Blank CD-R Discs

Choose CD-Rs based on capacity (standard 700 MB/80 minutes), write speed compatible with your burner, and intended use: low-cost generic discs for short-term data transfer, higher-quality brand-name discs (e.g., Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden) for archival or audio mastering, and printable surfaces if you plan to label discs

Use a write speed supported by both your CD burner and the disc; slower speeds (e.g., 4x–16x) can improve compatibility and audio quality on older players, while higher speeds (24x–52x) are generally fine for modern burners and everyday data backups

Lifespan varies by disc quality and storage but properly stored CD-Rs can last many years; keep discs in jewel cases or sleeves, store vertically in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight, and avoid extreme temperatures or humidity to minimize degradation

Most standard CD-Rs are compatible with CD-ROM drives and CD players, but compatibility can depend on the player and burn settings; for guaranteed playback, use reputable brands and burn at conservative speeds or use the player’s recommended formats

Printable CD-Rs have a specially coated top surface that accepts inkjet or thermal printing for custom labels; non-printable discs have plain surfaces and require adhesive labels or marker pens for identification

No, standard CD-Rs are write-once media and cannot be erased and rewritten; for rewritable functionality use CD-RW discs, which support multiple erase/write cycles

Buy according to project size—small projects may need single spindles, while ongoing archiving benefits from bulk packs; consider storage space, shelf life, and using a consistent brand and batch to reduce variability across backups