Today, external storage systems are prevalent, such as USB sticks and hard drives, which are getting smaller and more performing. Of course, this evolution has often hurt the further spread of burners, once widely used for storing files on media such as CDs and DVDs.
However, those who do not trust the durability of hard drives or practical USB sticks may still prefer the use of these products to secure photos, videos, and essential documents.
Right here we had listed out the best external cd drives. These drives are compatible with both Windows and Mac.
- 📀【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...
- 📀【Plug and Play Technology】Powered by USB port so just plug it into your USB port and the DVD driver will be detected....
- 📀【Advanced USB3.0 Technology】 USB 3.0 provides fast data transfer speed and stable performance to record CD/ music/ videos/...
- 📀【Ingenious Design】 This ultra-slim CD/DVD player for laptops equipped with an eject button so that you needn't worry about...
- 【External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop Mac】Considering that most of the latest laptops and desktop computers have not been equipped...
- 【Plug and Play CD/DVD Drive for PC】No extra driver program is required, just plug the USB type-A or type-C connector on the...
- 【Multifunctional CD/DVD Drive Burner】It's not only a DVD and CD-ROM, but also a writer player burner recorder ripper,...
- 【Wide Compatibility】This USB external CD/DVD drive is compatible with all versions of Mac, Linux, and Windows 11/ 10/ 8.1/ 7/...
- 【High-Speed USB 3.0 2-In-1 Data Cable】USB 3.0 is an updated version of USB 2.0 that provides faster data transfer rates of up...
- 【Plug and Play】No extra driver program is required, as easy as using an internal optical drive. Just plug this external CD DVD...
- 【What You Can Do With It】This is a full-featured CD & DVD disk reader writer rewriter burner recorder, you can use to play...
- 【Wide Compatibility】Compatible with Multi-OS including Windows 11/ 10/ 8.1/ 7/ Vista/ XP, Linux, and all versions of Mac OS....
- 【USB 3.0 High-Speed Data Transfer】USB 3.0 is an updated version of USB 2.0 that provides higher data transfer rates of up to 5...
- 【Compact and Portable】Come with a thicker protective storage carrying case bag, you can easily carry this slim external...
- 13mm for ultra slim and light
- Mac/PC Support
- Includes USB 2. 0 and Type-C cables
- Nero BackItUp function for Android Devices
- DISC Encryption II for password-controls and hidden-file functionality
- 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...
- High speed. Compatible with USB3. 0 and backwards compatible with USB2. 0 , bringing faster data transmission speed (up to a...
- Intelligent tech. Designed with eject button so that you never have to worry about your disc getting stuck inside this external...
- Trendy design. Brushed texture shell brings trendy sight and touch enjoyment. Embedded cable design, worry- off cable missing any...
- Wide compatibility. Ideal for various devices. It supports Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8. 1/10, Linux, all version Mac OS system. For...
- 【Easy to Use】Just plug it into the USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port, this external CD/DVD player will be recognized by your computer...
- 【Compatible with Multiple-OS】 Compatible with Windows 11/ 10/ 8.1/ 7/ XP, Linux, and Mac OS, so you can use it on Windows...
- 【Multiple Functions】You can use this external CD/DVD +/-RW drive to play movies DVDs, burn/rip mp3 CDs, copy photos, install...
- 【Reliable Performance】This premium USB CD/DVD drive is equipped with a 100% new loader, which has powerful error correction,...
- 【CD/DVD Reader & Writer】This is a CD/DVD player, reader, writer, rewriter, recorder/burner, which supports multiple CD/DVD...
- 【External CD DVD Drive for Laptop Mac】As most modern laptops and desktop computers no longer come equipped with internal...
- 【Plug and Pay CD/DVD Drive for PC】No extra driver program is required, just plug the USB type-A or type-C connector on the...
- 【Multifunctional CD DVD +/-RW Drive】This is a full-featured external CD and DVD reader writer rewriter burner recorder ripper....
- 【Wide Compatibility】This USB CD/DVD drive is compatible with all brands of Windows 11/10/ 8.1/ 7/Vista/ XP or Linux laptops...
- 【Additional USB Hub】This ROOFULL A41-SU can not only read, burn, and copy CD and DVD discs, but also be used as a USB hub,...
- The sleek, compact USB SuperDrive.
- Whether you’re at the office or on the road, you can play and burn both CDs and DVDs with the Apple USB SuperDrive. It’s...
- Only slightly bigger than a CD case, the Apple USB SuperDrive slips easily into your travel bag when you hit the road and takes up...
- You’ll never have to worry about lost cables with the Apple USB SuperDrive. It connects to your Mac* with a single USB Type-A...
- The Apple USB SuperDrive is compatible with Mac models from 2008 and later that don't have a built-in optical drive.
- 【EXTERNAL CD DRIVE FOR LAPTOP】- Considering that most of the latest laptops have not been added to the built-in CD/DVD drive,...
- 【USB 3.0 HIGH-SPEED DATA TRANSFER】- CD Burner with high speed USB 3.0 technology, many of the port cluster connectors are...
- 【SUPPORT CD & DVD BURNING】- The optical drive supports reading and writing of CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, VCD, and...
- 【8 IN 1 USB HUB】- Our external drive can not only burn and read CD DVD, but also can be used as a external laptop usb hub,...
- 【ULTRA SLIM & PORTABLE DESIGN】- This external disk drive is very slim and lightweight and the embedded data cable is easy to...
- PLUG AND PLAY: The CD/DVD drive external USB 3.0 and USB-C ports and doesn't require an external driver or power supply.Just plug...
- HIGH WRITING AND READING SPEED: The Type-C & USB 3.0 CD/DVD external drive offers Max 8x DVD Rewrite Read Speed and Max 24x CD...
- WIDE COMPATIBILITY&MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS: This external dvd cd drive is compatible with Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10,Linux OS,all...
- RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: This disk drive is made of high-quality materials, shockproof, low noise and strong fault tolerance...
- SLIM AND EXQUISITE DESIGN: This CD/DVD drive is well designed with a subtlety and ultra-thin machine size. You can easily put this...
External Cd Drive Buyer Guide
If you need a burner, but your computer doesn’t have one, don’t worry. There are numerous models on the market with an excellent relationship between the quality offered and the sale price.
Take a look at our ranking at the bottom: you will find a review of what are the best devices for us for this year. First, however, let’s examine some features in the guide that will help you get a clearer idea of the product you are about to buy.
Type and Technology
Most modern computers tend to eliminate the disc player inside, which could also be useful for installing programs, watching DVDs, or creating backup media. The best brand recorders differ from the others because they are also compatible with Blu-ray.
Therefore, if you have a collection at home that you have decided to burn or just to watch when you have time, this is the type of reader/burner that could be right for you. The others, those who only read/burn CDs and DVDs, however cheaper, risk proving to be a bad investment.
As for technology, the most sophisticated models are equipped with a system capable of supporting 2D-3D conversion.
In other words, they manage to provide further depth to the images, and the impression for the user will be to enjoy a three-dimensional film or show, almost as if he were at home or in the cinema wearing glasses.
Of course, the level of realism does not go that far but remains, however, higher than the two dimensions.
During the read/write phase, many burners generate an annoying noise that could become inappropriate in the late evening or in environments where silence is required, such as a library.
That’s why the models most appreciated by consumers are those that, thanks to the latest technologies, can read and write on the disc in an incredibly silent way, ideal for using them always and everywhere.
Compatibility and Use
Not all burners are compatible with any operating system, so compare prices and performance but check if the model you like is suitable for the version of Windows or Mac you have.
Usually, these devices are straightforward to use because they are plug & play, so just connect them, and the operating system immediately recognizes them. There is no need to download programs or install drivers, ideal for those who are not a technology expert.
Sometimes you may have to burn a disc that is not in perfect condition. In this case, a device that can continue playback even in the presence of scratches, fingerprints, damaged areas, and incorrect data could be useful.
Many times, finally, users complain of excessive slowness in burning, and, in this case, you may prefer models with USB 3.0 technology for a much faster data transfer.
Other Characteristics
Among the other features that could have a weight to choose your burner, there is the supported capacity, especially for those who want to buy a Blu-ray compatible model. In this case, the most capable devices are the so-called BDXL with a storage capacity that allows you to write even up to 128 GB.
The design could be another critical element both from an aesthetic and functional point of view since light and the compact burner is more natural and more comfortable to carry.
Finally, if you want to protect files, in particular, you may appreciate the function that allows you to hide them or the possibility of entering a password or, better yet, the presence of both.
How to Use an External Burner?
How to Keep a Cd or Dvd?
The average length of CDs and DVDs will vary based on the burn process and where they are stored. It is usually recommended to store them in places that are not excessively humid or subject to extreme temperature changes.
Given the right premises, a CD can last much longer than modern mechanical hard drives that often run into problems with reading and writing.
Even comparing them with USB sticks, they come out with their heads held high. The latter, in fact, in contact with several computers could be infected with dangerous viruses that act without the user noticing.
Types of Burners
On the market, you will find two types of burners: internal and external. In this article, we will cover only the latter, as they are much easier to connect to your computer, be it desktop or laptop.
The operation is straightforward. First of all, place the recorder on a stable shelf that is not subject to shocks of any kind. This precaution is to prevent errors from being created when writing to CD or DVD, making it impossible to read the medium.
Wiring
Now take the power cord, if it is provided, and connect it to the power outlet. You just have to use the USB cable to interface the recorder with your computer.
As a rule, since they are Plug & Play systems, all you have to do is wait for the automatic installation of the drivers. However, if a different procedure is indicated in the instruction booklet, we invite you to follow it carefully.
It may be necessary to access the manufacturer’s website to download the updated drivers needed for the correct functioning of the device.
Burning Software
Once you have completed this essential step, you will have to obtain a burning software or use the fundamental one of Windows.
It is possible to find free, performing and reliable ad hoc programs, however, our advice is to buy a dedicated one, perhaps equipped with a wizard (automated procedure) to guide you step by step in your first burns.
CDs and DVDs
Also, don’t forget to buy quality CDs and DVDs, to ensure that your files are safe and don’t deteriorate prematurely.
For convenience, create a folder on the desktop and insert all the files you want to transfer to CD or DVD inside, taking care to check the size of the folder from time to time to understand when to stop. For a CD, it would be preferable to be around 600 MB, while, for DVDs, about 4 GB.
