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

• Cost: $600
• Amazon review score: 3.9 out of 5.0 (approx. 250 reviews)
• Screen size: 13.3 in.
• Power supply: ACC, 12.0-Volts DC, and car cigarette lighter
• Touchscreen: Yes
• HDMI: Input and output
• What’s in the box: The Ainavi Multifunction Car TV, a mounting bracket, an HDMI cable, a 12.0-V car cigarette lighter connector, an ACC power connection, and a 12.0-V DC adapter.

Ainavi Multifunction Car TV Review

The Ainavi Multifunction Car TV is as good as it gets in terms of portable DVD players. It can be used as a business tool by giving you access to LinkedIn and Gmail, or for pleasure through one of the many social media and streaming platforms. If you’re a gamer, this portable DVD player has HDMI input and output ports, making them compatible with gaming systems.

You can see how the Ainavi performed in each of our testing categories below:

This 13.3-in. portable DVD player has an in-plane switching (IPS) touchscreen with 1920 x 1080p resolution and supports 4K HD video playback. Featuring a built-in Google Play Store, you can download and install the apps you want freely. This product also supports screen mirroring as well as iOS Airplay and Miracast^®.

There is a built-in speaker on this car DVD player, but you can also use an FM transmitter to send audio to the car stereo speakers. Furthermore, a headphone jack allows you to use wired headsets. Below are the pros and cons of the Ainavi Multifunction Car TV:

Ainavi Multifunction Car TV: Our Experience

The Ainavi Multifunction TV is multifunction by name and by nature. What really sets this product apart from the competition is its extensive list of capabilities and 13.3-in. screen size.

Ease of Installation: It took our team members no more than five minutes to unbox, attach the big screen to the car headrest mount, and get this portable DVD player fully operational.

Video Quality: No portable DVD player we tested matches the quality of the Ainavi Multifunction Car TV. The screen is bright, crisp, and clear. A 1920 x 1080p resolution is a tall order to match.

Capabilities: The Ainavi can access Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Gmail, Youtube, Netflix, Disney+, Max, TikTok, Airplay and Miracast, the Google Play Store, and can even connect to a gaming system via HDMI cable. No other portable DVD player that we researched or tested had this breadth of capabilities.

Ainavi Multifunction Car TV: What Customers Are Saying

The majority of customer reviews online for the Ainavi Multifunction Car TV are positive. Many customers speak to the device’s high resolution, while a few others praise the build quality. A couple of negative reviews complain that they were unable to access pre-installed apps.

2. Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player: Best Portable Gaming Monitor

• Cost: $110
• Amazon review score: 4.4 out of 5.0 (approx. 600 reviews)
• Screen size: 10.1 in.
• Power supply: AC adapter
• Touchscreen: No
• HDMI: Input and output
• What’s in the box: The Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player, a car charger, an infrared wireless remote control, an AV link cable, a mounting bracket, and a user manual.

Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player Review

This portable DVD player is good for gamers and audiophiles alike. With a built-in USB port, SD card slot, and SD card reader functionality, you can enjoy a variety of different file formats and a number of different media files without issue. The inclusion of built-in speakers and AV output ports makes the Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player a great option for those who like music. Furthermore, gamers will love this portable DVD player as you can easily connect to your gaming system with no issues.

You can see how the Vanku performed in each of our testing categories below:

With 1024 x 600p resolution and built-in dual speakers to enhance your viewing experience, the Vanku DVD player is one of the best portable DVD players in the industry. This region-free car DVD player has a last memory/auto-resume function so that wherever you left off, regardless of whether you power off or remove a disc, you’ll be able to pick it right back up. It should also be noted that this product comes with an 18-month warranty. Below are the pros and cons of the Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player:

Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player: Our Experience

In our experience, the Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player was a joy to work with. Easy installation paired with an HD screen and a long list of capabilities makes this a solid choice for customers.

Ease of Installation: Both the installation and removal process of this portable DVD player are easy, with the Ainavi being the only product in this portable DVD player review that can compare. We had no problem setting it up.

Video Quality: High resolution isn’t the only thing that this car DVD player has going for it. A large screen means you won’t find yourself yearning for a bigger screen, while the 1080p video that this product can produce separates it from the competition.

Capabilities: This portable DVD player has an extensive list of capabilities. It can connect to a gaming system, Raspberry Pi, Kindle Fire, and mobile phone. It can also support various file and disc formats such as MP3, CD, DVD, JPEG, and VCD.

Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player: What Customers Are Saying

Many customers praise this portable DVD player’s capabilities and appreciate the secure mounting system. One negative reviewer complains that you can hear the DVD spinning through the back of the headrest.

3. MyDash Portable DVD Player: Best Affordable Portable DVD Player

• Cost: $90
• Amazon review score: 4.3 out of 5.0 (approx. 1,000 reviews)
• Screen size: 12.5 in.
• Power supply: AC adapter and car cigarette lighter
• Touchscreen: No
• HDMI: N/A
• What’s in the box: The MyDash Portable DVD Player, AC adaptor, remote control, AV cable, car chargers, car headrest bag, instruction manual, and a warranty card.

MyDash Portable DVD Player Review

The MyDash Portable DVD Player is good for those who are constantly on the go. If you’re more concerned about portability than you are about screen size, then the MyDash Portable DVD player might be for you. Some negative reviewers aren’t happy that there aren’t any buttons to adjust the screen’s brightness.

See how the MyDash performed in each of our testing categories below:

Featuring a 12.5-in. LCD screen with 270-degree rotation, you can easily adjust the viewing angle for the most optimal experience. This portable DVD player supports three power systems: A large-capacity rechargeable battery, UL listed power adapter, or a car charger. It should be noted that the battery is a lithium battery.

Break-point memory functionality allows you to pick up watching from where you left off without any hassle. You can also sync movies with a larger screen or to a TV by way of AV input and output ports. A headrest mount holder allows you to quickly store your portable DVD player while the adjustable straps let you secure it in place. It should be noted that this device is region-free, although it won’t support Blu-ray™ Discs or Blu-ray DVDs. Below are the pros and cons of the MyDash Portable DVD Player:

MyDash Portable DVD Player: Our Experience

The MyDash Portable DVD player may not be a portable Blu-ray player, but it makes up for it with its video quality and portability.

Ease of Installation: While no installation is required, the viewing angle of watching a movie by looking down at your lap versus the back of a headrest can put strain on your neck and back.

Video Quality: This portable DVD player can produce 1280 x 800p HD video, making it crisp and clear. Furthermore, the swivel screen functionality of this gadget means you can truly have the best viewing experience possible.

Capabilities: This device can act as both a CD player and DVD player as it supports both disc formats. Additionally, it also supports MP3 and JPEG files while also being compatible via USB port and SD card.

MyDash Portable DVD Player: What Customers Are Saying

A large number of reviewers mention how user-friendly this product is and how their young children can use it easily without help. One woman claims that her experience with the company’s customer service department was incredibly positive.

4. Boifun Portable DVD Player: Longest Battery Life

• Cost: $100
• Amazon review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 (approx. 7,200 reviews)
• Screen size: 17.5 in.
• Power supply: AC adapter
• Touchscreen: No
• HDMI: N/A
• What’s in the box: The Boifun Portable DVD Player, a remote controller, an AC adapter, a car charger, and a three-in-one AV cable.

Boifun Portable DVD Player Review

With its 5,000.0-mAh battery capacity, the Boifun Portable DVD Player is good for those who don’t have easy access to charging ports. Having the ability to watch up to six hours of uninterrupted video gives you the freedom to be wherever you want in the world, at least until you need to recharge your device.

You can see how the Boifun performed in each of our testing categories below:

The high-resolution 15.6-in. 1280 x 800p HD screen can swivel, relieving viewers from fatigue while watching videos. Further enhancing the viewing experience is the fact that this portable DVD player has a 270-degree rotation and the ability to flip 180 degrees. It should also be noted that this device is region-free.

Featuring an anti-shock function, this portable DVD player protects the disc reading process and effectively reduces the video interruption caused by shaking. This device features dual speakers as well as an earphone jack, so you can choose how you want to listen. The Boifun also has a last memory function to allow you to pick up from where you left off. Below are the pros and cons of the Boifun Portable DVD Player:

Boifun Portable DVD Player: Our Experience

In our experience, the Boifun Portable DVD Player is a great portable DVD player. Its reliability to play video without access to charging methods is what truly sets this product apart from its competitors.

Ease of Installation: Similar to the MyDash, this portable DVD player does not require any installation. Simply pull the product out of the box and it’s ready to go. However, regardless of how much the screen swivels, rotates, or flips, the device will still be sitting on your lap leaving you to crane your neck to see it. This product loses points here for its inability to be mounted to a car headrest.

Video Quality: This portable DVD player has mediocre video quality. It won’t wow you, but it won’t leave you feeling like you missed half the movie as you couldn’t see what was happening. However, we were fans of the large 17.5-in. screen.

Capabilities: In addition to DVDs, the Boifun can also play CDs, MP3 files, and even access JPEG files. Furthermore, it has a USB port and an SD card slot.

Boifun Portable DVD Player: What Customers Are Saying

A lot of people like the Boifun’s large screen size as well as the useful last memory function. Some negative reviewers complain about their portable DVD player freezing and becoming unresponsive.

5. Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players: Best Dual DVD Player For Car

• Cost: $175
• Amazon review score: 4.2 out of 5.0 (approx. 2,600 reviews)
• Screen size: 10.5 in.
• Power supply: AC adapter and car cigarette lighter
• Touchscreen: No
• HDMI: N/A
• What’s in the box: The Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players, two remote controls, two AC adapters, two headrest straps, two car mounting brackets, a car charger, an AV cable, an RCA cable, and a user manual.

Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players Review

The Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players are good for families with two or more kids and for those who like road trips with friends. The inclusion of two screens that can play the same movie at the same time or two different movies simultaneously allows you to turn your backseat into a movie theater on a long drive.

You can see how the Wonnie performed in each of our testing categories below:

This portable DVD player can operate for up to five hours without charge thanks to a built-in rechargeable lithium battery. Built-in dual speakers provide loud and clear audio, though you also have the option to connect to your car audio system via an aux cable. This region-free portable DVD player has 1024 x 800p resolution and can play HD video. Below are the pros and cons of the Wonnie DVD Player:

Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players: Our Experience

While we appreciated the inclusion of two screens, our team members weren’t impressed that the Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players shipped with only one properly packaged screen while the other was left to rattle around the box.

Ease of Installation: The installation process of this portable DVD player was time-consuming, to say the least. Our product testing team spent more time mounting one of these screens than it took us to mount the rest of the portable DVD players featured in the article combined. Additionally, it was a strenuous task to remove the portable DVD player from the headrest.

Video Quality: With HD video capabilities and 1024 x 800p resolution, this portable DVD player’s selling point is undoubtedly its video quality. While the top-end products in this market may have higher resolution, it’s difficult to beat the video quality of this car DVD player for the price.

Capabilities: Outside of being a DVD player, the Wonnie doesn’t have many other capabilities. It can support CDs as well as MP3 files and JPEG files, but that’s it.

Wonnie 10.5-inch Two DVD Players: What Customers Are Saying

The majority of positive reviews focus on the fact that two screens are included, while a few mention being impressed with the image quality. A couple of negative reviews claim their device stopped working shortly after the return period ended.

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

---

Best Portable DVD Players: Bottom Line

1. Best Portable DVD Player: Ainavi Multifunction Car TV
2. Best Portable Gaming Monitor: Vanku 10.1-inch Car DVD Player
3. Best Affordable Portable DVD Player: MyDash Portable DVD Player
4. Longest Battery Life: Boifun Portable DVD Player
5. 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: 

---

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.

Why Trust Motor1.com

Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.

We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.

---