10 Best External Optical Drives in The UK

Last updated on 09/09/2025

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Verbatim

Verbatim Blu-Ray DVD-Drive 43888 - External - Black

28% Off

Why We Love It

Broad compatibility with various discs.
Fast burning for efficient use.
Compact, lightweight, and portable.

Main Highlights

The 4K Ultra HD Slimline External Blu-ray Burner is compatible with a wide range of optical discs. From a 100 GB BDXL all the way down to a 700 MB CD
Fast burning – Standard DVDs are burned at 8x, single-layer and two-layer Blu-ray discs at 6x, and BDXL discs at 4x
For the successful organisation, burning and archiving of important files. Different streaming options allow one to play movies, photos or slideshows on different devices
The compact and lightweight Blu-ray writer is not much larger than a DVD and can be taken anywhere – this is handy, for example, for playing Blu-ray discs while travelling

ASUS SDRW-08U9M-U external ultraslim 8X DVD writer, USB Type C + Type A cable, Mac Compatible, 13.9mm Ultraslim, M-DISC support, Disc Encryption, NERO Backitup, E-Green, E-Media

3% Off

Why We Love It

Compact size for easy portability.
Reliable model ensures durability.
Ideal dimensions for convenience.

Main Highlights

90DD02A0-M29000
Package Dimensions: 6.4 L x 18.4 H x 18.2 W (cm)
SDRW-08U9M-U/BLK/G/AS/P2G
Model Number: SDRW-08U9M-U/BLK/G/AS/P2G

New External Blu-ray Drive, 7 in 1 BD External Blu Ray Drive USB 3.0 & Type-C BD/CD/DVD +/-Rw Reader Player 3D Blu Ray Burner Writer, Slim Optical Bluray Drive for Laptop Mac OS Windows XP/7/8/10/11

16% OffFree Shipping

Why We Love It

Versatile 7-in-1 functionality included.
Stylish RGB LED enhances aesthetics.
Portable and lightweight for convenience.

Main Highlights

【7-in-1 Blu-ray Drive】Custom Catch external Blu-ray CD DVD drive not only reads CD DVDs, but can also be used as an external USB hub for your laptop, including 4 USB ports, 1 SD card slot, 1 TF slot, 1 Micro-USB power port, compatible with USB hard drives, limited/wireless mice and keyboards, computer coolers and Compatible with USB hard drives, limited/wireless mouse and keyboard, computer coolers, and other USB computer accessories. (Note: SD port and TF port cannot be used at the same time, only one can be selected at a time.)
【Cool RGB LED Light】The external blu optical drive is equipped with the latest design of RGB LED light. The cool RGB LED indicator light can cycle through gradient colours, it makes the ordinary external Blu-ray CD drive more stylish and cool.
【Excellent Blu Ray DVD Drive】Our external Blu-ray drive features greater storage capacity and faster read and record speeds than typical DVD drives. The Blu-ray DVD burner features an advanced high-speed 3.0 interface with a maximum speed of 5 Gbps.In addition, the Type-C interface has strong error correction, shock resistance and low power consumption, ensuring stable and reliable data transfer, so you can enjoy the convenience of data storage and backup.
【Wide Compatibility】This USB 3.0 external Blu-ray drive is compatible with a wide range of operating systems for laptops/desktops/Macbooks, compatible with Windows XP/7/8/10/11 and all versions of Mac OS. It supports BD/DVD/CD/3D playback up to nearly 4K resolution. The Blu-ray drive can read DVDs, CDs and is compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. (Note: Blu-ray drive does not play 4K Ultra HD discs)
【Slim and Lightweight Design】This portable blu ray burner has a slim and lightweight design, easy to carry and store, can be easily put into your travel bag, briefcase. The included non-slip rubber pad prevents the optical drive from sliding on the desktop, embedded cable design for easy storage and space saving. Perfect for business trips, travelling and other occasions to carry an external Blu-ray drive.
【Quality After-sales Service】You will receive: 1 x USB 3.0 and Type-c Blu-ray drive, 1 x Micro-USB power port cable (plug not included), 1 x user manual. Custom Catch is committed to providing customers with quality service. If you encounter any problems when using our external Blu-ray burner, please feel free to contact us for help, we will solve your problem promptly and efficiently within 24 hours.

Hitachi-LG GP60 External DVD Drive, Slim Portable DVD Burner/Writer/Player for Laptop, Windows and Mac OS Compatible, USB 2.0, 8x Read/Write Speed - White

Why We Love It

Superior data protection longevity.
Silent, optimal multimedia playback.
Multifunctional with sleek design.

Main Highlights

Play your media on your laptop, PC or digital photo frame by simply connecting the drive with a USB cable (USB 2.0 interface compatible with USB 3.0)
M-DISC Support: M-Discs have been tested and proven to outlast standard DVD's, offering superior data protection with greater longevity for photos, videos and data files
Silent Play Technology: Helps reduce noise during playback by adjusting the playback speed to the optimal performance for different multimedia
Super Multi Compatibility: Reads and writes DVD+/-R, DVD+/-R DL, DVD-RAM and CD-R discs in one convenient package -with an 8x DVD+/-R write speed
Windows 11 and MAC OS compatible, sleek and lightweight design, product weight: 200 g

ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U LITE external 8X DVD writer, Mac Compatible, M-DISC support, Disc Encryption, Unlimited Webstorage(12 months), NERO Backitup, E-Green, E-Media

Free Shipping

Why We Love It

High speed writing and rewriting.
Excellent read and access times.
Compatible with Windows 8.1.

Main Highlights

Optical drive type: DVDR/RW, interface: USB 2.0, optical disc diameter: 80.120 mm
CD write speed: 24x, CD rewrite speed: 16x, DVD+R write speed: 8x
CD read speed: 24x, DVD+R read speed: 8x, DVD-R read speed: 8x, DVD drive average random access time: 160 ms and CD-ROM drive average random access time: 140 ms
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 8.1

External DVD Drive, 7 in 1 USB C Portable External CD DVD Drive for Laptop, with 2.5’ SATA SD/Micro SD Card Reader Compatible, CD/DVD Reader for Laptop/Windows/Linux/Vista/Imac/Macbook

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Why We Love It

Versatile all-in-one functionality.
High-speed data transfer capabilities.
Compact design for easy portability.

Main Highlights

【7 in 1 CD/DVD Drive】 The external CD DVD drive for laptop has come with a separate SD and Micro SD card slot, 1 × SATA 2.5’ hard drive port, 3 × USB 2.0 ports, 1 × CD/DVD slot. It can transfer photos and videos directly from SATA/SD card into the computer, USB Hard Drive and flash drive. CD drive has additional 3 USB ports which can be used to connect the U disk and charge your phone or other electronic devices.
【Efficient and Stable】 External USB DVD drive supports SATA ports with up to 5 Gbps transfer rate. DVD read and burn maximum speed is 8x and CD maximum speed is 24x.
【SATA and CD/DVD Drive】Mutual burning operations are feasible between SATA & CD drives, as well as between SD & CD drives. Perfect for data recovery tasks, digital archiving projects, and streamlining your workflow while helping maintain a tidy workspace.
【Plug and Play】 This CD DVD drive converter, no need to install software, plug and play! Simply connect the USB to your laptop or computer and the CD DVD burner drive will start working. Supports DC 5V peripheral power supply, which can effectively improve the stability of product operation; (comes with 1 × USB Type A to C 90cm Cable, 1X USB Type A to C 80cm Power Cable)
【Wide Compatibility】 This external cd dvd drive for laptop is compatible with Windows XP / 2003 / Vista / 7 / 8.1 / 10/11, Linux, all versions Mac OS system, laptop , Notebook, pc, desktop computer. (This external cd drive is not compatible with ipad, tablet, tv, cars, smartphone, Chrome OS, blu ray disc, projector.)
【Compact and Portable】 Slim and compact, with a separate cable for easy organization and convenience, this external hard drive fits easily in your laptop bag and is perfect for home, office or anywhere.

External CD DVD Drive for Laptop USB 3.0 USB C CD Drive External DVD Drive Portable CD ROM Burner Reader Writer Drive External DVD Player for Laptop Desktop PC Windows 11/10/8/7 MacBook Mac OS Linux

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Why We Love It

Multi-functional with card slots.
High-speed USB 3.0 connection.
Wide compatibility across systems.

Main Highlights

【6 in 1 External CD Drive】Kadlun external CD DVD drive for laptop has an independent SD / TF card slot, It can transfer photos and videos directly from SD / TF card into the computer, USB Hard Drive and flash drive. CD drive has additional 1 USB 3.0 ports and 3 USB2.0 ports. which can be used to connect the U disk and charge your phone or other electronic devices.（NOTE: SD card and TF card can't work together at the same time, only choose one each time.The removable hard disk drive is available only for USB 2.0 ports, not for USB 3.0 ports.）
【USB 3.0 & Type-C】The dvd drive external can easily connect to a computer with the Type-C or USB 3.0 interface. Just plug it into your USB port and the DVD drive will be automatically recognized within seconds. Our CD DVD drive makes it possible to cover all of your burning and playback needs, such as burning files, burning music and movies on CD or DVD, installing software and creating backup CDs, watching DVD / CD movies.
【Wide Compatibility】 This external cd dvd drive for laptop is compatible with Windows XP / 2003 / Vista / 7 / 8.1 / 10/11, Linux, all versions Mac OS system, laptop , Notebook, pc, desktop computer. In addition, for the desktops, this Kadlun CD DVD drive must be connected to the USB port on the back of the computer host.（This external cd drive is not compatible with ipad, tablet, tv, cars, smartphone, Chrome OS, blu ray disc, projector.)
【High Speed】Dvd player for laptop with USB 3.0 port offers you the high data transmission speed up to 5Gbps which is 10X faster than USB 2.0. CD reading and writing speed is up to 24x and 24x respectively. DVD reading and writing speed is individually up to 8x and 8x. The excellent transmission speed makes your work productively.
【Convenience of DVD reader】This Kadlun cd drive is made of Aviation Aluminum and original new core. It has perfect functions, such as noise reduction, shockproof, fast Speed, robust & durable, and error correction. The data cable is hidden in this external cd dvd drive for laptop. You’ll never have to worry about lost cables with this external CD drive at any time. You can put this DVD drive in your travel bag or on your desk.

External CD DVD Drive for Laptop USB 3.0 Type-C Slim Portable Player CD DVD RW Writer Reader Burner, Low Noise Optical External Disk Drive for Desktop, PC, Mac OS,Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/2003/Vista/Linux

5% OffFree Shipping

Why We Love It

High-speed and expansive compatibility.
Portable and user-friendly design.
Quality after-sales service provided.

Main Highlights

2-In-1 USB 3.0 & Type-C: Our External CD DVD drive for laptop has upgraded USB and Type-C ports, compatible with USB 3.0 and backwards compatible with USB 2.0 USB 1.0, provide up to 5 Gbps of data ransfer and reading speed, 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The data cable can be stored on the back of the drive, without need to worry about losing the data cable.
Plug and Play: CD burner is powered by USB port, no external driver and power needed. Simply plug it into your laptop or desktop computer and you're ready to go. Whether you need to listen to music, watch movies, install software, or burn files, external DVD drive for laptop practical enough to meet your burning and playback needs.
Dual Chip & High-Speed Performance: The external CD drive for laptop features a dual-chip design, which not only provides strong error correction and low power consumption, but also delivers impressive speeds, with a maximum DVD read speed of 8X and CD read speed of 24X. The non-slip rubber pad on the bottom of the external CD & DVD drives ensures stability, abrasion resistance and shock absorption.
Slim and Portable: Our lightweight DVD player for laptop is perfect for your laptop. The external CD drive features an eject button that allows you to insert and remove discs easily, you can say goodbye to the hassle of getting stuck inside the disc. You can easily carry this external disc drive with you - just put it in your bag and you can connect it anywhere.
Wide Compatibility: This CD drive supports CD, VCD, SVCD, CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, and burn CD+/- RW, DVD+/- RW, etc. externally. In addition, USB CD drive external is compatible with Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, Partial 11, 2003, Vista, Linux, all version Mac OS system, suitable for Laptop, Notebook, Mac, PC and Desktop.(Note: Incompatible with partial Windows 11; Do not support Chromebook and Ubuntu system, Blu-ray, 3D, 4K discs, TV, car, truck, iPad, iPhone, and Android phone.
Warm Tips: Package includes: 1 x USB 3.0 and Type-C drive, 1 x User Manual. Please read the instructions carefully before use. To ensure proper operation, please connect the power and wait for the indicator light before pressing the button to open the tray and load the disc.We are responsible for the external disk drive orders placed in our store within 24 months, if you have any problem with our DVD drive, please feel free to contact us for help and we will resolve your questions or concerns within 12 hours

PeroBuno External CD DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Type-C Optical Drive, 0.5-inch Ultra-Slim Portable DVD CD ROM Disc Player Reader Writer Rewriter Burner Recorder for Laptop PC Macbook Windows Linux Mac OS

15% OffFree Shipping

Why We Love It

Ultra-slim design, perfect for travel.
Plug and play convenience.
High-speed data transfer rates.

Main Highlights

【Ultra-Slim & Portable External DVD Drive】Only 13mm thickness，Lightweight, compact design perfect for travel, work, or home use. Fits easily in your bag! And it's the perfect companion for ultra-thin laptops!
【Plug & Play External CD Drive】No external power or drivers needed. Simply connect via USB for instant reading/writing. 2-in-1 USB A and USB C cables are built into the bottom of the usb dvd drive, so you can take them out whenever you need them and plug them back in after use,saying goodbye to carrying extra annoying cables.
【High-Speed USB 3.0 Disc Drive】Delivers fast data transfer (up to 5Gbps) and smooth CD/DVD reading and burning (backward compatible with USB 2.0). The usb disc drive provides up to 8x DVD read/write speed and up to 24x CD read/write speed.
【Wide Compatibility External Disc Drive】The external dvd burner is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000/98/SE/ME, Mac OS, and Linux (Ubuntu is not supported).This external cd/dvd drive for laptop supports CD+/-R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD+/-R/RW, DVD+/-R DL, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, VCD, and SVCD. Note: Blu-ray discs are not supported.
【Multi-Functional Usb Disk Drive】Perfect for installing software, system, games, playing movies, music, burning discs, or backing up files.
【Buy with Confidence】All PeroBuno external optical drives are rigorously tested before shipment to ensure optimal condition. If the disk drive you received does not work properly for any reason, please contact us and we will definitely help you solve any product problems. PeroBuno provide up to 2 years of after-sales guarantee.
【Things to Know Before You Buy】① This disc player needs to be connected to a laptop or desktop to start working, so it is not compatible with cars, TVs, projectors, tablets, iPads, mobile phones, PS 4/5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Chrombooks, Surface, Ubuntu systems, or Blu-ray discs. ② Due to limitations of Mac OS, the tray can't be opened by the button after playing or burning a disc. To eject a disc on a Mac, right-click the desktop icon and select "Eject", or select "File" > "Eject" from the menu. ③ For desktop computers, connect the cd reader to the USB port on the back of the computer motherboard.

Rioddas External CD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable CD/DVD +/-RW Drive Slim DVD/CD ROM Rewriter Burner for Laptop Desktop PC Windows and Linux OS Apple Mac Macbook Pro

35% OffFree Shipping

Why We Love It

Easy Plug & Play setup.
High-speed, fault-tolerant performance.
Wide device and system support.

Main Highlights

【PLUG & PLAYP】Easy to use. Rioddas external DVD drive is powered by USB port.No external driver and power needed. Just plug it into your USB port and the DVD driver will be detected.
【TRENDY DESIGN】 Brushed texture shell brings trendy sight and touch enjoyment. Embedded cable design, worry- off cable missing any when and where
【HIGH SPEED】 Rioddas external CD drive floppy is compatible with USB3.0 and backwards compatible with USB2.0 USB1.0,bringing you faster data transmission speed (up to a maximum of 5Gbps) and stable performance with strong fault tolerance
【INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY】 This ultra slim CD/DVD player floppy for laptops comes standard with an eject button so that you never have to worry about your disc getting stuck inside this external CD/DVD drive. Thanks to the copper mesh technology of this external component, you can be rest assured of stable data transmission
【WIDE SUPPaORT】Rioddas external CD Drive supports to read CD,VCD,SVCD,CD-R/RW,DVD-R/RW and burn CD+/-RW,DVD+/-RW, etc. Advanced chip, DVD-/+RW burner supports playing music, movies or copying/burning movies and music to DVD or CD.ideal for various devices,Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8.1/10, Linux, all version Mac OS system Laptop, Notebook, PC, Desktop Computer.

8.7

Excellent

Save 35%

We scanned 1671 products

We reviewed these offers relevant to the External Optical Drives within online retailers such as Amazon, eBay and other local retailers, ensuring we covered all major brands and models. The products we selected come from trusted brands like Verbatim, ASUS, EOKEKE, LG, SUIDEK, Kadlun, Darbony, PeroBuno, Rioddas, all of which have a reputation for consistently delivering high-quality products that users love and innovative approaches for function & design.

For the best External Optical Drives in the market, we considered we took a deep dive into 8356 online reviews , focusing on elements like user satisfaction, performance in real-world conditions, and long-term reliability. Our ranking also evaluates each review’s relevancy, authenticity, up-to-dateness and depth so that the comparison is more sound.

We concluded that:

The clear winner of our analysis is Verbatim Blu-Ray DVD-Drive 43888 - External - Black. We love many things about this product by Verbatim. What sets it apart from the competition is Broad compatibility with various discs. , Fast burning for efficient use. , Compact, lightweight, and portable.
The best value product for most shoppers and where user satisfaction is continuously the highest is ASUS SDRW-08U9M-U external ultraslim 8X DVD writer, USB Type C + Type A cable, Mac Compatible, 13.9mm Ultraslim, M-DISC support, Disc Encryption, NERO Backitup, E-Green, E-Media by ASUS based on online reviews by bloggers, experts and online shoppers.
The biggest bargain at the moment for External Optical Drives and the best cost-to-value ratio is Rioddas External CD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable CD/DVD +/-RW Drive Slim DVD/CD ROM Rewriter Burner for Laptop Desktop PC Windows and Linux OS Apple Mac Macbook Proat Rioddas with a 35% discount.
Our list of the best External Optical Drives is updated regularly to reflect new releases and changes in product availability, so be sure to check back often for the latest rankings and discounts.

10 Best External Optical Drives in The UK

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We scanned 1671 products

We concluded that: