If you have a netbook or a PC with a broken built-in best external DVD drive, an external DVD drive is a perfect alternative. The best external DVD and CD drives are small and light, so they won’t take up much room in your backpack but will be a terrific addition to your 2-in-1 laptop or gaming PC.
How to Select the Best External DVD Drive
Here is a list of the options and characteristics you should always consider when selecting the best external DVD drive for your device.
LG Electronics Ultra Slim DVD Drive (GP65NB60)
If you’re looking for a high-quality external DVD drive, even if we know this type of equipment is rather obsolete in the “current year” with USB 3.1 and all that, the LG Ultra Slim would be an interesting alternative for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it looks fantastic and is made by one of the world’s premier technology companies.
Okay, so that’s not a “valid argument” for geeks, but here’s one: 8X USB 2.0 Super Multi Ultra Slim Portable DVD Writer Drive +/-RW External Drive with M-DISC Support 8X USB 2.0 Super Multi Ultra Slim Portable DVD Writer Drive +/-RW External Drive with M-DISC Support So we have portability in a cool looking/compact form size, all for less than $30, which is really great.
In terms of mobility and sleek appearance, the LG Electronics Super Multi Ultra Slim is only 14mm tall, which means it will blend in with your other gadgets (laptop or PC). Furthermore, the USB 2.0 interface, despite being rather old, still provides good transfer speeds (480 MBPS), and the DVD drive is USB 3.0 compliant. We know it’s not much, but it’s sufficient for the majority of people.
Pioneer BDR-XD05B
Consider the Pioneer BDR-XD05B for Linux. This portable Blu-ray burner has a USB 3.0 interface, which ensures quick performance. Another advantage is the presence of power cables. USB 3.0 eliminates the requirement for a 5V power adaptor or an extra USB connector. Furthermore, because it has a greater packet size, it uses less CPU power when transferring data.
The Pioneer BDR-XD05B comes with PowerDVD, which saves you money because you won’t need video player software. This external drive, by the way, supports the standard USB Mass Storage protocol and the MMC-5 SCSI command set.
ASUS ZenDrive
ASUS ZenDrive boasts 8XDVD writing speed and M-Disk format support for a reasonable price, and is designed to protect you from memory deterioration and data loss. This external DVD optical drive is extremely thin and features a USB 2.0 interface. It offers a fashionable look thanks to the concentric-circle hairline finish.
ASUS ZenDrive works with Windows, Mac OS, and Nero BackItUp for Android devices. Its integrated Cyberlink Power2go 8 software ensures an easy backup solution and offers optional data encryption to protect your privacy.
Online backup is also available for devices such as tablets and smartphones.
Dell DW316 External Optical Drive
Dell DW316 is another ultra-slim external DVD drive. It comes with a pre-installed CyberLink Media Suite enabling simple DVD/CD playback and burning, as well as an installation of disc-based computer programs. It has a CD read speed of 24x and a DVD read speed of 8x.
The Dell DW316 External Optical Drive is powered by the USB connection on your Ultrabook or notebook. It means that no batteries or power wires are required. It works with both Windows and Mac operating systems. The sole disadvantage is that this optical drive does not support Blu-ray.
Pioneer BDR-XD07UHD
Pioneer BDR-XD07UHD is a reasonable cost, yet extremely capable Blu-Ray drive that can write CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays with equal success. This drive works with both Mac and Windows operating systems and is extremely simple to use. Because it is lightweight (230 g) and tiny, it is extremely portable.
Furthermore, it comes with the extremely useful Cyberlink software and offers a few advanced features such as Audio Quiet Mode, which automatically adjusts your drive’s speed after use, as well as compatibility with BDXL Blu-ray drives, which allow for use with quadruple and triple-layer Blu-ray discs.
If you’re looking for the greatest external DVD or Blu-Ray drive, the Pioneer BDR-XD07UHD delivers 6x writing speed with BD disks, 8x with DVDs, and 24x with CDs, and it’s a full package.
Apple USB Superdrive (MD564LL/A)
Apple USB Superdrive is another representation of the top CD and DVD drives. Its lightweight form is ideal for mobile workstations. With this external drive, you may play and burn CDs and DVDs, create backup discs, and install program software.
It’s also quite compatible, supporting MacBook, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, and other models. Keep in mind that there is no additional power adapter because its operation is dependent on the power of your Mac’s battery.
Rodzon External CD Drive Type C
Rodzon External CD Drive is the thing for you if you’re looking for an excellent and trustworthy external DVD drive that will meet all of your needs while not costing you too much money. This is a gadget that is compatible with every major operating system, including Windows, Linux, and Mac, and it is also simple to use.
There is also a Type-C connector, data transmission speeds of up to 5 Gbps, and plug and play capabilities.
These qualities, when combined, make this drive a steal. Rodzon External CD Drive is small, has good performance, and is one of the best external DVD drives available in the mainstream market.
Amicool External DVD Drive
If you are searching a decent external DVD drive that will allow you to watch your favorite DVD titles or burn your brand-new summer holiday photos, Amicool External DVD Drive is the device for you.
This drive doesn’t offer anything spectacular; however, it comes with good compatibility and a nice set of features that will please a wide range of users. Amicool External DVD Drive offers both USB3.0 Type A and Type C connectivity and backward compatibility with USB2.0 and USB1.0 devices. It supports Mac, Linux and Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 and offers plug-and-play functionality.
Moreover, this drive provides maximum CD read speed of 24x, maximum DVD read speed of 8x, and maximum CD burning speed of up to 8x. Also, it supports CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW and many other formats.
Amicool External DVD Drive is a slim, lightweight and highly portable device and overall presents a solid all around DVD tool that is without a doubt among the best external DVD drive options out there.
Rioddas External DVD Drive
Rioddas External DVD Drive is yet another DVD gadget in a long line of similar-looking and functioning devices attempting to make their way in a DVD market that is constantly shrinking. Unlike many other items, this one does not provide anything novel or previously unseen, with the exception of a brushed-metal finish that is not common among devices of this type.
Rioddas External DVD Drive is compatible with Linux, Mac, and many Windows versions, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, and 10. Furthermore, this DVD drive features plug-and-play capabilities, USB3.0 connectivity, and backward compatibility with USB2.0 and USB1.0 devices.
This drive supports DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW, and a variety of additional formats, with a maximum DVD read speed of 8x, a maximum CD read speed of 24x, and a maximum CD burn speed of 8x.
Unfortunately, the Rioddas External DVD Drive has a few drawbacks, including compatibility concerns with certain, but not all, Windows 10-based systems and somewhat noisy performance. However, these are issues that are shared by the majority of other companies, thus they should not be viewed as a severe drawback.
Overall, the Rioddas External DVD Drive is a competent, but not spectacular, gadget that will do more than a good job. As a result, if you want a low-cost DVD player with consistent performance, this drive is an excellent choice.
Speed
When evaluating the speed of an external DVD drive, consider both the write and read speeds. Another aspect to consider is the USB version. It is usually preferable to use an external DVD or CD drive that supports USB 3.0.
This type of drive is speedier than those with USB 2.0, but it is also backward compatible with prior USB versions.
Compatibility
Almost all external DVD drives work with common operating systems such as Windows or Mac. However, keep in mind that it must be compatible with the version of your operating system that you are using. Some external drives do not support the most recent updates. Furthermore, not all of them support Blu-ray.
Size
External DVD/CD drives are now relatively small. Still, there are some devices that are hardly portable and frequently remain at home even when their owners require them on work travels. It is always preferable to get a thin and lightweight drive that can be simply slipped into your bag.
Noise
This feature is critical for individuals who do not want to be bothered by the obnoxious sound of the drive reading a DVD. Some of the top external drives contain noise reduction technology to ensure silent operation.
Build quality
Despite the fact that many DVD drives appear to be quite fragile due to their small size, the best external DVD/CD drives have a sturdy build. Even though a unit is built of plastic, it can nonetheless be long-lasting.
Another thing to consider is whether the drive has fingerprint-resistant housing. Of all, it’s a little detail that has no bearing on performance, yet it matters since no one loves dirty stuff.
Single-cable operation
An external power supply is no longer required for modern external DVD drives. The point is that many computers have adequate power for an optical drive, so you’ll only need one cable to get it to operate. If your computer is ancient, you may require an extra Y-cable.
Summary
Whatever external DVD drive you choose, make sure it is the greatest product specifically for your device, as a high-quality drive will be a terrific addition to your gadget.