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Best External CD & DVD Drives of 2024

External hard disk drives (External CD DVD Drives), or external hard-drive enclosures, are devices that connect to a computer via USB or Firewire and provide extra storage beyond the built-in hard drive. They can also be used as network storage devices. Buying Guide

117k+ reviews analysed

Updated on May 13, 2024

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Top Recommendations
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ASUS ZenDrive Ultra Slim USB 2.0 External 8X DVD Optical Drive +/-RW with M-Disc

Feedback: 96% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

The external cd-dvd drive works fine with my windows laptop and Raspberry Pi 4. I played music CDs, a DVD, and opened a data CD-ROM. VLC media player seemed to run into a problem playing past the anti-piracy warnings, but I think it was probably a settings issue on my end, not a fault of the device.

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HP External Portable Slim Design CD/DVD RW Write/Read Drive

Feedback: 77% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

I checked the functionality of VLC, Windows Media Player & Windows Media Player Legacy and all three worked perfectly.

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ORIGBELIE External DVD Drive, CD Drive USB 3.0 Typle C CD/DVD ROM +/-RW Adapter

Feedback: 74% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

I can use the external CD/DVD drive with my windows laptop as soon as I plug it into the USB port and do not need to install any driver. This shows that the external CD/DVD drive is software compatible and easy to use.

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External CD DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable CD DVD +/-RW Drive Slim CD DVD ROM Rewriter

Feedback: 73% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

I did not face any software compatibility issues while using the external CD drive. I did not need to download any additional software to use it.

Top picks for Software compatibility
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Feedback: 93% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

The external cd-dvd drive works fine with my windows laptop and Raspberry Pi 4. I played music CDs, a DVD, and opened a data CD-ROM. VLC media player seemed to run into a problem playing past the anti-piracy warnings, but I think it was probably a settings issue on my end, not a fault of the device.

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Feedback: 85% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

I did not face any software compatibility issues while using the external CD drive. I did not need to download any additional software to use it.

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Feedback: 75% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

I can use the external CD/DVD drive with my windows laptop as soon as I plug it into the USB port and do not need to install any driver. This shows that the external CD/DVD drive is software compatible and easy to use.

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Feedback: 64% positive
software compatibility, data transfer speed, compatibility with devices

The external CD DVD drive is detected by Windows and the necessary driver is installed, but the contents of a CD don't load.

Top picks for Data transfer speed
Top picks for Compatibility with devices
Top picks for Noise level
Top picks for Connectivity options

Buying Guide for External CD DVD Drives

External hard disk drives (External CD DVD Drives), or external hard-drive enclosures, are devices that connect to a computer via USB or Firewire and provide extra storage beyond the built-in hard drive. They can also be used as network storage devices. They are perfect for watching movies, playing games, and listening to music. It can also copy files, movies, install software and create backup discs. You can browse through Amazon for exciting choices at great prices

Benefits of External CD DVD Drives

Compatibility and Versatility

External CD/DVD drives offer compatibility with a wide range of devices, including laptops, desktops, and even some tablets. They provide the flexibility to read and write CDs and DVDs, making them essential for various tasks such as installing software, playing movies, or creating backup discs. With an external drive, you can access and work with optical media, regardless of whether your device has an internal drive or not.

Portability

External CD/DVD drives are designed with portability in mind. They are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry around and use wherever you go. Whether you're on a business trip, traveling, or working remotely, having an external drive allows you to access and share data from CDs and DVDs without relying on an internet connection. It's a reliable and convenient solution for those who require disc access on the go.

Expanded Data Storage

Another benefit of external CD/DVD drives is their ability to expand your data storage options. With the capability to burn discs, you can create backups of important files, archive data, or transfer large files to CDs or DVDs for storage purposes. This is particularly useful for preserving precious memories, organizing digital libraries, or keeping critical data secure and accessible without taking up significant storage space on your computer's internal hard drive.

Retro Compatibility

External CD/DVD drives serve as a bridge between the digital present and the physical past. They allow you to access and enjoy older CDs and DVDs that may contain cherished music albums, software, or archived content. By connecting an external drive to your modern device, you can experience the nostalgia and convenience of accessing legacy media that might not be available in digital formats.

Factors to Consider Before Buying of External CD DVD Drives

Size of the DVD Drive

If you need an external DVD drive for professional use, you will probably need to carry it along with your laptop. Thus, the size and form factor of the drive becomes a very crucial factor. A compact option with similar performance and compatibility compared to a larger one is obviously the better choice.

Connectivity Options

The main reason for DVD drives being phased out is the advancement of USB drives. Nowadays, there are even laptops that only feature a single universal USB port for all purposes. In such cases, you need to make sure that you can connect your external DVD drive with your laptop.

Supported Operating System

Unlike external storage devices, the external DVD drives have limited compatibility when it comes to operating systems. While some devices will be functional with all types of OS, such as Windows, macOS, and even Android, some will only work with Windows or macOS.

Power Source

Determine if the external drive requires an external power source or if it is bus-powered, drawing power directly from the computer's USB port. Depending on your needs and portability preferences, choose the appropriate power option.

Conclusion

DVD drives are not as easy to come by as other popular electronic devices. Because these devices are not being used by the mass consumer, you will probably struggle to find a decent option from a reputable brand. Therefore, it will be beneficial for you to go through our picks of the best external cd hard drives even though these are fairly affordable devices.
To know more about your buying options, look through some of the best products that we have listed in our featured section above. Our external dvd drive reviews are based on their quality, performance, and durability.

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