Drives
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The short answer
For most backups, 25GB single-layer BD-R discs are the simple choice. Step up to 50GB dual-layer or 100GB BDXL for large files, but only if your drive supports them. Choose M-DISC for long-term archives and BD-RE for discs you plan to reuse.
Verbatim BD-R 25GB Blank Discs, 50-Pack
Verbatim BD-R 25GB Blank Discs, 10-Pack
Verbatim BD-R DL 50GB Blank Discs, 25-Pack
Verbatim BD-R XL 100GB Blank Discs, 10-Pack
Verbatim M-DISC BDXL 100GB, 5-PackBuying blu ray blank discs is simple once you match three things: the capacity you need, whether you want to write once or reuse, and what your drive can handle. Get those right and the rest is picking a pack size.
Verbatim BD-R 25GB Blank Discs, 50-Pack
Our verdict:
Best bulk 25GB pack
Best for regular Blu-ray backups in bulk
View on AmazonKeep in mind: write-once, so a disc cannot be erased and reused
Product details checked September 2026
Verbatim BD-R 25GB 16x, 50-pack of single-layer write-once discs with a hard coat against scratches.
Verbatim BD-R 25GB Blank Discs, 10-Pack
Our verdict:
Best small 25GB pack
Best for small Blu-ray backup jobs
View on AmazonKeep in mind: write-once, so a disc cannot be erased and reused
Product details checked September 2026
Verbatim BD-R 25GB 16x, 10-pack for smaller jobs.
Verbatim BD-R DL 50GB Blank Discs, 25-Pack
Our verdict:
Best 50GB dual layer
Best for larger backups that will not fit on a 25GB disc
View on AmazonKeep in mind: needs a drive that writes dual-layer BD-R
Product details checked September 2026
Verbatim BD-R DL 50GB 8x, 25-pack for larger backups on a dual-layer drive.
Verbatim BD-R XL 100GB Blank Discs, 10-Pack
Our verdict:
Best 100GB BDXL
Best for the most space per disc, with labels you can print
View on AmazonKeep in mind: needs a BDXL burner, and many players will not read BDXL
Product details checked September 2026
Verbatim BD-R XL 100GB 4x, 10-pack with a white inkjet-printable surface, for BDXL drives.
Verbatim M-DISC BDXL 100GB, 5-Pack
Our verdict:
Best for long-term archives
Best for long-term archives you want to keep for decades
View on AmazonKeep in mind: needs a BDXL drive with M-DISC support
Product details checked September 2026
Verbatim M-DISC BDXL 100GB, 5-pack in jewel cases, for long-term archives on an M-DISC drive.
Blank Blu-rays come in two families, per the Blu-ray Disc recordable overview:
Within each family, capacity grows with the number of layers:
For scale, a 25GB disc holds more than five DVDs' worth of data. A 100GB BDXL disc holds four times that again.
25GB single layer suits most backups and home video. The discs are widely available and work in every Blu-ray burner.
50GB dual layer halves the number of discs for large projects. Most current burners write them.
100GB BDXL is for big archives, such as a full photo library on one disc. It needs a BDXL drive. Our highest capacity Blu-ray disc guide covers BDXL in depth.
Before you buy large packs of 50GB or 100GB discs, confirm your drive lists that disc type. A drive that cannot write BDXL cannot use those discs at all.
Choose BD-R for anything you want to keep as is, such as a finished backup or an archive. Once written, the data cannot be changed by accident.
Choose BD-RE for work in progress or regular backups you overwrite. Verbatim, for example, says its BD-RE discs can be rewritten up to a thousand times.
Most people use mostly BD-R, with a few BD-RE discs for rolling backups.
M-DISC is a type of recordable disc made for archiving. Verbatim describes its M-DISC Blu-rays as having data "engraved" into a rock-like layer built to resist light and heat. Verbatim markets them for very long lifetimes.
M-DISC blanks cost more than standard BD-R. They also need a burner that lists M-DISC support. For irreplaceable files, like family video, they are worth a look. For a quick copy you will replace next year, standard BD-R is fine.
Blank Blu-rays list a maximum write speed, such as 4x, 6x or 16x. Verbatim notes that 6x Blu-ray records at up to 216 Mbps and 4x at 144 Mbps. Your drive and the disc both cap the speed, so the slower of the two wins.
Faster is not always better for archives. Many people burn important discs at a moderate speed. After burning, use your software's verify option to check the disc reads back cleanly.
Some blanks have a white inkjet-printable surface. You can print a label on them with a printer that supports disc printing. Others have a branded top with space to write by hand.
Use a marker made for discs if you write on them. Avoid stick-on paper labels, which can peel or throw a disc off balance in the drive.
Keep burned discs in cases or sleeves, upright and out of direct sunlight. Heat and light are the enemies of any recordable disc. Label each disc with its contents and the date you burned it.
For drives that write all of these disc types, see our Blu-ray external drive guide. For backing up DVDs you own, see our DVD copy guide.
For most people, blu ray blank discs should start with 25GB BD-R. Move to 50GB or 100GB BDXL only when your drive supports them and your files need the room. Pick M-DISC for archives that must last, and BD-RE for backups you plan to overwrite.
BD-R discs can be written once. BD-RE discs can be erased and rewritten many times. Use BD-R for permanent backups and BD-RE for files you update often.
No. BDXL discs need a drive that lists BDXL support. A standard Blu-ray burner can write 25GB and 50GB discs but not BDXL.
M-DISC is a disc type made for long-term archiving. Verbatim's M-DISC Blu-rays say the data is engraved into a rock-like layer. You need a drive that lists M-DISC support to write them.
Often, yes, if the disc is written in a format the player supports. Check the player's listing for BD-R and BD-RE playback before you rely on it.
