Best Buy Ending DVD & Blu-ray Sales: What to Buy Now

The top pick for most people is to buy a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player now, before they disappear from shelves, and pair it with a streaming device like the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for everything else. This combo covers physical media for your favorite films and digital convenience for the rest, and it works whether you already own discs or are starting fresh. The reason this wins is simple: it future-proofs your collection without locking you into one format.

What to Look For

When Best Buy stops selling DVDs and Blu-rays, you need to think about what you already own, what you want to watch, and how much you care about picture quality. Here are the criteria that actually matter:

• Playback compatibility – If you have a large DVD collection, make sure whatever you buy still plays them. Most Blu-ray players do, but some newer 4K players are more finicky with scratched discs.
• Upscaling quality – A good player will upscale DVDs and standard Blu-rays to look better on a 4K TV. This is a big deal if you’re not ready to rebuy everything in 4K.
• Streaming apps built-in – Since Best Buy won’t sell discs, you’ll likely stream new releases. A player with built-in Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video saves you from buying a separate device.
• Physical media storage – If you plan to keep buying discs online (Amazon, boutique labels), you need a player that handles all formats. If you’re going all-digital, you don’t need a player at all.
• Budget – Players range from $50 to $500. The expensive ones are for audiophiles and videophiles; the cheap ones are fine for casual viewers.

Option 1: Buy a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (e.g., Sony UBP-X700)

The Sony UBP-X700 is a solid mid-range choice that plays 4K UHD, standard Blu-ray, and DVD. It also streams apps like Netflix and YouTube. Its strengths are excellent upscaling and Dolby Vision support, which makes older discs look surprisingly good on a new TV. The trade-off is that it doesn’t have Wi-Fi 6 or voice control, and the remote feels a bit dated. This suits anyone with an existing disc collection or who wants to buy 4K discs online.

Option 2: Go All-Digital with a Streaming Device (e.g., Roku Streaming Stick 4K)

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the best way to replace physical media with digital. It’s cheap, plugs into any HDMI port, and gives you access to every major streaming service plus free ad-supported channels like Tubi and Pluto TV. Its strength is simplicity – no discs to scratch, no player to update. The trade-off is that you lose the special features, commentary tracks, and the physical ownership that many collectors value. This suits people who rarely rewatch movies and just want the latest releases on demand.

Option 3: Keep Your Old DVD/Blu-ray Player and Buy a Disc-to-Digital Service

If you already have a working player, don’t throw it away. Services like Vudu’s Disc-to-Digital (now part of Fandango at Home) let you convert your physical discs into digital copies for a small fee per disc. This is a smart move before Best Buy stops selling discs, because you can digitize your collection and then sell or donate the plastic. The strength is preserving your library without rebuying. The trade-off is that not all titles are eligible, and the digital copies are tied to one service. This suits people who want to downsize but can’t part with their movies.

Option 4: Buy a Region-Free Player (e.g., from 220 Electronics or Bombay Electronics)

If you’re a serious collector, you know that many great films are only released on Blu-ray in other regions. A region-free player from a specialty retailer like 220 Electronics plays discs from the US, UK, Japan, and more. Its strength is access to a much larger catalog, including Criterion Collection releases that are sometimes region-locked. The trade-off is cost – these players are often $200 or more – and you may need to manually switch regions. This suits cinephiles who import titles or want the best transfer of a foreign film.

Option 5: Build a Home Theater PC (HTPC) with a Blu-ray Drive

For the technically inclined, a small PC with an internal or external Blu-ray drive (like the LG WH14NS40) can play discs and rip them to a hard drive. Software like MakeMKV and VLC handles playback and ripping. The strength is total control – you can back up your entire collection to a NAS and stream it anywhere. The trade-off is setup complexity, and you need to check that your drive is compatible with 4K UHD discs (many are not). This suits hobbyists who enjoy tinkering and want a permanent digital archive.

How to Choose

Start with your budget. If you only want to watch movies occasionally, a $50 streaming stick is enough. If you have a large collection or care about picture quality, plan to spend $150-300 on a 4K player. Next, consider your use case: do you rewatch films? Do you care about bonus features? Do you want to own a movie forever, or is renting on Prime Video fine? The biggest trade-off is ownership vs. convenience. Physical discs can be resold, shared, and will play even if the internet goes down. Digital copies are easier but can be removed if a service shuts down or licensing expires. Also, think about your TV – if it’s not 4K, a standard Blu-ray player is cheaper and still looks great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my old DVDs play on a 4K Blu-ray player?

Yes, almost all 4K players are backward compatible with standard DVDs and Blu-rays. However, DVDs will look soft on a large 4K TV, so you may want to use the player’s upscaling feature.

Can I still buy DVDs and Blu-rays after Best Buy stops?

Yes, you can buy them online from Amazon, eBay, and specialty retailers like Criterion or Shout Factory. You can also find used discs at thrift stores and pawn shops.

Is it worth buying a 4K player if I don’t have a 4K TV?

No, you won’t see the benefit. Stick with a standard Blu-ray player or a streaming stick. If you plan to upgrade your TV soon, then a 4K player is a good investment.

What happens to my digital copies if a streaming service goes under?

They may be lost. That’s why some people prefer physical discs. If you use a service like Vudu, you can sometimes download your purchases to a hard drive, but that’s not always allowed.

Are there any good free streaming options?

Yes, Tubi, Pluto TV, and the Roku Channel offer free ad-supported movies and shows. They have a rotating catalog, so you won’t find every new release, but it’s great for classics.

Should I buy a used player instead of a new one?

Used players can be a good deal, but check that they play all formats you need and that the laser isn’t worn out. Test it with a scratched disc before buying.

Bottom Line

If you already own discs, buy a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player like the Sony UBP-X700 before they become scarce. If you don’t own discs and don’t care about collecting, get a Roku Streaming Stick 4K and move on. For collectors, consider a region-free player or an HTPC setup. The key is to make a decision now, because once Best Buy stops selling physical media, the hardware will become harder to find in stores, and prices on new players may rise. Whatever you choose, you’re not losing access to movies – you’re just changing how you get them.

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