Best Portable DVD Players
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The Ainavi, Vanku, MyDash, Boifun, and Wonnie are the best-rated portable DVD players on the market in 2024 based on ease of installation, video quality, and capabilities.
- On average, a DVD player for your car will cost around $100, though some higher-quality DVD players with touchscreen capability and multiple functions are upward of $300.
- Before buying your car DVD player, consider if the product can connect to apps and video game consoles, as well as different mounting options.
Going on a road trip or just looking to keep your kids occupied while you’re in the car? The best portable DVD player can transform the back seat into a movie theater or gaming room. Although many modern cars come with screens pre-installed into the back of the headrests, this isn’t always the case.
A quality car DVD player can enhance passenger entertainment and keep restless children occupied during long drives. There are a number of options, each with different features and functionality. Our product testing team researched and tested the top brands to recommend our favorites in this review.
Portable DVD Player Reviews
For this review, our team thoroughly tested and evaluated each portable DVD player based on each item’s ease of installation, video quality, and overall capabilities. The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 stars.
What Is the Best Portable DVD Player?
We named the Ainavi Multifunction Car TV, Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player, MyDash Portable DVD Player, Boifun Portable DVD Player, and Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players as the best-rated portable DVD players on the market in 2024.
Brand/Model | Cost | Overall Rating | Award |
---|---|---|---|
Ainavi Multifunction Car TV |
$600 |
5.0 |
Best Portable DVD Player |
Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player |
$110 |
4.7 |
Best Portable Gaming Monitor |
MyDash Portable DVD Player |
$90 |
3.8 |
Best Affordable Portable DVD Player |
Boifun Portable DVD Player |
$100 |
3.7 |
Longest Battery Life |
Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players |
$175 |
3.5 |
Best Dual DVD Player for Car |
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
Portable DVD Player Ratings: Our Testing Process
After looking at factors such as screen size, input and outputs, customer ratings, and prices, our product testing team ordered the portable DVD players that best met these standards. A team member tested each product on a 2004 Subaru Forester, taking note of how easy the DVD player was to install, video quality, and overall capabilities. Each portable DVD player was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
Learn more about how we tested portable DVD players here.
1. Ainavi Multifunction Car TV: Best Portable DVD Player
2. Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player: Best Portable Gaming Monitor
3. MyDash Portable DVD Player: Best Affordable Portable DVD Player
4. Boifun Portable DVD Player: Longest Battery Life
5. Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players: Best Dual DVD Player For Car
Other Best-Selling Portable DVD Players
After getting our hands on the five portable DVD players recommended above, we can undoubtedly say that these are the best of the best. However, if you need more options, we also recommend the following:
DBPower 11.5-Inch Portable DVD Player
The DBPower 11.5-inch Portable DVD Player swivels 270 degrees and flips 180 degrees for your ease of viewing. Two integrated speakers offer powerful and crisp audio, but there’s also a headphone jack featured on the side of the portable DVD player to give the driver peace and quiet when needed. It should be noted that DBPower’s portable DVD player is protected under a 12-month warranty.
Desobry Car DVD Player
Protected under a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty, the Desobry Car DVD Player is built to last. Featuring a 5,000.0-mAh battery, this portable DVD player can power one monitor for up to 5 hours or both monitors for 2.5 to 3 hours. What makes this portable DVD player stand out from competitors is the fact that both monitors can connect via one single cable as opposed to multiple.
Sony DVP-FX1021 Portable DVD Player
The Sony DVP-FX1021 Portable DVD Player packs a crystal-clear 10.2-in. screen under a durable aluminum hood. Charging is easy and accessible, as you have the ability to charge this portable DVD player in the car or via a wall outlet. This device’s lithium-ion battery can power Sony’s portable DVD player for up to seven hours, as long as you use headphones and turn the brightness down.
ieGeek 17.5-Inch Portable DVD Player
Featuring a 15.6-in. screen with a 1280 x 800p resolution, the ieGeek 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player truly has a high-quality display. The built-in dual speakers featured on ieGeek’s portable DVD player have been upgraded from previous versions of this product. Additionally, the physical buttons on this car DVD player have been enlarged and simplified to make life easier for children and elderly people.
Fangor 10.5-Inch Dual Car DVD Player
The Fangor 10.5-inch Dual Car DVD Player features upgraded speakers, as it now produces louder and clearer audio than previous versions. Last memory support means users don’t have to fast forward to where they were in the movie, as this portable DVD player will consistently resume where you last left off. It should be noted that Fangor will replace your device or refund you if there are any issues within the first 365 days after purchase.
Portable DVD Players Buying Guide
Portable DVD players can vary, but they all have the same basic functionality—to play DVDs. After using this type of product and thoroughly researching the various options available on the market today, our team members came up with a list of a few things to consider.
Car Blu-Ray Player
Although none of the products featured in this review support Blu-ray discs, that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked entirely. Blu-ray discs were released in 2006 as a superseding of the DVD format, capable of storing many hours of HD video. On the other hand, DVDs were first released in 1997, making them a product of yesteryear. We saw this as a major place of improvement for this type of product.
Portable DVD Player With HDMI
HDMI input and output ports are ultimately what separated the top two products featured in this review from the rest of the pack. HDMI ports allow you to connect your portable DVD player to other devices, such as a gaming system or TV for example. Ultimately, an HDMI input port opens the door to a world of possibilities that can only be accessed via HDMI cable. This is what makes the inclusion of an HDMI port on your portable DVD player so important.
Screen Resolution
Straining your eyes to look at a tiny screen is no fun. Passengers won’t be far from the car DVD player, so it doesn’t need to be enormous, but should be suitably wide. In addition to screen size, consider resolution, which determines the crispness of the picture quality.
Audio Video Cable For Portable DVD Player
Most portable DVD players don’t have good built-in speakers. To get the best audio from your car DVD player, look for something that allows you to output sound to headphones (wired or Bluetooth) or your car’s stereo.
DVD Player Power Consumption
Some portable DVD players run on batteries while others can be connected to your car’s power source. If you have a battery-powered player, make sure it can last long enough for your trip.
Car DVD Player Installation
A car DVD player can be a portable DVD player you sit on your lap, a headrest DVD player, or one that’s mounted to the ceiling. Determine the best spot for your screen based on your vehicle and viewing preferences.
Compare Portable DVD Players
Brand/Model | Screen Size | Power supply | Touchscreen HDMI |
---|---|---|---|
Ainavi
Multifunction Car TV | 13.3 inches | ACC, 12.0 volts DC, and car cigarette lighter | Input and output |
Vanku
10.1-inch Car DVD Player | 10.1 in. | AC adapter | Input and output |
MyDash
Portable DVD Player | 12.5 in. | AC adapter and car cigarette lighter | N/A |
Boifun
Portable DVD Player | 17.7 in. | AC adapter | N/A |
Wonnie
10.5-inch Two DVD Players | 10.5 in. | AC adapter and car cigarette lighter | N/A |
Best Portable DVD Players: Bottom Line
- Best Portable DVD Player: Ainavi Multifunction Car TV
- Best Portable Gaming Monitor: Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player
- Best Affordable Portable DVD Player: MyDash Portable DVD Player
- Longest Battery Life: Boifun Portable DVD Player
- Best Dual DVD Player for Car: Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players
Portable DVD Players: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about portable DVD players:
Which is the best portable DVD player to buy?
Based on our testing and research, the best portable DVD player to buy is the Ainavi Multifunction Car TV. Our product testing team came to this conclusion following countless hours of research, review, and rigorous testing.
How long do portable DVD players last?
The lifespan of portable DVD players is by no means a standardized amount of time, and different brands’ products vary in how long they’ll last. The frequency of use and how you use your portable DVD player will ultimately determine how long it will last.
What are the top five DVD players?
In no particular order, the top five portable DVD players are the MyDash 14.9-inch Portable DVD Player, the Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players, the Ainavi Multifunction Car TV, the Boifun Portable DVD Player, and the Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player.
Do people still use portable DVD players?
The best portable DVD players are useful in places where the internet is weak or just unavailable. They’re useful on road trips to entertain passengers and allow users to curate their own entertainment.
What should I look for in a portable DVD player?
The best portable DVD players have screen resolutions above 720p, can support multiple formats, and have great battery life. Having a variety of installation options can also be helpful.
Are DVD players still worth buying?
While many devices, and even some cars, offer passengers ways to stream content, a portable DVD player can offer a relatively inexpensive way to keep your old movie collection relevant.
Full Portable DVD Player Testing Methodology
To honestly evaluate each DVD player in this review, we wanted to consider the ease of installation, video quality, and capabilities that each DVD player offers to accurately compare each product.
Ease of Installation: Our ease of installation score is based on how easy each portable DVD player was to install. This included fully mounting, securing, and getting the portable DVD player to full functionality. While some DVD players worked right out of the box, others required a bit more setup. Additionally, more points were awarded to the DVD players that could be mounted to the headrests, as this mounting system helps take the strain off having to watch a movie that’s in your lap or on the seat next to you.
Video Quality: This is arguably the most important characteristic of a portable DVD player, and it was treated as such. When you’re watching a movie or playing a video game, the last thing you want to see is blurry pixelation. We rated video quality by factoring in the screen’s resolution as well as how optimal a viewing angle you could get out of it.
Capabilities: This was a simple testing category. Our team compared what capabilities each portable DVD player had and then tested each capability’s functionality. DVD players that could connect to apps and video game consoles scored higher than ones that could only play DVDs.
How We Score Products
Star ratings help us to honestly evaluate each DV player so we can rank each product in order according to the criteria we considered throughout our testing process. By calculating the overall scores of each DVD player, we noted an average rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars.
- 5.0 Stars: A 5.0-star rating is a well above-average score for the portable DVD players in this review. If the DVD player was quick and easy to install and set up, had pristine video quality comparison to other DVD players, and was functional to use, you’d see a 5.0-star rating.
- 4.0 Stars: A 4.0-star rating is an above-average rating. If the DVD player had good video quality but others had an edge up in comparison to color range and pixelation, you’ll see a 4.0-star rating for the DVD player’s video quality.
- 3.0 Stars: A 3.0-star rating is an average score. For example, if the DVD player had some difficulty with installation but wasn’t completely impossible and worked smoothly once installed and set up, you’d likely see a 3.0-star rating.
- 2.0 Stars: A 2.0-star rating is a below-average rating. If the DVD player in the review had poorer video quality or lacked in functionality and versatility, you’ll see a 2.0-star rating.
- 1.0 Star: A 1.0-star rating is a well below average rating for the DVD players in our review, however, 1.0-star ratings are rarely seen in our reviews of the top products. If the DVD player is defective, unable to be installed in our vehicle, or has any other issue that alters how we can use the product, you’d see a 1.0-star rating.
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*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.