[Updated] Top 7 Best External DVD Drives for Laptop in 2024
Donna Peng
Updated on
With movies having gone from physical media to digital files, modern laptops ditch pre-installed DVD drives used to read physical discs. Even though plenty of contents are available for streaming online, and it is a lot more trendy and efficiency to carry around a whole library of movies on the laptop's hard drive, there are still a lot of people out there who have got a pile of home videos or movies stuck on discs and prefer a more conventional option – play the physical media on laptop with an external DVD drive. If you are one of them and unfortunately get a laptop that doesn't come with a DVD drive built into it anymore, here is the solution: use an external DVD drive for laptop.
External DVD drives works identically to those natively built into laptops. They offer a great way to watch movies on your laptop, along with added convenience of taking along with it portably the time when you need it. What is the best external DVD drive for laptop? What kind of external DVD drive to buy for my old laptop? Jump straight into and browse the top-ranked list of external DVD drives for laptops below along with associated reviews and opinions.
Before your cherished DVD collection gets aging or scratched, it's time to take advantages of the best external DVD drive and then digitize your DVD discs to MP4 or other format. WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, a DVD expert with over 18 Years of DVD ripping experience, helps to back up and rip DVD collection to external hard drive with fast speed and high quality, without damaging your disc drive.
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Free Download| Product Name | Best for | Amazon Rating | Navigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gotega External DVD Drive | Best-seller external DVD drive on Amazon. | User rating: 4.3 |
|
| LG GP65NB60 8X Super Ultra Slim Portable CD/DVD Drive | Best external DVD drive supporting DVD burning. |
User rating: 4.5 |
|
| Rioddas BT638 USB 3.0 External DVD Drive | Best external DVD drive for users on a tight budget. |
User rating: 4.3 |
|
| Asus ZenDrive | Best compact external DVD drive for thin and light laptops. |
User rating: 4.5 |
|
| Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive | The most compact DVD drive. |
User rating: 4.6 |
|
| Asus BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive | The fastest Blu-ray disc drive with 16x writing speed. |
User rating: 4.5 |
|
| Apple USB SuperDrive | The most intuitive DVD drive for Apple users. |
User rating: 4.6 |
1. Gotega External DVD Drive
- Operating System: Windows 98 / SE / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 10/8/7, Mac ios(ios 8.6 to 10.14). And perfect for PC, Laptop, Comprehensive Computer, Internal PC hard disk reader
- Write speed: Max 24xCD / 8xDVD
- Read speed: Max 24xCD / 8xDVD
- Price: $22.99 (view on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/External-CD-DVD-Drive-Compatible/dp/B07MJW5BXZ?th=1)
The first position of the best external DVD drive for laptop goes to Amazon's choice - Gotega External DVD Drive. It is so far the best-seller in Amazon's DVD drives list and receives over 45,685 reviews from customers worldwide. The popularity comes after its ultra-slim design and great features and, such as the max 8x DVDR write speed and 24x CD write speed. Besides, there is an eject button so that you won't worry about any DVD stuck error inside the external DVD drive. You can rest assure to ensure the stable data transmission performance thanks to its copper mesh technology.
In addition, this external drive also features a faster transfer speed and stable performance because of the USB3.0 technology. That means you can record CD or create DVD backup disc faster and mor stable. The original price is $36.99, and is now listed as $22.99 only.
- It is ease to use.
- Wider compatibility with PC, computer, etc.
- Plug and Play Technology.
- Sometimes it stopped recognizing any of the Discs on the final disc.
2. LG GP65NB60 8X Super Ultra Slim Portable CD/DVD Drive
- Operating System: macOS, Windows 10
- Write speed: DVD+R/-R/ DVD+R/-R DL/ DVD+RW/-RW/ DVD-ROM: 8x/ DVD-RAM: 6x/ DVD-Video(CSS Compliant Disc): 4X/ CD-R/RW/ROM/CD-DA DAE: 24X
- Read speed: DVD+R/-R/ DVD+RW/-RW/: 8x/ DVD+R/-R DL: 6x/ DVD-RAM: 5x/ CD-R: 24X
- Price: $24.99 (view on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ODDE33U?th=1)
If you need something that gets the job of playing DVD disc done on your laptops as cheap as possible, LG's GP65NB60 is absolutely your best bet. It is a low-profile and affordable DVD drive that can both read and write CD and DVD for your computers and laptops. Measuring 5.6 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches, the external DVD drive optimizes very less space as a slim OPU for installation and offers a simplistic look.
LG Super Ultra Slim Portable CD/DVD Drive features a decent write speed (up to 8x on DVD-R) and a maximum transfer speed of 11.08 MB/s for DVDs. This means it is not lagging behind most of the pricy external DVD drives despite its budge price. You can also enjoy watching movies on TV with a USB port. On top of that, it takes advantages of Silent Play technology to automatically adjust the optimal reading speed and reduce the noise during DVD playback. In addition, CyberLink software is included in the external DVD drive, which means you can burn a disc on your laptop without the need to purchase any additional software.
- It is affordable.
- It is easy to use with a laptop.
- You can connect the external DVD drive to a TV.
- M-disc format is supported.
- Opening the tray needs more than once button pressing.
- No Blu-ray support.
3. Rioddas BT638 USB 3.0 External DVD Drive
- Operating System: Linux, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows, Mac
- Write speed: 24x, 8x, 4x, 2.4x, 10x, 3x
- Price: $22.99 (view on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLRG9VH/ref=as_li_tl?th=1)
If you want to equip your laptop with an external DVD drive to read and write data but your budget is tight, Rioddas BT638 is absolutely the best choice. It is present at the No.1 of our picks simply because the external disc drive from Rioddas has a customer base of more than 20000 existing customers. It is compact and thin and a plug-and-play model, all you need to do is to plug the external DVD drive into the laptop and insert the DVD to play it.
Rioddas BT638 USB 3.0 External DVD Drive is praised for its fast data transmission speed, up to a maximum of 5Gbps on this DVD drive, this is because it is compatible with USB3.0, along with USB 2.0 backward compatibility. In addition, Rioddas BT638 features a hidden USB cable as a move to protect it from damage, and adds 4 rubber pads to the bottom of the main unit in order to make it sturdier.
- Easy to use.
- Up to 5 Gbps data transmission speed.
- Not work with USB Type C laptops without a connector.
- Not work with a TV or a tablet.
- USB cable extension is required for a desktop PC.
4. Asus ZenDrive
- Operating System: Windows and Mac OS
- Write speed: 8x
- Read speed: 8x, 24x (CD)
- Price: $29.99 (view on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A27IUUM)
If compactness matters to you when choosing an external DVD Drive for laptop, Asus ZenDrive is worthy of your choice. It has an ultra-slim 13mm thickness, making it portable and the perfect companion to thin and light laptops. The DVD drive from Asus provides a complete easy-to-use backup solution with up to 8X DVD read and write speeds and up to 24X CD read and write speed. It can access DVD content in 160ms.
This is one of the best external DVD drives for laptop that provides support for Nero Backup and M-DISC, and includes Cyberlink Power2Go8 and PowerBackup 2.5, in such a way to burn your import data, and protect your videos, photos and data for up to 1000 years. However, two USB ports are required for power and data, so make sure an extra slot is spared.
- Portable and cheap.
- Support M disc and Nero backup.
- It is incompatible with USB 3.0 port.
- No Blu-ray support.
5. Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive
- Operating System: Windows 10 or below
- Write speed: 8x
- Read speed: 8x
- Price: $34.95 (view on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VWVZ0V0?th=1)
If you've got a Dell desktop or laptop and want an external DVD drive mostly for reading DVD discs, this model is definitely a good add-on purchase. In addition to a slim profile that measures 0.55x5.41x5.67inches, Dell DW316 weighs just 0.44 pounds, all making this external DVD drive almost unnoticeable in your laptop bag.
Performance wise, the Dell DW316 does a really good job, capable of reading /burning DVDs and CDs at 8X and 24x respectively, despite the fact that Dell uses USB 2.0 to link with a computer instead of a USB 3.0 connection. As far as the writing speed goes, Dell DW316 DVD drive also scores a good mark of 5X DVD-RAMs rewriting speed, a bit higher than even some USB 3.0 drives can offer.
Like the other external DVD drives for laptop mentioned above, Dell DW316 is pre-loaded with the Cyberlink media suit so that you can back up your data, play movies, and create your own media without downloading any other software.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Relatively good DVD writing speed.
- Work well with Dell laptops and computers.
- Only need a single USB port.
- The drive may stop spinning when reading DVD.
- No blu-ray support.
6. Asus BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive
- Operating System: Windows and Mac
- Write speed: 16x
- Read speed: 16x
- Price: $124.99 (view on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Computer-International-BW-16D1X-U-Powerful-Blu-ray/dp/B071VP89X1)
Asus BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive measures 9.5 x 2.5 x 6.5 inches and is priced at $124.99, costing an arm and a leg. Despite it isn't the best drive if you are on a tight budget, it absolutely scores the best mark in line with most of the external DVD drives have to offer. It can access BD-ROM in 180ms, let alone DVD-ROM in 170ms and CD-ROM in 160ms, which means you won't speed too much time waiting around. In addition, it offers super-fast 16X blu-ray writing speed with BDXL support that allows for data storage of up to 128 GB on a single compatible disc.
Asus BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive is one of the best external DVD drives 2023 that can be easily used with a laptop and a computer. It features a diamond-shaped design for luxury look and clean aesthetics and is perfused with Cyber Link Power2Go 8 with optional encryption functionality, in such a way you can protect your private data information.
- Support USB 3 cable.
- It is faster than other external DVD drives.
- Noise can be made during disc burning.
7. Apple USB SuperDrive
- Operating System: Mac
- Write speed: 8x
- Read speed: 8x
- Price: $79 (view on amazon.com: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive?cid=aos-us-seo-pla)
Apple USB SuperDrive is a sleek optical DVD drive designed for Apple devices. With its minimalist design and plug-and-play functionality, it's a convenient accessory for Mac users who still need to work with CDs and DVDs. The SuperDrive is remarkably easy to use; simply connect it to your Macbook Pro/Air, or iMac via USB, and it's ready to go. It's compatible with a wide range of optical media formats, allowing you to watch DVDs, burn data onto CDs or DVDs, and install software with ease. While it's a bit on the expensive side compared to other external DVD drives for laptop, its seamless integration with macOS and the reliability of the Apple brand make it a worthwhile investment for those in need of an external optical drive.
- Elegant and compact design, fitting seamlessly with Mac aesthetics.
- Plug-and-play simplicity, requiring no additional power cables.
- Reliable performance for reading and writing CDs and DVDs.
- Ideal for Mac users who occasionally need an optical drive.
- Limited functionality as it only reads and writes CDs/DVDs.
- Relatively higher price compared to similar third-party optical drives.
- Compatibility issues with Windows PCs may require additional software.
FAQ about External DVD Drives for Laptop
What should I look for in an external DVD drive? When you are including an external DVD drive on a laptop, it's important to keep in mind what your unique needs are. Although all optical drives make noise, it shouldn't ruin your movie watching experience. Do you need versatile DVD drive that supports nearly all disc types? Or do you want a compact and easy-to-use DVD drive with limited functionality so you aren't confused. Thinking about these questions can help you identify what you need from these external DVD drives. Here are some key features to look for:
Speed: The DVD writing and reading speed plays an important role when purchasing an external DVD drive. Specifically, the rate at which a DVD drive can transfer data from your laptop's hard drive to the disc or vice versa is important, especially when you are burning DVD or ripping discs. Common DVD drives have DVD read speed between 8x and 16x. The faster, the better
Connectivity: It is also preferable that the external hard drive supports USB Type-C, which operates the disc at a faster speed. In addition, with modern laptops phasing out the legacy USB Type-A and instead replacing with the smaller and faster USB Type-C, some modern external DVD drives begin offering Type-C connection. If you are purchasing some external DVD drives using Type-A connection, a Type-C adapter is needed instead.
Compatibility: A good external DVD drive can not only read CDs and DVDs, but also read Blu-ray discs, tool. It can work with operating systems like PCs and Macs, and even Android. But if you are working with Linux, Fire OS, make sure the external DVD drive offers the same level of support before making a purchase.
Portability: Preferably, the external DVD drive is compact and portable, which can be easily put in your pocket of your bag or punch, so you can take the external DVD drive with you and watch movies on the go.
Modern laptops forgo an optical drive in order to trim down their size and weight. That's why see many modern laptops are sold without internal DVD drives. So it is worthy of picking up external DVD drives for your laptop, especially if have large collections of physical media like DVDs. If you are wondering how to use external DVD drive for laptop, here we go. To add your external DVD drive to a laptop, simply plug the cable into your DVD external drive, and then connect the other end of the USB cable to your laptop. Then you can watch movies now.
YES. Most often DVD drives cannot read DVD and CD, rather than Blu-ray media, but if you have a Blu-ray Drive, you can play both CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. It is worth remembering that when your DVD is region locked, make sure you unlock the DVD region with a DVD player or digitize the regional DVD into a region-free digital file with a DVD ripper software.
An external DVD drive is a computer component that allows to read data from a laptop or a computer and burn data onto CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. It is often used to watch movies on a laptop or an HDTV or to backup computer data.
Gotega External DVD Drive is the best external DVD drive for Windows 10 currently available on Amazn. Besides its support for all the mainstream OS, including the Windows 10. The plug and play technology makes it a bonus. If you are looking for a faster external drive around, Asus BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive comes to the rescue, featuring a write speed of up to 15x. This makes it a good option for those with extension DVD libraries and want to digitize the DVDs in the fastest way possible.
Internal drives are less expensive and won't take up your desktop or laptop's space. But they are not portable, which means you cannot move them from one computer to another. Compared with internal drives, external DVD drives are portable and won't tax your computer power. You can just connect your external DVD drive to your laptop or desktop computer and then enjoy your DVD movie using a DVD player.
