Key Points
Our choice for the #1 Best Overall portable DVD player is the DBPower Portable DVD player.
When it comes to picking out a portable DVD player, you need to consider factors like video quality, screen size, battery life, media compatibility, and ease of use.
While tablets and mobile devices are popular for entertainment, portable DVD players offer benefits like long battery life, bigger screens, and ability to play disc content.
This guide provides in-depth reviews of 6 top options to help you find the best portable DVD player for your needs and budget.
#1 Best Overall: DBPOWER Portable DVD Player
The DBPOWER Portable DVD Player tops our list for its combination of affordable price, long battery life, and versatile media support. Key features include:
- 9-inch 800×480 swivel screen provides a crisp, clear picture.
- Supports DVD, CD, USB, and SD cards for media playback.
- 2500mAh battery lasts for up to 5 hours on a single charge.
- Lightweight and compact design with carrying case.
- Headphone jack and remote control for private listening.
With the ability to play digital files as well as DVDs and CDs, you’ll get great versatility with the DBPOWER. It’s easy to load video content via USB or SD card when you’re on the go. The long battery life will get you through most movies before needing a recharge.
While the screen resolution isn’t full HD, it’s perfectly decent for a 9-inch display. For the price, you’re getting a lot of functionality and convenience in a portable package.
If you want a reliable all-around option for playing DVDs and other digital media during travel, this DBPOWER model is a great choice.
Runner-Up: ieGeek Portable DVD Player
For a close second-place option, take a look at the ieGeek Portable DVD Player. Standout features include:
- 11.5-inch 720p display with a crisp, vivid picture.
- Built-in games like Sudoku and poker for extra entertainment.
- Supports DVDs, CDs, USB drives, SD cards, and more.
- 2500mAh battery provides around 4-5 hours of use per charge.
- Multiple color options including black, blue, purple and red.
You’ll enjoy great video quality with the 720p resolution on the generously-sized 11.5-inch screen. The built-in games make this a nice choice for keeping kids occupied on long trips. With media support for both physical discs and files loaded onto USB/SD, it offers fantastic versatility.
The battery life gives you enough for 2-3 movies before needing to recharge. While not as long as some players, it’s still respectable.
Overall the ieGeek portable DVD player delivers strong performance at a reasonable price point. It’s a great jack-of-all-trades model.
Best Big Screen: WONNIE Portable DVD Player
When you want maximum screen size for the ultimate viewing experience, choose the WONNIE Portable DVD Player. Key details include:
- Large 16.1-inch 1280×800 display with a crisp HD picture.
- 6000mAh battery provides up to 6 hours of playback per charge.
- Lightweight design weighs less than 3 pounds for easy portability.
- Dolby sound and built-in stereo speakers provide immersive audio.
- Multi-format support for DVD, CD, USB drive, and SD card.
With its big 16-inch screen, the WONNIE is ideal for gatherings where you want to comfortably view movies and shows without squinting. It delivers a bright HD picture with vibrant colors thanks to the 1280×800 resolution LCD.
The long-lasting 6000mAh battery means you can watch 2-3 full movies on a single charge. Plus at under 3 pounds, it has impressive portability for the large display size.
While it skips higher-end features like 1080p resolution and Bluetooth connectivity, the WONNIE gives you excellent bang-for-your buck if screen size is your top priority.
Best No Screen: Ceihoit DVD Player
Sometimes you just want a compact DVD player to connect to an existing TV screen or monitor. That’s where the Ceihoit DVD Player shines with these highlights:
- Ultra-compact 7.3x6x1.7 box designed for TV connection.
- Supports DVDs, USB drives up to 2TB for media playback
- 1080p max resolution with upscaling for enhanced quality
- HDMI output plus AV cables to connect to any TV.
- Rechargeable battery for cordless operation.
Weighing just 1.1 pounds, the Ceihoit has one of the most portable designs for easily hooking up to televisions anywhere. It plays DVDs as well as media files stored on USB drives with up to 2TB capacity support.
Video looks fantastic displayed on your TV thanks 1080p output. And it can even upscale lower resolution footage to near-HD quality.
With the internal battery, you can use the player cordlessly for added convenience. But the Ceihoit also includes a power adapter to conserve battery when possible.
If you want a lightweight and versatile solution for turning any TV into a home theater, the Ceihoit is a top choice to consider.
Best Premium: NAVISKAUTO Portable DVD Player
Get the best viewing experience possible with the feature-packed NAVISKAUTO Portable DVD Player:
- Large 15.4-inch 1920×1080 Full HD display with exceptional clarity.
- All formats supported including DVD, CD, USB, SD plus HDMI input.
- High-fidelity stereo speakers and virtual 5.1 surround sound
- Rechargeable lithium battery for up to 5 hours use per charge
- Multi-angle stand, remote control, and carrying case included
With full 1080p HD resolution on a spacious 15.4-inch screen, no other portable player can match the NAVISKAUTO for sheer picture quality. You’ll be amazed at how sharp and vivid movies, shows, and other content looks.
Support for DVDs, CDs, USB drives, SD cards, and HDMI input means you can easily access and play virtually any media. Hook up a Blu-Ray player, game console or laptop over HDMI to use the NAVISKAUTO display.
Integrated high-fidelity speakers combined with virtual surround sound technology creates an incredibly immersive listening environment. You may forget you’re watching movies on a compact player.
If you want the best quality visuals paired with fantastic sound, the NAVISKAUTO is easily worth the higher price. It’s like carrying around a home theater.
Best Value: Pyle 15.6” Portable DVD Player
Get the most bang for your buck with Pyle’s 15.6-inch Portable DVD Player. Highlights include:
- Large 15.6-inch 854×480 screen visibility for small gatherings
- Plays DVD, CD, MP3 with USB/SD support
- Built-in stereo speakers provide quality sound
- 5-hour rechargeable battery rated for long road trips
- Under $150 price tag makes it very budget-friendly
With its 15.6-inch display and built-in speakers, the Pyle Player is fantastic for families that want big screen entertainment without a premium cost. It makes watching movies comfortable for small groups.
While the resolution tops out at 480p standard definition, it still looks decent for DVDs and other content. The internal speakers sound surprisingly robust to complement the visuals.
Thanks to the 5-hour battery, you can watch a few movies on a single charge. Pop in a DVD or load videos onto a thumb drive for tons of entertainment.
Overall if you want big screen size on a very wallet-friendly budget, the Pyle portable DVD player is a top value choice.
How to Pick the Best Portable DVD Player
With a variety of great options on the market, keep these key factors in mind when selecting a portable DVD player:
Video Quality
Look for a minimum of 720p resolution on the display for a decent HD picture. 1080p Full HD models like the NAVISKAUTO provide maximum clarity if you can afford the splurge. Avoid low 480p resolution units unless on a very tight budget.
Battery Life
Target at least 4-5 hours of runtime per charge—enough to play 2 average length movies. Some models boast up to 6+ hours which allows for a full trilogy showing!
Media Compatibility
Ensure your player supports DVDs, CDs plus USB and SD card input. This allows you to play both discs as well as loaded digital files for maximum flexibility.
Connectivity
Players that offer auxiliary ports or wireless Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to connect to car speakers or headphones for enhanced sound.
Screen Size
Choose between compact 9 to 10-inch screens for kids or personal viewing, or go for 15+ inch models to comfortably view together with family or friends.
Think about when, where and with who you plan to use the DVD player most to decide what features matter most to you. Let those preferences guide you to the best pick!
Using Portable DVD Players: Bring Entertainment Anywhere
Thanks to long run times and compact designs, portable DVD players let you enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and more just about anywhere!
They’re fantastic for family road trips. Load up kids’ favorite DVDs along with some loaded videos onto USB sticks and SD cards. Mount the player in the back seat to keep them happily entertained for hours. Long batteries mean fewer stops to recharge.
Frequent flyers will appreciate having a personal cinema. Watch anything you want without relying on tiny plane seatback screens or spotty in-flight WiFi. BluTooth headphones let you enjoy private listening.
Tailgaters and campers can set up an outdoor home theater. Mount a portable player and connect it to some external speakers. Use the remote to control playback while you grill up food and beverages.
Students living in dorms gain extra screen real estate. Hook up your player using the AV cables to your TV for a nicer viewing experience over a small laptop.
Versatile media support and connectivity options ensure you’re never without entertainment when using one of these great portable DVD players. They might not be flashy or modern—but sometimes retro tech still gets the job done!
Featured Image Credit: Matee Nuserm/Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best overall portable DVD player?
The DBPOWER 9-Inch Portable DVD Player is our top overall choice for its great mix of affordability, battery life, and media versatility.
How long do portable DVD player batteries last?
Most portable DVD players offer between 4 to 6 hours of battery life per charge. Enough to play 2-3 average length movies before needing to recharge.
Can you connect a portable DVD player to a car?
Yes, portable DVD players include car power adapters to connect to your car‘s cigarette lighter port for charging and operation while driving. Many also have AV inputs to play sound through the car speakers.
Can you connect portable DVD players to a TV?
Most portable players have AV output using composite, component or HDMI cables to connect to televisions for playing on the bigger screen. Some players like the Ceihoit don‘t have an integrated display and are designed solely to connect to TVs.
What resolution do portable DVD players support?
Display resolutions range from 480p standard definition to 1080p Full high-definition. While 480p units are cheaper, opt for at least 720p if possible for better clarity, especially with bigger screens.
