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 from the SSD, 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, let's explore the best SSDs that support and run your Xbox Series X games, followed by some alternative storage options for archival and backwards-compatible games.

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

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 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 Xbox Series X storage. It offers 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, this is the only significant drawback of the expansion card. If you want 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, that promises 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 previously 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 storage options, providing a more affordable choice than Seagate’s offering.

This expansion 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, allowing you to maintain a diverse game library. Although the WD_Black 1TB C50 has slightly slower boot times compared to 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 alternative at a more appealing price. It's small enough to carry around, making it easy to transport your game library from your home to a friend's place.

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 longtime favorite external Samsung T7 SSD is a great 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 storage options, you'll find more storage for your money. The Samsung T7 SSD, for example, offers 2TB of storage at a similar price to the WD_Black 1TB C50, but with a catch – you can’t play Xbox Series X games directly from it.

Instead, the Samsung T7 is ideal for storing Xbox games for future play without the need for reinstallation. For instance, you can install the latest Call of Duty game directly onto your Xbox Series X, then store the previous version on the Samsung T7 and transfer 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 on the same SSD. Simply connect it to the Series X using a USB-C cable and enjoy read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. Plus, you can secure your files with Samsung’s AES 256-bit encryption.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

### Crucial X8 External SSD

1The Crucial X8 External SSD is a value-conscious SSD that's great for storing all your Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, clearing up your Series X SSD for newer titles that need the extra speed. 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

Offering the same speed as the Samsung T7, the Crucial X8 provides excellent value for money. 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 of it.

The Crucial X8 is versatile, compatible with Xbox, PC, and Mac. Whether you need to store games, files, music, or photos, it's easy to carry this SSD with you. It's also shock-resistant and durable, making it ideal for on-the-go use.

With up to 4TB of storage, you can store your entire Xbox game library on the Crucial X8, providing a cost-effective storage solution, even if you have to wait a few minutes 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 the perfect archival drive for your Xbox Series X, though please note you can't run current-generation games natively on it. That doesn't mean you can't store them there for later, though. 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 for its stylish design, complete with RGB lighting. While the RGB lights don't improve performance, they add a cool aesthetic. The P40 is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but as an external SSD, 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 Xbox’s official expansion card SSDs, though it's 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 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’re looking for 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. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are your primary choices. Both are expensive, but 1TB is typically the sweet spot for these SSDs.

However, if you don’t need to play your Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, there are various USB 3.2 SSDs available. These are great for storing Xbox Series games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. They 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 factors like 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, but options up to 4TB are 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, 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 want to increase this if you plan to install multiple games at once. Some AAA titles exceed 150GB, so after installing a few games, you’ll soon need additional storage to quickly access and play them.