We may be living in the age of media streaming, but there are still plenty of reasons to own a good DVD player.
Many of us have huge collections of formatted TV and movies, and you can never be sure when a movie might disappear from a streaming service, after all.
Although many brands offer DVD players, some may not offer the same durable quality as others. You’ll be hard-pressed to find big differences between the designs of many DVD players, but internal components often vary widely and create big differences in performance.
So whether you need to replace an old workhorse or are just starting a new collection, here are some of the best DVD players.
Our top pick: DVD players
Sony/Pocket-lint
Sony BDP-S6700
1. Best Overall
Superb performance
Besides playing DVDs in their best possible quality, you can use it to make your TV smart.
- Potential for 4K visuals
- Makes your TV smart
- More expensive than many
- Loud reading
The Sony BDP-S6700 Blu-Ray DVD Player presents a great case for replacing your DVD player, or just buying one in general. It’s not your typical single-use DVD player, it’s a bit more.
First, it essentially turns your TV into a Smart TV. Which, for some of us who don’t have this feature yet, is actually pretty nifty. So that means it connects to Wi-Fi and lets you browse your favorite sites and streaming services.
Some disadvantages are that it is a bit more expensive than other DVD players and it is quite noisy while playing which can be annoying.
Panasonic/Pocket-lint
Panasonic DVD-S700
2. Great for music too
Solid mic
A quality DVD player from a trusted name that won’t drain your wallet.
- Clean design
- Clear images thanks to oversampling
The Panasonic DVD-S700 player gives you smooth, hassle-free viewing, with a dust-proof design that helps ward off any kind of household neglect that could cause the player to malfunction.
Thanks to some nifty technology, it offers up to 1080p playback, which is pretty much the norm these days.
It will even let you rip your favorite music onto discs, keeping a hard copy in case the internet goes down.
Sony/Pocket-lint
Sony DVPSR210P
3. Great budget option
Beautiful and affordable
This is a really impressive DVD player from Sony, offering all the basics in an inexpensive and stylish package.
- Super affordable
- Resolution up to 1080p
- Doesn’t play Blu-ray discs
This sleek DVD player from Sony is really nice and sleek, with a glossy front and super compact design.
It will also work with DVDs and CDs, so if you’re connecting an audio system you might have a multi-purpose box. Unfortunately, it doesn’t play Blu-rays or anything other than DVDs.
There’s an included remote for easy controls, and it’s simple to have it control your TV as well, making for an impressive package.
It’s a simple DVD player that will get the job done, and for a great price too.
LG BP350 Blu-Ray Disc Player
4. Fantastic scaling
Single quality
A stylish, premium DVD player that plays both DVDs and Blu-Rays.
- Full HD upscaling
- Playback from external hard drive
- Supports 3D and 4K playback
- No audio jacks for surround sound systems
- Outdated remote control
The LG BP450 Blu-Ray and DVD Player covers both bases, meaning it doesn’t matter whether you’re watching a DVD or a Blu-Ray disc.
Its understated style will also fit right into your living room and only come to life when you need it. It will also support up to 4K resolution.
A potential major downside is the fact that it doesn’t have the audio jacks to connect to a surround sound system.
It’s a pretty odd feature to miss, but, for the price, it’s something that should have gone.
How to Choose a DVD Player
DVD players are cheaper than ever, because while the technology is established and reliable, it has also been overtaken by Blu-ray. Whether a DVD player is right for you really depends on what you’re likely to do with the DVD player besides watching DVDs on it – as well as what television you have.
Do you want to access the internet, connect to an external hard drive or connect your surround sound system to it? All of this will make a difference in your choice. And then there is the aesthetics. While most look pretty similar, there are some that stand out and will look better on a shelf.
So what should you pay attention to?
Why buy a DVD player?
You might have a huge collection of DVDs and box sets that you want to watch. And that’s the main reason why you would buy a DVD player. They might be a bit old, but they are reliable and easy to use, so it might be worth it. However, remember that if you have an HDTV or 4K TV you won’t get the best out of it here – a Blu-ray player will do a much better job of upscaling your old DVDs, so throw a look at our guide to the best Blu-ray players too.
What will the DVD player be used for?
With so many streaming services out there, it can be hard to justify a DVD player, but they’re worth it when you have treasured favorites in disc form that you enjoy watching every now and then. And the best thing is that it is a one-time payment and you can watch them whenever you want. Some of these DVD players offer additional features that extend usage, but more on that below.
What should it look like?
Not much goes into the design of a DVD player. You would be hard pressed to find anything more than a black rectangle. Although some models have buttonless bezels and a glossy finish that looks much smarter. If you are looking for a better design, there are options for you. But there’s also the basic design with buttons and a simple to use screen.
Are there other features?
As you have no doubt read, some of these DVD players have additional features other than just DVD playback capability. You can turn your TV into a Smart TV, rip DVDs and CDs, and even play PS3 on one. If these features are what you’re looking for, then they’re worth the extra money to get a device that’s more than a single-use machine.
