Best External CD & DVD Drives of 2026

"I was looking for a way to use my old software discs without paying monthly fees for newer versions. This DVD drive worked flawlessly—plugged it in and everything installed without a hitch. I even plan to use it to burn music for my older car. Incredibly easy to use and highly recommended!"

"After failing to get an LG DVD drive to work with Windows 11, I tried the Amicool and it was immediately recognized by my computer—no extra software needed. Burning music CDs with AnyBurn was a breeze, and the disc tray feels sturdier than the LG. It’s also more affordable, so I’m very satisfied with this purchase."

"I needed a simple way to access old family photos on CDs and play music. This device connected to my Mac without any trouble, worked quickly, and didn’t require any extra installation. Shipping was extremely fast, and overall, it’s been a great experience."

"I've been truly impressed by how effortless it was to use this DVD drive. All I had to do was plug it into my laptop and it worked instantly—no setup required. I was able to revisit old photos and videos from my DVDs, which made for a really special experience. It's slim, lightweight, and simple to store. Works smoothly with Windows and has made me genuinely happy with my purchase."

"Compared to my previous external drives, this unit is much smaller and more efficient, needing just one USB port. I love that it supports both USB-A and USB-C, and the cords tuck neatly into the base for compact storage. What really stood out was its ability to read DVDs that my other drives couldn't handle. It was ready to go the moment I plugged it in—no extra setup needed. For anyone with an old DVD collection like me, this is a fantastic buy."

"After a couple of failed attempts with other drives, I finally got this one and it works flawlessly. I really appreciate the external power cord option, so I don't have to worry about my USB port's power output. The integrated SD card readers and extra ports are a huge bonus, letting me connect other devices easily. It may not be the cheapest option, but it actually works reliably—which is what matters most!"

"I've used this burner for over three years and it’s still running flawlessly. After burning hundreds of discs, I’ve had almost no failures, and the drive remains quiet and reliable. For the price, this is easily the best value I’ve found in any tech purchase."

"After using this external drive for well over a thousand sessions, it still works like new. Setup was simple and immediate, and the performance is just as good as the original drive in my PC. The device is small, lightweight, and dependable—absolutely worth the investment."

"I picked this up to play old DVD movies, and it’s been quiet, quick to load, and very compact—about three-quarters the size of a DVD case. The included software was easy to install, and the long USB cord makes placement convenient. For anyone needing a basic player, this is a great choice."

"I found this external drive incredibly easy to use—just plugged it into my laptop and it was ready to go in seconds. The included padded case is a fantastic bonus for traveling, and I love not having to worry about installing extra drivers. If you’re searching for a reliable, straightforward CD/DVD drive, I’d strongly recommend this one."

"I purchased this drive to use with my MacBook Air for transferring old family DVDs, and it performed flawlessly. Burning and watching DVDs was a breeze, with no technical issues at all. I was so impressed, I ended up getting a second one as a gift. Highly recommended if you need something dependable and hassle-free."

"After looking through tons of options, I chose this model for my PC and I’m glad I did. The customer support was prompt and genuinely helpful when I ran into a software snag. With their guidance, everything was quickly resolved. The drive does exactly what I need and the company truly stands behind their product."

"I was looking for a simple CD writer for my new mini-computer and found this ASUS drive to be just what I needed. It works perfectly for basic tasks, reading and writing discs without any issues. The drive feels lightweight, so I’m gentle when using it, but it’s performed reliably so far. I appreciate the split cable for extra power, though I’ve only needed one USB port. The cable could be longer, but for the price and the trust I have in the ASUS brand, I’m satisfied."

"After using this drive for a few weeks, I’m convinced it’s a great value, especially for its dual compatibility with USB 2.0 and USB-C. The device is compact and easy to use, with a conveniently sized USB-C cable. Read and write speeds are impressive, and I haven’t faced any trouble in operation. The tray feels a bit delicate, but that’s common with budget drives. Overall, it’s a solid, hassle-free choice for occasional use."

"This drive is exactly what I needed for my 2025 MacBook Air. It’s incredibly thin, works right out of the box, and requires no extra drivers. Some people mention it feels flimsy, but that’s expected at this price point. The integrated USB-C cord is a smart touch, and for simple CD ripping or DVD playback, it’s been fantastic. Noise level is typical for disc drives, and I’m impressed by how well it handles my tasks."

"I was looking for an external DVD drive that would work seamlessly with my laptop, and this Dell model exceeded my expectations. Setup was incredibly simple—just plugged it in and it was ready to go. The drive isn't too loud, and it works great for both CDs and DVDs. Definitely worth the purchase and I'd recommend it to others."

"After struggling with another external drive, I switched to this one and it made all the difference. It truly is plug and play—my HP computer recognized it immediately, and I was able to load my software disc with no hassle. The price was also much better than similar models from Dell or HP. You really don't even need the included software, but it's nice that it's there."

"As someone who still buys CDs, I needed a way to get them into my iTunes library on a new computer that didn't have an optical drive. This little device solved my problem instantly—plugged it in, inserted a disc, and iTunes picked it up right away. No extra formatting or complicated steps. It was fast, easy, and just what I needed."

"I'm really impressed with this DVD-RW drive—it works flawlessly right out of the box and hasn't failed me with any discs, including M-Discs. For the price, it's a steal. I'm so satisfied, I'm planning to get a backup unit! Highly recommend to anyone needing an external optical drive."

"After years of use, my drive is only now starting to wear out, which speaks volumes about its durability. It's lightweight, portable, and plugs right into any modern PC or even Linux systems with no hassle. The cable could be a bit longer, but that's a small deal compared to how well it's held up and how convenient it is. I’ll definitely buy another."

"I needed a CD drive for my MacBook Air in a pinch, and this LG external drive was the perfect solution. Setup was minimal, it worked perfectly with all my discs, and it's super slim for easy storage. The price is also very reasonable. I liked it so much I sent one to my parents, and they've had a great experience too."

"I love how simple it was to set up—just plug it in and it's ready to go. It's lightweight, quiet, and so far, I've had no trouble reading CDs or DVDs. This is a fantastic, affordable option if your laptop doesn't have a built-in drive. Highly recommend!"

"I use this drive mainly to burn data discs and DVDs, and it does exactly what I need. It's affordable and convenient for those of us who can't use an internal drive. The speed seems a bit slow, but that might just be my own impatience since I rarely use discs now."

"When I plugged this into my MacBook with the USB-C cable, it didn't connect at first. You really have to push the cable in firmly until it clicks. Once I figured that out, I burned a 15-song mixtape CD in about five minutes. It was a bit loud while burning, but the finished disc played perfectly in my radio. For me, this was a great, hassle-free experience with the drive."

"Using this drive to back up my old CDs and DVDs was effortless — just plug it in and you're set. I've had it for six months and it hasn't disappointed me yet."

"It's compatible and worked perfectly with my HP desktop. Super lightweight and easy to use, though I did need to download a DVD app since my PC is older. Glad I picked this up."

"The housing is thin and a bit unstable, but when used carefully, it got the one job done that I needed. Not for daily use, but it does deliver when needed if you handle it gently."

"I was pleasantly surprised by how effortless it was to get this drive working—just plug it in and my laptop recognized it immediately. I used it to install software with no issues. The dual USB-C and USB-A connections make it super versatile, especially for newer laptops. It's also conveniently portable, with a smart cable storage design. The drive does get a little loud during operation, but it's nothing major—overall a solid, user-friendly product."

"As someone who still appreciates physical media, this external drive is a lifesaver for reviving my old DVD collection. I love that I can finally enjoy my old movies without needing to buy a new Blu-ray player. No lag, no delays—just instant playback. This is perfect for collectors like me who want to keep using their DVDs. I’d gladly buy it again!"

"I have to say, for the price, this CD/DVD drive exceeded my expectations. I didn’t need to install any software; it was just plug and play. What really impressed me was its ability to read a heavily scratched CD flawlessly—something I thought was impossible. The only minor downside is the short cable, but an extension fixed that easily. Very satisfied with my purchase."