Optical drives retrieve and/or store data on optical disks such as CDs, DVDs, and BDs (Blu-ray discs). These disks hold much more information than previously available portable media such as floppy disks.

An optical drive is also commonly referred to as a disk drive, ODD (abbreviation), CD drive, DVD drive, or BD drive.

Some popular manufacturers of optical drives include LG, ASUS, Memorex, and NEC. Chances are, one of these companies actually manufactured the optical drive in your computer or other device, even if you don't see their name on the drive itself.

An optical drive is a piece of computer hardware about the size of a thick softcover book. The front has a small Open/Close button that ejects and retracts the drive bay door. This is how media such as CDs, DVDs, and BDs are inserted and removed from the drive.