J
% The 6 Best External Optical Drives of 2022 Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Best Products > Computer Components 53 53 people found this article helpful
visibility
826 views
thumb_up
1 likes
I
lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 18, 2021 We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best
products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
thumb_up
28 likes
J
Tweet Share Email Computer Components Monitors Keyboards Mice Cards CPU USB/USB-C Storage Laptop Bags & Backpacks Printers Many modern laptops no longer come with any way to read CDs and DVDs or burn files to physical media, which means the best optical drives continue to be relevant even for modern hardware. While plenty of content is available for download or streaming online—and most of us carry around a whole library of movies and music on our phones and laptops—physical discs still have their uses. So, if you’re in need, we’ve got a host of great picks from compact and affordable to powerful and fully featured.
thumb_up
0 likes
D
For a great machine to pair one these drives with, our best laptops roundups collects some of the top portable PCs on the market, or read on for our picks of the best optical drives. The Rundown Best Overall:
ASUS BW-16D1X-U at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget:
LG GP65NB60 at Amazon Jump to Review Runner-Up, Best Budget:
Dell DW316 External USB Slim DVD R/W at Amazon Jump to Review Most Compact:
Verbatim External Slimline Blu-ray Writer (70102) at Amazon Jump to Review Runner-Up, Most Compact:
ASUS ZenDrive at Amazon Jump to Review Best Ultra-HD Ready:
Lite-On EB1 at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks
Best Overall: ASUS BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive
3.9 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video Asus BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive Review: Stylish with a Few Quirks While many of the best external optical drives go for a smaller form factor making them easier to take on the go, this pick for top performance goes big.
thumb_up
4 likes
H
The ASUS BW-16D1X-U measures 2.48 x 6.50 x 9.57 inches, making it a bit of a desk hog, but with that extra size, you get serious performance for every task. The ASUS BW-16D1X-U has fast access times on all types of optical media, so you’ll spend less time waiting around. It can access CD-ROM in 160ms, DVD-ROM in 170ms, and BD-ROM in 180ms.
thumb_up
13 likes
A
Its read and write performance is also stellar with 40x, 16x, and 8x read speeds in CD, DVD, and Blu-ray, respectively. Likewise, it can burn CD-R at 40x, DVD-R at 16x, and even BD-R at 16x.
thumb_up
45 likes
J
So, whether you want to rip media from discs or burn data to them, the Asus BW-16D1X-U can get the job done quickly. It also supports BDXL, allowing for storage of up to 128GB on a single compatible disc. Making the package even sweeter, the ASUS BW-16D1X-U supports both Windows and Mac computers.
thumb_up
17 likes
A
Best Budget: LG GP65NB60 External Drive
Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On EBay If you don’t need the Blu-ray capabilities offered by some of the more premium external optical drives, then you can get a great deal on a basic CD/DVD drive. LG’s GP65NB60 is a low-profile and affordable combo drive that offers both read and write capability for CD and DVD.
thumb_up
39 likes
S
Measuring 0.6 x 5.4 x 5.6 inches and weighing just 0.4 pounds, it even gives our top compact pick a run for its money. The LG GP65NB60 can read CD-ROM at 24x speeds and DVD-ROM at 8x speeds, meaning it’s not lagging behind most of the competition despite its budget price. Write speeds are also decent, with up to 24x on CD-R and up to 8x on DVD-R.
thumb_up
7 likes
V
And, the LG GP65NB60 just needs a single USB connection for all of its power and data transfer needs. Further rounding out the package, the LG GP65NB60 support Windows and Mac, can burn archival-quality M-Disc, and comes in a variety of colors, with black, gold, white, and silver on offer.
Runner-Up, Best Budget: Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive
Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy The Dell DW316 measures 0.55 x 5.41 x 5.67 inches, making it both a budget and compact contender.
thumb_up
47 likes
L
Along with its slim profile, the device weighs just 0.44 pounds, so you’ll hardly notice it in your laptop bag. Running off a single USB connection for power and data transfer, it doesn’t take much to get the Dell DW316 up and running. Support is confirmed for Windows, but reviewers have mentioned using the Dell DW316 with Mac computers as well.
thumb_up
28 likes
A
As far as performance goes, the Dell DW316 scores good marks in line with what most of the competition has to offer. It boasts maximum read speeds of 24x for CDs and 8x for DVD. It can offer those same speeds for writing as well.
thumb_up
17 likes
J
The 4 Best CD Players and CD Changers, Tested by Experts
Most Compact: Verbatim External Slimline Blu-ray Writer (70102)
Amazon View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video View On EBay Many modern laptops and ultrabooks decide to forgo an optical drive in order to trim down their size and weight. But, that reduction wouldn’t be valuable if you need an optical drive and have to carry a big one around with you. Fortunately, we’ve got a great compact pick that’s compatible with Windows and Mac computers.
thumb_up
41 likes
A
Measuring just 0.45 x 5.24 x 5.75 inches, the Verbatim 70102 is super compact. What’s more, the reduction in size doesn’t mean a bunch of compromises.
thumb_up
42 likes
M
It’s built with a metal housing, for a premium look and feel, and it’s speedy. It can write CDs at 24x, DVDs at 8x, and Blu-rays at 6x — even supporting M-Disc.
thumb_up
35 likes
E
Yes, that’s right, it’s a full CD/DVD/BD drive, and it weighs less than half a pound. The Verbatim 70102 is a definite mobility champion, with power and data transfer all happening over USB, so you’ll only need one cable.
Runner-Up, Most Compact: ASUS ZenDrive
Newegg View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Where a compact footprint counts, ASUS's ultra-slim ZenDrive is a quality pick.
thumb_up
44 likes
D
This is a simple CD/DVD combo drive, with no support for Blu-Ray, but that means it comes in at a substantially lower price. And, it measures just 0.55 x 5.33 x 5.61 inches, with a single USB connection needed for power.
thumb_up
3 likes
H
The ZenDrive offers excellent performance for its size, with CD read and write speeds up to 24x, and DVD read and write speeds up to 8x. Furthering that performance along are quick access times; the Asus ZenDrive can access CD and DVD content in 160ms. For anyone that needs archival quality, the ZenDrive also supports burning to M-Disc for long-lasting data storage.
thumb_up
32 likes
G
The Asus ZenDrive supports both Windows and Mac, and it includes CyberLink software to help you get started with storing content on physical media. The drive also comes with six months of free cloud storage from ASUS, so you can rip content from your CDs and DVDs and move them there as needed.
thumb_up
34 likes
L
Best Ultra-HD Ready: Lite-On EB1
Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On EBay If you’re planning on buying physical 4K movies, older Blu-Ray drives may not be able to read the newer discs. That’s where an Ultra HD Blu-Ray-ready drive can come in.
thumb_up
5 likes
H
Lite-On has an affordable drive that offers comparable specs to many of the best drives on our list while also supporting new Ultra HD Blu-Ray media. The Lite-On EB1 has quick access times on all media types and boasts read and write speeds of 24x for CDs, 8x for DVDs, and 6x for BD-ROM.
thumb_up
43 likes
H
The drive also supports M-Disc, in the event you'd like to make long-lasting backups. All the more impressive is that the Lite-On EB1 measures just 0.53 x 5.9 x 5.5 inches and weighs a modest 0.66 pounds. That makes it a viable pick for an on-the-go Ultra HD Blu-Ray reader.
thumb_up
38 likes
C
It should be noted, though, that special software may still be needed to take advantage of Ultra HD Blu-Ray depending on your PC. FAQ What are the advantages of an optical drive? With media increasingly moving to digital rather than physical storage solutions, an optical drive may seem outdated.
thumb_up
17 likes
I
But there are still a number of reasons to invest in an optical drive, not the least of which is to access older media, a significant percentage of which still hasn't been shifted over to a digital/online solution. This is especially true if you have games, videos, photos, or documents backed up on physical media. Optical drives can also be a handy way to create new backups quickly and inexpensively, and some programs require discs for emergency boot tools.
Can you read a DVD in a Blu-Ray drive?
Can you read a DVD in a Blu-Ray drive?
thumb_up
23 likes
E
Yes, both CDs and DVDs are compatible with Blu-Ray drives, and there are combo drives that can burn discs of all three types as well. By contrast, DVD drives cannot read Blu-Ray media.
How does an optical drive work? Optical drives read and write data to discs by means of a laser.
How does an optical drive work? Optical drives read and write data to discs by means of a laser.
thumb_up
23 likes
L
To write, the laser creates pits in an organic dye layer on the surface of the disc, the reflected light from which can then be read by photodiodes in the drive and converted back into the original data. The disc is spun inside the drive, allowing the laser to consecutively read the tracks on its surface.
thumb_up
43 likes
A
Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe Tell us why!
thumb_up
44 likes
A
Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 5 Best SATA DVD/CD Burners of 2022 How to Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc Can Blu-ray Discs Be Played On a DVD Player? Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player? The 5 Best External Desktop Blu-ray Drives of 2022 OWC Mercury Pro Review: Solid Drive with Best-in-class Performance Asus BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive Review: Stylish with a Few Quirks What Is an Optical Disc Drive?
thumb_up
18 likes
M
How to Burn an ISO File to a Disc (Step-by-Step Guide) How to Burn Music to CDs in iTunes The 7 Best Free DVD Ripper Programs of 2022 How to Create an ISO Image From a DVD, CD or BD Disc 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Desktop PC Death of the Computer Optical Drive Pioneer BDR-XS06 Blu-ray Burner Review: Portability and Performance What Disc Formats Can Be Played on a Blu-ray Player? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
thumb_up
4 likes
M
Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
thumb_up
7 likes
Similar Discussions
-
Austin Hays Changed His Workout Routine to Prepare for Full Baseball Season
-
F1 News Here s why Oscar Piastri fiasco set a dangerous precedent for F1 according to Alpine CEO
-
Ajla Tomljanovic abstained from social media before Serena Williams clash
-
BR vs SLK Dream11 Prediction Fantasy Cricket Tips Today s Playing XIs Player Stats and Pitch Report for Caribbean Premier League 2022 Match 6
-
Special Summer Care for Eczema Tips from Our Dermatology Experts Everyday Health
-
How To Prevent Cancer Cancer Risk Factors Cleveland Clinic
-
Kraken s Philipp Grubauer Starting in Colorado CBSSports com
-
Paris Enigme APK Download for Android
-
Free Chillout radio stations o APK Download for Android
-
Smart Racing Go Monster Truck APK Download for Android
-
Car School Driving Games 3D APK Download for Android
-
Hollywood Community Church App APK Download for Android
-
QR Code Reader APK Download for Android
-
Reasoning by Vikas Saxena APK Download for Android
-
My Coffee Shop Cafe Shop Game APK Download for Android
-
Crab Adventure APK Download for Android
-
word search APK Download for Android
-
Mort de Lola Paris le gouvernement s v rement pris partie pour son laxisme sur l immigration Faits Divers Lola
-
Pour Karim Benzema pas le temps de souffler apr s son Ballon d Or Payant
-
PSG le point m dical avant Ajaccio un gardien bless bonnes nouvelles pour Danilo et Nuno Mendes
-
Meghan Markle jug e folle et hyst rique la duchesse de Sussex met les choses au clair
-
Pol mique Coupe du monde au Qatar l assourdissant silence de l ambassadeur Beckham
-
El dilema de los metales rusos que puede agitar el mercado Mercados Materias Primas
-
La verdad sobre perder grasa de forma localizada Perder Peso Perder Barriga
-
Deadpool referenced for first time in Marvel Cinematic Universe
-
Unique Warzone Welgun loadout replaces Owen Gun as dominant SMG in Caldera
-
New Vampire Survivors Game Mode Unveiled The Nerd Stash
-
Ubisoft Will Provide Extra Support For Their Ukraine Staff The Nerd Stash
-
How to Get Windows 10 Free for Customers Who Use Assistive Technology
-
Instagram Tests Desktop Posting Abilities