26Looking at this era of technology, laptops, and desktops have become a part of our life. We are more obsessed with slimmer and lighter products. Thus, external DVD drives are slimmer and lighter but it is also well-built, reliable, and fast drive.
An external DVD drive is a great solution if you own a netbook or your PC has a broken built-in DVD. They are easy to install and are easily portable. You just need to plug in and play. But nowadays people prefer Pendrive and hard drive rather than a DVD drive so the laptop manufacturers also have removed this feature from the laptops and desktops.
But sometimes you need to access old media files through CDs and DVDs that’s why you require an external DVD drive.
To make it easier for you to choose I have done some research and listed some of the best external DVD drives.
Best External DVD Drives
LG Electronics Ultra Slim DVD Drive GP65NB60
Amazon Buy Link: LG Electronics Ultra Slim DVD Drive GP65NB60
LG Electronics is an ultra-slim portable with 14mm height that is fast and efficient. GP65NB60 has a sustained DVD write speed of 11.08 MB while CD transfer rates are 3.6 MB/s. Furthermore, LG Ultra Slim is compatible with windows server 2003 and higher so it may run on most of the OS still in use today. Likewise, GP65NB60 is powered by USB which is convenient for the users.
Features
- Color available: black
- Price:$19.87
- Works with MAC
- M-Disk compatible
- Sturdy design
- USB 2.0 interface(480 Mbits/USB 3.0 compatible)
| Pros | Cons |
| USB Powered | Lack of USB 3.0 |
| Pretty quiet and reasonably fast | |
| Supports M-Disk Format | |
| Solidly built |
ASUS Zendrive
Amazon Buy Link: ASUS Zendrive
An ultra-slim drive with 13mm thickness comes with a complete backup solution, making it easier to back –up your docs and files. Furthermore, M-Disk is available for backup of your files and data. It backup your data without any loss or degradation for 1000 years.
DVD writes speeds are 8X, Nero backup solutions are available for your android devices. Zendrive will work with windows 10 and you can write to CD format too.
Features
- Color: black and silver
- Portable and light
- MAC and Windows compatible
- Works with M-Disk
- Price:$20.42
- USB 2.0 interface
| Pros | Cons |
| Slim and lightweight | Short cords |
| Reasonable price | Poor build quality |
| Supports M-Disc format | No USB 3.0 interface compatibility |
| Great Performance |
Apple USB Super Drive
Amazon Buy Link: Apple USB Super Drive
Apple USB Super Drive is considered as the best external DVD drive for MAC because it is designed directly by Apple. The USB Super Drive is compatible with all MACs and can play and burn all of your media: CDs and DVDs.
Although, Apple Super Drive is expensive than its competing models the drive is one of the quietest on the market. The defect of this drive is there is no external power source, you will have to rely on your Mac book’s battery. Your battery will deplete slightly faster than normal.
Features
- Price: $69.95
- Compatible with Mac Book Pro with Retina display, Mac Book Air, I Mac (late 2012) and later, Mac mini (late 2009) and later Mac Pro (late 2013).
- Mac-Book Pro/Mac Pro Models with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports require a USB-C to USB Adapter to use Apple USB Super Drive
| Pros | Cons |
| No need for an external power source | Expensive |
| Compact design | |
| Quiet performance |
Samsung External DVD Drive SE-218CB
SE-218CB has a buffer memory of 1.0 MB for smoother reading and writing. Writes are made at 8X for most DVD media and 24X for CD media. You can burn all of your media. CDs and DVDs and most MACs will run this water.
Features
- Portable and light
- Quality build
- Fast performance
- MAC /Windows compatible
- Plug and play
- USB2 0/30 interface compatible
| Pros | Cons |
| Premium look and feel | Pretty expensive |
| USB powered | |
| Weighs less than a pound | |
| USB 2.0/3.0 compatible |
HP DVD 600S
Amazon Buy Link: HP DVD 600S
HP DVD 600S is an ultra-thin lightweight multi-format writer. Based on the latest optical technology writer 13.2 mm thickness and weighs just 250 g the writer can record double and single layer technology.
Writers are made at 8x most DVD media 24 x for CD media. Likewise, an AC adaptor is not required because the writer will be powered by the UBS. 600S is a small drive so you can use an extender if needed.
Feature
- Slim and lightweight design
- On the need of AC adapter
- Compatible with Windows /Mac
- Plug and play
- Record to the single layer or double layer DVDs and DVDs RAM
| Pros | Cons |
| Plug and play | Short cable so extender is necessary |
| No need of an AC adapter |
DELL USB DVD Drive – DW316
Amazon Buy Link: DELL USB DVD Drive – DW316
DW316 is a cheap USB drive that can be used at home or on the go and it is lightweight of 200g. CD read and write speed is 24x and DVD + RW disc 8x which allows exceptional perform ones you don’t require any cords just plug the unit into your MAC or Windows computer or laptop and you can run.
Features
- Affordable
- Portable and lightweight
- Includes cyber link media suite
- Plug and play
- Price $25.16
| Pros | Cons |
| Slim and lightweight | Collects fingerprints |
| Affordable price | Does not play Blu-ray |
| Easy to use | |
| Pre-loaded Cyberlink Media Suite |
Amicool External DVD Drive
Amazon buy Link: Amicool External DVD Drive
Amicool is not as awesome as other drives but has a nice set of features for the users. It offers both USB 3.0 Type A and Type C connectivity and backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and USB 1.0 devices. Writes are made at 24x for CD and 8x for DVD likewise, maximum co-burning speed of up to 8x. Furthermore, Amicool supports CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+ R, DVD-RW, etc.
Features
- Slim portable and lightweight
- Affordable price
- Price: $26.99
- Color: black
- Comfortable with Windows XP/ Vista/ 7/8.1/10, Linux, all versions of Mac OS
| Pros | Cons |
| Plug and play | Very short cable |
| Good compatibility | |
| Excellent customer support |
Rioddas External DVD Drive
Amazon Buy link: Rioddas External DVD Drive
This drive offers similar features like other external drives except for the features of the brush metal finish. Rioddas is trying hard to build its place in the DVD market but because it is similar to other drives, it is facing difficulty.
Besides this, it offers plug-and-play functionality and USB 3.0 connectivity along with backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and USB 1.0 devices. Provides maximum DVD read speed of 8x, maximum CD read speed of 24x and maximum CD burn speed of 8x
Features
- Plug and play
- Good compatibility
- High speed
- Trendy design
- Intelligent technology
- Compatible with Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8,1/10 Linux, all versions of Mac OS system
- Price: $24.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Plug and play | Short cable |
| Good compatibility | A bit noisy |
| Issues with Windows 10 |
ASUS SD RW-08D2S-ULITE
Amazon Buy Link: ASUS SD RW-08D2S-ULITE
Asus SD RW-08D2S-ULITE is the most popular external DVD drive as it is one of the smallest external drives for the desktop and laptop. The main advantage is it is easily portable as it weighs only 280g. The design of this drive is awesome especially when the light shines on it. Despite Asus is made up of normal plastic but comes with a diamond texture finish that is the reason for outstanding design.
08D2S-ULITE provides up to 8x writing speed for DVD and 24x writing speed for CD.
Features
- Mini USB to USB cable
- M-Disc compatible
- Compatible with Windows and Mac OS
- No installation required, just plug it into a laptop and you are ready to go
| Pros | Cons |
| M-Disc compatible | Lack of USB 3.0 |
| No installation required | |
| Easily portable |
Version Tech Super Drive
Amazon Buy link: Version Tech Super Drive
Almost all the external drive looks alike but this Super Drive has come up with something different. It has presented itself like the super drive found in Mac Book Pro. Version Tech looks like it is made up of aluminum but you will be surprised to know it is plastic.
There is a large rubber ring on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around. Likewise, this super drive is attached to a USB cable that can’t be removed. Furthermore, the front side has a slot instead of a disk stray.
The writing speed for DVD is up to 8x and for CD is up to 24x. Along with pros, there are some cons as the cable is connected, you are limited for where to use it.
Based on its surface you put, the noise level depends, and if you wish to remove the disk simply use the eject button on the computer screen.
Features
- Attached USB cable
- Compatible with Windows and Mac OS
- Intelligent technology
- Price: $27.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Plug and play | As the cable is connected you are limited for where to use |
| Slot disc tray |
Which External DVD Drive to Choose?
If you are a Mac Owner then I think you should go with Apple USB Super Drive because it is directly designed by Apple. You do not require any extra software to run this. It provides a maximum writing speed of 8x for DVDs and 24x for CDs. It is a slim and easily portable device.
If you have Windows OS on your PC then you must go with LG GP65NB60. This drive is slim, fast, and efficient the This is the best budget external DVD/The maximum. The maximum writing speed for the DVD is 8 x and CD is 24x. The design of this drive is attractive and has a jamless and silent play as well as TV connectivity. GP65NB60 is powered by USB which is convenient when working on the go.
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What Are the Factors That I Need to Consider Before I Buy an External DVD Drive?
You must choose the best for your PCs and laptops. You have to look after different factors while choosing the best that supports your OS. Here is the list of the factors that you need to consider when you buy an external drive for your PCs and desktop.
Speed
Before you buy an external DVD drive, you must consider its maximum read and write speed of DVDs and CDs. It is better to choose the drive that supports USB 3.0 because it will be faster as well as will be compatible with the older USB versions.
Compatibility
Although most of the external drives are compatible with both Windows and OS, still you must check whether it is compatible with your OS or not.
Size
Size matters a lot. You must choose the drive that is light-weighted and is slim so that you can carry the drive wherever you want.
Noise
Have you heard a noise of drive while reading a DVD? This noise is so disturbing while you are working. So choose the drive which performs quietly but efficiently.
Build Quality
How a drive is built, it is important. Some drives are durable although it is made up of plastic. Another aspect you need to look at is whether the fingerprint resistance housing because it could make the drive dirty.
Price
Price is the most aspect before you buy any product. You cannot spend all your savings on a drive looking at other features of drive although the prices of most of the DVDs are the same. According to your budget, you must choose an external drive for your OS.
M-Disc
So drives the drive supports the M-Disc format. This M-Disc holds the data for more than 1000 years without any loss. This is a great feature.
Difference Between DVD Drive and Blu Ray Drive
| DVD Drive | Blu Ray Drive |
| The DVD drive is used for video content and has become the standard for physical software distribution. | Blu Ray drive is used for storing high – definition video signals or data capacities. |
| It can store the video of around 4.7 GB | It can store the video ranging from 25 GB to over 200 GB. |
| This is suitable for those types of users who use it to burn CDs or create DVDs. | This is suitable for those types of users who want to burn video game discs or movies in 4k Ultra HD. |
| This drive can also be used to read CDs. | This drive can be used to read and write CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best External DVD Drive for a Laptop?
Asus Zendrive is the best USB DVD burner and LG’s BP60NB10 is the best Blu-ray burner. Both drives are quick to rip data from discs to a computer and to burn a new disc with their data. They are not so expensive and are easily compatible with PCs and Macs.
Which is a Better Internal or External DVD Drive?
In my opinion, internal drives are better because it is protected by an exterior casing which prevents dust accumulation in the drive, unlike external drives. Another reason is, the external drive takes up more space than internal drive despite external drives are easy to install.
Can an External DVD Drive Play Blu-Ray Disc?
No, a DVD drive can only play DVDs and CDs. But, if you purchase a Blu-Ray drive you can play BLU-Ray discs, CDs and DVDs as well.
Can I Use an External DVD Drive to Play PC Games?
Yes, you can use an external drive as long as those games do not require DVD to be in the drive while playing. I would say it depends on what game you are playing.
Can I Use My Old Computer as an External Hard Drive?
If your computer is dead because of other reasons rather than the damage of hard drive then yes of course you can use your old computer as an external drive and grab the important files and documents in the process.
Final Words
This is all about external DVD drives for Windows and Mac for laptop and desktop. Hopefully, I have gathered all the information that you were searching for.
Whatever external drives you choose make sure it is compatible with your OS and comes within your budget. You should be careful while choosing the external drive. Consider all the factors that I have mentioned and choose your external DVD drive
If you are that type of user who just uses the drive to burn CDs or create DVDs then for you external DVD drive is perfect but if you fall in that category of user who needs the drive to burn video game disc or movies in 4k Ultra HD then Blu-Ray recorder is suitable for you.
I hope you got a lot of information regarding external DVD drives.
