Expandable storage options for consoles have become increasingly important, especially for the Xbox Series X, which boasts around 800GB of usable storage. With modern games often exceeding 100GB, you might find yourself constantly juggling which games to keep installed. The solution? Investing 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 AmazonThe challenge, however, is that only a select few SSDs are designed to run Xbox Series X games directly. If you're just looking to store games, rather than play them directly from the SSD, you have a broader range of options. For instance, you can play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly from a compatible external hard drive, or use it to store your favorite Xbox Series X games.

First, let's explore the best SSDs that are compatible with and can run Xbox Series X games, followed by alternative storage solutions for archival and backwards-compatible games.

Have a PS5? Check out the best PS5 SSDs

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 seamless integration with your Xbox Series X|S, providing additional storage without compromising on performance. With speeds akin to the console's internal SSD, you'll enjoy quick loading times and smooth gameplay.
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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 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is engineered to match the performance of the console's internal SSD, allowing you to play games optimized for Xbox Series X|S without any hiccups. Its plug-and-play installation means you don't need to be a tech expert to expand your storage. With high data transfer rates and compatibility with the Xbox Velocity Architecture, you can enjoy the full Xbox experience, including Quick Resume. 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 answer to the Xbox Series X|S expansion market, offering a compact and durable solution for gamers on the go.
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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
Previously dominated by Seagate, the Xbox expansion card market now includes the WD_Black 1TB C50. This drive is compact, durable, and available in 512GB and 1TB options, providing a cost-effective alternative to Seagate's offerings. It slots easily into the Xbox Series X's expansion port with no setup required, allowing quick game transfers. While boot times may be slightly slower than the internal storage, the difference is minimal. If you don't need Seagate's 2TB option, the WD_Black 1TB C50 offers excellent value and portability.

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 External SSD is perfect for gamers looking to store games for long-term use or play 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 for storing files
CONS
- Cannot play Series X games directly from the SSD
When opting for external storage, you'll find more affordable options with larger capacities. The Samsung T7, for instance, offers 2TB of storage at a competitive price, though it can't run Xbox Series X games directly. Instead, it's ideal for storing games you plan to play later, freeing up space on your internal SSD for current-gen titles. With a weight of just 2 ounces, the T7 is highly portable, and its 2TB capacity makes it versatile for storing games, photos, or documents. Connect it via USB-C to enjoy fast read/write speeds and 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 External SSD offers exceptional value for gamers needing additional storage without breaking the bank.
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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 matches the Samsung T7's speed but at a more affordable price point. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, it's perfect for storing Xbox Series X games you don't need to play immediately. Its compact design and durability make it ideal for gamers on the move, suitable for use with Xbox, PC, and Mac. With 4TB of potential storage, you can house your entire game library and enjoy quick transfers back to your console when needed.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Best External Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0The WD_Black 2TB P40 combines style and performance, making it an excellent choice for gamers looking for a robust external SSD.
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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 still
The WD_Black 2TB P40 stands out with its stylish design and RGB lighting, though the aesthetics don't affect performance. While you can't run Xbox Series X games directly from this SSD, it's perfect for storing games and other files. Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB options, it's more affordable than official Xbox expansion cards but still on the pricier side for external SSDs. With USB 3.2 Gen2x2, it offers impressive speeds of up to 2,000MB/s and is encased in shock-resistant material for durability.

How to Choose the Best Xbox Series X SSDs

For gamers seeking plug-and-play SSDs that support Xbox Series X games and features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, options are limited to the Seagate Storage Expansion Card and WD_Black C50. These are both premium options, but they provide the necessary performance. If you're not looking to play Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, you can explore a variety of USB 3.2 SSDs, which are more budget-friendly and offer larger capacities for storing games and playing older titles. Fast read and write speeds are essential for quick loading and saving, and you should also consider factors like durability and size, especially if you plan to take your SSD on the go. A 1TB SSD or larger is typically recommended for a substantial gaming library, with options available up to 4TB for extensive storage needs.

SSDs for Xbox Series X FAQ

Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X?

Only the console's internal storage or a licensed external SSD, like the Seagate Expansion Card, can play Xbox Series X games directly. However, external SSDs can be used to store games, allowing you to manage your storage more efficiently.

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 load times and smooth gameplay.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?

The Xbox Series X advertises 1TB of storage, but some of this space is reserved for system software, leaving around 800GB of usable space.

Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?

Yes, if you plan to have multiple games installed at once. With AAA titles often exceeding 150GB, additional storage can help you keep a variety of games ready to play without constantly managing space.