Best SSDs for Xbox Series X|S 2025

Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's usable 800GB fills up quickly. The best solution? An external SSD. However, only certain SSDs allow direct game play; others are ideal for storage.

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

Note that only a few SSDs support direct Xbox Series X game play. Others are excellent for archiving or storing games for later installation. Older Xbox One and 360 games can be played from compatible hard drives.

First, we'll review SSDs for direct game play, then explore alternative storage options.

PS5 users: See our best PS5 SSDs guide.

How much extra Xbox Series X storage do you need?

None 512GB1TB2TB4TB and up AnswerSee Results

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

The Premier 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 enhanced storage and rapid transfer speeds, providing a seamless gaming experience.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

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

The Seagate card offers speeds comparable to the console's internal SSD, ensuring optimal performance with Xbox Series X|S optimized games. Its plug-and-play design simplifies installation. While pricey, it's the top choice for direct game play, supporting Velocity Architecture and Quick Resume. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options.

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 comparable to the native SSD.See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

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

Pros: More affordable than Seagate, durable, portable. Cons: Slightly slower boot times.

A compact and robust alternative to Seagate, the WD_Black C50 (available in 512GB and 1TB) provides a cost-effective solution. Installation is straightforward, and game transfers are quick. While boot times are marginally slower than the internal SSD, the difference is minimal. Ideal if you don't need Seagate's 2TB option.

For Archival and Backwards-Compatible Games Only

3. Samsung T7 External SSD

The Most Versatile Option

### Samsung T7 External SSD

0Excellent for storing backwards-compatible games or long-term archiving.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 WD_Black C50, the Samsung T7 excels at archiving. It's not for direct Series X game play, but ideal for storing games for later installation. Its portability and encryption features are added benefits.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD

Best Value Option

### Crucial X8 External SSD

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

Product Specifications:

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

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

The Crucial X8 provides excellent value, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. While not suitable for direct Series X game play, it's perfect for storing games and other files. Its compatibility with Xbox, PC, and Mac adds versatility.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40

The Stylish External SSD

### WD_Black 2TB P40

0A stylish external SSD ideal for archiving Xbox Series X games (cannot run current-gen games natively).See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Storage: 2TB
• Interface: USB 3.2
• Read/Write: Up to 2,000MB/s

Pros: Fast transfers, robust design, RGB lighting. Cons: Relatively expensive.

The WD_Black P40 stands out with its stylish design and RGB lighting. While aesthetics don't impact performance, it offers fast transfer speeds (up to 2,000MB/s) and is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, and PS5. It's not for direct Series X game play but provides ample storage.

Choosing the Right SSD

For plug-and-play functionality with features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are your primary options (though both are expensive). If direct game play isn't essential, numerous USB 3.2 SSDs offer more affordable and higher-capacity choices for storing games and playing older titles. Prioritize fast read/write speeds, durability, and size based on your needs. 1TB is a good starting point, but larger capacities (up to 4TB) are available.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ

• Can any SSD work? Only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate Expansion Card) allow direct Series X game play. External SSDs can store games.
• Is the internal SSD fast? Yes, it's a 1TB NVMe SSD with ~2.4GB/s throughput.
• Why only 800GB usable? System software uses some of the 1TB storage.
• Do I need extra storage? Yes, if you plan to install multiple large games, additional storage is highly recommended.