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 optimal solution? Invest 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!)

A caveat: Only a select few SSDs support direct game play for Xbox Series X titles. However, for game storage (allowing you to install games as needed), many more options exist. Older Xbox One and 360 games can be played directly from compatible hard drives.

This guide first covers SSDs capable of running Xbox Series X games, then explores alternative storage solutions.

PS5 users? Check out our best PS5 SSDs guide.

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

The Best Overall:

• Storage: 1TB (also available in 512GB and 2TB)
• Interface: eSATA
• Read/Write: 468.75MB/s
• Pros: Easy installation, fast transfer speeds, seamless integration with Xbox Velocity Architecture and Quick Resume.
• Cons: Expensive.

This officially licensed SSD offers near-native performance, making it feel like an extension of the console's internal storage. Plug-and-play installation is a major advantage. The price is a drawback, but for optimal performance, it's hard to beat.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50:

The Most Portable:

• Storage: 1TB (also available in 512GB)
• Interface: eSATA
• Read/Write: 900MB/s
• Pros: More affordable than the Seagate card, durable, compact.
• Cons: Marginally slower boot times than the Seagate.

Western Digital's offering provides a cost-effective alternative to the Seagate card, without significantly compromising speed. Its portability is a plus.

Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only:

3. Samsung T7 External SSD:

The Most Versatile:

• Storage: 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.2
• Read/Write: 1,050/1,000MB/s
• Pros: Lightweight, portable, 256-bit AES encryption.
• Cons: Cannot directly run Series X games.

Ideal for storing games for later access, this SSD offers excellent value for its storage capacity. Its portability and encryption features add to its appeal.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD:

The Best Value:

• Storage: 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB
• Interface: USB 3.2
• Read/Write: 1,050MB/s
• Pros: Excellent value, compact, quick transfer speeds.
• Cons: No encryption.

A budget-friendly option for storing a large game library. Its compatibility with various platforms is a bonus.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40:

The Best External SSD:

• Storage: 2TB (also available in 500GB and 1TB)
• Interface: USB 3.2
• Read/Write: Up to 2,000MB/s
• Pros: Fast transfer speeds, stylish design (with RGB lighting), robust.
• Cons: Relatively expensive for an external SSD.

A visually appealing and high-performance external SSD, suitable for storing games and other files.

Choosing the Right SSD:

For plug-and-play functionality with full Xbox Series X game support (including Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture), the Seagate or WD_Black C50 are your best choices. However, if direct game play isn't a requirement, many more affordable and higher-capacity options are available via USB 3.2.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:

• Can any SSD work? Only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate Expansion Card) allow direct Series X game play. External SSDs can store games.
• How fast is the internal SSD? Approximately 2.4GB/s IO throughput.
• Why only 800GB usable space? System software consumes some of the 1TB advertised storage.
• Do I need extra storage? Yes, if you plan to install multiple large games simultaneously.

Ultimately, the best Xbox Series X SSD depends on your budget and needs. Consider whether you need direct game play from the external drive or if storage alone suffices.