The definitive list of must-own Ultra HD Blu-ray players



The fact that you're here, looking for the best 4K Blu-ray player right now says something about you: you're ahead of the curve. You like owning the latest and greatest technology or, if not owning, at least knowing about the best-of-the-best upcoming tech.

And why shouldn't you? A day will come soon when everyone will want to watch their favorite TV shows and movies in an ultra crisp 3840 × 2160 resolution.

While looking at 4K Blu-ray players this early in the game makes you an early adopter, manufacturers don't have the same sort of passionate drive to have the latest and greatest that you do.

While most manufacturers have one or two models on the market at the moment, the list of available Ultra-HD Blu-ray players is still a fairly short list.

The good news is that while there aren't many 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players at the moment, content for these players is growing at an exponential rate.

Netflix has started to film many of its shows in 4K high dynamic range, and Amazon and Google Play TV & Movies have recently followed suit. Ultra HD films have started to make their way to store shelves, too, in greater number and include huge hits like The Martian, Wonder Woman and The Revenant.

But these are just the tip of the very high-resolution iceberg. Expect to see dozens more of these high-capacity discs make their way to an electronics retailer near you in the coming weeks and months.

What else do I need to watch a UHD Blu-ray?


In order to get a true 4K experience, remember that you'll need a 4K Blu-ray player, a 4K Blu-ray disc and, of course, a 4K TV in order to watch it. Don't have that last one? Check out our guide to the best 4K TV.

If you don't have a 4K TV, your 4K Blu-ray player will still work, but it will only display images in 1080p. Buy a regular Blu-ray instead of a 4K version and it will still play in 3840 × 2160 resolution, but it won't be a native 4K image and will be noticeably different than had you used an Ultra HD Blu-ray.

Enough with the caveats. Here are the the best 4K Blu-ray players in the world:

  1. Panasonic DMP-UB700
  2. Oppo UDP-203
  3. Sony UBP-X800
  4. Panasonic DMP-UB900
  5. Samsung UBD-M9500
  6. Sony UBP-X1000ES
  7. Panasonic DMP-UB300
  8. Xbox One X
  9. Xbox One S
  10. Samsung UBD-K8500



1. Panasonic DMP-UB700

The best bang for buck 4K UHD Blu-ray performance

Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Yes | Dimensions: 430 x 61 x 199 mm | Weight: 2.3 kg | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10

  • Outstanding picture performance
  • Hi-Res Audio file playback
  • 4K Netflix and Amazon onboard
  • Not as sexy as the DMP-UB900
  • No Dolby Vision support


When it comes to 4K UHD image quality, the DMP-UB700 effectively sets a new benchmark for price and performance.

Streaming service support, with HDR-enabled 4K Netflix, is well worth trumpeting and the player does a swell job with 24-bit audio, be it with FLAC or DSD files.

If you're prepared to spend slightly more then you'll be rewarded with support for Dolby Vision and more universal disc support, but as it stands the UB700 offers the most balanced mix of price, audio visual performance, and features.


2. Oppo UDP-203

A premium player for your high-end A/V needs

Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Oppo OS | Dimensions: 16.9 x 12.2 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10, Dolby Vision

  1. Fantastic image quality
  2. Supports numerous formats
  3. Expensive
  4. No streaming services onboard


The Oppo UDP-203 is the most expensive Blu-ray player on this list, but depending on your needs it might just be exactly what you're looking for.

The player supports a full suite of both video and audio formats, including the niche SACD, and features a total of three HDMI ports (one for video and audio, one for audio, and another to act as an HDMI passthrough).

It even supports the premium Dolby Vision HDR standard, which is still a rarity in players.

Unfortunately the Oppo doesn't include support for streaming services such as Netflix, but if you want a premium disc player (at a premium price), this is the one for you.


3. Sony UBP-X800

Great video matched with exceptional audio

Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: MediaTek platform | Dimensions: 17 x 2 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 8.4 pounds | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10

  • Superb picture quality
  • 4K Netflix and Amazon apps
  • SACD, DVD-A and Hi-Res audio
  • No analogue stereo output
  • No Dolby Vision


Sony might have been a little late to the Ultra HD Blu-ray party, but its first player is a great machine. It's solidly made, and its overall image quality is superb.

As an added bonus, the player also supports a wide range of audio formats, can play SACDs, and even DVD-As.

So why does the player sit the number three slot in our list? Well, unfortunately it lacks support for Dolby Vision, the high-end HDR format that discs are increasingly offering support for, and which the Oppo UDP-203 does now support thanks to a firmware update. Its also more expensive than our top pick, the Panasonic DMP-UB700.

If you want a UHD player that also doubles as a very capable music player, then the Sony UBP-X800 is a great choice, but if you're after something focussed solely on playing movies, then there are better or cheaper options out there.


4. Panasonic DMP-UB900

Panasonic's DMP-UB900 is a must-have for AV enthusiasts

Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Panasonic OS | Dimensions: 435 x 199 x 68mm | Weight: 5.29 pounds | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10

  • 4K Netflix and Amazon on board
  • First-class audio CD playback
  • Clunky UI
  • Chassis is a fingerprint magnet


The DMP-UB900 will restore you faith in physical media. In full 4K HDR guise it offers a level of performance that will have new 4K TV owners gasping. Ultra-HD Blu-ray brings the experience of 4K digital cinema to the home, and rewards with brilliant colour fidelity, deep contrast and almost three-dimensional clarity.

Factor in solid file playback support, plus 4K iterations of Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, and you have a machine that'll make your new 4K HDR TV look sensational.