Drives
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The short answer
For most people, a slim USB Blu-ray burner with BDXL and M-DISC support is the right blu ray external drive. It reads and writes Blu-ray, DVD and CD. Plan on separate software to play Blu-ray movies, and treat 4K movie playback on a PC as a special case.
ASUS SBW-06D5H-U Slim Blu-ray Burner
BUFFALO 6X Portable Blu-ray Drive
LG WP50NB40 Slim Portable Blu-ray Burner
ASUS SBW-06D2X-U External Blu-ray Writer
archgon UHD 4K Blu-ray WriterA blu ray external drive adds a disc drive to a laptop or desktop that no longer has one. It can back up files to Blu-ray discs, rip or burn DVDs, and play Blu-ray movies with the right software.
ASUS SBW-06D5H-U Slim Blu-ray Burner
Our verdict:
Best all-round slim burner
Best for backing up discs you own to Blu-ray, BDXL or M-DISC as well as DVD
View on AmazonKeep in mind: costs more than a DVD-only writer, which is all you need for DVD backups
Product details checked September 2026
An ultra-slim Blu-ray burner with BDXL and M-DISC support and two cables in the box. Our DVD copy guide covers backing up discs you own.
BUFFALO 6X Portable Blu-ray Drive
Our verdict:
Best for a USB-C laptop
Best for a laptop with USB-C that needs a light, portable Blu-ray drive
View on AmazonKeep in mind: movie playback on a computer still needs player software
Product details checked September 2026
It reads and writes Blu-ray, DVD and CD, works with Windows and Mac, and measures 6 by 5 by 0.5 inches.
LG WP50NB40 Slim Portable Blu-ray Burner
Our verdict:
Best bundle for M-DISC archives
Best for starting M-DISC or BDXL archives with software in the box
View on AmazonKeep in mind: USB 2.0, slower to transfer than the USB 3 drives
Product details checked September 2026
A slim portable Blu-ray burner with M-DISC support, sold with a 100GB BDXL disc and CyberLink software.
ASUS SBW-06D2X-U External Blu-ray Writer
Our verdict:
Best desktop burner
Best for a desk that stays put and needs a full-size Blu-ray burner
View on AmazonKeep in mind: bigger than the slim drives, so it is not one for a laptop bag
Product details checked September 2026
A 6x Blu-ray writer with BDXL support and ASUS disc-encryption software. It stands upright or lies flat.
Our verdict:
Best for reading 4K UHD discs
Best for a PC that should read 4K UHD discs as well as burn Blu-ray
View on AmazonKeep in mind: 4K movie playback depends on PC software and hardware checks, and the maker notes the PowerDVD route is PC only
Product details checked September 2026
It has an aluminum body and M-DISC BD-R support. Check the PowerDVD requirements before you count on 4K movie playback.
Most external Blu-ray drives are burners. They read and write Blu-ray, DVD and CD discs over USB. That covers three main jobs:
If you only need DVDs, a cheaper DVD writer is enough. Our LG slim portable DVD writer guide covers that route.
USB connection. Older slim drives use USB 2.0, which tops out at 480 Mbps. Newer ones use USB 3.x and often USB-C. A faster link helps with large backups.
BDXL support. BDXL is the format for 100GB triple-layer discs. A drive without it cannot write them. Our guide to the highest capacity Blu-ray disc explains the capacity tiers.
M-DISC support. M-DISC media are made for long-term archiving. Look for M-DISC on the listing if backups are your main use.
Bundled software. Many drives ship with burning and playback software, often from CyberLink. Without playback software, a computer cannot play a Blu-ray movie.
Power. Slim portable drives usually run from the USB port. Desktop-style external drives may need a separate power adapter.
Windows and macOS do not play Blu-ray movies on their own. You need a player program, and many drives include one in the box. Check the listing for bundled software before you buy.
Mac users face one more step. macOS has no built-in Blu-ray player, so movie playback needs a third-party app. Data discs work without it on drives that list Mac support.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies are harder still. Playing them on a PC has strict hardware and software requirements. The archgon 4K writer's listing, for example, tells buyers to check CyberLink PowerDVD's requirements first. For 4K movies, a standalone 4K player is simpler. See our blue ray player guide.
Some people ask whether a game console can stand in. Our guide to whether the Xbox 360 plays Blu-ray covers that question.
A drive is only half the setup. You also need the right blank media. Single-layer BD-R holds 25GB, dual-layer holds 50GB, and BDXL holds 100GB. Our blank Blu-ray guide compares disc types, M-DISC and rewritable BD-RE.
For backing up discs you own, see our DVD copy guide.
Pick a blu ray external drive by what you will use it for. For backups, get a USB 3.x burner with BDXL and M-DISC support. For movies, make sure playback software is in the box. For 4K movies, a standalone 4K player is the easier path. Match the drive to the right blank discs, and it will handle Blu-ray, DVD and CD in one unit.
5 picks
How to choose Blu-ray blank discs: BD-R vs BD-RE, 25GB vs 50GB vs 100GB, M-DISC for archiving, printable surfaces and drive compatibility, with packs worth comparing.
Yes, with player software. Many drives bundle a program like CyberLink PowerDVD. Without it, Windows and macOS cannot play a Blu-ray movie on their own.
Many models list Mac support for reading and burning data discs. Movie playback on a Mac needs third-party software, since macOS has no built-in Blu-ray player.
A few drives list 4K UHD support, but 4K movie playback on a PC has strict hardware and software requirements. Check the software maker's requirements before you buy.
