Expandable storage options for consoles have become essential, and the Xbox Series X is no exception. With around 800GB of usable storage, you might find yourself frequently uninstalling games to make room for new ones. But it doesn't have to be this way! Investing in an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S is the ideal solution to keep your gaming library expansive and accessible.

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 can run Xbox Series X games directly. However, if you're looking to store games rather than run them, many more options become available. You can play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly from a compatible external hard drive or store your favorite Xbox Series X games for future use.

Let's explore the best SSDs that support and run your Xbox Series X games, followed by alternative storage options.

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

2With its easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD, you can enjoy extra storage and speedy transfer rates, making games feel like they're running 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 offers performance 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 to be a tech expert to expand your Xbox Series X storage. It provides high data transfer rates and loading times comparable to playing directly from your console's storage.

While it's expensive, this is the only real downside of the expansion card. If you want to increase your Xbox Series X's limited storage the official way, this is the solution. It works perfectly with the Xbox's Velocity Architecture and supports Quick Resume, ensuring you enjoy games as intended. You can choose from 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions based on your needs.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50

The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 1TB C50

1The WD_Black C50, Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD, promises 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 timesWhile Seagate once dominated the Xbox expansion card market, Western Digital's WD_Black 1TB C50 has entered the fray. This compact, durable expansion card is available in 512GB and 1TB options and is more affordable than Seagate's offering.

This card easily slots into the Xbox Series X's expansion card port, requiring no setup. Transferring games to the expansion card takes just minutes, allowing you to keep a diverse game library at your fingertips. Although the boot times are slightly slower than the Series X's internal storage, the difference is minimal.

If you don't need the 2TB option offered by Seagate, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is an excellent alternative at a more appealing price. It's small enough to transport easily and can handle large 80GB file transfers in a couple of minutes, perfect for enjoying a wide range of Xbox games.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only

3. Samsung T7 External SSD

The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD

### Samsung T7 External SSD

0For playing backwards-compatible games or long-term game storage, the reliable Samsung T7 SSD is an excellent choice. 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 SSDMoving beyond the Xbox Series X's expansion card options, you'll find much more storage for your money. The Samsung T7 SSD, for example, offers double the storage of the WD_Black 1TB C50 for a similar price, but with a caveat—you can't play Xbox Series X games directly from it.

Instead, the Samsung T7 is ideal for storing games you plan to play later without the hassle of reinstalling. You can install the latest Call of Duty on your Xbox Series X, then store the previous version on the Samsung T7 for easy access later.

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

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

### Crucial X8 External SSD

1The Crucial X8 External SSD offers great value, perfect for storing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, freeing up 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 encryptionMatching the speed of 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 it can't run current-gen games directly.

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

With up to 4TB of potential storage, you can store your entire Xbox game library on the Crucial X8, offering an affordable storage solution despite the few extra minutes it might take to transfer games back to your console.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Best External Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0With 2TB of storage, this external SSD is perfect for archiving your Xbox Series X games, though you can't run current-generation games natively on it. It's still great for storing games for later. 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 Xbox Series X storage to stand out, consider the WD_Black 2TB P40 with its stylish design and RGB lighting. While the lighting doesn't enhance performance, it adds a cool aesthetic. The P40 is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but you can't run Xbox Series X games directly from it.

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

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

If you value both style and substance, the WD_Black 2TB P40 delivers with ample storage 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, Quick Resume, and Velocity Architecture, your options are limited to the Seagate Storage Expansion Card or WD_Black C50. Both are expensive, but 1TB is often the ideal size for these SSDs.

However, if you don't need to run Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, a variety of USB 3.2 SSDs are available. These are budget-friendly or high-capacity options perfect for storing Xbox Series X games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. These drives easily connect to the Xbox Series X via a USB port.

You'll want SSDs with fast read and write speeds for quick loads and saves. Consider 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 exist for even more storage.

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 Xbox games, preventing the need for constant installations and uninstalls.

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, leaving around 800GB of usable storage.

Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?

The Xbox Series X|S comes with either 1TB or 500GB of storage, but you may want to expand this if you plan to install multiple games simultaneously. Some AAA titles exceed 150GB, so after installing a few games, you'll need additional storage to access them quickly.