DVD±RW DVD Drives

The Bottom Line: For the price, this drive isn't worth it. You can find faster double-layer drives for less money.

Specs: DVD±RW, 48x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 48x (CD) / 8x (DVD-R) / 12x (DVD+R), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: Though double-layer burning is getting all the hype, you're still better off with a single-layer burner: this one.

Specs: DVD±RW, 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 48x (CD) / 8x (DVD-R) / 12x (DVD+R), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: If you're in the market for a single-layer DVD burner, Toshiba's bargain is hard to beat.

Specs: DVD±RW, 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R), 16x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: Lite-On's double-layer SOHW-832S is a very good DVD burner, but double-layer burning technology needs time to mature before it's totally worth the investment.

Specs: DVD±RW, Internal, 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: Need a speedy DVD recorder that's highly portable and compatible with both Windows and Mac? LaCie's d2 Dual 8X fits the bill and looks good doing it.

Specs: DVD±RW, 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R), 16x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: Many multiformat DVD drives offer better performance and faster speeds than I/OMagic's IDVDRW8D.

Specs: DVD±RW, 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 4x (DVD-R) / 8x (DVD+R), 24x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 4x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: TDK's Indi DVD 840G uses the same underlying hardware as the excellent Plextor PX-708A, with similarly solid performance and features.

Specs: DVD±RW, 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 4x (DVD-R) / 8x (DVD+R), 24x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 4x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: This solid multiformat drive can burn a DVD+R in less than 10 minutes, but there are cheaper and faster options on the market.

Specs: DVD±RW, 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 4x (DVD-R) / 8x (DVD+R), 24x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 4x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: One of the fastest DVD-rewritable drives on the market, Plextor's groundbreaking PX-708A delivers an all-around top-notch performance.

Specs: DVD±RW, 40x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 4x (DVD-R) / 8x (DVD+R), 24x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 4x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: LG Electronics's competitively priced GSA-4040B is the first drive on the market to support all five DVD formats.

Specs: DVD±RW, 32x (CD) / 12x (DVD), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±R), 12x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 2.4x (DVD+RW) / 3x (DVD-RAM)