Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's usable 800GB fills up quickly. The best solution? An external SSD. This guide reviews top choices, categorizing them by functionality.

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!)

Important Note: Only a few SSDs support running Xbox Series X games directly. Others are ideal for storage only.

First, we'll cover SSDs for playing Series X games, then explore storage-only options.

PS5 users? Check out our best PS5 SSDs guide.

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

The Best Overall Xbox Series X SSD

• Pros: Easy installation, fast transfer speeds, seamless integration with Xbox Velocity Architecture and Quick Resume.
• Cons: Expensive.

This official Xbox SSD offers plug-and-play convenience and near-native performance. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50:

The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD

• Pros: Affordable alternative to Seagate, durable, compact.
• Cons: Slightly slower boot times than the internal SSD.

Western Digital's official Xbox SSD offers a more budget-friendly option with comparable performance. Available in 512GB and 1TB.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only:

3. Samsung T7 External SSD:

The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD

• Pros: Lightweight, portable, 256-bit AES encryption.
• Cons: Cannot directly run Series X games.

Excellent for storing games for later play or archiving. Offers great value for storage capacity.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD:

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

• Pros: Excellent value, compact, fast. Available up to 4TB.
• Cons: No encryption.

A cost-effective solution for storing a large game library. Compatible with Xbox, PC, and Mac.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40:

The Best External Xbox Series X SSD (Aesthetically)

• Pros: Fast transfer speeds, stylish design with RGB lighting.
• Cons: Relatively pricey for an external SSD.

A visually appealing option with high transfer speeds. Compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5. Cannot run Series X games directly.

Choosing the Right SSD:

For direct gameplay of Series X titles with features like Quick Resume, the Seagate or WD_Black C50 are your best choices. For storage of games (and playing older titles), many USB 3.2 SSDs offer greater value and capacity.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:

• Can any SSD work? Only licensed external SSDs can run Series X games directly; others are for storage.
• Is the internal SSD fast? Yes, it's a 1TB NVMe SSD with ~2.4GB/s throughput.
• Why only 800GB usable? System software uses some of the 1TB capacity.
• Do I need extra storage? Yes, if you install multiple large games, extra storage is highly recommended for quick access.