5 best cd dvd drivers

Name: External CD Drive USB 3.0 Portable CD DVD +/-RW Drive DVD/CD ROM Rewriter Burner Writer Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Mac Pro MacBook
Brand: Rioddas
Price: 22.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (250 reviews)

CD/DVD drives, also known as optical drives, are hardware components found in many computers and electronic devices.They are used to read and write data to compact discs (CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs). Here's what you need to know about CD/DVD drives:

Types of Optical Drives: There are two main types of optical drives: CD drives and DVD drives. CD drives are designed to read and write data to CDs, while DVD drives can handle both CDs and DVDs. There are also Blu-ray drives, which can read and write Blu-ray discs in addition to CDs and DVDs.
Read and Write Functions: Optical drives are capable of both reading and writing data. They can read data from CDs/DVDs and write data to blank CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and other writable discs.
Media Compatibility: CD/DVD drives are compatible with various disc formats, including audio CDs, data CDs/DVDs, video DVDs, and rewritable discs. This versatility makes them useful for playing movies, music, installing software, and creating backup discs.
Installation: CD/DVD drives are commonly installed internally in desktop computers. They connect to the computer's motherboard and power supply. External CD/DVD drives are also available, which connect to computers via USB ports and are commonly used with laptops and computers that lack built-in optical drives.
Read Speed and Write Speed: Optical drives have different read and write speeds, measured in multiples of "X." For example, a 16x DVD drive can read data 16 times faster than the original CD/DVD drive speed. Faster drives typically offer quicker data access and burning.
Multifunctionality: Some optical drives come with additional features, such as LightScribe technology, which allows you to etch labels and designs directly onto compatible discs using laser technology.
Eject Mechanism: Optical drives have an eject button or software-controlled ejection to open the disc tray for inserting or removing CDs and DVDs.
Operating System Compatibility: CD/DVD drives are typically compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as older operating systems that support optical media.
Declining Popularity: Optical drives have become less common in modern laptops and desktop computers due to the shift towards digital distribution and online content streaming. Many newer laptops and slim desktops omit optical drives to save space and weight.
External Drives: External CD/DVD drives are a popular solution for computers without built-in optical drives. They are portable and can be easily connected via USB, making them useful for occasional use.
Archival and Legacy Content: Optical drives are still relevant for tasks like archiving data, installing older software from physical media, and playing legacy CDs and DVDs.

While optical drives have become less common in recent years, they still serve as valuable tools for certain tasks, such as creating physical backups, playing older media, and installing software from discs. External optical drives are particularly useful for computers without built-in drives, ensuring continued access to CD and DVD content.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best cd dvd drivers on the market

External DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable CD/DVD+/-RW Drive/DVD Player for Laptop CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black

Gotega

Based on 10 reviews Check latest price

Product description

About Our Product

Currently, it's the best way to get an external DVD RW Burner, if your slim laptop or desktop has no internal DVD drive. Not need any additional software and extra power supply, plug and play. High-speed USB 3.0 CD DVD RW Burner with low impedance and anti-interference ability, bringing you smooth and fast experience for watching movies, listening to music, installing softwares or system, burning discs. Portable Compact Design:Slim, lightweight, shock-resistant design, and just slips easily into your travel bag.

Emergency Eject Hole.

Powered by only one USB 3.0 connector, no need extra power cable, faster speed bring you better experience than old USB 2.0 drive. Just plug in computer, it will be recognized automatically within seconds, then you can press pop-up button, put in disc and enjoy movies, music, burn discs or install software/system, etc.

Tips

♦ This is a universal CD/DVD drive burner, not a Blu-ray drive, can not play Blu ray discs.

♦ Please connect the laptop external power supply when you use this external optical drive.

♦ Because of the limitations of the Chrome OS, this external optical drive can not work with Chrome OS and Chromebook.

♦ This protable CD/DVD drive can not work with TV, car, smartphone.

♦ Before you using the External CD/DVD Drive, please make sure your computer has a "Media Player''.

♦ If you find the External CD/DVD Drive start out a little slow, please wait for 5-10 seconds.

♦ Windows 10 system is advised to install VLC Media player to play DVD and CD. We suggested that you download the 3.0 drive for windows 10, then it will work. For the desktop, please connect the device to the USB port of the motherboard for normal use.

♦ If your windows 10 start up delay, please connect both USB 3.0 data cable and power supply cable to make sure it has enough power.

📀【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 / 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 10/8/7,Mac ios(ios 8.6 to 10.14). And perfect for PC, Laptop, Comprehensive Computer, Internal PC hard disk reader
📀【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 USB3.0 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 USB2.0)
📀【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

User questions & answers

Question:	will this play dvd's on a Dell i5 8gen touchscreen laptop
Answer:	If your laptop has a USB port, yes.
Question:	Can i use this on a acer chromebook laptop
Answer:	I don't know, I use a Microsoft based system. My understanding is that Chromebook is a cloud based storage system, you'll have to do some research.
Question:	Can I put my Hallmark card maker dvd in and then print from it
Answer:	Yes , this neat little unit rips photo CD's like a champ , rips mucic cd's, and DVD's , plays movies , as well as yes , you can put your hallmark cd into it and it will work.
Question:	If i hook this up in my vehicle can i use it like a cd player and listen to music
Answer:	Product Description states: '♦ This protable CD/DVD drive can not work with TV, car, smartphone.'

External CD Drive USB 3.0 Portable CD DVD +/-RW Drive DVD/CD ROM Rewriter Burner Writer Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Mac Pro MacBook

Rioddas

Based on 19 reviews Check latest price

Plug & play. Easy to use,powered by USB port. No external driver and Power needed. Just plug it into your USB port and the DVD driver will be detected
High speed. Compatible with USB3. 0 and backwards compatible with USB2. 0 , bringing faster data transmission speed (up to a maximum of 5Gbps) and stable performance with strong fault tolerance
Intelligent tech. Designed with eject button so that you never have to worry about your disc getting stuck inside this external CD/DVD drive. The copper mesh technology of this external component, you can be rest assured of stable data transmission
Trendy design. Brushed texture shell brings trendy sight and touch enjoyment. Embedded cable design, worry- off cable missing any when and where
Wide compatibility. Ideal for various devices. It supports Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8. 1/10, Linux, all version Mac OS system. For the desktops, Please connect the device to the back USB port of the motherboard for normal use

User questions & answers

Question:	Does this work with windows
Answer:	It should work with Windows 8 though I only used with Windows 10. If you insert a DVD and a video player does not start up, you may need a player that will recognize the drive. On a recommendation from a friend, I installed "VLC media player" and this app opens when I insert a DVD into the Riodadas player. VLC is a free and open source media player that works with all Windows versions. You can get the player here: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Question:	Can this be used to install windows 10 without the need to somehow install a driver first? it's rather tough to do that when trying to install an os
Answer:	This is basically a laptop optical drive in an external case with USB connection. I would think so. If the installation disk contains the installation software and the computer can access a USB device then it should. Changes to the boot device may be required.
Question:	Does this play games like sims
Answer:	It's played all my games without so much of a skip.
Question:	Does this work on macs
Answer:	Won't work with Mac 10.15.7! It was working before; now it seems useless. I see someone else is having this issue.

Juanery DVD Drive for PC Computer CD Player USB 3.0 Portable External High Speed Data Transfer CD DVD +/-RW Burner Rewriter DVD/CD ROM Support Windows/Vista Laptop Mac (Black)

Juanery

Based on 15 reviews Check latest price

Product description

●Because now the portable laptop volume is small, so usually lacks a built-in optical drive, DVD/CD playback has become impossible, the external DVD drives are any does not contain internal computer disk drives the perfect partner

●USB 3.0 external DVD drive can provide faster data transfer speeds, you can make backup CDS, watch DVD movies, install software, burn files and movie CDS to CDS, etc.

Features:

1、External drive and power are not required.Just insert it into the USB port and it will work.

2、USB 3.0 data transmission speed, it is backward compatible with USB 2.0.

3、Strong error correction ability, shock resistance and noise reduction technology.

4、Small and portable.

Specification:

* Memory Cache :2 M.

* Power Consumption 3-5W.

* Buffery Memory :2 MB.

* Interface :USB3.0(2.0 compliant)

* Supported Media Types :CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-R DL, DVD RAM.

* Read Speed :CD-ROM:24x maximum;DVD ROM :8 x maximum;DVD ROM (DL):6 x Max.

* Write Speed :24x CD-R, 8x CD-RW, DVD R:8x Max;DVD plus or minus R DL:4 x maximum;4 x Max.

Package:

*1x USB 3.0 external CD/DVD drive (not including CD)

*1 x User manual

Note:

1.Please plug both of 2 USB cables into rear USB interface of motherboard directly.?If you connect our external drive through USB hub,USB extension cable or frontal USB interface,it may can not run smoothly because it can get insufficient power from computer.

2.For the desktops, please connect it to the USB port of the motherboard for normal use.

3.The internal laser will cause damage to the eyes and face. Please do not open it.

4.Because of the compatibility problem between Windows 10 itself and external hardware, this drive is not fully compatible with Windows 10's computers.We recommend that you download the 3.0 driver for Windows 10, and then it will work.

≮Plug and Play≯：This external DVD drive is easy to use.It is powered by a USB interface and does not require an external power source to install the software to set the driver.The DVD driver can be detected by plugging it into the computer's direct USB port.With this external CD drive, you can record CDS, music, video, install software, games, or create CD/ DVD backup CDS.It is the perfect companion without an internal drive computer.
≮Good Performance≯： This external DVD/CD drive USES a unique intelligent combustion technology with powerful error correction, shock and noise reduction techniques, and low power consumption.You can easily burn your disk or interrupt record without any delay or distortion.The design of the pop-up button and disk tray makes it easy to read or write to a CD.
≮Broad Compatibility≯：The DVD drive support 98 SE/ME / 2003 / XP/Vista/Windows 7 / Win10 / Linux/Macbook Pro Air/Mac os1.0 system, also supports various types of notebooks, desktops and netbooks.(★The Surface pro laptop is not recommended because it has a low USB interface.★Before you use a cd-rom drive, make sure your computer has a "media player".)
≮Advanced USB3.0 Technology≯：CD drive is equipped with high-speed USB 3.0 interface, network technology, pure copper needle with low impedance and anti-interference ability, make you faster data transmission (up to 5 GBPS), and stable performance, strong fault tolerance.It is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.0
≮Good Customer Service≯：We believe in the quality of our products, in order to provide you with better customer service!We use 100 days of warranty to support it.If you have any questions in use, please contact us by email at any time.

External CD DVD Drive USB C USB 3.0 Slot in Type C Burner Portable Slim DVD CD RAM Writer Reader for iMac Notebook Laptop Desktop Support Mac os Win 7 Win8 Win10 (Sliver)

Lvaen

Based on 39 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Notes:

1.This is normal external CD DVD drive, not a blue ray burner drive, so it can't play blue ray disc.

2.This external USB C DVD drive is a Slot-in drive, not a Pallet drive, just slot-loading.

3. Date transfer speed is also affected by computer and system environment.

Read Speed(Max) :

DVD: 8X

CD: 24X

Writing Speed

CD: 24X

DVD±R:8x

DVD±R DL:6x

Rewrite Speed

CD: 16X

DVD-RW:6x

DVD+RW:8x

What's Included:

1 x USB C External Slot in Drive

1 x User Manual

1 x USB type C female to USB 3.0 adapter

Warranty: We offer 60 days full refund and 1 year quality warranty, please no hesitate to contact our customer service if you have any problems with the product. We promise to resolve the issue within 24 hours.

【HIGH COMPATIBILITY】 Work with WIN XP, VISATA, WIN7, WIN8, WIN10, MAC OS, Sliver style is specially matched with MacBook Notebook Laptop and PC without drive hardware but with USB C/USB interface.
【Slot-in CD Drive 】Slot-in CD Drive added sensitive touch eject button helps pop the CD/DVD out in any emergency
【ULTRA-THIN PORTABLE DVD DRIVE】Dimensions: 5.6 x 5.4 x 0.6 in, weight 12 ounces. Slim and lightweight and quite compact design not only maximizes desktop space but also fits for you when you need them on your business trips.
【PLUG AND PLAY】Powered by the USB port,No driver program or extra power supply required. ※NOTE: Blank CD is not formatted, please download a software and finish the setting before burning.※
【FAST SPEED DRIVE】Maximum burn speeds of 8x for DVD-R/+R and 24x for CD-R, maximum read speeds of 8x for DVD-R/+R and 24x for CD-R

User questions & answers

Question:	Can I use this to install photoshop to my computer
Answer:	I don't know why you couldn't. It's a normal external drive.
Question:	is this a dual layer burner
Answer:	I don’t know. Was not advertised as such
Question:	Can this be used to install windows 10 without the need to install a driver first
Answer:	This is basically a laptop optical drive in an external case with USB connection. I would think so. No need to install a drive firstly.
Question:	Can I use this to put dvd movies on my Ipad
Answer:	I’m afraid I don’t know. Sorry. Try the Apple store?

ROOFULL External CD DVD Drive with Power Supply Cable, Portable USB 3.0 CD DVD +/-RW Optical Drive Burner Player, Compatible for Windows 10 Laptop Computer Surface Pro Mac MacBook Pro Air iMac, Black

ROOFULL

Based on 723 reviews Check latest price

【Easy to Use】No need extra driver program. Just plug into the USB 3.0 port direclty on laptop or desktop with Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP, Linux, all versions of Mac OS, it will be recognized and installed automatically. Ideal for Apple Macbook Air / MacBook Pro / iMac / Dell / Hp / Lenovo / Sony / Samsung / Asus / Acer and more computers (NOTE: DO NOT support Chromebook, TV, and Car)
【Faster USB 3.0 & Power Supply Cable】Come with high-speed USB 3.0 and USB power supply cable, which not only ensures a faster running speed but also ensures sufficient power for this CD/DVD drive. (Please plug the power supply cable into a 5V/2A~3A USB power adapter / No need it if your computer can supply sufficient power for this device)
【Multifunctional Optical Drive】It's not only a reader, but also writer / rewriter / burner, which allows you to enjoy movies, music, back up data, install software / system, burn discs and more. Support CD-R, CD-ROM, CD+/-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+/-RW, DVD-R DL, VCD ROM discs
【Portable Assistant】Slim compact design bringing you rich audio-visual entertainment, efficient office and learning with your one or more laptop at anytime anywhere, no matter at home, in office or on a trip
【Worry-free Shopping】5-years of experience in optical drives allows us to have the ability to provide you with premium quality products and professional support services. Please contact us if you have any questions, 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Product features

Wide Compatibility

Compatible with most laptops and desktops running Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista, Linux and all versions of MAC OS.

* Do not work with Chromebook, and TV, car, smartphone

Multifunction

It's not only a CD/DVD-Rom, you can also use it to write, rewrite or rip CDs and DVDs through the corresponding software.

* Please make sure your computer has available media software or burning software

Faster USB 3.0

Powered and data transmission by USB 3.0 connector, this optical drive will bring you faster and more smooth experience.

Max Speed: CD-ROM: 24X / CD-R: 24X / CD-RW: 8X / DVD-ROM: 8X / DVD-R: 8X / DVD+R: 8X / DVD-RW: 8X / DVD+RW: 8X / DVD+R DL: 4X / DVD-R DL: 4X / DVD RAM 3X

Plug and Play

No extra driver program is required, just plug it into USB 3.0 or 2.0 port, it will be installed automatically, then you can see this external device and use it to read and write disc through the corresponding software.

Ensure Sufficient Power for Ultrathin Laptops

Come with faster USB 3.0 data cable and extra power supply enough power, you can use this external CD/DVD drive on most laptops and desktop PC including ultrathin laptops such as Surface Pro, Lenovo Yoga, Dell XPS 13, 11" MacBook Air, and more.

* If your laptop or desktop can supply enough power for this external optical drive, you can only use USB 3.0 data cable.

Pop-up Button

Just press the button on the front panel of the DVD drive and the tray will automatically pop up a distance (about 0.7-2 inches), then you can put in the disc. You can also press the button to stop playback and eject the tray. You can know the work of the optical drive through the indicator light on the pop-up button.