Cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S | The best of 2022

With the new next-gen consoles introduced in gamers' homes for at least a year now, the search for space to store their purchased games is becoming increasingly necessary, which by now are becoming more and more. Ok, you need an SSD … but at what price? The official Xbox Series X|S solutions are very practical to use since they have been optimized precisely for use with the two next-gen consoles from Microsoft, but there are other alternative methods that certainly weigh less on your wallet.

That's why in this guide we recommend the best cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X | S on the market, an always updated list of all the most convenient products without sacrificing speed and quality. Before venturing into this list of buying recommendations, maybe also consult the best external hard drives for Xbox Series X|S, the best SSDs and the best controllers for Xbox.

Cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S, the best

Crucial CT1000, the cheapest and the fastest Western Digital Black Desktop D30, the most suitable for next-gen SureFire Gaming SSD, the optimized for gaming Seagate Expansion SSD, the most compact Seagate Game Drive SSD with 2 months Xbox Game Pass SanDisk Extreme SSD Portable, the best value for money

Crucial CT1000, the cheapest and the fastest

Among the best cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S, the Crucial CT1000 model, available in the X6 and X9 variants, is certainly the least expensive solution. Both models are versatile and are well suited to game storage for next-gen consoles due to their versatility. As for the X6, also make sure you get a USB-A adapter, but in case you haven't, be careful as some products are sold bundled with it. The reading speed of the Crucial CT1000 is between 540 MB/s (x6 model, the cheapest) and 1050 MB/s (x8 model, the fastest), and their compactness makes the devices useful on the go. To support this handy function, the case is able to withstand drops from about 2 meters in height and extreme temperatures.

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Western Digital Black Desktop D30, the most suitable for the next-gen

The WD Black Desktop D30 SSD is another very cheap and fast solution in terms of of reading ( 900 MB/s ), but it is also the model that best suits the storage of next-gen games. In fact, the D30 has been specifically designed for next-generation console gaming, with enhanced read speeds to reduce loading. The elegant design of the body is also a significant plus if you care about the aesthetics of your gaming station with Xbox Series X|S.

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SureFire Gaming SSD, the most beautiful

Speaking of aesthetics, we could not fail to include among the best cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S also the SureFire Gaming SSD, a device with a body that is truly suitable for gaming thanks to the graphics and RGB LEDs. The read speed of the SureFire is around 450 MB/s, certainly not the maximum speed, but still able to stand up to the other solutions on this list thanks to a damn competitive price.

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Seagate Expansion SSD, the most compact

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The Seagate Expansion SSD wins its place among the budget SSDs for Xbox Series X|S thanks to its competitive price and its compactness, despite a speed of 400 MB/s . The smallness of the Seagate Expansion SSD makes the device so light and compact that it fits perfectly in your pocket, for more than easy portability: its small size is ideal for carrying around your archived games, perhaps at a friend's house with the Xbox or simply to take a few trips accompanied by your console.

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Seagate Game Drive SSD with 2 months of Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Series X|S Cheap SSDs

Another Seagate-branded SSD model is the officially licensed Xbox Game Drive, sold in tandem with a juicy subscription to 2 months to Xbox Game Pass, the Microsoft digital platform that allows access to an immense library of video games on PC and console. The partnership with Xbox has given rise to an excellent connectivity configuration of the USB 3.0 ports that guarantee performance up to 540 MB/s: this means lightning-fast performance that reduces startup and loading times. Finally, the compact, solid and lightweight design ensures flawless transport and storage.

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Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD, the best for value quality/price

The true champion of cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S is definitely the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD. The reason? It has it all, with a good average read speed ( 550 MB/s ), with different storage sizes and at a price that falls under € 200 (taking 1 TB as a unit of measurement). The SanDisk Extreme SSD is not only affordable, it's also compact enough to be used as a keychain, and its shell is non-slip, hydrophobic, and shockproof, while storage sizes start at 250GB and go up to 2TB .

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How to choose between cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S

Storage space

Choosing the SSD that suits you best is an essential operation for storage space. Choose the size of your device well: if you play a lot of games there is a risk that the SSD you have taken won't be able to contain them all, vice versa if you play little stuff, taking one that is too big could be a waste of resources.

Read speed

For the moment there is no official method to play Xbox Series X|S games from your SSD, this means that these devices currently only act as storage from your gaming collection. In this case, the read speed of the SSDs can be essential if you are a compulsive gamer who continuously plays many different video games during the week, so much so that you are forced to swap them from the internal storage of the Xbox to the SSD all the time. Otherwise, don't pay too much attention to the reading speed... the important thing is that you don't get below 100 MB/s if you have little time to play.

Connection interface

The Cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S that we have presented to you in this article are not official Microsoft products, for this reason some of the products listed by us may have been designed for more functions than simple console gaming: this could mean that some products need adapters (purchased separately) to connect to your Xbox, as is the case with the Crucial CT1000X6.

Resistance to shocks, liquids and dust

One of the aspects you may want take into consideration, when choosing one of the cheap SSDs for Xbox Series X|S that we have presented to you in this article, it is certainly the presence of some additional features that go beyond the space available inside the SSD and its speed reading age. In the case of the SanDisk Extreme SSD, for example, you can come across the wording: "Waterproof and dustproof, class IP-55". But what exactly does "IP-55 Class" mean?

The IP-XX degree (often also referred to as "class") summarizes with an acronym, the level of protection of an equipment from the ingress of dust, such as not to interfere with the operation of the device, as well as how much water can be projected with a jet on the casing, in all directions, without causing harmful effects. Obviously, the higher the value, the greater the protection.

In the specific case of the SanDisk Extreme SSD, we are dealing with a device capable of withstanding dust and splashes of water which one can come across in the daily use, a more than sufficient value for an SSD designed to be carried inside a bag and placed on the most diverse surfaces during work sessions on the move.

Price

Finally , the price. Well yes, as usual in our buying guides, we also try to give you an indication of the cost of the products, in this case of portable SSD memories for Xbox Series X | S consoles. Let's start by telling you that, as usual, we have selected many products, all aimed at different categories of users. The most recommended by us, however, are essentially two: the Seagate Game Drive SSD which, sold for €129, also ensures you two months of subscription to the Game Pass (really not bad!); and the SanDisk Extreme SSD which, at just over €120, ensures you a very high reading speed for a portable device and a respectable design that is even dust-resistant. Obviously, if desired, it is possible to go down even more with the price, for example by selecting less capacious memories. These two models, however, are in our opinion the most advantageous!