LG Electronics Ultra Slim Portable Blu-ray/DVD Writer Optica

The Verdict

Let’s be honest: most laptops in 2026 don’t have optical drives, and most people don’t miss them. But if you’re archiving family videos, backing up 50GB of project files, or still buying physical media, the LG BP60NB10 makes a compelling case for itself. At 4.3 stars across 215 ratings, it’s the portable Blu-ray burner that keeps showing up in “best external optical drive” roundups — and not just because LG dominates this niche.

What’s actually in the box

LG keeps it minimal: the drive itself, a combined USB-C-to-USB-A cable (about 60cm), and a quick start guide. No software disc, no carrying case, no power brick. That cable matters more than you’d think — it’s the reason this drive works with nearly everything, from a modern MacBook Air to an older Windows desktop. The drive measures roughly 14.3 x 14.6 x 1.4 cm and weighs 230g, which makes it genuinely pocketable. As shown in the product image, it’s a matte black slab with a subtle LG logo and a single activity LED — no garish branding, no wasted space.

Performance: where it shines and where it stumbles

The headline feature is M-DISC support. This isn’t marketing fluff — M-DISCs use a ceramic-based recording layer that’s rated to survive for a century or more, unlike standard recordable Blu-rays that degrade in 10-20 years. For photographers and videographers backing up irreplaceable work, that’s a legitimate reason to choose this drive over cheaper DVD-only options.

Reading speed hits 6x for Blu-ray, 8x for DVD — plenty for watching movies or pulling data off discs. Writing speeds max out at 6x for single-layer Blu-ray (25GB) and 4x for double-layer (50GB). Real-world burn times: a full 25GB disc takes roughly 12-14 minutes at 6x speed. That’s acceptable, but here’s the catch — several buyers report buffer underruns at maximum speed. One reviewer noted, “Burns fine at 4x, but had three failed discs at 6x before I dropped the speed.” Plan on 4x for critical burns and you’ll be fine.

What buyers consistently praise

The USB-powered design is the runaway favorite feature. No external power supply means you can burn discs from a cramped coffee shop table or an airplane tray. As one verified purchaser put it: “Plugged into my MacBook Pro, no adapter needed, works flawlessly with both Blu-ray and DVD. Exactly what I needed for archiving.”

Reliability gets consistent mentions too. LG has been making optical drives for two decades, and it shows in the build quality. The tray mechanism feels solid, the drive runs quietly (around 40dB during burns), and it handles both Mac and Windows without driver headaches.

Where it falls short

No bundled software is the biggest practical complaint. Windows 10/11 can burn data discs natively, but Blu-ray video authoring requires third-party software like CyberLink Power2Go or Toast for Mac. That’s an extra $50-80 you should budget for if you plan to make playable Blu-ray discs, not just data archives.

The 6x max write speed is also dated — competing drives hit 8x, and LG’s own internal drives hit 12x. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you burn discs professionally, the time difference adds up.

Who should buy this

Three specific buyer personas: (1) The photographer/videographer archiving RAW files and footage to M-DISC for long-term storage — this is the drive’s killer use case. (2) The laptop user who occasionally needs to read an old disc or burn a bootable OS installer — the portability and USB power make it painless. (3) Anyone still buying physical Blu-ray media who wants a backup player for travel.

Skip it if you only need occasional DVD burning — a $25 DVD-only drive does that job for a third of the price. And if you burn 50+ discs monthly, get an internal drive instead.

FAQ

Q: Does this work with macOS on Apple Silicon? A: Yes. It’s plug-and-play on macOS for reading and data burning. For Blu-ray video playback, you’ll need third-party software like VLC or Mac Blu-ray Player — macOS doesn’t natively support Blu-ray movie playback.

Q: Can I use this to watch Blu-ray movies on my laptop? A: Technically yes, but you need software that supports Blu-ray decryption (AnyDVD HD or similar). LG doesn’t include playback software, so factor that cost in.

Q: Is the M-DISC feature worth paying extra for? A: If you’re archiving irreplaceable data, absolutely. Standard burned discs degrade over a decade or two; M-DISCs are rated for 100+ years. For casual backups, skip it and save money on standard discs.

The Verdict

Buy it if you need portable Blu-ray burning with archival-grade M-DISC support and don’t want to hunt for a wall outlet. It’s the best ultra-slim option in its price range, with proven LG reliability.

Skip it if you’re a casual DVD burner, need faster write speeds, or don’t want to budget for third-party software.

Rating: 4.2/5 — A capable, well-built tool with a specific audience. The missing software and 6x write ceiling keep it from perfection, but for archivists and media hoarders, it’s a solid investment that’ll outlast your next two laptops.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.