Expandable storage options for consoles are more common than ever, and if you own an Xbox Series X, you know that its 800GB of usable storage can fill up fast. Installing just a few games can quickly lead to the dilemma of what to uninstall to make room for new ones. But it doesn't have to be this way! The ultimate solution is to upgrade your storage with an SSD for your Xbox Series X|S.

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, however, is that only a select few SSDs are compatible with running Xbox Series X games directly. If you're looking to simply store games rather than run them from the SSD, you'll find a broader range of options. For instance, you can play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly from a compatible external hard drive, or use it to store your favorite Xbox Series X games.

Let's explore the best SSDs that can run your Xbox Series X games, followed by some alternative storage solutions.

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 gaming experience with this easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD, which offers 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 matches the speed of 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 quick loading times, making it feel just like playing directly from your console's storage.

While it is pricey, this is the only significant drawback of the expansion card. 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, 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 more affordable 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 now offers a competitive alternative. Its compact and durable design comes in 512GB and 1TB storage options, providing a more budget-friendly option than Seagate's offering.

This expansion card easily fits 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 wide variety of games. Although the boot times are slightly slower 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 choice at a more appealing price. It takes just a few minutes to transfer large 80GB files, and its small size makes it easy to transport, allowing you to enjoy a large library of Xbox games wherever you 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 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 SSDWhen you look beyond the Xbox Series X's expansion card storage options, you'll find that you can get more storage for your money. This SSD from Samsung, for example, is priced similarly to the WD_Black 1TB C50 but offers an additional 1TB of storage. However, there's a catch – you can't play Xbox Series X games directly from this SSD.

Instead, the Samsung T7 is ideal for storing Xbox games that you might want to play later without the hassle of reinstalling them. 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 to your console when you're ready to play it again.

Weighing just 2 ounces, the T7 is perfect for portability. With 2TB of storage, you can easily store your 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 benefit from Samsung's AES 256-bit 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 for money, making it perfect for storing all your 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 encryptionWith read/write speeds matching 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 like the Samsung T7, you can't run current-gen games off of it.

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

With up to 4TB of storage, it's a worthwhile trade-off to wait a few extra minutes for your Xbox Series X games to transfer back to your console. You could store your entire library of Xbox games on the Crucial X8 and enjoy a more affordable storage solution.

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. That doesn't mean you can't store them there for later, though. 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 storage to stand out, consider the WD_Black 2TB P40 for its stylish design, complete with flashy RGB lighting. While the RGB lights don't enhance performance, they certainly add flair. The P40 is compatible with your Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but as an external SSD, you can't run Xbox Series X games directly from it.

Available in capacities starting from 500GB up to 2TB, 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 also encased in shock-resistant material, capable of surviving drops of up to 2m.

If you value style and performance, the WD_Black 2TB P40 offers both, with ample storage to house 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. This makes choosing an SSD straightforward, as the Seagate Storage Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are essentially your only choices. Unfortunately, both are expensive, with 1TB of storage typically being the sweet spot.

However, if you don't need to play your Xbox Series X games directly from the drive, there are numerous USB 3.2 SSDs available. These offer budget-friendly or high-capacity options for storing Xbox Series games and playing older Xbox One and 360 titles. These drives easily connect to the USB port on the Xbox Series X.

You'll want SSDs with fast read and write speeds for quick loading and saving. Consider factors like durability and size, especially if you plan to take your SSD on the go. A 1TB SSD or larger is recommended if you have a substantial 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 to free up space.

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 space 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 on your console at any given time. Some AAA titles exceed 150GB in size, so after installing a few games, you'll soon realize you need additional storage to quickly access and play them.