CD-R Discs – Permanent, Reliable Storage at the Best Price
CD-R Discs are the original standard for permanent, write-once data storage. Each disc holds up to 700 MB of information—perfect for music, photos, documents, and software backups that you want to keep safe for years. Affordable, durable, and universally compatible, CD-R remains one of the simplest and most reliable forms of offline media storage.
The CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) format uses an organic dye layer that permanently changes when burned by a laser. Once data is written, it can’t be erased or altered, making CD-R discs ideal for archives, compliance records, and final audio mastering.
Why Choose CD-R Discs?
- Permanent Storage: Write once and preserve your data indefinitely.
- Reliable Format: Decades of proven compatibility across devices.
- Affordable: Store important files for just pennies per disc.
- Universal Playback: Works in nearly all CD drives and players.
- Offline Security: Immune to malware, bit rot, and cloud outages.
CD-R Specifications
While limited in capacity by modern standards, CD-Rs remain effective for archiving small data sets and creating reliable audio or software backups.
| Format | Capacity | Write Type | Speed | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD-R (Standard) | 700 MB | Write-once | Up to 52x | Data, music, and permanent archives |
Most burners and players—old or new—support CD-R media. For best results, burn at 8x–24x speeds to minimize write errors and ensure longevity.
CD-R vs CD-RW and DVD-R
CD-R discs are ideal for one-time recording, while CD-RW discs can be reused multiple times. Compared to DVD-R, CD-R offers smaller capacity but faster burning and universal playback in both computers and audio systems.
| Format | Capacity | Rewritable? | Speed (MB/s) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD-R | 700 MB | No | 3.6 | Permanent data or audio recording |
| CD-RW | 700 MB | Yes | 3.6 | Rewritable test and backup media |
| DVD-R | 4.7 GB | No | 11 | High-capacity backups and video |
Top Uses for CD-R Media
- Recording permanent audio CDs and music compilations.
- Archiving important documents, images, or software installers.
- Distributing projects and presentations for offline use.
- Storing compliance and legal data that cannot be altered.
- Creating system recovery or diagnostic discs.
How to Extend CD-R Longevity
- Use high-quality media (e.g., Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, or Sony archival-grade).
- Store vertically in jewel cases away from sunlight and heat.
- Label discs with soft, water-based markers—never adhesive labels.
- Keep discs in low-humidity environments for optimal lifespan.
- Test critical archives every few years to verify readability.
Explore Related Optical Media
- CD-RW Discs – Rewritable and reusable for everyday projects.
- DVD-R Discs – Larger capacity write-once storage for video and data.
- DVD-RW Discs – Flexible rewritable media for home or office use.
- BD-R Blu-ray Discs – High-capacity, professional-grade archival storage.
- BD-RE Blu-ray Discs – Rewritable optical media for advanced workflows.
Expert CD-R Resources
- Tom’s Hardware – Best External Optical Drives 2025
- TechRadar – Best CD/DVD Writers and Burners
- PCMag – Top Optical Drives for Backup and Audio
- AnandTech – Optical Storage Reviews and Performance Data
Last updated: • Informational page only. Compare CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD media in related categories. Prices and availability updated daily.