Even the largest smartphone doesn’t have the best resolution for enjoying movies to the fullest. A portable DVD player, on the other hand, makes it possible to see all the action. We’ve done the research for you to help you find the best portable DVD player for users on the go.
Source: www.savantmag.com
Buying Guide
You’ll find plenty of options from which to choose. However, several key features separate an average DVD player from one that you’ll love. They include:
- Display Size: Viewing area
- Resolution: Clarity of the display
- Media Formats: Ability to view or play several types such as CDs, MP3s, and others
- Power Source: Battery or AC options along with running time and type
- Viewing Options and Ergonomics: Multiple viewing options to avoid neck strain
Buying Recommendations
Recommendations
Best Budget
Best Premium
Best for Cars
Dual Screens
USB-SD Card
Screen Size
9.5 inch
14 inches
10.1 inches
10.5 inches
10.5 inches
Media Compatibility
CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, DIVX, AVI
Blu-Ray, CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, FLV, AVI
DVD, CD, MP3, JPG, AVI, MPEG
CD, DVD, MP3, AVI, VOB, JPEG
CD, DVD, DIVX, MP3, SVCD, JPEG, USB, SD card
Battery Life
5 hours
3 hours
5 hours
5 hours solely; 2-3 hours in dual mode
5 hours
Best Budget
Recommendations
Screen Size
9.5 inch
Media Compatibility
CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, DIVX, AVI
Battery Life
5 hours
Best Premium
Recommendations
Screen Size
14 inches
Media Compatibility
Blu-Ray, CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, FLV, AVI
Battery Life
3 hours
Best for Cars
Recommendations
Screen Size
10.1 inches
Media Compatibility
DVD, CD, MP3, JPG, AVI, MPEG
Battery Life
5 hours
Dual Screens
Recommendations
Screen Size
10.5 inches
Media Compatibility
CD, DVD, MP3, AVI, VOB, JPEG
Battery Life
5 hours solely; 2-3 hours in dual mode
USB-SD Card
Recommendations
Screen Size
10.5 inches
Media Compatibility
CD, DVD, DIVX, MP3, SVCD, JPEG, USB, SD card
Battery Life
5 hours
Budget Portable DVD Player
Here are our budget-friendly recommendations.
1. DBPOWER Portable DVD Player – Editor’s Pick
The DBPOWER Portable DVD Player is affordably priced with many of the same features as the premium models.
Specs
Screen Size: 9.5 inch
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, DIVX, AVI
Battery Life: 5 hours
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, DIVX, AVI
Battery Life: 5 hours
What we like about it
- You can get an exchange or refund for up to 12 months after your purchase
- The size is ideal for traveling
Drawbacks
- It seems more like a kid product than one for an adult
- The sound playback is okay
- The device doesn’t come with a car charger
DBPOWER 11.5" Portable DVD Player, 5-Hour Built-in Rechargeable Battery, 9" Swivel Screen, Support CD/DVD/SD Card/USB, Remote Control, 1.8 Meter Car Charger, Power Adaptor and Car Headrest (Black)
- 【HIGH CAPACITY BUILT-IN BATTERY】Watch all your favorite TV shows and movies or let your kids be engaged by watching beloved cartoons while you're on the road. A built-in 2500 mAh rechargeable lithium battery ensures 5 hours of video playback. DBPOWER 11.5" Portable DVD Player equipped with three power supplies - built-in battery, car charger, and AC power adapter, hence it serves for a long period of time before having to recharge.
- 【MULTIMEDIA SUPPORTED】Direct play in formats: CD,DVD,CD-R/RW,DVD-R/+R,DVD+RW/-RW, VCD,SVCD(but not blu-ray DVD); Up to 32GB USB and SD Card are supported; MP3/WMA/WAV, JPEG, MPEG2/AVI/DIVX are supported. It is Region free.
- 【SWIVELING SCREEN】9 inch screen with unique design. 800*480 Swivel Screen obtains a 270 degrees rotation and 180 degrees flip feature. DBPOWER Portable DVD Player can be swiveled as a tablet easily and mounted to the back of your car's headrest (head restraint) while you are on the road trips with your family.
2. APEMAN Portable DVD Player
Specs
Screen Size: 7.5 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, SWF, AVI, NES
Battery Life: 4 hours
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, SWF, AVI, NES
Battery Life: 4 hours
No products found.
No products found.
What we like about it
- The device includes a game function that you can use with a USB-connected joystick
- The product has a one-year limited warranty
Drawbacks
- Some may think it looks and feels more like a product for kids
- The player isn’t as durable as we’d like to see
No products found.
Premium Portable DVD Player
Check out our premium recommendations.
1. NAVISKAUTO Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player – Editor’s Pick
The NAVISKAUTO Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player provides outstanding sound and video quality and is one of the few to play Blu-Ray.
Specs
Screen Size: 14 inches
Media Compatibility: Blu-Ray, CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, FLV, AVI
Battery Life: 3 hours
Media Compatibility: Blu-Ray, CD, DVD, MP3, MP4, FLV, AVI
Battery Life: 3 hours
What we like about it
- The device has Dolby audio for excellent sound playback
- It is HDMI-ready to use at home too
Drawbacks
- The charge time is long at six hours
- The device is heavier than comparable products at just over 5 pounds
14 Inch Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player for Car Full HD 1080P with HDMI Output and Input, Dolby Audio, 3-Hour Rechargeable Battery, AUX Cable, Support USB and SD
- 【PORTABLE BLU-RAY PLAYER】: Full HD 1080P blu-ray discs playback with 1920*1080 (3GB) pixels, provide you a better audio-visual experience. For DVD: Region Free; For Blu-ray Disc: Region A (Not support 2K/4K/3D BLU). Can be used in car headrest with NAVISKAUTO Car Headrest Mount Holder (ASIN: B07K71ZCXP)
- 【DOLBY DIGITAL SOUND】: Supports Dolby audio file decoding: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio MP3, etc. Stronger acoustic effect makes you feel like you were present at the cinema.
- 【HDMI OUTPUT AND INPUT】: Connect to your any HDMI-ready TV or your mobile phone using a HDMI cable (HDMI cable not included.). Get digital audio and video transmitted at the highest quality for your movies. Multiple ways to play.
2. DR. Q Portable DVD Player
Specs
Screen Size: 15.4 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, RMVB, AVI, MPG
Battery Life: 7 hours
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, RMVB, AVI, MPG
Battery Life: 7 hours
No products found.
No products found.
What we like about it
The DR. Q Portable DVD Player has the largest display of all the products we reviewed at 15.4 inches. It is a product for serious viewing. Its extended 7-hour running time is perfect for binge-watching. It is well-made to justify the higher price.
- The device has additional viewing options such as slow-motion and MMC card support
- You can connect it to your TV or sync it with a projector
Drawbacks
- Some may find the size too large for travel
No products found.
Portable DVD Player for Kids
These are our favorite choices for kids.
1. ieGeek Portable DVD Player – Editor’s Pick
The ieGeek Portable DVD Player is both kid-friendly and kid-proof, making it an excellent value.
Specs
Screen Size: 11.5 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, AVI, SVCD, NES games
Battery Life: 5 hours
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, AVI, SVCD, NES games
Battery Life: 5 hours
No products found.
No products found.
What we like about it
- The package includes both AC and car 12V adaptors
- Dual speakers provide clear and loud sound
Drawbacks
- You can’t adjust the sound while playing games
- Limited support for different game formats
No products found.
2. COOAU Portable DVD Player with Game Joystick
Specs
Screen Size: 9.5 inches
Media Compatibility: DVD, CD, MP3, AVI, USB, SD card
Battery Life: 5 hours
Media Compatibility: DVD, CD, MP3, AVI, USB, SD card
Battery Life: 5 hours
No products found.
No products found.
The COOAU Portable DVD Player with Game Joystick ticks off a lot of the boxes for a kid-friendly product. We loved the fact that it includes the joystick with a link to over 180 free NES games. The sound quality and playback are decent.
What we like about it
- It has an eyesight protection screen
- The device supports the NES game format and includes the joystick
Drawbacks
- The device is more expensive than comparable models
- You should wear headphones with this player because of its lower volume
No products found.
Portable DVD Player for Cars
Need to take a DVD player in the car? Check out these options.
1. UEME Portable DVD Player – Editor’s Pick
UEME Portable DVD Player makes viewing videos and movies comfortable for hours of enjoyment.
Specs
Screen Size: 10.1 inches
Media Compatibility: DVD, CD, MP3, JPG, AVI, MPEG
Battery Life: 5 hours
Media Compatibility: DVD, CD, MP3, JPG, AVI, MPEG
Battery Life: 5 hours
What we like about it
- Hands-free headrest mount for easy viewing
- Last memory feature to pick up where you left off watching
Drawbacks
- Careful placement in the headrest mount is necessary
- The case feels somewhat flimsy
UEME Portable DVD Player with Car Headrest Mount Case, 10.1" HD Swivel Screen, Remote Control, Power Adapter, Car Charger, 5 Hours Rechargeable Battery, Support USB/SD Card and TV Sync - Black
- Hight Resolution Screen -- Adopts 10.1 Inch 1024*600 HD swivel screen. Upgraded screen can relieve visual fatigue caused by long-time viewing. The 270° rotatable and 180° foldable screen provides extreme viewing experience and easy positioning.
- Battery Operated DVD Player -- Reliable high capacity battery ensures continuous playing for up to 5 hours. We also provide certificated AC power adaptor and 6ft car charger in the package, use them to get unlimited playback time at home or on the go.
- Support Multi Formats -- Direct play in formats: CD, DVD, DVD + R(-R), DVD + RW(-RW), VCD, SVCD, CD -R(RW). Supports multi-media files via USB and SD Card (max 32G), such as VOB, AVI, MPEG, DIVX, MP3, WMA, BMP, JPEG. Region free: UEME DVD player plays all your DVDs (except for Blu-ray) from different countries.
2. WONNIE Portable DVD Player
Specs
Screen Size: 9 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, EVD, MP3, WMA, AVI
Battery Life: 5 hours
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, EVD, MP3, WMA, AVI
Battery Life: 5 hours
What we like about it
- The dual speakers deliver excellent sound quality
- The product is well-made to handle frequent travel
Drawbacks
- The replacement warranty is only 180 days
- The device doesn’t support the MP4 format
Portable Car DVD Player, WONNIE 10.5" Dual DVD Player with HDMI Input/Output,Regions Free, Support USB Card/Sync TV
- 【Full HD Signal Transmission & Sync to TV/Projector】WONNIE10.5'' car dvd player adopt newly professional Full HD Digital Signal Transmission Technology for an uncompressed audio and video signals transmission and allow the simultaneous playback of the same movie on two screens through a simple DC and HDMI cable connection.
- 【1080P HD Plackback】This dual DVD player supports crystal-clear 1920*1080P@30fps HD video playback which can protect kids' eyes and bring you an supper viewing experience.
- 【Regions Free & Multi-formats Compatibility】This portable car dvd player can play free regions discs from DVD, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, CD, CD+R, CD-R, CD+RW, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD (Except Blu-ray disc & MP4). Design with USB (max to 32GB FAT32 and 720*576 pixels), you could play pictures (JPG, JPEG), listen to audio (MP3/ WMA), watch videos (VOB, AVI, MPEG 1, MPEG 2, XVID)
Portable DVD Players With Dual Screens
Want two screens? These are ideal options.
1. WONNIE Dual Portable DVD Player – Editor’s Pick
The WONNIE Dual Portable DVD Player comes with everything you need with a user-friendly design.
Specs
Screen Size: 10.5 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, AVI, VOB, JPEG
Battery Life: 5 hours solely; 2-3 hours in dual mode
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, AVI, VOB, JPEG
Battery Life: 5 hours solely; 2-3 hours in dual mode
What we like about it
- You can play two different DVDs at the same time
- It comes with a one-year warranty and lifetime technical support
Drawbacks
- It’s expensive compared to similar products
- There is no Bluetooth support for using it with wireless headphones
Sale
WONNIE 10.5" Two Car DVD Players Portable Dual Screen Headrest Video Player, Play a Same or Two Different Movies with 5-Hour Rechargeable Battery,2 AC Adapters,2 Mounting Brackets,Support USB/SD Card
- 【2 × Car DVD Player】WONNIE New generation 10.5 inches car headrest DVD player with HD 1280x800 pixels, upgrade chip and have more stable function. The car DVD player dual screen support playing different movies for two kids or playing the same movie via simple AV cable connection. AV OUT also allows the portable car DVD player to sync the movie to large TV or projector for larger view experience
- 【Two Installation Methods Fits for Most Car Headrests】The car DVD entertainment system will keep your kids entertained on long drives and say goodbye to boredom, whining, and crying. The included 2 car mounting brackets and 2 headrest mounting straps attach the dual car DVD players to the car headrest very easily
- 【Multi-Formats Playback & Region-Free】The dual portable DVD player support playback of multiple formats.①DVD Formats: DVD, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, CD, CD+R, CD-R, CD+RW, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD (Blu-Ray not Support). ② Supports up to 32GB USB/SD/MMC card to play music and movies (Maximum resolution cannot exceed 720*576 pixels). Video Formats: VOB, AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2. Audio Formats: MP3, WMA. Image Formats: JPG, JPEG
2. FANGOR Dual Screen DVD Player
Specs
Screen Size: 7.5 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, USB, SD card, AVI, WMA
Battery Life: 5 hours solely; 2-3 hours in dual mode
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, USB, SD card, AVI, WMA
Battery Life: 5 hours solely; 2-3 hours in dual mode
What we like about it
- The product is affordably priced
- The devices have a 365-day warranty, backed by top-notch customer support
Drawbacks
- The package includes only one AC charger and a car adaptor
- The brackets for the headrest disconnect easily
FANGOR 7.5 Dual Screen DVD Player for Car Portable CD Players with 5 Hours Rechargeble Battery, Free Regions, Last Memory, USB/SD Card Reader, AV Out&in (1 Player + 1 Screen)
- Dual DVD Players for Car-- FANGOR New Upgrated 7.5 inch Dual Players with HD 1024*800, two monitors will play a same movie. AV OUT support SYNC playback to your big tv screen or other dvd players. And two quality speakers will always provide clear stereo sound for you
- Perfect Companion of Car Travel -- Powered by reliable high-capacity rechargeable lithium battery, one player will work for about 5 hours solely. When connecting together, they will play for about 2.5-3 hrs. And come with AC adapters (available for 100-240V~50/60HZ wall outlet) , Car charger (used only for the car 12 volts)
- Broad Compatibility with Multimedia- Direct play free regions discs from CD, DVD, CD-R/RW, DVD -R/+R, DVD+RW/-RW, VCD to SVCD (but not blue-ray DVD). USB / SD card support playing MP3, WMA, VOB, AVI, MPEG1, XVID, JPEG ( max to 32GB FAT32 and 720*576 pixel)
Portable DVD Players With USB-SD Card Support
Check out these options with USB-SD card support.
1. DBPOWER Portable DVD Player – Editor’s Pick
The DBPOWER Portable DVD Player is an excellent value with friendly customer support.
Specs
Screen Size: 10.5 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, DIVX, MP3, SVCD, JPEG, USB, SD card
Battery Life: 5 hours
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, DIVX, MP3, SVCD, JPEG, USB, SD card
Battery Life: 5 hours
What we like about it
- Customer support is top-notch with a one-year limited warranty included with your purchase
- You can use it both through the USB port and an SD card
- The picture and sound quality are impressive
Drawbacks
- The volume is a bit low
- The device has problems with playback with some media
DBPOWER 12" Portable DVD Player with 5-Hour Rechargeable Battery, 10" Swivel Display Screen and SD/USB Port, with 1.8m Car Charger, Power Adaptor and Car Headrest Mount, Region Free (Black)
- 【WATCH MOVIES FOR LONGER】With the built-in high-capacity 2,500 mAh rechargeable lithium battery, you can enjoy watching your favorite DVDs for up to 5 hours. It can even be powered by your car charger or AC adapter, ensuring you can use it for longer anytime, anywhere.
- 【SUPPORTS HUGE ARRAY OF MULTIMEDIA】Supports direct play of CD, DVD, CD-R/RW, DVD -R/+R, DVD+RW/-RW, VCD, SVCD (but not blu-ray DVD). It is region free. In addition, it supports max 32GB USB and SD cards for playing MP3/WMA/WAV, JPEG, MPEG2/AVI/DIVX.
- 【SWIVEL SCREEN】Never be stuck for a viewing angle as the 10'' swivel display screen (1024*600 TFT-LCD ) with 270-degree rotation and 180 degrees flip allows you to get the perfect view every time. It can be easily swiveled and attached to the car headrest when you are on road trips.
2. DR. J Portable DVD Player
Specs
Screen Size: 10.1 inches
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, USB, SD card, WAV, WMA
Battery Life: 5 hours
Media Compatibility: CD, DVD, MP3, USB, SD card, WAV, WMA
Battery Life: 5 hours
No products found.
No products found.
What we like about it
- The manufacturer backs the device with a three-year warranty
- The device has improved compatibility with more formats
Drawbacks
- Video quality is fair with some media
- The player feels too lightweight and flimsy
No products found.
Conclusion
The best portable DVD players are user-friendly and offer premium sound and video quality. Advances in technology have made them affordable for any budget. There’s no reason why you or your family can’t stay entertained while traveling for the ultimate in comfort.
Last update on 2024-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
