Enjoy easy streaming without lags with our list of the best Blu-ray drives. Although many consider it obsolete, many movie companies continue to release their video content on Blu-ray discs. These were designed to replace the DVD format with the capacity to store high volumes of HD data. Modern-day laptops are devoid of built-in Blu-ray drives. However, the reader and burner still haven’t been replaced altogether in the digital age. Streaming has disadvantages that Blu-ray discs do not. They come with hours of video storage space to support excellent quality 7.1 surround sound systems. These are also well-capacitated to run quality 4K audio content, which is why we still need Blu-ray burners because of their extensive features that are yet to be replaced with a better alternative. If you’re searching for Blu-ray drives, here is a buying guide along with a list of the best ones that you could look into.
11 Best Blu-Ray Burners
1. Best Slot-Loading:Pioneer BDR-XS07S Blu-Ray Burner
The drive is specially constructed to offer quiet operation without sacrificing performance. It can be annoying to lose out on enjoying a nice movie only because of slight scratches and fingerprints on a disk. This is where this device by Pioneer shines as it is equipped with a PowerRead4+ technology that offers seamless playback of audio and video despite fingerprints and minor scratches. The drive can read and write all BDXL discs and even BD-R triple-layer up to a maximum of 100GB. The slot-loading mechanism used in this blu ray burner makes it easy and convenient to operate. Last but not least, most of the features baked into this gadget are automated, minimizing the effort on the part of the user. For a thorough review of the product, have a look at this YouTuber’s video. Pros
Long-term data protection Support for USB 3.1 Support for Type-C connector Slim form factor
Cons
Included software might be outdated
2. Best Portable:LG 6X WP50NB40 Blu-Ray Burner
The playback quality of a Blu-ray disc is only as good as the drive it was burnt in. This Blu-ray burner from LG offers 6x speeds for BD-R discs, 8x for DVD-R/+R, and 24x for CD-R. This external blu ray burner supports BDXL formats up to a maximum of 100GB. To function smoothly, one must have a computer with at least a CPU equivalent to an Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 and a GeForce 7600GT GPU. To ensure seamless playback, a system with 6GB RAM is recommended. Bundled with the main machine are a USB 2.0 cord, installation disc, 1 Blu-ray MDISC, and the supported software. Pros
Support for M-discs Compatible with Windows and Mac OS 4MB buffer size Slim and portable design
Cons
May lack proper driver support
3. Best Plug-And-Play:Guamar External Blu-Ray DVD Burner
The slim form factor of this external Blu-ray burner coupled with its dual USB ports and TF card reader support makes it one of the best on our list of the 11 best Blu-ray burners. On the front tray of the device is an easy-to-access button that controls the disc tray. Accompanying it is a light indicator. Thanks to its multi-function ability, one can burn a Blu-ray disc while simultaneously copying pictures or videos from an SD card to a computer. Well, the icing on the cake is that this device supports a 3-way DVD drive function. Pros
Plug and play device Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS 5-in-1 player USB 3.0 support
Cons
Might not be supported on all motherboards
4. Best Multi-Functional:NOLYTH 5-In-1 External Blu-Ray DVD Burner
This multi-functional Blu-ray burner has a shockproof and portable design. The machine is equipped with error correction and noise reduction technology to ensure smooth operation while minimizing the sound resulting from writing. The double optical heads on this NOLYTH Blu-ray burner offer an extra layer of protection by improving its durability. The disc ejection tray button is placed on the front of the device and is accompanied by a light indicator. The blue laser has a maximum write speed of 24x for CD-ROMs, 8x for DVDs, and 6X for BD-R discs. Pros
Support for USB 3.0 SD and TF card support Compatible with Windows, Linux, and MAC OS Support for 3D playing
Cons
May overheat from time to time
5. Best Anti-Shock:OSGEAR Blu-Ray Writer
The loading tray on this device by OSGEAR is placed at the front of the gadget and has a quick eject button with a light indicator. The device has a built-in USB cable for quick and effortless connections to PCs or laptops. This simple and easy-to-use external blu ray burner can be used for several purposes, including work, travel, and entertainment. Making operation even easier and safer is its plug-and-play design with an anti-shock body. The company has also made use of noise reduction technology to facilitate quiet operation. Pros
USB 3.0 compatible Type-C connector support Windows, Mac, and Linux compatible Portable design
Cons
Might not read past corrupted files
6. Best High-Speed Transfers:MthsTec External Blu-Ray DVD Burner
All it takes is a quick software installation to get your MthsTech Blu Ray burner up and running. This device boasts high-speed transfers through USB 3.0. The laser that burns information onto the pits of the disc works at a maximum of 24x for CD-ROMs, 6x for BD-ROM and BD-R discs. The quick and easy-to-use eject button is on the front of the disc tray. One of the highlight features of this machine is its error correction technology. A USB cable is safely housed beneath the unit through the use of 2 concealed wire groves. The company has equipped the burner with anti-slip rubber feet to ensure stability. Pros
Wide compatibility Fashionable light indicator Shockproof design Noise reduction technology
Cons
The attached USB cable might be too short
7. Best Scratch-Proof:MOGLOR External Blu-Ray DVD Drive Burner
This multi-functional blu ray burner by MOGLOR can read and write CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs with ease. The incorporation of an advanced chip offers super-fast read and write speeds. This power-efficient blu ray burner is powered through a single USB cable and requires no external driver support. The ingenious use of USB 3 support offers significantly faster and reliable transfers. The Blu-ray drive burns CDs at a maximum speed of 24x and BD-ROMs at 6x. The scratch-proof and robust design of this blu ray burner makes it a serious contender on our list of the 11 best Blu-ray burners. Pros
Quick read speed Plug and play device Wide compatibility 4K video support
Cons
It may not be compatible with all types of files
8. Best Wide Compatibility:Wintale External Drive 3D Blu-Ray DVD Burner
Equipped with the newest chip, this Blu-ray burner by Wintale offers an unforgettable experience. The slim form factor coupled with its low noise operation makes it an ideal solution for traveling and working. This DVD burner supports a maximum display output of upto 4K. It’s noteworthy to mention the backward compatibility of the USB port that also works with USB 2.0 and 1.0 devices. The device has 3D support and serves well in tandem with media devices for entertainment purposes. Pros
Type-C cum USB 3 support Supports up to 128GB of data storage Wide compatibility Plug and play device
Cons
May have some slight inconsistent write speeds
9. Best Compact:THCL Blu-Ray DVD Drive
The sleek and slim form factor with the polished metal finish is eye-catching. The company has ensured a scratch-free frame with a durable and compact design. This disc reader and burner are equipped with support for both BD discs as well as CDs. In terms of compatibility, it boasts a USB 3.0 hub that is backward compatible. The unit is power-efficient and does not require an external AC adapter. Thanks to the implementation of error correction, the burner copies data correctly and effectively. Pros
Supports 3D blu ray discs Compatible with Windows and MAC OS Shockproof Noise reduction technology
Cons
Might be prone to overheating
10. Best Lightweight: Verbatim External DVD CD Writer
Verbatim’s DVD CD writer comes with a USB 3.0 Y connection cable, an instruction manual, archive software, and an AC power adapter. It comes with a tray mechanism for loading the CDs and has a slim design topped with an aluminum enclosure. Its hardware interface runs on USB 3.0, which allows you to organize, burn, and archive your important files. This DVD CD writer is available in silver and black. Pros
Warranty available Includes an installation guide Lightweight design Wide compatibility Portable
Cons
Tray may not be durable
11. Best With Eject Button:ASUS BW-16D1HT Internal Drive Blu-Ray Burner
This Blu-ray disc reader and burner from ASUS is a good addition to your desktop. This internal Blu-ray burner is capable of writing data at a maximum speed of 16x. The burner can back up 25GB of data in just 8 minutes. It is easy to use, and at the front of the disc tray is a quick eject button and light indicator. To use this internal Blu-ray burner, your computer must have a CPU equivalent or better than the Intel Pentium D, 1GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT. Pros
Compatible with Windows OS Quick read and write speed BDXL support M-disc support
Cons
It may not read 4K discs very smoothly
Now that you’ve had a look at some of the best Blu-ray burners that money can buy, it’s time to learn about a few considerations that must be prioritized when purchasing a Blu-ray burner.
How To Choose The Right Blu-Ray Drive?
Type
There are internal as well as external Blu-ray burners. What you opt for relies upon the purpose and frequency of use. If your work requires you to be constantly stationed in front of your desktop PC, an internal Blu-Ray might be a good option. However, nothing can beat the portability and form factor of an external Blu-ray disc burner.
Read and write speed
The performance of a Blu-ray disc burner significantly depends on its read and write speeds. Do bear in mind that when burning information to discs on a Blu-ray burner, the type of DVD used will affect read and write speeds to a great extent. This is because certain discs are high-capacity discs and require more time for the laser to embed information into the pits on the disc. While choosing a Blu-ray burner, pay attention to the read and write speeds of the discs that you intend to use. For reference, a Blu-ray burner that can write BD-ROMs at a maximum of 6x is one that works quickly.
Cache size
Make sure to purchase a Blu-ray burner that has a cache capacity of 4 megabytes. This allows the burner to fix most writing errors that usually arise due to minor scratches. Purchasing one with M-disc support is very advantageous. This is because M-discs are very durable and have an extra layer of protection on them.
Connectivity
An external Blu-ray burner usually connects to a PC using a USB connector. Choosing one with 2 USB 3.0 ports that offer backward compatibility could make your work a lot easier and quicker. Before purchasing a Blu-ray burner, make sure to check that your PC meets the minimum system requirements of the desired Blu-ray burner.
Other features
Some other noteworthy features to look for when purchasing a Blu-ray burner include strong error correction technology, noise reduction technology, and a shockproof body.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah is an experienced writer when it comes to reviewing electronic products. To curate content for this post, he has performed extensive research on Blu-Ray drives and has analyzed several online product reviews. Each product has been described briefly, and its pros and cons have also been highlighted. He chose drives with various data support systems and updated software for optimal performance. He has also included a buyer’s guide to make shopping easier.
Scratches on the disc Incorrect or non-compatible regional code Incorrect configuration of your TV or device
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