Expandable storage options for gaming consoles have become increasingly important, especially for the Xbox Series X with its approximately 800GB of usable storage. As game sizes continue to grow, you'll find yourself frequently uninstalling games to make room for new ones. To avoid this hassle, investing in an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S is the best solution.

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 is that only a few SSDs on the market are capable of running Xbox Series X games directly. However, if your goal is to simply store games rather than run them directly from the SSD, a broader range of options becomes available. For instance, you can use a compatible hard drive to play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly or store your Xbox Series X titles for later use.

We'll first explore the best SSDs that can support and run your Xbox Series X games, followed by alternative storage options for those looking to store or play older titles.

Have a PS5? Check out the best PS5 SSDs

How much extra storage does the Xbox Series X need? ----------------------------------------------------

None 512GB1TB2TB4TB and up

AnswerSee Results**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

2Invest in this easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD to enjoy extra storage and speedy transfer rates, making your games feel as if they're playing directly from the console's storage. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStorage1TBInterfaceeSATARead/Write468.75MB/sPROSEasy to installFast transfer speedsCONSExpensiveThe Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S matches the speed of the console's internal SSD, allowing you to play games optimized for Xbox Series X|S without compromise.

With plug-and-play installation, you don't need technical expertise to expand your Xbox Series X storage. The expansion card offers high data transfer rates and quick loading times, making it feel no different from playing directly from the console's internal storage.

While the cost is a notable drawback, if you're looking to officially expand your Xbox Series X's storage, this is the way to go. It works seamlessly with the Xbox's Velocity Architecture and supports Quick Resume, ensuring you experience games as intended. Choose from 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB versions 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 official Xbox Series X|S SSD, designed to run your games just as fast as the native SSD. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStorage1TB InterfaceeSATARead/Write900MB/sPROSA cheaper alternative to the Seagate Expansion CardDurable and pocket-sizedCONSMarginally slower boot timesAlthough Seagate initially dominated the Xbox expansion card market, Western Digital has introduced the WD_Black 1TB C50. This compact and durable expansion card is available in 512GB and 1TB options, offering a more affordable alternative to Seagate's products.

The card easily slots into the Xbox Series X's expansion port, requiring no setup. You can transfer games quickly, giving you access to a variety of titles. While it may have slightly slower boot times compared to the Series X's internal storage, the difference is minimal.

If you don't need the 2TB option that Seagate provides, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is a fantastic choice at a more attractive price. It's quick to transfer large files and portable enough to take with you, allowing you to enjoy your Xbox games on the go.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only

3. Samsung T7 External SSD

The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD

### Samsung T7 External SSD

0If you're focused on playing backwards-compatible games or storing games for the long term, the reliable Samsung T7 SSD is an excellent option. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStorage2TBInterfaceUSB 3.2Read/Write1,050/1,000MB/sPROSLightweight and portable256-bit AES encryption for storing filesCONSCannot play Series X games directly from the SSDWhen you look beyond the Xbox Series X's expansion card options, you'll find significantly more storage for your money. For instance, the Samsung T7 SSD offers double the storage of the WD_Black 1TB C50 at a similar price, but you can't play Xbox Series X games directly from it.

The Samsung T7 is ideal for storing games you want to access later without the need for reinstallation. You can install the latest games on your Xbox Series X and store older versions on the T7, transferring them back to your console when you're ready to play.

Weighing only 2 ounces, the T7 is highly portable. With 2TB of storage, it's perfect for storing Xbox games, photos, or work documents. Connect it to your Series X via a USB-C cable and enjoy read/write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. Plus, benefit from Samsung's AES 256-bit encryption for secure file storage.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

### Crucial X8 External SSD

1The Crucial X8 External SSD offers exceptional value, making it ideal for storing your Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, freeing up space on your Series X SSD for newer titles that require faster speeds. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStorage1TBInterfaceUSB 3.2Read/Write1,050MB/sPROSCompact and quickStorage up to 4TBCONSNo encryptionOffering the same speed as the Samsung T7, the Crucial X8 provides excellent value for money. 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 directly from it.

The Crucial X8 is versatile, compatible with Xbox, PC, and Mac, making it easy to store games, files, music, photos, and more. Its shock-resistant and durable design allows you to carry it without worry.

With up to 4TB of potential storage, the Crucial X8 is a smart choice for those willing to wait a few minutes for game transfers. You can store your entire Xbox game library on the Crucial X8, offering a cost-effective storage solution.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Best External Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0With 2TB of storage, this external SSD is the perfect archival drive for your Xbox Series X. While you can't run current-generation games natively on it, you can store them for later use. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStorage2TB InterfaceUSB 3.2Read/WriteUp to 2,000MB/sPROSFast transfer speedsRobust and stylish designCONSA little pricey stillIf you want your external storage to make a statement, consider the WD_Black 2TB P40 with its stylish design and RGB lighting. While the lights don't enhance performance, they add a cool aesthetic. The P40 is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but as an external SSD, it can't run Xbox Series X games directly.

Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB options, the WD_Black 2TB P40 is more affordable than the official expansion card SSDs but still a bit pricey compared to other external SSDs.

Thanks to the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface, you can enjoy speeds up to 2,000MB/s, surpassing the Crucial X8 and Samsung T7. The SSD is encased in shock-resistant material, capable of surviving drops up to 2m.

For those who value both style and performance, 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

If you're seeking a plug-and-play SSD to run the best Xbox Series X games and support features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, your choices are limited. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card and the WD_Black C50 are your primary options. Both are costly, but 1TB is typically the ideal size for these SSDs.

However, 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. These are excellent for storing Xbox Series X games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. They easily connect to the Xbox Series X's USB port.

Look for SSDs with fast read and write speeds for quick loading and saving. Consider factors like durability and size, especially if you plan to take your SSD on the go. A 1TB SSD or larger is recommended for a substantial gaming library, but options up to 4TB are available for extensive storage needs.

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 your Xbox games, avoiding 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 approximately 2.4GB/s.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?

Although the Xbox Series X's advertised storage is 1TB, some of this space is reserved for system software, leaving around 800GB of usable storage.

Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?

While the Xbox Series X|S comes with either 1TB or 500GB of storage, additional storage is beneficial if you plan to have multiple games installed at once. Some AAA titles exceed 150GB in size, so after installing a few games, you'll quickly need extra storage to access games without constant uninstalling and reinstalling.