Best External Blu-ray Drives of 2026

"I purchased this drive specifically for long-term backup with M-Discs, and it’s proven to be a great value. The drive felt sturdy and stable during use, and my Windows 11 system recognized it immediately. Burning and reading discs went smoothly. Given how storage costs are rising, this was an easy choice for me."

"As a Mac user, I found the drive to be excellent for digitizing my DVD/CD collection to my NAS, especially when paired with MakeMKV. The speed is impressive, and the automated tray mechanism is a huge upgrade over the flimsy drives I’ve used before. While the power button and bright blue LED are a bit annoying, overall, it’s performed well under heavy, constant use."

"This Blu-ray drive handled CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays perfectly in my testing, but I was disappointed to find the included software is seriously outdated. I had to purchase more current software to get the most out of it. While the hardware itself is solid and connects easily, I do wish it was priced more fairly given the software situation and lack of native 4K support."

"I've always used Macs and needed an external drive since Apple stopped including CD-ROMs. After trying several brands, I found the Verbatim drive to be sturdy, fast, and reliable—much better than the flimsy alternatives. For quality, speed, and value, it’s an A+ in my book."

"I bought this as a replacement for a failing DVD drive and was impressed by how simple it was to use—just plug it in and go. It also included a Blu-ray disc manual, which was a nice touch. Definitely recommend it for ease of use and value."

"With my Macbook Air on Sonoma OS, this drive has handled over 75GB of archive data on 100GB BDXL discs without any issues. The build quality feels solid and the included adapters made it easy to connect. I didn’t need any extra software—just used Finder to burn. Not silent, but works perfectly."

"I was relieved to find a drive with a dedicated power supply and high build quality after struggling with underpowered, single-cable DVD drives. Since setting up this unit, it’s been quiet, fast, and hasn’t interfered with my PC’s performance at all. The aluminum enclosure feels premium, and it reads every disc I throw at it. Although the price gave me pause, I’m confident it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone needing reliable disc access on modern computers."

"As someone who flashes firmware to make drives UHD friendly, I was glad to discover that this model is based on the MT1959 platform, which allows an easy downgrade to 1.02 firmware for full UHD ripping capability. The enclosure is sturdy, power supply is strong, and it works flawlessly for burning and reading Blu-rays and DVDs. These drives are getting rare, so I definitely recommend grabbing one while you can!"

"I needed an enclosure for my optical drive to use across my Linux server and Windows laptop. Assembly was a breeze, and the build is ultra-robust—it feels like it could survive anything. While there was a minor hiccup reading DVDs on Linux, it worked perfectly on Windows and Mac. Portability is fantastic, and it’s become a workhorse for my disc needs."

"My initial impression was that the drive felt solid and premium, with a rugged aluminum finish. The included portable case was a nice surprise. After patching the firmware, I could use it to play or rip any Blu-ray, including 4K UHD discs, on my MacBook Air M2 via USB-C. It handled every disc I tried, including region-locked and bootleg ones. It’s a bit noisy and slow when ripping, but for the price, it’s unbeatable for anyone who needs broad disc compatibility and durability. There’s a bit of a learning curve for firmware and ripping software, but plenty of tutorials make it manageable."

"I’ve used this drive for about a week to watch DVDs and it’s been reliable and easy to use. No external power is needed—just plug it in. I like that it comes with both USB-A and USB-C adapters attached, so it works with any port on my computer. The metal casing feels sturdy, and the included carrying case is a thoughtful bonus."

"I’ve had this drive for three years now, mostly for copying DVDs and Blu-rays to my Plex server. It reads every disc I’ve tried with no problems. The only minor issue is that the connector isn’t super secure and can disconnect if I move the drive while changing discs. For occasional use, it’s a solid and dependable choice."

"I’ve been using this drive to build my Plex library and I’m really impressed by how well it handles both new and moderately scratched discs—even disks abused by kids! It feels solid and dependable, and I’m happy with the purchase. Works seamlessly with MakeMKV."

"What stands out for me is the high-quality construction and speedy Blu-ray playback. The drive is a bit large, but that’s expected given its capabilities. USB 3.0 support makes everything much faster compared to my old USB 2.0 drive. There’s some noise at spin-up, but during playback or burning, it’s virtually silent. If you care about speed and versatility, this is a great choice."

"After frustration with another brand, I switched to this model and was amazed by the quick and reliable burning process. The software setup was a little confusing at first, but once running, it burned 20GB in under 30 minutes with no errors. I’m honestly really happy with its performance and reliability."

"I'm really happy with this portable player. It feels sturdy and well-made, which gives me peace of mind when I carry it in my bag for client visits. USB transfer speeds were good, and I like that it uses two USB connections for power and data—it’s much more convenient than relying on a wall adapter."

"I got the white version and so far, it's really compact and easy to use. We plan to use it at home to access our old CDs. It seems durable and well-built, and I'm looking forward to enjoying our memories again."

"The burner works well and does exactly what I need without the high price tag. It’s as light as a feather and just gets the job done."

"I was impressed by the professional build and flawless performance of this drive. Setting it up was a breeze—just plugged it in and it worked instantly. Handles Blu-ray and DVDs smoothly, and the price point is excellent compared to others. The manual's English isn't perfect, but it's understandable enough."

"I needed a way to install printer software from a CD-ROM, since my new laptop lacks an internal drive. This external drive was a lifesaver—installation was quick, and my printer works perfectly. It really saved me from buying a new printer, so I consider it a great value."

"Playback of Blu-ray, DVD, and CD discs is great with this drive. It was ready to use as soon as I plugged it in, and I’m extremely satisfied with the purchase. Highly recommend it."

"I replaced my old drive with this model and have been able to write data disks without errors. The device may not be high speed, but its reliability allows me to copy over 100,000 files at once. Just make sure to use two USB ports for stable power. Avoid the included software—using your PC's built-in apps works best."

"I bought this drive specifically to rip 4K UHD movies for my collection. It does require a firmware update to handle 4K, but once that's set up, it's a great, dependable drive. It's not the fastest, but it gets the job done with no issues."

"When I got this external drive, it was detected immediately and the universal drivers installed perfectly. The only real downside is that video players and codecs are getting harder to find these days, but the drive itself works great with no complaints."

"When I connected this drive, it successfully wrote data to a Blu-ray disc, which was a pleasant surprise since I thought it might be a reader only. Using a powered USB hub made it work flawlessly—without one, it struggled to read or load discs. For the price, I’m quite impressed."

"At first, I thought this drive only played Blu-rays, but I quickly realized it handles DVDs as well. After updating my app, it played discs that my previous player couldn’t handle. Reliable playback and handy for my needs."

"The drive can be a bit picky about which USB port it’s plugged into. I found it works best when connected directly to my computer, not through a hub. Once it’s detected, it’s quiet and simple to use. The short cord is a minor inconvenience, but overall, it gets the job done."

"I bought this drive mainly for my iMac and have gone through a bit of trial and error. When I connected it directly, there were all sorts of issues—from not reading CDs to locking up entirely. But after switching to a Sabrent externally powered USB-3 hub, the drive became reliable and works perfectly for CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. It turns out, the problem isn't always the drive, but sometimes the computer's ports and power supply."

"I wanted a simple drive for occasional use, but the build felt cheap and the non-detachable cable design is a pain. Most frustrating was the inconsistency; sometimes it worked flawlessly, other times it wouldn't recognize discs or even eject them. I had to use a paperclip more times than I care to admit. For me, it's just not reliable enough to recommend."

"Burning data onto Blu-ray discs was a breeze with this drive. The process was fast and smooth, and the discs loaded instantly. Just a heads-up: you need to use both the USB-C and USB-A cables for proper detection. Once I did that, everything worked great!"