Despite the fact that most of us have access to online streams and various other forms of easily accessible media, there is still a place for DVD players in today’s world, especially compact, portable versions. These devices are easy to carry, easy to maintain, and even easier to use, at least when compared to the DVD players of old. It also has to be said that most of these devices are equipped with built-in rechargeable batteries that take very little time to charge and who can last for hours on a single charge. They have also come a long way in regards to their display quality and inbuilt features, yet not all can be expected to perform at the same standards. To help you make the right choice if you’re thinking about buying one for yourself, we put together a list of the ten best portable DVD players the market has to offer for you to look at.
Best Portable DVD Players – Top List
Philips PET741M/37 DVD Player
You get to savor a great movie watching and music listening experience away from home using the Philips’ PET741M, a high-performance, portable DVD player by most standards. This device features a 7-inch LCD screen which displays your favorite media in vibrant colors and rich detail. The native 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio ensures no black bars at the screen top or bottom as you watch your video while delivering the best image quality for a crisp clear viewing.
Pyle PDV156BK DVD Player
Enjoy big-screen yet compact, portable entertainment and fun with this Pyle’s DVD multi-media player. Its 15.6-inch wide-screen delivers crisp, brilliant High-Definition display. The monitor can swivel for your viewing angle convenience and it also has a headphone jack for a private listening, a functional button-activated volume control, and great picture configuration options to choose from.
NAVISKAUTO 25-PD0901-US DVD/CD Player
The portable NAVISKAUTO 25-PD0901-US DVD/CD player boasts a great 9-inch digital TFT display with high resolution and 270-degree swivel panel for your ultimate viewing convenience. Its integrated Lithium battery support 5 hours of consistent media playback. It also features USB/MMC/SD ports and great dual speakers. Moreover, it has Last Memory feature that makes it resume playing where it stopped a movie or audio file. We should also point out that it comes with a customized wall charger and also a cigarette charger for easy car use.
Pyle PDH14 Portable DVD CD Player
The Pyle’s PDH14 is a unique and highly portable DVD player, one that ranks among the best options available today. Beside a high-resolution 14-inch clean, swivel screen, it features an USB port and an SD-card slot for audio and video playback in MP3, AVI, JPG, and MP4 formats. Integrated rechargeable battery supports 2-hour video/audio playback outdoors, while its RCA inputs/outputs allow connection to large TV set or game console/iPod. It also includes a fully functional remote for added operational convenience.
Philips PD9000/37 DVD Player
Designed for multi-media compatibility, the Philips PD9000/37 DVD player has a great 9-inch TFT.LCD display for a wonderful video viewing experience. It comes with a high-quality integrated rechargeable battery that supports up to 5 hours of media playback and includes a car adapter, AC adapter, and AV cable. Furthermore, its DivX support feature allows you to watch DivX encoded video files took straight from the Internet.
Sony DVP-FX980 DVD Player
To enjoy watching sharp, crisp-clear videos or images wherever you go, you can rely on the Sony FX980, one of the best portable DVD players with a high-resolution display. Its 9-inch screen offers convenient viewing while an integrated rechargeable battery ensures up to 4-hour playtime. It also includes a car adapter to keep it juiced up and ready to play while on the go. Moreover, it supports numerous playback formats—DVD-Video, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD, etc.
Ematic EPD909PR DVD Player
With the Ematic’s 9-inch portable DVD player, you get an incredibly high standard of audio and video playback. This device features a high-end LCD display with high-resolution capabilities, 180-degree tilt/swivel screen for optimum viewing angle convenience and video quality. It also has an integrated rechargeable battery for outdoor use and delivers great audio thanks to built-in speakers and also a headphone jack for private listening via headphones.
Sylvania SDVD9020 DVD Player
With the Sylvania’s SDVD9020, you don’t have to wait to get home in order to watch your favorite movies and songs. It is a high-performance portable DVD player with a 5-hour power built-in rechargeable battery and a slim design for handling convenience. Moreover, it comes ready to play your movie; all you have to do is pop it in your DVD, plug the stereo earphones it comes with, and press play. This portability makes it an ideal choice for use while on long car/plane/train trips.
DBPOWER PD928 DVD Player
The DBPOWER PD928 is another top-rated, high-performance portable DVD player you can go for in today’s market. It features an integrated Lithium rechargeable 2500mAh battery for up to 5-hour show. It also includes an AC adapter and car charger, adding power options for convenience. We should also point out that it is designed to support a versatile range of multi-media, among them DVD, DVD+RW, CD, USB, SD, SVCD, and more. Its 9.5-inch screen swivels for added viewing comfort and has a high-resolution display for clear video watching experience.
Sylvania SDVD1332 DVD Player
A much popular product, this is one of the largest portable DVD players money can buy. Sylvania SDVD1332 has a great 15.6-inch vivid clear display to offer you cinematic experience. The screen has 180-degree swivel function, recommending it for use at home, on a plane, in the car, or any other remote location given its included car/home adaptor and quality built-in rechargeable battery. Moreover, it comes with a USB/SD card reader for added convenience.
Can’t Find What You’re Looking For? Check these suggestions:
What To Look For In A Portable DVD Player
Given the variety of models available, buying a portable DVD player is bound to require far more consideration than many people would imagine. This is because you not only have to browse through all the sub-par models that have flooded the market in recent years but you also have to educate yourself on the technologies each model uses and what improvements they have when compared to older models. With this in mind, here is what you need to consider when buying a portable DVD player:
Size
Although most portable DVD players are relatively small, some are definitely more portable than others. Bear in mind when choosing a particularly small device that the smaller they are, the smaller their battery is, which greatly affects the running time between charges. If, however, you plan on using the device in your car, and if the car has charging ports that you can use, then, by all means, go for a larger device.
Display
Another thing to consider is how big the display is and what capabilities it has. For instance, you have to keep in mind that a full HD display will have a much clearer output than a traditional screen, although it will most likely drain the battery a lot faster. You should also pay attention to the resolution and display options the screen has because they will affect the quality of everything that appears on the screen regardless of format.
Compatibility
Good DVD players are compatible with most CDs and DVDs, which is precisely what to expect from a good portable version as well. That said, you have to understand that even the devices that cannot play ALL formats are useful in their own right, especially if they’re smaller in size. On a related note, check if the device can play older DVDs and whether potential scratches on the surface affects the overall playback quality of the DVD player itself.
Battery
Even though portable DVD players cannot realistically be expected to last as long as mobile phones, for example, they can still hold quite a charge. What you want is a device that will last at least 3.5 hours on a single charge, with 4 hours being the mean average. In theory, a single charge should last you for two movies or a really long one. In this respect, look for a DVD player that can be charged inside the car or one that can be charged in multiple ways.
Versatility
A quality DVD player, be it portable or standard, should be able to play a multitude of formats. We aren’t just talking about video formats, mind you, but audio files as well. In fact, you should definitely be able to use your DVD player as a portable mp3 player if needed. This can be done without draining too much of the portable DVD player’s juice, especially if it’s common formats that don’t stress the device too much. On a related note, remember that you can use file converters to change the format of any music album you like so that you will be able to play the songs through a DVD player.
Audio Quality
Although portable DVD players are mostly intended to play video files, you have to expect a decent audio quality as well. For instance, a good output level should be considered anything above 15W, with some players being able to reach 45W or more. It has to be said that unless you’re playing media in open environments, you don’t really need the speakers to be too loud as long as the audio quality is decent enough.
Connectivity
It is common for portable DVD players to play files not just from DVDs but from newer storage devices as well. For instance, some of these devices can play movies straight from USB thumb drives or SD cards. While they might not be able to play high-definition files as well as a laptop or notebook, for example, they can still offer a decent playback regardless. On a related note, a good DVD player should be equipped with inbuilt headphone jacks for when you don’t feel like making too much noise. Keep in mind that using headphones will also drain the battery a lot slower unless you use unusually large headphones.
Additional Features
Another thing you need to consider is whether the device packs additional features and what they are. For instance, some portable DVD players can be connected to TV sets via A/V output slots, which is even better if the device also has a remote control. Some will even have Dolby Digital audio decoding capabilities to further your audio output quality. If possible, look for a model that features an S-video or Component/Digital Audio output for reliability.
Conclusion
Unless you’re on a budget, you should be able to get your hands on a decent portable DVD player as long as you do your homework. Features-wise, most modern DVD players can be expected to play common formats and to connect to popular mobile devices if needed. In this respect, you don’t really need a reputable model if you have the guarantee that whatever model you’re looking at is capable of the bare minimum in regards to connectivity, playback, battery, display quality, and reliability. All in all, do your best to scout the market thoroughly before making a purchase because these devices have become quite affordable over these past few years.

I began my writing career writing for various content firms, but it was under the tutelage of the editors here at SavantMag.com that I grew as a writer and editor. I love the content we write here and bringing solid reviews to consumers is rewarding beyond what I can even describe.
Leave a Reply