Table of Contents

6 Best External CD Drive For Ripping

1. Pioneer Electronics BDR-XD07B

This DVD drive for laptops by Pioneer is one of the best options that let users burn their essential data to CD, Blu-ray, or DVD media. This drive assists users to write or read all Blu-ray Disc Extra Large (BDXL) discs at a quick speed without any trouble. The weight of this device is 230 gm and its size is 133 mm x 133 mm. These dimensions make the device easy to move and carry without any trouble.

The drive uses micro USB 3.0 to transmit data quicker to a CD or DVD from the laptop. The device provides long-term data protection using a Millennial Disc (M-DISC). It can be used on Mac OS and Windows. This external CD/DVD drive comes with free software for burning discs. It offers almost 6x writing speed on BD-R (Blu-ray recordable disc) and BD-R DL (Blu-ray dual-layer). The device creates very less noise when it is running. It is one of the best options for a laptop that has a slim and good design.

PROS
 It is lightweight and compact.
 It supports dual-layer Blu-ray discs.
 It allows users to burn data onto Blu-ray discs.
 This external disk drive does not need any extra power source.
CONS
 DVD reads the data very slowly.
 There have been occasional complaints about driver compatibility.
 It lacks any internal storage for temporary files.
 
 

2. LG Electronics 8X USB 2.0 DVD Writer Drive

The LG Electronics 8X USB 2.0 DVD Writer Drive is a reliable, compact external DVD player for laptops that allows easy burning of important files. With enough storage capacity for approximately 27 DVDs or 5 Blu-ray discs, it supports both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connections. Its simple Mini USB connection eliminates the need for an external power source, enhancing portability. Measuring just 14.22 cm x 13.72 cm x 1.52 cm, with a slim 0.55-inch profile, this drive takes up minimal space, making it ideal for use on-the-go.

Equipped with Silent Play technology, this drive reduces noise during operation by automatically adjusting the disc speed for optimal performance. This drive is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems and comes with pre-installed software, so no additional tools are needed for disc burning. Overall, this is one of the best options available for a compact, high-performance CD/DVD player.

external cd drive:2. LG Electronics 8X USB 2.0 DVD Writer Drive

PROS
 The drive writes to a variety of disc formats.
 It typically supports both Windows and Mac.
 You can also connect it with a TV.
 It can be easily used with a laptop.
CONS
 It does not provide support for Blu-ray discs.
 It may not meet the needs of users looking for faster write speeds.
 Limited read/write capabilities.

3. ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive

The ASUS USB CD drive is one of the best DVD Blu-ray and CD drives that provides 16 times faster speed for data writing. It offers Mac OS and Windows compatibility using USB 3.0. This is one of the best options for an external disc drive that has a diamond-like design for a luxurious look and clean aesthetics. The device burns DVD with an elective encryption feature for the protection of privacy. This is one of the best options that allow maximum data memory of 128 GB in one disc. It is packed with software that assists you to streamline the burning process. This device has a dimension of 9.5 x 2.5 x 6.5. inches, which is too huge, hence it might consume more space.

The device can be used easily with a laptop and computer. This device provides online backup solution for Android smartphones and tablets. It has a bulky weight of 2.60 lbs. This is one of the best options for Mac that shows support for M-DISC. It also allows you to protect your videos, data, and photos.

PROS
 It provides USB 3 cable support.
 ASUS Blu-ray drives operate quietly.
 It is faster compared to other DVD ROMS.
 Suitable for high-definition content and large file backups.
CONS
 Potential compatibility issues.
 More expensive than standard DVD drives.

4. Amicool USB 3.0 Type-C

This external optical drive by Amicool is one of the best disc writer and readers that can be used easily with a laptop or desktop. It is compatible with a wide range of operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. This external drive provides 24X CD and 8X DVD read speed, which is good to load a huge amount of info from the disc. The device is one of the best options that has a dimension of 6.19 x 6.11 x 1.06 inches.

The lightweight and slim design of this device allow you to move and carry it around easily. This external drive does not have burner software. Hence, users need to buy it separately. It is simple to use as users just need to plug it into a USB port of their laptop or computer. If your computer does not have an internal drive, then this device is a good option to consider.

PROS
 USB 3.0 supports data transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps.
 USB-C not only supports data transfer but can also deliver power and video output.
 USB Type-C connectors tend to be more robust than traditional USB connectors.
CONS
 Some legacy devices may not support it.
 Do not support TV/projector/car/tablet/Chrome/smartphone.

5. Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316

This device by Dell is a plug-and-play drive that can be utilized using an USB port. This device has preloaded software for burning. The good thing about this device is that it does not need any batteries or power cords to work. This external drive for Windows and Mac operating systems can be used with a laptop easily. It comes with software that allows you to burn audios, videos, and images easily to a disc. This is one of the best options for Mac that utilizes a USB 2.0 interface.

PROS
 You can play both CDs and DVDs.
 It provides a good CD and DVD writing speed.
 This device helps with the easy transfer of your large data without any hassle.
CONS
 Not Suitable for Blu-ray discs.
 DW316 has only basic functionality.
 Sometimes the drive stops spinning without any error message.

6. ASUS ZenDrive

The ASUS external drive has a 13mm thickness, which makes it a very portable disk storage device. This device provides 24x CD and 8x DVD write speeds. It provides Mac and Windows compatibility using a USB 2.0 connection. The dimension of this device is 7.1 x 7 x 2.4 inches. Hence, it is easy and lightweight to carry from one place to other. This is one of the best devices that offers support for M-DISC which is good storage that defends your photos, videos, and data for almost 1000 years.

This device comes with built-in software for burning. It can be used easily with any laptop. The device provides powerful features to burn your essential data. On the other hand, this device does not provide support for Blu-rays.

PROS
 Compatible with most laptops and desktops.
 The plug-and-play functionality ensures easy setup and usability.
 Some models come with bundled software for burning and managing media.
CONS
 It does not compatible with the USB 3.0 port.
 LSlower read/write speeds compared to flash drives.

Bonus: Use DVDFab DVD Ripper for Ripping DVDs

Not every external DVD drive comes with an in-built ripping and burning tool. Also, not every tool is good at burning and ripping your data. Hence, you need a software that can be reliable and able to perform good. The tool must support almost all formats and must be compatible with all types of devices. DVDFab DVD Ripper helps in converting videos to more than 1000 video and audio formats supported by popular devices.

DVDFab DVD Ripper
Features:
  • Rip DVDs to any video & audio in 1:1 original quality.
  • Use the Profile Filter and Advanced Settings to customize the video.
  • Convert DVD subtitles to SRT file via OCR technology.
  • Trim videos, add watermarks and more with built-in video editor.
  • Get 50x faster DVD ripping speed with GPU acceleration.
  • Compress video size but preserve quality for any mobile device.
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100% safe&clean
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How to Rip Copy-protected DVD using DVDFab DVD Ripper?

Step 1: Download and install DVDFab 13. Click the Ripper module on the main screen.

Step 2: Click the + button on the main screen to upload the source file. You can also drag and drop the file to upload it. You can also insert the DVD you wish to rip into the drive. In addition to this, you can also navigate by using the Add option.

external cd drive: Use DVDFab DVD Ripper for Ripping DVDs

Step 3: Tap Choose Other Profile and click on the Format option.

best external cd drive for ripping

Step 4: Next, click the Video option to convert videos to different formats. Users can also extract subtitles from DVD to SRT format, select audio tracks/language, or add external subtitles.

Step 5: In addition to this, users can also set audio and video parameters as per their requirements using the Advanced Settings section and Video Edit section. 

best external cd/dvd drive for pc

Step 6: After adjusting the parameter, click the Start option to digitize DVD collection.

external cd drive: Use DVDFab DVD Ripper for Ripping DVDs

Tip: Use PlayerFab DVD Player To Play Your Burned Discs

If you do not find your choice of external DVD drive, users can also use a media player that can be able to play their favorite movies and TV shows. An ideal player is needed that can be able to play TV shows and movies from ISO/ folders and DVD discs. One such player is PlayerFab DVD Player. The tool comes with different features. Below are some features that make it worthy to try. Have a look:

  • Region-Free DVD Playback: The tool can play DVD discs regardless of their region code, ensuring compatibility with discs from all over the world.
  • Main Movie Mode: It allows for playback of DVDs in Main Movie Mode, enabling users to enjoy the primary content without additional distractions.
  • Fluent Playback with Advanced Technology: Utilizing Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA technology, the tool ensures smooth and seamless playback of DVD content.
  • Local Media Library Organization: It can organize and manage the local media library through a visually appealing poster wall, making navigation easy and intuitive.
  • Comprehensive Format Support: The tool supports playback of various video and audio formats, including DVD ISO files or folders, ensuring versatility in media consumption.
  • Metadata Management: It offers features for auto-downloading multilingual metadata and allows users to manually edit metadata, enhancing the organization and presentation of media collections.

external cd drive:Tip: Use PlayerFab DVD Player To Play Your Burned Discs

FAQs

Can external DVD drives burn CDs?

Yes. Most external DVD drives are designed to read and write multiple types of discs, including CDs, DVDs, and sometimes Blu-ray Discs. If the external DVD drive is labeled a "CD/DVD burner" or "burner," it will have the ability to burn CDs. Just make sure you have the appropriate CD media (such as CD-R or CD-RW) and the necessary software to perform the burning process.

Why are optical drives not used anymore?

Optical drives tend to consume much space, therefore making computers heavy, which is not attractive anymore. In addition to this, discs do not have the same storage ability as external hard drives or USB flash drives. There are also security problems with the Blu- Ray format that stops some users from buying it.

What is the fastest DVD Ripping tool?

DVDFab DVD Ripper software is the high-speed ripper program that is available for windows and Mac devices. This tool allows users to burn DVD, CD, and Blu-Ray disks very easily even the newbies can also use the tool due to the simple UI it offers.

Conclusion

We just had a look at the top 6 external DVD drives that you can use for your Windows PC and macOS. In addition, we also saw that DVDFab DVD Ripper software can be used to rip or burn any discs. The tool helps in converting DVD to more than 1000 video and audio formats supported by popular devices. Moreover, users can use PlayerFab DVD Player to play TV shows and movies from ISO/folders and DVD discs.