Best Internal CD & DVD Drives of 2026

Tom Law Avatar
Tom Law
Last Updated: 4 Feb 2026

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Internal CD and DVD drives are essential computer components that allow users to read and write data on CDs and DVDs. These drives are typically installed inside a computer's case and are connected to the motherboard via a SATA or IDE cable. They come in various speeds and formats, including CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, and DVD-RW. Internal CD and DVD drives are useful for installing software, backing up data, playing movies, and burning discs. They are a reliable and cost-effective solution for users who require frequent access to optical media.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

JUSTOP 24X SATA Internal DVD-RW Writer Cover #TOP 1
JUSTOP 24X SATA Internal DVD-RW Writer
ftb score rating icon 9.9
HP USB External DVD Drive with Dual-Layer Recording Cover #TOP 2
HP USB External DVD Drive with Dual-Layer Recording
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Hitachi-LG GH24 Internal DVD Drive with M-Disc Support Cover #TOP 3
Hitachi-LG GH24 Internal DVD Drive with M-Disc Support
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 9 Internal CD & DVD Drives

#TOP 1

JUSTOP 24X SATA Internal DVD-RW Writer

DWL-GE-GH24NSD6
Black
JUSTOP 24X SATA Internal DVD-RW Writer Cover
JUSTOP 24x SATA Internal DVD-RW Writer Rewriter Super Multi DL Drive Black CD+/-RW, DVD+/-RW, DVD DL, 4-24 x, 145 ms DVD

The JUSTOP DVD-RW Writer offers an impressive 24X ultra-high writing speed, allowing you to burn discs quickly and efficiently. It supports various formats, including DVD-R, DVD+R, and CD-R, ensuring compatibility with many popular discs. With speed adjustment technology, this device tailors the writing speed to match your media, enhancing performance. Additionally, its standard SATA interface makes it compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, providing versatility for different users.

What We Like
High writing speed
Supports multiple disc formats
Speed adjustment technology
Compatible with various systems

HP USB External DVD Drive with Dual-Layer Recording

HP
F6V97AA#ABB
Black
HP Computer
HP USB External DVD Drive with Dual-Layer Recording Cover
HP USB External DVDRW Drive | Compact | 8x DVD and 24x CD Double-Layer Recording Capability | Windows and macOS Compatible | Black

The HP USB DVD Drive offers a compact and sleek design, making it an ideal portable storage solution. With its Windows compatibility and USB connectivity, you can easily access and store your data on the go. Enjoy the convenience of writing to or playing from CDs and DVDs, allowing you to manage your media effortlessly. Additionally, its dual-layer recording and erasing speeds of 8X DVD and 24X CD ensure that you can quickly and efficiently create backups or enjoy your favourite films.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Windows compatible
Fast dual-layer recording speeds
Convenient USB connectivity
#TOP 3

Hitachi-LG GH24 Internal DVD Drive with M-Disc Support

GH24NSD5
Bare Drive
Hitachi-LG GH24 Internal DVD Drive with M-Disc Support Cover
Hitachi-LG GH24 Internal DVD Drive, DVD-RW CD-RW ROM Rewriter for Laptop/Desktop PC, Windows 10 Compatible, M-Disc Support, 24x Write Speed (Bare Drive) - Black

The Hitachi-LG GH24 DVD Drive offers exceptional data protection with its M Disc support, using a unique stone-like recording surface instead of organic dye. This feature ensures that your data remains safe and secure over time. Additionally, the Silent Play technology reduces noise during playback, allowing you to enjoy your media without interruptions. With a 24x write speed for DVD R, you can quickly burn your files, making it efficient for everyday use. The drive is also compatible with Windows 10, ensuring seamless integration with your laptop or desktop.

What We Like
High data protection with M Disc
Quiet playback with Silent Play
Fast 24x write speed
Compatible with Windows 10
SATA interface for easy connectivity
#TOP 4

ASUS SBW-06D5H-U External 6X USB Blu-ray Writer

SBW-06D5H-U
black, silver
Ultraslim
ASUS SBW-06D5H-U External 6X USB Blu-ray Writer Cover
ASUS SBW-06D5H-U external 6X Blu-ray writer, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB Type C + Type A cable, Mac Compatible, M-DISC support, Disc Encryption, NERO Backitup, E-Media

The ASUS SBW-06D5H-U Blu-ray Writer offers high-speed data transfer with its USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, making file copying quick and efficient. It supports M-Disc technology, which provides archive-quality storage to help you preserve precious photos, videos, and personal data for the long term. Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS, this device ensures you can use it seamlessly across different systems. With its USB Type-C and Type-A cables included, you have flexible connection options for various laptops and PCs, making it a versatile and convenient external drive.

What We Like
Fast USB 3.1 Gen 1 transfer
M-Disc for lifetime storage
Compatible with Windows and Mac
Includes Type-C and Type-A cables
Compact and portable design
#TOP 5

Hitachi-LG GUD1N Slim DVD Drive

GUD1N.CHLA10B
Multicolour
Hitachi-LG GUD1N Slim DVD Drive Cover
Hitachi-LG GUD1N Internal DVD Drive, Slim 9.5 mm DVD Player/Writer for Laptop/Desktop PC, Windows 10 Compatible, 8x Read/Write Speed - Black

The Hitachi-LG GUD1N Drive is a versatile and reliable internal DVD player and writer. It supports M-DISC, which ensures your important files, photos, and videos are preserved for longer than standard DVDs. With Silent Play Technology, you can enjoy multimedia without disruptive noise, as it optimises playback speed. Additionally, it boasts Super Multi Compatibility, allowing you to read and write various disc formats at an impressive speed of 8x. This drive is also compatible with Windows 10, making it a practical choice for your laptop or desktop.

What We Like
Long-lasting M-DISC support
Quiet playback with Silent Play
Wide compatibility with disc formats
Fast read/write speed
Windows 10 compatible
#TOP 6

Lenovo Slim DVD Burner DB65 Black Drive

888015471
Black
Lenovo Slim DVD Burner DB65 Black Drive Cover
Lenovo Slim DVD Burner DB65 (888015471),Black

The Lenovo DB65 DVD Burner offers excellent CD and DVD read and write capabilities, ensuring you can burn discs reliably and enjoy smooth media playback. This internal drive is ideal for installing software directly from discs, making it a handy addition to your PC. It also comes with pre-installed DVD burning software, giving you the tools needed to create your own discs with ease. The Lenovo DB65 is a slim, black device designed to fit neatly inside your computer, providing both functionality and convenience.

What We Like
Reliable disc burning
Supports media playback
Includes burning software
Sleek slim design
#TOP 7

Lite-ON Black Premium 2 16X Internal Drive

DH-16AFSH
Black,Random
Lite-ON Black Premium 2 16X Internal Drive Cover
LITE-ON Black Premium 2 16X SATA Internal CD/DVD/RW DVD DL Dual Layer Optical Disc Drive DH-16AFSH-PREMM2

The Lite-ON DH-16AFSH-PREMM2 is an internal CD/DVD drive that offers impressive performance. With a maximum DVD write speed of 16X, you can quickly create backups or store large files. It also supports dual-layer DVDs, allowing you to store even more data on a single disc. For CDs, it boasts a maximum write speed of 48X, which means faster music or data burning. The drive is compatible with various operating systems, ensuring that you can use it with your current setup without hassle.

What We Like
High write speeds
Supports dual-layer discs
Compatible with multiple OS
Tray load design
#TOP 8

Toshiba P300 3TB 7200RPM SATA Internal HDD

HDWD130UZSVA
Silver
3 TB
Toshiba P300 3TB 7200RPM SATA Internal HDD Cover
Toshiba P300 3 TB 7200RPM 3.5 Inch SATA HDD

The Toshiba P300 HDD is designed to offer reliable data protection technology, helping to keep your important files safe. It operates efficiently within a broad temperature range, from 0 to 65 degrees Celsius, ensuring stable performance during use, while also enduring temperatures between -40 to 70 degrees when not in operation. This makes it a dependable choice for various environments. Additionally, the drive is ideal for demanding applications such as gaming and photo or video editing, where speed and capacity are essential for a smooth experience.

What We Like
Reliable data protection
Wide operating temperature range
High-speed 7200RPM performance
Ideal for gaming and editing
#TOP 9

LiteOn eBAU108-11 External DVD RW Drive with Link2TV

LiteOn
EBAU108
Random
8x External Black
LiteOn eBAU108-11 External DVD RW Drive with Link2TV Cover
LiteOn eBAU108-11 (6) External DVD RW with Link2TV

The LiteOn eBAU108-11 DVD RW offers an 8x read speed for DVDs, allowing you to quickly access your media without long waits. Its 8x write speed means you can burn DVDs efficiently, saving you time when creating backups or sharing files. The random access time, typically 130ms, ensures responsive performance when navigating through discs, which enhances your user experience. Additionally, with a 0.75MB buffer size, the drive maintains smooth data flow during reading and writing, reducing interruptions. Overall, the LiteOn eBAU108-11 DVD RW is a reliable external drive for everyday media tasks.

What We Like
Fast 8x DVD reading
Efficient 8x DVD writing
Quick random access time
Buffer aids smooth data flow
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an internal CD drive?

An Optical Drive refers to a computer system that allows users to use DVDs, CDs and Blu-ray optical drives. The Drive contains some lenses that project electromagnetic waves that are responsible for reading and writing data on optical discs.

2. Are CD and DVD drives the same?

DVD drives are not only able to play and write to DVD media, but also CDs. The main difference between CDs and DVDs is the size of available storage. With a CD, you'll get around 700MB at the most. A DVD, on the other hand, will be able to hold just shy of 5GB (4.7GB) worth of data.

3. Do any computers still have CD drives?

Nearly all modern PCs lack disk drives. This is especially true for laptops, which have to make the best use of their space to deliver a truly portable computing experience.

4. Do new computers come with CD drives?

Whether you wanted to play a new game, install software, or back up and reinstall the operating system, doing so was possible by inserting a small disc into an optical drive. Their storage capacity was often greater than what hard drives could support. However, most new PCs don't come with an integrated drive anymore.

Editor's Notes

During our internal cd & dvd drive research, we found 141 internal cd & dvd drive products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 95,165 customer reviews through our big data system to write the internal cd & dvd drives list. We found that most customers choose internal cd & dvd drives with an average price of £25.84.

The internal cd & dvd drives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of internal cd & dvd drives, including JUSTOP, HP, Hitachi, ASUS, Lenovo.

Written by
Tom Law Avatar

Tom Law is an adventurer who has captured his love for nature into all of his works. A native of Newcastle, Tom has always wanted to share beautiful stories alongside the lovely sights of nature. Fortunately, he took into photography on one of his many journeys and gradually grew a passion for it. Tom Law is now an expert photographer who tours the world while creating and keeping memories of his adventures. He frequently puts his thoughts and experiences into writing.