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ScerlySweplay

ScerlySweplay Feb. 24, 2025, 11:33 p.m.

Looking for best portable DVD player recommendations (long car trips with kids)

My family is planning a cross-country road trip this summer, and I need some entertainment options for the backseat crew (ages 5 and 8). Thinking a portable DVD player might save our sanity on those long stretches.

Key considerations:

  1. Battery life (longer = better obviously)
  2. Durability (these are children after all)
  3. Easy to use interface (don't want to be tech support from the front seat)
  4. Screen size that works in a car
  5. Headphone options for parent sanity
  6. Mounting capabilities?

Our old tablet finally died and honestly, I'd prefer something dedicated just for movies rather than another screen for games/YouTube. Plus we already own a bunch of DVDs the kids love.

Any recent purchases you'd recommend or avoid? Thanks!

444555666

444555666 Feb. 25, 2025, 10:21 a.m.

Why not just convert your dvds to digital and use a tablet instead? More versatile + one less device to charge

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tipical24

tipical24 Feb. 26, 2025, 3:47 p.m.

Car dvd players single handedly prevented sibling wars in my childhood. Respect the classics ✌️

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Emm

Emm Feb. 27, 2025, 12:38 a.m.

Been using a reliable BOIFUN 17.5" for our road trips these past 6 months. The anti-shock feature works great on bumpy roads, battery lasts 5+ hours, dual headphone jacks for peace. Worth it for mountain drives with twins

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bosf

bosf Feb. 27, 2025, 8:11 p.m.

get something with usb input too. Dvds get scratched but flash drives = indestructible movie storage

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beck

beck March 1, 2025, 7:40 p.m.

lol @ "kids will hold it themselves" - biggest lie parents tell themselves before road trips

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ireland

ireland March 2, 2025, 2:32 p.m.

Consider this: audiobooks instead. Develops imagination, no screen time, no motion sickness

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foren

foren March 3, 2025, 6:59 p.m.

Whatever you get, buy extra charging cables NOW. Guaranteed first thing to disappear

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killer5555

killer5555 March 5, 2025, 12:42 a.m.

Life hack - wrap bright colored tape around all car chargers. Stops them from wandering off + easy to spot under seats

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Shiko & Karla

Shiko & Karla March 6, 2025, 8:19 p.m.

portable dvd players saved my marriage during pandemic road trips when flying wasn't an option

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kite

kite March 9, 2025, 4:24 p.m.

Our hellish 8hr drives became peaceful after investing in a ieGeek 12.5" last summer. The shock resistant design handles dirt roads well, swivel screen works for odd car angles, and survived being dropped twice already

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Kickboxer

Kickboxer March 12, 2025, 12:04 p.m.

These things still exist? Genuinely surprised. Thought everything went digital years ago

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loll22

loll22 March 17, 2025, 10:46 p.m.

buy local so you can return easily when it inevitably breaks two days before your trip

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Ste5F

Ste5F March 21, 2025, 1:06 a.m.

libraries still have dvds to borrow - test before you invest in something that might collect dust later

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angry

angry March 28, 2025, 3:17 p.m.

skip car mounting systems - they're all garbage that fall off first bump

lap desk + pillow works better

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123456k

123456k March 30, 2025, 11:23 p.m.

velcro strips on back of player + car seat = $5 DIY mount that actually stays put

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Java_java

Java_java April 4, 2025, 12:48 p.m.

Don't forget many newer players have weaker reed-solomon error correction which can struggle with older/scratched discs. Test your collection before the trip

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dako_003

dako_003 April 8, 2025, 5:30 p.m.

portable blu-ray exists now too if quality matters. only about $30 more for significant picture upgrade

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ekt1978

ekt1978 April 15, 2025, 12:50 a.m.

Headphones with volume limiters saved my kids' hearing. Regular headphones get cranked way too loud to overcome road noise

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