Are you trying to find external cd drives among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling external cd drives on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 13 hours of research and did 37 external cd drives tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best external cd drives you can buy today
- đăHigh Writing and Reading SpeedăMax 8x DVDR Write Speed and Max 24x CD Write Speed provide high writing and reading speed.
- đăWide CompatibleăThis external dvd cd drive is compatible with Windows 98 / SE / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS (8.6 to 10.14). And perfect for PC, Laptop, Comprehensive Computer, Internal PC hard disk reader. NOT COMPATIBLE with Chrombook, Blue-ray.
- đăPlug and Play TechnologyăPowered by USB port so just plug it into your USB port and the DVD driver will be detected. Donât need to install software to set up driver.
- đăAdvanced USB3.0 Technologyă USB 3.0 provides fast data transfer speed and stable performance to record CD/ music/ videos/ install software or create CD/DVD backup disc (also compatible with USB 2.0).
- đăIngenious Designă This ultra-slim CD/DVD player for laptops equipped with an eject button so that you needn't worry about your disc getting stuck inside this external CD/DVD drive. Besides, the copper mesh technology of this external component, you can be rest assured of stable data transmission.
- 14 millimeter height ultra slim portable DVD writer drive
- USB 2.0 interface (upto 480Mbits/s, USB 3.0 Compatible)
- Max 8x DVDR write speed
- Max 24x CD write speed
- Slim design. Video memory requirement:64 MB or higher (128 MB recommended)
- Slim Design
- With Cyberlink Software
- M Disc
- đăPlug and Playă Our external CD/DVD drive is easy to use and portable! This drive draws power directly from your laptop's USB 3.0 port, eliminating the need for additional drives or applications. Whether you need to listen to music, watch movies, install software, or burn media, its thin and portable design makes it the perfect travel companion and its wide compatibility ensures it works with all your favorite devices. Upgrade your laptop hardware to experience our external CD/DVD drives.
- đăUSB 3.0 High Writing and Reading Speedă The CD Rom external drive for the laptop is equipped with two interfaces, Type-C and USB. The type-c interface can be connected to various computers and USB 3.0 (backward compatible with USB 2.0) which can transfer and read the data stable and quickly. And the USB CD/DVD external drive also installs software on your system or plays music and movies smoothly without lag or distortion.
- đ«ăWide Compatibilityă The USB DVD drive external supports CD-ROM, DVD+/-R, DVD-RW, a DVD-ROM, CD-RW, CD-R. Besides, it is also compatible with Windows XP/2000/Vista/11/10/8/7, MacBook, Mac, Linux OS, and other systems. (Tip: iPad, phones, Chromebook, TV, cars, Blu ray are not supported)
- đăSlim & Portable Designă Look no further than this slim and lightweight external CD/DVD drive for your laptop. With an easy-to-use eject button, you can say goodbye to the frustration of getting your discs stuck inside. And thanks to its sleek design, it's easy to take this drive on the go - simply slip it into your bag and you're ready to connect anytime, anywhere.
- âȘăAnti-skid Designă The bottom of our dvd optical drive burner is made of a non-slip rubber pad, which is resistant to friction, impact, non-slip, and shock. We ensure reliable quality and professional customer service. If you have any questions about our CD drive external ounter problems during use, please feel free to contact us.
- ăEXTERNAL CD DRIVE FOR LAPTOPă- Considering that most of the latest laptops have not been added to the built-in CD/DVD drive, so you canât insert CDs or DVDs directly into your laptop to listen to music, watch movies, data backup or install systems. The external CD drive that ORIGBELIE newly released is a good solution. No need for additional drivers. PLUG and PLAY. The CD Rom external drive for laptop has strong error correction, anti-skid and quiet capabilities.
- ăUSB 3.0 HIGH-SPEED DATA TRANSFERă- CD Burner with high speed USB 3.0 technology, many of the port cluster connectors are labelled by blue colour and backward compatible with USB 2.0 / 1.1. USB 3.0 is an updated version of USB 2.0 which provides higher data transfer rates up to 5 Gigabits/S (625MB/S). it is approximately 10 times faster than USB 2.0. Besides that, The cd drive offers Max 8x DVDR Read Speed and Max 24x CD Write/Read speed, faster than you expected.
- ăSUPPORT CD & DVD BURNINGă- The optical drive supports reading and writing of CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, VCD, and SVCD. In addition, This USB-A and USB-C external disk drive supports different devices such as Macbook, iMac, Notebook, Desktop, and Laptop, etc. It's compatible with Windows 11/10 /8 /7 /XP , Vista 7 / 8, Linux, Mac OS10.6 or above. (Cars, TVs, Tablets, Smartphones, Projectors and Blu-ray disk are not supportedïŒWindows 11 requires media player and network)
- ă8 IN 1 USB HUBă- Our external drive can not only burn and read CD DVD, but also can be used as a external laptop usb hub, including 1 USB 3.0 port, 3 USB 2.0 port, 1 TF slot ,1 SD card slot and 1USB C Port, compatible with usb hard drive, limited/wireless mouse & keyboard, computer radiator and other usb computer accessories, The card slot are perfect for transferring photo and video files by your camera from cards to your computer(Note: SD port and TF port cannot be used at the same time)
- ăULTRA SLIM & PORTABLE DESIGNă- This external disk drive is very slim and lightweight and the embedded data cable is easy to use and organize, skip-proof rubber pad prevents sliding on the desktop, so you can easily carry in your laptop bag ideal for home, office, or anywhere you go. It is also a good idea to give it as a gift to hobbyists who collect CDs and DVDs. (We provide a 2-year after-sales warranty.)
- Abandoning optical drives allows computer manufacturers to create thinner and more compact laptops. Most of the new notebooks on the market now do not built-in CD-ROM drive, and some only have a limited number of USB ports. But we may have a large collection of 90s CDs, and we want to put them in a laptop to feel the nostalgia or insert a DVD collection to watch movies. Or, you may just need a cd/dvd drive for emergencies, such as data transfer, system backup, etc.
- Fortunately, We have already done all the work for you. This multi-function external usb disc drive that we launched is not only a cd/dvd reader, but also It has the function of cd/dvd burner. At the same time, it is equipped with a variety of USB ports and card slots to meet all your peripheral equipment needs -- all for a decent price. This will allow you to free up more budget to buy the latest laptops that are comfortable, smooth, and have powerful processors and graphics cards.
- THESE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING - This dvd rw drive can only start its job after it is connected to a laptop or a desktop, so it is not compatible with cars, projectors, tablets, ipads, mobile phones, etc. In addition, it is compatible with windows11/10/8/7, mac os and Linux. NOT COMPATIBLE with Chrombook, Surface, Blue-ray.
- Portable CD/DVD Burner & Player - This external cd/dvd drive can be a CD/DVD burner, writer, player, reader, or ripper. Use this disk drive to play or burn music or movies, back up, store or transfer all files or material you wanted, like copying photos, reading X-ray on disk, or ripping some DVDs to your Apple MacBook Air. Also use this cd reader for laptop to download and install games or any other programs.
- Wide Compatibility - This plug-and-play external cd drive for mac is compatible with many OS systems and laptop models. Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/2003/XP/10/8/7/Vista/Linux OS/Mojave OS/all version Mac OS system (ios 8.6 to 10.14). Perfect for PC and laptops like Mac laptop 2015/MacBook Pro/ASUS gaming laptop/Apple MacBook Air 2020/iMac/Mac Mini and more. For desktops, connect the usb dvd burner to the back USB port of the motherboard (Not support TV, car, iPad, Chromebook, Surface Pro, Ubuntu).
- High Speed - This dvd player portable is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 and USB 1.0, this cd reader for pc provides high speed of data transmission. With Max 8x DVDR Write Speed and Max 24x CD Write Speed, this external cd drive for pc provides maximum 5Gbps data transmission speed without lag or distortion. Plug this usb dvd player/cd dvd burner into your USB port, your laptop wwil recognize it without stuttering and noise nor jammed discs.
- Well-Designed - This compact and light external cd/dvd drive for laptop is solid enough to be durable and to hold its own weight down while it is spinning discs. With anti-skid rubber on the bottom, brushed texture shell, embedded usb cable slot, dual USB-A and USB-C connector, this cd reader for laptop/cd dvd burner can be easily carried and used anytime anywhere, no matter in the office, school, at home, or during a trip.
- All Kinds of Disc - This dvd drive for laptop/cd is compatible with multiple discs (standard 120mm) including CD-ROM, CD-R, CD +/-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+/-RW, DVD-R DL, VCD-ROM discs. Unlike other CD/DVD players, this usb cdrom drive external gives the disc more clearance inside the disc bay so no more ruined discs due to extra-thick disc label issues! For some cd/dvd players for laptop, sometimes the disc would skip off the top of the drive and the burning or reading process would be ruined.
- Dvdrw (R DL)/ DVD-RAM
- 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD) read speed
- 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVDR)/ 6x (DVDR DL) write speed
- English (Publication Language)
- ăPlug and Play, Easy to Useă The external CD/DVD drive is easy to use. The user only needs to plug the USB cable of the drive into any USB port of the electronic device that supports the system, and it will automatically play. No additional power or drive is required.
- ăHigh Speed, USB 3.0 DVD Driveă Compatible with USB3. 0 and backwards compatible with USB2.0. Higher transmission speed (up to Maximum of 5Gbps) means higher stability, faster reaction, stable performance and strong fault tolerance. Give users a better experience.
- ăExternal Optical Drive with Wide Compatibilityă This external DVD drive is ideal for various devices, compatible with Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10/11, Linux, all version Mac OS system. For the desktops, please connect the device to the back USB port of the motherboard for normal use.
- ăUnique and Practical Designă Brushed texture shell brings trendy sight and touch enjoyment. This CD/DVD player for laptops is equipped with an eject button so that you needn't worry about your disc getting stuck. Also, Embedded cable design, you donât have to worry about the loss of wires.
- ăPortable, Multi-FunctionalăThe portable CD/DVD Drive is multi-functional that users can use to play music, watch movies, backup data, install programs, and transfer files. Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions.
- Comprehensive External CD/DVD Disk Drive: Since most modern laptops and desktops are not equipped with built-in cd/dvd drives, our high-quality usb 3.0 External cd drive/dvd drive is the ideal solution for all your cd/dvd reading and writing needs - just as convenient as an internal optical disc drive.
- Effortless Plug & Play: USB-powered with no need for separate installation or drivers. Simply plug into your USB port and the external CD drive will be instantly recognized.
- Compact & Portable: Our slim, lightweight design is ideal for on-the-go use. Whether you're at home, in the office, or on the move, you can easily carry this portable cd/dvd drive with you.
- Multitask External CD Burner&DVD Burner: Our cd / dvd drive is not just a cd dvd rom reader, itâs also a versatile writer, player, burner, recorder, and ripper, supporting various disc types. It can read movies dvds or music cds, burn your favorite content, copy files to your computer, install software, back up data, and more.
- Broad Compatibility: This external USB DVD/CD drive is designed to work seamlessly with Windows (XP/ Vista/ Windows 11/10/8/7), Mac OS, making it suitable for a wide range of PCs, Laptops and Comprehensive Computers.
- ăNote-1ăIf you see an exclamation mark on the model number of your external drive, it means that there is a computer system error. Please restart it and check for any abnormalities. Our product is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, IOS, and Mac. The instructions included in the package can guide the you on how to operate the product. If the issue persists, please contact us for assistance.
- ăNote-2ăIf your computer fails to recognize your external hard drive, follow these steps: First, ensure that the player is installed on your computer. Then, change the interface to identify the different HUBs. Different interfaces will produce varying results. Follow the instructions contained in the package. If the issue persists, please contact us for assistance.
- ăExternal CD/DVD Drive for Laptop PCăSince many modern laptops and desktop computers lack an internal CD/DVD drive, this ROOFULL B21-Y USB external DVD drive is an excellent solution for reading, writing, and digitizing CDs and DVDs, as easy as a built-in optical drive. Simply plug the USB type-A or type-C connector on the data cable into your computer, insert your CDs or DVDs, and it will be automatically recognized, you can then use our recommended or your current media player, burning, or ripping software to read, burn, and rip your CD and DVDs.
- ăNot Just a CD-ROMăThis is not just a DVD and CD reader but also a burner (writer) and ripper. You can use it to read movies DVDs/ music CDs, burn music, photos, videos, and files onto blank CDs or DVDs, import music, video, photos, and data from discs to your computer, install software, system, games, and everything else related to CD/DVD. It supports the reading and writing of various types of disks, including CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, VCD, and SVCD disks.
- ăWide CompatibilityăThis USB 3.0 external CD drive burner is compatible with all brands of Windows 11/10/ 8.1/ 7/Vista/ XP or Linux laptops and desktop PCs (including HP, LG, Dell, Lenovo, Thinkpad, MSI, Samsung, Mircosoft Surface, etc.), and all versions of Apple Mac computers (Including M1 and M2). For Mac computers, to eject a disc, please right-click on the icon on the desktop and select "eject", or choose "File" > "Eject" button. The eject button on the drive is disabled due to macOS limitations.ăKindly NoteăThis drive can not work with Chromebook, Android phone/tablet, TV, iPad, iPhone, projectors, trucks, cars, and Blu-ray discs.
- ăAdditional Expansion InterfaceăIt is not only a full-featured CD and DVD player reader writer ripper recorder but also functions as a USB hub, featuring 1* USB 3.0 port, 1* USB 2.0 port, 1* USB type-C port, and 1* SD card slot. It's convenient to connect other accessories, such as an external hard drive, wired mouse or keyboard, flash drive, and SD card reader is perfect for transferring camera photos/videos from card to PC. (Note: The USB flash drive, receiver, and SD cards in the picture are not included.)
- ăHigh-Speed USB 3.0 & USB-C 2-In-1 Data CableăUSB 3.0 is an updated version of USB 2.0 that provides faster data transfer rates of up to 5 Gigabits/s, approximately 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The built-in data cable (on the device back) with USB 3.0 type-A and type-C two kinds of connectors that make it easier to plug this device into different Mac and Windows computers without an adapter required and also no worries about losing the data cable.
- ăNo Power Shortage Issues AnymoreăIn addition to the USB 3.0 data cable, we also prepared an additional USB to micro USB power supply cable, in case the USB ports on your computer cannot supply enough power for this device through the single data cable. You can use the power supply cord together, and get extra power from another USB port on your PC or a 5V USB power adapter. If there is no power shortage, you can remove this power cord. (Tips: The power cord cannot transmit data, please do not use it alone)
- ăPremium Quality & Reliable PerformanceăOur USB CD/DVD drive burner is equipped with a 100% brand-new movement that ensures reliable performance. It features strong error-correcting, low impedance, and anti-interference ability, guaranteeing stable, quiet, and smooth operation when reading, burning, and ripping CDs and DVDs. Additionally, it won't damage your discs, providing you with a worry-free experience.
- ăHassle-Free ShoppingăAs a professional optical drive manufacturer with 8 years of experience dedicated to producing top-quality external optical drives, in additional, each device will go through strict testing processes before shipment. If the CD/DVD drive you received cannot work with your computer for any reason, just reach out to us for tech support, a new device, or a full refund, and we will be responsible for you with no time-limited return windowă2 year-long warrantyă
- ăPlug & Play CD/DVD Drive for Laptop PCăSince many modern laptops and desktop computers lack an internal CD/DVD drive, this ROOFULL B21-Y USB external DVD drive is an excellent solution for reading, writing, and digitizing CDs and DVDs, as easy as a built-in optical drive. Simply plug the USB type-A or type-C connector on the data cable into your computer, insert your CDs or DVDs, and it will be automatically recognized, you can then use our recommended or your current media player, burning, or ripping software to read, burn, and rip your CD and DVDs.
- ăNot Just a CD-ROMăIt's not only a reader, but also a DVD and CD burner (writer) and ripper, you can use a corresponding media player/ burning/ ripping software to play movies DVDs/ music CDs, burn mp3 music, video, photos, files to blank CDs or DVDs, import (also called rip or digitize) music, video, photos, or files from CDs or DVDs to your computer, install software, system, games, and everything else related to CD/DVD. It supports almost all discs like CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, VCD, and SVCD disks.
- ăWide CompatibilityăThis USB 3.0 external CD drive burner is compatible with all brands of Windows 11/10/ 8.1/ 7/Vista/ XP or Linux laptops and desktop PCs (including HP, LG, Dell, Lenovo, Thinkpad, MSI, Samsung, Mircosoft, etc.), and all versions of Apple Mac computers (Including M1 and M2). For Mac computers, to eject a disc, please right-click on the icon on the desktop and select "eject", or choose "File" > "Eject" button. The eject button on the drive is disabled due to macOS limitations.ăKindly NoteăThis drive can not work with Chromebook, Android phone/tablet, TV, iPad, iPhone, projectors, trucks, cars, and Blu-ray discs.
- ăAdditional Expansion InterfaceăIt can not only read and write CDs and DVDs, but also be used as a USB hub, including 1* USB 3.0 ports, 3* USB 2.0 ports, 1*SD, and 1*micro-SD card slot, you can connect the external hard drive, wired mouse or keyboard, flash drive, or other accessories, the SD/TF card reader are perfect for transferring photos and video files by your camera from cards to your computer. (Note: the USB flash drive, power adapter, receiver, and SD/TF cards on the picture are not included!)
- ăHigh Speed 2-In-1 USB 3.0 Data CableăUSB 3.0 is an updated version of USB 2.0 that provides faster data transfer rates of up to 5 Gigabits/s, approximately 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The built-in data cable (on the device back) with USB 3.0 type-A and type-C two kinds of connectors that make it easier to plug this device into different Mac and Windows computers without an adapter required and also no worries about losing the data cable.ăKindly NoteăThe USB 3.0 data cable is on the back of the drive.
- ăNo Power Shortage Issues AnymoreăIn addition to the USB 3.0 data cable, we also prepared an additional USB to micro USB power supply cable, in case the USB ports on your computer cannot supply enough power for this device through the single data cable. You can use the power supply cord together, and get extra power from another USB port on your PC or a 5V USB power adapter. If there is no power shortage, you can remove this power cord. (Tips: The power cord cannot transmit data, please do not use it alone)
- ăPremium Quality & Reliable PerformanceăEach ROOFULL USB external CD/DVD drive is equipped with a 100% brand-new movement that ensures reliable performance. It features strong error-correcting, low impedance, and anti-interference ability, guaranteeing stable, quiet, and smooth operation when reading, burning, and ripping CDs and DVDs. Additionally, it won't damage your discs, providing you with a worry-free experience.
- ăHassle-Free ShoppingăAs a professional optical drive manufacturer with 9 years of experience dedicated to producing top-quality external optical drives, in additional, each device will go through strict testing processes before shipment. If the CD/DVD drive you received cannot work with your computer for any reason, just reach out to us for tech support, a new device, or a full refund, and we will be responsible for you with no time-limited return windowă2 year-long warrantyă
How to choose a good external cd drives
Does the idea of finding a fantastic external cd drives make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in external cd drives. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top external cd drives products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top external cd drives on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top external cd drives brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top external cd drives based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Â Would it be accurate to suggest that the external cd drives were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, Â provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good external cd drives, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your external cd drives.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting external cd drives for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our external cd drives. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what external cd drives should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on external cd drives.
