Best Portable DVD Player Reviews and Guide
Introduction
Going on a road trip or just looking for something to keep your kids occupied while you’re in the car? A portable DVD player can transform your car’s interior from a simple seat into an elegant cinema or playroom. Although many modern cars come with screens pre-installed in the back of your car’s headrests or on your dashboard, this is not always the case.
To select the best portable DVD player, we looked at a range of features including media file support, screen size, screen syncing, portability, battery life, and charging. While it’s designed to be travel-friendly, you don’t want a screen that’s too small or a poor resolution that creates a blurry display. On the other hand, you may want to play content through your portable DVD player but view it on a larger screen. This is where screen synchronization becomes important.
And other important considerations, such as what media files or formats are supported, battery life, and charging versatility, will be central to choosing the right portable DVD player for your needs. These DVD players are a great alternative to the best streaming services when you don’t have access. You can also compare them with the best Blu-ray player.
10 Best Portable DVD Players of 2022
NAVISKAUTO 14-Inch Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player
Sylvania 10” Portable Blu-ray Player
DBPOWER 11.5″ Portable DVD Player with 9.5″ Swivel Screen
SUNPIN PD969 Portable DVD Player
SYNAGY 12” Portable DVD Player with 10.1″ HD Swivel Screen
ieGeek 11.5″ Portable DVD Player with SD Card/USB Port
Pyle 17.9” Portable DVD Player
WONNIE 7.5’’ Dual Screen DVD Player
OTIC10.6” Bluetooth Portable DVD Player
The Naviskauto 14-inch portable Blu-ray DVD player is our top pick. The fact that it supports Blu-rays is an important factor as many portable DVD players don’t support this media format. In addition, the large 14-inch screen and 1080p resolution make this the best portable DVD player for kids to share on long car journeys or flights. Also, the built-in rechargeable battery of this DVD makes it easy to take with you on the go.
This model also offers other impressive features such as Dolby audio file decoding support for standard formats such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio MP3. While it doesn’t come with the included cables, it supports HDMI connections for a variety of syncing options for computers, smartphones, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and even streaming TVs.
The included extra audio cable allows connection to speakers or stereo speakers for more robust sound. This DVD player also has a last memory function, so your DVD will always pick up where you left off. This portable DVD player supports importing USB and SD card files and multiple file formats like MOV, AVI, MP4, VOB, FLV, TRP, TS, MPG, MPEG, DAT, ASF and WMV. There’s a reason this portable Blu-ray player is at the top of our list. Check out the best DVD recorders and compare this model.
This Sylvania model concludes our best portable DVD player reviews. As a mid-range option, this device feels like a mini laptop that comes equipped with everything you need to enjoy movies on a road trip.
The DVD player has a 15.6-inch display. That’s plenty of screen space to watch the latest DVD movies. It weighs 4.1 pounds, so you shouldn’t have a problem moving it from point A to point B. While the battery life averages 2.5 hours, you can play movies in MPD and DIVX format with the integrated card reader.
In addition, the Sylvania can be folded flat for more comfortable viewing. There is also a remote control to control the device remotely.
This modestly priced portable DVD player deserves our honorable mention as it would be ideal for a range of users from children to the elderly and everyone in between. Along with a travel-friendly 11-inch size and 9.5-inch screen, you’ll love the wide media format support.
Choose from external options like USB and SD cards, or digital formats like MP3, WMA, WAV, JPEG, MPEG2, AVI, and DIVX. The screen has a commendable 800 x 480 resolution, which is common for portable DVD players and can be folded down 180 degrees and rotated 270 degrees. It also helps that this DVD player can last 5 hours of battery life.
If you decide to travel with this device, you can easily convert it into a tablet and attach it to your car’s headrest with the included mounting hardware. You can also use the included A/V cables to sync your screen to your TV. You will like that this player is region-free and supports a variety of popular DVD formats including CD, DVD, CD-R/RW, DVD -R/+R, DVD+RW/-RW, VCD, and SVCD.
The five-hour battery gets you through multiple TV shows and feature-length movies, and you can choose between the included car adapter or plugging in when it’s time to charge the battery. This built-in rechargeable battery makes it easier to take this DVD player with you on the go. And if you’re still using VHS tapes, check out the best VCR-DVD combo.
The SUNPIN PD969 is a good portable DVD player if you are on a budget. Despite the price, this device does not fall short in terms of functionality. It has a collection of impressive features including Blu-ray support for a quality viewing experience. At the same time, the LCD screen delivers a sharper image with improved brightness.
You get decent audio quality thanks to the built-in speakers. As a bonus, the SUNPIN has multiple headphone jacks. This allows you and your friend to listen to different headphones at the same time. The Breakpoint Last Memory feature allows you to play your movies back where you left off. You don’t have to start over. Just enable Last Memory on the setup page and you’re good to go.
This portable DVD player comes with a 12-month warranty, giving you extra peace of mind that should anything go wrong with the device, you’re covered.
Just because you’re looking at a small screen doesn’t mean you should sacrifice quality. The SYNAGY 12 portable DVD player has a 10.1-inch screen with a higher resolution of 1024×600. You will like that this model supports a wide range of media and DVD formats including CD, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, VCD, and S-VCD, and can also play MP3, MPEG2, JPEG, WMA, DIVX, and AVI with USB and SD cards. In addition, the battery has a running time of 4 hours.
If you want, you can share the screen with the included AV cables. This model converts into a tablet and can be installed in your car using a headrest mount. You’ll find that the availability of AV cable comes in handy to project your movies on almost any TV.
It can also connect to multiple devices like external speakers, headphones, or even a computer. And you’ll like that the 4-hour battery can be charged via either the included power adapter or car power adapter, although it’s an hour shy of our top 2 picks. If all you want is a portable way to hang your favorite TV on the wall, read more about the best TV wall mount.
A budget-friendly option can still come with plenty of features that make it intuitive and useful. The ieGeek 11.5 portable DVD player is perfect for kids or anyone looking for an easy-to-use yet functional device. The 9.1-inch screen can be rotated 270 degrees and reconfigured for in-car mounting. You can also opt for screen or audio syncing for a more immersive experience.
A wide range of DVD and file formats makes this region-free device a must-have. Supported formats include DVDR/RW, CD-R/RW, JPEG, and MP3, as well as USB and SD cards up to 32GB. The bumper protection is ideal for car journeys and gamers have the option when purchasing this portable DVD player to use the included link to download up to 180 classic NES games. You might also want to take a look at Blu-Ray players.
We round out our portable DVD player buyer’s guide with a value for money that offers most of the features and a significantly larger screen at a modest price. The 15.6-inch screen has a resolution of 1366 x 768 for a crisp display. The 270-degree swiveling screen is perfect on its own, but if you prefer you can use the included AV cables for screen syncing.
As you’d expect, this model is also region-free and supports a variety of DVD and file formats including MPEG4, VCD, CD-RW, DVD-R, MP3, WMA, JPG, VCD, EVD, and VOB B. USB and SD cards up to 32GB. As a nice touch, this portable DVD player not only comes with car and AC adapters but also headphones in case you don’t have a pair handy. If you find you need a new antenna, check out our TV antenna list.
This WONNIE mini DVD player promises to add color to your daily life with its range of incredible features. It is available as a set of two players and comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts for five hours. The time drops to 2.5 to 3 hours when the two monitors are connected. The WONNIE audio is also on point.
This portable DVD player runs on duo speakers strategically placed at the bottom of each monitor. Better still, you can adjust the volume with the included remote control or by pressing the RIGHT/LIGHT button on the screen for about three seconds.
The OTIC portable DVD player has a large screen, making it an excellent choice for movie lovers. It promises a cinematic experience as you watch your favorite movie on the go. The 9-inch swiveling display delivers 1080 resolution so you can play HD movies without sacrificing quality.
You can swivel the screen 270 degrees or tilt it 180 degrees. This allows you to take advantage of different viewing angles, a handy feature when watching as a group. The screen is supported by two stereo speakers for excellent sound. According to OTIC, this DVD player can run for up to five hours continuously on a single charge and bundles a car charger and power adapter in the box.
Portable DVD Players Buying Guide
So maybe you’ve decided it’s high time you got yourself a portable DVD player. Of course, it is not a must that you have to choose a device from our rating list. That’s why we decided to go all the way and include a buying guide while we’re at it. So, what are the features or must-haves that you should keep both eyes open for? They are:
Audio and Video Quality
Since portable DVD players tend to be smaller electronic devices, screen quality will be a very important factor. Focus on screen resolutions of at least 720p, which is ideal for smaller screens.
Portability
If you’re looking for a portable DVD player, assume that you’re planning to buy an electronic device that’s travel-friendly. So look for DVD players that are small and lightweight so that they not only take up less space but also won’t weigh down your travel bag. Where do you want to use your portable DVD player? If you’re considering using a DVD player for road trips, then it’s important to consider models that can be converted to tablet formats and mounted on a headrest.
Media Versatility
To get the most out of your portable DVD player, you should look for models that can play more than one file type. Although DVD sounds like a standardized format, in reality, there can be several file formats that technically fall under a DVD’s general-header. Common file formats are mp4, AVI, and DIVX. AVI and DIVX formats are especially important if you also download your own content from the Internet and burn it to DVD. However, some portable DVD players can do more than just play video content. So if you want this functionality, look for models that also support MP3 or JPG formats. You also want the best streaming device for your DVD player.
Media Output
Some people want the flexibility to connect their portable DVD player to other media outlets. This includes TV and speaker connections. So look for models that offer options like HDMI or audio-out auxiliary ports.
Battery Life
Nobody wants a portable DVD player that dies in the middle of playing a show. So look for models that offer longer battery life. In particular, focus on options that offer at least three-and-a-half to four hours of battery life, so you can watch a feature-length movie or two before the battery needs charging.
Screen Size
In addition to the supported media formats, you need to consider the screen size. By definition, portable DVD players are not meant to be massive. However, you should be able to find a quality option that offers at least a seven-inch screen. Typically, most mid-range options have a screen that measures between seven and 10 inches.
Conclusion
And that’s pretty much it. That concludes our list of the best portable DVD players. We’ve taken a look at some of the best devices that come in a variety of price points and feature categories. The title for best overall portable DVD player goes to the DBPOWER 11.5, nothing else even comes close in this category. Hot on its heels is the ieGeek 11-inch, which just so happens to win the cake for Best Portable DVD Player for Kids. We hope you found this article useful and can return to it at any time.
