A few months ago we wrote about the Best SSD for your PS5. But what about the Xbox? Storage in the Xbox Series S is limited to 512MB, and even the Xbox Series X has just 1TB of built-in storage. That may sound like a lot, but this isn’t much to work with if you’re a hardcore gamer, and it can be stressful watching how quickly that valuable storage is eaten up by game saves and updates. It’s time for an external SSD (solid state drive) to expand your storage capacity and improve your overall gaming experience. Here are some recommendations for external drives to use with the Xbox.
 |
Samsung T7
The lightweight, pocket-sized 1TB Samsung T7 delivers fast USB 3.2 speeds with easy and reliable data storage for transferring large files, giving you portable storage on the go. Its solid aluminum unibody construction provides additional protection, keeping your game data safe from falls of up to 6 feet. About the size of a credit card and weighing in at just 2 ounces, the T7 fits in the palm of your hand. The included software helps you set up password protection on your T7 and get the latest firmware updates. |
 |
Crucial X6 Portable
The Crucial X6 portable SSD features a massive 2TB or 4TB of storage, so you save even the largest game files over and over. A perfect companion to the Xbox One, the Crucial X6 works with any device that has a USB-C port, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and TVs. You can also use it with your other gaming consoles, such as the PS5 and the Nintendo Switch. The X6 makes it easy to transfer and access your files across different devices. The Crucial X6 weighs less than your car keys and it easily fits into your pocket. It’s designed to withstand shocks, drops, vibrations, and extreme temperatures, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your drive or losing your data. It also has a three-year warranty and a free software suite that includes backup, security, and cloning tools. |
 |
Samsung T7 Shield
The Samsung T7 Shield, available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 external SSD that is compatible with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It has a compact and lightweight design, with a solid aluminum body that protects it from heat, shock, and dust. It also has password protection for added security. The Samsung T7 Shield is blazing fast, with a maximum read speed of 1050 MB/s. |
 |
Crucial X10 Pro Portable
The 2TB Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD is an external solid state drive with massive storage capacity, enough for thousands of photos, HD videos, music, and game files. With read speeds up to 2100 MB/s, it’s more than 5 times faster than most traditional hard drives. The Crucial X10 Pro is compatible with USB-C devices, including PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Android devices, and more. The X10 is designed and built to be durable and reliable, and can withstand drops of up to 6.5 feet, as well as shocks, vibrations, and extreme temperatures. |
Summary
When it comes to gaming, SSDs will almost always outperform older hard disk drives (HDDs) and are worth the extra money. Just make sure you know the USB type your Xbox has. Xbox consoles have three USB 3.0 ports: two on the rear of the console and one that’s either on the front (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One S, or Xbox One X) or the left side (original Xbox One). Older USB 2.0 and 2.1 drives will not work. Also note that while both the Xbox Series X and S support external USB drives, you won’t be able to play games optimized for Series X|S consoles from the USB drives. Refer to the Xbox Hardware and Gaming FAQ for more details.
Please share your thoughts about your favorite SSD for the Xbox. Happy gaming!
