External USB CD drives are a convenient way to add optical drive capabilities to a computer that may not have one built in. They are also useful for systems that have a CD or DVD drive that is no longer working. External USB CD drives connect to a computer via a USB port and typically include a cable to do so.

There are a few things to consider when purchasing an external USB CD drive. First, determine what type of connection the drive uses. USB 2.0 and 3.0 drives are available, and the 3.0 version is typically a bit faster. …