Best Optical Drives October 2026
Compare the best optical drives to find the ideal match for backing up files, watching movies, or burning discs. Our independently ranked list highlights top performers across internal and external models to help you pick the right features for your setup.
Last updated: 6 October 2026
Optical Drives for computers: Top 5
1
Asus BW-16D1X-U
from £158.064 stores
from £158.06
4 stores
2
Verbatim Slimline Blu-ray Writer
from £127.997 stores
from £127.99
7 stores
3
LG BU40N
from £143.691 store
from £143.69
1 store
4
Asus BW-16D1H-U Pro
from £194.992 stores
from £194.99
2 stores
5
Asus SDRW-08D2S-U Lite
from £27.968 stores
from £27.96
8 stores
The Asus BW-16D1X-U is a high-speed external Blu-ray burner designed for heavy-duty archiving and media playback. It offers rapid 16x BD-R writing alongside broad support for long-term M-Disc storage and high-capacity BDXL discs. Its full-size desktop enclosure makes it best suited for a permanent workstation setup.
Pros
Fast 16x Blu-ray write speeds
Supports BDXL and M-Disc media
Fast USB 3.0 connectivity
Works with both PC and Mac
Cons
Bulky and heavy at 1.16 kg
Requires a dedicated desk space
The Verbatim Slimline Blu-ray Writer is an ultra-portable external drive built for users on the move. Weighing just 0.22 kg, it slips easily into a laptop bag while still offering support for Ultra HD Blu-ray, BDXL, and M-Disc media. It connects seamlessly over USB to both Windows and Mac computers without complicated setup.
Pros
Ultra-slim and lightweight at 0.22 kg
Supports Ultra HD Blu-ray and BDXL
M-Disc DVD and Blu-Ray compatible
Works on both Windows and macOS
Cons
Lower 6x Blu-ray write speed
Slower read speeds than desktop drives
The LG BU40N is an ultra-slim internal optical drive crafted specifically for laptops and compact PC enclosures. It supports writing across CD, DVD, and Blu-ray formats, including multi-layer BDXL and durable M-Disc storage. Its 9.5 mm form factor makes it a direct replacement option for compatible slim drive bays.
Pros
Compact 9.5 mm slim internal profile
Supports BDXL and M-Disc media
Lightweight design at 0.13 kg
4 MB built-in buffer cache
Cons
Requires internal SATA laptop installation
Modest 4x BD-R write speed
The Asus BW-16D1H-U Pro is a full-featured external drive designed for fast disc burning and comprehensive media handling. It reaches up to 16x write speeds on Blu-ray discs and supports high-density BDXL along with M-Disc archival formats. Built-in USB 3.0 ensures responsive data transfer for large video and data archives.
Pros
Fast 16x Blu-ray write speeds
Supports BDXL and M-Disc formats
Dual USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connectivity
Broad compatibility with PC and Mac
Cons
Substantial weight at 1.16 kg
Large footprint occupies desk space
The Asus SDRW-08D2S-U Lite is a compact, entry-level external DVD writer ideal for day-to-day disc tasks. It handles both CDs and DVDs with 8x DVD write speeds and offers disc labeling technologies such as LightScribe. Its slim profile makes it an accessible choice for modern laptops lacking built-in disc drives.
Pros
Compact and portable 0.3 kg build
Supports LabelTag and LightScribe
Plug-and-play USB connection
Available in multiple colors
Cons
No Blu-ray support
Limited to USB 2.0 speeds
Compare specifications
| Location | External | External | Internal | External | External |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burns DVD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Burns Blu-ray | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Blu-ray | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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.
