What is the cheapest Blu-Ray player that is definitely worth buying?

These days, you can find just about any movie or TV show via online digital streaming. However, if you want to actually own the movies and shows you buy, unlike those you buy on Amazon Prime, investing in a Blu-ray player may be the best solution. They are not that expensive, and there is surely one worth spending money on to enjoy your next movie night.

Sony is known for the PlayStation video game console, but it is also the inventor of Blu-ray players and the Blu-ray format, as strange as that may seem now that Sony is considering removing physical PS5 video game discs. If you’re looking for a Blu-ray player to watch your Blu-ray collection, or are considering purchasing once you have a player, one of Sony’s least expensive models is the Sony BDP-S1700U. It will cost you around $113 through Amazon.

It plays both Blu-rays and DVDs and has a USB port for viewing photos and listening to music from a connected device. It includes an HDMI cable that connects to your TV. All you have to do to start watching your favorite movie or show is plug it in, insert the disc, and start playing. You won’t get bogged down by logging into a streaming service, searching for a movie or show you want, and possibly watching ads.

The Sony BDP-S1700U is missing a major feature. It is not capable of playing 4K UHD Blu-rays. If you really want to get the best picture quality from a Blu-ray player, you actually want to get a 4K Blu-ray player. After all, they’re usually not that much more expensive, although it depends on whether you want true native 4K quality or enhanced 4K quality. One of the cheapest 4K upscaling Sony Blu-ray players is the Sony BDP-S6700 for around $141.58 on Amazon. For a native 4K Blu-ray player, the Sony UBP-X700U costs $328, depending on where you look.

As for what owners think of the Sony BDP-S1700U, there are over 1,800 reviews on Amazon from those who have purchased one. The general consensus is that this is a good Blu-ray player that delivers a great quality picture, is easy to set up, and has a simple-to-use remote control. They also like that it doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi like other modern devices, making it even easier to set up and start watching a movie.

Another advantage of the Sony BDP-S1700U is that people like its price. Its low cost of $113 on Amazon and $114 on Sony’s website makes the deal hard to refuse. There are other Blu-ray players available with features like upscaling – which the S1700U can do for standard definition DVDs – but Sony’s stands out.

If you’re not a fan of Sony, you can find Blu-ray players made by other companies such as Samsung and Panasonic, two other brands known for good technology. Both offer a more affordable Blu-ray player, without 4K quality, and will cost you less than $120.

The Samsung BD-J5700/ZA The Blu-ray player is still quite affordable, costing around $115 on Amazon and offering more features than the Sony and Panasonic models listed below. It comes with upscaling for DVDs, an HDMI cable, and connects to Wi-Fi so you can access apps and streaming services if you want to watch the ones you subscribe to.

The Panasonic DMP-BD84P-K Blu-Ray Player is priced at $118 on Amazon, which is still good, but not as low as Sony or Samsung players. In addition to being able to play upgraded DVDs and Blu-rays, it comes with an external storage slot that lets you connect a hard drive to share your movies and photos. If you own or want to get a Blu-ray player, you should consider getting five essential gadgets to expand your experience.