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| © Staff Save cellular data and keep kids entertained on long road trips with a good old-fashioned DVD player. |
With summer just around the corner and (fingers crossed!) road-trips hopefully in our future, keeping kids entertained in the backseat can be a challenge, especially on long stretches of boring highway. While it may seem outdated to suggest popping a flick into a portable DVD player strapped to the back of the front seat, it is a great way to monitor what your kids are watching. Not only will you save on cellular data, you’ll also save on not having to purchase a pricey tablet. Plus, that DVD library that’s been collecting dust on your shelf will finally get a chance at a second life.
Check out quick reviews below of the top five portable DVD players, then scroll deeper for more helpful buying info and full reviews of these models.
Check out quick reviews below of the top five portable DVD players, then scroll deeper for more helpful buying info and full reviews of these models.
Features To Look For
Portable DVD players may be pretty simple in their functionality and technology, but there are a few key features that you will want to take into consideration when searching for one that meets your needs.
Screen Size: Many DVD screens are the size of your average laptop’s, around 13 inches, but often come in a range of sizes from 9 to 15 inches. Some players come with more than one screen, which is great if you have more than one kid watching.
Compatibility: While all DVD players are compatible with DVDs, some can also accommodate CDs, play downloads through USB and SD cards, and even pair directly with a phone or tablet.
Battery life: Most DVD players now have a rechargeable battery that usually lasts between two and six hours. Depending on how and where you plan to use your portable player, a shorter battery life may or may not be a deal breaker. For example, if road trips are on the agenda, you still have the option to plug the player into your car’s charger. But if there’s a long flight in your future plans, nothing beats a hearty battery life.
Screen Size: Many DVD screens are the size of your average laptop’s, around 13 inches, but often come in a range of sizes from 9 to 15 inches. Some players come with more than one screen, which is great if you have more than one kid watching.
Compatibility: While all DVD players are compatible with DVDs, some can also accommodate CDs, play downloads through USB and SD cards, and even pair directly with a phone or tablet.
Battery life: Most DVD players now have a rechargeable battery that usually lasts between two and six hours. Depending on how and where you plan to use your portable player, a shorter battery life may or may not be a deal breaker. For example, if road trips are on the agenda, you still have the option to plug the player into your car’s charger. But if there’s a long flight in your future plans, nothing beats a hearty battery life.
How We Selected and Rated Them
We researched 4,700 consumer reviews to select the top five portable DVD players of the year. Our Consumer Score represents the percentage of customers who rated the product at least four out of five stars on retail and review sites like Amazon, Walmart, and manufacturers’ websites.
—EASY TO MOUNT—
Ueme 9 Inch
Consumer Score: 81% gave it 4 stars or more
All the accessories you need, plus a swivel screen.
Compatible with: DVD, CD, USB, SD card | Screen size: 9 inches | Accessories: A/V cable, canvas mounting case, car adapter, remote | Battery life: 4 hours
Small but mighty, this little DVD player can fulfill your entertainment needs. The Ueme is compatible with both DVDs and CDs, making it fully capable of playing both movies and music. A single battery charge can last 4 hours, enough to make it through at least one movie. An included remote offers easy, hands-free control, and a swivel screen moves 180 degrees to ensure the best view. Unfortunately, there is only one headphone jack, but you can easily solve that with the purchase of an adapter.
All the accessories you need, plus a swivel screen.
Compatible with: DVD, CD, USB, SD card | Screen size: 9 inches | Accessories: A/V cable, canvas mounting case, car adapter, remote | Battery life: 4 hours
Small but mighty, this little DVD player can fulfill your entertainment needs. The Ueme is compatible with both DVDs and CDs, making it fully capable of playing both movies and music. A single battery charge can last 4 hours, enough to make it through at least one movie. An included remote offers easy, hands-free control, and a swivel screen moves 180 degrees to ensure the best view. Unfortunately, there is only one headphone jack, but you can easily solve that with the purchase of an adapter.
—LARGE SCREEN—
Sylvania SDVD1332
Consumer Score: 69% gave it 4 stars or more
A 13-inch, adjustable display provides the best possible viewing experience in the car.
Compatible with: DVD, USB, SD card | Screen size: 13.1 inches | Accessories: A/V cable, car adapter, remote, earbuds | Battery Life: 2.5 hours
With a screen the size of an average laptop, this Sylvania DVD player is an ideal setup for road trips with multiple movie watchers. It has only one headphone jack (again, cured with an adapter), but the crisp and clear built-in speakers may work better for multiple viewers anyway. It is also capable of reclining all the way to lay completely flat. With a 2.5-hour battery life on one full charge, you’ll be able to squeeze in one movie.
A 13-inch, adjustable display provides the best possible viewing experience in the car.
Compatible with: DVD, USB, SD card | Screen size: 13.1 inches | Accessories: A/V cable, car adapter, remote, earbuds | Battery Life: 2.5 hours
With a screen the size of an average laptop, this Sylvania DVD player is an ideal setup for road trips with multiple movie watchers. It has only one headphone jack (again, cured with an adapter), but the crisp and clear built-in speakers may work better for multiple viewers anyway. It is also capable of reclining all the way to lay completely flat. With a 2.5-hour battery life on one full charge, you’ll be able to squeeze in one movie.
—MOST PORTABLE—
Sylvania SDVD7046
Consumer Score: 79% gave it 4 or more stars
Cute, compact, and a rainbow of color options!
Compatible with: DVD, USB, SD card | Screen size: 7 inches | Accessories: car charger, remote, earbuds | Battery Life: 4 hours
Forget a carrier bag, this DVD player is the definition of portable thanks to its built-in handle. With a choice of fun colors (black, blue, pink, purple, red, silver, and white), it also adds an element of personalization that’s fun for kids and adults alike. Since the fixed screen is just seven inches and it has only one headphone jack, it’s best for a single viewer. The battery life is also the middle range of about four hours, so you’ll want to make sure it’s charged up between trips.
Cute, compact, and a rainbow of color options!
Compatible with: DVD, USB, SD card | Screen size: 7 inches | Accessories: car charger, remote, earbuds | Battery Life: 4 hours
Forget a carrier bag, this DVD player is the definition of portable thanks to its built-in handle. With a choice of fun colors (black, blue, pink, purple, red, silver, and white), it also adds an element of personalization that’s fun for kids and adults alike. Since the fixed screen is just seven inches and it has only one headphone jack, it’s best for a single viewer. The battery life is also the middle range of about four hours, so you’ll want to make sure it’s charged up between trips.
—DUAL SCREENS—
Naviskauto Dual Screen
Consumer Score: 86% gave it 4 stars or more
Double the screens means more ways to watch.
Compatible with: DVD, USB, SD card, HDMI | Screen Size: 10 inches | Accessories: Remote controllers, car chargers, car mounts, headphones | Battery Life: 2.5 hours
Two screens are better than one—especially when they are HD and can connect to multiple devices. This player is capable of mirroring the same DVD on both screens or showing different DVDs as well as 1080p videos played through an HDMI connection to a computer, phone, or tablet. Both screens feature a clamshell design, which makes them easier to mount. Plus, the design makes it simple for children to change the DVDs by themselves. “My 7-year-old can operate the dual-DVD system for herself and younger brother, which makes road trips enjoyable as I’m not having to reload a DVD every few hours,” wrote a reviewer. “When they fuss over which DVD to watch, they can watch their own!” They also come with included car mounters and a car charger, which should fit around the headrest of most cars.
Double the screens means more ways to watch.
Compatible with: DVD, USB, SD card, HDMI | Screen Size: 10 inches | Accessories: Remote controllers, car chargers, car mounts, headphones | Battery Life: 2.5 hours
Two screens are better than one—especially when they are HD and can connect to multiple devices. This player is capable of mirroring the same DVD on both screens or showing different DVDs as well as 1080p videos played through an HDMI connection to a computer, phone, or tablet. Both screens feature a clamshell design, which makes them easier to mount. Plus, the design makes it simple for children to change the DVDs by themselves. “My 7-year-old can operate the dual-DVD system for herself and younger brother, which makes road trips enjoyable as I’m not having to reload a DVD every few hours,” wrote a reviewer. “When they fuss over which DVD to watch, they can watch their own!” They also come with included car mounters and a car charger, which should fit around the headrest of most cars.
—BEST BUDGET—
Sunpin PD969
Consumer Score: 80% gave it 4 stars or more
Affordable and compact, but with impressive battery power.
Compatible with: Dvd, USB, SD Card | Screen Size: 9.5 inches | Accessories: A/V cable, headrest mounting case, and car charger | Battery Life: 6 hours
This Sunpin DVD player performs well above what you would expect for the price. While the screen is on the smaller side at 9.5 inches, it is a full HD display that produces a clear and bright image. The screen can also swivel and adjust to find the ideal position. The audio coming from the built-in speakers is decent, but it also has dual headphone jacks so that two sets of headphones can be plugged directly into the device. While it cannot play blu-rays, it is compatible with USB and SD cards, so you can play downloaded movies as well. Best of all, it has a rechargeable battery that can last up to six hours on a single charge.
Affordable and compact, but with impressive battery power.
Compatible with: Dvd, USB, SD Card | Screen Size: 9.5 inches | Accessories: A/V cable, headrest mounting case, and car charger | Battery Life: 6 hours
This Sunpin DVD player performs well above what you would expect for the price. While the screen is on the smaller side at 9.5 inches, it is a full HD display that produces a clear and bright image. The screen can also swivel and adjust to find the ideal position. The audio coming from the built-in speakers is decent, but it also has dual headphone jacks so that two sets of headphones can be plugged directly into the device. While it cannot play blu-rays, it is compatible with USB and SD cards, so you can play downloaded movies as well. Best of all, it has a rechargeable battery that can last up to six hours on a single charge.
See more at: Popular Mechanics
