Best SSDs for Xbox Series X|S 2025

Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's roughly 800GB of usable space fills up quickly with just a few games. The ideal solution? An SSD. But choosing the right one can be tricky.

**TL;DR - Top 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

Important note: Only a few SSDs run Xbox Series X games directly. Others are ideal for storage, allowing you to play older Xbox One or 360 titles, or store Series X games for later.

First, the best SSDs for *playing* Series X games:

Have a PS5? Check out the best PS5 SSDs

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

The Best Overall Xbox Series X SSD

Our Top Pick### Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

2This official Xbox SSD offers easy installation, fast transfer speeds, and seamless integration with the console's features. Games feel like they're running directly from the internal storage.

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Product Specifications:

• Storage: 1TB
• Interface: eSATA
• Read/Write: 468.75MB/s

Pros: Easy to install, fast transfer speeds. Cons: Expensive.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50

The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 1TB C50

1Western Digital's official Xbox SSD offers speeds comparable to the native SSD, at a more affordable price point than the Seagate option.

See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Storage: 1TB
• Interface: eSATA
• Read/Write: 900MB/s

Pros: Cheaper alternative, durable and portable. Cons: Marginally slower boot times.

**For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only**

3. Samsung T7 External SSD

The Most Versatile Option

### Samsung T7 External SSD

0Ideal for storing games (not playing Series X games directly from it), offering excellent value and portability.

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Product Specifications:

• Storage: 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.2
• Read/Write: 1,050/1,000MB/s

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

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

Best Value Option

### Crucial X8 External SSD

1A budget-friendly choice for storing Xbox One and 360 games, freeing up space on your internal SSD for newer titles.

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Product Specifications:

• Storage: 1TB (up to 4TB available)
• Interface: USB 3.2
• Read/Write: 1,050MB/s

Pros: Compact, quick, various storage capacities. Cons: No encryption.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Stylish External Option

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0A stylish external SSD with fast transfer speeds, perfect for archiving games. (Cannot run Series X games directly).

See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Storage: 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.2
• Read/Write: Up to 2,000MB/s

Pros: Fast transfer speeds, robust design. Cons: Relatively expensive.

**Choosing the Right SSD:**

For plug-and-play functionality with features like Quick Resume, the Seagate or WD_Black C50 are your best bets (though pricey). If you only need storage, many USB 3.2 SSDs offer more affordable options with large capacities.

Consider read/write speeds, durability, size, and desired storage capacity (1TB or more is recommended for most gamers).

**Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:**

Can any SSD work? Only licensed external SSDs can run Series X games directly. External SSDs can store games for later access.

How fast is the internal SSD? Around 2.4GB/s.

Why only 800GB usable space? System software uses some of the 1TB.

Do you *need* extra storage? If you install many large games, yes, to avoid constant uninstalling/reinstalling.