Advantages :
1. Bridge rectifier can be used in applications allowing floating output terminals i.e. not output terminal is grounded.
2. The need of center-tapped transformer is eliminated.
3. If stepping up or stepping down of AC voltage is not needed, then it does not even require any transformer.
4. Transformer needed is less costly as it is required to provide only half the voltage of an equivalent centre tapped transformer used in a full wave rectifier circuit.
5. The output is twice that of centre tapped circuit for the same secondary voltage
6. Transformer utilization factor, in case of a bridge rectifier, is higher than that of a centre-tap rectifier.
Disadvantages :
1. It requires four semi conductor diodes
2. Two diodes in series conduct at a time on alternate half cycles. This creates a problem when low DC voltages are required. This leads to poor regulation.
3. The value of the diodes used should be precise , else there will be an error in rectification