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The Best external optical drive of 2022 – Reviewed and Top Rated

After hours researching and comparing all models on the market, we find out the Best external optical drive of 2022. Check our ranking below.

2,973 Reviews Scanned

Rank No. #1
LG GP65NB60 8X USB 2.0 Super Multi Ultra Slim Portable DVD Writer Drive +/-RW External Drive with M-DISC Support - Black
  • 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)
Rank No. #2
Dell USB Slim DVD +/- RW Drive DW316 - Plug and Play, 8 Watt Power Consumption, Windows 11 or below - Black
  • At home or on the go: Simply plug the low profile (14mm), lightweight (200g) drive into your Ultrabook or notebook's USB port and you'll be ready to play or burn your favorite DVD or CD at home in even a small workspace. Or, place the drive in your bag to take this functionality with you
  • Pre–loaded CyberLink Media Suite: Take advantage of the pre–loaded CyberLink Media Suite to easily play and burn DVD/CDs, or install disc–based computer programs.
  • Exceptional performance: Play or burn your favorite DVDs or CDs with the Dell External USB Slim DVD +/– RW Optical Drive. This premium, external optical drive is powered by your Ultrabook's or notebook's USB port, so no batteries or power cords are necessary.
  • Simple, elegant design: The Dell External USB Slim DVD +/– RW Optical Drive has a streamlined design, which compliments contemporary notebooks and blends in well with your home workspace or a high tech cafe.
  • Dell Services: Purchase with confidence and rely on the protection of a 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty for your Dell External USB Slim DVD +/– RW Optical Drive.
Rank No. #3
ASUS ZenDrive V1M External DVD Drive and Writer with Built-in Cable-Storage Design, USB-C Interface, Compatible with Win 11 and macOS, M-DISC Support (SDRW-08V1M-U)
  • Convenient cable storage: No more losses with a built-in 24cm connecting cable.
  • USB-C interface: Perfect companion for latest-generation ultraslim laptops.
  • M-DISC support: Store your precious photos, videos and data for up to 1,000 years.
  • Windows or macOS: Cross-platform support for broad compatibility.
  • Drag and burn: Create a disc in just three steps, via an intuitive interface. (Windows only)
Rank No. #4
ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive, Ultra Slim CD Burner USB 3.0 with 4 USB Ports and 2 TF/SD Card Slots, Optical Disk Drive for Laptop Mac, PC Windows 11/10/8/7 Linux OS
  • 【EXTERNAL CD DRIVE FOR LAPTOP】- Considering that most of the latest laptops have not been added to the built-in CD/DVD drive, so you can’t 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.
  • 【USB 3.0 HIGH-SPEED DATA TRANSFER】- 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.
  • 【SUPPORT CD & DVD BURNING】- 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 supported;Windows 11 requires media player and network)
  • 【8 IN 1 USB HUB】- 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)
  • 【ULTRA SLIM & PORTABLE DESIGN】- 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 to hobbyists who collect CDs and DVDs. (We provide up to 2-year after-sales.)
SaleRank No. #5
Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, USB 3.0 CD DVD Player Portable +/-RW Burner CD ROM Reader Writer Disk Duplicator Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Apple Mac Pro MacBook Linux
  • Plug & Play. Easy to use, powered by USB port. No external driver or power adapter needed. Simply plug it into your USB port for automatic detection. For optimal performance on desktop computers, connect directly to a high-power USB port on the back of the motherboard. This hassle-free solution requires no technical setup, and if the drive isn't immediately recognized, trying a different USB port typically resolves most connection issues
  • High Speed & Reliable Performance. Compatible with USB 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), this drive delivers fast data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps. Engineered with strong fault tolerance, it minimizes freezing, skipping, and errors during disc playback or burning. The stable performance ensures smooth, reliable operation and reduces the risk of defective performance
  • Intelligent Tech & Stable Connection. Features a physical eject button that safely releases discs even when your computer fails to recognize the drive—eliminating the common frustration of stuck media. Enhanced with copper mesh technology, this external component ensures consistently stable data transmission during all your reading and writing tasks
  • Trendy & Practical Design. Features a brushed texture shell for modern visual and tactile appeal. The innovative embedded cable design keeps your USB cable securely stored and always accessible, eliminating worries about misplacement. This compact, all-in-one solution is perfectly suited for easy transport and organized storage
  • Wide Compatibility. This external USB CD/DVD drive works with Windows 11/10/8.1/7/Vista/XP, Linux, and macOS 10.16+ (MacBook Pro/Air, iMac, Mac mini). Compatible with most laptops/desktops (HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Samsung). For optimal performance on desktops, connect to rear USB ports. Supported formats include CD-ROM/R/RW, DVD-ROM/R±RW/R±DL, and VCD. IMPORTANT: Not compatible with ChromeOS, smartphones, tablets, TVs, projectors, vehicles, or Blu-ray/4K discs. Please verify your device type before purchasing
Rank No. #6
ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive with 16x Writing Speed and USB 3.0 for Both Mac/PC Optical Drive BW-16D1X-U
  • Super-fast 16X Blu-ray writing speed with BDXL support that supports data storage up to 128 GB
  • Cloud backup solution for Android devices. Supported operating system is windows 10, windows 8, windows 7, windows vista, windows xp and mac os x 10. 6 or higher
  • MacOS and Windows Compatiblity via USB 3. 0 (USB 3. 1 Gen1) connection. Temperature Operating : 5 ℃ to 40 ℃
  • Diamond-shaped design for luxury look and clean aesthetics
  • Cyber Link Power2Go 8 disc-burning process with optional encryption functionality for extra private files protection
SaleRank No. #7
Gotega External DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable +/-RW, DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black
  • 【High Writing and Reading Speed】Max 8x DVDR Write Speed and Max 24x CD Write Speed provide high writing and reading speed.
  • 【Wide Compatible】This external dvd cd drive is compatible with Windows 98 / SE / ME / XP / Vista / Windows /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 chromebook, blue-ray disks, cars, mobile phones, iPhones, iPads, Tablet, projectors, or TVs.
  • 【Plug and Play Technology】Powered by USB port so just plug it into your USB port and the DVD driver will be detected. Don’t need to install software to set up driver.
  • 【Advanced USB 3.0 Technology】 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).
  • 【Ingenious Design】 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.
SaleRank No. #8
External DVD Drive USB 3.0 Type-C USB C Portable DVD Player for Laptop Disk Duplicator CD DVD +/-RW CD ROM Burner Writer CD/DVD Burner Reader Disk Drive for Laptop Desktop Windows Linux MacBook
  • 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/XP/10/8/7/Vista/Linux OS/Mojave OS/all version Mac OS system (ios 8.6 to 10.14). Ideal 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 transfer. With Max 8x DVDR Write Speed and Max 24x CD Write Speed, this external cd drive for pc provides maximum 5Gbps data transfer 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
Rank No. #9
External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, DVD Player for Laptop, 8 in 1 USB 3.0 Ultra-Slim Portable, CD Burner External Disk Drive Optical Compatible with Desktop Mac,Windows 11/10/8/7 Linux
  • 【PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS】If your Windows 10/11 laptop PC cannot recognize this CD/DVD drive,Please connect the extra power cable to solve the problem of unrecognized caused by insufficient power supply.or you might find a solution by searching for "AyPhnwzyuoI" on YouTube. There are repair methods shown in the video that may help If it is not solved, reach out to us for a driver troubleshooting tool, the download link is not allowed here.
  • 【8 IN 1 Optical Drive】 Our portable DVD player is not only a CD/DVD reader, but also a CD/DVD burner, including 1 port USB 3.0 hub, 3 USB 2.0 port, SD or TF card reader and 1 USB-C Port, is perfect for transferring photo and video files from your camera by cards to your computer. (Note: SD and TF card cannot be used at the same time).
  • 【Plug and Play】 The external DVD drive is powered by a USB 3.0 port, no internal DVD driver and external power required, is the perfect companion for laptop or desktop that can be used directly by plugging it into USB port. No need for additional drivers. PLUG and PLAY. The CD Rom external drive for laptop has strong error correction, anti-skid and quiet capabilities.
  • 【Best Choice of Data Backup】Discs are designed to last up to 1,000 years, making them ideal for long-term data archiving and backup.a DVD Disce can store up to 4.7GB of data, equivalent to 2,000 photos/5 movies
  • 【USB 3.0 HIGH-SPEED DATA TRANSFER】CD Burner with high speed USB 3.0 technology, many of the port cluster connectors are labelled by blue color and backward compatible with USB 2.0. 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.
Rank No. #10
ROOFULL External CD DVD Drive for Laptop Mac, USB 3.0 & USB-C CD DVD Disc Reader Writer Burner CD-ROM/DVD Player with Portable Carrying Case for Windows 11/10 PC MacBook Pro Linux Computer
  • 【Best External CD DVD Drive for Laptop & Mac】With over 1 million units sold worldwide since its debut on Amazon, the ROOFULL ECD829-Y is a proven, time-tested choice trusted by countless users. Setup is effortless — simply connect the data cable (neatly stored on the bottom) to your computer, and it will be automatically recognized. Insert your disc and enjoy smooth use with your favorite software — no drivers needed, plug and play! (Mac users: the disc icon will appear on the desktop once a disc is inserted and read successfully. Scroll down for detailed setup steps and recommended software.)
  • 【More Than Just a DVD/CD-ROM Drive】This is not just an external CD/DVD reader player, but also a fast DVD and CD burner, writer, rewriter, recorder, and ripper. Enjoy your favorite music and movies, burn photos, videos, or files to blank discs, and digitize audio CDs or video DVDs into MP3, WMA, or MP4 formats for convenient storage. You can also install software or games, view photo discs, and back up important data. Compatible with all common disc types, including CD-ROM, CD-R/RW, DVD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, and dual-layer DVD±R DL (also supports VCD). (Note: Blu-ray and 4K discs are not supported.)
  • 【Genuine USB 3.0 & Dual Connectors】Unlike many budget drives that claim USB 3.0 by using look-alike connectors but rely on a USB 2.0 setup with only 4 internal wires, the ROOFULL external CD drive features true USB 3.0 performance with 9 internal wires, a dedicated USB 3.0 PCB, and a 3.0 controller IC. This ensures smooth data transfer up to 5 Gbps (625MB/s, nearly 10 times faster than USB 2.0), along with improved stability and longer product lifespan. The built-in data cable includes both USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-C connectors, allowing easy connection to most laptops and desktops without needing an adapter or hub
  • 【Compatibility & Incompatibility】This USB CD/DVD external drive works with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98 and most Linux systems on laptops, desktops, and all-in-one PCs from popular brands including HP, Dell, Lenovo (ThinkPad), ASUS, LG, Samsung, Microsoft, and more. It’s also fully compatible with Apple MacBook Pro/Air, iMac, and Mac mini/Studio running macOS 10.16 or later. For desktop PCs, connecting to a rear USB port is recommended for optimal power stability. Note: Not compatible with ChromeOS (Chromebooks), smartphones, iPads/tablets, TVs, projectors, vehicles (cars/trucks), some Surface models, and Blu-ray/4K discs
  • 【Separate Power Supply Cord】Some modern ultra-thin laptops limit USB port power output to save energy and extend battery life. This may cause insufficient power for high-demand external devices. To solve this, we include an extra power cable so you can connect to a USB power adapter or power bank, ensuring stable operation of the optical drive. If your computer provides enough power through the data cable, you can simply unplug the power cord. (Note: The power cord is for power only; do not use it as a data cable.)

Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How Do You Buy The Best external optical drive?

Do you get stressed out thinking about shopping for a great external optical drive? Do doubts keep creeping into your mind? We understand, because we’ve already gone through the whole process of researching external optical drive, which is why we have assembled a comprehensive list of the greatest external optical drive available in the current market. We’ve also come up with a list of questions that you probably have yourself.

We’ve done the best we can with our thoughts and recommendations, but it’s still crucial that you do thorough research on your own for external optical drive that you consider buying. Your questions might include the following:

  • Is it worth buying an external optical drive?
  • What benefits are there with buying an external optical drive?
  • What factors deserve consideration when shopping for an effective external optical drive?
  • Why is it crucial to invest in any external optical drive, much less the best one?
  • Which external optical drive are good in the current market?
  • Where can you find information like this about external optical drive?

We’re convinced that you likely have far more questions than just these regarding external optical drive, and the only real way to satisfy your need for knowledge is to get information from as many reputable online sources as you possibly can.

Potential sources can include buying guides for external optical drive, rating websites, word-of-mouth testimonials, online forums, and product reviews. Thorough and mindful research is crucial to making sure you get your hands on the best-possible external optical drive. Make sure that you are only using trustworthy and credible websites and sources.

We provide an external optical drive buying guide, and the information is totally objective and authentic. We employ both AI and big data in proofreading the collected information. How did we create this buying guide? We did it using a custom-created selection of algorithms that lets us manifest a top-10 list of the best available external optical drive currently available on the market.

This technology we use to assemble our list depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Brand Value: Every brand of external optical drive has a value all its own. Most brands offer some sort of unique selling proposition that’s supposed to bring something different to the table than their competitors.
  2. Features: What bells and whistles matter for an external optical drive?
  3. Specifications: How powerful they are can be measured.
  4. Product Value: This simply is how much bang for the buck you get from your external optical drive.
  5. Customer Ratings: Number ratings grade external optical drive objectively.
  6. Customer Reviews: Closely related to ratings, these paragraphs give you first-hand and detailed information from real-world users about their external optical drive.
  7. Product Quality: You don’t always get what you pay for with an external optical drive, sometimes less, and sometimes more.
  8. Product Reliability: How sturdy and durable an external optical drive is should be an indication of how long it will work out for you.

We always remember that maintaining external optical drive information to stay current is a top priority, which is why we are constantly updating our websites. Learn more about us using online sources.

If you think that anything we present here regarding external optical drive is irrelevant, incorrect, misleading, or erroneous, then please let us know promptly! We’re here for you all the time. Contact us here. Or You can read more about us to see our vision.

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