I think that if you don't collect Blu-ray movies (2K and 4K) there's no use to buy a Blu-ray player (2K or 4K). And if you only occasionally watch a Blu-ray movie (2K, 4K or 3D) and are more into audio music...there is a Pioneer universal 4K BR player.
If you are an afficionafo of discs, you have already an Oppo BR (2K or 4K) player. Or more. If not ... Pioneer and Panasonic ... for hiend.
And for casual movie entertainment on a budget, Sony X800M2 universal 4K BR player ($199 on sale ... or $249 max).
I'm a collector so I have tons of Blu-ray players (universal 2K and 4K and 3D).
If you buy a nice OLED 4K TV, you want to see what it can do with some of the best 4K Blu-ray movies. If not it comes with tons of movie apps (streaming).
Panasonic OLED (Canada and UK), Sony and LG OLED (all countries including USA).
Just to name the three best.
So the question of this thread...Are Blu-ray players still worth buying?
The answer depends of each videophile and audiophile on a budget...below say $1,000 and rock bottom...$50 or so. They don't make them expensive anymore like yesteryears for $5,000-+10,000 ... no need to when Oppo was still in business with their models 95 ($999), 105/105D ($1,199/1,299) and 205 4K @ $1,299. Those were the good days of hiend audio and video.
OPPO is no more, Cambridge is no more, Samsung is no more.
Hiend universal 4k (video & audio) is from Pioneer now ($999)
And hiend 4K video is from Panasonic ($999)
Budget universal 4K is from Sony ($199-249)
Budget 4K video is from Panasonic ($499)
Today BR players are expandable...disposable.
Streaming is not the same quality as discs. Brand new 4K BR releases (some) are $29.99 and $34.99 (some less $24.99 and some up to $44.99 ... Steelbook).
Streaming is cheaper, but of lesser quality in general.
So the answer is not a general one; it all depends of what rocks the boat of each person's own level when it comes to movie entertainment @ home.
It's the exact same thing with music entertainment, except that here the limit is the sky.
I'm talking the sources here. ...Like...Are CD players/Turntables still worth buying?
Are you a mono guy or a stereo hi-fi guy? Are you a multichannel man?
Are you a digit man, an analog man or both men?
Me I'm Blu man. Blues is also high on my music taste, along with Opera and Tango music. For movies, all genres...on Blu (2K, 4K & 3D). I like mono, stereo and multichannel (7.2.4) with eleven speakers and minimum two subwoofers (for both movies & music).
8K is next, but I don't see any 8K Blu-ray player on the horizon.
I think we hit the limit in Blu-ray players. But I'm no expert, same as trying to predict the second pandemic wave.
Stay safe, watch a Blu-ray movie tonight from your Blu-ray player (2K or 4k).
Check out 1917, or John Wick 3, or Blade Runner 2049 on 4K Blu.
...Or any type of movie you like best on Blu-ray (2K or 4K or 3D) for best storyline, pure entertainment, best adrenaline picture and audio quality. Check something/anything on Blu that will make you forget that we are in a pandemic...you, your wife, your family.
Or don't; just stream instead, or go to bed early...for an early wakeup this weekend coming up. I'm going fishing this weekend ...
* Reason for editing: Three typos (minor)