Expandable storage options for consoles have become a necessity, especially for the Xbox Series X, which comes with approximately 800GB of usable storage. After installing a few games, you'll find yourself in a constant cycle of uninstalling to make room for new titles. But it doesn't have to be this way. 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 storage and quick access to your games.

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

However, there's a catch: 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 directly from the SSD, you'll have more options available. For instance, you can play older Xbox One or Xbox 360 games directly from a compatible hard drive or store your favorite Xbox Series X games for later.

In this article, 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 expand their storage capabilities.

Have a PS5? Check out the best PS5 SSDs

1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

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

The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is 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 offers high data transfer rates and quick loading times, making it feel like you're playing directly from the console's storage.

While it's on the pricier side, it's the only downside of this expansion card. If you want to increase your Xbox Series X's limited 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 depending 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

While Seagate previously dominated the Xbox expansion card market, Western Digital's WD_Black 1TB C50 offers a compact and durable alternative. Available in 512GB and 1TB options, it's a more affordable choice compared to Seagate's offering.

This expansion card easily slots into the Xbox Series X's expansion card port, requiring no setup. You can transfer games quickly, allowing you to keep a variety of games at your fingertips. Although boot times are slightly slower than the internal storage, the difference is marginal.

If you don't need the 2TB option Seagate offers, the WD_Black 1TB C50 is the next best thing at a more appealing price. It's perfect for transferring large files and is small enough to carry around, making it easy to enjoy your Xbox games 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 longtime favorite external Samsung T7 SSD is a great choice. See it at Amazon

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

Instead, it's ideal for storing games for later play without the hassle of reinstalling. You can install a new game on your Xbox Series X and store older versions on the Samsung T7, transferring them back when you want to play them again.

Weighing just 2 ounces, the T7 is highly portable. With 2TB of storage, it's perfect for storing Xbox games, photos, or work documents. Connect it to your Series X via a USB-C cable for read/write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. Plus, it offers Samsung’s AES 256-bit encryption for secure file storage.

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

The Crucial X8 offers excellent value with no difference in speed compared to the Samsung T7. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, this portable SSD is perfect for storing Xbox Series X games, though you can't run current-gen games directly from it.

You can use the Crucial X8 across Xbox, PC, and Mac, making it versatile for storing games, files, music, and photos. It's shock-resistant and durable, ideal for those who need a reliable storage solution on the go.

With up to 4TB of storage, it's a worthwhile trade-off to wait a few minutes for game transfers. You could store your entire Xbox game library on the Crucial X8 and enjoy a cost-effective 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 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

If you want your external storage to stand out, consider the WD_Black 2TB P40 for its stylish design and RGB lighting. While the lights don't boost 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 official expansion cards but still pricey among external SSDs. With a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface, you can enjoy speeds up to 2,000MB/s, faster than the Crucial X8 and Samsung T7. The SSD is also shock-resistant, 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. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card and WD_Black C50 are essentially your only choices. Both are expensive, but 1TB is typically the sweet spot for these SSDs.

If you don't need to play games directly from the drive, there are various USB 3.2 SSDs to choose from, offering budget or high-capacity options for storing Xbox Series games and playing older titles. These drives easily connect to the Xbox Series X via USB.

Fast read and write speeds are crucial for quick loads and saves. Consider factors like durability and size, especially for portable use. A 1TB SSD or larger is recommended for a decent gaming library, with options up to 4TB for extensive storage.

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?

The Xbox Series X|S comes with either 1TB or 500GB of storage. If you plan to install multiple games simultaneously, additional storage is essential. Some AAA titles exceed 150GB, so after installing a few games, you'll need extra storage to quickly access and play your games.