In this guide, we showcase some of the best internal optical drives available—from budget‑friendly DVD writers to high‑performance Blu‑ray burners. Whether you need a simple drive for occasional disc use or a robust solution for heavy media tasks and long‑term archives, these top picks offer reliability, compatibility, and value for a wide range of needs.
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Even in an era of streaming and cloud storage, internal optical drives remain a valuable tool for many PC users—whether for playing discs, installing legacy software, creating backups, or archiving data. A good internal optical drive gives you flexibility and control: you can read CDs, DVDs, and Blu‑rays, burn your own discs, and keep physical media accessible without relying on external devices or internet connectivity.
Best Internal Optical Drives
1. ASUS BW-16D1HT 16X Blu-ray Writer
Why we like it:
- Supports M-DISC and BDXL for long-term data storage and high-capacity disc use.
- Fast 16× Blu-ray write speed — good for large files and backups.
- Built-in disc encryption and password protection for secure data storage.
- Energy-efficient idle mode for lower power consumption when not in active use.
- Supports CD, DVD, and Blu-ray media — versatile for backups, media burning, and archival use.
2. Hitachi-LG BU40N Internal UHD Blu-Ray/DVD Drive/Burner
Why we like it:
- Slim 9.5 mm design—suitable for laptops or slim desktop bays.
- Supports Blu‑ray, DVD, CD, and UHD 4K playback—versatile media use.
- M‑DISC support enables archival‑grade, long‑lasting data storage.
- Compatible with high‑capacity BDXL discs—good for large backups or media libraries.
- SATA interface and multi‑format rewritable functionality for broad compatibility and flexibility.
3. Cenmate Optical Drive Enclosure for 5.25″ Blu-Ray/CD/DVD SATA Drive
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Why we like it:
- Converts internal 5.25″ SATA optical drives into external USB drives — adds portability.
- The aluminum build provides durability and good heat dissipation.
- Supports USB 3.0 (or USB‑C depending on the cable) for faster data transfer.
- Hot‑swappable — you can plug and unplug the drive without restarting the PC.
- Works with most SATA Blu‑Ray / CD / DVD drives (but not with older IDE drives).
4. Vinpower Digital Plextor PX-891SAF-R 24X SATA DVD +/- RW Dual Layer Burner Drive
Why we like it:
- 24× DVD write speed for fast burning of discs.
- Supports DVD±RW dual‑layer discs, allowing larger capacity burns.
- SATA interface—compatible with most modern desktop PCs.
- Reads and writes both DVDs and CDs, offering flexible media support.
- Reliable, established drive from a respected brand, good for backups, media burning, and archival tasks.
5. Plextor PX-891SAF 24X SATA DVD/RW Dual Layer Burner Drive
Why we like it:
- Fast 24× write speed for DVDs — quick disc burning and backups.
- Supports DVD±RW dual‑layer media for larger capacity (≈ 8.5 GB per disc).
- Compatible with standard SATA interface — works with most modern desktop PCs.
- Reads and writes to both DVDs and CDs — versatile for different types of media.
- Reliable build quality and good for regular disc-burning tasks like backups, media creation, and archiving.