Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's approximately 800GB of usable space fills up quickly with a few game installations. 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

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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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Note: Only certain SSDs run Xbox Series X games directly. Others offer storage for games, playable from the internal drive after transfer.

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.

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1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

The Best Overall Xbox Series X SSD

Grab this easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD for fast transfer rates and seamless gameplay. It's almost as fast as the console's internal SSD.

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Product Specifications

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

Pros

Easy to install
Fast transfer speeds

Cons

Expensive

The Seagate card offers plug-and-play installation, high data transfer rates, and full compatibility with Xbox Series X|S features like Quick Resume. While pricey, it's the best way to officially expand your storage.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50

The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD

Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD offers comparable speeds to the native SSD at a more affordable price point.

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Product Specifications

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

Pros

Cheaper than Seagate
Durable and pocket-sized

Cons

Marginally slower boot times

Compact and durable, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is a great alternative to Seagate, offering 512GB and 1TB options. While slightly slower boot times exist, they're negligible for most users.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only

3. Samsung T7 External SSD

The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD

Ideal for storing games long-term or playing backwards-compatible titles.

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Product Specifications

Storage: 2TB
Interface: USB 3.2
Read/Write: 1,050/1,000MB/s

Pros

Lightweight and portable
256-bit AES encryption

Cons

Cannot play Series X games directly

Offering more storage for the price, the Samsung T7 excels at archiving games and files. Its portability and encryption are significant advantages.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

A budget-friendly option perfect for storing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games.

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Product Specifications

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

Pros

Compact and quick
Storage up to 4TB

Cons

No encryption

The Crucial X8 provides excellent value, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. While not for directly playing Series X games, it's a great storage solution.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Best External Xbox Series X SSD

A stylish and fast external SSD ideal for archiving Xbox Series X games.

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Product Specifications

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

Pros

Fast transfer speeds
Robust and stylish design

Cons

A little pricey

The WD_Black P40 combines style and speed with its RGB lighting and high transfer rates. It’s a premium archival solution.

Choosing the Right Xbox Series X SSD

For plug-and-play functionality with features like Quick Resume, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are your best choices. However, they are expensive. For more budget-friendly options or higher capacity needs, external SSDs provide excellent storage solutions for archiving and playing backwards-compatible games.

Consider read/write speeds, durability, size, and capacity when making your decision. A 1TB SSD is a good starting point, but larger capacities 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 gameplay of Xbox Series X games. External SSDs can store games for later transfer and play.

Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast?

The internal SSD offers around 2.4GB/s IO throughput.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?

System software uses some of the 1TB storage, leaving around 800GB for user content.

Do you need additional storage?

With large game sizes, additional storage is recommended for quick access to multiple games.