If you’re a devout film lover or rabid TV watcher, then having the best 4k Blu-ray player at your disposal allows you to enjoy higher bit-rates for picture and sound.
Streaming is convenient, but it doesn’t surpass 4K Blu-ray for quality and with more classic library titles available on 4K disc rather than streaming, if you want to watch them in their best quality, a 4K Blu-ray player is the best way to do so.
We assess 4K players in terms of their build quality, how easy they are to operate and the features they support. We watch films and TV shows to assess their picture, upscaling, and audio, and if they have any smarts we check those too, to see if they work as expected.
4K Blu-ray players are a great source for 4K content, but you’ll also need to hook them up to displays and surround systems to get the best out of them. Have a look at our best TV or check out our best projector page. Also have a look out our best surround sound speaker set-ups for immersive sound.
Best 4K Blu-ray player at a glance
Best 4K Blu-ray player: Panasonic DP-UB9000 – check priceBest 4K Blu-ray player under £400: Panasonic DP-UB820 – check priceBest 4K Blu-ray player under £300: Sony UBP-X700 – check priceBest 4K Blu-ray player under £200: Panasonic DP-UB450 – check priceBest affordable 4K Blu-ray player: Panasonic DP-UB150 – check price Best high-end 4K Blu-ray player: Magnetar UDP900 – check price
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-UB150
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Pros
HDR10+ playback
Strong black levels
Rich colours
Affordable
Cons
No Dolby Vision
Small remote
Not the most refined picture quality
£150
Panasonic DP-UB450
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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
£180
Panasonic DP-UB820
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Pros
Multi-HDR format support
Superb image performance for the price
Integrated streaming apps
Cons
Unexciting CD playback
Average build quality
£300
Panasonic DP-UB9000
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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
£850
Sony UBP-X700
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Pros
Excellent picture performance
Dolby Vision support
SACD disc playback
4K video streaming services
Cons
No HDR10+ support
Noisy in operation
Flimsy build quality
£230$199
Magnetar UDP900
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Pros
Universal disc playback
Impressive 4K upscaling
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Exceptional analogue performance
Cons
No wireless connectivity
Remote isn’t the most intuitive
Disc tray is a bit flimsy
£2699$2999
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Panasonic DP-UB9000
Best 4K Blu-ray player
Trusted Score
Pros
Sensational 4K UHD image qualityDolby Vision and HDR10+ compatibleBreathtaking build qualityStreaming app portal
Cons
No SACD or DVD-A supportNot 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.Reviewer: Steve MayFull Review: Panasonic DP-UB9000
Magnetar UDP900
Best high-end 4K player
Trusted Score
Pros
Universal disc playbackImpressive 4K upscalingDolby Vision and HDR10+ supportExceptional analogue performance
Cons
No wireless connectivityRemote isn’t the most intuitiveDisc tray is a bit flimsy
There aren’t many new 4K Blu-ray players in production these days but recently there’s been a burst from the likes of Reavon and Magnetar at giving the marketplace a push forward. The UDP900 from Magnetar is expensive, but it is an exceptional player.
In the words of our reviewer, it is built like a tank but also sports an elegant design. It’s a player you’ll need to make some space for and you’ll certainly want to a solid surface to plant it on as it weighs 15.5kg. On the rear it has dual HDMI outputs, as well multi-channel analogue outputs for those who want to connect a sound system directly into the speaker. The remote control is backlit, which is a nice touch.
It’s a universal disc spinner, so whatever physical media you have it could conceivably play it, and with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision playback, it supports the main forms of HDR too. Strangely, there’s no wireless connectivity, but it seems the Magentar wants to keep the focus on physical media rather than streaming. We’re not going to complain too much about that.
Its very simple to set-up and operate, and playback is incredibly quiet during operation. You can hardly hear the disc spinning.
The actual video performance offers impressive upscaling to 4K, bringing out the best in Blu-rays. Our reviewer felt he was watching a picture equivalent to HDR thanks to the MediaTek chipset’s processing. The look of 4K discs will depend on your TV of choice, but we found the performance to be superb. Its audio performance is also very impressive, delivering a clean, detailed delivery with precise stereo imaging with analogue music. This is a high-end 4K player at a huge cost, but it’s worth it in our opinion.
For a less expensive but still premium 4K player, have a look at Magnetar’s own UDP800.
Reviewer: Steve WithersFull Review: Magnetar UDP900
Panasonic DP-UB820
Best 4K player under £400
Trusted Score
Pros
Multi-HDR format supportSuperb image performance for the priceIntegrated streaming apps
Cons
Unexciting CD playbackAverage 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 MayFull Review: Panasonic DP-UB820
Sony UBP-X700
Best 4K player under £300
Trusted Score
Pros
Excellent picture performanceDolby Vision supportSACD disc playback4K video streaming services
Cons
No HDR10+ supportNoisy in operationFlimsy 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 WithersFull reviews: Sony UBP-X700
Panasonic DP-UB450
Best 4K player under £200
Trusted Score
Pros
Plays HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision discsGood valueEasy to use
Cons
Not as good a picture performer as Panasonic’s step-up playerFlimsy build qualityNo 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 ArcherFull Review: Panasonic DP-UB450
Panasonic DP-UB150
Best affordable 4K Blu-ray player
Trusted Score
Pros
HDR10+ playbackStrong black levelsRich coloursAffordable
Cons
No Dolby VisionSmall remoteNot the most refined picture quality
There aren’t many 4K players that can be found for less than £150, but of the ones still kicking about, the Panasonic DP-UB150 is the best of them.Like the rest of Panasonic’s affordable 4K spinners, we found the UB150’s build quality to be fine if bland. 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 MonneyFull 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.
We also considered…
Magnetar UDP800
This feature-packed newcomer puts the universal into disc playback
Reavon UBR-X110
Physical media is still alive thanks to this universal 4K disc player
Sony UBP-X800M2
Sony finally adds Dolby Vision support to its mid-range 4K Blu-ray player. But is it enough?
Sony UBP-X1100ES
Sony’s new flagship 4K Blu-ray includes some powerful audiophile and custom install features
We’ve reviewed
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Specs compared
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
Model Variants
Resolution
Disc Formats
HDR
Ports
Connectivity
Colours
3D
Audio Formats
Apps
Inputs
Outputs
Panasonic DP-UB150
£150
–
€159
–
AU$299
Panasonic
320 x 193 x 46 MM
1.2 KG
B07NSCHTRC
2019
17/12/2019
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
2019
17/10/2019
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
2019
01/07/2019
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
2019
05/12/2018
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
2018
08/06/2018
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
–
–
Magnetar UDP900
£2699
$2999
€2999
–
AU$4899
–
445 x 321 x 133 MM
15.5 KG
–
2023
–
UDP900
–
–
CD, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray
Yes
–
2 x HDMI outputs
–
Yes
Dolby, DTS
–
XMOS USB audio input
Coaxial digital, optical digital, two-channel analogue and 7.1-channel analogue outputs
›
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