How to Buy a Portable DVD Player

Portable DVD players can be hit or miss

Several reviewers speculate that portable DVD players have passed their heyday. Companies are releasing fewer models, and new models receive little fanfare. While consumers may have fewer choices among portable DVD players, prices are dropping as well. It's now possible to get a good portable DVD player for as little as $80. Though notably more expensive, portable Blu-ray Disc players are also available.

Reviews indicate that parents might be most interested in portable DVD players since they are a relatively inexpensive way to entertain young kids, especially while traveling. Kids are tougher on electronics than adults, and you have less to lose with a $100 or $200 portable DVD player than you would if you used even a cheap laptop computer, tablet computer or portable media player to keep youngsters entertained. Some portable DVD players are also easily mounted to car headrests, which make them convenient for long car rides. 

When shopping for a portable DVD player, reviewers say you should keep the following in mind:

• Consider screen size and portability. Experts recommend screens measuring at least 7 inches diagonally. Players with 9- to 11-inch screens weigh and cost more, but they might be worth the price if more than one person wants to watch. Just remember that players with bigger screens are heavier.

• Use headphones for better sound. Headphones usually provide better sound than built-in speakers. When the player is used in a car, headphones also eliminate the distraction of DVD audio for a driver. When choosing a player, test the sound both through the built-in speakers and through a pair of headphones. Make sure the volume is loud enough to hear over background noise.

• Battery life is important. Make sure the player's battery will last long enough to play an entire movie. The best players can run up to eight or nine hours, but three hours is more common, especially for budget DVD players. If you plan to use your player in the car, you can use a car charger, often included with the purchase. Batteries may last longer if you use headphones and set the brightness level to its lowest setting.

• Look at the media options. Most portable players can also play music CDs and home-burned DVDs, and some can play Blu-ray Discs. A few portable DVD players can also play DivX and MPEG-4 video files on DVDs, and JPEG picture viewers are very common. Players for Blu-ray Discs still cost much more than DVD-only ones, though they are becoming more affordable.

• More connectivity is always better. If you plan to share the player with another viewer, look for two headphone jacks; otherwise, you will need to purchase a Y adapter so two people can listen simultaneously. Nearly all portable players can hook up to a full-size TV to double as a home player. Some more expensive players include HDMI ports to connect to a high-definition TV.

• Check the warranty. Although most portable DVD players have a 12-month warranty on parts, labor is usually covered for a much shorter period -- as short as 90 days for some models.