First introduced in the early 2000s, Blu-ray players are designed to play Blu-ray and DVDs. They can also play CDs, while newer models have Wi-Fi capabilities that allow users to access various streaming services. Blu-ray players play videos and audio with better resolution and quality compared to DVD players.
To find the best Blu-ray player for your home theatre, consider your budget, the player's user-friendliness and connectivity. Other features that may be handy are Wi-Fi capabilities, image upscaling, 3D support and coding regions.
For this list, we examined Blu-ray players from different retailers like Amazon, Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi. We picked models based on customer reviews and ratings. We also considered the players' key product features when picking products for each category.
Our pick for the best overall Blu-ray player is the Panasonic DMR-UBT1GL-K 4K UHD Blu-Ray Player and Full HD Recorder. On Appliances Online and JB Hi-Fi, it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Panasonic's DMR-UBT1GL-K 4K UHD Blu-Ray Player and Full HD Recorder offers superb 4K quality, with a total of 8 million pixels in every image for ultra-definition pictures and clarity. Its 4K content is also 4 times the quality of full HD content, according to the brand. Apart from Wi-Fi connectivity, it has Bluetooth technology and internal memory so you can keep copies of your favourite movies.
Panasonic has been named the best rated Blu-ray and DVD player brand at the 2019/20 Finder Retails Award, and this model has the qualities that make the brand a crowd favourite. It is easy to use, durable and offers tons of handy features. It supports MKV, MP3, WAV and WMA files. It also allows users to record TV series. It's quite expensive at $797, but it's a great investment for a home theatre experience.
With a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we recommend Sony's BDPS1500 Blu-ray Player as the best cheap model.
This Sony Blu-ray player allows you to watch in 1080p to enjoy all your favourite shows and movies in high resolution. It also has Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD so you can listen to all the fine details of your music. Apart from a sleek and elegant design, this player has a TRILUMINOS colour palette.
Customers praised the product's sleek design, ease of use and value for money. It's a great, entry-level Blu-ray player for smaller rooms. It comes with a remote for convenience and offers high-quality imaging for movies and series. While its colour isn't as vivid as those offered by higher-end Blu-ray players, it's still pretty decent. Users said the clarity is superb, and the audio is crystal clear, offering a surround sound experience.
We recommend the Panasonic DMR-BWT955GL Smart Network 3D Blu-Ray DVD Disc Recorder with Triple HD Tuner if you're looking for a high-end Blu-ray player. Customers on Harvey Norman gave it a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
The DMR-BWT955GL features series recording, Hbb TV, Netflix, multi-room TV streaming and remote viewing. Its 4K upscaling function also offers 4 times the quality of full HD content, just like the DMR-UBT1GL-K. Additionally, this player offers up to 8 million pixels in every image for the most vivid and clearest picture you could imagine. It also has Wi-Fi capability and 4 region codes.
Numerous buyers were impressed by this Blu-ray's nifty features, durable build and versatility. While it's a bit difficult to set up, users said the viewing and listening experience it offers is out of this world. The images are colour-rich, and the audio is crystal clear, allowing you to hear every fine detail of dialogues and songs. The stainless steel finish looks a bit outdated, but this seems to be a minor issue for customers.
Our pick for the best 4K Blu-ray player is the Sony 4k Ultra HD Blu-Ray Player UBPX700, which has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Bing Lee.
This Blu-ray player lets viewers experience ultra-rich colours thanks to its 4K ultra-HD capability and 4K streaming services. It also has an HDR10 signal that contains up to 100x the brightness of a standard signal, according to the brand. Apart from Dolby Vision, this player supports BT. 20220 colour spaces for an immersive experience. It supports most audio and movie file formats as well.
Offering vivid images and outstanding 4K attention to detail, this Blu-ray player is the perfect fit for movie marathons at home. It plays AAC, BD-RE, BD-ROM, CD, CD-RW, DVD+R and DVD video. It also comes with a handy remote control that is easy to use. Customers added that the player is sleek and compact enough to fit smaller setups. However, it doesn't offer DVD recording.
We selected LG's BP350 Wi-Fi Multi System All Zone Region Free DVD and Blu Ray Player as the best multi-region model. It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This LG Blu-ray player can play all DVDs from all regions and Blu-rays for all zones – A, B and C. The brand also claims that it can work with any TV without the use of external video converters. Additionally, it has PAL to NTSC conversion for the best viewing experience. It will also remain region-free even with any future firmware updates from the brand.
The BP350 has built-in Wi-Fi so you can access your favourite series and movies with ease. It delivers full HD 1080P video for crisp and clear images. It also has DVD upscaling with 1080p scaling using its HDMI output. Users said the audio quality isn't the best, but it still lets you capture fine details and experience an enveloping surround sound, thanks to its Dolby Digital Plus function.
Sony's BDPS1700B.CEK SMART Blu-Ray and DVD Player with Built-In Apps is our choice for the best easy-to-use Blu-ray player. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
This Sony Blu-ray player delivers high-quality imaging in full HD 180p. It lets you access a wide range of online apps like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime and more. The USB input function also allows you to play audio and video files from an external media source. Additionally, it can upscale your existing DVD collection to near HD quality.
Customers gave positive feedback on the player's value for money and sleek design. It comes with a user-friendly remote control, and the player starts relatively quickly so you can enjoy your favourite shows in no time. It is also multi-regional in PAL countries for added versatility. A few customers found the user manual a bit confusing to follow, but this seems to be a minor concern.
The Sony X800 Blu-ray player is our pick for the best model for audiophiles. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Featuring a 4K high dynamic range and 4K clarity, this Blu-ray player delivers ultra-clear and colour-rich images for an immersive viewing experience. Its HDR signals contain up to 100x the brightness of a standard signal. Additionally, its high-res audio playback tracks offer higher-quality audio compared to MP3s and CDs.
This Blu-ray player has Dolby Atmos which treats sounds as separate objects for a more enveloping listening experience. It has DTS:X that can also create an unlimited number of audio objects, adapting to your speakers for an enhanced sound. The player is easy to use and comes with a sturdy remote control. Customers said it offers colour-rich images combined with superb audio quality for a luxurious home theatre experience. It doesn't look as sleek as its competitor, but buyers didn't seem to mind.
Save on Blu-ray players with these deals and discounts:
Methodology
7 Brands considered
38 Products compared
7 Best products chosen
Why you can trust our picks
For this list, we looked into different Blu-ray players available on various retailers like Amazon, Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi. We examined models from the following brands:
Fetch
Laser
LG
Panasonic
Samsung
Sony
Teac
We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews from the past year. We also considered each model's key product features, like price, ease of use and connectivity. We came up with what we believe are the 7 best Blu-ray players you can buy right now in Australia.
Blu-ray vs DVD
DVD took over from VHS tapes in the 1990s, but Blu-ray has since come along offering even better video and sound quality.
Blu-ray offers a few key advantages over DVD:
Better image quality. The latest Blu-ray players can play movies in Ultra HD (UHD) 4K, while DVDs are limited to a much lower resolution. This means you get sharper and clearer pictures on your TV from Blu-ray.
Better sound quality. Because DVDs offer less storage capacity than Blu-ray discs, surround-sound audio has to be compressed in order to fit on a DVD. This results in some audio information being lost. Meanwhile, Blu-rays allow for the use of lossless audio formats, meaning improved audio quality for your home viewing experience.
Additional content. The extra storage space on Blu-ray discs means they can store more additional content than DVDs, such as cast interviews and deleted scenes. And with most models also offering Internet connectivity, you can download extra features and content as well as stream video from services such as Netflix.
So, while DVD players are still sold by most home electronics retailers and can be purchased a fair bit cheaper than Blu-ray players, Blu-ray is the way of the future and is well worth the investment for anyone keen to get a better home cinema experience.
Can a Blu-ray player play DVDs?
Worried that you won't be able to watch your sizeable DVD collection on your new DVD player? Don't be. Blu-ray players can play DVDs, so your cabinet full of old DVDs won't all of a sudden become obsolete. Most models also offer an image upscaling feature to increase the picture quality of your DVDs.
Types of Blu-ray players
Major electronic brands including Sony, LG, Panasonic, Samsung and more all offer Blu-ray players, which can generally be split into 2 categories:
Standard Blu-ray players. These allow you to view HD 1080p content on your HD TV. Standard Blu-ray players are now quite affordable and can be purchased for less than $100.
4K Blu-ray players. These allow you to view UHD content on a 4K TV. They provide the best picture quality and are well worth considering if you've recently upgraded to a UHD TV.
How to compare Blu-ray and DVD players
When choosing a Blu-ray or DVD player, consider how easy it is to use, your budget and the compatibility between your TV and Blu-ray player. Here are the factors you need to take into account:
Price
You can pick up a standard Blu-ray or DVD player for less than $100. 4K models are more expensive. If you choose a Blu-ray player that also features an in-built HDD recorder, prices start at $300 and can push up towards $700 or $800.
Ease of use
Take a closer look at the instruction manual and reviews from other buyers to find out how easy the machine is to use. Is connecting it to your TV simple and straightforward? Is its user interface intuitive and easy to navigate? Is the remote well laid out and does it provide easy access to all essential functions?
Connectivity
You can connect your player to your TV using an HDMI cable, but some will also offer composite RCA connection in case you need your player to be compatible with an older TV. Models with dual HDMI outputs allow you to send audio and video to separate equipment if needed.
Wi-Fi
Most Blu-ray and DVD players available at the moment have Wi-Fi connectivity and many also feature an ethernet port. This can allow you to stream content from services such as Netflix, so check which apps the player comes with.
HDD recorder
Some models also feature a built-in HDD recorder so you can record your favourite TV shows and watch them at a later date or burn them onto a disc using the machine's recorder.
Warranty
Make sure you find out the length of the manufacturer's warranty as well as exactly what it covers before you buy.
Image upscaling
If you want to play your DVDs on your new Blu-ray machine, check whether it has an image upscaling feature to improve DVD image quality.
3D support
While the 3D fad has largely come and gone, if you have a 3D TV, make sure the player you choose is 3D-compatible.
Regions
DVDs are coded in 6 regions, while Blu-ray only has 3 region codes. Check the player to be sure that it can play discs coded for your region.
Frequently asked questions
You can use a cleaning disc to clean your player's lens. Simply insert the disc and follow the onscreen instructions. Remove the disc once the process is done and check if your driver is working. You can also use compressed air to remove dust and dirt from your player's lens. Spray a few inches away from the lens to avoid any damage.
Make sure to check with your user manual to learn more about cleaning the lens of your specific Blu-ray player model.
Here are a few tips to protect your Blu-ray discs:
Store your discs in a cool, dry place
Handle your discs with care, ensuring they aren't scratched during the process
Keep your discs from heat and cold as these can compromise the quality of your discs
Use your discs periodically and make copies of your data to avoid data loss
According to researchers, Blu-ray players can be hacked using malicious discs and software vulnerabilities. To minimise security risk, don't play discs from unverified sources and only download software and updates from trusted sites.
Best Rated Blu-ray & DVD Brand: Panasonic
Japanese electronics corporation Panasonic is known around the world as a maker of quality home electronics, audio equipment, cameras and appliances. Australian consumers have chosen the company as the best brand for Blu-Ray and DVD players in Australia, giving it the highest overall score. Users also gave Panasonic high ratings for applications and features, durability, design and ease of use. 96% of surveyed customers recommend Panasonic Blu-Ray and DVD players.
Best rated Blu-ray & DVD player brand award breakdown
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2019, Roy Morgan. Metric out of 5 stars unless otherwise indicated.
Overall rating
Recommended
Applications / features
Value for money
Design
Ease of use
Durability
Responsiveness
Panasonic
4.14
96%
4.33
4.11
4.29
4.27
4.3
4.26
LG
4.07
96%
4.15
4.14
4.11
4.2
4
3.96
Sony
3.97
94%
4.03
4.1
4
4.01
3.99
4.01
Samsung
3.81
100%
3.95
3.98
3.88
3.9
3.98
3.83
Laser
3.77
83%
3.73
4.33
4.02
4.21
4.1
3.87
Lenoxx*
5
100%
5
5
5
5
5
5
Palsonic*
2.33
33%
3.17
3.67
3
2.83
2.33
2
*Brand did not meet the sample threshold to qualify for the award
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2019, Roy Morgan. Metric out of 5 stars unless otherwise indicated. Methodology and more info.
Why you can trust Finder Shopping best guides
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Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
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