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The Best Xbox SSD

Last updated on July 6, 2022

We looked at the top 6 Xbox SSDs and dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Xbox SSDs.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Our Picks For The Top Xbox SSDs

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

WD_BLACK D30 Portable External Xbox SSD, 1 TB

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WD_BLACK

D30 Portable External Xbox SSD, 1 TB

This Xbox SSD is a versatile choice and is compatible with many devices, including PlayStation. It has a stylish look that aligns well with the console. The SSD has an extended capacity of two terabytes.

Overall Take

Versatile ChoiceThis Xbox SSD is compatible with many different devices.

Pros
" Practical design, if physically larger than required. Works on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with designated console models."
Cons
"A short cable is annoying and console owners, as per other drives, will have to be ok with storing and not launching games."
 Runner Up

Seagate Barracuda USB-C Portable Xbox SSD, 1 TB

Seagate

Barracuda USB-C Portable Xbox SSD, 1 TB

This Xbox SSD has one terabyte of storage space. It can hold photos, files, videos and games. The SSD has ultra-fast file transfers.

Overall Take

Lots of SpaceThis Xbox SSD can hold one terabyte.

Pros
" Strong performance. Appealing, understated design. Useful software options."
Cons
"Slower than similarly priced NVMe-based USB SSDs."
 We Also Like

SAMSUNG T7 USB 3.2 External Xbox SSD, 500 GB

SAMSUNG

T7 USB 3.2 External Xbox SSD, 500 GB

This Xbox SSD is shock resistant, and can withstand drops from six feet high. It has advanced heat control and automatically slows down data transfer to avoid overheating. The SSD also has password security.

Overall Take

Durable OptionThis Xbox SSD is built strong and secure.

Pros
" Transfer is far quicker than HDD. Is compatible with a lot of different USB connection types. Can withstand being dropped from up to six feet."
Cons
"Three- rather than five-year warranty,"
 Strong Contender

Seagate Velocity Architecture Compatible Xbox SSD, 1 TB

Seagate

Velocity Architecture Compatible Xbox SSD, 1 TB

This SSD is exclusive to Xbox and has faster load times and richer environments. It can switch between multiple titles within seconds. The SSD is designed in partnership with Xbox.

Overall Take

Exclusive ProductThis SSD replicates the Xbox Velocity Architecture.

Pros
" Simple, easy to use storage. Incredible performance. Multiple capacities. Compact."
Cons
"Incredibly expensive. Not quite as fast as internal SSD."

Buying Guide

If you have an Xbox, you may be looking for a memory and storage solution. A good option is getting an external SSD (solid state drive), which can offer you considerably more storage for your games and other activities.

The most important thing to consider is compatibility first and foremost, as the SSD must work with the Xbox series you have. Many SSDs are versatile, so they can work with multiple gaming systems such as Xbox and PlayStation, in addition to Macs and PCs. However, there may be some which are more limited in their compatibility, so it’s always best to double check.

Next, you’ll want to consider exactly how much storage you will need. How many games do you want to own and play at a time? Some SSDs will actually tell you how many games they can store, such as 40 or 50, based on an average game size. You can calculate the storage this way or just look at the total storage capacity. Keep in mind that if you plan on using your SSD for multiple devices, then you may need a larger capacity based on all the different things you want to store on it.

For many gamers, style is just as important as functionality. Will the external Xbox SSD look good with your console or will it stand out like a sore thumb? Check the shape, color, size and design elements of the SSD to see how it will look with your setup. After all, you don’t a storage device to alter the look of your gaming area.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
13

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the xbox ssds available to purchase.
6

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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23

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Lifewire, Push Square, Better Tech Tips, Tom's Hardware, Windows Central.

88,500

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 6 Xbox SSDs and also dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Xbox SSDs.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

SAMSUNG T7 USB 3.2 External Xbox SSD, 500 GB

Key Takeawy

This Xbox SSD is shock resistant, and can withstand drops from six feet high. It has advanced heat control and automatically slows down data transfer to avoid overheating. The SSD also has password security.

What other experts liked

Transfer is far quicker than HDD. Is compatible with a lot of different USB connection types. Can withstand being dropped from up to six feet.
- BestReviews
Tiny and ultra-light. 256-bit AES hardware encryption. On-par speed for its class. Discrete Type-A and Type-C USB cables.
- PC Magazine
Attractive aesthetics and color options. Hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption. 18-inch USB cables. Available in capacities up to 2TB.
- Tom's Hardware
It looks like the T5, but it’s slightly thinner and quite a bit faster on sequential reads and writes. Like the Adata SE800, the T7 has a three-year warranty. It’s a good alternative if you find it for significantly less than the Western Digital or SanDisk.
- The New York Times
Extremely rapid speeds (Double T5 speeds). Excellent construction. Encryption using AES-256. The fingerprint sensor is quick. Cables for USB-C and USB-A are supplied. Android is simple to use.
- Hi-Techy-Info

What other experts didn't like

Larger files will cause it to drop in performance.
- BestReviews
Three- rather than five-year warranty,
- PC Magazine
3-year warranty. DRAMless architecture. Small write cache for capacity. No IP rating.
- Tom's Hardware
An IP68 rating would be a good addition. There are no bundles. Samsung’s cloud service. Aluminum is prone to scratching and may be scrapped. For maximum performance, USB 3.2 is required.
- Hi-Techy-Info

What to Look For

  • Think about how much speed matters to you when you’re using your Xbox. If you’re using your SSD simply for storage, then transfer speeds may not matter as much. However, if they do affect your playing time, then it’s important to look for a faster option – though those may be less easy on the wallet.
  • Security is a major factor when it comes to making a purchasing decision for more people. For example, does the SSD have a password lock feature or fingerprint scanning technology? Not only that, but is the SSD weatherproof and drop resistant? Cybersecurity matters, but ruggedness and durability are part of security as well. For example, if you move the SSD around from location to location, then these features may be more important than if you only leave the SSD in one place.
  • Some SSD come with a product protection plan or warranty, which can offer peace of mind knowing there is a solution for any problem that may occur. Not all people find this feature a value-add, however, so it depends on your needs, your prior experience with this type of technology and your potential risk factors.
  • Check to see whether the SSD comes with the connector cables you need or if those need to be purchased separately, as that can add on to the cost for the device. Note that some cables are versatile so you may be able to use them with multiple devices – which is an added bonus.
  • Want to take your Xbox games with you wherever you go – such as to a friend’s house to play over there? Opt for an SSD that is pocket-sized. This makes it much more portable and easier to move around without getting damaged in the process.

More to Explore

An important feature to look for in the Xbox SSD is heat control. It may not seem obvious, but overheating can be a problem for some devices. An SSD can heat up considerably during data transfer, which can cause damage to the unit that may be irreparable. With a heat control feature, the device can automatically slow down the data transfer if it starts to get too hot, reducing any overheating and damage. This makes the product more reliable and safer to use.

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