Apple has begun to stop installing CD/DVD drives since the introduction of MacBook Air in January 2008. Later, Apple discontinued manufacturing MacBook and iMac with optical drives in 2016 and mid-2011, respectively. With your new Mac devices, you are not able to run CDs or DVDs. For this purpose, you need to rely on external CD/DVD drives. Moreover, you need an external drive to import movies and music to iTunes. If you have got the latest MacBook or iMac (released after 2012 and 2016), you need to buy the best external CD/DVD drives.

1. Apple USB SuperDrive

An external optical drive will allow you to access discs on your Mac. To do this, you’ll need to buy an external disc reader that plugs into your Mac via a USB cable. Such an external drive could read CDs and DVDs, play Blu-Rays, and even burn discs — if that’s what you want. Amazon's Choicefor dvd cd player for mac External CD DVD Drive, USB Type C Dual Port CD Drive, DVD +/-RW CD +/-RW Writer Burner Player with Classic Silver for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac OS, PC Laptop 4.1 out of 5 stars1,138 $19.99$19.99. Enjoy your favorite tunes on the go with this aqua blue Crosley Corsair radio CD player. The built-in full-range stereo speakers produce dynamic sound, while the integrated alarm clock and dual alarms help you keep time. This Bluetooth-enabled Crosley Corsair radio CD player features an analog tuner that lets you listen to AM and FM stations.

Apple claims that its USB SuperDrive has everything you need in an optical drive. With simplicity, this external drive has state-of-the-art technology. You can connect this SuperDrive with your MacBook Pro with Retina display, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac mini with a single USB Type A cable, which is built into this SuperDrive.

The design of this drive is compact as it is slightly bigger than a CD case. You can carry this SuperDrive anywhere in your travel bag or laptop bag. Use this drive on your desk or tray table. Check out the compatible devices.

USP: Compact design
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2. VersionTECH

VersionTECH is one of the leading brands in manufacturing high-quality CD/DVD drives for Mac. The most useful feature on this drive is that there is no eject button. And you are not supposed to use any driver program or extra power supply as it can be powered by the USB port.

VersionTECH has created a stylish design that features a durable metal finish with an elegant silver lid. The ultra-slim drive is convenient to carry anywhere. Among other notable features, this drive boasts are embedded cable, premium wire drawing material, low noise, and high durability.

USP: Ultra-thin design
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3. LG

LG is a renowned brand in the world of electronics. The brand has also manufactured top-notch accessories like power banks, Bluetooth headphones, keyboards, stylus and more. For your Mac, LG brings an ultra-slim DVD external drive. With its 8X DVD-R writing speed, you can quickly transfer data from your DVD or CD to your MacBook or iMac.

During the style evolution, LG’s optical drive has achieved a new status from slimmer to the slimmest. The product occupies little space on your desk and delivers the best performance every time you insert a CD or DVD.

USP: Superior data protection
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4. Cocopa

With its high-speed interface of USB 3.0, Cocopa can quickly transmit your data at the maximum speed of 5GBPS. This makes Cocopa an excellent choice of marketing executives, who have to make presentations in offices. The strong fault tolerance gives a stable performance.

For fashion-forward users, Cocopa has used brushed texture shell that gives you a good touch feeling. With its small size, you can carry this portable DVD drive with your laptop anywhere.

Cd Player For Mac Pro

USP: Stable performance
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5. Gipow

Beating USB 2.0 and USB 1.0, Gipow has designed a USB 3.0 external drive for your Mac. Whether it is your movies, videos, or audio contents, you can quickly transfer everything to your Mac. If you don’t want to transfer audio/visual contents, you can watch or listen to the contents directly from the drive.

This CD/DVD drive is compatible with multiple operating systems, apart from macOS. It’s a plug-and-play drive you can install and use without any software or driver.

USP: Fashionable design
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#6. Rioddas

When I opened the package, I wondered there was no cable attached to this drive. Then I realized that the cable is smartly embedded at the bottom of this drive. This intelligent design can impress any user. This is the best portable drive for Mac owners, who have to travel extensively. The drive doesn’t occupy space in your travel bag or laptop bag.

For better stability on any glossy surface, Rioddas has put a non-slip pad on the bottom. This non-slip pad prevents your drive from falling off your table or desk. The multi-functional CD/DVD drive can burn movies and music.

USP: Embedded cable design
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7. ISKE

Unlike other external CD/DVD drives that show eject button, ISKE doesn’t have that eject button. When you want to eject a CD or DVD from the drive, you can perform this action from your Mac.

ISKE’s external drive boasts intelligent design as it offers embedded cable design; users should not underrate this feature as it can protect the cable and makes your drive more portable.

USP: No eject button
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8. Botee

Botee has come up with a unique feature: voltage stabilization system. This system avoids high or low voltage lead. Thus, it can protect your computer from any damage. Bootee offers you free lifetime product warranty, 30-day product replacement or refund.

Universal compatibility of this drive enables it to work with multiple operating systems aside from macOS. This means you can smoothly transfer your data from Windows computer to Mac or vice versa.

USP: Voltage stabilization
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#9. ivkey

ivkey presents unique design in its external CD drive that works with USB 3.0 high-speed interface. For faster data transmission speed, use this product and achieve a maximum speed of up to 5GBPS. Along with speed, you get stable performance and strong fault tolerance.

Ivkey has unparalleled intelligent burning technology and brand new chip to correct the errors. You can play your audio/visual contents without any log or distortion.

USP: Intelligent burning technology
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10. VicTsing

VicTsing brings a multi-function external CD/DVD drive with which you can watch DVD movies, burn files, music, videos to another CD or DVD. You can also install software and create backup discs etc.

VicTsing offers robust anti-shock and noise-reduction technology. The drive consumes low power, and it can be powered by the USB port; you are not supposed to use any external adapter. Don’t miss its slim and lightweight design, which provides a stylish appearance.

USP: Error-correction ability
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That’s all!

Summing up…

For smooth, hassle-free, fast, and secure transmission of your data, external CD/DVD drive is the best solution for your Mac. Note that you can buy any CD or DVD with maximum data storage capacity and then transfer your data from one computer to another.

You may also like to refer:

Which external CD/DVD drive would you like to buy for your Mac?

Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.

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If your Mac OS X computer is having problems reading CDor DVD media, see below to determine the cause of theproblem.

Check your media and hardware

• Determine what kind of drive you have and the media itsupports. For example, a DVD drive is required to read DVDs. Fordetailed information about your system, from the Apple menu, selectAbout This Mac, and then click MoreInfo.... You can also contact your vendor (e.g., contactApple for an internal drive included with your Mac).
• Make sure you have the correct side facing up. For single-sideddiscs, the label should face up, unless the drive is verticallymounted, in which case the label should be facing toward you. Fordouble-sided DVDs, flip the disc over and see if it willmount.
• Make sure the disc is correctly placed in the drive.
• See if the disc is dirty or damaged. The easiest way to do thisis to try it in another computer with a compatible drive. If it's anaudio CD or a video DVD, you might also try it in a CD or DVDplayer. If you suspect your disc is dirty, clean it with a soft, dampcloth. Use water or a dedicated CD/DVD cleaner such as Klear Kloths, and do not touchthe shiny surface with your fingers. If you suspect your CD or DVD isdamaged, repair kits are available from many vendors.
• Try another disc of the same type in the drive. If you havetrouble with both discs, you may have software problems, or your drivemay need to be cleaned or repaired.

Check your software

Cd Player For Mac

• Check your Finder preferences. With the Finder active,from the Finder menu, selectPreferences.... Click the General icon, andlook under 'Show these items on the Desktop:'. Make sure CDs,DVDs, and iPods is checked. If it isn't, when you insert a CD orDVD, its icon will appear in Finder windows, but not on the desktopitself.
• If you have difficulty after installing third-party software, youmay need to uninstall it or use an updated version. Contact thevendor of the software for more information.
• Check Apple's site for updated software, drivers, orfirmware; see ARCHIVED: For Mac OS X, how do I obtain and install system softwareupdates? If youare using a third-party CD or DVD drive, contact the vendor and askabout updates.