Best DVD Drive Reviews 2021

In January 1984, Michael Dell, a pre-med freshman at the University of Texas, founded PCs Limited which went on to become Dell Computer Corporation in May that same year. Dell empowers its customers, people, communities, and countries to employ technology in the realization of their dreams. It has a vast network of customers who have entrusted this brand with the responsibility of delivering technology solutions that will put them on the fast track whether they’re at home, school, work, or anywhere in their world.

Dell’s DW316 External USB DVD Drive is an external plug-and-play disc-burning and disc-playing solution that can be used with a USB port. Whether you’re at work, home, or on the road, all you have to do is plug in the low-profile and lightweight (half an inch, and under half a pound respectively) drive into your computer’s USB port and you'll be ready to read, burn CD/DVD media, and play DVD movies on PCs. It also reads gaming discs and is compatible with Mac laptops. It comes pre-loaded with the Cyberlink Media Suite software which facilitates your CD/DVD use. It’s power-efficient and doesn’t come with the extra bulk of a power cord as it’s powered by your computer.

This DVD drive, according to CNET, has a read speed of 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD), a write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL), and a rewrite speed 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM). This unit is easy to use as there’s no need for drivers, plus it’s got a slim, compact body and a light and portable size that can be conveniently carried anywhere. Some other features of this external drive include:

• It comes with a USB 2.0 interface cable
• It supports both 12 cm and 8 cm (Mini DVD) standard round-type discs
• It’s able to burn double-layer discs
• Its USB cable can be detached for ease of storage

Its Cyberlink Media Player software allows you to play your DVD movies on your laptop if such an app isn’t installed already.

Smallcar is all about customer satisfaction and this has made it a purveyor of computer add-ons that aren’t only efficient but well-designed, modern, and convenient too. Users of this company’s products are quite pleased and have unreservedly given it high ratings.

Smallcar’s External USB 3.0 DVD doesn’t need any extra driver as it will run automatically upon connection with your device. It features an innovative burning technology that allows you to burn your disc and interrupt recording conveniently. Its advanced USB 3.0 technology gives you faster data transmission speed of up to 5Gbps and it’s compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.0 ports.

This drive has a wide range of readable formats that include CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, and DVD-R Dual Layer. The read and write speeds are also very good (we are about to throw out some technical jargon so if you’re not that way inclined, please feel free to scan, and move on!)

The write speeds are as follows:

• CD-R: Max. 24X Zone CLV
• DVD-R DL: Max. 6X Zone CLV
• CD-RW: 16X CLV
• DVD-RW: Max. 6X Zone CLV
• DVD+R: Max. 8X CAV
• DVD-R: Max. 8X CAV
• DVD-RAM: 5X PCAV (4.7GB)

Phew, now that’s done, you might also be interested to know that the read speeds are:

• CD-ROM: Max 24X CAV
• DVD-ROM: Max 8X CAV

So that’s it for the technical stuff. Let’s see what else this DVD drive has to offer…

It’s slim, compact, and portable; it supports plug-and-play, is easy to use, and is especially portable for taking out when you intend to install software somewhere. We suggest you download a player software, such as PowerDVD, VLC, MPC-HC, or GOM to play DVD if it doesn’t play DVD discs. Another piece of advice, plug this drive to the rear USB port close to the motherboard if you’re using a desktop/computer PC. If it’s Mac/Laptop/Notebook just plug it into the USB port directly.

Other drives from Smallcar include:

• Smallcar External CD/DVD Drive is a burner and portable CD player with DVD RW slot in design for Mac Pro Air, and Windows 10 laptops and desktops
• Smallcar External USB 3.0 SATA Optical Drive has a sturdy aluminum housing also for Mac Air Pro Windows 10/Win7/Win 8 desktops and laptops

Apple, an international technology company, was founded in 1976 by the trio of Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. It has since grown to be world renowned and acclaimed with its vast range of computer software, consumer electronics, and online services. It believes in empowering young people through education and has invested a lot of resources to that end. It also believes in safer products and a safer manufacturing process, resulting in a lot of projects to reduce its carbon footprint. Apple also seeks to help businesses grow by providing them with the energy they love.

Apple’s USB SuperDrive, just somewhat bigger than a CD case, easily fits in your bag when you hit the road and requires little space on your tray table or desk when you're working. It allows you to both play and burn CD/DVDs no matter where you are. With its built-in USB cable (it has just one), you needn’t worry about losing your cables and having to find replacement ones.

This drive is quite easy to use as it already has drivers pre-installed so all you have to do is plug in, play, and enjoy. It also eliminates the extra weight and bulk of a power adapter as it runs on your Mac’s power whether it’s connected to a power source or not. This DVD drive is compatible with MacBook Pro with Retina display, MacBook Air, iMac (late 2012) and later, Mac mini (late 2009) and later, and Mac Pro (late 2013).

Founded in Suwon, Korea in the year 1969, Samsung is a leading global information technology brand with over 200 subsidiaries worldwide. Its pledge to its customers around the world is to keep on creating and turning out quality products and services that will enhance convenience and encourage smarter lifestyles. It’s also committed to improving the international community by constantly pursuing value creation and innovative inventions.

The Slim Optical Disc Drive is a sleek, 9.5mm-thick (under half an inch) drive. With a weight of only 300 grams (about 0.6 pounds), this unit is quite lightweight and easy to carry around in a bag. Its innovative design features a hidden cable that fits inside the drive for easy storage. It’s compatible with all notebooks, which means you can continue to enjoy your drive even after upgrading to your next notebook or netbook. You don’t have to worry about a power source for your drive as it’s powered by your device.

It has a seek time of 160 milliseconds for both CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs and a buffer memory of 1.0MB. This drive is compatible with USB port 2.0 and it features Nero Express Essentials v12 software with media management utilities, firmware updater, media player, and backup utilities. The drive is compatible with a range of discs including:

• DVD-R
• DVD-RW
• DVD+R
• DVD+RW
• DVD-ROM
• DVD-Video
• DVD+R DL
• DVD-R DL
• DVD-RAM
• and CD-ROM

Make sure your discs are compatible before buying this DVD drive to avoid any nasty surprises! With a list this lengthy though, we think you just might be in luck!

Similar products from this brand include:

• The SAMSUNG TSST Ultra-Slim Optical 8X DVD Rewriter Drive with Tilt Actuator Technology is both USB2.0 and 3.0 compatible. It features Smart Power Technology for low power consumption
• The Samsung TSST Ultra-Slim Black Optical Drive is a DVD-writer only drive with M-Disc Support and is MAC OS X-compatible
• The Samsung 6X Slim Blu-ray Writer Drive is an external drive with a USB 2.0 interface

LG Electronics, created in 1958, has been at the vanguard of digitalization, thanks to the technological expertise it’s acquired from its production of consumer electronics such as radios and TVs. With the impressive sum of $55.91 billion recorded from global sales in the year 2014 alone, this brand has surely come to stay. LG consists of 4 business units ― Home Appliance & Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, and Vehicle Components ― and is one of the world’s foremost producers of mobile devices, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines. LG Electronics is the 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year.

LG’s Super Multi Portable DVD Rewriter is only 0.6 inches high with a slim, elegant design that compliments Ultrabooks and provides enhanced portability. For the safety of your data, it features M-disc (Millennial Disc) support which has been proven to outlast standard DVDs, and with its 8X writing speed, you get to do more in less time.

It connects easily to digital photo frames, PCs, and TVs via USB for playback. It features jamless play which allows the drive to jump over the erroneous data or damaged area thus preventing the playback from stopping and giving you non-stop playability. For optimal noise reduction, it’s got Silent Play Technology which automatically controls the disc read speed.

There’s no limit to your work or play with this unit as it’s compatible with both Mac and Windows (Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Mac OS X operating systems). Its access time is as follows: DVD-ROM -167 ms typ, CD-ROM - 139 ms typ, DVD-RAM (Ver.2.2) - 203 ms typ. Its buffer size is 0.75MB with an embedded under-run prevention function, while its host interface is USB 2.0.

Similar products from LG include:

• The LG Electronics Blu-ray DVD Writer supports which 3D Blu-ray disc playback and bdxl (128GB Quad layer) disc
• The LG WH16NS40 Super Multi Blue Internal SATA Disc Rewriter has 16X speed, SATA 1.1a interface, and buffer memory of 4 MB
• The LG Electronics Optical Drive Optical Drives is an external, slim, and portable Blu-ray writer with a 2.0 USB interface