Best SSDs for Xbox Series X|S 2025

Xbox Series X Storage Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide

Expandable storage is crucial for modern consoles. The Xbox Series X, despite boasting 1TB of storage, offers only around 800GB of usable space. This quickly fills up, necessitating frequent game uninstallations. The ideal solution? Investing in an external SSD.

TL;DR: Top Xbox Series X SSDs

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!)

It's important to note: only a few SSDs support direct game play. Others are ideal for storage and playing backwards-compatible titles.

Best SSDs for Running Xbox Series X Games:

First, let's examine SSDs capable of running Xbox Series X games:

Have a PS5? Check out our best PS5 SSDs guide!

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

• Pros: Easy installation, official Xbox support, fast transfer speeds, compatible with Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture.
• Cons: Expensive.

This plug-and-play card offers speeds comparable to the console's internal SSD. While pricey, it's the optimal solution for seamless, high-performance gaming. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50:

• Pros: More affordable than Seagate, durable, portable, official Xbox support.
• Cons: Marginally slower boot times than Seagate.

A cost-effective alternative offering 512GB and 1TB options. Its compact size and durability make it highly portable.

For Archival Storage and Backwards Compatibility:

These SSDs are ideal for storing games but don't offer the same performance for playing current-gen titles directly.

3. Samsung T7 External SSD:

• Pros: Versatile, lightweight, portable, 256-bit AES encryption.
• Cons: Cannot run Series X games directly.

Provides excellent value with high storage capacity (2TB). Ideal for archiving games and other files. Its portability and encryption features are significant advantages.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD:

• Pros: Excellent value, compact, fast, available in up to 4TB capacity.
• Cons: No encryption.

Offers great value for money with various storage options (1TB, 2TB, 4TB). Perfect for storing a large game library, but not for direct gameplay of Series X titles.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40:

• Pros: Stylish design with RGB lighting, fast transfer speeds, robust build.
• Cons: Relatively expensive compared to other external SSDs.

A visually appealing option with high storage capacity and fast transfer speeds. Suitable for storing games and other files across multiple platforms (Xbox, PC, Mac, PS5).

Choosing the Right SSD:

For optimal performance and direct gameplay of Series X titles, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are the best choices, despite their higher price point. For storage and backwards compatibility, numerous external SSD options offer better value and larger capacities. Consider factors such as speed, durability, portability, and storage capacity when making your decision. 1TB is generally a good starting point, but larger capacities are readily available.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:

• Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X? No, only licensed expansion cards or external drives for storage.
• How fast is the Xbox Series X SSD? Approximately 2.4GB/s IO throughput.
• Why is only 800GB usable on a 1TB Xbox Series X? System software consumes some of the storage space.
• Do I need additional storage? Yes, if you plan on installing multiple large games simultaneously. AAA titles often exceed 150GB.