Expandable storage options for Xbox consoles have become essential, especially for the Xbox Series X, which offers around 800GB of usable storage. As games continue to grow in size, you might find yourself frequently uninstalling games to make room for new ones. The best way to avoid this hassle is by investing in an SSD specifically designed 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 Amazon

However, only a select few SSDs are capable of running Xbox Series X games directly. If your goal is simply to store games rather than play them directly from the SSD, you have a wider range of options. For instance, you can use compatible hard drives to play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games or store your favorite Xbox Series X games.

We'll first explore the best SSDs that can support and run your Xbox Series X games, followed by alternative storage options that are ideal 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 for Xbox Series X|S offers an easy-to-install solution for expanding your storage. With fast transfer rates, it ensures that games run as smoothly as they would from the console's internal storage.

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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 is nearly as fast as the Xbox Series X's internal SSD, allowing you to play games optimized for Xbox Series X|S seamlessly. Its plug-and-play installation means you don't need technical expertise to add extra storage. It supports the Xbox's Velocity Architecture and Quick Resume, ensuring an authentic gaming experience. You can choose between 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options based on your needs.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50

The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 1TB C50

1The WD_Black 1TB C50 is Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD, designed to run games just as efficiently as the console's native SSD.

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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

While Seagate initially dominated the Xbox expansion card market, the WD_Black 1TB C50 provides a more affordable alternative. Its compact size and durable design make it easy to carry, and it's available in 512GB and 1TB options. Though it has slightly slower boot times compared to the internal storage, the difference is minimal. If you don't need the 2TB capacity offered by Seagate, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is an excellent choice.

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 ideal for storing games long-term or playing backwards-compatible titles, offering excellent value for money.

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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 you move beyond the Xbox Series X's expansion card options, you'll find more storage for your dollar. The Samsung T7, for example, offers double the storage of the WD_Black 1TB C50 for a similar price, but it can't run Xbox Series X games directly. Instead, it's perfect for storing games you want to play later without the hassle of reinstalling. Weighing just 2 ounces, it's highly portable, and with 2TB of storage, you can keep a vast library of 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 provides great value, allowing you to store Xbox One and Xbox 360 games and free up your Series X SSD for newer titles that require faster speeds.

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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

Offering the same speed as the Samsung T7, the Crucial X8 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, this portable SSD is perfect for storing Xbox games. Though you can't run current-gen games off it, it's versatile enough for use with Xbox, PC, and Mac. Its shock-resistant design makes it ideal for travel. With up to 4TB of storage, you can keep your entire game library on the Crucial X8 and enjoy a more affordable storage solution.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Best External Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0The WD_Black 2TB P40 is an excellent external SSD for storing your Xbox Series X games, though it can't run current-generation games natively.

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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

If you want your external storage to stand out, the WD_Black 2TB P40 offers a stylish design with RGB lighting. While the lighting doesn't boost performance, it adds a cool aesthetic. This SSD is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but it can't run Xbox Series X games directly. Available in capacities from 500GB to 2TB, it's relatively affordable compared to the official expansion cards but still on the pricier side for external SSDs. With USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface, you get speeds up to 2,000MB/s, and its shock-resistant casing can withstand drops up to 2m. If you value both style and substance, the WD_Black 2TB P40 is an excellent choice for storing your Xbox Series X games and other files.

How to Choose the Best Xbox Series X SSDs

For SSDs that can 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 and WD_Black C50. Both are expensive but offer the necessary performance for 1TB of storage, which is typically the ideal size.

If you don't need to play your Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, a variety of USB 3.2 SSDs are available for storing games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. These drives can easily be connected to the Xbox Series X's USB port. Consider factors like read/write speeds for quick loads and saves, as well as durability and size if you plan to take your SSD on the go. A 1TB or larger SSD is recommended for a decent gaming library, with options up to 4TB available 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 run Xbox Series X games directly. However, external SSDs can be used to store 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.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?

The advertised 1TB storage on the Xbox Series X is reduced to around 800GB due to system software.

Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?

If you plan to install multiple games on your Xbox Series X|S, additional storage is highly beneficial. With some AAA titles exceeding 150GB, you'll quickly need extra space to keep your games accessible without constant uninstalling and reinstalling.