They used to be pretty expensive—but prices have actually dipped below $100 for some Blu-ray players. So if you've been thinking about getting one for yourself or as a gift, it's a great time to do so.

These players have a lot more going on than the DVD players you may be used to, though. Beyond better audio and video quality, you should consider video load times, which streaming video services are offered, audio and video outputs, and 3D, Wi-Fi, and DLNA compatibility, all of which our labs look at during Blu-ray player testing. Our new buying-guide video clues you in on the most important Blu-ray-player features before you plunk down your dollars.