Best 4K Blu-ray player: Discs are better than streaming

Introduction

While the tide has turned in terms of how we consume entertainment in our homes, if you ask us, physical discs will always be better than streaming if you want the best quality experience.

Having the best 4k Blu-ray player at your disposal allows you to enjoy higher bit-rates for both picture and sound, so for fans of films, this is the best way to enjoy world cinema in the comfort of your own home.

With more films, new and classic titles launching on 4K Blu-ray, now is a great time to purchase a 4K Blu-ray player to enjoy them. This list features the best 4K Blu-ray players on the market, ranging from entry-level options priced less than £150 to premium spinners that could set you back almost £1000. Regardless of your knowledge and experience in matters concerning home cinema, this list features is an option suitable for anyone.

We assess 4K players in terms of their build quality, how easy they are to use and the features they support. We watch lots of films and TV shows in 4K to assess their picture and sound performance, and if they have any smarts we check those out too, to see if they work as expected. We also compare them to similarly priced alternatives to judge how much value they offer and whether they deserve a position on this list.

The market for 4K Blu-ray players has settled since the format launch several years ago, with Panasonic and Sony dominating in terms of their selection of players. However, there have been new players entering the market from French company Reavon and Chinese brand Magnetar. We haven’t reviewed those models yet, but we’ll be looking to do so in the coming months.

4K Blu-ray players are a great source for 4K content, but you’ll also need to hook them up to receivers and displays to get the best out of them. For those in need of a screen to watch their favourite TV shows and films, have a look at our best TV or check out our best projector page.

And with 4K disc spinners supporting the likes of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, have a look out our best surround sound speaker set-ups for immersive sound.

Best 4K Blu-ray player at a glance

How we test

How we test Blu-ray players

We watch a lot of 4K Blu-rays, obviously. But before we get to the viewings, there’s the matter of plugging things in, and we spend time checking out whether a 4K Blu-ray player has the bare-bones single HDMI, or twin HDMI to separate out sound and vision, plus multi-channel analogue audio output. All that stuff matters if you’re going to set up a home cinema.

When we do get to the discs, we care how quickly the disc tray loads, and whether it rattles. We care about loading times, how quickly you go from disc insertion to getting to the main menu. While things load, we’ll also take the time to scour the specs sheets to check for format compatibility.

Then it’s time to watch 4K Blu-rays, and we pay attention to the picture and sound quality. No, they’re not the same. The discs all put out the same information but every 4K Blu-ray player processes them differently. We look out for the best balance of detail, subtlety, vibrancy and realism. If there are promises such as Dolby Atmos, we pay special attention to the precision of effects placement.

After all this, we sweat the small stuff. Is the remote easy to use, particularly in dark rooms? Is the system interface easy to navigate?
Finally, every element is judged against the price. If a machine represents good value generally, we’ll be a little more lenient on a bad remote. Pricier machines, however, had better be stunning.

Panasonic DP-UB9000

Best 4K Blu-ray player

Trusted Score

Pros

• Sensational 4K UHD image quality
• Dolby Vision and HDR10+ compatible
• Breathtaking build quality
• Streaming app portal

Cons

• No SACD or DVD-A support
• Not quite audiophile-grade CD playback

Panasonic’s DP-UB9000 flagship 4K Blu-ray player is the most ambitious player we’ve tested from the Japanese brand, and for AV enthusiasts, investing in this battleship 4K player is a no-brainer.

The DP-UB9000 delivers best-in-class UHD video performance, courtesy of supreme image processing tech, as well as its HDR support that covers HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision formats. The images it produces exhibits both astonishing detail and supreme smoothness thanks to its second generation HCX, and we found the player performed a capable job of upscaling HD Blu-ray discs, too.

Our reviewer tested the player with a mid-range TV and found the results convincing, so pairing with a premium TV should elicit even better performance from the Panasonic player.

This Pana player also boasts a level of construction that exceeds its (high) price; disc-loading speeds are decent while loading is smooth and quiet. Connectivity is extensive with dual HDMI outputs (one audio only), two USBs (one is a fast v3.0), and optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, as well as a full 7.1 analogue channel output. There’s also balanced Neutrik XLR stereo connectors and Ethernet on hand to support the internal Wi-Fi.

When it comes to audio it sounds good – not quite audiophile in quality as the now discontinued Pioneer UDP-LX500, but it impresses nonetheless. If you’re looking for DVD-Audio and SACD support, the Panasonic doesn’t have it unfortunately. Nevertheless, if you want the best performance then the UB9000 reigns at the head of the 4K player market.

Reviewer: Steve May
Full Review: Panasonic DP-UB9000

Panasonic DP-UB820

Best 4K player under £400

Trusted Score

Pros

• Multi-HDR format support
• Superb image performance for the price
• Integrated streaming apps

Cons

• Unexciting CD playback
• Average build quality

If you own a TV that supports either Dolby Vision, HDR10+ or both, and you want to see your 4K collection presented in the best shape it can, then of the 4K player options below £500 / $500 the Panasonic DP-UB820 warrants closer investigation over its cheaper DP-UB450 sibling.

It features the same second generation HCR processor that’s included in the flagship model, and it helps to produce a performance that we found to be superb with UHD discs as well as making standard Blu-ray discs look beautifully crisp. Colours are more precise and detailed than they are on rival disc spinners, and with Panasonic’s Optimiser feature, brightness an contrast can be boosted without washing out the image, which our reviewer found made viewing HDR content in a brighter room more satisfying to watch.

Picture quality is complemented by a decent selection of streaming apps, though the user interface could use an overhaul. It’s also a classy frontman for a Dolby Atmos home cinema. When playing CDs we found it was worth experimenting with the Digital Tube up-sampler. It features a number of filters that mimic the warmth of tube amplification and it made our reviewer’s CD collection sound more homely.

Build quality is fine, and more in-keeping with Panasonic’s entry-level players, missing out on the premium metal finish the flagship UB9000 sports. We found the player looked presentable enough for the asking price. A remote is provided but if gets lost in the couch then there are manual buttons for power and disc loading on the player itself.

Reviewer: Steve May
Full Review: Panasonic DP-UB820

Sony UBP-X700

Best 4K player under £300

Trusted Score

Pros

• Excellent picture performance
• Dolby Vision support
• SACD disc playback
• 4K video streaming services

Cons

• No HDR10+ support
• Noisy in operation
• Flimsy build quality

Despite its cheaper build quality, the UBP-X700 retains many of the same features of the discontinued UBP-X800 but actually includes support for Dolby Vision HDR this time. It’s price has gone up over £200 since we first reviewed, but we still believe it’s a great choice for anyone who wants an Ultra HD Blu-ray player that can deliver excellent video and audio.

We found picture performance to be terrific. UHD discs were flawlessly reproduced in minute detail, with the wider colour gamut and high dynamic range (HDR) of 4K discs all perfectly rendered by the Sony. Images are sharp and detailed with natural looking colours and no apparent artefacts. Our reviewer found the spinner even performed brilliantly with SDR content, getting the maximum out of every pixel.

The UBP-X700 is a digital transport (no analogue outputs), which means there is no DAC inside, just a digital signal being delivered either via HDMI or the coaxial digital output. Choose HDMI and there is benefit from lossless audio and immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks. While the X700 might not be the audiophile’s choice, we found it was more than capable of delivering a quality experience whether with CDs, SACDs or streaming.

There is a drawback at this more affordable price compared to more premium players, which is that the X700’s construction can feel flimsy when compared to the UBP-X800M2. It’s a rather cheap and largely plastic player, but this is unlikely to be of much concern if you’re not putting the player out in the open.

Reviewer: Steve Withers
Full reviews: Sony UBP-X700

Panasonic DP-UB450

A versatile and affordable player

Trusted Score

Pros

• Plays HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision discs
• Good value
• Easy to use

Cons

• Not as good a picture performer as Panasonic’s step-up player
• Flimsy build quality
• No streaming apps

The DP-UB450 is the only player that features HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for les, making it a consumer-friendly player for anyone on the hunt for an affordable 4K Blu-ray player.

Our reviewer didn’t find the build quality to be anything to write home about. It’s light, and the metal chassis feels thin giving it a rather anonymous looks. Like the UB820, there are a pair of power and disc loading buttons if the remote gets lost.

Connectivity is not as extensive as the spinners above the UB450 in this list, with just twin HDMI connections for separate video and audio signals, Ethernet LAN and a coaxial digital output. There’s no array of 7.1-channel analogue line-outs for home cinema speaker set-ups, nor are there any streaming apps in the UB450’s sparse menu interface.

The drop in price also means that the UB820’s HCX Processor is no longer among the features, but our reviewer still found picture quality to be good for the money, although it lacks the sharpness and precision of the step-up Panasonic player. Its HDR10 performance isn’t quite as good as the Sony UBP-X700, but its implementation of Dolby Vision is much more friendlier than that player.

Our reviewer felt that audio was well served, delivered in a crisp and clean manner, handling Dolby Atmos soundtracks without issue. And with audio files, the UB450 does well enough, delivering good levels of clarity and detail.

Reviewer: John Archer
Full Review: Panasonic DP-UB450

Panasonic DP-UB150

Best affordable 4K Blu-ray player

Trusted Score

Pros

• HDR10+ playback
• Strong black levels
• Rich colours
• Affordable

Cons

• No Dolby Vision
• Small remote
• Not the most refined picture quality

There aren’t many 4K players that can be found for less than £150, but of the ones that are still kicking about, we’d lay claim to the Panasonic DP-UB150 being the best of them.

Like the rest of Panasonic’s affordable 4K spinners, we found the UB150’s build quality to be fine if on the bland side. It’s a tidy, compact and anonymous looking unit that’s acceptable enough for the price but is distinctly utilitarian in appearance. The disc drive can be a little noisy during playback and the remote is a small and chunky affair that won’t favour those with big hands.

It’s not packed full of feature of connectivity options with only one HDMI port on its rear and ethernet LAN in place of any Wi-Fi support. Like the UB450, there are no streaming apps included but 3D and Hi-Res audio are among the features supported by this player.

There’s no Dolby Vision but there is HDR10+, so to get the most from this player, consider pairing it with a Samsung, Panasonic or Philips TV that supports HDR10+. Watching Alita: Battle Angel on a Samsung QLED, our reviewer found the UB150 spun rich, saturated and vibrant colours for a cinematic look, though like the UB450 it’s isn’t the most refined or subtle of pictures compared to more expensive efforts. Upscaling is good with decent colours and flesh tones

The Dolby Atmos performance sounds big, though it is not as nuanced as the rival Sony X700. CD playback is fine too, showcasing good amounts of detail and clarity.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Panasonic DP-UB150

FAQs

Do 4K Blu-ray players support Blu-ray and DVD?

Yes they can play older disc formats.

Which 4K Blu-ray player is best?

Currently we consider the Panasonic DP-UB9000 as the best 4K player with its HDR support and picture quality.

Are 4K Blu-ray players multi-region?

Yes, 4K Blu-ray players support multi-region for 4K discs, but for standard Blu-rays they limited to the region in which they were bought.

Specs compared

‹

UK RRP

USA RRP

EU RRP

CA RRP

AUD RRP

Manufacturer

Size (Dimensions)

Weight

ASIN

Model Number

Model Variants

Resolution

Disc Formats

HDR

Ports

Connectivity

Colours

3D

Audio Formats

Apps

Panasonic DP-UB150

£150

–

€159

–

AU$299

Panasonic

320 x 193 x 46 MM

1.2 KG

B07NSCHTRC

DP-UB150EB-K

DP-UB159, DP-UB154

3840 x 2160

BD-ROM, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-R, BD-R DL, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R/-RW

Yes

USB, HDMI, LAN

–

Black

Yes

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, FLAC, WAV, DSD, ALAC, AIFF

–

Panasonic DP-UB450

£180

–

€229

–

AU$419

Panasonic

320 x 193 x 46 MM

1.2 KG

B07PZ8K9Y2

DP-UB450EB-K

DP-UB424, DP-UB420

3840 x 2160

BD-ROM, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-R, BD-R DL, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R/-RW

Yes

USB, 2x HDMI, Coaxial, LAN

–

Black

Yes

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, FLAC, WAV, DSD, ALAC, AIFF

–

Panasonic DP-UB820

£300

–

€429

–

AU$719

Panasonic

430 x 204 x 62 MM

2.2 KG

B07D9K6SC1

UB820EB

DP-UB824

3840 x 2160

BD-ROM, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-R, BD-R DL, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R/-RW

Yes

2x HDMI, LAN, USB, Coaxial, Analogue out

Wi-Fi, DLNA

Black

Yes

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, FLAC, WAV, DSD, ALAC, AIFF

Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Berliner Philharmoniker, BBC News and Sports, YouTube, Euronews, Arte, Tunein

Panasonic DP-UB9000

£850

–

€999

–

AU$1799

Panasonic

430 x 300 x 81 MM

7.8 KG

B07JGZ8FVJ

DP-UB9000EBK

DP-UB9004

3840 x 2160

BD-ROM, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-R, BD-R DL, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R/-RW

Yes

2x HDMI, 2x USB, Optical digital, Coaxial digital, 7.1 analogue output, XLR balanced out, LAN

Wi-Fi, DLNA

Black

Yes

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio/ DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby Atoms, DTS:X, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, DSD, AIFF

Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Berliner Philharmoniker, BBC News and Sports, YouTube, Euronews, Arte, Tunein

Sony UBP-X700

£230

$199

€269

CA$299

AU$335

Sony

320 x 217 x 45 MM

1.4 KG

B078GYW9PQ

UBPX700B.CEK

–

3840 x 2160

BD-RE, BD-RE Dual Layer, BD-ROM, CD, CD-R/-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R Double Layer, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-R Dual Layer, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, SA-CD, 3D, Ultra HD Blu-ray

Yes

Coaxial, Ethernet, 2x HDMI, USB

Wi-Fi, DLNA

Black

Yes

Dolby Atmos, DTS:X; Dolby TrueHD, DTS (7.1ch), AAC, AIFF, ALAC, Dolby Digital, DSD, FLAC, HEAAC, LPCM, Mokey’s Audio, Vorbis, WMA10 Pro, WMA9 Standard

Netflix Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, My5, wuaki.tv, Opera TV, YouTube, Spotify

›