▪ Online DVD Rental: Blockbuster Beats Netflix

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Blockbuster Wins our comparison for best online DVD rental.  Not only are there no late fees, but Blockbuster online DVD rental services offer unmatched selection and the ability to exchange movies in-store across the nation. 

How Online DVD Rental Works

After you sign up for a DVD rental service, you can select a list of films you want to view.  The DVD rental company will send you the first three films on your list, as soon as they become available.  From our experience, firms are typically available for shipping the same day, and arrive up to five days later.

Sometimes, however, you have to wait a few days before they mail you the DVD. We found, however, that this is a rare occurance.

Also, customers in bigger cities report faster service because multiple distribution centers located in larger metropolitan areas.

Keep the DVDs for as long as you want.  With each service, there are no late fees.  After viewing your movie, return the rentals in the prepaid return envelope.  Yes, you only pay the montly membership fee — you never pay for shipping — so rent away. 

As soon as your DVD rental company receives the DVD(s), they will ship the next DVD(s) on your list.

Frequently asked questions

Cost: Services run from $4.95 to about $20 a month, which includes multiple DVD rentals at any time.

Most popular: Blockbuster, Netflix, DVD Avenue and Clean Films.

What is unique about each service?

• Blockbuster: This service gives you two free video rentals each month at their brick and mortar shops.  Perfect for satisfying those nights you need to instantly gratify friends or family with a new movie.  You should choose Blockbuster if you live near to and visit a Blockbuster store.
  
• Netflix: Kudos for the fastest delivery.  They have more distribution centers than any other service, and most users report next day delivery.  While their prices are a little higher, you should choose Netflix if you cannot wait for movies to arrive.
    
• Wal-mart: By far the cheapest DVD rental service on the Internet.  However, they have fewer distribution centers, and therefore you may have to wait an extra day or two before your DVD(s) arrives.  Price conscious users should choose Wal-mart for their online DVD rental needs. Update: Wal-mart has partnered with Netflix. 
   
• DVD Avenue: What makes DVD Avenue unique is their wide selection of video games and mature interest titles.  You should choose DVD Avenue if you plan to rent videogames or view mature films.
   
• Clean Films: Interested in preserving family values?  Are you a moral person? Clean Films rents and sells edited films for family audiences.  They take out scenes that may offend children, adults and families. We love this site!

Wireless Wizard Wes Recommends: Blockbuster. 2nd Place: Netflix.

Wireless Wizard Wes (WWW) is your neighborhood nerd, techie and internet junkie. An honor student, and Princeton University graduate, he enjoys sharing knowledge about the best buys in technology.