Best SSD storage drives for Xbox Series X|S 2023

Xbox Series X and Series S raise the bar for console performance, with its new custom NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) storage a crucial component in those gains. You can also expand either console's storage capacity with external hard drives, or an SSD delivering the pinnacle in speed. 

However, both consoles vastly differ from the Xbox One family, with firm limitations applied to most drives. That makes the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox the best SSD for Xbox Series X and Series S, mirroring each console's own internal SSD.

The Xbox Series X and Series S bring various enhancements over previous Xbox consoles, but speedy storage has proven one of the most impactful changes to these systems. The consoles rock best-in-class SSD drives, removing a severe bottleneck that punished earlier Xbox One consoles and speeding up load times across the board. But USB storage has significant limitations on SSDs, and for Xbox Series X and Series S, they're simply not adequate.

Expanding Xbox Series X and Series S storage is simple, with Microsoft creating the "Storage Expansion Card" for Xbox, an official Microsoft-approved SSD designed to meet the demands of current-generation gaming. These cards hook up through a dedicated "Storage Expansion" port, located at the rear of new Xbox consoles.

USB storage still works, but games designed for the consoles only play directly from the internal SDD or SSD expansion cards. Hard drives and SSDs connected via USB can only play older Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles via backward compatibility. While they can store games designed for Xbox Series X and Series S, you'll need to transfer games onto the internal SSD or expansion card to play.

The Seagate Storage Expansion Card is a simple plug-and-play solution, automatically configured to work with consoles straight out the box. It first launched in a single 1TB configuration, doubling the base Xbox Series X storage and tripling the initial offering of Xbox Series S. New 512GB and 2TB models were released in 2021, providing a cheaper entry point, plus a more expensive high-capacity alternative.

"I can't say the Xbox Storage Expansion Card is a great deal, yet I still wholeheartedly recommend it to those on the fence," we stated in our Xbox Storage Expansion Card review. "Yes, in terms of value, you can add much more space to your console for less with a cheaper USB external drive. But there's no alternative that integrates so well with Xbox consoles, making the complete experience hassle-free. It's a premium product with a high asking price, making it impossible to compare this to anything on the market."

The primary hurdle for most will be the price of the Seagate Storage Expansion Card. The 1TB model costs $220 in the U.S. with similar $280 and £220 going rates in Canada and the U.K. The price isn't surprising, in line with notoriously costly cutting-edge storage tech, drawing the best performance from either console with no compromises.

While Xbox Series X and Series S support countless USB devices, only the Seagate Storage Expansion Card provides a true internal storage extension. It comes with no limitations, mirroring the base console in every way. If you can afford the premium, there's no better SSD than this.

Xbox Storage Expansion Cards remain the best SSD option for Xbox Series X and Series S, packing the same high-performance storage technology found inside the consoles. While no USB alternative offers the same seamless expansion, that premium price tag can be hard to justify, especially when opting for the largest 1TB and 2TB models. Microsoft and Seagate have also launched a 512GB Storage Expansion Card, delivering the same zero-comprise storage, albeit with a more affordable $140 RRP.

The 512GB model halves overall storage capacity compared to the 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card while shaving $80 off the cost. The card over doubles the available storage on Xbox Series S and adds over 50% more to Xbox Series X when factoring in the reserved internal storage on either console. While we recommend stretching to the 1TB card when in your budget, the 512GB Expansion Card works great for those who want a little extra room for games.

While the Xbox Series S boasts a 512GB internal SSD, actual storage space is closer to 364GB, with room spared for the operating system and extra bloat. Popular franchises like Call of Duty, Halo, and NBA 2K all serve downloads north of 100GB, making it easier than ever to max out internal storage. The 512GB card proves ample to store games on your daily rotation, providing that much-needed overhead for devices like Xbox Series S.

The 512GB Xbox Storage Expansion Card otherwise mirrors its 1TB and 2TB equivalents, including the same support for all Xbox Series X and Series S Optimized titles. It also supports backward-compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox experiences, with the same benefits to load times and performance. It also adopts that compact form factor, sliding directly into the dedicated Storage Expansion port with an instant plug-and-play setup.

While Xbox Series X and Series S storage can get confusing, opting for an official Storage Expansion Card removes the confusion. The 512GB adds room for a handful of extra games, especially suited for the lower internal storage included with Xbox Series S — or Xbox Series X owners on a budget.

While solid-state storage often comes at a premium versus slower HDDs, this entry-level drive from ADATA makes such technology more accessible at a reduced price. The company sells one of the cheapest SSDs on the market, allowing budget-conscious buyers to upgrade with some compromises. The SD600Q provides a capable foray into SSDs for Xbox consoles, falling in line with the cost of a brand-new video game.

ADATA packs the usual benefits seen with flash storage, producing faster speeds, reduced power consumption, and improved durability over hard disks. The quoted 440MB/s read and write figures clock in around one-fifth of Microsoft's next-gen internal SSD, although real-world results often fall short of that peak. But it still delivers a sizeable leap over your average hard drive, topping other cost-conscious alternatives. Those with a tight budget might just be better investing in a hard drive, but the SD600Q is among the best, as far as super cheap SSDs go.

The SD600Q's cheapest model provides 240GB for just $35, with larger 480GB and 960GB capacities also available. Those lower capacities are better when on a budget, with the 480GB model our preferred sweet spot with headroom for various games.

The rest of the package provides less glamour, with flimsy construction and weighing just 120 grams. It comes in cheaper black, blue, and red plastic shells, adding a hint of color to your Xbox Series X and Series S. There's also a short USB-A cable included in the box, which hooks up directly to the consoles.

And as with all USB drives, the ADATA SD600Q has the same limitations on playable titles due to its transfer speeds. You can play Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles directly from this SSD, although it's limited to only storing next-generation games. However, the speed boost comes in handy when shuttling games to your internal SSD. ADATA might not provide the best, but it's a price that's hard to ignore.

With Xbox Series X and Series S expandable storage extending to external USB drives, the Samsung T7 Portable SSD should be on your radar. Its latest solid-state lineup delivers a balance of performance and relative affordability in a compact form factor. It's among the best SSDs for Xbox One, with many of the same benefits also amplified on Microsoft's latest console family.

Samsung distributes the T7 range in three capacities, 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB, with the former an accessible entry into high-performance storage, often available far below $100. The series peaks at 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write speeds, with the USB 3.2 support on each new Xbox pushing towards the best each drive delivers. It's about half the speed of Microsoft's internal NVMe SSD drive used by Xbox Series X and Series S. However, that speed differential has a minimal performance impact on titles compatible with USB-connected storage.

The Samsung Portable SSD T7, as with any USB drive, can play only Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles on Xbox Series X and Series S. The drives can also store Xbox Series X- and Series S-optimized titles, but with each manually transferred to the internal SSD if played. The T7 SSD is a backward-compatibility maestro, while also excelling at shuttling upgraded titles to and from the internal storage. The high speed slices the transfer time over using a slower hard disk drive (HDD) for the same purpose.

The Samsung Portable SSD T7 also impresses with its construction, using premium materials for a lightweight yet rugged design. The drive sports an aluminum unibody, available in grey, red, or blue colorways, weighing just 58 grams. And inside the box comes the SSD, alongside a USB Type C-to-A cable used for Xbox consoles and a USB Type-C to C cable for other compatible devices.

While USB drives come with a handicap on Xbox Series X and Series S, the Samsung Portable SSD T7 provides the best in class when balancing performance with the price tag. The Seagate-branded expansion card may feature extended functionality, but this provides some of the benefits at a much more palatable starting price. While it requires some additional legwork due to limitations on new consoles, it's the best you'll find when skirting the expansion card.

Western Digital made its performance-focused WD_Black lineup with considerations for gaming, making it one of the best high-speed SSD solutions on Xbox Series X and Series S. The shock-resistant, matte black metal shell channels an industrial design. At the same time, its compact form factor also makes it portable for those on the move.

As with all SSD drives, this proves beneficial when playing backward-compatible titles or offloading surplus titles from your internal SSD. The WD_Black 1TB P50 Game Drive delivers 2,000MB/s peak read and write speeds, although actual performance will fall short between lower sustained rates and limitations imposed by USB. But it's an ideal pick to reduce transfer times when shuttling titles to and from the SSD or when loading Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original Xbox games via backward compatibility.

The series comes in three capacities, with its 500GB model starting at $125, with additional larger models for a premium. But the 2TB model costs $350, whereas the official Seagate Storage Expansion Card provides much more value for less. It means that unless you're looking at the speed delivered by its 500GB or 1TB model, it's better to commit to the 1TB expansion card, given its benefits that extend to Xbox Series X and Series S Optimized games.

The WD_Black 500GB 1TB Game Drive is one of the best USB-based SSDs, down to its performance across Xbox and PC. While you'll find better per-GB value elsewhere, and performance falls short compared to the expansion card, you're getting an ideal middle ground when on a firm budget.

When expanding Xbox Series X and Series S storage, choosing a high-capacity SSD provides speed benefits while multiplying the room on your console. Opting for both speed and space will cost a premium but offers optimal performance across a broader catalog of installed titles. The 2TB variant of the Samsung T5 series earns our pick, positioned among the best SSDs for Xbox consoles.

This SSD delivers up to 540MB/s read and write speeds, just over one-fifth of that provided by the internal Xbox Series X and Series S SSD. It still locks down a sizeable leap over standard hard drives, cuts load times, reduces transfer times, and generally eliminates a crucial bottleneck for your next-generation console.

While the 2TB model represents the top of the line, Samsung also has 500GB and 1TB models at lower RRPs. We recommend opting for some of the best hard drives for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S for higher capacities, which, while slower, provide several terabytes at reasonable prices. SSDs are notorious for offering fewer gigabytes or terabytes per dollar over an HDD.

For a high-capacity SSD for Xbox Series X and Series S, you can't go wrong with Samsung T5 Portable SSDs. It comes with the same restrictions as all USB devices, capable of storing next-generation titles, but with a requirement to move them to internal storage to play. However, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles are all playable, pushing the best from your existing library.

Bottom line

With Xbox Series X and Series S featuring custom NVMe SSDs, the next generation heavily leans on fast storage to maximize performance. That high demand means that while USB 3.2 drives work with the console, they're limited compared to baked-in storage. Microsoft has partnered with Seagate on its own proprietary expansion solutions, mimicking the internal SSD used but compacted into a portable form factor. That positions the Xbox Storage Expansion Card series as the few SSD expansions capable of playing Xbox Series-optimized titles.

But the Microsoft-approved expansion card isn't cheap, with other USB SSDs also suited for backward compatibility and storage. The Samsung T7 Portable SSD provides a high-speed alternative, ideal for Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles via backward compatibility. And provided you're open to navigating the limitations, it's also a quick drive to shuttle games back and forth from your internal SSD.