Best External Blu Ray Burners & Writer Optical USB Drives With M-Disk

If you are looking for the best external Blu Ray burners, read along to know more. Internal Writers are undoubtedly inexpensive. However, the demand for an internal IDE or SATA connection makes their portability zero. When choosing a right Blu Ray writer for you, speed or performance may not be of high concern. A significant issue is that how it will be connected to the computer system. USB 3.0, 2.0, 1.1 or Firewire ports are used for providing connection to an external drive. As these writers are portable, they are also expensive. They directly operate on an external power source and leave the IDE/SATA connection on your motherboard free for other uses.

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Also Read: Best PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Drives

These burners can quickly be moved from one system to another, also, can be interchangeably used between your laptop and desktop, making them more convenient to use. They are usually encased in an aluminum shied, helping them to remain cool in most operating environments. With this being said, let us begin the main discussion of today’s topic. We are about to review some best External Blu Ray burners you can buy.

Table of Contents

Best External Blu Ray Burners:

All the drives listed below are external drives. You can use software like ‘MakeMKV‘ to get the data off the Blue-Ray disc, and then use ‘Handbrake‘ to convert it to whatever format you want. Some of these drives come bundled with ‘Cyberlink‘ software which you can use to covert or burn disc’s. We hope this list will help you to understand more about these products and also help to choose the right product according to your needs. Here we begin:

1. Pioneer BDR XD05S BDXL Writer:

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Before you make the purchase, do remember that the Silver & White versions are for the Mac and does not come with the bundled software. The black version includes Cyberlink software for Windows. Linux across distros seems to be working just fine with no issues getting detected. The drive works fine with any of the powered USB 3.0 port. The drive supports true USB 3.0 & BD-R QL. Refer to the table below of high-level specs:

Speeds	6x 2x 6x
Read Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 6x (BD)
Write Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL) / 6x (BD-R) / 6x (BD-R DL) / 4x (BD-R QL) / 4x (BD-R TL) / 6x (BD-R LTH)
Rewrite Speed	24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 2x (BD-RE)
Media Type Support	BD-R, BD-R DL, CD-R, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, BD-R LTH, DVD-ROM DL, BD-R QL, BD-R TL, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-RE TL, BD-ROM, BD-ROM DL
Buffer Size	4 MB
Media Load Type	Top-Load
Feature Highlights	Power Read Pure Read 2+ USB Powered Auto Quiet mode
Interface / Enclosure	SuperSpeed USB 3.0, 9 pin USB Type A External Enclosure
OS Support	Apple MacOS X 10.6 – 10.8, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Windows 8
Included Software	Cyber link Power 2 go 8 Cyber link Power DVD 12 Cyber link Power Director 10
Dimension	5.2 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
Weight	8.11 oz

2. ASUS BW 16D1XU Blu-Ray Drive:

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This one is the fastest of the lot, with a write speed of 16x. It comes integrated with a “Cloud backup solution” for Android devices and is compatible with both Windows and MAC OS. It comes with Cyber Link Power2Go software suite for burning and can store up to 128 GB. Do note that this will not work as a standalone drive and is dependent on a computer to operate.

Specifications below:

Speeds	16x 2x 12x
Read Speed	40x (CD) / 16x (DVD) / 12x (BD)
Write Speed	40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL) / 12x (BD-R) / 12x (BD-R DL) / 6x (BD-R TL) / 6x (BD-R QL) / 6x (BD-R LTH)
Rewrite Speed	24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) / 2x (BD-RE) / 2x (BD-RE DL) / 2x (BD-RE TL)
Recording Mode Support	Disk at once, Incremental Recording, Multi-session, Packet Writing, Random Access Write, Restricted Overwrite, Sequential Write, Session at Once, Track at Once
Media Format Support	CD Extra, CD Text, CD-DA (audio), CD-I, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, DVD-Video, Photo CD
Media Type Support	BD-R, BD-R DL, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-ROM DL, BD-R QL, BD-R TL, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-RE TL, BD-ROM, BD-ROM DL, CD-R
Access Time	160 sec, 170 sec, 180 sec
Feature Highlights	Disk Encryption Support
Interface / Enclosure	Super Speed USB 3.0 interface External Enclosure
OS Support	Apple MacOS X 10.6 or later, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 8
Included Software	CyberLink Power2Go 8, CyberLink PowerBackup 2.5, Unlimited ASUS WebStorage
Dimension	6.5 x 9.6 x 2.5 inches
Weight	2.56 lbs

3. LG BE16NU5 Blu-Ray / DVD Writer:

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The drive supports bdxl which can enable you to store up to 128GB “Quad layer“. It can playback 3D Blu-ray discs and just like the Asus drive, can write at 16x BD-R speeds. The internally motor is virtually silent for movie playbacks and its ‘jamless‘ play smooths out the playback of damaged sectors on Blu-ray or DVD discs. Refer to its specifications below:

Speeds	16x / 2x / 12x
Read Speed	48x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 12x (DVD±R DL) / 12x (BD-R) / 12x (BD-ROM) / 8x (BD-R DL) / 8x (BD-ROM DL) / 10x (BD-RE) / 6x (BD-R TL/QL/XL) / 6x (BD-RE DL) / 4x (BD-RE TL)
Write Speed	48x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL) / 16x (BD-R) / 12x (BD-R DL) / 8x (BD-R TL) / 6x (BD-R QL)
Rewrite Speed	24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) / 2x (BD-RE) / 2x (BD-RE DL) / 2x (BD-RE TL)
Recording Mode Support	Layer Jump Recording (LJR), disk-at-once, incremental recording, packet writing, random access write, restricted overwrite, sequential write, session-at-once, track-at-once
Supported Formats	CD-DA [Audio] CD-ROM DVD Video
Media Type Support	BD-R, BD-R DL, BD-R QL, BD-R TL, BD-R XL, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-RE TL, BD-ROM, BD-ROM DL, CD-R, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-ROM DL, M-DISC
Buffer Size	4 MB with buffer under run protection 150 sec, 160sec, 180 sec access time
Media Load Type	Tray Load
Feature Highlights	M-Disc Support
Interface / Enclosure	1x Super Speed USB 3.0 interface External Enclosure
OS Support	Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista (32/64 bits), Windows 8, Windows 10
Dimension	6.3 x 8.7 x 2 inches
Weight	2.31 lbs

4. Pioneer BDR XS06 Portable Blu-Ray Writer:

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At 6x writing speeds, this is not the fastest on the list. However, it supports both the BDXL @ 128GB Quad Layer & Triple Layer Blu-ray media @ 100GB. It is a multi-format capabable drive and can burn disc’s at 6x for BD-R, 8x for DVD-R& +R, plus 24x for CD-R, if it is still a thing. It comes with a slim enclosure and you can buy this with an optional stand.

Specifications:

Speeds	6x 2x 6x
Read Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 6x (BD)
Write Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL) / 6x (BD-R) / 6x (BD-R DL) / 4x (BD-R QL) / 4x (BD-R TL) / 6x (BD-R LTH)
Rewrite Speed	24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 2x (BD-RE)
Media Type Support	BD-R, BD-R DL, CD-R, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, BD-R LTH, DVD-ROM DL, BD-R QL, BD-R TL, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-RE TL, BD-ROM, BD-ROM DL
Buffer Size	4 MB
Media Load Type	Slot Load
Feature Highlights	USB Powered
Interface / Enclosure	1x SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface External Enclosure
OS Support	Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10, Apple MacOS X 10.6 – 10.11
Dimension	5.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
Weight	9.88 oz

5. LG BP50NB40 Ultra Slim Writer:

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Just like the Pioneer drive listed above, this one also can write up to 6x speeds for DR R discs. However, this one does not support BDXL Quad layer, but only triple layer media @ 100 GB. Apart from that, it can write CDs at 24x and dvds at 8x speeds. Refer to the specifications chart below:

Speeds	6x 2x 6x
Read Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 6x (BD)
Write Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL) / 6x (BD-R) / 6x (BD-R DL) / 4x (BD-R TL) / 6x (BD-R LTH)
Rewrite Speed	16x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) / 2x (BD-RE) / 2x (BD-RE DL) / 2x (BD-RE TL)
Media Type Support	BD-R, BD-R DL, BD-R LTH, BD-R TL, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-RE TL, BD-ROM, BD-ROM DL, CD-R, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-ROM DL, M-DISC
Buffer Size	4 MB with buffer underrun protection
Access Time	200 sec, 250 sec
Media Load Type	Tray Media Load
Feature Highlights	Jamless Play M-Disk Support Silent Play
Interface / Enclosure	1x 4 pin USB 2.0 Type A interface External Enclosure
OS Support	Microsoft Windows Vista / XP / 7 / 8 / 8.1
Included Software	CyberLink MediaEspresso, CyberLink Power2Go, CyberLink PowerProducer, Cyberlink PowerDVD
Dimension	5.7 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
Weight	9.52 oz

6. Samsung 506CB / RSBDM Slim Writer:

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The Samsung drive is yet another external 6x external Blue Ray writer using a native USB 3.0 interface. It can work with MAC OS (iMac includes) and does not need a separate driver. This is not as expensive as the LG drive listed above and can do most of your DVD, Blue Ray or CD writing work. Refer to the specifications table below for additional details:

Speeds	6x 2x 6x
Read Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 6x (BD)
Write Speed	24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL) / 6x (BD-R) / 6x (BD-R DL) / 4x (BD-R QL) / 4x (BD-R TL)
Rewrite Speed	24x (CD) / 6x (DVD±RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) / 2x (BD-RE) / 2x (BD-RE DL) / 2x (BD-RE TL)
Media Format Support	CD Extra, CD Text, CD+G (Karaoke CD), CD-DA (audio), CD-I, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, DVD-Video, Mixed-mode CD, Photo CD, Video CD
Media Type Support	BD-R, BD-R DL, BD-R LTH, BD-R QL, BD-R TL, BD-RE, BD-RE DL, BD-ROM, BD-ROM DL, CD-R, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM
Buffer Size	5 MB with Buffer under run free technology
Access Time	130 sec, 200 sec
Media Load Type	Tray Media Load
Feature Highlights	Blu ray 3D Support Double Optimum power control PSCT, SAT, SACT and TAC technologies Upscaling technology, Firmware Upgradable
Interface / Enclosure	1x USB 2.0 interface External enclosure
OS Support	Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Apple MacOS X 10.4.6 or later
Included Software	Cyber Link BD 3D advisor
Dimension	5.8 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
Weight	10.16 oz

Conclusion:

All of the drives featured on this list will support Windows and Mac OS. The difference is the writing speeds, form factor, multi-format support and of course, the price. We hope this should cover for almost everyone who is looking out for the best external Blu Ray burners.

Suggestions and comments are welcome in the comment section below.

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