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 Some users might find the user interface and ease of use to be straightforward, but it could feel a bit outdated compared to more recent smart devices.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 Blu Ray DVD Player DMP-BD84P-K is compact and space-saving, making it ideal for narrow spaces and thin racks. It offers full HD picture quality with upscaling to 1080p, ensuring a high-definition viewing experience. Hi-Res Dolby Digital sound provides clear audio for various media types, including DVDs and CDs, enhancing the entertainment experience.

The player supports a range of video and audio formats, including MKV, MP4, MP3, FLAC, ALAC, DSD, and WAV, which is beneficial for users with diverse media libraries. It also allows playback from external storage devices, adding flexibility for sharing movies, photos, and more on a larger screen. Connectivity options include HDMI-CEC and USB, but it's worth noting that the HDMI cable is not included.

The user interface is straightforward, and the included remote control makes navigation easy. However, the player does not support 4K resolution or HDR, which might be a limitation for those seeking the highest possible video quality. Additionally, it lacks built-in streaming services, which could be a downside for users looking to stream content directly from the player. This player is a solid option for those prioritizing compact design, high-definition video, and high-resolution audio playback, but it may not meet the needs of users looking for advanced features like 4K or integrated streaming services.

The Sony UBP-X700M HDR 4K UHD Blu-ray Player is a strong contender in the smart Blu-ray player category, offering several impressive features. Its 4K Ultra HD resolution delivers stunning picture quality, making every detail vivid and sharp. The player supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, ensuring that you experience bright highlights, deep darks, and vibrant colors. This makes your movie-watching experience highly immersive, especially if you have a compatible TV. Additionally, the BT.2020 color space support offers a broader range of colors, providing a more realistic and natural picture quality.

On the audio side, the Sony UBP-X700M supports various audio formats and provides surround sound, enhancing your listening experience. It also supports CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray discs, ensuring compatibility with a range of media types. Connectivity is straightforward with HDMI technology, making it easy to set up with most modern TVs and sound systems. Moreover, the player includes an HDMI cable, so you don't need to purchase one separately.

The user interface has been mentioned to be somewhat clunky and less intuitive compared to other models. Also, while it supports streaming services, its range is relatively limited, so you might need additional streaming devices depending on your needs. The remote control can also feel a bit outdated. Weighing 4.33 pounds and with dimensions of 17.2 x 13.4 x 7.7 inches, it is a bit larger and heavier than some competitors. Despite these drawbacks, if high-quality video and audio are your primary concerns, this Blu-ray player is worth considering.