Rankings
The ORIGBELIE Ultra-Slim USB 3.0 CD/DVD Drive combines a feather-light 13 mm chassis with a 6-in-1 hub, Lightscribe and noise-reduction technology. Its reliance on USB-C power and optional RGB lighting are the main compromises. Ideal for travelers and creators who need a compact, feature-rich optical drive for legacy media.
The Roofull ECD829-Y external drive delivers USB 3.0 speeds, a retractable cable and broad OS support in a compact form. Its reliance on a USB-C adapter and absence of Blu-ray limit convenience for some users. It fits well for users with modern laptops needing reliable CD/DVD access.
The YOTUO External CD/DVD Drive is an ultra-slim, lightweight optical drive offering fast 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds via dual USB 3.0/Type-C connections. Its rugged flame-retardant shell adds durability, but detailed noise and heat specifications are lacking. Best suited for travelers and students needing a portable, reliable burner.
The Amicool External DVD Drive is a slim, USB-3.0 portable optical drive offering fast 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds with broad format support. Its lack of M-DISC compatibility and occasional power-related recognition issues limit its use for archival or low-power devices. Ideal for travelers and MacBook users needing a lightweight, bus-powered solution.
The Ziweo External DVD Drive is a portable, bus-powered optical drive offering dual USB-C and USB 3.0 connectivity with fast 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds. Its fixed cables and limited compatibility with certain devices such as Chromebooks and Ubuntu are notable drawbacks. Ideal for Windows and macOS laptop users needing a reliable, low-noise external drive.
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.
The Laurensory External DVD Drive offers fast USB 3.0 connectivity and dual USB-A/C ports, delivering solid CD/DVD speeds. Its larger size and limited compatibility with newer devices are notable trade-offs. Ideal for users who need a portable optical drive for laptops or desktops without built-in burners.
The Gotega External DVD Drive offers USB 3.0 speeds, 24× CD and 8× DVD write capability, and a quiet, shock-absorbing design with an embedded cable. Its drawbacks are a basic plastic build, lack of Blu-ray support, and limited compatibility with non-PC devices. It is ideal for casual users and travelers needing occasional CD/DVD access.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
24 xbest | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | 8 xbest | 8 xbest | 8 xbest | 8 xbest | — | 8 xbest | |
24 xbest | 24 xbest | — | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | — | 24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | — | 8 xbest | 8 xbest | — | 8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
2 MBbest | 2 MBbest | — | 2 MBbest | — | — | — | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 199 g | 332 g | 349 g | 207 g | — | 300 g | 30 gbest | 385.6 g |
| ↓ lower better | 25.4 mm | 17 mm | 25.4 mm | 13 mmbest | 20.3 mm | 17.5 mm | 16 mm | 27.9 mm |
— | 1 years | — | 1 years | — | 1.5 yearsbest | 1 years | 1 years |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||||||||
Interface | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0, Type-C | USB 3.0 |
Features(1) | ||||||||
Supported Media | CD-ROM, CD-R/RW, CD+R/RW, DVD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, dual-layer DVD±R DL | CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD-RAM | CD-ROM, CD-R, CD+/-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+/-RW, DVD-R DL | CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, VCD, SVCD, DVD±R/RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL | CD‑R, CD‑RW, DVD‑R, DVD‑R DL, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD‑RAM | CD/DVD | CD, DVD | CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-R DL, VCD-ROM |
Power(1) | ||||||||
Power Source | USB-powered | USB-powered | USB | USB-C | USB bus-powered | USB | — | — |
Build & Design(3) | ||||||||
Weight (g) | 199 g | 332 g | 349 g | 207 g | — | 300 g | 30 g | 385.6 g |
Thickness (mm) | 25.4 mm | 17 mm | 25.4 mm | 13 mm | 20.3 mm | 17.5 mm | 16 mm | 27.9 mm |
Form Factor | Portable | External portable | Portable | — | — | External | 2.5 inches | — |
General(2) | ||||||||
Warranty (years) | — | 1 years | — | 1 years | — | 1.5 years | 1 years | 1 years |
Operating System Compatibility | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10/11, Mac OS 8.6-10.14, Linux | Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista; Linux; Mac OS 10.6+ | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows 7/8/10/11, Mac, MacBook Pro/Air, Linux | Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/2003/XP/Vista/7/8/10; Mac OS 8.6-10.14; Linux (limited) |
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”
“really nice little guy, easy for travel, very lightweight”
Select Laurensory for the added convenience of an integrated cable; Gotega may be chosen for price or brand preference.
Professional reviewers commend the Amicool drive for its fast USB 3.0 data rates, plug-and-play simplicity across Windows and macOS, and the convenience of an integrated USB-A/Type-C cable, while noting the lack of Blu-ray support and limited compatibility with non-PC devices as the main drawbacks.
Everyday users appreciate the drive's cross-platform reliability, especially as a replacement for discontinued Apple optical drives, and praise its portability and ease of use; complaints are few but focus on occasional power-related recognition issues and the absence of Blu-ray capability.
Professional reviewers praise the Gotega drive for its lightweight, portable design, fast USB 3.0 data rates, and quiet operation aided by shock absorbers and anti-slip feet. They also commend its broad OS compatibility and plug-and-play simplicity, while noting the basic plastic construction, lack of Blu-ray support, and minor cable-management quirks as drawbacks.
Everyday users consistently highlight the drive's ease of use, quick read performance, and convenience for travel or occasional media tasks. Common praise centers on plug-and-play simplicity and portability, whereas recurring complaints involve cable storage issues, the absence of Blu-ray capability, and limited suitability for heavy-duty use.
Professional reviewers regard the ORIGBELIE drive as a versatile all-rounder that bridges the gap between modern USB-C laptops and legacy optical media. They commend its fast USB 3.0 throughput, integrated hub that cuts down on extra adapters, and its travel-friendly slim chassis, while noting the convenience of plug-and-play operation across major operating systems.
Everyday users praise the drive's portability, quiet operation, and the convenience of having a built-in USB hub and card readers in a single compact unit. Common positive themes revolve around its ease of use, cross-platform compatibility, and the ability to burn and read legacy discs without bulky equipment.
Professional reviewers consider the Ziweo drive a reliable and portable accessory, emphasizing its fast 24× CD/8× DVD speeds, 5 Gbps USB 3.0 transfer, dual USB-C/3.0 connectivity, and sturdy low-noise build, while noting the inconvenience of fixed cables and the lack of compatibility with Chromebooks, Surface Pro and Ubuntu.
Everyday users generally praise the drive for its quick and dependable disc burning, quiet operation, and ease of use on Windows and Mac laptops, but recurring complaints focus on occasional driver requirements, incompatibility with certain devices, and the fixed cable design.
Professional reviewers and editors commend the Roofull ECD819-SU3 for its proven reliability, real USB 3.0 speeds, and ultra-compact design, emphasizing its suitability for laptop users who need occasional CD/DVD access. They also note the necessity of a USB-C adapter, the absence of Blu-ray support, and the need for a rear USB connection on desktops as minor drawbacks.
Everyday users generally express strong satisfaction, highlighting reliable playback, fast and quiet reads, easy plug-and-play setup, and excellent portability. Recurring complaints focus on power instability on front USB ports, the extra step of using the USB-C adapter, and the lack of Blu-ray capability.
Professional reviewers commend the YOTUO drive for its ultra-slim, lightweight design, fast 5 Gbps USB 3.0/Type-C connectivity, solid 8× DVD/24× CD speeds, and rugged flame-retardant shell, describing it as a reliable, portable solution for modern laptops lacking built-in optical drives.
Consumers repeatedly praise the drive's portability, the protective fleece pouch, and the convenience of dual USB interfaces, while noting a lack of detailed information on noise and heat, which leaves some uncertainty about long-term comfort.
