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Best SSDs for Xbox Series X|S 2025

By FinnMar 21,2025

Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's roughly 800GB of usable space fills up quickly with a few game installations. The best solution? An external SSD. This allows you to keep a larger game library readily available.

**TL;DR - Top Xbox Series X SSDs:**

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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 running Xbox Series X games directly. Others are ideal for storing games (allowing you to play older Xbox One or 360 titles directly from them, or storing your Series X games for later). We'll cover both types.

Have a PS5? Check out the best PS5 SSDs

How much extra storage does your Xbox Series X need? ----------------------------------------------------
AnswerSee Results

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, virtually indistinguishable from the console's internal storage.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

Pros: Easy installation, fast transfer speeds. Cons: Expensive.

This card offers speeds comparable to the console's internal SSD, ensuring optimal performance with features like Quick Resume. While pricey, it's the most seamless solution for expanding 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 close to the native SSD.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

Pros: Cheaper than Seagate, durable, pocket-sized. Cons: Marginally slower boot times.

A more affordable alternative to Seagate, offering 512GB and 1TB options. Its compact and durable design makes it highly portable. Boot times are slightly slower than the Seagate card, but the difference is minimal.

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.

Offers excellent value with more storage for the price than the WD_Black C50. Use it to archive games, freeing up space on your console's internal drive. Its portability and encryption features are added bonuses.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

The Best Value Xbox Series X SSD

### Crucial X8 External SSD

1A budget-friendly option for storing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

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

Provides excellent value, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Great for archiving games, freeing up space for faster Series X titles. Compatible with Xbox, PC, and Mac.

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.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: Relatively pricey.

This stylish SSD boasts RGB lighting and fast transfer speeds (up to 2,000MB/s). It's compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5, but like the others in this section, it cannot run Series X games directly. Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities.

Choosing the Right Xbox Series X SSD

For plug-and-play functionality with Quick Resume and optimal performance, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are your best bets. However, they are expensive.

If you only need storage and don't need to run Series X games directly from the drive, numerous USB 3.2 SSDs offer greater value and higher capacities. Look for fast read/write speeds, durability, and a size appropriate to your needs.

SSDs for Xbox Series X FAQ

Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X?

Only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate Expansion Card) can run Xbox Series X games directly. Other external SSDs can store games for later access.

Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast?

The internal SSD boasts an IO throughput of around 2.4GB/s.

Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB?

System software uses some of the 1TB advertised storage, leaving approximately 800GB for user data.

Do you need additional storage?

With many AAA games exceeding 150GB, additional storage is highly recommended if you intend to install multiple games simultaneously.

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