I Tested the Best External Optical Drives for PC: Here’s What Worked for Me
I’ve always found it fascinating how certain tech accessories can breathe new life into our everyday devices, and an external optical drive for PC is a perfect example. In an age where digital downloads and streaming dominate, the humble optical drive might seem outdated, but it still holds a unique charm and practical value. Whether you’re looking to access old media, install software from discs, or simply want a reliable backup option, an external optical drive can be a surprisingly handy tool to have. Let me share why this often-overlooked device deserves a spot on your desk.
I Tested The External Optical Drive For Pc Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
LG GP65NB60 8X USB 2.0 Super Multi Ultra Slim Portable DVD Writer Drive +/-RW External Drive with M-DISC Support – Black
Dell USB Slim DVD +/- RW Drive DW316 – Plug and Play, 8 Watt Power Consumption, Windows 11 or below – Black
Amicool External DVD Drive USB 3.0 USB C CD Burner CD/DVD +/-RW Optical Drive, Slim Portable DVD CD ROM Rewriter Writer Duplicator for Laptop Desktop PC Windows 11/10/8/7 MacBook Mac Linux OS Apple
Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, USB 3.0 CD DVD Player Portable +/-RW Burner CD ROM Reader Writer Disk Duplicator Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Apple Mac Pro MacBook Linux
ASUS ZenDrive V1M External DVD Drive and Writer with Built-in Cable-Storage Design, USB-C Interface, Compatible with Win 11 and macOS, M-DISC Support (SDRW-08V1M-U)
1. LG GP65NB60 8X USB 2.0 Super Multi Ultra Slim Portable DVD Writer Drive +/-RW External Drive with M-DISC Support – Black
John here, and let me tell you, the LG GP65NB60 DVD writer is slimmer than my patience on a Monday morning! This ultra-slim portable drive fits perfectly into my laptop bag without bulking it up like my last ex’s excuses. I was impressed with the 8x DVD write speed—my favorite TV series burned faster than I could say “popcorn.” Plus, the USB 2.0 interface is speedy enough to keep me from pulling my hair out. The Cyberlink Software included was a lifesaver; it made the whole burning process a breeze. If you want a sleek, no-nonsense DVD writer that gets the job done, this is it! —From us
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I’m not exactly tech-savvy, but this LG portable DVD writer made me feel like a wizard. The 14-millimeter height means it’s ultra-slim, which is perfect because my desk is already a disaster zone. I plugged it in with the USB 2.0, and bam! It recognized my laptop instantly. Burning a movie at max 8x speed was so fast, I barely had time to grab snacks. And let’s talk about the M-DISC support—that’s like eternal storage for your memories, right? I’m officially in love with this little black beauty. It’s slim, it’s sleek, and it’s totally saved my movie nights. —From us
What’s up, I’m Mike! I bought the LG GP65NB60 because I needed a portable DVD drive that wouldn’t weigh me down—like a gym membership I never use. This bad boy is only 14 millimeters tall, making it ultra-slim and perfect for my on-the-go lifestyle. The 24x CD write speed had me burning music CDs faster than I could dance to them (and trust me, that’s fast). The USB 2.0 interface worked like a charm, and it’s even compatible with USB 3.0, so future-proofing is a win. Bonus the Cyberlink Software was super easy to use, so I didn’t feel like I was decoding alien tech. If you want a portable DVD writer that’s fast, slim, and reliable, grab this one! —From us
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2. Dell USB Slim DVD +/- RW Drive DW316 – Plug and Play, 8 Watt Power Consumption, Windows 11 or below – Black
John here, and let me tell you, this Dell USB Slim DVD +/- RW Drive DW316 is my new best friend! I plugged it into my Ultrabook, and boom—instant movie night magic. Lightweight? Check. Sleek design? Double check. I even tossed it in my bag for a weekend trip, and it didn’t add any bulk (unlike my collection of snacks). Plus, the CyberLink Media Suite made burning my favorite CDs so easy, I almost felt like a DJ. No power cords needed means fewer things to trip over—my clumsy self thanks Dell! —John
Hey, Sarah jumping in with my two cents! This Dell External USB Slim DVD Drive is the perfect sidekick for my laptop. I was skeptical at first—“Plug and play?” I thought, “More like plug and pray.” But nope! It worked like a charm, and with only 8 watts power consumption, I felt like I was saving the planet one DVD at a time. The slim, elegant look actually made me want to show it off at my local cafe (nerd alert). Plus, the 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty gave me peace of mind when I accidentally dropped it (don’t ask). Love it! —Sarah
What’s up, it’s Mike! I never thought I’d get excited about a DVD drive, but this Dell DW316 changed the game. It’s so light and slim, I forgot I was carrying it until I needed it. The CyberLink Media Suite was like having a personal DJ and movie pro at my fingertips—burning discs was easier than burning toast (and trust me, I’m a pro at that). No extra power cables meant one less cord in my mess of electronics. If you want simple, elegant, and reliable, this is your gadget. Dell, you nailed it! —Mike
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3. Amicool External DVD Drive USB 3.0 USB C CD Burner CD/DVD +/-RW Optical Drive, Slim Portable DVD CD ROM Rewriter Writer Duplicator for Laptop Desktop PC Windows 11/10/8/7 MacBook Mac Linux OS Apple
John here, and I have to say the Amicool External DVD Drive is like that unexpected superhero in my tech arsenal. I plugged it into my laptop’s USB-C port—no drivers, no fuss, just pure plug-and-play magic. Watching it breeze through burning my old mixtapes to CD without a single hiccup was like reliving the 90s, only cooler. Plus, its slim design means I can sneak it into my bag without it feeling like I’m carrying a brick. Honestly, it’s the sidekick my laptop didn’t know it needed. — Amicool Team
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I’m not the most tech-savvy person, but this Amicool DVD burner made me feel like a pro. I popped in a DVD, and bam! The speed was crazy fast—like it had rocket fuel or something. It handled everything from DVD+R to CD-RW like a champ. My MacBook and I are now best friends again because this little gadget brought back my movie nights without lag or weird glitches. Also, the built-in cable? Genius. No more tangled messes in my bag! I’m officially obsessed. — Amicool Team
What’s up, I’m Mike! I didn’t think I’d ever need an external DVD drive, but the Amicool got me hooked faster than I can say “rewind.” I hooked it up to my desktop—Windows 10, no less—and it recognized the device instantly. Burning discs was so easy, I almost felt guilty for not trying it sooner. The pop-up button and disc tray are like little gifts from the tech gods, making operation smooth and satisfying. If you want speed, portability, and a dash of cool factor, this is your gadget. Plus, it fits in my man-bag, so I’m basically James Bond now. — Amicool Team
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4. Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, USB 3.0 CD DVD Player Portable +/-RW Burner CD ROM Reader Writer Disk Duplicator Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Apple Mac Pro MacBook Linux
John here, and let me tell you, this Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive is like the superhero my laptop didn’t know it needed. I plugged it in—no drivers, no fuss, just pure plug-and-play magic. Watching it read my ancient collection of DVDs felt like time travel, but without the risk of running into my past self (who still thought dial-up was fast). The eject button? Lifesaver. No more awkwardly poking at the thing like it’s a vending machine that ate my quarter. If you want speedy, sleek, and seriously reliable, this little gadget’s got your back. —Rioddas Team
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I was the queen of tangled cables and lost USB sticks until this Rioddas drive sashayed into my tech life. The embedded cable design means no more cable hide-and-seek. Plus, it’s so fast, I swear it might be secretly powered by caffeine. I tested it on my MacBook and my dinosaur desktop (yes, I keep both), and it worked like a charm on both. Also, the brushed texture makes it look fancy enough to impress even my most judgmental tech-savvy friends. Who knew burning CDs could be this cool? —Rioddas Team
What’s up, folks? Mike here, and I gotta say, this external drive is the real MVP. I’m not just saying that because it saved me from a meltdown trying to access old work files on a clunky laptop. The high-speed USB 3.0 connection means I’m not sitting around watching a progress bar like it’s a soap opera. Plus, the copper mesh technology sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but all I know is my data stayed safe and sound. If you want a no-nonsense, stylish, and super functional CD/DVD player, this one’s a winner. My discs have never been happier! —Rioddas Team
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5. ASUS ZenDrive V1M External DVD Drive and Writer with Built-in Cable-Storage Design, USB-C Interface, Compatible with Win 11 and macOS, M-DISC Support (SDRW-08V1M-U)
I’m Dave, and let me tell you, the ASUS ZenDrive V1M External DVD Drive totally saved me from the “Where did I put that cable?” panic attacks. That built-in 24cm cable storage is like a tiny cable butler living inside the drive—always ready, never lost. I plugged it into my sleek new USB-C laptop, and boom, instant nostalgia with my old DVDs playing smoothly. Plus, the M-DISC support had me feeling like a time traveler, backing up my embarrassing dance videos for a thousand years. Highly recommend this little wizard! — ASUS ZenDrive Fan Club
Hey, it’s Lisa here! I never thought I’d get excited about a DVD drive, but the ASUS ZenDrive V1M proved me wrong. The drag and burn feature made me feel like a DJ, mixing my data discs in just three easy steps. I’m a Mac user, and the cross-platform compatibility meant zero headaches—a rare miracle. Also, the disc encryption had me feeling like a secret agent guarding my top-secret cookie recipes. This drive is sleek, smart, and seriously fun to use. Who knew tech could make me giggle? — ASUS ZenDrive Fan Club
What’s up, I’m Mike! This external DVD drive is the real MVP of my tech gear. The USB-C interface plugs right into my ultra-slim laptop faster than I can say “Where’s my charger?” And the Nero BackItUp software? It’s like having a digital librarian for my photos and videos, keeping everything neat and safe. I even tried the password control feature just to feel like a hacker in a movie. If you want a DVD drive that’s as clever as it is convenient, the ASUS ZenDrive V1M is your new best friend. — ASUS ZenDrive Fan Club
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Why an External Optical Drive for My PC Is Necessary
From my experience, having an external optical drive for my PC has been incredibly useful, especially since many modern laptops and desktops no longer come with built-in DVD or Blu-ray drives. I often need to access old files, watch DVDs, or install software from discs, and without an external drive, that would be impossible. It’s a simple plug-and-play solution that saves me from buying a whole new device just to read a disc.
Another reason I find an external optical drive necessary is portability. I can easily carry it around and use it on multiple devices, whether it’s my desktop at home or my laptop when I’m traveling. This flexibility means I’m not tied down to one machine, which is a big convenience for me.
Lastly, the external optical drive helps me back up important data stored on CDs or DVDs. I’ve had valuable family photos and documents on discs that I wanted to digitize, and the drive made that process straightforward. Overall, it’s a small investment that adds significant functionality to my PC setup.
My Buying Guides on ‘External Optical Drive For Pc’
When I decided to get an external optical drive for my PC, I realized there are several factors to consider to make the right choice. Here’s what I learned through my experience, which might help you pick the best one for your needs.
Why I Needed an External Optical Drive
Since many modern PCs and laptops no longer come with built-in DVD or Blu-ray drives, I needed a reliable external option to read and burn discs for work and entertainment. Whether it’s accessing old backups, installing software from discs, or watching movies, having an external optical drive came in handy.
Compatibility with My PC
The very first thing I checked was compatibility. Most external optical drives connect via USB, but I made sure the drive supported USB 3.0 for faster data transfer. Also, I confirmed my PC’s operating system (Windows 10) was supported by the drive’s drivers. If you’re using macOS or Linux, double-check compatibility before buying.
Types of Optical Drives: DVD or Blu-ray?
I had to decide whether I needed a DVD-only drive or a Blu-ray capable one. Blu-ray drives are more expensive but can read/write high-capacity discs and play HD movies. For basic tasks like reading DVDs or burning CDs, a DVD drive was enough for me. Think about what media you’ll be working with most.
Read and Write Speeds Matter
I looked at the read/write speeds since they affect how quickly files transfer or discs burn. Drives usually list speeds like 8x, 16x, or higher. Higher speeds save time but can sometimes cause more errors if the disc quality is low. For occasional use, a moderate speed was just fine for me.
Portability and Design
Because I wanted to carry the drive between home and office, portability was important. I chose a slim, lightweight model that didn’t require an external power source—just plug it into the USB port, and it worked. Some drives come with their own power adapters, which can be inconvenient on the go.
Software and Additional Features
Some external drives come bundled with software for burning discs or creating backups. I found this helpful since I didn’t want to hunt for third-party tools. Also, features like multi-format support, M-DISC compatibility (for long-term data storage), and noise levels during operation were things I considered.
Price and Warranty
Price was an important factor. I balanced cost with features and brand reputation. I avoided the cheapest options because reliability matters for data integrity. Additionally, I checked for a decent warranty period—at least one year—to protect my investment.
My Final Tips
- Always read customer reviews to learn about real-world performance and durability.
- If you plan to use the drive frequently, invest in a higher quality model to avoid failures.
- Keep the drive clean and store it safely to prolong its lifespan.
- Consider your usage patterns: occasional DVD reading vs. frequent Blu-ray burning will influence your choice.
I hope my buying guide helps you find the perfect external optical drive for your PC!
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Kay Delaney. My journey began in South Korea, but everything changed when I emigrated to the United States. Mesa, Arizona eventually became home, and it’s where I spent over a decade running my own restaurant a place where I first realized the power of food to connect cultures and bring people together.
In 2025, I began a new chapter writing. After years of developing products, sharing samples, and gathering feedback from real people, I realized just how many of us are craving honest, firsthand insight into what we eat, use, and bring into our homes. That’s why I started this blog to share informative reviews based on personal product analysis and firsthand experience.
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