The Bottom Line: The LG BD690 has a superb feature set and unique CD-ripping functionality, but it's expensive and a little more complicated to use than it needs to be.

Specs: Blu-ray player, Smart TV, Built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3D ready, 250GB hard drive, Up to 1080p

The Bottom Line: We wouldn't recommend the Philips BDP5506 over competing Blu-ray players.

Specs: Blu-ray player, Blockbuster, Vudu, Pandora, Netflix, Net TV, Wi-Fi, Progressive scanning, Digital photo playback from flash memory card, Digital audio playback from flash memory card, JPEG photo playback, Parental lock, Up to 1080p, Surround Sound, Dolby Digital, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, CD-R, DVD, CD, Kodak Picture CD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW

The Bottom Line: The Toshiba BDX5200 costs a little less than competing midrange Blu-ray players, but you'll miss out on worthwhile extra features and speedy performance.

Specs: Blu-ray player, Netflix, CinemaNow, YouTube, Vudu, Pandora, Ethernet, Built-in Wi-Fi, 3D ready, BD-Live, Up to 1080p, Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, CD-R, DVD, CD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW

The Bottom Line: The Sony BDP-S580 has built-in Wi-Fi and more streaming services than all competing Blu-ray players, but its user interface is mediocre.

Specs: Blu-ray disc player, Qriocity, BRAVIA Internet Video, Gracenote, Hulu Plus, Pandora, YouTube, Netflix, Twitter, Built-in Wi-Fi with WPS, GIF playback, PNG playback, JPEG photo playback, Block Noise Reduction, Digital audio playback from USB devices, Digital photo playback from USB devices, 24p True Cinema, Wi-Fi Ready, Video playback from USB devices, Digital video noise reduction, Mobile Device Remote Control, Up to 1080p, Stereo, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, DVD+R, SACD, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, CD-R, CD, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW

The Bottom Line: 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.

Specs: Blu-ray player, VieraCast, Netflix, Amazon VOD, YouTube, Pandora, Twitter, CinemaNow, Built-in Wi-Fi, Skype capable with separate USB TV camera (sold separately), Touch-free sensor to open and close the disc tray, 2D-to-3D conversion video processing, iPhone/Android phone app, Stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD+R, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, BD-R DL, BD-RE DL, CD-R, DVD, CD, DVD+RW, DVD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RW

The Bottom Line: Despite disc-loading speeds that are just average, the LG BD670's built-in Wi-Fi and excellent streaming-media suite make it one of the best Blu-ray player values.

Specs: Blu-ray disc player, Smart TV, Built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3D ready

The Bottom Line: The Samsung BD-D6700 is an excellent all-around Blu-ray player with dual HDMI outputs, but for most buyers its upgrades won't justify its high price.

Specs: Blu-ray disc player, Samsung Apps, Built-in Wi-Fi, 3D movie playback, 7.1 channel surround, Dolby Digital, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DVD+R, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, CD-R, DVD, CD, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW

The Bottom Line: The Sony NSZ-GT1 combines Google TV and Blu-ray in a single box, but Sony's frustrating controller, the high price, and Google TV's content issues make it a tough sell.

Specs: Blu-ray disc player, Google TV, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, GIF playback, PNG playback, Web Browser, Window Manager, Quick Search Box, Task Switcher, IP Network Update, Android OS, Android Apps, On/off timer, Sleep timer, 8GB built-in storage, UPnP Client, Screen saver, JPEG photo playback, Digital audio playback from USB devices, Digital photo playback from USB devices, 24p True Cinema, Wi-Fi Ready, Video playback from USB devices, Digital video noise reduction, Up to 1080p, Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS decoder, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD+R, BD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, CD, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW

The Bottom Line: The Toshiba BDX2700 is currently a little cheaper than other midrange Blu-ray players and includes 7.1 analog outputs, but otherwise there's little reason to favor it over faster models with better features.

Specs: Blu-ray player, Blockbuster, Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Screen saver, REGZA LINK, Surround Sound, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, CD-R, DVD, CD, CDR-DA, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW

The Bottom Line: Quick load times, excellent Blu-ray image quality, and a generous suite of streaming services make the LG BD550 a solid entry-level Blu-ray player.

Specs: Blu-ray player, Ethernet, Deep Color, x.v.Colour technology, Up to 1080p, Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS decoder, DTS-HD Master Audio, Linear PCM, DVD+R, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, CD-R, DVD, CD, DVD+RW, DVD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RW