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Remember your old music CD collection and discs full of family photo albums? While modern computers don't usually have CD drives, those discs still hold precious memories and valuable data—so you’ll need an external CD drive to bring them back to life.
An external CD drive is a device you can plug into your desktop computer or laptop using a USB cable to access data stored on CDs. They can be useful if you want to watch your favorite movie when you have no internet access, get better sound quality from a disc than most music streaming services can provide, or archive your most important files in a durable format. They’re also a great gift for gamers who want to play old-school PC games they can’t find online.
Many external CD drives cost less than $20, so it can be worth investing in one, even if you’re not sure exactly when you’ll use it. Plus, who doesn’t love a little Y2K gadget nostalgia? Here’s a look at the best external CD drives and what to keep in mind as you’re shopping for one of these old-school devices.
Best External CD Drives
- Best Overall: ROOFULL External CD Drive with Carrying Case
- Best Budget: YOTUO External DVD Drive
- Most Versatile: ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive
- Best Blu-ray Drive: PIONEER External Blu-ray Drive
- Manual Ejection: Dell Portable External DVD Drive
What to Consider
Most external CD drives work the same way — plug it in to your computer, pop in a disc, and the device will use a laser to read the data. However, there are some nuances from drive to drive that can make one a better option for you than another. Here are the factors to consider when buying an external CD drive.
Compatibility
An external CD drive doesn’t work as a standalone device. It needs to be plugged into a computer to run and read files. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure it’s compatible with the operating system of your desktop or laptop, whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. You’ll also want to make sure it has the right USB ports for your machine; otherwise, you’ll need to buy an adapter.
Disc Formats
The best external CD drives are capable of reading CDs that store music and files, as well as DVDs. If you’ve got a big collection of Blu-ray discs, you’ll want to look for an external CD drive that supports that disc format, too. These tend to be a little more expensive, but are worth it if you appreciate the quality of Blu-ray.
Ability to Rip and Burn
You can use an external CD drive to not only read data, but write (or burn) it onto discs, as well. If you want to store data on discs, check the specs of the drive to make sure it has the ability to write. You’ll also want to take a look at the write speed. Higher burning speeds not only save you time but also help reduce the likelihood of introducing errors to the data. Some external CD drives can also convert audio or data from a disc to your computer’s hard drive—a process called “ripping.” Check the drive’s specs to see if it has ripping capabilities.
Additional Features
Pay attention to other features of the external CD drive to make sure it fits your needs. A lightweight, durable drive may be important if you plan to take it with you while traveling for work or play. Some drives come bundled with software to make it easier to rip and burn CDs. Photographers may prefer an external CD drive with slots for SD cards to make it easier to transfer images. Think about how you plan to use the drive as you shop for a device.
How We Selected
To find the best external CD drives, we took a look at about 20 different options on Amazon. We primarily focused on those that could both read and write CDs (bonus points for fast burning speeds!), had compatibility with a wide range of operating systems, and supported a variety of disc types. We looked at customer reviews to get a sense of how people felt about each device. We also considered price when we came up with our final list so that there was an option at every budget.
Pros
Fast write speed- Wide compatibility with operating systems
- Includes protective carrying case
- Strong error-correcting technology
Cons
- Confusing instruction manual
- Does not read Blu-ray discs
Whether you want to read, burn, or rip data, this Rooful external CD drive has you covered. No need to install special software or drivers—this plug-and-play device is automatically recognized by your computer. You can use it to play classic PC games, digitize songs from your vintage CD collection, watch movies on DVD, and create backups of your digital photos with write speeds of up to 24x.
You don’t have to worry about it draining your laptop battery, either. While this external CD drive can be powered by your computer via the USB data cable, it also comes with a power supply cable that you can plug into another USB port in a wall outlet for more juice.
This device comes with a protective carrying case, so you can take it on a trip (or give it as a gift to a traveler). It’s also compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including all versions of Mac OS, most versions of Linux, and a huge range of Windows. Considering its high quality and relatively low price, this external CD player easily won out as our favorite of the bunch.
Key Specs
| Compatible systems | Windows 11/10/8.1/7/Vista/XP/98/SE/ME/2000, Linux, and all versions of Mac OS |
|---|---|
| Write speed | Up to 24x |
| Supported disc types | CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, VCD, and SVCD |
Pros
- Fast write speeds
- Easy to use
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Can be tricky to open
For an external CD drive that won’t break the bank, this option from Yotuo is a compelling device to consider. It offers write speeds of up to 24x, compatibility with all the most commonly used operating systems, and support for a huge range of disc types—all for a sub-$15 price tag.
The sleek, slim device clocks in at under a pound, so you won’t mind carrying it with you to and from the office or on the occasional work trip. It’s also extremely easy to use—it’s plug and play, no special software or plug-ins required.
The one downside is that the disc tray can be finicky. It sometimes pops open in the middle of reading a disc and can be tricky to open when you actually want to remove a disc. But given the low price point, this external CD drive has more pros than cons. It’s a smart option if you don’t want to splurge on a device that you’ll only use on occasion.
Key Specs
| Compatible systems | Windows 11/10/8/XP/2003/Vista, Linux, and all versions of Mac OS systems |
|---|---|
| Write speed | Up to 24x |
| Supported disc types | CD-ROM, CD-R, CD +/-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+/-RW, DVD-R DL, and VCD-ROM |
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Pros
- Four USB ports
- Can read SD cards
- Fast write speed
Cons
- Not compatible with old versions of Mac OS
This device from Origbelie is one of the best external CD drives available on Amazon thanks to its versatility. It has four USB ports (including both USB-A and USB-C), which allows it to be used as a hub for other devices, like keyboards and mice. Another thing we love about this external CD drive is its ports for TF cards, SD cards, and micro SD cards—just what you need to transfer photos and videos from your camera to your computer or burn a backup onto a disc. Speaking of which, don’t worry about waiting forever for your data to transfer. This external CD drive offers write speeds of up to 24x.
The product works with Linux, many versions of Windows, and Mac OS X 10.6 and above. This level of compatibility should work for most people, but if you happen to be running a very old operating system, you might want to shop around for a different option.
Overall, we recommend this external CD drive for people who want lots of versatility and access to many USB ports at once. It would also make a great gift for a photographer or videographer, since it takes SD cards.
Key Specs
| Compatible systems | Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.6 or above |
|---|---|
| Write speed | Up to 24x |
| Supported disc types | CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, VCD, and SVCD |
Pros
- Reads Blu-ray discs
- Slim and lightweight
- Coated in high-grade rubber
Cons
- Write speed could be faster
Looking for a gift for a movie lover? Consider this external CD drive from Pioneer, the brand that developed the LaserDisc. It’s equipped with Pure Read 4+ technology that can read Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs—even if they’ve been scratched or smudged—and make adjustments to play the data as close to the original as possible.
Adding to this drive’s giftability is its luxury feel. The clamshell-style design is coated with high-end rubber to resist scratches and offer a high-end look to a desk.
The maximum read and write speed is just 6x, so we wish it was a little faster, but that should be adequate for most use cases. On the upside, it comes with a USB-A to USB-C adapter, as well as an L-shaped USB cable, which allows the drive to be used on the left or right side of a laptop without getting in the way. It’s a high-quality, versatile external CD drive that you’ll find useful for years to come.
Key Specs
| Compatible systems | Windows 11/10/8.1, and Mac OS X 10.11 to 14 |
|---|---|
| Write speed | Up to 6x |
| Supported disc types | CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays |
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Pros
- Easy to use
- CDs can be ejected manually if necessary
- Fast write speed
Cons
- Pricier than other external disc drives
- Included DVD software may be out of date
Regardless of whether you use a Dell computer, the brand’s external CD drive can make a great companion to your home machine. It works with many versions of Windows, Linux, and all versions of MacOS, so you shouldn’t have issues with compatibility. It also supports regular CDs and DVDs, making it a great gift idea for both audiophiles and cinephiles.
The slim, lightweight design makes it easy to stash in a narrow desk drawer or take onon a trip. Tuck it in your suitcase and you’re good to go if you want to watch movies on a long train ride with spotty Wi-Fi.
And if creating mixtape CDs is your love language, you’ll appreciate this external CD drive’s write speeds, which range from 5x to 24x, depending on the type of data you’re burning. You can create an old-school music collection for all your friends and family in almost no time.
Key Specs
| Compatible systems | Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/2003/Vista, Linux, and all versions of Mac OS |
|---|---|
| Write speed | Up to 24x |
| Supported disc types | DVD+R, DVD-R, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW |
