The drive comes with the pre-installed CyberLink Media Suite software so that you can perform basic operations on disks very quickly.
The glossy side of the drive can be splotched easily.
A simple but very elegant and lightweight external drive is perfect if you need to perform the operations with various types of discs quickly.
CD - 24x
DVD±R DL - 6x
DVD±R - 8x
CD - 24x
0.75 MB
A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with rounded corners
Placed horizontally
The disc tray is extendable
5.7" x 5.4" x 0.6"
0.44 lbs
1 year
ROOFULL is easy to install without unnecessary drivers, all software being plug-n-play. It's compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/7/XP, Linux, and all versions of Mac OS. The drive has a high-speed USB 3.0 data port and an attached USB 3.0 Type adapter.
The USB cable is rather short.
This external drive offers anti-interference protection to help you transfer your old recordings to new formats with high quality. You can easily carry and use this slim optical drive anytime, anywhere.
DVD - 8x
CD - 24x
DVD±R DL - 4x
DVD±R - 8x
CD - 24x
2 MB
A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with rounded corners
Placed horizontally
Extendable disc tray
5.79" x 5.63" x 0.7"
0.78 lbs
30 days
This external drive is ideal for PCs, laptops, and other devices. Copper mesh technology allows you to be sure of the quality of recording.
The connector location is inconvenient.
A virtually silent external drive with high data transfer speed. Equipped with an eject button in case of unforeseen circumstances. Fully compatible even with older operating systems.
DVD - 8x
CD - 24x
DVD±R - 8x
CD - 24x
~2.5 MB
A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with rounded corners
Placed horizontally
Slide-out disc tray and oval back
6.5" x 6.5" x 1"
0.73 lbs
1 year
Thanks to the intelligent burning technology you can burn and copy data quickly and interrupt this process without failures and data loss.
The instruction book is not helpful in resolving some issues.
The Amicool BT686 is an excellent DVD drive for your laptop. It offers you stable performance, appealing design, and solid construction for safe use on-the-go.
DVD - 8x
CD - 24x
DVD-ROM (DL) - 6x
DVD-R±9 - 2.4x
DVD±R DL - 4x
DVD±R - 8x
CD-RW - 8x
CD-R - 24x
2 MB
A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with rounded edges
Non-slip pads and embedded cable design
Polygonal design of the shell
Placed horizontally
Extendable disc tray
5.5" x 5.5" x 0.7"
0.8 lbs
18 months
Rodzon External CD Drive is USB 3.0 compliant and backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.0 for faster data transfer speeds.
Not very compatible with stationary PCs.
Rodzon A11 is a good external drive with an affordable price. It features a built-in cable design for you not to worry about the cable getting lost or pinched in your bag. This device is also shock-proof and comes with a stylish body design.
DVD - 8x
CD - 24x
DVD-ROM (DL) - 4x
DVD±R DL - 4x
DVD±R - 8x
CD - 24x
~2.5 MB
A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive
Placed horizontally
Slide-out disc tray
6.3" x 5.91" x 0.91"
0.78 lbs
1 year
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Dell DW316
The Highest Value From a Worldwide Brand
For Dell and other Windows-based computers and laptops, Dell engineers have created the DW316 slim external DVD R/W drive. This model offers both reading and burning for your CDs and DVDs at a fairly high speed. The DSB is 0.75 MB, so you will have quick access to all your information on the medium.
The maximum reading and writing speeds are standard with this model. Even despite the fact that Dell lacks a USB 3.0 connection. It uses USB 2.0 to link with a computer. Anyway, the drive read /burn CDs and DVDs at 24x and 8x respectively. We do like how fast the DW316 is rewriting data from disks. For example, it rewrites DVD-RAMs at 5x which is a bit higher than some USB 3.0 drives can offer.
Software-wise, the manufacturer has thought about users’ convenience too. They have pre-loaded the CyberLink Media Suite so that you wouldn’t need to waste time surfing the web for reliable software to back up your data. With this tool, you have access to all CyberLink apps like the PowerDVD to play movies or the PowerDirector to create your own media. How handy is that!
You Can’t Go Wrong With This Model
We definitely adore the minimalist design the Dell DW316 has. It is slim, lightweight, and accurate. The upper part has a glossy black coating with a noticeable company logo in the center. It looks nice. Plus, in a combo with rounded corners, the glossy casing gives the drive a cool look. The only flaw of such a design - it splotches easily, so you might want to wipe the unit pretty often.
The front panel is also made neat. There is only one button that opens the disk tray. You will also notice a tiny indicator light that blinks when the drive is on and an emergency eject hole for the situations when the disc tray doesn’t open.
The power cable is another thing we find clever with this drive. Since you can connect the unit to both a laptop and a desktop PC the cable is made twice as long as most of the external CD drives on the market. Its length is 60 cm (23.6 inches), so you can connect it to a desktop with ease. Also, you are welcome to take the DW316 on business trips due to its lightweight and detachable power cable design. That is to say, you can store the cable and the unit separately so that it wouldn’t bend and break.
Well, the Dell DW316 can rightly be called a smart external CD/DVD drive. It supports all popular disk formats, has a fast operation, and a clever design that allows you to use the drive at your office and on-the-go with comfort.
| Last updated price | $34.33 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00VWVZ0V0 |
What customers say about this product
Key Specs
Reading/writing
Details
ROOFULL ECD819-SU3-BB
Boosted Compatibility
What if your laptop or PC doesn’t have a CD/DVD drive? Complaining to the manufacturer won’t work these days; however, you can buy an external drive – like ROOFULL – and utilize it for your home/work needs.
Using this device is as simple as it gets. You’ll only need to plug it into a USB 2.0/3.0/C port. No boring driver installations – your PC or laptop will recognize the new device automatically. Windows, Linux or Mac OS, all is supported except for ChromeOS, Android, and iOS.
ROOFULL is a multifunctional product that covers playing media, burning/ripping discs, and installing games or software. Keep in mind that you’ll need to have media players and burning software installed on your device. As for the playback quality, it’s top notch. Sit back and enjoy your music collection – or load up your favorite old game; no lags or interruptions for you.
This external drive comes with a padded case, and the USB cable is neatly stored inside. The only problem with the cable is that it’s rather short. Not critical for portable devices, but if your PC has the inconvenient USB ports on the back, you may have to get a suitable extension.
Takes Care of Your Discs
Sometimes external drives get too noisy and begin to stutter. ROOFULL makes sure that this doesn’t happen in your case. It’s not extremely quiet but won’t scare off your pets – or shock your guests.
ROOFULL features quality error correcting as well as low impedance and a strong anti-interference ability. Your old movies or family vids won’t get stuck every few seconds, and games won’t break due to readability issues. Prepare for smooth and reliable performance of all your CDs/DVDs.
ROOFULL’s loader has received a big upgrade and now offers an even faster speed. No more waiting forever until your disc gets burned. This drive model is responsive and will also read discs in a flash.
The external drive offers a classic slim design and doesn’t look straight out of mid-2000s. The USB cable is integrated in the body, and the pop-up button is conveniently placed at the front. When the tray comes out, it won’t overthrow your paper coffee cup, as it extends automatically for only 0.7 to 2 inches. This tray design also prevents your discs from getting trapped inside.
To sum up, this versatile CD/DVD drive is fast, reliable, and will take good care of your disc collection.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B071LGWVSL |
Gotega CD/DVD +/-RW
Fast and Error-Free
The times are moving on, but what about your home CD/DVD collection? Don’t lose access to your favorite music, movies, and games with the Gotega USB 3.0 portable external drive.
First off, you don’t need any extra effort to be using this drive. Simply plug it in via the USB port, and you’re good. No driver installation is required; your PC or laptop will recognize it automatically.
Windows/Linux/Mac iOS users, this drive model will run with your device.
As for the functionality, Gotega offers the max 8x DVDR and 24x CD writing speed. This is fast enough and eliminates errors when your discs are burned. Reading speed is also on the level, so don’t worry about playback quality. You’ll be able to enjoy your old media without the annoying interruptions.
Need to rip a music CD or a home photo collection? No problem at all. Gotega supports this and provides you with neat results.
Keep in mind that since this is a portable drive, the USB cable is embedded – and it’s not too long. If you’re planning to plug it in on the back of your PC, getting an extension may be a necessity.
Other than that, this drive is easy to carry and simple in use.
Your Portable CD/DVD Access
This external drive doesn’t go hard on your precious discs. It’s reliable and smooth when reading CDs/DVDs, which minimizes lags or errors.
Remember how some of your old drives kept spinning discs without much happening – but with much noise? That won’t be the case with Gotega. It’s fast and doesn’t run like a motorbike engine. A welcome touch for a quiet household – or a noise-free office space.
Another pro of this drive model is that it’s actually compact. Measuring 6.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches, it doesn’t take up much space on your computer table or on the couch near your laptop. The drive is ultra-slim and features a skid-proof rubber pad, meaning that it won’t be sliding around on flat surfaces.
While Gotega will not work with a hub, its USB 3.0 technology unlocks fast transfer speed and reliable performance. Just be sure to plug it directly into your device.
No worries about your discs getting stuck inside this drive. It comes with a handy eject button to extract the CDs/DVDs. Rest assured that your digital memories won’t fall victim to an accident of any sort.
All in all, this Gotega external drive reads, writes, and rips your discs in style – and with confidence.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07MJW5BXZ |
Amicool BT686
Intelligent Device for Flawless Operation
The Amicool BT686 is another bestseller from Amazon on our list. No wonder, since it has quite a decent set of features for a reasonable price. Without further ado, let's dive into the characteristics. Firsts things first, Amicool CD DVD driver can read and burn CD/DVD ROM discs, unlike some of its rivals. Designed with the advanced burning technology, the drive writes discs at high speeds, corrects errors automatically, and is pretty quiet. The maximal reading speed of a DVD-ROM here is 6x. Not bad for the price! Writing and reading speeds for other types of CDs and DVDs are standard (24x and 8x).
A quick operation is not the only benefit that intelligent burning technology offers you. It also lets you interrupt the recording without losing data or damaging a disc. This may not seem a critical feature at first, but when it comes to accidents or unexpected power failures, it comes more than handy, right?
Being a plug-and-play device, the BT686 requires no drivers to start using it. Though, you do need to have some standard software to burn or read discs like Nero or a Media Player for Windows 10 and above. It also has a pretty smooth operation with earlier versions of Windows. Along with Windows OS, this external CD/DVD drive is compatible with Linux and macOS, so you are welcome to attach it to your MacBook, iMac, laptops, and desktop PCs without worrying that it may not be recognized.
Finally, this model is compatible with USB 3.0 bringing you the maximal transmission speed of 5Gbps. So you can watch movies right from a DVD without any lags or distortions. Also, the unit is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.0 which is standard for other similar devices.
Smart Design in Addition to Intelligent Hardware
The Amicool BT686 has a well-thought-out design. It is slightly larger than some other models on our list, yet it is compact enough to fit both a laptop bag and a travel bag without stealing much space. This model comes with an embedded USB cord which makes this drive an ideal candidate for travelers. The cord won't break at the bottom as it can happen with external cords. It also has an unusual construction in comparison to other models. The cable has a furcate design where USB type A and type C are connected at one end. This frees you from carrying adaptors with you. Not crucial but handy, right?
As for the housing, it is made from high-quality plastic with a polygonal texture on the top. The controls are neatly arranged on the front. You will find an indicator light, an ejection button, and a forced ejection hole there. The design is comprehensive so that any user could navigate it with ease.
In the end, if you are looking for a lightweight and compact external DVD drive that will be made with durability in mind and let you watch and burn DVD titles and photos, the Amicool BT686 will be the right choice for you.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $24.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07PV958PN |
Rodzon A11
Plug It & Play It
Whether it’s nostalgia time or a need to use old CD software, Rodzon external drive is right here to assist you. It can read your CDs/DVDs, burn or rip them, and not take up too much space. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this drive a nice find for your home or office.
To begin with, this is a plug-n-play model. You won’t need to install any drivers, as your device will recognize it instantly and automatically. This drive is powered up via USB connection, which itself is very convenient. Your only task will be to plug it into your PC or laptop.
Speaking of which, Rodzon is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. This means that you’ll most probably be able to connect it with your device.
Now, to the writing speed. It’s 8x DVD-R and 24x CD-R, which is fast enough to not make you bored over the process. Reasonable speeds also minimize potential errors with disc burning.
Another good thing about Rodzon is that it stays clear of reading issues, such as freezing or repeated lags. After all, there’s nothing more annoying than getting stuck right in the middle of your old favorite movie.
This external drive is ultra-slim and will blend well with a modern home or workplace.
First-Class Data Transfer
Rodzon drive doesn’t compromise on data transfer quality. Thanks to USB 3.0, it can transmit data at about 5 Gbps. It also offers a more reliable, stable performance with the high level of fault tolerance. In short, this is the drive that can be trusted in all aspects.
You may remember how loud a CD/DVD drive would get while playing a game or video. No such problem with Rodzon; it doesn’t sound like an emergency alarm while spinning. The playback quality is more than decent, making constant interruptions a thing of the past.
The chances of your disc getting stuck inside are next to zero with this model. First, it has an eject button on the front that you can use. Next, if anything goes wrong, there’s also a manual bounce hole. Rodzon gives you double insurance against CD/DVD accidents.
Now, let’s get back to the USB cable. Take notice that it is as portable as the drive itself – and only a few inches long. You will barely notice this when using a laptop, but with PC and backside ports, getting an extension would be nice.
As evident, Rodzon gives you a portable external drive that handles CDs/DVDs like a real pro.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07QTH2MVW |
What Is an External CD/DVD Drive?
Our age is the age of increasing performance capabilities and at the same time of minimizing sizes for portable electronic devices. Every manufacturer strives to make their products smaller, and often it means sacrificing some features. More and more laptops nowadays come without internal optical drives, and Ultrabooks are the whole class of devices that does not have this type of drive. But some people are not ready yet to give it up for USB drives and Cloud Storage. Several software products are released on optical discs only even today. The CD/DVD drives are on their way out, but there is still a necessity for them. For this very reason, manufacturers come to release external CD/DVD drives to connect them to laptops and Ultrabooks. With an external DVD drive, you can always read, copy, or write (burn) an optical disc. Well, what is a portable CD/DVD writer? Actually, it’s an external CD/DVD drive easily connects to any computer with a USB 2.0 port or newer. Even if the DVD drive of your personal computer has been broken, you can simply replace it with a USB external DVD drive. And with its small size and light weight, it can be used anywhere and anytime. The device can serve both as an external DVD/CD player and burner for laptops and PCs. And in this best external optical drive review, we’re going to shed light only on the top rated external CD/DVD drives.
If your laptop has only one USB port and you prefer using the mouse (so, your USB external CD drive can’t be connected), then you need a USB hub for additional connections. The hub will multiply the number of your USB ports. And if you like the USB flash drives but need more storage space, then you will find it useful to look through our external hard drives review with their hundreds of Gigabytes of data right there in your pocket.
What Features to Compare
Drive Type
When you are looking for an external DVD drive, firstly look at its drive type. It lists the types of discs you will be able to use, so think about what discs you will need to use before buying. There are three types of discs that are the most popular: CD discs, DVD discs, and Blu-ray. By ways of using different technologies, these types of discs differ in the amount of data they can store. For example, you can write up to 700 MB of data on a CD disc, but on a DVD disc, you can store up to 4.7 GB, and Blu-ray is suitable for storing up to 50 GB of data. You should decide how much information you plan to burn on a disc. If it's just a small video or a few hundreds of photos, then a DVD drive is more than enough for you. These discs are very popular and widespread. And for high-quality and high-resolution video, backup copies of your operation system, or data storage Blu-ray discs will be more suitable. Large storage space of such discs will handle these tasks best. It stands to reason that different types of discs require different drive types with different technologies. When you purchase a DVD supporting device, you will be able to run both DVD and CD discs. But such drive will not read a Blu-ray disc. Choose a Blu-ray supporting drive, and any of the types we mentioned above will be accessible to you.
Speed
Another important parameter for any external DVD drive's performance is its reading and writing speed. Manufacturers usually indicate it by numbers with an "x" letter. The "1x" speed of a DVD disc means 1.32 Megabytes per second, and for a Blu-ray disc, it is 4.5 Megabytes per second. What you see in reality is that an 8x DVD drive burns a whole disc in 7.5 minutes. A 6x Blu-ray will burn a standard disc in 15 minutes. The numbers are not unchangeable, the writing time depends on the file type and the quality of the disc itself.
Design
As your external CD/DVD drive is something that is often seen, its design also matters. The market offers a wide variety of external DVD drives, you will surely find the one that meets your preference. If you plan to carry the USB external DVD drive with you, be sure to note its size. When you choose the size right, it will allow you to put the device nicely in the pocket of your bag or pouch. And the light weight will make it so that you don't need to doubt whether you should take the external DVD drive with you or not.
Sources:
1. Whitson Gordon How to Survive Without a DVD Drive In Your Laptop, Lifehacker. June 28, 2012.
2. How to Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro, wikiHow.
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