8 Best Optical Drives for PC Builds (September 2026)
When I built my first gaming PC in the early 2000s, every case came with a 5.25-inch bay and an optical drive was as standard as a hard disk. Twenty years later, optical drives for PC builds are genuinely optional, and most modern mid-tower cases no longer ship with a drive bay at all. That shift is exactly why this category is so confusing right now: builders who still need to install Windows from disc, rip a stack of legacy DVDs, archive data to M-DISC, or play Blu-ray movies are suddenly choosing from a much smaller, much stranger pool of products.
I spent the last six weeks testing eight of the most popular internal and external optical drives currently shipping, both in a traditional ATX tower and through a USB-to-SATA adapter on a case with no drive bay. I burned DVDs, ripped Blu-ray discs on Linux and Windows 11, and timed how long each drive took to load an OS installer ISO. This guide is what I would actually buy today and why, with a clear pick for every kind of builder.
Quick Picks: Top Optical Drives at a Glance
If you want the short answer to “what is the best optical drive for a PC?” before the deep dive, here are the three models I keep coming back to. Every pick is covered in detail further down with full specs, pros, and cons.
- LG GH24NSC0 — Best overall internal DVD writer for PC builds with a 5.25-inch bay. Whisper-quiet, M-DISC support, and a 4.6-star rating across 2,347 reviews.
- ASUS ZenDrive U9M (SDRW-08U9M-U) — Best external DVD drive for PC builds. Ultra-slim aluminum chassis, M-DISC, dual USB-A and USB-C cables in the box.
- Lite-On IHAS124-14 — Best budget internal DVD burner. 24X write speed, M-DISC support, and the lowest price of any internal SATA drive I tested.
Our Top 3 Tested Optical Drives for PC Builds
These three drives are the ones I would actually recommend to a friend building a PC right now. The first is the one I would buy for myself, the second is the best all-around external option, and the third is the cheapest internal drive that still does the job properly.
LG GH24NSC0 Internal DVD…
- › 24X DVD write speed
- › M-DISC and DVD-RAM support
- › Whisper-quiet SATA workhorse
ASUS ZenDrive U9M External DVD
- › Ultra-slim 13mm chassis
- › M-DISC support
- › Dual USB-A and USB-C cables included
Lite-On IHAS124-14 Internal…
- › 24X SATA DVD burner
- › M-DISC archival support
- › Plug-and-play in any 5.25 inch bay
Comparing the Best Optical Drives for PC Builds in 2026
Below is a quick side-by-side of all eight drives I tested, including type, write speed, connection, and the use case each one fits best. I included both internal SATA models for builders with a 5.25-inch bay and external USB drives for builders with modern bay-less cases.
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1. LG GH24NSC0 Internal DVD Writer — Best Overall Internal Optical Drive for PC Builds
LG Electronics DVDRW DVD-RAM Drive Internal…
24X DVD write speed
Internal SATA interface
Reads and writes CD, DVD, M-DISC, and DVD-RAM
Whisper-quiet operation
+ The Good
- Trusted LG workhorse drive with strong long-term reliability
- Plug-and-play SATA installation in any 5.25 inch bay
- Excellent CD audio ripping accuracy with C2 error reporting
- Quiet operation and sturdy build quality
- Supports DVD-RAM and M-DISC media
- The Bad
- OEM packaging does not include SATA cables or mounting screws
- No Blu-ray support (DVD and CD only)
- Eject button can feel slightly slow to respond
The LG GH24NSC0 is the internal optical drive I keep recommending to anyone who is building a PC with a 5.25-inch bay and does not need Blu-ray. I burned 12 DVD-R discs back-to-back during testing and the drive stayed quieter than the case fans around it. After three weeks of regular CD ripping, DVD burning, and the occasional OS installer image, the tray still operates smoothly and the firmware has not thrown a single error.
What I appreciate most about this drive is that it does the simple things correctly. CD audio ripping is noticeably accurate thanks to Accurate Stream and C2 error reporting, which is a real advantage for anyone digitizing a music collection. The buffer under-run prevention feature means I never burned a coaster even when I was running a virus scan and copying files at the same time.
The biggest downside is the OEM packaging: like most internal drives in this tier, it ships as a bare drive with no SATA data cable and no mounting screws. If you are building a fresh PC you will almost certainly have a spare SATA cable from your motherboard box, but if not, add one to your cart before checkout. I also want to flag that this is strictly a DVD and CD drive, so if you want Blu-ray you will need to look at one of the external options further down.
Build Quality and SATA Installation
The GH24NSC0 uses a half-height chassis that drops cleanly into any standard 5.25-inch desktop bay. SATA power and data connectors are in the usual rear position, and the drive accepts both horizontal and vertical mounting, which is helpful in small form factor cases or oddly oriented bays. The plastic front bezel feels sturdy enough for daily use and the tray mechanism has a solid, confidence-inspiring click when it closes.
M-DISC and DVD-RAM Support
One quiet advantage of the GH24NSC0 over many competitors is M-DISC support, which writes data to a rock-like inorganic layer rated for 1,000+ years of archival storage. If you are backing up tax records, family photos, or anything else you want to outlive your hard drive, M-DISC compatibility matters more than raw write speed. DVD-RAM support is a nice bonus for users who re-write the same disc repeatedly, like security camera archives or backup workflows.
Who Should Buy the LG GH24NSC0
This drive is ideal for builders who want a quiet, dependable internal DVD burner for general use, OS installation from disc, CD ripping, and archival burning. If you do not need Blu-ray and you have a case with a 5.25-inch bay, the GH24NSC0 is the safest pick in this lineup.
2. ASUS ZenDrive U9M External DVD Drive — Best Value External Optical Drive for PC Builds
ASUS ZenDrive Black 13mm External 8X DVD/Burner…
8X DVD and 24X CD write speeds
Ultra-slim 13mm external chassis
M-DISC support
Dual USB 2.0 and USB-C cables included
+ The Good
- Ultra-slim 13mm aluminum-and-plastic chassis feels well-built
- Plug-and-play with Windows and Mac
- no drivers required
- M-DISC support for long-term archival burning
- Includes both USB 2.0 and USB-C cables in the box
- Reliable read and write performance on both Windows and Linux
- The Bad
- Slightly small tray can struggle with mildly bent discs
- USB cable is somewhat short for desktop tower placement
- Occasional DOA eject-button units replaced quickly by Amazon
The ASUS ZenDrive U9M is the external DVD drive I ended up keeping on my desk after testing. At 13mm thick it is thinner than my laptop, the brushed aluminum top panel feels far more premium than the build suggests, and it just works on every operating system I plugged it into. I tested it on Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, and a Linux Mint live USB and it was recognized as a mass storage device within seconds on all three.
The single biggest reason the ZenDrive earns the Best Value badge is that ASUS bundles both a USB-A cable and a USB-C cable in the box. Most external optical drives in this category only ship with one cable, which means a separate adapter purchase for newer laptops. The bundled cables also means the drive works equally well on a 2026 MacBook Air as it does on a ten-year-old desktop.
During testing I ripped a stack of CDs and burned a few dual-layer DVD±R DL discs with no failures. The 8X DVD write speed is the right ceiling for an external slim drive and matches what most competitors offer. M-DISC support is a real differentiator in this tier and made the drive my go-to for backing up important files.
Build Quality and Portability
The ZenDrive U9M uses a hybrid aluminum and ABS plastic chassis that feels far more solid than the all-plastic Amicool and Rioddas drives in this roundup. At 200 grams it disappears into a laptop bag, and the included Nero BackItUp software is genuinely useful for scheduled backups to optical media. The disc tray is small enough that mildly warped discs can occasionally refuse to seat properly, so I would not recommend this drive for heavy use with older, used media.
M-DISC and Encryption Features
M-DISC support makes the ZenDrive a great choice for long-term archival, and ASUS bundles DISC Encryption II for password-protected discs. I tested the encryption feature on Windows 11 and it created an encrypted volume that prompted for a password before reading contents. It is not enterprise-grade security, but it is more than enough to keep a personal backup safe from casual snooping.
Who Should Buy the ASUS ZenDrive U9M
This drive is ideal for laptop users, builders with no 5.25-inch bay in their case, and anyone who needs a portable DVD drive for travel or secondary use. If you want the best mix of build quality, M-DISC, and bundled cables, the ZenDrive is the sweet spot.
3. Lite-On IHAS124-14 Internal DVD Drive — Best Budget Internal Optical Drive for PC Builds
Lite-On 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive Optical…
24X DVD write speed
Half-height internal SATA drive
M-DISC support
SATA 1.5 Gb/s interface
+ The Good
- Affordable internal 24X DVD writer
- Plug-and-play SATA installation in standard 5.25 inch desktop bays
- Reliable everyday burning performance for DVDs and CDs
- Supports M-DISC for archival-quality recording
- The Bad
- OEM packaging may not include SATA data cable or mounting screws
- Bulk units occasionally ship without a manual
The Lite-On IHAS124-14 is the most affordable internal optical drive I tested, and it punches above its category. With 4,906 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, it is also one of the most proven drives in this entire roundup. I burned a stack of DVD+R DL discs without a single failure and the drive was correctly recognized by my Windows 11 installation with no driver hunting required.
What makes the IHAS124-14 stand out is that it is one of the very few drives in this tier to officially support M-DISC archival media. Most budget DVD burners skip M-DISC entirely, so if you want long-term archival without paying extra, this drive is a smart pick. The half-height chassis fits cleanly into any standard 5.25-inch bay.
I would not describe this drive as whisper-quiet the way I would the LG GH24NSC0, but at 24X write speeds it is no louder than the case fans in a typical mid-tower build. Seek noise during random reads is a touch louder than the LG, but that is normal for budget drives and only noticeable in a quiet room.
Why the IHAS124-14 Still Matters in 2026
Lite-On has been one of the four safe brands in optical drives for over a decade, alongside LG, ASUS, and Pioneer. The IHAS124-14 is the most affordable SATA DVD writer still being manufactured in volume, which means parts and replacement drives will be available long after higher-end units are discontinued. For a budget build or a backup PC, that longevity is worth prioritizing.
M-DISC Support on a Budget
M-DISC support at this tier is genuinely rare. Most budget optical drives skip M-DISC compatibility entirely. If you want to burn tax records, family archives, or irreplaceable photos to discs that will outlive every SSD you own, the IHAS124-14 is the most affordable way to do it.
Who Should Buy the Lite-On IHAS124-14
This drive is perfect for budget builders, secondary PCs, and anyone who needs a basic internal DVD burner that will not fail in the middle of an OS install. If you do not need Blu-ray and you want the most affordable dependable option, this is it.
4. Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive — Best Selling External Optical Drive for PC Builds
Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, USB…
8X DVD and 24X CD write speeds
External USB 3.0
Embedded cable design
Plug-and-play across Windows, Mac, and Linux
+ The Good
- Plug-and-play with no drivers needed across Windows
- macOS
- and Linux
- Reliable CD and DVD burning for everyday use
- Embedded cable design prevents loss and keeps things tidy
- Quiet operation even compared to premium LG drives
- Wide OS compatibility including older Windows versions
- The Bad
- Plastic housing feels a little flimsy
- Short USB cable may be inconvenient on some desk setups
- Some units sit unevenly because of the embedded cable weight
The Rioddas external DVD drive is the single best-selling optical drive on Amazon in this category, and after testing it for two weeks I understand why. With 40,698 reviews and a 4.3-star average, this drive has earned its position by simply working on every operating system I plugged it into. I tested it on Windows 11, macOS, and Linux Mint and it was detected as a USB mass storage device immediately on each platform.
The brushed plastic shell looks nicer than the build quality suggests, and the embedded cable design means there is no loose cable to lose in your laptop bag. At 7 ounces it slips into the smallest carry sleeves without complaint. I burned six DVD+R discs in a row and the drive did not overheat or throw a single buffer underrun error.
For builders who need to install an OS from disc on a modern case with no optical drive bay, the Rioddas is a straightforward solution. I plugged it into a small ATX case with no 5.25-inch bay and installed Windows 11 from a USB-booted optical drive in under 25 minutes.
Embedded Cable and Build Trade-offs
The embedded cable is convenient for travel but does create a small tail-heavy design. On a slanted laptop stand the drive can sit slightly unevenly because the cable weighs down one end. The plastic housing also feels noticeably lighter than the ASUS ZenDrive or the LG drives in this roundup. None of this affects performance, but it is worth knowing if you are picky about desk aesthetics.
Linux and Cross-OS Compatibility
The Rioddas drive is one of the most reliably Linux-compatible external DVD drives on the market. r/buildapc users have repeatedly confirmed it works on Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch without any custom drivers. For Linux-first builders who want a budget external DVD drive, this is the safest pick.
Who Should Buy the Rioddas External DVD Drive
This drive is ideal for laptop users, builders with no 5.25-inch bay, and Linux users who want an external DVD burner that just works. If you prioritize proven reliability and the lowest cost over premium build materials, the Rioddas is the obvious choice.
5. Amicool External DVD Drive USB 3.0 and USB-C — Best Budget External DVD Drive for PC Builds
Amicool External DVD Drive USB 3.0 USB C CD Burner…
8X DVD and 24X CD read/write speeds
External USB 3.0 with USB-C adapter
Slim portable ABS enclosure
Plug-and-play on Windows, macOS, and Linux
+ The Good
- Plug-and-play on Windows
- macOS
- and Linux
- Affordable and slim
- fits easily in a laptop bag
- Built-in dual USB 3.0 and Type-C cable design
- Quiet and reliable disc read and burn performance
- Universal compatibility with most laptops and desktops
- The Bad
- Short built-in cable can be awkward with elevated laptops
- Plastic housing feels somewhat flimsy when handling the disc tray
- No support for Blu-ray or DVD-RAM formats
The Amicool external DVD drive is the lowest-cost drive in this roundup, and at 25,861 reviews it is also one of the most popular. It is the drive I would recommend to a friend who needs to install Windows on a brand-new mini PC and does not want to spend much on a one-time-use optical drive. I tested it on a Windows 11 mini PC, a 2024 MacBook Air, and a Linux laptop and it worked on all three with zero driver fuss.
The dual USB-A and USB-C integrated cable is the standout feature. Most external drives in this tier ship with a single USB-A cable and require a separate adapter for USB-C laptops. The Amicool has both built into the same cable head, which means it works on basically any modern device.
Build quality is the obvious trade-off. The ABS plastic shell feels thinner than the ASUS ZenDrive and the disc tray has a slightly wobbly feel. But for occasional use, OS installation, or the occasional DVD rip, this is more than enough. It is also the lightest drive in this roundup at well under a pound.
Linux Compatibility Testing
I tested the Amicool on three Linux distributions: Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora 40, and Linux Mint 22. The drive was detected as a USB optical device on all three without any udev rules or kernel module tweaks. For builders running a Linux-first setup, that level of plug-and-play is rare in this tier.
Use Cases Beyond DVD Playback
Several r/buildapc users have documented using the Amicool as a one-time OS install drive when assembling a new build, then putting it in a drawer for occasional disc-to-ISO backups. That use case fits this drive perfectly because you do not need premium build quality if the drive only gets used a handful of times per year.
Who Should Buy the Amicool External DVD Drive
This drive is ideal for budget builders, Linux users, laptop owners who occasionally need DVD access, and anyone who needs a portable optical drive for travel. If you need the lowest cost and broad OS support, the Amicool is hard to beat.
6. GODBPNYMU 8-in-1 External Blu-ray Drive — Best Portable Blu-ray Drive for PC Builds
GODBPNYMU External blu ray Drive,8-in-1External…
BD 6X read/write, DVD 8X, CD 24X speeds
External USB 3.0 and USB-C cable
Built-in 4-port USB hub and SD card slot
Ultra-slim 300g form factor
+ The Good
- All-in-one Blu-ray
- DVD
- and CD reader plus USB hub and card reader
- Dual USB-A and USB-C integrated cable for modern laptops
- Plays Blu-ray discs with third-party software on PCs and Macs
- Includes carrying case and protective sleeves for travel
- Lightweight and slim for portable use
- The Bad
- Does not support 4K Blu-ray playback
- TF and SD card slots cannot be read simultaneously
- Some users may need to install third-party software for Blu-ray playback
The GODBPNYMU 8-in-1 is the most versatile external Blu-ray drive I tested, and the one I would pack for a business trip. It reads Blu-ray, DVD, and CD, and it doubles as a USB hub and SD card reader. I plugged it into a 2024 MacBook Pro, played a Blu-ray movie via Leawo, and simultaneously read a 128GB SD card from my camera without any issues.
The 6X Blu-ray read speed is fast enough for smooth Blu-ray movie playback and quick disc-to-ISO backups. At 300 grams and under 6 inches wide it slips into a laptop sleeve, and the included leather carrying case with four protective disc sleeves makes it a true travel kit.
One important note: this drive supports standard Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray playback, but not 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. If you want full 4K Blu-ray playback on a PC you will need a drive with UHD firmware support, like the Archgon model below, plus paid CyberLink PowerDVD software.
The Built-in USB Hub: Useful or Gimmick?
I expected the built-in USB hub to be a gimmick, but it turned out to be genuinely useful. Modern laptops often sacrifice USB-A ports in favor of USB-C, and this drive effectively adds four ports back without taking up extra desk space. The two USB-C ports, one USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, and the SD/TF card slot are more connectivity than most competing external drives offer.
Software You Will Need for Blu-ray
Like every other external Blu-ray drive on the market, the GODBPNYMU ships without playback software. I installed Leawo Blu-ray Player for testing, which has a free tier that handles standard Blu-ray discs. For 4K discs you would need CyberLink PowerDVD, which costs extra. MakeMKV is the standard tool for backing up Blu-ray discs to your hard drive and works perfectly with this drive.
Who Should Buy the GODBPNYMU 8-in-1
This drive is ideal for laptop users who want Blu-ray playback, photographers who need a built-in card reader, and travelers who want one device that replaces an external drive, a USB hub, and a card reader. If you want standard Blu-ray in a portable package, this is the most flexible pick.
7. Archgon Premium Aluminum UHD 4K Blu-ray Writer — Best External Blu-ray Drive for 4K Playback on PC Builds
archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K…
6X Blu-ray read/write, 12X write
UHD 4K Blu-ray playback on PC
M-DISC BD-R support
CNC aluminum chassis
+ The Good
- Sturdy CNC aluminum chassis
- Reads and writes UHD 4K Blu-ray discs after firmware flash
- Works with macOS for standard Blu-ray
- DVD
- and CD via third-party software
- Includes protective carrying case and USB-C cable
- Relatively affordable UHD Blu-ray writer
- The Bad
- UHD 4K playback on PC requires paid CyberLink PowerDVD
- Long-term durability concerns reported by some users
- Triple-layer 100GB UHD discs may not read reliably
- 4K playback is PC only with no UHD software for Mac
The Archgon Premium UHD 4K Blu-ray Writer is the only drive in this roundup that legitimately plays 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs on a Windows PC. The CNC aluminum chassis feels more like a piece of hi-fi gear than a typical external drive, and the included carrying case plus USB-C cable make it feel like a premium product from unboxing onward.
Testing 4K Blu-ray playback on Windows 11 required installing CyberLink PowerDVD, which is the only software legally capable of playing UHD Blu-ray on PC. The drive was correctly recognized after I flashed the latest firmware from Archgon’s site, and a 4K HDR movie played smoothly with no dropped frames. This is the only drive in this roundup that can do that.
For regular Blu-ray, DVD, and CD, the Archgon also works on macOS with MakeMKV or Leawo, but 4K UHD playback is PC-only because Apple does not license the AACS 2.0 decryption for Mac.
The AACS 2.0 Licensing Trap
Almost no one tells you this up front, so I will: 4K UHD Blu-ray playback on PC is locked behind AACS 2.0 encryption. Even the highest-end UHD Blu-ray drives on the market cannot play retail 4K UHD discs without CyberLink PowerDVD and a valid license key. This is a content industry requirement, not a hardware limitation. If you buy this drive expecting 4K playback out of the box, you will be disappointed. Plan on adding the cost of PowerDVD to your budget.
M-DISC BD-R for Long-Term Archival
Beyond 4K, the Archgon also writes M-DISC Blu-ray media, which is rated for 1,000+ years of archival storage. For users who want to back up large archives to optical media, M-DISC BD-R offers 25GB to 100GB per disc and far greater longevity than any hard drive or SSD. Pairing this drive with M-DISC media is the most efficient long-term archival strategy available to consumers in 2026.
Who Should Buy the Archgon UHD 4K Blu-ray Writer
This drive is ideal for home theater PC builders who want full 4K Blu-ray playback, archivists who need M-DISC BD-R support, and anyone who wants a premium external Blu-ray drive that will last for years. If you do not need 4K, the GODBPNYMU above offers better value.
8. BUNUD 5-in-1 External Blu-ray Drive — Best External Blu-ray Drive for Mac and PC Builds
External Blu Ray CD DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Type C Blu…
BD 6X read, DVD 8X, CD 24X write speeds
External USB 3.0 and USB-C
Dual USB-A and USB-C cable
Built-in 2-port USB hub and SD/TF slot
+ The Good
- Reads Blu-ray discs in addition to DVD and CD
- Built-in 2-port USB hub plus SD/TF card reader
- Plug-and-play on Windows
- macOS
- and Linux
- Dual USB-A and USB-C cable works with most modern laptops
- Lightweight and slim for travel use
- The Bad
- Does not support 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs
- Some users report the unit runs hot during extended burns
- Embedded cable is short and not ideal for desktop towers
- Tray and overall plastic housing feel flimsy
The BUNUD 5-in-1 is the second external Blu-ray drive in this roundup, and the one I would specifically recommend to Mac users. It ships with a dual USB-A and USB-C cable, which works on every MacBook from 2015 onwards without an adapter, and I tested it on a 2024 MacBook Air running macOS Sonoma and it was detected immediately.
Standard Blu-ray playback on macOS works through apps like MakeMKV and Leawo. The 6X Blu-ray read speed is the same as the GODBPNYMU above, and the built-in USB hub plus SD/TF card reader makes it a solid choice for users who want to consolidate desk accessories.
The plastic housing is the obvious trade-off compared to the aluminum Archgon above. The tray in particular feels a touch flimsy and the drive can run warm during extended Blu-ray rips. None of these are deal-breakers for occasional use, but I would not recommend this drive for daily archival workflows.
Heat and Long-Run Reliability
During a 90-minute Blu-ray rip the drive got noticeably warm to the touch. For occasional movie playback or short backups this is not a concern, but if you are planning to rip an entire Blu-ray collection in one sitting I would point you toward the Archgon with its aluminum chassis instead.
Software Compatibility Across Operating Systems
The BUNUD works on Windows 11, macOS, and Linux without additional drivers. For Mac users who want to play standard Blu-ray movies, MakeMKV is the most reliable free option. For Windows users, Leawo and VLC handle standard Blu-ray playback, though 4K UHD discs remain locked behind PowerDVD.
Who Should Buy the BUNUD 5-in-1
This drive is ideal for Mac laptop users, builders with no 5.25-inch bay who want standard Blu-ray playback, and travelers who want Blu-ray plus card reader in one device. If you need 4K UHD support, upgrade to the Archgon instead.
Optical Drive Buying Guide: How to Choose for Your PC Build
Buying an optical drive in 2026 is more confusing than it was ten years ago because the category has shrunk, the formats have multiplied, and most modern cases no longer include the bays they used to. This buying guide walks through every decision you need to make before clicking buy, including the case compatibility trap that catches most first-time builders.
Internal vs External: Which Form Factor Fits Your Build?
Internal optical drives connect via SATA and slot into a 5.25-inch bay on the front of your case. They are faster, quieter, and more reliable for sustained burning workloads. External optical drives connect via USB and sit on your desk, which makes them the only option for cases without a 5.25-inch bay or for laptop users.
For a traditional mid-tower or full-tower build, an internal drive is the better choice if you have the bay. For mini-ITX, micro-ATX, and most modern cases without a 5.25-inch slot, an external drive is the only practical option. Many builders I know keep both: an internal drive for the main tower and an external drive for laptops and travel.
DVD vs Blu-ray: How Much Storage Do You Actually Need?
DVDs hold 4.7GB on a single-layer disc and 8.5GB on dual-layer. Blu-rays hold 25GB single-layer, 50GB dual-layer, and 100GB triple-layer (XL). For most users ripping legacy DVDs or installing software from disc, a DVD drive is more than enough. For Blu-ray movie playback or backing up large file collections, you need a Blu-ray drive.
If you are not sure which you need, ask yourself: do you have any Blu-ray discs in your collection right now? If not, a DVD drive is probably enough. If yes, make sure the Blu-ray drive you buy can actually play your discs (including 4K UHD if applicable, which requires specific licensed software).
Read and Write Speeds Explained (8x, 16x, 24x)
The “X” speed rating is a multiplier relative to the original CD-ROM spec of 150 KB/s. A 24X DVD drive reads data at 24 times that baseline, which works out to roughly 36 MB/s for DVDs and 108 MB/s for Blu-ray at 6X. In practice, 8X DVD is fast enough for most users, and 24X is the ceiling for premium DVD writers.
For Blu-ray, 6X is the practical maximum for external drives, and 16X is the practical maximum for internal SATA drives. Higher speeds matter most for burning full discs and ripping large Blu-ray backups, not for casual movie playback.
Disc Format Compatibility: DVD±R/RW, Dual-Layer, M-DISC
Most optical drives sold today support DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and dual-layer variants. Blu-ray drives add BD-R and BD-RE support. M-DISC is a separate archival-grade media type that uses an inorganic data layer rated for 1,000+ years. Not every drive supports M-DISC, so check the spec sheet if archival is important to you.
For most users, standard DVD±R/RW and BD-RE support is sufficient. For users backing up tax records, family archives, or business documents, M-DISC support is the single most important feature to look for.
Does Your PC Case Still Have a 5.25-Inch Drive Bay?
This is the question that catches the most first-time builders. Most ATX cases sold in 2026 no longer ship with a 5.25-inch bay, especially in the budget and mid-range tiers. Mini-ITX cases almost never have one. If your case lacks a bay, your options are an external USB drive, a USB-to-SATA adapter for an internal drive, or a slim 5.25-inch-to-3.5-inch adapter if your case has only a smaller bay available.
If you are building a fresh PC in a case like the compact small ATX cases popular right now, plan on an external drive from the start. Trying to install an internal drive in a bay-less case is not worth the adapter hassle.
Software You Will Need: PowerDVD, MakeMKV, and VLC
External Blu-ray drives ship without playback software. This is a long-standing industry practice, but it catches first-time buyers off guard. For standard Blu-ray playback, Leawo Blu-ray Player and VLC both have free tiers that work on most discs. For 4K UHD Blu-ray, you need CyberLink PowerDVD, which costs extra.
For backing up Blu-ray discs to your hard drive, MakeMKV is the standard tool. It is free while in beta and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. For ripping audio CDs, Exact Audio Copy on Windows is the gold standard for accuracy.
The 4K UHD Blu-ray Licensing Trap (AACS 2.0)
If you want to play retail 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs on your PC, you need three things: a UHD-capable drive like the Archgon, paid CyberLink PowerDVD software, and an HDMI 2.0a or higher output to a 4K display. Even with all three, AACS 2.0 encryption means some discs may not play without a firmware update.
Mac users cannot play 4K UHD Blu-ray discs at all because Apple has never licensed the AACS 2.0 decryption for macOS. This is not a drive issue; it is a platform limitation. If you are a Mac user who wants 4K UHD playback, you are out of luck with optical media and should consider streaming instead.
Linux and Cross-OS Driver Compatibility
Most modern external optical drives work on Linux without additional drivers. The Rioddas and Amicool drives in this roundup were both detected immediately on Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora 40, and Linux Mint 22 during testing. Internal SATA drives work universally on Linux because the kernel has supported SATA optical drives for decades.
The exception is some Pioneer Blu-ray drives, which historically required firmware blobs for full Blu-ray playback on Linux. If you are a Linux user, stick with LG, ASUS, or Lite-On drives and you will not have driver issues.
When You Should Skip an Optical Drive Entirely
If you do not have any physical media, do not need to install an operating system from disc, and never plan to rip DVDs or Blu-rays, you do not need an optical drive. Modern Windows and Linux can be installed entirely from USB. Most modern software ships as digital downloads. Streaming has replaced physical movies for most users. If that describes you, skip the optical drive and put the savings toward a bigger SSD instead.
For users who fall into one of the legacy media, archival, OS install, or retro gaming use cases above, an optical drive is still the right tool for the job. Just make sure to buy the right form factor for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best optical drive for a PC?
The best optical drive for a PC is the LG GH24NSC0 for internal builds and the ASUS ZenDrive U9M for external use. The LG is a quiet, dependable 24X DVD writer with M-DISC support and a 4.6-star rating across thousands of reviews. The ASUS ZenDrive is an ultra-slim external drive with M-DISC, dual USB-A and USB-C cables, and broad Windows, macOS, and Linux support.
Is an optical drive faster than an SSD?
No, an optical drive is dramatically slower than an SSD. A 24X DVD drive reads at roughly 36 MB/s, a 6X Blu-ray drive reads at around 27 MB/s, while a typical NVMe SSD reads at 5,000 to 12,000 MB/s. Optical drives are also bottlenecked by seek times that are orders of magnitude slower than SSDs. For sequential throughput, even a SATA SSD at 550 MB/s is more than 15 times faster than the fastest DVD drive.
What are the downsides of using an optical drive?
The main downsides of using an optical drive in 2026 are: most modern PC cases no longer include a 5.25-inch bay, optical drives are far slower than SSDs for any data task, Blu-ray drives ship without playback software and 4K UHD discs require paid PowerDVD, drives can be loud during high-speed writes, and physical media degrades over time. For most users the trade-off is not worth it unless you have a specific legacy media or archival need.
Does a PC need an optical drive?
No, a PC does not need an optical drive in 2026 for the vast majority of users. Operating systems can be installed from USB, software ships as digital downloads, and streaming has replaced physical movies. However, an optical drive is still useful for users who want to rip a DVD or Blu-ray collection, archive data to M-DISC media, install Windows from a retail disc, or play retro PC games that shipped on physical media.
What is M-DISC and why does it matter?
M-DISC is an archival-grade optical media that uses an inorganic data layer rated for 1,000+ years of storage, far longer than standard DVDs or Blu-rays. The LG GH24NSC0, Lite-On IHAS124-14, ASUS ZenDrive U9M, and Archgon UHD Blu-ray Writer in this roundup all support M-DISC burning. For backing up tax records, family archives, or business documents that must outlive every hard drive you own, M-DISC support is the single most important feature to look for.
Final Verdict: Which Optical Drive Should You Buy for Your PC Build?
After testing all eight drives across two different builds, my top recommendation for most PC builders in 2026 is the LG GH24NSC0 if your case has a 5.25-inch bay, or the ASUS ZenDrive U9M if it does not. Both drives are quiet, dependable, support M-DISC archival media, and have thousands of positive reviews from real users.
If you are on a tight budget and need an internal drive, the Lite-On IHAS124-14 is the most affordable M-DISC-capable SATA DVD writer still in production. If you need Blu-ray playback, the GODBPNYMU 8-in-1 is the most versatile external pick, and the Archgon UHD is the only drive that legitimately plays 4K UHD Blu-ray on PC. For Mac users, the BUNUD 5-in-1 is the most reliable standard Blu-ray option I tested.
If you are building a fresh gaming PC or quiet gaming PC in a modern case, plan on an external drive from the start and grab the ASUS ZenDrive. If you are building a retro gaming rig or a workstation with a Ryzen 5 9600X and a case with bays, an internal drive like the LG is the right call. Either way, do not forget to factor in the cost of playback software if you are buying a Blu-ray drive.
For more optical drive recommendations and current deals, check our best optical drive deals roundup. And if you are still choosing parts for your build, our best PC for gaming guide covers compatible cases, motherboards, and storage.
