Ultimate Guide to Top SSDs for Xbox Series X|S in 2025

Xbox Series X Storage Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide

Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is crucial for gamers with extensive libraries. The console's usable storage (around 800GB) fills up quickly. This guide explores the best SSD options, differentiating between those that run games directly and those used for archival storage.

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!)

SSDs for Direct Game Play:

Only a select few SSDs allow direct game play from the drive, leveraging the Xbox Series X|S's Velocity Architecture and Quick Resume features.

1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: This officially licensed SSD offers seamless plug-and-play installation, fast transfer speeds comparable to the console's internal drive, and is available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. While expensive, it provides the optimal gaming experience.

Pros: Easy installation, fast transfer speeds, full Xbox Series X|S compatibility. Cons: High price.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50: Western Digital's official offering provides a more affordable alternative to the Seagate card, with slightly slower boot times but still excellent performance. Available in 512GB and 1TB options.

Pros: More affordable than Seagate, compact and durable. Cons: Marginally slower boot times than Seagate.

SSDs for Archival Storage and Backwards Compatibility:

These external SSDs provide greater storage capacity per dollar but are not designed for direct game play of current-gen titles. They are ideal for storing Xbox One, Xbox 360 games, and archiving Xbox Series X games for later use.

3. Samsung T7 External SSD: Offering high storage capacity (up to 2TB) and fast transfer speeds, the Samsung T7 is lightweight, portable, and features 256-bit AES encryption. It's excellent for storing games and other files.

Pros: High capacity, portable, encrypted. Cons: Cannot run Series X games directly.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD: A budget-friendly option with excellent value, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. While not as fast as some others, it offers ample storage for a large game library.

Pros: Excellent value, high capacity options. Cons: No encryption.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40: This stylish external SSD boasts fast transfer speeds and a robust design, including RGB lighting. It's compatible with multiple platforms (Xbox, PC, Mac, PS5).

Pros: Fast transfer speeds, stylish design. Cons: Relatively expensive compared to other external SSDs.

How to Choose:

For optimal performance and seamless integration with Xbox Series X|S features, the Seagate or WD_Black C50 are recommended. For cost-effective archival storage, the Samsung T7, Crucial X8, or WD_Black P40 are excellent choices.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:

• Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X? No, only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate card and WD_Black C50) allow direct game play of Series X titles. External SSDs can store games.

• Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast? Yes, it's a 1TB NVMe SSD with high throughput.

• Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB? System software consumes some of the 1TB storage.

• Do I need additional storage? Yes, if you plan to install multiple large AAA games, additional storage is highly recommended.