Xbox Series X consoles come with 1TB of internal storage. A little space is reserved for core console software and saved games but most of it is free. Some gamers can quickly fill this space up with games and apps. Gamers in need of more storage can add an external storage device.

Best External Storage for Xbox Series X

Every gamer is worried about performance, so the idea of storing your games on an external drive might worry you. For the Xbox Series X | S it is necessary to install games on the console’s internal SSD or on the approved Seagate Storage Expansion Card.

The Xbox Series X can technically store downloaded games on any external storage device and gamers can move games they want to play on and off the main internal SSD. This might help in some situations with internet connectivity costs, but otherwise it is important for gamers using the Xbox Series X to only use the approved Seagate Storage Expansion Card.

The Xbox Series X storage expansion card from Seagate has 1 TB of storage capacity so it effectively doubles the storage on your Xbox. This memory is very expensive because it is designed and configured to interact with your Xbox Series X at astoundingly high speeds. This Seagate Storage Expansion Card transfers data to the Xbox at about 4gb per second.

Seagate has done a fantastic job getting 1TB of storage in such a small form factor and capable of such astounding speeds. The memory chip generates a lot of heat and since it is so small that heat needs somewhere to go. The metal housing on the drive helps dissipate that heat and transfer it into the Xbox where internal fans can radiate it out.

This storage is expensive and likely costs more than any other accessory you will purchase for your Xbox Series X. Consider that a normal 1TB SSD with blazing fast read/write capabilities will cost well over $100 on its own, and that this SSD has a lot of customization. Good news for gamers is that the cost of this storage should come down over time. With Microsoft pushing the Game Pass option they want gamers to experience multiple games and that will require lots of storage to download games. It is in their best interest that the external storage is affordable.

Best External Storage for Xbox Series S

The components of the Xbox Series S are similar enough to the Series X that it also requires only the approved expansion card from Seagate be used to store gameplay files.