Expandable storage options for consoles have become increasingly essential. The Xbox Series X offers around 800GB of usable storage, but with modern games often exceeding 100GB, you'll quickly find yourself juggling which games to keep installed. The solution? Invest in an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S to expand your storage and enhance your gaming experience.
TL;DR - These are the best Xbox Series X SSDs:
Our Top Pick### Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
2See it at Amazon
### WD_Black 1TB C50
1See it at Amazon
### Samsung T7 External SSD
0See it at Amazon
### Crucial X8 External SSD
1See it at Amazon
### WD_Black 2TB P40
0See it at Amazon
While only a few SSDs can run Xbox Series X games directly, there are numerous options for storing them. You can play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly from a compatible external hard drive, or store your Xbox Series X games for later use. Let's explore the best SSDs that can run your Xbox Series X games, followed by alternative storage solutions.
Have a PS5? Check out the best PS5 SSDs
1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
The Best Xbox Series X SSD Overall
Our Top Pick### Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
2The Seagate Storage Expansion Card offers easy installation and high-speed transfer rates, providing seamless gameplay directly from the card, just like from the internal storage. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
- Storage: 1TB
- Interface: eSATA
- Read/Write: 468.75MB/s
PROS
- Easy to install
- Fast transfer speeds
CONS
- Expensive
The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S matches the speed of the console's internal SSD, allowing you to play games optimized for Xbox Series X|S with no difference in performance. It supports plug-and-play installation, ensuring that even non-tech-savvy users can expand their storage effortlessly. While it comes at a premium price, it's the official way to boost your Xbox Series X's storage capacity, working seamlessly with the Xbox Velocity Architecture and Quick Resume features. You can choose from 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB options to suit your needs.
2. WD_Black 1TB C50
The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD
### WD_Black 1TB C50
1The WD_Black C50 is Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD, designed to run games just as efficiently as the console's native SSD. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
- Storage: 1TB
- Interface: eSATA
- Read/Write: 900MB/s
PROS
- A more affordable alternative to the Seagate Expansion Card
- Durable and pocket-sized
CONS
- Marginally slower boot times
The WD_Black 1TB C50 offers a more budget-friendly option compared to Seagate's card. Its compact and durable design makes it ideal for on-the-go gaming. Available in 512GB and 1TB, this expansion card slots easily into the Xbox Series X's expansion port with no setup required. While boot times are slightly slower than the internal storage, the difference is minimal. For those not needing the 2TB capacity, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is an excellent choice for expanding your Xbox Series X storage.
For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only
3. Samsung T7 External SSD
The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD
### Samsung T7 External SSD
0The Samsung T7 is perfect for storing and playing backwards-compatible games, offering ample storage and portability. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
- Storage: 2TB
- Interface: USB 3.2
- Read/Write: 1,050/1,000MB/s
PROS
- Lightweight and portable
- 256-bit AES encryption for storing files
CONS
- Cannot play Series X games directly from the SSD
The Samsung T7 External SSD provides excellent value for money, offering 2TB of storage at a competitive price. Though it can't run Xbox Series X games directly, it's ideal for storing games for future play or playing older Xbox titles. Its lightweight and portable design, combined with high read/write speeds and AES 256-bit encryption, make it a versatile choice for gamers looking to manage their library efficiently.
4. Crucial X8 External SSD
The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD
### Crucial X8 External SSD
1The Crucial X8 offers great value for storing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, freeing up space on your Series X SSD. See it at Amazon
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 is an affordable option for storing Xbox games, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Though it can't run current-gen games, it's perfect for storing older titles and freeing up space on your Xbox Series X's internal SSD. Its compact size and durability make it an excellent choice for gamers on a budget.
5. WD_Black 2TB P40
The Best External Xbox Series X SSD
### WD_Black 2TB P40
0The WD_Black 2TB P40 offers stylish design and fast transfer speeds, ideal for storing your Xbox Series X games. See it at Amazon
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 still
The WD_Black 2TB P40 combines style with performance, featuring RGB lighting and fast transfer speeds up to 2,000MB/s. While it can't run Xbox Series X games directly, it's perfect for storing games and other files. Its shock-resistant design and versatility across multiple platforms make it a premium choice for gamers looking for both form and function.
How to Choose the Best Xbox Series X SSDs
When selecting an SSD for your Xbox Series X, consider whether you need to run games directly from the drive. If so, your options are limited to the Seagate Storage Expansion Card or the WD_Black C50, both of which support features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture. These SSDs are more expensive, but a 1TB capacity is typically ideal.
If you're looking to store games rather than run them directly, there are numerous USB 3.2 SSDs available. These options offer better value and higher storage capacities, perfect for storing Xbox Series X games and playing older titles. Look for SSDs with fast read/write speeds for quick loading and saving, and consider durability and size if you plan to take your SSD on the go. A 1TB SSD or larger is recommended for gamers with extensive libraries, with options up to 4TB for those needing even more space.
SSDs for Xbox Series X FAQ
Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X?
You can only play Xbox Series X games directly from the console’s internal storage or a licensed external SSD, like the Seagate Expansion Card. However, you can use external SSDs to store your Xbox games, reducing the need to constantly install and uninstall them.
Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast?
The Xbox Series X’s storage is a 1TB NVMe SSD, with an IO throughput of around 2.4GB/s, ensuring fast loading times and smooth gameplay.
Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?
Although the Xbox Series X’s advertised storage is 1TB, some of this space is reserved for system software, leaving approximately 800GB for games and apps.
Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?
With the Xbox Series X|S offering either 1TB or 500GB of storage, additional storage becomes necessary if you plan to install multiple games simultaneously. Modern AAA titles can easily surpass 150GB, quickly filling up your console's storage. Expanding your storage ensures you can access your games quickly and play them without constant management.
