CNET - Physical media may be on its way out, but that’s no reason to pass on getting a new Blu-ray player. These days Blu-ray players are just as much about streaming media, offering up services like Netflix, Pandora, and Amazon Instant in addition to their ability to play Blu-ray movies. And real cinephiles will insist that it’s not quite time to give up on Blu-ray yet, as the format continues to offer the absolute best image and sound quality available. And, of course, Blu-ray players will play all of your standard DVDs as well.
While the individual reviews below are great for digging into the details of a specific player, also be sure to check out extensive 2011 Blu-ray player comparison chart to easy see the differences between players.
And lastly, you may be wondering about the PS3 Slim sitting at the top of this list. While the PS3 is no longer the best pure Blu-ray player–standalone players are easier to use and offer much faster disc-loading times–we still think it’s the best value if you’ll use its gaming functionality.
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (160GB)
With a smaller design, more energy-efficient operation, lower price tag, and built-in Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, the PS3 Slim delivers a compelling package for an affordable price.Price: $249.99 – $363.75 (check prices)
- 4.0 stars Excellent
Panasonic DMP-BDT210
The Panasonic DMP-BDT210′s built-in Wi-Fi, simple user interface, Amazon Instant streaming, and blazing fast disc-loading speeds make it our favorite Blu-ray player of 2011 so far.Price: $147.99 – $999.99 (check prices)
- 4.0 stars Excellent
