Expandable storage options for consoles have become increasingly common. With the Xbox Series X offering around 800GB of usable storage, you might find yourself frequently uninstalling games to make room for new ones. This shouldn't be the case! The most effective solution is to invest in an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S.
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 AmazonThe catch is that only a few SSDs on the market are compatible with running Xbox Series X games directly. However, if you're looking to simply store these games rather than play them directly from the SSD, your options expand significantly. You can play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly from a compatible external hard drive, or store your favorite Xbox Series X games for later use.
First, let's explore the best SSDs that support and run your Xbox Series X games, followed by some alternative storage options.
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
2This easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD offers extra storage with speedy transfer rates, making games feel as if they're playing directly from the console's 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 is nearly as fast as the console's internal SSD, allowing you to play games optimized for Xbox Series X|S. With plug-and-play installation, you don't need to be a tech expert to expand your storage. It offers high data transfer rates and quick loading times, making it feel like you're playing directly from the console's storage.
While it's pricey, it's the only downside. If you want to officially expand your Xbox Series X's storage, this is the way to do it. It works seamlessly with the Xbox's Velocity Architecture and supports Quick Resume, ensuring you enjoy games as intended. You can choose from 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions based on your needs.
2. WD_Black 1TB C50
The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD
### WD_Black 1TB C50
1Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD, the WD_Black C50, promises to run your games as fast as the native SSD. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications Storage: 1TB Interface: eSATA Read/Write: 900MB/s
Pros:
- A cheaper alternative to the Seagate Expansion Card
- Durable and pocket-sized
Cons:
- Marginally slower boot times
While Seagate once dominated the Xbox expansion card market, Western Digital has entered with the WD_Black 1TB C50. This compact and durable expansion card comes in 512GB and 1TB storage options, offering a more affordable alternative to Seagate’s card.
It slots easily into the Xbox Series X’s expansion card port, requiring no setup. You can transfer games to the expansion card in minutes, providing access to a variety of games. Although it has slightly slower boot times compared to the Series X’s internal storage, the difference is marginal.
If you don’t need the 2TB option that Seagate offers, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is an excellent choice at a more appealing price. It's perfect for transporting between locations and offers a large library of Xbox games.
For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only
3. Samsung T7 External SSD
The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD
### Samsung T7 External SSD
0Ideal for playing backwards-compatible games or storing games long-term, the Samsung T7 SSD offers great value. 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
When you look beyond the Xbox Series X’s expansion card options, you'll find more storage for your money. The Samsung T7, for instance, is about the same price as the WD_Black 1TB C50 but offers an additional 1TB of storage. The catch is that you can’t play Xbox Series X games directly from it.
Instead, use the Samsung T7 for storing games you might want to play later without the wait of reinstalling them. For example, install the latest Call of Duty game on your Xbox Series X, then store the previous version on the Samsung T7 and transfer it back when you're ready to play.
Weighing just 2 ounces, the T7 is perfect for portability. With 2TB of storage, it can house Xbox games, photos, or work documents. Connect it to the Series X using a USB-C cable and enjoy read/write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. Plus, you can secure your files with Samsung’s AES 256-bit encryption.
4. Crucial X8 External SSD
The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD
### Crucial X8 External SSD
1The Crucial X8 is a value-conscious SSD ideal for storing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, freeing up your Series X SSD for newer titles. 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 offers excellent value, matching the Samsung T7's speed but at a lower price. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, this portable device is perfect for storing Xbox Series X games, though you can’t run current-gen games off it.
You can use the Crucial X8 across Xbox, PC, and Mac. It's great for storing games, files, music, photos, and more, and its shock-resistant and durable design makes it ideal for on-the-go use.
With up to 4TB of storage, you can store your entire Xbox game library, making it an affordable storage solution despite the slight delay in transferring games back to your console.
5. WD_Black 2TB P40
The Best External Xbox Series X SSD
### WD_Black 2TB P40
0This 2TB external SSD is perfect for archiving your Xbox Series X games, though you can't run current-generation games natively on it. 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
The WD_Black 2TB P40 stands out with its stylish design, complete with RGB lighting. While the lights don't improve performance, they add flair. The P40 works across Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but you can’t run Xbox Series X games directly from it.
It comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. While it's more affordable than the official expansion cards, it remains pricey among external SSDs.
With a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface, you get speeds up to 2,000MB/s, faster than the Crucial X8 and Samsung T7. The SSD's shock-resistant material can survive drops up to 2m.
For those who value both style and substance, the WD_Black 2TB P40 offers ample storage for your Xbox Series X games and other files.
How to Choose the Best Xbox Series X SSDs
For a plug-and-play SSD to run the best Xbox Series X games and support features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, your options are limited to the Seagate Storage Expansion Card or WD_Black C50. Both are pricey, but 1TB is often the ideal size for these SSDs.
If you don’t need to play your Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, there are numerous USB 3.2 SSDs available. These are great for storing Xbox Series games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. They easily connect to the Xbox Series X via USB.
Consider fast read and write speeds for quick loads and saves. Durability and size are important, especially for portable use. A 1TB SSD or larger is recommended for a decent gaming library, with options up to 4TB for extensive storage.
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 Xbox games, avoiding the need to repeatedly 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.
Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?
The Xbox Series X’s advertised storage is 1TB, but some space is reserved for system software, reducing available storage to around 800GB.
Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?
The Xbox Series X|S comes with either 1TB or 500GB of storage. If you plan to install multiple games, especially AAA titles exceeding 150GB, you'll need additional storage to access games quickly without constant uninstalling.
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
