Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's approximately 800GB of usable space fills up quickly with modern games. The best solution? An SSD. This guide explores the top choices, categorized for clarity.

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 support direct game play from the drive. Others are ideal for storage, freeing up your internal drive for frequently played titles. Older Xbox One and 360 games can be played directly from compatible hard drives.

First, we'll cover SSDs supporting direct Xbox Series X game play, then explore alternative storage solutions.

Playing on PS5? Check out our best PS5 SSDs guide.

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

2Grab this easy-to-install, official Xbox SSD for speedy transfer rates and seamless gameplay. It feels like playing directly from the console's storage.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

Pros: Easy installation, fast transfers. Cons: Expensive.

This card offers speeds comparable to the console's internal SSD, supporting Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture for optimal performance. While pricey, it's the best way to officially expand your Xbox Series X storage. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50

The Most Portable Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 1TB C50

1Western Digital's official Xbox Series X|S SSD offers speeds nearly matching the native SSD.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

Pros: Cheaper than Seagate, durable, portable. Cons: Marginally slower boot times.

A more affordable alternative to the Seagate card, the WD_Black C50 (available in 512GB and 1TB) offers plug-and-play installation and fast game transfers. While slightly slower boot times exist, the difference is minimal. Its compact size makes it highly portable.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only

3. Samsung T7 External SSD

The Most Versatile Xbox Series X SSD

### Samsung T7 External SSD

0Ideal for storing games long-term or playing backwards-compatible titles.See it at Amazon

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.

Offering more storage for the price than the expansion cards, the Samsung T7 excels at archiving games. Its portability and encryption features are valuable assets.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

### Crucial X8 External SSD

1Excellent value for storing Xbox One and 360 games, freeing up your Series X SSD for newer titles.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

Pros: Compact, fast, up to 4TB storage. Cons: No encryption.

The Crucial X8 provides exceptional value, especially in larger capacities (1TB, 2TB, 4TB). While not suitable for direct Series X game play, it's perfect for archiving and playing older titles.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Best-Looking External Xbox Series X SSD

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0A stylish external SSD for archiving Xbox Series X games (not for direct play).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, RGB lighting. Cons: Pricey for an external SSD.

The WD_Black P40 boasts a stylish design with RGB lighting, offering fast transfer speeds (up to 2,000MB/s). It's compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but not for direct Series X game play. Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions.

Choosing the Right Xbox Series X SSD

For plug-and-play functionality with Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are your best options, despite their higher cost. 1TB is often the ideal size.

For storage solutions without direct game play, numerous USB 3.2 SSDs offer greater affordability and higher capacities. Consider factors like speed, durability, and portability when making your choice. A 1TB SSD or larger is recommended for substantial game libraries, with options up to 4TB available.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ

Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X?

Only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate Expansion Card) or the internal storage support direct Xbox Series X game play. External SSDs can store games for later use.

Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast?

The internal SSD is a 1TB NVMe drive with approximately 2.4GB/s IO throughput.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?

System software uses some of the 1TB storage, leaving approximately 800GB for games and apps.

Do you need additional storage?

While the Xbox Series X|S offers 1TB or 500GB, additional storage is recommended for players with large game libraries or who install many AAA titles (some exceeding 150GB).