Most laptops don’t have a CD/DVD drive, let alone a Blu-Ray drive. Having an external one will let you playback and burn Blu-Ray discs, and watch your favourite movies in all its HD glory. Compare our top 5 best external Blu-Ray drives in our comparison table below.
For simple external CD & DVD drives that can play and burn/write CDs and DVDs, check out our Top 7 Best External DVD Drives.
Mobile and tablet users just swipe across... Panasonic UJ-265 |  Panasonic UJ-260 |  LG BE14NS40 |  Samsung SE-506BB Series |  LG BP40NS20 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |  |  |  |  |
|
| Our Rating |  |  | | |  |
| Operating System | • Windows OS • MAC OS • Linux | • Windows OS • MAC OS • Linux | • Windows OS • MAC OS | • Windows OS • MAC OS | • Windows OS • MAC OS |
| Outer Case | Metal Silver | Aluminium Silver | Silver | Plastic Black / White | Silver |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 / 3.0 | USB 2.0 / 3.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Blu-Ray Write Speed | 6X Max. | 6X Max. | 14X Max. | 6X Max. | 6X Max. |
| DVD Write Speed | 8X Max. | 8X Max. | 16X Max. | 8X Max. | 8X Max. |
| CD Write Speed | 24X Max. | 24X Max. | 48X Max. | 24X Max. | 24X Max. |
| Special Features | • Panasonic Matshita UJ-265 Blu-Ray drive • Plays multi-region discs through certain multi-region applications/software | • Panasonic Matshita UJ-260 Blu-Ray drive • Plays multi-region discs through certain multi-region applications/software | • One of the fastest Blu-Ray disc write speeds • Plays multi-region discs through certain multi-region applications/software | • Ergonomic design • Plays multi-region discs through certain multi-region applications/software | • The M-DISC™ uses a patent rock-like recording surface instead of organic dye to etch your data onto a disc giving superior data protection • Jamless Play automatically prevents stop video playback in case of damaged disc • Plays multi-region discs through certain multi-region applications/software |
| Multi-Region |  | | | | |
| 3D Playback |  | | | | |
| Product Dimensions | 129 x 128 x 12.7mm | 137 x 135 x 18mm | 222 x 160 x 50mm | N/A | 160 x 153 x 22mm |
| Contents | • Panasonic UJ-265 • 2 x 50GB DL [Dual Layer] BD-R Discs • USB Cable (built-in) | • Panasonic UJ-260 • USB Data Cable • USB Power Cable • Protection Bag | • LG BE14NS40 • USB Cable • Manual | • Samsung SE-506BB • USB Cable • Manual | • LG BP40NS20 • CyberLink Software • USB Cable • Manual |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Price | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** |
| Panasonic UJ-265 | Panasonic UJ-260 | LG BE14NS40 | Samsung SE-506BB | LG BP40NS20 |
Top Features | Best External Blu-Ray Drives
- Our Rating – This is based on our own research in product testing and user feedback. Clicking on each product takes you to the product page where you can read customer reviews on the product you’re interested in.
- Best Value / Top Rated / Top Specs / Best Choice – Products that we consider to excel in a certain area such as value for money, reputation or technology have been given one of our aforementioned labels of recognition.
- Operating System – Any computer/laptop that can automatically detect USB devices should have no issues with the above external Blu-Ray drives. Though some models are only compatible with Windows OS when it comes to burning Bu-Ray discs.
- Connectivity – All the above external DVD drives are plug n play, meaning that you can simply plug in the device via the USB cable, and it will start working without any additional software or cables. However, downloadable software such as Nero is required to burn Blu-Ray discs.
- Blu-Ray / DVD / CD Write Speed – The speed at which the external Blu-Ray drive can write data onto a Blue-Ray disc, DVD or CD. As a general guidance, 1X = 36 MB/s (Blu-Ray), 11.08 MB/s (DVD) and 1.23 MB/s (CD).
- Multi-Region – All the above external Blu-Ray drives are able to play Region 2 DVDs (which includes Europe), but if you want to play other Region DVDs, then you need a software that has a multi-region feature.
- 3D Playback – Certain models can playback 3D Blu-Ray discs, but cannot burn them.
- Price – If you want to know the price of any of the models, just click on the Buy Now button or Check Price and you’ll be redirected to the product page. The reason we don’t put prices is because they constantly change and there are so many sellers offering different prices.
For simple external CD & DVD drives that can play and burn/write CDs and DVDs, check out our Top 7 Best External DVD Drives. Alternatively, if you are looking for Blu-Ray players, check out our Top 10 Best Blu-Ray Players Comparison.