In another article, we introduced the best external CD/DVD drive for Mac, but those CD/DVD RW drives can only read and write CDs and DVDs, which has no the ability to read and write Blu-ray discs. So I will introduce and recommend several good external Blu-ray drives for Mac for your reference.
The external Blu-ray drive is much more expensive than an ordinary CD/DVD drive, so we should be as cautious as possible before purchasing. They look like a good choice if you can take the trouble to contact the seller by email for help, and finally, they may have to recommend you to return it for a full refund just because they are not a professional manufacturer at all and cannot provide you with much valuable information. So first of all, it is better to choose products from famous brands.
Although many external Blu-ray drives claim to be plug-and-play on all Mac computers, it turns out that the returns caused by compatibility issues are the most on Amazon, especially for those Mac computers with the M1 chip and the latest OS (Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave). Therefore, the options we recommend must at least ensure that there is no problem with compatibility.
Most external Blu-ray drives can ensure sufficient read and write speeds to read, write and rip CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. We hardly need to worry about excessive noise and vibration due to their slow speed. These external Blu-ray drives also support M-DISC reading and writing, which is designed to provide longer archive media life.
If you need to store more data, an external Blu-ray drive that supports BDXL™ is necessary. BDXL™ (including 128GB Quadruple Layer (QL)¹ and 100GB Triple Layer (TL)¹ Blu-ray Disc™) is up to 156% more data storage capacity than a 50GB Dual Layer Blu-ray Disc.
It is worth reminding that a premium external Blu-ray drive is just hardware, you need to also prepare a stable Blu-ray player software such as LEAWO Blu-ray Player, CyberLink PowerDVD 20 Ultra, VLC Media Player, 5K Player, etc.
🙂 You can check out several of the best external Blu-ray drives for mac we recommend at present below.
1. Archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super Drive for PC and Mac
Specs & Features
- Connector: USB 3.0 Y-Cable & USB-C
- Media Load Type: Tray
- Device Type: Reader, Writer, ReWriter
- Compatible with Mac OS and Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP
- Long-term data protection with M-DISC™
- Supports Blu-ray, DVD, and CD media reading and writing
- Support 4K UHD reading in Windows PC
- Max Read Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Max Write Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Come with a free protective carrying case to protect the external drive.
- Slim CNC aluminum body
Disadvantage
- Doesn’t come with a media player and burning software
2. Pioneer BDR-XD07B Portable Burner & DVD Player – 6X Slim External BDXL, BD, DVD & CD Drive for Windows & Mac w/ 3.0 USB – CD Player -Write & Read on Laptop or Desktop w/Carry Case (Black)
Specs & Features
- Connector: USB 3.0
- Media Load Type: Tray
- Device Type: Reader, Writer, ReWriter
- Compatible with Mac OS and Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP
- Long-term data protection with M-DISC™
- Supports BDXL, Blu-ray, DVD, and CD media reading and writing
- Max Read Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Max Write Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Come with CyberLink Media Suite 10 for Windows download key
- Multisystem Additions for Smart Sound & Display Experience (PowerRead, Auto Quiet mode, and PureRead3+ comb)
- Come with a premium protective carry case to ensure that your new external drive stays in great condition
- Small size and lightweight
Disadvantage
- Doesn’t come with a Cyberlink Software for Mac OS
- Has no USB-C connector
3. Pioneer BDR-XS07UHD 4K Blu-Ray Portable Burner & DVD Player – 6X Slim External BDXL, BD, DVD & CD Drive for Windows & Mac w/ 3.0 USB, CD Player, Write & Read on Laptop or Desktop w/ Carry Case (Black)
Specs & Features
- Connector: USB 3.0 & USB-C
- Media Load Type: Tray
- Device Type: Reader, Writer, ReWriter
- Compatible with Mac OS and Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP
- Long-term data protection with M-DISC™
- Supports BDXL, Blu-ray, DVD, and CD media reading and writing
- Support 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback
- Max Read Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Max Write Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Come with CyberLink Media Suite 10 for Windows download key
- Multisystem Additions for Smart Sound & Display Experience (PowerRead, Auto Quiet mode, and PureRead3+ comb)
- Come with a premium protective carry case to ensure that your new external drive stays in great condition
- Small size and lightweight
Disadvantage
- Doesn’t come with a Cyberlink Software for Mac OS
- Has no USB-C connector
4. ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive with 16x Writing Speed and USB 3.0 for Both Mac/PC Optical Drive BW-16D1X-U
Specs & Features
- Connector: USB 3.0
- Media Load Type: Tray
- Device Type: Reader, Writer, ReWriter
- Work with Mac os x 10. 6 or higher, and Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP
- Long-term data protection with M-DISC™
- Supports BDXL, Blu-ray, DVD, and CD media reading and writing
- Max Read Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Max Write Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 16x (BD)
- Cyber Link Power2Go 8 disc-burning process with optional encryption functionality for extra private files protection
- Comes with an online backup solution for Android smartphones and tablets
- Come with a power adapter and power cord
Disadvantage
- Doesn’t come with a Cyberlink Software for Mac OS
- Has no USB-C connector
- Too big, not portable
5. Verbatim External Slimline Blu-Ray DVD CD Writer USB 3.0 M-Disc Ready Compatible with Windows and Mac – Metallic Black
Specs & Features:
- Connector: USB 3.0 & USB-A to USB-C cable
- Media Load Type: Tray
- Device Type: Reader, Writer, ReWriter
- Work with Mac os x 10. 6 or higher, and Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP
- Long-term data protection with M-DISC™
- Supports BDXL, Blu-ray, DVD, and CD media reading and writing
- Max Read Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Max Write Speed: 24x (CD)/ 8x (DVD)/ 6x (BD)
- Comes with Nero Burn and Archive software for Windows OS
- An AC adapter is included in case your laptop can’t deliver the necessary power
- Slim design based on aluminum enclosure
- 2-year limited warranty
Disadvantage
- Doesn’t come with a Cyberlink Software for Mac OS
- Too big, not portable
Conclusion
Although these external Blu-ray drives do not have software for macOS, these are still the best options available at present. Objectively speaking, these devices are more friendly to users who have both Mac and Windows.
If you don’t need a portable device and need faster writing speed, ASUS BW-16D1X-U seems to be the best choice. If your Mac computer only has a USB-C interface, you can consider Verbatim, Pioneer BDR-XS07UHD, or Archgon drive.
Except Archgon does not support BDXL, all products above support M-DISC and BDXL, which makes it more convenient for us to store large-capacity data, or important data for a long time.
FAQs
Q: Can you just play Blu-Ray movies through one of these drives?
A: Yes, you can use this drive to just play Blu-ray movies on your computer
Q: Is there a device that can play all 3D Blu-ray discs?
A: All these devices can play 3D discs since all 3D discs are 2D discs with an extra angle for the left or right eye.
Q: Are these devices region-free?
A: No! The region code can only be changed five (5) times, including the initial setting. Please be aware that the fifth change becomes PERMANENT. Therefore, avoid changing the region code unless absolutely necessary.
Q: Will this work with the new Mac M1 laptop?
A: Yes! These options all support the new M1 MacBook Pro/Air.
Q: Do these work with the latest mac os x?
A: Yes! Work fine!
Read More
- Best External CD/DVD Drive for Mac
- Best External Blu-ray Drive for Ripping
- Best External CD DVD Drive for Windows 10
- Best External Blu-ray Drive for Laptop
