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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Our Top Pick: Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S (See it on Amazon!)
WD_Black 1TB C50 (See it on Amazon!)
Samsung T7 External SSD (See it on Amazon!)
Crucial X8 External SSD (See it on Amazon!)
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.
1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: The Best Overall
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 (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 (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 (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 (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.
