When it comes to reading optical media, the external optical drives come into play. Since they are portable, they can be utilized on multiple devices. They come with easy installation and usage compared to the internal ones. The speed of the drive for reading and writing the media which you are using matters a lot.
Let’s look at the details of the factors that help you easily decide the best external optical drives:
Interface: The most common interfaces used in the external optical drives are USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The USB 3.0 provides more stable connectivity and quicker speeds than the USB 2.0. The USB 2.0 is backward compatible with the older USB versions.
Speed: It is important to consider both write and read speeds. The DVD speed and CD speed matters more when making a purchase. Generally, the optical drives discussed below come with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed.
Compatibility: Almost all the external optical drivers are compatible with operating systems like Windows and Mac. It is important to check whether it is compatible with the version your operating system has.
Apart from the above factors, you also need to consider the size of the drive, noise, build quality, user-friendliness, and warranty. Go through the Buying Guide to get a detailed understanding of these factors.
Let’s look at the details of the best external optical drives:
| Name | Interface | Compatabilty | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP F6V97AA External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 2.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| Transcend TS8XDVDS-K External Optical /DVD Drive | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| Dell DW316 External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| HP F6V97AA External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| HP F6V97AA External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| HP A2U56AA External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 3.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| Rts External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 | Windows and Mac | 1 Year | Buy Now |
| Rts CD DVD Combination External Optical / DVD Drive | USB 2.0 | Windows and Mac | 2 Years | Buy Now |
The HP USB external USB DVD drive is a sleek, compact and speedily working drive. It comes with the double-layer recording potential. The portable storage makes this USB drive famous.
This optical drive supports USB 2.0/USB 3.0 interfaces. It comes with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed.
It can flawlessly work with Windows through a USB cable. This allows hassle-free data transfer for power. A Cyberlink Media Suite is included for editing as well as managing multimedia content. No need for a power adapter. The drive is also M-Disc compatible.
The read and write operations for CD and DVD are supported up to 8.5 GB space. The plug and play convenience offer easy media back-up and storage. It is easy to play from or record to CDs and DVDs.
The height of 9.5 mm conveys space-saving and low-profile design. It is easy to connect the external DVD drive to the included USB port on the TV. It can work with Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Vista, 7, 8; Mac OS 10.5.4 or above version.
Specifications of HP F6V97AA External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
The aforementioned ASUS external DVD-RW drive is basically an external slim DVD writer. It is capable of 8X speeds. The portable and stylish design offers user convenience.
It comes with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed. The drive is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
To ensure safety, it comes implemented with the Disc Encryption double security. This is accompanied by the password-controlled as well as hidden-file functionality. The drag & burn interface comes with just 3 steps to burn a disc.
The additional feature is the USB 2.0 and E-Green Engine for the finest optical storage available. The diamond-cut design presents an appealing aesthetics look.
The process of setting up is easy and quick. The best thing about this drive is the speed at which it can rip the CDs. Though it is not the cheapest optical drive but comes with excellent reliability.
This drive can work flawlessly for old games on PCs on most laptops that don’t have disc drives.
It comes with a 1 year warranty.
Specifications of ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
This Transcend portable optical drive supports USB 2.0/USB 3.0 interface. It is equipped with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed. The drive is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
Looking at its structure, it shows the dual-layered disc DVD player. This drive will not occupy much space. It comes in stylishly design for easy accommodation anywhere. Look for the features desired before making a purchase.
Excellent portability removes issues when carrying it from one place to another. This will make your job easier. The recording capacity is efficient and with high speed. It can flawlessly create music discs and movie DVDs.
The CyberLink Power2Go media writing software is present. It helps you to easily burn the discs, back up photos, music, and video.
The drive works perfectly for storing PowerPoint presentations, images, and videos. It works as a beautiful addition to any office space. The drive is found compatible with CD-R/RW, DVD±RW, DVD±R, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM media.
It comes with a 1 year warranty.
Specifications of Transcend TS8XDVDS-K External Optical /DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Equipped with outstanding speeds, this optical drive from Dell provides ease of file transfer. No need to install any software. This drive represents plug & play disc burning and disc playing solution which can be used with a USB port
Dell equipped this optical drive with a USB 2.0/USB 3.0 interface. It comes with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed. You can use this drive with Windows and Mac operating systems.
Using this driver, you can play or burn your preferred CDs or DVDs. The streamlined design complements modern notebooks. This optical drive is powered by the USB port of your Ultrabook or notebook. Hence, no need to use power cords or batteries.
It only weighs 200 grams and comes with 14mm thickness. Pack it in a bag and carry along.
The drive comes pre-loaded with the CyberLink Media Suite to effortlessly play and burn DVD/CDs. You can install disc-based PC programs. No issues regarding insufficient storage space. You can easily store photos, music, and videos.
It comes with a 1 year warranty.
Specifications of Dell DW316 External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
The F6V97AA external drive can read and write your CDs and DVDs. You can keep your workspace tidy and include an optical drive only when you need it.
HP has equipped this DVDRW drive with USB 2.0/USB 3.0 interface. This interface does not need power adapter. The DVD speed and CD speed are respectively 8x and 24x.
It can allow hassle-free data transfer for power. A Cyberlink Media Suite is included for editing and easy management of multimedia content. The drive can also work with M-Disc.
The plug and play convenience offer easy media back-up and storage. It is easy to play from or record to CDs and DVDs. The double burning speed of the dual-layer recording ability saves time.
The space-saving and low-profile design offer portability. Connect the external DVD drive to the USB port of your TV. This helps you see content on the large screen. It can work with Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Vista, 7, 8; Mac OS 10.5.4 or above version.
A 1 year warranty is included.
Specifications of HP F6V97AA External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
When looking for quick disc writing, erasing and rewriting processes go for this HP DVD-RW drive. You will relish the convenience of portable storage. The double-layer recording is a unique feature.
In the HP F6V97AA#ABB optical drive, there is support for the USB 2.0/USB 3.0 interface. It comes with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed. You can flawlessly use it with Windows and Mac operating systems.
No need for a power adapter. This makes media editing easy with Cyberlink software. The overall design is sleek, compact, and portable.
Looking at its compatibility, it can work with DVD+/-RW/CD-RW. Moreover, it is m-disc compatible. The media back-up and storage facilities save time. It is easy to play from or record to DVDs and CDs.
The height of 9.5 mm conveys space-saving design. Moreover, it is a low-profile design. It is easy to connect the external DVD drive to the included USB port on the TV. Overall build quality is durable and design is elegant. It can work with PC having Windows 10.
It comes with a 1 year warranty.
Specifications of HP F6V97AA External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
This HP External USB DVD drive makes your laptops and PCs more compact. You can gradually enhance work productivity. does not need any power backup. Hence, it is lightweight and can be used anywhere, anytime.
In this A2U56AA#ABB drive, there is support for the USB 3.0 interface. It comes equipped with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed. This drive comes with the documentation and Cyberlink CD.
Weighing just 340 grams, it is easy to carry along wherever you want. It is easy to store along with your laptop or in a tiny pouch. It can write and erase data from CDs and DVDs. The dual-layer recording and erasing technology are implemented. They enable you to burn DVDs and CDs at fast speeds.
It is convenient to connect the external DVD drive to the incorporated USB port on the TV. It can function with Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Vista, 7, 8; Mac OS 10.5.4 or above version.
Simply plug in this external drive and then store away your data in multiple DVDs and CDs.
It comes with a 1 year warranty.
Specifications of HP A2U56AA External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
The Rts external CD drive removes the need for installing additional software. Implemented with the unique intelligent burning technology, you can burn your disc.
This slim optical drive supports USB 2.0/USB 3.0 interfaces for quick data transfer. The DVD speed and CD speed are respectively 8x and 24x. The drive is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
This drive is known to support CD, CD±RW, CD-R, DVD±R DL, DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM. Furthermore, it comes with powerful error-correcting ability. There is the implementation of the anti-shock and noise reduction technology. Throughout the operation, power consumption is low.
Powered by USB port, there is no need for additional power or external driver. Simply plug it into your existing USB port. So, the DVD driver will be automatically detected. Using this driver, you can record music, videos, photos, etc. Also, you can easily create a CD/DVD backup disc.
The drive and the USB cable are combined in a single unit. The embedded USB cable design provides ease of storage. The design is lightweight, slim, and shockproof.
The warranty period is 2 years.
Specifications of Rts External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0/USB 3.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
This Rts drive is versatile and reliable. Using this CD/DVD burner, it is easy to watch DVD movies, burn files, transfer movies to a CD/DVD, etc. It is easy to create backup discs etc.
This Rts external optical drive supports the USB 2.0 interface. The supported DVD speed is 8x and the CD speed is 24x.
It comes with universal compatibility for laptops and PCs. The operating systems supported are Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, ME, 98, and Vista systems. The high-speed USB 2.0 interface makes sure this drive is backward compatible with USB1.0.
Using this combination drive, you can drive a CD or DVD. Moreover, you can burn CD-R and CD-RW. Two USB cables are included. They are data cable and round-head power cable. The latter is generally used when the power is inadequate.
The easy plug & play operation makes sure there is no need to install software and hard disk. The well-made construction and beautiful design offer ease during travel.
The excellent mobility makes sure no external power is needed. It is completely powered by USB ports.
It comes with a 1 year warranty.
Specifications of Rts CD DVD Combination External Optical / DVD Drive | |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| DVD Speed | 8x |
| CD Speed | 24x |
| Compatibility | Windows and Mac |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
Without knowing the essential features, it becomes difficult to choose a suitable external optical drive. Take a look at the things to consider for the best external optical drives:
The three major disk formats are CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and Blu-Ray. The first one is much older one than the rest ones used for audio transfers and smaller data. The CD-ROM drives can hold information up to 700MB. This is perfect for audio.
A DVD-ROM is applied for PCs and comes with storage space ranging from 4.7 GB to 8.5 GB. Moreover, it conveys a simple approach to store games and applications. Through a dual-layer DVD, it works perfectly in the film industry due to its higher capacity.
The Blu-ray is the latest generation optical drive equipped with capacities over 128GB. The capacity can be increased in the future when you want to store PS3 games, HD videos, and other large data.
The combo drives like DVD-ROM could perfectly read a CD-ROM. It is important to note that the optical drives usually have a writable version. It implies that you can rewrite the data saved but the cost is higher than regular ones. Furthermore, the DVD-RW drive is not suitable for multipurpose devices.
When it comes to speed, both write and read speeds are important. The DVD speed and CD speed should be taken into account before making a purchase. The high speed indicates that you can quickly load, transfer, and also save the files from one device to another.
Those external optical drives that come with the USB 3.0 interface, can boast fast speed for operation. The drives described above come with 8x DVD speed and 24x CD speed.
Most of the external optical drives are compatible with famous operating systems like Windows or Mac. It is still advisable to check whether it is compatible with the OS version you are using. For example, it happens that few of the external drives do not support the newest updates. It is also possible that all of them do not play Blu-ray.
To benefit from the compatibility with Blu-Ray player, look for a high-quality Blu-Ray drive that boasts high speeds. It not just offers fast reading speed but also provides many other benefits.
Many optical drives are fragile due to their compact size. However, the best ones come with the solid build quality. Though the drive unit is made up of plastic, it can still offer excellent durability. One more aspect to check is whether the drive has a fingerprint-resistant housing or not. Though it does not influence on the performance, it still matters. A durably built external optical drive will not demand a replacement for years.
After considering all the essential features, one more aspect to focus on is the ease of use. Several external optical drives now come with the plug & play technology which automatically syncs up to your PC when you plug it in. It can cut down the time you spend during set up. Finally, you can enjoy your CDs or DVDs without any delays.
It is important to make sure the operation is without noise. It is an important feature for those who do not like getting disturbed by the irritating sound of the drive when it reads a DVD. Few of the best external drives come equipped with the noise reduction technology that guarantees quiet performance.
The last thing to consider is price. Some optical drive may seem expensively priced but they come with outstanding features. In such drives, the components present are of superior quality. The price also relies on the brand manufacturing the drives. Generally, older and reliable manufacturers usually supply high-quality optical drives due to their vast experience.
Most of the external optical drives discussed above come with 1 year of warranty. Some drives may even come with 2 years of warranty.
For various applications in computers and laptops, these external optical drives help a lot. They come with an excellent read and write speeds for efficient operation. Besides, they are compatible with the latest USB interfaces for ease of use. Without any hassles, you can use them on Windows and Mac operating systems.
From this article’s discussion, the Transcend TS8XDVDS-K External Optical /DVD Drive is famous for high-speed operation, flawless recording of media files, and broad compatibility. The HP F6V97AA External Optical / DVD Drive excels in terms of space-saving design, broad compatibility, and quiet operation.