Traveling with family is super fun, but when you combine kids and long travel times, the journey could not end soon enough. So, having the best portable DVD player for your car is a huge lifesaver in these scenarios. All you have to do is put in one of their favorite movies, give them headphones, and let them enjoy it all the way to the destination.
Of course, in a time when you have access to every show and movie on the planet through streaming sites, DVD players may sound redundant. But for those who don’t want to depend on an internet connection for streaming or want to save storage space by avoiding offline downloads, DVD players are a great choice. Moreover, choosing what your kids can watch is better than randomly scrolling through YouTube just to end up on cringy “kid-friendly” videos.
DVD players are definitely an old-school way to watch movies. If you have a collection of DVDs that you keep at your home, RV, or car, you can use a portable DVD player to play your old DVD collection. So, we’re going to list some of the best portable DVD players that are going to keep you entertained, no matter where you are.
Are Portable DVD Players Safe?
Yes, portable DVD players are safe to use. But just like any other electronic device, there are a few concerns that you should be aware of.
- When you’re using them in a vehicle, make sure you don’t watch and drive.
- Don’t overcharge the battery, as it may cause permanent damage to the device.
- Avoid using third-party chargers, as they may be made from cheap-quality products, leading to damage to the player.
- If the device starts to overheat, give it a rest before you start using it again. Exposing the device to too much heat can cause damage to the internal components.
- Watching movies on it regularly could lead to physical issues for you, like posture issues and neck pain.
- Since the screens are not as big as TVs and monitors, your eyes may get strained by watching them for long periods of time.
- Always keep an eye on your kids while they are using the player, as they can pluck the little parts like the button and put them in their mouth.
- Keep them away from animals, as they can chew on them.
Best Portable DVD Players in 2025
Let’s take a look at our favorite portable DVD players with a screen that are recommended by our in-house experts.
BEST OVERALL
DBPOWER 11.5-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
3.5mm headphone jack
Dual speakers
Lengthy car charging cable
Long-lasting batteries
Easy-to-use remote control
Multiple color options
But…
Does not play Blu-ray DVDs
This DBPOWER 11.5-inch portable DVD player is one of the most popular choices among users online. It has a 9-inch screen that runs on 800×480 native resolution and supports some of the most popular DVD formats, like CD, DVD, and CD-R/RW, among others. With its break-point memory functionality, you can resume the movie from the point where you dropped off previously—a huge plus! The built-in battery has a capacity of 2500 mAh and can last up to 5 hours, enough for at least 2-3 movies. Its screen also has a swiveling capability of up to 270 degrees. When you’re at home, you can connect it to a TV, too!
BEST LARGE SCREEN
Boifun 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Large screen
Region-free
3.5mm headphone jack
Dual-speaker system
Multi-format support
USB and SD card slots
But…
Pricey
If you want a DVD player with a screen big enough for multiple people to watch together, then the Boifun 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player is what you should buy. With its 15.6-inch screen and 1200×800 resolution, everyone gets to watch comfortably. It’s a pretty neat-looking player with a sleek design and clear button layouts. But the feature that impressed us the most was its 5000 mAh battery capacity—it can last up to 6 hours. The build quality is extremely sturdy and also has anti-shock protection, which is a great relief when you’re letting your kids use it. The price is surely on the higher end, but it’s definitely worth it. This is one of the best portable DVD players for cars and other uses.
BEST MID-RANGE
MYDASH 14.9-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Region-free format support
Lightweight and durable build
3.5 mm headphone jack
3 optional power systems
Compatible with TVs and projectors
Battery life of up to 5 hours
But…
No Blu-ray support
Unless you want to keep hearing, “Are we there yet?” from your kids, you’re going to have to buy the MYDASH 14.9-inch Portable DVD Player—a sleek, swivel-screen entertainer that is built to keep boredom away from the kids. It has a pretty good screen size of 12.5 inches that can spin 270 degrees and flip 180 degrees to adapt to different viewing angle preferences. The design is thin and built with light materials, offering a great balance between being lightweight and being durable. Your kids don’t have to hold it the entire time to use it; you can easily mount it to the headrest of your car seat using its upgraded headrest holder. So, fasten your kids, put on a movie, and watch them get lost in the movie!
BEST SMALL SCREEN
Pofoto 9.5-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Compact size
Good pricing
Diverse connectivity options
Swivel and tiltable screen
Supports various formats
High-quality speakers
But…
Finicky connection with TV
The Pofoto 9.5-inch Portable DVD Player is your ultimate travel buddy—it’s compact, easy to use, and has a long battery life. This compact marvel features a 7.5-inch swivel screen that flips and twists to ensure you get the best viewing angle no matter where you are. It does more than just play DVDs; it also has USB and SD card support to place content from different sources. With a battery life of 4–6 hours, it’s going to last longer than your toddler can keep their eyes open. Additionally, its dual speakers pack quite a punch, allowing you to listen to every single dialogue and beat.
BEST UNDER $100
HDJUNTUNKOR 12-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
High-definition LCD screen
Battery life of up to 5 hours
Includes a headrest case
Break-point memory function
Swiveling and tilting capabilities
Multiple charging methods
But…
Unsatisfactory speakers
Say goodbye to Wi-Fi and hello to hassle-free movie marathons—wherever you are. As it is, the player supports a wide range of DVD formats, and with the inclusion of USB and SD card support, there is no limit to what you can watch on it. It has a nice 10.1-inch LCD screen that makes the images look sharp and clean. A generous 5-hour battery life means you can almost get through movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Director’s Cut and still have a little juice left. And when it’s time to hit the road, the included car charger, AC adapter, and headrest mount make setup very easy.
BEST DISPLAY
Pofoto 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Anti-shock protection
Color enhancements
Built with RoHS materials
5000 mAh battery
Screen sharing capabilities
But…
Remote control isn’t great
If large-screen entertainment is what you enjoy the most, then the Pofoto 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player gives you reasons not to compromise on what you want. Boasting a big 15.6-inch HD screen, this device delivers crisp visuals that make all your favorite movies pop on the screen. With its support of various DVD formats, it brings back the fun of watching movies with discs. It’s region-free too, so it doesn’t matter if you’re watching a guilty-pleasure reality show or some action-packed anime; all of it will look great! This is definitely one of the best portable DVD players in the USA.
BEST LONG BATTERY LIFE
ieGeek 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
15.6-inch HD screen
Dual-speaker with high volume
Built-in 5000mAh battery
Easy-to-use remote control
Break-point memory function
But…
No Blu-ray support
If you’re tired of buffering icons while streaming, then the ieGeek 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player is the best alternative to keeping yourself entertained on the go. Its region-free support allows you to play in various formats, so you can play anything you like without worrying about technical interruptions. And it even has a 5000 mAh battery for continuous playback of up to 6 hours! This is one of their upgraded models with not just better technology but also a sleek, modern design. The price is also quite reasonable for the features, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth with this one.
BEST UNDER $50
HotHat 9.5-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Accessible pricing
Stereo speakers
2500 mAh battery
Bluetooth 5.3 support
Swiveling and tilting screen
Supports USB and TF/SD cards
But…
Low durability
If you want to keep your kids busy while you focus on your driving, then you’re going to need the help of this HotHat 9.5-inch portable DVD player. It has a modest 7.5-inch screen that is perfect for playing cartoons. It runs at a 1024×600 HD resolution, the perfect size to be viewed in cars while also not losing out on visual quality. It has a stereo speaker that provides the immersion for kids, and if you think that won’t be enough, you can always use its Bluetooth feature to connect an external speaker. With its 5-hour battery life, you and your kid are both going to be really happy.
BEST SPEAKERS
SQQBZZ 11.5-inch Portable DVD Player
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Budget-friendly
Region-free format supports
Loud stereo speakers
USB and SD card support
12-month warranty
3 charging methods
But…
Low build quality
The SQQBZZ 11.5-inch portable DVD player has speakers that are surprisingly pretty loud and yet clear. It is built with two high-powered speakers, both of which combine to offer a loud and crisp output. You get to choose from two different color options—black and blue. If you ask us, blue definitely has a personality to it. The 800×480 HD resolution 9.5-inch LCD might be small for games and stuff, but it is enough to watch content when you’re traveling. With its 3.5mm headphone jack, you can enjoy the content all by yourself without disturbing others around you. Plus, it has the ability to be used with TVs, projectors, and other similar devices. So, viewing movies on it is not limited to just when traveling; you can use it at home too.
How We Chose the Best Portable DVD Players
These products were chosen by our team of experts, who have years of experience with testing and reviewing different types of home entertainment products. To ensure that our readers get the best options to choose from, they thoroughly tested over a dozen different DVD players for factors such as ease of use, image quality, supporting formats, and so much more. The team used these devices in different settings to push them to their limits in terms of usage. After all of the results were gathered, the team finalized the ones on this list.
FAQ
What is the best portable DVD player?
The DBPOWER 11.5-inch Portable DVD Player and the Boifun 17.5-inch Portable DVD Player are two of the best portable DVD players you can get.
Can I take a portable DVD player on the plane?
Generally, most airlines allow you to travel with a DVD player in your backpack. But it is advised to check with the airlines you’re traveling with to ensure you comply with all their requirements.
What is the difference between a DVD player and a DVD drive?
A DVD player is something that you connect to your TV and projector, while a DVD drive is specifically for computers.
Can you plug a portable DVD player into the TV?
Yes, you can plug a portable DVD player into a TV, as long as it supports the formats and connectivity methods.
Does a portable DVD player need Internet?
No, portable DVD players do not require any internet connection.
Can you watch Netflix on a portable DVD player?
No, you cannot watch Netflix on a portable DVD player because most lack internet connectivity and smart features. They’re designed only for playing DVDs and SD cards, and not for streaming services.
