The storage space on the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles can fill up pretty quickly if you install a lot of games, considering titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 can take up to 140 GB alone. Instead of deleting games to free up space, you can expand your storage options with the best SSDs and hard drives. The latest Xbox consoles support storage expansion through internal and external drives, though the latter comes with some trade-offs.
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The Seagate Storage Expansion Card is the best SSD for the Xbox Series X|S if you want a no-compromise solution that works every time. Expansion cards can match the performance of the internal SSD on the Xbox Series X|S consoles, meaning they can even run games optimized for these new consoles. However, expansion cards aren't cheap. For a more budget-friendly option, consider external SSDs and hard drives. However, keep in mind they can only run previous-gen titles and are better suited for archiving your Xbox Series X|S games.
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Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S 1TB
The Seagate Storage Expansion Card is made specifically for the Xbox Series X and S consoles and offers full support for all Xbox games. It's a bit pricey, but the convenience might be worth it for gamers who want to store and play Xbox Series X|S games directly from the SSD.
- Storage capacity
- 512G/1TB/2TB
- Hardware Interface
- Proprietary
- Compatible Devices
- Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Brand
- Seagate/Xbox
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Controller
- Phison E19T PCIe Gen 4 controller
- Seamless integration with Xbox
- Stores and runs Xbox Series X games
- Easy to install
- Expensive
The official SSD for Xbox Series X|S consoles, the Seagate Storage Expansion Card, was specifically made for the next-gen consoles and boasts advanced features not found in other SSDs. It seamlessly fits in the console's dedicated slot, expanding internal storage with up to 2 TB of extra space for your games and media. However, the real advantage lies in its deep integration with the Xbox Velocity Architecture. This SSD offers similar performance as the internal SSD on the Xbox Series X console, so there's virtually no lag when playing games installed on the expansion card.
The Seagate Storage Expansion Card is compatible with all games, including older Xbox One titles and newer games optimized for the Xbox Series X and S. It also unlocks all Xbox Series X features, including Quick Resume, for a truly optimized experience. The price will be the only hurdle for most people as the Seagate Storage Expansion Card costs more than external SSDs. However, gamers who prioritize top-tier performance and want to take full advantage of the Xbox Series X's advanced features will find the extra premium worthwhile.
WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox
The WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox presents excellent value for those looking for an SSD that can run games optimized for the Xbox Series X|S. It's slightly more affordable than the Seagate expansion card and comes in a 512GB capacity option.
- Storage capacity
- 1TB
- Hardware Interface
- Proprietary
- Compatible Devices
- Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Brand
- Western Digital
- Warranty
- 5 years
- Affordable Xbox expansion card
- Plays Xbox Series X|S games
- Easy installation
- No 2TB option
At around $80 for the 512GB model, the WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox is a budget-friendly alternative for gamers needing an SSD with native Xbox Series X support. Leveraging the same technology as the console itself, this SSD delivers load times and gameplay performance identical to the internal storage in the Xbox Series X and Series S. Like the Seagate Expansion Card, it can run next-gen and previous-gen titles directly from the SSD and supports Quick Resume.
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The WD_BLACK C50 plugs into the dedicated SSD slot, offering a plug-and-play experience with no setup or formatting needed. Its tough build quality also makes it ideal for portability, allowing you to take your game library on the go and play on another console. The SSD is also available in a 1TB capacity, which comes at a slightly cheaper price compared to the Seagate. However, there is no 2TB option. If you prioritize budget and don't require massive storage expansion, the WD_BLACK C50 is a perfect choice.
WD Black P40 SSD (2TB)
This portable SSD from Western Digital adds fast and reliable external storage to your Xbox Series X or Series S console. It can run previous-gen games without any issues and provides plenty of storage for your Xbox Series X|S games and media files.
- Storage capacity
- 2TB
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2 Gen2x2
- Compatible Devices
- Playstation, Xbox, PC, Mac
- Brand
- Western Digital Technologies
- Warranty
- 5 Years
- Transfer rate
- 2000 MB/s
- TBW
- 360 TBW
- MTBF
- Unstated
- DRAM
- DRAM-Less
- Controller
- Proprietary Controller
- Excellent capacity for the money
- Fast transfer speeds
- Tough and durable build quality
- Cannot run Xbox Series X|S games
In addition to official expansion cards, the Xbox Series consoles support storage expansion through external SSDs and hard drives. While you won't be able to run Xbox Series X|S games directly on the external drives, they are perfect for archiving your massive Xbox library and running backward-compatible Xbox One and Xbox 360 games. The WD Black P40 is one of the best gaming SSDs, and it comes in capacities of up to 2TB, offering enough space for all your media and games. Despite providing a higher capacity, it's more affordable than the officially licensed expansion cards.
The WD_Black P40 boasts impressive transfer speeds and performance, exceeding the USB 3.0 speed requirements for external storage on the Xbox. You can swiftly transfer Xbox Series X|S games from internal storage to the SSD and move them back when you want to play them. There's also no lagging or added latency when playing previous-gen titles directly on the drive. In addition to the tough and durable build quality, the SSD includes RGB lighting to set the right mood for gaming. The WD_Black P40 uses a USB-C connector but you can connect it to your console using the included USB-A adapter.
Crucial X9 Portable SSD
The Crucial X9 is an affordable external SSD available in large capacities up to 4 TB. It's ideal for archiving Xbox Series X games and running backward-compatible Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles.
- Storage capacity
- 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Compatible Devices
- Playstation, Xbox, PC, Mac
- Brand
- Crucial
- Transfer rate
- 1050 MB/s
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Excellent value
- Capacity options up to 4TB
- Compact and durable design
- Can't run Xbox Series X games
The Crucial X9 Portable SSD offers incredible value for retro gamers on a budget. While it only supports speeds of up to 1050 MB/s, this won't impact performance on the Xbox consoles compared to faster external drives, as the consoles are limited to USB 3.0 speeds. The X9's advantage is the price. You can grab the 1TB version for around the same price as the 512GB WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card. Sure, you'll sacrifice features like Quick Resume, but it's a reasonable trade-off if your budget is tight and need more storage for your games.
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Like other external drives, the Crucial X9 can't run games optimized for the Xbox Series X/S, but transferring them back to internal storage only takes a few minutes. The SSD can run previous-gen titles smoothly, with just slight delays in loading time compared to the internal drive. However, this is perfect for fans of retro Xbox games, as they can get a cost-effective solution catering directly to their needs. Crucial offers the X9 in 1TB, 2TB, and a whopping 4TB capacity. All models come in a compact and shock-resistant package that can withstand accidental drops and the rigors of everyday use.
Samsung T7 Shield
Compact and durable, the Samsung T7 Shield is perfect if you want something to use while on the go. Its tough and water-resistant exterior can keep your games and media files safe while at home or out and about.
- Storage capacity
- 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Compatible Devices
- Playstation, Xbox, PC, Mac
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2 Gen.2
- Brand
- Samsung
- Transfer rate
- 1,050MB/s
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Speedy performance
- Excellent capacity
- Rugged design
- Can't run Xbox Series X|S games
The Samsung T7 Shield was designed for photographers and content creators, but it also works perfectly as a storage backup for the latest Xbox consoles. It has a rough and rugged build quality that can withstand drops up to three meters and offers reliable protection against water and dust. If you're the kind of gamer who frequently travels with your game library, this is the kind of SSD you need in your Xbox arsenal. It will keep your games and media safe and secure no matter where your gaming takes you—LAN parties or vacations.
The T7 Shield can store and run previous-gen titles directly on the drive. It still cannot play games optimized for the Xbox Series X|S, but the drive's faster transfer speed means copying games to and from the SSD is less of a pain in the neck. Unlike the official expansion cards, this SSD also works with gaming PCs and costs much less. Samsung offers the T7 shield in three capacities up to 4 TB, all of which come in three beautiful colors. Connecting the drive to your Xbox is easy with the included USB-C to USB-A cable, and it takes up very little space when not in use.
WD_Black P10 Game Drive for Xbox
The WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive is a perfect choice for budget-minded gamers needing tons of storage. While not as speedy as SSDs, it offers massive capacity at a lower price and runs previous-gen titles flawlessly.
- Storage Capacity
- 5TB
- Compatible Devices
- Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
- Dimensions
- 4.65 x 3.46 x 0.57 inches
- Brand
- Western Digital
- Plenty of storage for cheap
- Designed for Xbox consoles
- Solid and durable build quality
- Slower speeds
Gamers looking for the highest storage capacity will never go wrong with the WD Black P10 Game Drive for Xbox. It's a hard drive made specifically for Xbox consoles, offering guaranteed compatibility and massive capacity at surprisingly affordable prices. While not as fast as the SSDs above, this drive has enough capacity to hold all your Xbox library, so you'll never have to uninstall games to free up space again. You can pick up the P10 Game Drive in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB, and 6TB sizes, enough to store more than 150 games.
There are a few trade-offs to using a hard drive with your Xbox Series X or Series S. First, you'll be unable to run Xbox Series X|S games directly on it, but you can use it as cold storage for your growing library. Secondly, while you can play previous-gen titles like Xbox One games, it will take much longer to load them than on an SSD. If those things don't matter to you, the WD Black P10 Game Drive for Xbox can expand your console with plenty of storage to store just about anything.
How to Choose the Best Storage Expansion for Your Xbox Series X or S
When buying an SSD for your Xbox Series X or Series S, consider the following factors:
Expansion Cards vs. External Drives
There are two ways to add extra storage to your Xbox Series X/S console. The best way to add extra storage is via expansion cards that plug directly into the dedicated slot at the back of the consoles. These optimized drives offer the same performance as the internal SSD and allow you to run Xbox Series X/S games directly from them.
The second way is through external SSDs and hard drives. External drives provide a cheaper alternative for additional storage, but they can only store, not run, Xbox games optimized for the next generation. However, you can still play previous-gen Xbox One and Xbox 360 games directly from external drives.
Capacity
Depending on the number of games you want to install, you might need a 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB SSD drive. A single Xbox Series X game can take anywhere from 10GB to over 150GB for modern AAA titles. The official expansion cards are only available with up to 2TB of capacity, but you can find more capacity options with external drives. If budget is a factor, choosing a hard disk drive (HDD) over an SSD will give you more capacity to install more games at a much lower price.
Connectivity
If you're grabbing an external drive, the Xbox Series X and Series S use regular USB-A ports, not the newer USB-C ones. So, if your drive uses USB-C, you'll need an adapter to make it work. This won't be a problem for expansion cards, as they install directly into the dedicated SSD slot on the console.
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FAQ
Q: How many SSD slots are in the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X has a single SSD slot in the back that's compatible with officially licensed expansion cards, including the Seagate Storage Expansion Card and the WD_BLACK C50.
Q: Can you run Xbox Series X games on an external SSD?
No, you cannot run Xbox Series X games on an external SSD; only the expansion cards can do that. External SSDs can only run backward-compatible games and store games optimized for the Xbox Series X.
Q: How much storage does the Xbox Series X have?
The Xbox Series X has 1TB of internal storage, but only 802GB is available for use.
