Buying guide
External Blu-ray Drives
Our pick
ASUS SBW-06D5H-U Black
Choose the ASUS SBW-06D5H-U for laptop Blu-ray backups, with USB power, USB-C connectivity and support for BDXL and M-DISC writing.1
Why this one
- It makes optical backups without a wall adapter and supports high-capacity BDXL discs. Its bundled burning and backup software is for Windows; Mac users need their own tools.1
The alternatives
Other contenders
OWC Mercury Pro 16X Blu-ray Writer
Choose the OWC Mercury Pro 16X for a powered desktop setup: it rates BD-R and DVD-R writing at up to 16x, versus the ASUS’s 6x and 8x.1611
Buying advice
- For Ultra HD movie discs, the Verbatim 43888 requires dedicated playback software, sold separately, and a compatible PC; newer hardware and operating systems have restrictions.7
For carrying in a laptop bag
The USB-powered ASUS SBW-06D5H-U avoids a wall adapter and has a 14.7 mm body for a laptop bag.1
For burning 100 GB archive discs
Choose the ASUS SBW-06D5H-U for BDXL writing when your backup plan uses high-capacity Blu-ray discs.1
For archives meant to last
The ASUS SBW-06D5H-U supports M-DISC writing. Keep another backup rather than relying on one optical copy.1
For laptops with only USB-C ports
The ASUS SBW-06D5H-U supports a USB-C connection and USB power, so it suits a compatible laptop without USB-A ports.1
8 models / at a glance
Key differences
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Models in this comparison
ASUS SBW-06D5H-U Black
- DVD write speed
- 8 x1
Asus BW-12D1S-U
- DVD write speed
- 16 x3
ASUS BW-16D1X-U
- DVD write speed
- 16 x4
LG BE12LU30
- DVD write speed
- 16 x3
OWC Mercury Pro 16X Blu-ray Writer
- DVD write speed
- 16 x11
Verbatim 43888 Ultra HD 4K External Slimline Blu-ray Writer
- DVD write speed
- 8 x12
Verbatim 43889 External Slimline Blu-ray Writer
- DVD write speed
- 8 x13
Verbatim 43890 External Slimline Blu-ray Writer
- DVD write speed
- 8 x14
Every specification for these products
| Specification | ASUS SBW-06D5H-U Black | Asus BW-12D1S-U | ASUS BW-16D1X-U | LG BE12LU30 | OWC Mercury Pro 16X Blu-ray Writer | Verbatim 43888 Ultra HD 4K External Slimline Blu-ray Writer | Verbatim 43889 External Slimline Blu-ray Writer | Verbatim 43890 External Slimline Blu-ray Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blu-ray read support | Yes1 | Yes3 | Yes4 | Yes3 | Yes6 | Yes7 | Yes8 | Yes10 |
| USB powered | Yes1 | No2 | No4 | No5 | No6 | Yes7 | Yes8 | Yes (Host interface: USB Y cable; optional external power supply may be used)10 |
| Blu-ray write speed | 6 x1 | Not published | 16 x15 | Not published | 16 x11 | 6 x7 | 6 x (Tested configuration: single-layer Blu-ray disc)8 | 6 x14 |
| USB version | USB 3.2 Gen1x1 (Type-C + Type-A)1 | USB 3.03 | USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 (Type-A)4 | eSATA USB 2.03 | USB 3.1 Gen 16 | USB 3.2 Gen17 | USB 3.09 | USB 3.010 |
| Weight | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 215 g7 | 215 g8 | 215 g10 |
| DVD write speed | 8 x1 | 16 x3 | 16 x4 | 16 x3 | 16 x11 | 8 x12 | 8 x13 | 8 x14 |
| Ultra HD Blu-ray reading | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes (Host: Check PC/laptop manufacturer for compatibility; functionality limited on newer PCs/OS due to hardware restrictions.; Workload: UHD Blu-ray playback requires dedicated software (not included).)7 | Not published | Not published |
| BDXL write support | Yes1 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes11 | Yes7 | Yes8 | Yes14 |
| M-DISC write support | Yes1 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes6 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| USB-C support | Yes1 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes7 | Yes8 | Not published |
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How they compare
Scroll the table to see every product and specification.
| Specification | Our pickASUS SBW-06D5H-U Black | Asus BW-12D1S-U | ASUS BW-16D1X-U | LG BE12LU30 | OWC Mercury Pro 16X Blu-ray Writer | Verbatim 43888 Ultra HD 4K External Slimline Blu-ray Writer | Verbatim 43889 External Slimline Blu-ray Writer | Verbatim 43890 External Slimline Blu-ray Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blu-ray read support | Yes1 | Yes3 | Yes4 | Yes3 | Yes6 | Yes7 | Yes8 | Yes10 |
| USB powered | Yes1 | No2 | No4 | No5 | No6 | Yes7 | Yes8 | Yes (Host interface: USB Y cable; optional external power supply may be used)10 |
| Blu-ray write speed | 6 x1 | Not published | 16 x15 | Not published | 16 x11 | 6 x7 | 6 x (Tested configuration: single-layer Blu-ray disc)8 | 6 x14 |
| USB version | USB 3.2 Gen1x1 (Type-C + Type-A)1 | USB 3.03 | USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 (Type-A)4 | eSATA USB 2.03 | USB 3.1 Gen 16 | USB 3.2 Gen17 | USB 3.09 | USB 3.010 |
| Weight | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 215 g7 | 215 g8 | 215 g10 |
| DVD write speed | 8 x1 | 16 x3 | 16 x4 | 16 x3 | 16 x11 | 8 x12 | 8 x13 | 8 x14 |
| Ultra HD Blu-ray reading | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes (Host: Check PC/laptop manufacturer for compatibility; functionality limited on newer PCs/OS due to hardware restrictions.; Workload: UHD Blu-ray playback requires dedicated software (not included).)7 | Not published | Not published |
| BDXL write support | Yes1 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes11 | Yes7 | Yes8 | Yes14 |
| M-DISC write support | Yes1 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes6 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| USB-C support | Yes1 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes7 | Yes8 | Not published |