Optical drives in our range are mainly external USB DVD writers, plus some internal Serial ATA drives, for reading and burning CDs and DVDs on laptops and desktops without a built-in drive. Brands include DELL, ASUS, Lenovo and H.L Data Storage.
Most of the drives with listed specifications are tray-loading models in black or silver.
How to choose an optical drive
Internal or external. An internal drive fits a 5.25 inch or slim bay inside a desktop or laptop and needs no extra cable on your desk. Most drives in our range are external, which suits modern laptops and slim desktops that have no drive bay at all.
Interface. External drives in our range connect mainly through USB 2.0, with some on USB Type-C. A USB Type-C drive plugs straight into newer laptops that no longer have a full-size USB-A port. Internal drives use Serial ATA, so check that your motherboard has a free SATA port before buying.
Disc formats and write speed. Check which formats the drive can write, not only read. DVD±RW drives handle both plus and minus recordable discs, while DVD Super Multi DL models also write dual-layer discs, which hold more data. Many drives in our range write DVD-R at 8x, which is enough for ordinary backups and archiving.
Loading type and intended device. Tray loading is the most common design in our range, and a few drives load from the front. Slim drives are made for laptops and full-size drives for desktops, so match the drive to the machine it will serve, and check operating system support if you use a Mac or Linux.
Optical drive brands we carry
- DELL: the largest group in our range, with drives designed to match Dell laptops and desktops.
- ASUS: known for slim external DVD writers with USB connections that are easy to carry in a laptop bag.
- H.L Data Storage: the Hitachi-LG Data Storage joint venture, a major manufacturer of optical drives that are often fitted inside branded computers.
- LG: a long-established maker of internal and external DVD writers.
- Verbatim: best known for recordable discs, and it also offers external drives to go with them.
- LaCie: known mainly for external storage, with portable drives aimed at creative users.
Also in our range: Lenovo, HP Inc, Gembird, Xlyne, Intenso and Fujitsu Technology Solutions.
Optical drives: frequently asked questions
Do I still need an optical drive in a modern laptop?
Only if you work with physical discs. Most current laptops have no built-in drive, so an external USB DVD writer is the simplest way to install old software, copy discs, play films or archive files to disc.
Will a USB DVD drive work with a USB Type-C laptop?
Yes, if the drive has a USB Type-C connector or you use a suitable adapter. Drives with USB Type-C are in our range and connect directly. A USB 2.0 drive also works through an adapter, though the cable and adapter must supply enough power.
What does DVD Super Multi DL mean?
It describes a drive that reads and writes most CD and DVD formats, including dual-layer discs. Dual-layer discs store roughly twice as much as single-layer ones, which helps with larger backups. A DVD±RW drive covers the common formats but may not write dual-layer discs.
Can I fit an internal optical drive in any desktop?
No. The case needs a free drive bay of the right size, and the motherboard needs a spare SATA port and power connector. Many small-form-factor and newer cases have no bay, so an external drive is often the easier choice.
