Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:18 am
Why would you want to buy a portable DVD player in this age of streaming video? Or if you already have a standard DVD player?
A portable DVD player allows you to watch your collection of DVDs without having to connect your unit to a TV monitor.
Maybe you have an HDTV that is often used by other family members so much so that you can’t watch it elsewhere.
Also, as its name suggests, you can take it with you on the go.
It would come in handy when traveling, especially if you have to spend time alone.
You also don’t have to rely on an Internet connection to watch your favorite shows.
As portable DVD players are also battery-powered, you can watch DVDs outdoors without a power supply.
It would also be a good option to keep kids entertained if you’re going on a long journey.
If you seldom have the time to watch movies, you may cut the cost of video subscription services.
Pick up your favorite DVD movies from your neighborhood thrift store and watch them on a portable DVD player without burning a hole in your pocket.
What to Consider Before Buying a Portable DVD Player?
Here are the areas you should consider before committing to a portable DVD player purchase.
Unless otherwise mentioned, the portable DVD players covered in this article have the main features covered here.
Screen Size
This is the most important feature of a portable DVD player. It affects your viewing pleasure.
If you watch shows on a large-screen HDTV, you would want a decent screen size.
Screen sizes go from 9.5 inches to 17.9 for portable DVD players currently on the market.
Viewable screen area is usually about 2 inches smaller.
Larger screens are going to cost you more. Still, if viewing pleasure is a concern, or if group viewing is what you have in mind, go for the biggest screen size your budget allows.
Battery Life
The whole idea of getting a portable DVD player is to use it where there aren’t AC power sources. So, you want your DVD player battery to last as long as possible.
Generally, you can expect at least 5 hours of battery life. That is a decent amount of time to get your entertainment before you find a power source to charge your battery.
Even if you run out of battery power, you may use your car charger to extend playing time.
Size and Weight
The larger the screen, the larger the size. The same goes for weight.
As for weight, you want it to be manageable. If you’ll be carrying it around a lot.
For the smallest screen size expect a weight of around 0.5 kg.
For the largest screen size, weight may go up to 2.5kg.
Ease of Use
You want a portable DVD player that’s user-friendly, especially if you’re allowing your kids to operate it.
The buttons on the player should be touch-friendly.
You should also look at the button layout on the remote control. It should not be cramped.
It should be convenient to use, especially if you have large fingers.
Durability
Pick up a robust unit as you’ll be moving it around a lot and receiving a few knocks. For additional protection, always keep your portable DVD player in your backpack or travelling bag when not in use.
Playback Formats
An advantage of a portable DVD player is you can also use an SD card and a flash drive with it.
So, make sure you have supported video formats.
Portable DVD players should handle VOB, AVI, MPEG 1, MPEG 2, MPEG 4 and XVID without issues.
Most portable DVD players support flash drives and SD cards of up to 32GB.
On the disc side, apart from commercial DVDs, CD, CD-R/RW, DVD-R/+R, DVD+RW/-RW, VCD, and SVCD are usually supported.
Anyway, check the supported disc types if you’re going to play non-DVD stuff.
Audio
You aren’t going to get home theater-quality audio with a portable DVD player.
Also don’t expect audio quality if you play movies in an open area.
However, you can get decently quality audio with a pair of earphones.
Here are some top portable DVD player units to consider purchasing if you’re in the market for one.
These units are top sellers over at Amazon. They support the common portable DVD player features mentioned above.
SQQBZZ 9.5-inch Portable DVD Player
If your budget is a concern and you’ll be viewing your shows at close quarters, then for this 9.5-inch unit.
This is a sturdy, durable unit, suitable for outdoor use.
This unit should suffice if your kids are going to use it in the back seat of your car.
Check out the SQQBZZ 9.5-inch Portable DVD Player.
DBPOWER 11.5-inch Portable DVD Player
This unit is the No.1 seller on Amazon. Great to entertain kids on long journeys.
It is easy to operate and battery power can last up to 5 hours.
It also comes with powerful stereo speakers, if audio quality is a concern.
Watch the video below to get a clearer idea of this portable DVD player.
Check out the DBPOWER Portable DVD Player.
MYDASH 14.9-inch Portable DVD Player
This is a region-free DVD player which looks very much like a laptop.
It has a slim, sleek design with an attractive button layout.
Weighing about 2kg, it comes with a car headrest mount holder.
Accessories include a car charging unit.
Check out the MYDASH portable DVD player.
ieGeek 11.5-inch Portable DVD Player
If you want your portable DVD player to stand out in terms of color, go for this ieGeek unit,
It comes with some attractive color choices, the standard being purple.
ieGeek claims to offer an HD eye-protective screen. It is designed to reduce eyestrain resulting from long hours of video watching.
You would also like to know that it doubles as a game player.
Check out the ieGeek Portable DVD Player.
BOIFUN 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player
If you enjoy watching movies on your laptop, you may replicate that experience with this BOIFUN portable DVD player.
You get a 15-inch viewable area.
This Amazon bestseller comes with about 6 hours of battery life.
It has a built-in anti-shock function that ensures smooth playback, especially when watching movies during bumpy rides.
Check out this BOIFUN portable DVD player.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play a portable DVD player on your TV?
Yes, there are AV ports to help you connect your portable DVD player to your TV. You may use the RCA connection to view your videos on the big screen. However, there’s no HDMI connectivity.
Will screen size affect battery life?
No, screen size doesn’t affect battery life. Whether you’re having a 9-inch or a 17-inch screen, you’ll have the same amount of battery life.
What resolution can I view videos in?
Don’t expect to watch Full HD (1080p) or 4K videos on your portable DVD player. You get a DVD resolution of 720 x480. That’s 480p for you.
