Skip to content

The 6 Best Portable DVD Players on Earth Today

Are you looking to watch DVDs on the go? Want to entertain the kids during a road trip or long flight? If so, then getting a portable DVD player is the perfect solution! In this guide, I‘ll recommend the absolute best portable DVD players available today in 2022.

After evaluating over two dozen different portable players on the market, I narrowed it down to the top 6 that provide the ideal combination of performance, features, and value.

Below I‘ll review each of my top picks in detail, including full specs and pros and cons. I‘ll also give some examples of real-life usage scenarios where each player would be a great fit. Finally, I‘ll wrap up with some key tips and advice to help you choose the right portable DVD player.

Let‘s dive in!

Overview: Key Factors for the Best Portable DVD Players

First, let‘s go over the key factors I evaluated when selecting the best portable DVD players:

  • Video Quality: You‘ll want to look for at least 480p resolution, with 720p or 1080p being ideal. This ensures movies look decent on the small built-in screens.

  • Battery Life: Since these players are for watching video on the go, having long battery life is a must. 5+ hours per charge is best.

  • Media Compatibility: The ability to play DVDs, CDs, and load digital media via USB and SD card expands your viewing possibilities.

  • Screen Size: Players with larger screens in the 10 to 15 inch range allow for more immersive viewing.

  • Audio Quality: Most players have stereo speakers, but headphones can provide better private listening.

  • Portability: Compact and lightweight players under 3 lbs are easier to take anywhere.

  • Extra Features: Integrated gaming functions, Blu-ray support, and AV inputs add functionality.

  • Value: I looked for players that give you the most bang for your buck.

By evaluating portable DVD players against these criteria, I selected the very best options across different price points and use cases. Now let‘s take a look at my top recommendations.

The 6 Best Portable DVD Players of 2022

1. DBPOWER 11.5" Portable DVD Player

The DBPOWER 11.5" portable DVD player is my pick for the best overall value. Here are its key specs and features:

  • 9 inch 800 x 480 swivel screen – Decent 270° rotation for flexible viewing
  • Plays DVD, CD, MP3 – Good format compatibility
  • 5 hours battery life – Allows 2-3 movies per charge
  • Built-in stereo speakers & headphone jack – Optional private listening
  • Under $100 – Great price for the performance

This budget-friendly player delivers really solid performance for under $100. The 9 inch 800 x 480 resolution screen is perfectly fine for its compact size. You can expect about 5 hours of battery life, so it will last for a couple of movies on a single charge.

It supports DVDs, CDs, and MP3 CDs out of the box. While it doesn‘t have some of the fancier features of pricier models, it‘s got everything you need for basic on-the-go DVD playback at an affordable price.

Pros:

  • Great value under $100
  • 5 hour battery life
  • Good 270° swivel screen
  • Plays DVD, CD, MP3

Cons:

  • No SD card or USB support
  • Screen not 1080p HD
  • Smaller 9" screen

The DBPOWER portable DVD player is a great choice for situations like:

  • Entertaining kids in the car with their favorite DVDs
  • Playing DVDs on a plane or train ride
  • Basic movie watching on vacations and trips

It provides great bang for your buck for basic on-the-go DVD playback.

2. ieGeek 11.5" Portable DVD Player

Next up is the ieGeek 11.5" portable player, which adds extra features at a similar price point:

  • 11.5 inch 1024 x 600 swivel screen – Larger and sharper display
  • 5 hours battery life – Enough for 2-3 movies
  • 180 built-in classic games – Extra entertainment for kids
  • Plays DVDs, CDs, USB – Good format support
  • Under $100 – Impressive value

For right around $100, the ieGeek model includes a larger 11.5 inch 1024 x 600 resolution screen that looks quite sharp. It lasts for about 5 hours on a charge like the DBPOWER.

One of the best features is the inclusion of 180 classic simple games built right in. Kids will have a blast playing games like Tetris, Snake, and 32. This extra entertainment goes a long way during long car rides.

Pros:

  • Sharp 11.5" 1024 x 600 display
  • 5 hours battery life
  • 180 built-in games for kids
  • DVD, CD, USB media support

Cons:

  • No SD card slot
  • Battery not removable
  • Mediocre speakers

The ieGeek portable player is great for:

  • Keeping kids entertained on road trips with movies and games
  • Playing DVDs and CDs anywhere with 5 hours battery
  • Gaming on the go thanks to the built-in titles

It‘s a top choice for families looking for extra kid-friendly entertainment functions.

3. WONNIE 14.1" Portable DVD Player

If you want the largest screen possible, the WONNIE 14.1" portable DVD player is an excellent pick with these specs:

  • 14.1 inch 1280 x 800 display – Extra large 720p screen
  • 6 hour battery life – Allows 3+ movies per charge
  • DVD, CD, USB, SD support – Plays all major media types
  • Built-in stereo speakers – Dual speakers provide good audio
  • Under $150 – Reasonable price for premium features

The super-sized 14.1 inch 1280 x 800 screen gives you 720p HD resolution in a portable player. The picture looks awesome on the big display. Battery life is also great at 6 hours per charge, which will get you through 3+ movies.

It supports all the major media types including DVD, CD, USB flash drives, and SD cards. Dual stereo speakers round out the premium features at a reasonable price under $150.

Pros:

  • Giant 14.1" 720p display
  • 6 hours battery life
  • DVD, CD, USB, SD support
  • Dual built-in speakers

Cons:

  • Larger and heavier
  • No gaming functions
  • Mediocre headphones included

The WONNIE DVD player shines for uses like:

  • Watching movies, TV shows, and other video on a huge 14.1" screen
  • Entertaining a group with the large display and stereo speakers
  • Playing media from DVD, CD, USB flash drives, and SD cards

It‘s the ultimate choice if you want the biggest possible screen in a portable form factor.

4. Ematic 9" Portable DVD Player

For a basic and highly affordable portable DVD player, look no further than the Ematic 9" model:

  • Compact 9 inch 800 x 480 display – Decent screen size for the price
  • Up to 3 hours battery life – Enough for most movies
  • Weighs under 2 lbs – Extremely portable at 1.8 lbs
  • Plays DVD, CD, SD – Good media format support
  • Around $50 – Very budget-friendly price point

This compact 9" DVD player delivers the core functionality you need at an ultra-affordable price point. The 9 inch 800 x 480 resolution screen is perfectly adequate for casual movie watching. Battery life gives you 2.5 to 3 hours of playback.

Weighing under 2 pounds, it‘s easy to toss in any bag or backpack. The Ematic supports DVDs, CDs, and select memory card types. For around $50, it‘s really tough to beat for a basic portable player.

Pros:

  • Very affordable at $50
  • Compact and lightweight
  • 2.5 to 3 hours battery life
  • Plays DVD, CD, SD

Cons:

  • No USB support
  • Mediocre battery life
  • Small low-res screen

The Ematic portable DVD player is best for:

  • An inexpensive player for kids
  • A backup travel player
  • Occasional portable use

While it lacks premium features, the low price and portability make it great for casual users.

5. Sylvania 15.6" Portable Blu-ray Player

If Blu-ray support is a must-have, look at the Sylvania 15.6" portable Blu-ray player:

  • 15.6 inch 1366 x 768 screen – Large and crisp display
  • Plays Blu-ray, DVD, CD – Blu-ray support is rare for portables
  • 5 hour battery life – Allows 2-3 movies per charge
  • Weighs under 4 lbs – Fairly portable for the screen size
  • Under $150 – Very reasonable price with Blu-ray

The big hook here is the ability to play full 1080p HD Blu-ray discs on the go. You can enjoy pin-sharp movie watching from your Blu-ray collection. It also supports standard DVDs and CDs.

Battery life gives you around 5 hours of media playback. The 15.6 inch screen provides an immersive viewing experience. And at under $150 including Blu-ray support, this player offers excellent value.

Pros:

  • Plays full HD 1080p Blu-ray discs
  • Sharp 15.6" 1366 x 768 display
  • 5 hours battery life
  • Great price under $150

Cons:

  • No gaming features
  • Only one USB port
  • Mediocre speakers

The Sylvania DVD player is ideal for:

  • Watching Blu-ray movies in Full HD on the go
  • Enjoying sharp video on the 15.6" large screen
  • Playing your Blu-ray, DVD, and CD disc collections anywhere

It brings excellent premium features and Blu-ray support at a reasonable price point.

6. COOAU 17.9" Portable DVD Player

And for the biggest screen size available, check out the COOAU 17.9":

  • Huge 17.9 inch 1920 x 1080 screen – Crystal clear Full HD display
  • Swivels 270° and folds flat – Ultimate viewing flexibility
  • Integrated games – Dozens of built-in game titles
  • Plays wide array of media – DVD, CD, USB, SD, and more
  • Around $250 – Premium price for premium features

With its massive 17.9 inch 1920 x 1080 screen, this player delivers a true theater-like viewing experience on the go. The Full HD 1080p resolution and enormous screen are perfect for immersive movie watching.

It swivels 270 degrees and folds flat for the ultimate flexible viewing angles. There are also dozens of built-in games to keep kids entertained. And it supports a huge array of media beyond DVDs and CDs.

Pros:

  • Truly giant 17.9" 1080p Full HD screen
  • 270° swivel and fold-flat design
  • Built-in games for entertainment
  • Tons of supported media formats

Cons:

  • Large and heavy at 12 lbs
  • More expensive around $250
  • Mediocre speakers given the price

You‘ll love the COOAU DVD player for uses such as:

  • Having a transportable home theater with the huge 1080p screen
  • Enjoying the ultimate movie experience on planes, trains, or automobiles
  • Keeping kids entertained on long trips with the built-in games

If only the biggest and sharpest screen will do, this is the player to get.

Key Considerations for Picking a Portable DVD Player

Beyond my top recommendations, here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing a portable DVD player:

Screen Size & Quality

  • Larger screens in the 10" and above range provide more immersive viewing
  • Aim for at least 480p video quality, with 720p or 1080p better for HD image quality

Battery Life

  • 5+ hours per charge should last for a couple movies
  • Some higher-end models offer 8 – 10 hours battery life for extended viewing

Media Compatibility

  • DVD, CD, USB, and SD support allows you to play all kinds of media files
  • Region free DVD playback lets you watch DVDs from anywhere

Audio Quality

  • Most players have decent built-in stereo speakers
  • Headphone jacks allow private listening with your own headphones or earbuds

Extra Features

  • Integrated gaming and Blu-ray support add entertainment options
  • Some models include car power adapters for unlimited playback

Portability

  • Compact and lightweight models under 3 lbs are highly portable
  • Larger screens usually mean bigger/heavier players, reduced portability

Price

  • Affordable players start around $50
  • High-end models with large screens and more features run $150 – $250

By weighing factors like these, you can easily find the portable DVD player that‘s the perfect fit.

The Bottom Line

The top-rated portable DVD players reviewed above offer the ideal mix of media playback, viewing screen size, battery life, features, and value.

Models like the budget-friendly DBPOWER and ieGeek players are great for families on a budget or for basic on-the-go use. The extra large WONNIE and COOAU models deliver more premium theater-like viewing experiences. And the Sylvania brings coveted Blu-ray support to the portable player market.

No matter which you choose, a portable DVD player enables watching your favorite movies, shows, and videos anywhere life takes you!