Expandable storage options for consoles have become a necessity, especially for the Xbox Series X, which comes with about 800GB of usable storage. Once you've installed a few games, you might find yourself constantly juggling which games to keep and which to uninstall to make room for new ones. That's where investing in an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S becomes a game-changer, allowing you to store more games without the hassle of constant uninstalling.

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 catch is that only a select few SSDs on the market are capable of running Xbox Series X games directly. However, if you're looking to store games rather than run them, your options expand significantly. This allows you to play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games from a compatible hard drive, or store your Xbox Series X games for later use.

First, let's explore the best SSDs that support and run your Xbox Series X games, followed by alternative storage options for those looking to store games rather than run them directly.

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

2Grab this easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD to enjoy extra storage and speedy transfer rates so games feel like you'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 is designed to be just 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. This card provides high data transfer rates and quick loading times, making it feel like you're playing games directly from your console's storage.

While it is on the pricier side, the Seagate Storage 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 can play 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 is Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD, promising to run your games just as fast as the native SSD. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStorage1TBInterfaceeSATARead/Write900MB/sPROSA cheaper alternative to the Seagate Expansion CardDurable and pocket-sizedCONSMarginally slower boot timesWhile Seagate initially dominated the Xbox expansion card market, Western Digital's WD_Black 1TB C50 offers a competitive alternative. Compact and durable, this card comes in 512GB and 1TB options and provides a more budget-friendly solution.

This expansion card easily slots into the Xbox Series X's expansion card port, requiring no setup. You can transfer games quickly and enjoy a variety of games at your fingertips. Although boot times are slightly slower than the internal storage, the difference is minimal.

If you don't need the 2TB capacity that Seagate offers, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is an excellent choice at a more appealing price. It's perfect for transferring large files and is small enough to take with you, ensuring you can enjoy a vast library of 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 looking to play backwards-compatible games or store your games long-term, the 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 away from the Xbox Series X's expansion card options, you'll find that external SSDs like the Samsung T7 offer more storage for your money. However, you can't play Xbox Series X games directly from this SSD.

The Samsung T7 is ideal for storing games you might want to play later without the need to reinstall them. For example, you can install the latest Call of Duty game on your Xbox Series X and store previous versions on the Samsung T7, ready to transfer back when you want to play them.

Weighing just 2 ounces, the T7 is perfect for portability. With 2TB of storage, it's great for storing Xbox games, photos, or work documents. Connect it to your Xbox Series X using a USB-C cable and enjoy read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. Plus, benefit from Samsung's AES 256-bit encryption to keep your files 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, making it ideal for storing all your Xbox One and Xbox 360 games and freeing up your Series X SSD for newer titles that require more speed. 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 SSD is perfect for storing Xbox Series X games, though you can't run current-gen games directly from it.

The Crucial X8 is versatile, working with your Xbox, PC, and Mac. It's ideal for storing games, files, music, and photos and is easy to carry. It's also shock-resistant and durable, making it a reliable choice for on-the-go use.

With up to 4TB of storage, you can store your entire game library on the Crucial X8, even if it means waiting a bit longer to transfer games back to your console. It's an affordable storage solution that can handle your gaming needs.

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, though you can't run current-generation games natively on it. However, you can store them for later use. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStorage2TBInterfaceUSB 3.2Read/WriteUp to 2,000MB/sPROSFast transfer speedsRobust and stylish designCONSA little pricey stillFor a stylish external storage solution, consider the WD_Black 2TB P40, which features eye-catching RGB lighting. While the lighting doesn't enhance performance, it certainly adds flair. The P40 is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but you can't run Xbox Series X games directly from it.

Available in capacities from 500GB to 2TB, the WD_Black 2TB P40 is more affordable than the official Xbox expansion cards, though still on the pricier side for external SSDs.

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

If you value style and performance, the WD_Black 2TB P40 delivers both, offering ample storage for your Xbox Series X games and other files.

How to Choose the Best Xbox Series X SSDs

If you need an SSD that can run the best Xbox Series X games and support features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, your choices are limited to the Seagate Storage Expansion Card or WD_Black C50. Both are expensive, but 1TB is generally the ideal size for these SSDs.

However, if you're looking to store rather than play your Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, you can opt for various USB 3.2 SSDs. These are more budget-friendly and offer higher capacities, suitable for storing Xbox Series games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. They easily connect to the Xbox Series X via the USB port.

Look for SSDs with fast read and write speeds for quick loading and saving. Consider durability and size if you plan to take your SSD on the go. A 1TB SSD or larger is recommended for a substantial gaming library, with options up to 4TB 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 via a licensed external SSD like the Seagate Expansion Card. However, you can use external SSDs to store your Xbox games, preventing 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 around 2.4GB/s.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?

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

Do you actually need additional storage for your Xbox?

If you plan to install multiple games on your Xbox Series X|S, which comes with either 1TB or 500GB of storage, you may need additional storage. Some AAA titles exceed 150GB, and after installing a few games, you'll quickly realize the need for more space to access games without constant uninstalling.