Best optical drives November 2026
Finding the right optical drive makes it easy to burn discs, archive data, and play physical media. This independent comparison outlines top external DVD and Blu-ray drives based on burning speed, portability, and format support. Compare key features to pick the best model for your desktop or laptop setup.
Last updated: 1 November 2026
The list is unchanged since the last update.
Optical Drives for computers: Top 5
1
Asus BW-16D1X-U
from £279.951 store
from £279.95
1 store
2
Asus SBW-06D2X-U
from £99.992 stores
from £99.99
2 stores
3
Verbatim Slimline CD/DVD Writer
from £27.3413 stores
from £27.34
13 stores
4
Verbatim Slimline Blu-ray Writer
from £134.996 stores
from £134.99
6 stores
5
Asus BW-16D1H-U Pro
from £194.991 store
from £194.99
1 store
The Asus BW-16D1X-U is a high-performance external Blu-ray writer built for fast disc creation and serious archiving. It delivers 16x write speeds on BD-R discs alongside broad support for BDXL and archival M-Disc media. Its desktop-sized housing makes it best suited for a permanent workstation rather than travel.
Pros
Fast 16x Blu-ray write speed
Supports BDXL and M-Disc formats
High-speed USB 3.0 interface
Burns CD, DVD, and Blu-ray media
Cons
Heavy desktop unit at 1.16 kg
Requires substantial desk space
The Asus SBW-06D2X-U is a portable slim external drive that burns Blu-ray, DVD, and CD media on the go. It supports high-capacity BDXL and M-Disc Blu-ray media in an ultra-compact package weighing just 0.34 kg. While convenient to carry, it connects via USB 2.0 and maxes out at 6x Blu-ray writing speeds.
Pros
Compact and lightweight at 0.34 kg
Supports BDXL and M-Disc Blu-ray
Burns Blu-ray, DVD, and CD
Includes LabelTag disc labelling
Cons
Relies on slower USB 2.0 interface
Limited to 6x Blu-ray write speed
The Verbatim Slimline CD/DVD Writer is an ultra-slim external drive tailored for everyday DVD and CD tasks. Weighing only 0.3 kg, it fits effortlessly into a laptop bag for quick disc reading and writing. It lacks Blu-ray support, making it an option strictly for standard DVD and CD media.
Pros
Lightweight and slim design at 0.3 kg
Supports M-Disc DVD burning
LabelTag technology support
Compatible with PC and Mac
Cons
No Blu-ray read or write support
Capped at 8x DVD write speed
The Verbatim Slimline Blu-ray Writer packs comprehensive optical media support into a featherweight 0.22 kg chassis. It reads and writes Blu-ray, DVD, and CD formats, while accommodating Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and BDXL media. Its slim build prioritizes maximum portability over top-tier desktop burning speeds.
Pros
Extremely light at only 0.22 kg
Supports Ultra HD Blu-ray and BDXL
Burns CD, DVD, and Blu-ray media
Supports M-Disc DVD and Blu-ray
Cons
4x Blu-ray read speed is relatively slow
6x maximum BD-R write speed
The Asus BW-16D1H-U Pro is an external optical drive engineered for demanding burning and archiving tasks. It delivers 16x BD-R writing speeds, USB 3.0 connectivity, and complete compatibility with BDXL and M-Disc formats. Due to its half-height desktop chassis and 1.16 kg weight, it belongs in a dedicated desktop workspace.
Pros
Fast 16x Blu-ray write speeds
Supports BDXL and M-Disc media
USB 3.0 connectivity
Low access times across all formats
Cons
Heavy 1.16 kg desktop form factor
Large footprint requires desk space
Compare specifications
| Location | External | External | External | External | External |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burns DVD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Burns Blu-ray | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| Blu-ray | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
