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Best SSDs for Xbox Series X|S 2025

Authore: NicholasUpdate:Mar 16,2025

Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's approximately 800GB of usable space fills up quickly with modern games. The best solution? An SSD. This guide explores top choices for boosting your Xbox Series X|S storage.

TL;DR - Top Xbox Series X SSDs:

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Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

Our Top Pick: Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S (See it on Amazon!)

WD_Black 1TB C50

WD_Black 1TB C50 (See it on Amazon!)

Samsung T7 External SSD

Samsung T7 External SSD (See it on Amazon!)

Crucial X8 External SSD

Crucial X8 External SSD (See it on Amazon!)

WD_Black 2TB P40

WD_Black 2TB P40 (See it on Amazon!)

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 store Series X titles for later.

First, we'll cover SSDs that support and run Xbox Series X games, then explore alternative storage options.

Playing on PS5? Check out our best PS5 SSDs guide.

How much extra Xbox Series X storage do you need?

1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: The Best Overall

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

Our Top Pick: Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S (Grab it on Amazon!)

Product Specifications:

  • Storage: 1TB
  • Interface: eSATA
  • Read/Write: 468.75MB/s

Pros: Easy installation, fast transfer speeds.

Cons: Expensive.

This official Xbox SSD offers near-native speeds, ensuring smooth gameplay and Quick Resume support. The plug-and-play design is user-friendly. While pricey, it's the best way to expand storage officially.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50: The Most Portable

WD_Black 1TB C50

WD_Black 1TB C50 (See it on Amazon!)

Product Specifications:

  • Storage: 1TB
  • Interface: eSATA
  • Read/Write: 900MB/s

Pros: Cheaper than Seagate, durable, portable.

Cons: Marginally slower boot times.

A more affordable alternative from Western Digital, offering similar performance with slightly longer load times. Its compact size makes it highly portable.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only:

3. Samsung T7 External SSD: The Most Versatile

Samsung T7 External SSD

Samsung T7 External SSD (See it on Amazon!)

Product Specifications:

  • 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.

Ideal for storing games for later access. Offers excellent value and portability, with encryption for security.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD: Best Value

Crucial X8 External SSD

Crucial X8 External SSD (See it on Amazon!)

Product Specifications:

  • Storage: 1TB
  • Interface: USB 3.2
  • Read/Write: 1,050MB/s

Pros: Compact, quick, up to 4TB storage.

Cons: No encryption.

A budget-friendly option for storing Xbox One, 360, and Series X games (though Series X games cannot be played directly from it).

5. WD_Black 2TB P40: The Best External SSD

WD_Black 2TB P40

WD_Black 2TB P40 (See it on Amazon!)

Product Specifications:

  • Storage: 2TB
  • Interface: USB 3.2
  • Read/Write: Up to 2,000MB/s

Pros: Fast transfer speeds, robust design.

Cons: Pricey.

A stylish and high-performance external SSD for storing your game library. It's compatible with multiple consoles and PCs.

Choosing the Right SSD:

For direct play of Series X games and features like Quick Resume, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are your best options. For storage only, many USB 3.2 SSDs offer great value and higher capacities.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:

Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X? Only licensed external SSDs can run Series X games directly; others are for storage.

Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast? Yes, it's a 1TB NVMe SSD with high throughput.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB? System software uses some of the 1TB storage.

Do you need additional storage? Yes, if you install many large games, additional storage is highly recommended.