1. CD-R(光盘 – 可刻录)：
CD-R 是一张空白 CD，其中可以存储一次数据。存储数据后，它被转换成CD-ROM。它由反射金属盘制成，顶部有一层绿色或不透明染料。与 CD-RW 和 CD-ROM 相比，它也更便宜。在 CD-R 中的数据不能被覆盖。 CD-R 的优点是任何版本的 CD 播放器，无论是旧版还是新版，都可以轻松读取 CD-R。
2. CD-RW(光盘 – 可重写)：
CD-RW 是一种可以擦除的 CD，可以多次使用。它由反射金属盘制成，顶部有一层特殊金属。它是所有类型中最便宜的 CD。它比 CD-R 和 CD-ROM 都贵。 CD-RW 的缺点是大多数旧版本的 CD 播放器无法读取它。在某些特性上，它与 CD-RW 也有一些相似之处。
CD-R 和 CD-RW 的区别：
| CD-R | CD-RW |
|---|---|
| It is made of reflective metal disk with layer of dye on top. | It is also made of reflective metal disk but it has special metal on top. |
| Data can be stored only once in CD-R. | Data can be stored multiple times in it. |
| It can not be erased. | It can be erased. |
| After storing data, it is converted into CD-ROM. | Even after storing data, it is CD-RW itself. |
| It is cheaper than CD-RW. | It is costly among all CD types. |
| Data can not be written over in CD-R. | Data can be changed after writing in it. |
| CD-R is more compatible. | CD-RW is less compatible. |
| It is effective for long term back-ups. | It is the best for data transferring. |
| All CD players i.e. older and newer can read CD-R. | Older CD players can not read CD-RW. |