Asus ZenDrive Black
Score: 73/100
Rioddas External DVD Drive
Score: 69/100Rankings
ASUS ZenDrive Black 13mm offers an ultra-slim, bus-powered DVD writer with M-DISC support and dual USB-C/Type-A cables, delivering 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds. However, its USB 2.0 interface limits transfer rates compared to newer drives. It is a good fit for users prioritizing portability and archival capability over high-speed data transfers.
The Rioddas external CD/DVD drive provides USB-3.0 connectivity, 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds, and a compact lightweight design with an embedded cable and Type-C adapter. It omits M-DISC support, offers no warranty, and the cable can be tight, which may affect reliability. It targets budget-conscious laptop owners and Linux enthusiasts needing basic optical functionality.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
— | 2 MBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 200 g | 199 gbest |
| ↓ lower better | 13.9 mmbest | 25.4 mm |
1 yearsbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | ||
Interface | USB 2.0 Type-C, USB 2.0 Type-A | USB 3.0 |
USB Standard | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
Features(2) | ||
Supported Media | DVD‑RAM, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, CD‑R, CD‑RW | CD-ROM, CD-R/RW, CD+R/RW, DVD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, dual-layer DVD±R DL |
M‑DISC Support | true | false |
Power(1) | ||
Power Source | Bus-powered | USB-powered |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 200 g | 199 g |
Thickness (mm) | 13.9 mm | 25.4 mm |
Form Factor | ultra‑slim | Portable |
General(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10; Mac OS X 10.6+ | Windows, Linux, macOS |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
No professional reviews from major tech sites were found. A single non‑professional YouTube reviewer confirmed the device is detected as a USB 3.0 drive on Ubuntu, operates the tray correctly, and successfully burns and plays DVDs, recommending it for its price and basic functionality.
Everyday users praise the drive's easy Linux compatibility, straightforward plug-and-play setup, and reliable basic DVD playback and burning. The most common complaint is a tight USB cable fit, and a few users note the lack of Blu-ray support as a limitation.
“It works good!”
“very cool, burns/plays DVDs”
