to most modern TVs right out of the box.

One of its perks is the very quick startup time—it boots up in less than a second, which is convenient when you want to watch something without waiting. The user interface is designed to be simple and user-friendly, making it accessible even if you’re not very familiar with tech gadgets. This model does not include HDR support or any built-in streaming services, so it is primarily focused on playing discs rather than smart features like Netflix or YouTube apps.

If you’re looking for a basic player that’s reliable for Blu-ray and DVD playback with decent picture and sound, this Sony model fits the bill well. However, if streaming or HDR video is important to you, you might want to consider other options.