Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's roughly 800GB of usable space fills up quickly, forcing tough choices about which games to uninstall. The solution? An SSD. This guide highlights the best options for boosting your Xbox Series X|S storage.
TL;DR - Top Xbox Series X SSDs:
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Our Top Pick: Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
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WD_Black 1TB C50
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Samsung T7 External SSD
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Crucial X8 External SSD
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WD_Black 2TB P40
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Important note: Only a few SSDs run Xbox Series X games directly. Others are ideal for storage, allowing you to play older Xbox One or 360 games, or archive Series X titles.
First, we'll cover SSDs that support and run Series X games, then explore alternative storage solutions.
Playing on PS5? Check out our best PS5 SSDs guide.
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1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
The Best Overall Xbox Series X SSD
See it at AmazonSpecifications:
- Storage: 1TB
- Interface: eSATA
- Read/Write: 468.75MB/s
Pros: Easy to install, fast transfer speeds.
Cons: Expensive.
The Seagate Expansion Card offers speeds comparable to the console's internal SSD, ensuring seamless gameplay. Its plug-and-play installation is incredibly convenient. While pricey, it's the optimal solution for direct game access and compatibility with Xbox features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions.
2. WD_Black 1TB C50
The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD
See it at AmazonSpecifications:
- Storage: 1TB
- Interface: eSATA
- Read/Write: 900MB/s
Pros: Cheaper than Seagate, durable, portable.
Cons: Marginally slower boot times.
A more affordable alternative to Seagate, the WD_Black C50 is compact and robust. Offering 512GB and 1TB options, it provides easy installation and fast game transfers. Boot times are slightly slower than the internal SSD, but the difference is minimal. A great choice if you don't need the largest capacity.
For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only
3. Samsung T7 External SSD
The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD
See it at AmazonSpecifications:
- Storage: 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.2
- Read/Write: 1,050/1,000MB/s
Pros: Lightweight, portable, 256-bit AES encryption.
Cons: Cannot play Series X games directly.
Excellent for storing games and other files, the Samsung T7 offers more storage for the price than the dedicated expansion cards. It's ideal for archiving games or playing older titles. Its portability and encryption features are added bonuses.
4. Crucial X8 External SSD
The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD
See it at AmazonSpecifications:
- Storage: 1TB
- Interface: USB 3.2
- Read/Write: 1,050MB/s
Pros: Compact, fast, up to 4TB storage.
Cons: No encryption.
The Crucial X8 provides great value, particularly at higher storage capacities (1TB, 2TB, 4TB). While not for direct Series X game play, it's perfect for storing games and freeing up space on your internal drive. It's also compatible with PCs and Macs.
5. WD_Black 2TB P40
The Best External Xbox Series X SSD
See it at AmazonSpecifications:
- Storage: 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.2
- Read/Write: Up to 2,000MB/s
Pros: Fast transfer speeds, stylish design.
Cons: Relatively expensive.
The WD_Black P40 stands out with its stylish RGB lighting and robust build. While not for direct Series X gameplay, its fast transfer speeds (up to 2000MB/s) and compatibility with multiple platforms make it a worthwhile investment for archiving and storage.
Choosing the Right Xbox Series X SSD
For direct gameplay and full feature support, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are your best choices, despite their higher cost. If you only need storage, many other USB 3.2 SSDs offer greater value and capacity.
Consider read/write speeds, durability, portability, and desired storage capacity when making your decision. 1TB is usually sufficient, but larger options are available.
Xbox Series X SSD FAQ
Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X? Only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate Expansion Card) allow direct Series X game play. Other external SSDs can store games.
Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast? Yes, it's a 1TB NVMe SSD with around 2.4GB/s IO throughput.
Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB? System software uses some of the 1TB storage.
Do I need additional storage? If you plan on installing many large games, additional storage is highly recommended.
