Top 4 Picks for the Best External CD/DVD Drive [2024]

With the continuous patronization of online streaming platforms like Netflix and more, people thought that physical media was losing its way. But no, in fact, discs are becoming relevant once again. However, most laptops and computers today do not have built-in optical drives, making external CD/DVD drives more valuable than ever.

With so many options available, finding a drive that combines compatibility, speed, and durability can be challenging. That’s why in this article, we’ve selected the four best external CD/DVD Drives for 2024, each offering excellent features for different needs.

Part 1. Best External CD/DVD Drive

Most modern computers now omit built-in disc drives from their features and functionality. With this, an external optical drive is the perfect solution for those who want to play, rip, or burn movies and shows available only on physical media. The following are the four picked external CD/DVD drives to check on:

ASUS BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive

Pricing: $168

The ASUS BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray Drive is a versatile drive that supports Blu-ray, CD, and DVD formats. It features a sleek design and a USB 3.0 connection, which allows fast data transfer and reliable performance for both Windows and macOS users. This drive is a solid choice for those who frequently work with Blu-ray discs.

LG GP65NB60 External Drive

Pricing: $29

The LG GP65NB60 is a lightweight, budget-friendly DVD drive that’s easy to carry around. This slim device is ideal for users who need a basic CD/DVD drive and value portability. It offers plug-and-play support with USB 2.0 and 3.0 and is compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it an excellent travel companion.

Dell DW316 External USB Slim DVD Drive

Pricing: $33

Dell’s DW316 external drive is a reliable and affordable option for basic CD and DVD needs. It features a sleek design that complements Dell laptops, but it’s compatible with other brands as well. Its simple setup and compact form make it ideal for users who want a no-fuss drive for daily CD/DVD use.

ASUS ZenDrive

Pricing: $30

The last best external free CD/DVD drive is the ASUS ZenDrive. This is a compact, budget-friendly CD/DVD drive that’s ideal for everyday use. While it doesn’t support Blu-ray, it offers reliable performance for CDs and DVDs, with fast read and write speeds. Its ultra-slim design, including CyberLink software, and support for M-Disc burning make it a great choice for secure data storage and portability.

Part 2. How to Use External CD/DVD Drive with FVC picked VCU to Digitalized DVD Content for Backup

Using an external CD/DVD drive is very easy. It’s a straightforward solution for accessing your physical media on modern computers that may lack built-in drives. Now, if you want to digitize your DVD content for backup, you can use the FVC-picked Video Converter Ultimate.

FVC picked Video Converter Ultimate, a full-featured converter tool that supports a wide range of input video files like DVD and Blu-ray, as well as a number of output formats like MKV, MP4, ISO, and more. With this, users can easily digitize their DVD contents, which can be useful if they want to have a backup file. Moreover, ripping DVDs using this tool allows user to watch their DVD contents on various devices anytime and anywhere they want.

• Convert DVD to digital video for PC and iOS/Android device playback.

• Supports more than 1000 formats and devices, such as MP4, MKV, MOV, FLV, AVI, MP3, AAC, GIF, iPhone, Samsung, and Apple TV.

• Uses Blu-ray hyper technology and advanced encoding technology to enhance the converted video.

• Supports batch conversion for converting multiple DVDs at once.

• Has built-in video editing features like trimming, cropping, watermarks, and effects.

• Customizable output settings like the encoder, sample rate, channel, and bitrate.

• The user interface is very straightforward.

Below are the steps on how you can use an external CD/DVD drive with FVC picked Video Converter Ultimate, to digitize your DVDs:

Step 1. First, you need to download and install the tool on your device.

Step 2. Insert the DVD into your DVD drive on your computer and wait for a few minutes until it is detected.

Step 3. Now, launch the tool and click the Add File icon to load the disk.

Step 4. After that, click on the Output Format below and choose the digital format that you prefer from the Video tab. Once done, just simply click on the Convert All button to start ripping your DVD.

With FVC picked Video Converter Ultimate, you can easily digitize your DVD content, especially if you want to have a backup copy, since physical discs are prone to scratches that can cause problems with their playability.

Part 3. FAQs about External CD/DVD Drive

Conclusion

With these four best external CD/DVD drives, you now have the idea of why external drives you’ll be going to use or buy to seamlessly watch the content from your physical discs. Each offers a unique set of features that for sure will surely match your preferences and needs. Meanwhile, if you want to digitize your DVDs and have a backup file for them, you can use the FVC picked Video Converter Ultimate.
Ready to make the most of your media? Select your ideal external drive today!