Expandable storage options for consoles have become increasingly important, especially for the Xbox Series X, which comes with around 800GB of usable storage. With modern games often exceeding 100GB, you might find yourself frequently uninstalling games to make room for new ones. This shouldn't be the case! The best solution is to invest in an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S, which can significantly enhance your gaming experience by providing ample space for your game library.

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 challenge, however, is that only a few SSDs on the market can run Xbox Series X games directly. If you're looking to merely store games rather than run them, you have more options available. For instance, 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 later use.

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

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 Xbox Series X|S experience with this easy-to-install, official SSD. It offers extra storage and speedy transfer rates, making games feel like 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 to be a tech expert to expand your storage. It provides high data transfer rates and quick loading times, making it feel like you're playing directly from the console's storage.

While it is pricey, the only real downside of this expansion card is its cost. If you're looking to increase your Xbox Series X's storage the official way, this is your best bet. It works seamlessly with the Xbox's Velocity Architecture and supports Quick Resume, ensuring you enjoy games as intended. You can choose between 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, designed 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 once dominated the Xbox expansion card market, Western Digital's WD_Black 1TB C50 now offers a competitive alternative. Compact and durable, this expansion card is available in 512GB and 1TB options, providing a more affordable choice than Seagate's offerings.

This card easily slots into the Xbox Series X's expansion card port, requiring no setup. You can transfer games to the expansion card in minutes, giving you access to a variety of games. 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 that Seagate offers, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is an excellent choice at a more appealing price. It's small enough to transport easily and can handle large 80GB files in just a few minutes, making it perfect for gaming 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 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

When you look beyond the Xbox Series X's expansion card options, you'll find more storage for your money. The Samsung T7, for instance, offers 2TB of storage at a similar price to the WD_Black 1TB C50, but you can't play Xbox Series X games directly from it.

Instead, the Samsung T7 is ideal for storing Xbox games for later use, saving you the hassle of reinstalling them. For example, you can install the latest Call of Duty game on your Xbox Series X and store the previous version on the Samsung T7, transferring it back when you want to play it again.

Weighing just 2 ounces, the T7 is perfect for portability. With 2TB of storage, you can store Xbox games, photos, or work documents. Connect it to your Series X using a USB-C cable and enjoy read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. Plus, Samsung's AES 256-bit 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 storing your Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, freeing up your Series X SSD for newer titles that require faster speeds. 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

With the same speed as the Samsung T7, the Crucial X8 provides excellent value. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, this portable device is perfect for storing Xbox Series X games, though you can't run current-gen games off it.

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

With up to 4TB of storage, you can store your entire Xbox game library on the Crucial X8, offering a cost-effective storage solution. While it may take a few minutes to transfer games back to your console, the convenience and affordability make it a worthwhile choice.

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. 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 stand out, consider the WD_Black 2TB P40 with its stylish design and RGB lighting. While the lights don't improve performance, they add 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 expansion card SSDs but still pricey among external SSDs.

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

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

How to Choose the Best Xbox Series X SSDs

If you need a plug-and-play SSD to run the best Xbox Series X games and support features like 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 typically the ideal size for these SSDs.

However, if you don't need to play your Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, you can choose from various USB 3.2 SSDs. These are great for storing Xbox Series games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles, easily connecting to the Xbox Series X's USB port.

Look for 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 decent 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, you can use external SSDs to store your Xbox games, avoiding 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?

While 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 exceed 150GB, so after installing a few games, you'll quickly realize the need for additional storage to access games without constant uninstalling.