The home entertainment market is in a state of flux. Consumers that once committed to renting movies and watching television on cable and satellite networks are now turning to diminutive set-top boxes that let them stream all the content they love for a monthly fee.
Still, streaming the latest and greatest content isn’t always possible due to availability restrictions content owners place on different services. Add that to a desire by some folks to have the best possible visual quality, and that’s where Blu-ray players become valuable.
Fewer Blu-ray players are on the market today than in the past, mostly due to changing consumer habits. But a variety of devices that give you the high-quality, 4K Blu-ray entertainment experience you’re after are still available. And in many cases, these devices also double as a streaming box for cord-cutters.
To help you find a Blu-ray solution in 2019, we’ve rounded up four popular, affordable devices on sale right now. (And yes, Sony dominates our list because it dominates the Blu-ray market.)
Sony BDPS3700
Sony’s BDPS3700 is one of the more popular and affordable Sony Blu-ray players on the market, and for good reason. It comes with a basic black box design and works with Blu-ray discs that support Dolby TrueHD. You can also pop in a DVD or CD into the box and watch older media. And with its built-in Wi-Fi, you can even use the BDPS3700 to stream content through services like Netflix and YouTube.
Sony’s player, which can be controlled from your smartphone or tablet, typically costs $120. You can get it now for $80 at Target.
Normally $119.99, the Sony BDPS3700 is on sale now for $69.99.
Sony UBP-X800M2
If you’re looking for a high-end Blu-ray player, the Sony UBP-X800M2 is a strong option. Sony’s device comes with support for Blu-ray discs and DVDs, of course, and delivers streaming 4K Ultra HD video. Add that to high-resolution audio compatibility and built-in Wi-Fi, and it’s simple to play the highest quality programming from any disc or streaming service you desire. Plus, when you play DVDs, the UBP-X800M2 upscales the video to make it look better than standard DVD quality. And with Miracast support, you can beam your Android smartphone screen to the player with ease.
Normally $299.99, the Sony UBP-X800M2 is on sale now for $229.99.
LG UBK90
LG offers one of the top Blu-ray players in the market in the form of the UBK90. It comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect, like Blu-ray and CD support, built-in Wi-Fi and streaming capabilities. But you can also take advantage of its high dynamic range support for more vibrant colors and better contrast. And, if you have a 3D television, the UBK90 works with those discs, too.
Normally $299.99, the LG UBK90 is available now for $279.99.
Sony UBP-X800
Sony’s UBP-X800 is one of its best players. With 4K high dynamic range content capabilities, the visuals are downright fantastic. And if you’re a 3D fan, it supports that, too. Built-in Wi-Fi and streaming abilities are there too. Finally, the UBP-X800 works with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound systems, aka “cinema-quality sound.”
Sony’s UBP-X800 typically retails for $300. You can get it now at Best Buy for $200, a $100 savings.
Normally $299.99, the Sony UBP-X800 is on sale now for $269.99.
