Group test: what's the best internal Blu-ray/DVD drive?

5. Plextor PX-LB950UE

• Reviewed on: 9 June 11
• RRP: £160.76 inc VAT
• Rating:

The Plextor PX-LB950UE is an external Blu-ry writer featuring USB 3.0 and eSATA interfaces.

4. LG BH10LS30

• Reviewed on: 24 August 10
• RRP: £68.65 inc VAT
• Rating:

The LG BH10LS30 is a very serviceable product that, for a relatively modest £100, offers writing facilities that outstrip those of previously tested models.

3. Lite-On iHBS112

• Reviewed on: 8 July 11
• RRP: £80 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The Lite-On iHBS112 is an internal writer of Blu-ray and DVD optical discs, now specified to a hypothetical 12-speed operation for BD-R discs. It's the slightly cheaper version of the iHBS212 drive, and doesn't feature LightScribe or the same software package. The Lite-On iHBS112 may not be a huge step forwards in terms of raw speed, but it’s still the fastest Blu-ray drive we’ve seen yet. Given that it ticks the boxes in every other area, and will cost a modest £80 for the OEM version, that makes this Lite-On the best internal BD drive currently available.

2. Lite-On iHBS212

• Reviewed on: 19 January 12
• RRP: £94.02 inc VAT
• Rating:

The Lite-On iHBS212 may not be a huge step forwards in terms of raw speed, but it’s still the fastest Blu-ray drive we’ve seen yet. Given that it ticks the boxes in every other area, and will cost a fairly modest £80 for the OEM version (around £90 for the retail pack with LightScribe), that makes this Lite-On the best of the drives currently available.

 

 

1. LG BH10LS38.AUAU10B

• Reviewed on: 18 January 12
• RRP: £60 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The best thing about the LG is its price, which has potential to open up the recordable Blu-ray format to many more consumers