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10 Best External Cd Drives 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

LG Electronics BDXL Drive - External, Black (WP50NB40)

LG Electronics BDXL Drive - External, Black (WP50NB40)

LG

10.0 score

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The LG Electronics BDXL WP50NB40 is a solid choice if you want an external drive that can read and write not only CDs and DVDs but also Blu-ray discs, including the larger BDXL format. It connects via USB 2.0, which is compatible with most PCs but is slower compared to newer USB versions, so transfers might take a bit longer. Its read speeds are decent: 24X for CDs, 8X for DVDs, and 6X for Blu-rays, with writing speeds slightly lower but still good for everyday use. The drive is quite portable, weighing under 10 ounces and slim enough to carry around easily, and it draws power directly from the USB port, so you don’t need an extra power adapter.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,109
Read and Write Speeds
Power Source
Compatibility

Most important from
1394 reviews

Read and Write Speeds
The drive reliably writes 50GB Blu-ray discs without errors, even during extensive backup jobs involving over 100,000 files.
Power Source
Using two USB ports or supplementing with a USB wall charger helps maintain sufficient power and prevents errors during use.
Compatibility
Once firmware is adjusted, the drive works flawlessly for ripping 4K UHD movies, making it a great choice for personal media collections.
#2
9.7 score

ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive with 16x Writing Speed and USB 3.0 for Both Mac/PC Optical Drive BW-16D1X-U

ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive with 16x Writing Speed and USB 3.0 for Both Mac/PC Optical Drive BW-16D1X-U

ASUS

9.7 score

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The ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive BW-16D1X-U is a versatile external optical drive that excels in several key areas. Its standout feature is the super-fast 16x Blu-ray writing speed with BDXL support, which allows for storing up to 128 GB of data. This makes it an excellent choice for users who need to handle large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

Rating
9.7
Compatibility
Read and Write Speeds
Supported Formats

Most important from
2361 reviews

Compatibility
The setup was straightforward on Windows, and the build quality is solid with quiet operation even during long burn processes.
Read and Write Speeds
The extra speed of this drive makes CD ripping much less painful, significantly faster compared to other models.
Supported Formats
This drive is perfect for archiving large amounts of data or video onto Blu-ray, performing exactly as needed with no issues.
#3
9.1 score

BUFFALO MediaStation Desktop 16x External Blu-ray Writer for PC with USB 3.0. TAA Compliant. Plays and Burns Blu-Rays, DVDs, and CDs.

BUFFALO MediaStation Desktop 16x External Blu-ray Writer for PC with USB 3.0. TAA Compliant. Plays and Burns Blu-Rays, DVDs, and CDs.

BUFFALO

9.1 score

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The BUFFALO MediaStation Desktop Blu-ray Writer is a solid choice if you need a reliable external drive for reading and writing Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs. It supports both Windows and Mac, covering most computer users. With USB 3.0 connectivity, it offers fast data transfer, so burning or playing discs won’t feel slow. The write speeds are quite good—up to 16x on Blu-ray and DVD—meaning it handles data quickly for its category. A unique benefit is its support for high-capacity Blu-ray discs up to 128 GB, which is great if you need to store large files or backups. It also comes with CyberLink Media Suite software to help you play and burn discs easily.

Rating
9.1
Compatibility
Connection Type
Read and Write Speeds

Most important from
463 reviews

Compatibility
Supports Windows 10 seamlessly, making it a reliable replacement for older drives that lack modern OS support.
Connection Type
USB 3.0 connectivity delivers snappy performance, making video playback and disc burning much faster than older USB 2.0 drives.
Read and Write Speeds
Despite its larger desktop size, the drive handles state-of-the-art BDXL writing speeds that slim drives can’t match.
Portability
High-quality build with a durable, hard plastic shell that feels comparable to a decent laptop.
Power Source
Lacks a dedicated power-off button, so the unit powers down only when the connected PC is shut down.
Supported Formats
The drive reads Blu-rays and DVDs flawlessly and is very easy to use—just insert a disc, and it quickly processes it.

Top 10 Best External Cd Drives 2026 in the United States

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Haiway

Haiway Aluminum External Blu Ray Drive, Support 25G Disc Read/Write Bluray Drives, USB 3.0 and Type-C Portable 3D Blu-Ray BD DVD CD Burner for Laptop PC Compatible with Mac OS Windows XP/7/8/10/11

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#1

Winner

10.0  score
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LG

LG Electronics BDXL Drive - External, Black (WP50NB40)

Compatibility: Windows 7, 8, 8.1
Connection Type: USB 2.0
Read and Write Speeds: Read: 24X CD, 8X DVD, 6X Blu-ray
Portability: 9.6 oz, slim
Power Source: USB powered
Supported Formats: CD, DVD, Blu-ray, BDXL

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Chosen by 1109 this week

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Slide 1

Haiway

Haiway Aluminum External Blu Ray Drive, Support 25G Disc Read/Write Bluray Drives, USB 3.0 and Type-C Portable 3D Blu-Ray BD DVD CD Burner for Laptop PC Compatible with Mac OS Windows XP/7/8/10/11

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#2
9.7  score
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ASUS

ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive with 16x Writing Speed and USB 3.0 for Both Mac/PC Optical Drive BW-16D1X-U

Compatibility: Mac, PC, Windows XP to 10, macOS
Connection Type: USB 3.0
Read and Write Speeds: 16x Blu-ray writing speed
Portability: 9.5 x 2.5 x 6.5 inches
Supported Formats: BDXL

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#3
9.1  score
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BUFFALO

BUFFALO MediaStation Desktop 16x External Blu-ray Writer for PC with USB 3.0. TAA Compliant. Plays and Burns Blu-Rays, DVDs, and CDs.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Connection Type: USB 3.0
Read and Write Speeds: Read 12x BR/DVD/CD, Write 16x BR/DVD/CD
Portability: Desktop-style, 2.65 pounds
Power Source: USB powered
Supported Formats: Blu-ray, DVD, CD, BDXL 128GB

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#4
9.1  score
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Portable External USB DVD Drive Compatible for Microsoft Windows 11/10/8.1 etc, Mac OS, Dell,Acer, ASUS, Apple, Samsung, Lenovo Laptop PC Desktop, CD/DVD-RW Drive, CD-RW Rewriter

Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Connection Type: USB
Read and Write Speeds: 24x CDs, 8x DVDs
Portability: Portable, lightweight, compact
Power Source: USB power
Supported Formats: DVD-R, USB, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW

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#5
8.5  score
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Verbatim

Verbatim External Slimline CD/DVD Writer - USB 3.2 Gen1 with USB-C Connection incl. USB-C to USB-A Cable - Compact Design - External DVD Writer - External CD-Drive - Slim Design

Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.6, Windows 10
Connection Type: USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C, USB-A
Read and Write Speeds: 8x DVD, 24x CD
Portability: Compact, lightweight, slim, DVD case
Power Source: USB powered
Supported Formats: DVD, CD, MDisc

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#6
8.2  score
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BUFFALO

BUFFALO 6X Portable Blu-ray Drive, TAA-Compliant, Read/Write, Plays and Burns BD/DVD/CD, USB 3.2 (Gen 1) Type-A/Type-C, Compatible with Mac/PC/Win 8 / Win 10 / Win 11 / Laptop/Desktop

Compatibility: Windows 10, 11, macOS
Connection Type: USB 3.2 Type-A and Type-C
Read and Write Speeds: 6x Blu-ray, 8x DVD
Portability: Compact, lightweight, ultra-slim
Power Source: USB bus powered
Supported Formats: Blu-ray, DVD, CD, M-DISC

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#7
7.6  score
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Lenovo

Lenovo External USB 3.0/2.0 ( 4XA0E97775) Slim Portable DVD Burner In The Lenovo Retail Sealed Packing for X1 Carbon And Yoga

Compatibility: Windows 7, 8, 8.1
Connection Type: USB 3.0 and 2.0
Read and Write Speeds: 8x DVD speed
Portability: Slim, 8.3 ounces
Power Source: USB powered
Supported Formats: DVD and CD

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#8
7.0  score
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LG

LG 8X Ext USB DVD

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#9
7.0  score
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Dell

Dell External USB Ultra Slim DVD +/-RW Slot Drive (44TV1)

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#10
7.0  score
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HP

HP External Portable Slim Design CD/DVD RW Write/Read Drive, USB, Black (F2B56AA)

Compatibility: Windows 10, 7, 8, Vista, XP, macOS
Connection Type: USB
Read and Write Speeds: 24x CD, 6-8x DVD
Portability: Portable, lightweight, slim
Power Source: No external power needed
Supported Formats: DVD-R, DVD+RW, CD-R, M-DISC

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Buying Guide for the Best External Cd Drives

Choosing the right external CD drive can be a bit overwhelming, but with the right information, you can find the perfect one for your needs. External CD drives are useful for reading and writing CDs, and they can be a great addition to your computer setup, especially if your device doesn't have a built-in CD drive. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting an external CD drive, along with explanations to help you make an informed decision.
CompatibilityCompatibility refers to whether the external CD drive can work with your computer's operating system, such as Windows, macOS, or Linux. This is important because an incompatible drive won't function properly with your device. To navigate this, check the product specifications to ensure it supports your operating system. If you use multiple devices with different operating systems, look for a drive that is compatible with all of them.
Connection TypeThe connection type determines how the external CD drive connects to your computer. Common connection types include USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB-C. This is important because it affects the data transfer speed and compatibility with your computer's ports. USB 3.0 and USB-C offer faster data transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0. If you have a modern computer with USB-C ports, you might prefer a USB-C drive for faster performance and convenience. However, if your computer only has USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports, make sure the drive is compatible with those.
Read and Write SpeedsRead and write speeds indicate how quickly the drive can read data from or write data to a CD. This is important for efficiency, especially if you frequently transfer large files. Read and write speeds are measured in 'x' (e.g., 24x, 48x). Higher speeds mean faster performance. If you need to burn CDs often or transfer large amounts of data, look for a drive with higher read and write speeds. For occasional use, standard speeds should suffice.
PortabilityPortability refers to the size and weight of the external CD drive, which affects how easy it is to carry around. This is important if you plan to use the drive on the go or with multiple devices. Smaller, lightweight drives are more portable and convenient for travel. If you need a drive for home or office use and don't plan to move it often, portability might be less of a concern.
Power SourceThe power source determines how the external CD drive is powered. Some drives are powered through the USB connection, while others require an external power adapter. This is important for convenience and portability. USB-powered drives are more convenient and portable since they don't require an additional power source. However, if you need a drive with higher performance, an externally powered drive might be necessary. Consider your usage scenario to decide which power source is more suitable for you.
Supported FormatsSupported formats refer to the types of CDs the drive can read and write, such as CD-R, CD-RW, and audio CDs. This is important to ensure the drive meets your specific needs. If you need to read or write a variety of CD formats, look for a drive that supports multiple formats. For basic use, a drive that supports standard CD-R and CD-RW formats should be sufficient.

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