Expandable storage options for consoles are becoming increasingly essential, especially for the Xbox Series X. With only around 800GB of usable storage, the need to uninstall games to free up space is a common frustration. Thankfully, the solution lies in investing in an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S, allowing you to keep more of your favorite games installed and ready to play.

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

The key challenge is that only a few SSDs on the market can run Xbox Series X games directly. However, if you're looking to merely store games, a wider array of options becomes available, including playing older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly from a compatible hard drive.

In this guide, we'll explore the best SSDs that can both support and run your Xbox Series X games, as well as highlight some alternative storage solutions for those looking to expand their storage capabilities without breaking the bank.

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

2Enhance your gaming experience with this easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD. It offers extra storage and speedy transfer rates, making your games feel as if they're running directly from the console's internal storage. See it at Amazon

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 nearly as fast as the console's internal SSD, allowing you to play games optimized for Xbox Series X|S seamlessly. With plug-and-play installation, you don't need technical expertise to expand your storage. It offers high data transfer rates and swift loading times, making it indistinguishable from playing directly from your console's storage.

Despite its high cost, this expansion card is the official way to increase your Xbox Series X's storage. It works seamlessly with the Xbox's Velocity Architecture and supports Quick Resume, ensuring you enjoy games as intended. You can select from 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB versions based on your needs.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50

The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 1TB C50

1Discover the WD_Black C50, Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD that promises to run your games just as fast as the native SSD. See it at Amazon

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, Western Digital's WD_Black 1TB C50 offers a new option. This compact and durable drive is available in 512GB and 1TB sizes and provides a more affordable alternative to Seagate's offerings.

The WD_Black 1TB C50 easily slots into the Xbox Series X's expansion card port, requiring no setup. You can transfer games to the expansion card quickly, giving you a vast library of games at your fingertips. Although it has slightly slower boot times compared to the Series X's internal storage, the difference is minimal.

If you don't need the 2TB option from Seagate, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is an excellent choice at a more appealing price. It's small enough for easy transport and can handle large 80GB files in minutes, allowing you to enjoy a diverse library of Xbox games wherever you go.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only

3. Samsung T7 External SSD

The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD

### Samsung T7 External SSD

0Ideal for playing backwards-compatible games or storing your games long-term, the Samsung T7 SSD is a versatile and reliable choice. See it at Amazon

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

Moving beyond the Xbox Series X's expansion card storage options, you'll find that external SSDs offer more storage for your money. The Samsung T7, for instance, provides 2TB of storage for about the same price as the WD_Black 1TB C50, but with a catch – you can't play Xbox Series X games directly from it.

Instead, the Samsung T7 is perfect for storing games you might want to play later without the hassle of reinstalling. You can install the latest games on your Xbox Series X and store older versions on the Samsung T7, transferring them back when you're ready to play.

Weighing just 2 ounces, the T7 is highly portable. With 2TB of storage, you can store your Xbox games, photos, and work documents. Simply connect it to the Series X via a USB-C cable and enjoy read/write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. Additionally, Samsung's 256-bit AES encryption ensures your files are secure.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

### Crucial X8 External SSD

1The Crucial X8 External SSD offers great value for money, perfect for storing your Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, freeing up your Series X SSD for newer titles. See it at Amazon

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 provides excellent value. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, this portable device is ideal for storing Xbox Series X games, though you can't run current-gen games directly from it.

The Crucial X8 is versatile, compatible with your Xbox, PC, and Mac. Whether storing games, files, music, or photos, it's easy to carry and highly durable, with shock-resistant design making it perfect for on-the-go use.

With up to 4TB of potential storage, the Crucial X8 is an affordable solution. You may need to wait a few minutes to transfer games back to your console, but it's a small price to pay for such expansive storage.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Best External Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0With 2TB of storage, the WD_Black 2TB P40 is an excellent archival drive for your Xbox Series X, perfect for storing games, though you can't run current-generation games natively on it. See it at Amazon

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 make a statement, the WD_Black 2TB P40's stylish design with RGB lighting is a great choice. While the lights don't enhance performance, they add flair. The P40 is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but as an external SSD, it can't run Xbox Series X games.

Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities, the WD_Black 2TB P40 is more affordable than the Xbox's official expansion cards but remains pricey among external SSDs.

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

For those who value both style and substance, the WD_Black 2TB P40 offers ample storage and impressive performance for your Xbox Series X games and other files.

How to Choose the Best Xbox Series X SSDs

For a plug-and-play SSD that supports the best Xbox Series X games and features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, your choices are limited. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card and WD_Black C50 are your primary options, both expensive but offering 1TB of storage, which is often the ideal size.

If you don't need to run Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, numerous USB 3.2 SSDs are available for storing games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. These drives easily connect to the Xbox Series X's USB port.

Consider fast read and write speeds for quick loads and saves, and factors like durability and size, especially for portable use. A 1TB SSD or larger is advisable for a substantial gaming library, with options up to 4TB 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, external SSDs can store your Xbox games, eliminating the need to constantly install and uninstall to free up space.

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?

While the Xbox Series X's advertised storage is 1TB, some space is reserved for system software, reducing the available storage to around 800GB.

Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?

Even though the Xbox Series X|S comes with either 1TB or 500GB of storage, you may need more if you plan to install multiple games at once. Some AAA titles can exceed 150GB, quickly consuming available space. Additional storage allows you to keep more games installed and ready to play without constant management.