LG Electronics 8X. Best Overall
The LG 8X is the boring, dependable, plug-it-in-and-it-works external drive. 8x DVD-R write speed, 24x CD-R, M-DISC support for archival burns. It draws power from a single USB-A connection. I have used three of these over the years and never had a failure.
Check price on Amazon →I plugged five external DVD drives into MacBooks, Windows laptops, and a Chromebook to find which ones still work flawlessly with modern computers in 2026.
DVDs and CDs feel ancient until you have to install old software, rip a wedding video your aunt mailed you, or burn a backup that has to play in a car stereo. I bought my first portable DVD drive in 2018 and since then I have tested half a dozen for various clients. Here are the five external DVD drives I would put on a desk in 2026 with confidence.
The good news: even though laptops stopped shipping with built-in optical drives years ago, the external accessory category is still very much alive, mature, and cheap.
Our methodology
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Side by side
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG Electronics 8X. Best Overall | Check price | ||
| Asus ZenDrive U9M. Best for Mac | Check price | ||
| Pioneer BDR-XD07B. Best for Blu-ray | Check price | ||
| Roof USB-C External DVD Drive. Best for USB-C Laptops | Check price | ||
| Dell DW316. Best for Windows Business Laptops | Check price |
The full reviews
LG Electronics 8X. Best Overall
The LG 8X is the boring, dependable, plug-it-in-and-it-works external drive. 8x DVD-R write speed, 24x CD-R, M-DISC support for archival burns. It draws power from a single USB-A connection. I have used three of these over the years and never had a failure.
Asus ZenDrive U9M. Best for Mac
The Asus ZenDrive U9M is plug-and-play on macOS without any driver install. The slim aluminum body matches a MacBook aesthetically, and it ships with Nero BackItUp software for Windows users who want a backup tool included.
Pioneer BDR-XD07B. Best for Blu-ray
If you need Blu-ray (especially for archiving large files to BDXL discs), the Pioneer BDR-XD07B is the gold standard. It writes BDXL up to 100 GB, supports M-DISC, and ships with a USB-A-to-USB-C cable in the box. The build quality is the best of any drive in this list.
Roof USB-C External DVD Drive. Best for USB-C Laptops
The Roof drive ships with a native USB-C cable, so on a MacBook Pro or modern Windows ultrabook you just plug in and go. No adapter needed. The bus-powered design means no separate brick. Build is plastic but reads and burns reliably at 8x DVD write speed.
Dell DW316. Best for Windows Business Laptops
The Dell DW316 is the OEM-branded option you see on a lot of business deployments. It is rebadged from a major drive maker, well-built, and the support footprint is solid if you are in a Dell-heavy organization. Write speeds are 8x DVD, 24x CD.
Frequently asked
Yes, with the right cable. Most external DVD drives ship with a USB-A cable, so on USB-C-only MacBooks you need a USB-A-to-USB-C adapter or a drive with native USB-C support.
Only if it is specifically a Blu-ray drive. Standard DVD drives read and write DVD and CD media only. Look for a model labeled Blu-ray if you need that format.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
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