Choose Xbox Series X if you want the option of a disc drive, Xbox’s native-4K gaming positioning, or a 2 TB configuration. Choose Xbox Series S if you want an all-digital console with a smaller body and are comfortable with Xbox’s 1440p design, which can upscale games to 4K. The right choice depends on the exact configuration, your game library, display, storage needs, and prices available where you live.
Xbox Series X vs. Series S: which should I buy?
Start with how you play, rather than assuming every Series X has a disc drive or every game runs at a particular resolution. Xbox sells several configurations, and the consoles are positioned differently:
| Priority | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Playing physical Xbox discs, including compatible disc-based backward-compatible games | Series X with disc drive | Series S is all-digital. Series X is available with a disc drive or as an all-digital model, so confirm the exact configuration. |
| Native 4K gaming positioning | Series X | Xbox describes Series X as displaying games in native 4K. Actual output varies by game. |
| All-digital gaming and a more compact console | Series S | Every listed Series S configuration is all-digital, and its official listed dimensions are smaller. |
| More internal storage | Compare configurations | Series X options include 1 TB and 2 TB; Series S options include 512 GB and 1 TB. |
| More fast game storage | Either console | Both support an optional Storage Expansion Card that Xbox says matches the internal SSD’s performance. |
| Lowest price available locally | Check current retailer listings | Prices and availability vary by retailer and market; there is no single current price established here. |
Both belong to the same Xbox generation and share platform features including Quick Resume, Xbox Velocity Architecture, Smart Delivery, compatibility across four generations, and support for frame rates up to 120 FPS. That frame-rate figure is a capability for supported games and displays, not a promise that every game runs at 120 FPS. Xbox’s Series X product FAQ
Does Xbox Series S play discs?
No. Series S is an all-digital console and does not play physical game discs. Digital games you own can appear in your library, but a disc-based game cannot be used on Series S.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
Series X is sold in both disc-drive and all-digital versions. If you own physical games or want to buy used discs, choose a Series X configuration with an optical drive. Even on a disc-drive Series X, a compatible disc-based backward-compatible game requires the disc in the drive to play after installation. Check the retailer’s precise model listing before buying. Xbox’s console comparison
Is Xbox Series S enough for a 4K TV?
It can be used with a 4K TV, but Xbox positions Series S for 1440p gaming with the ability to upscale to 4K. That is different from Series X, which Xbox describes as displaying games in native 4K. Neither description guarantees that every individual game renders at the stated resolution; game output depends on the title.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Xbox also lists 4K video streaming for Series S. Streaming video at 4K should not be confused with native 4K game rendering. If native 4K gaming is a priority, Series X is the better fit. Xbox Series S product information
How much storage do Xbox Series X and Series S have?
Xbox lists these internal SSD capacities by configuration:
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
| Console | Listed SSD capacities | Listed configurations |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X | 1 TB or 2 TB | 1 TB with disc drive in Carbon Black; 1 TB all-digital in Robot White; 2 TB with disc drive in Galaxy Black. |
| Xbox Series S | 512 GB or 1 TB | 512 GB all-digital in Robot White; 1 TB all-digital in Carbon Black or Robot White. |
These are Xbox’s listed configurations, not a guarantee that every model is available in every market. Verify the exact storage capacity, color, and disc-drive status on the listing you plan to buy. A lower-priced configuration is not automatically the better value if you later need expansion; compare the local console and storage prices together.
Can I add storage to Xbox Series X or Series S?
Yes. Xbox’s Series X|S Storage Expansion Card plugs into the dedicated expansion port and provides storage at the same performance as the internal custom SSD. It is sold separately, so it is an optional purchase rather than a requirement. Xbox also lists support for USB 3.1 external hard drives. Xbox Series X storage information
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
How much smaller is Series S?
In Xbox’s published comparison, Series S measures 6.5 × 15.1 × 27.5 cm and weighs 4.25 lb. The compared Series X measures 15.1 × 15.1 × 30.1 cm and weighs 9.8 lb. Confirm the exact Series X model before relying on those dimensions, since the comparison figures apply to the model shown in Xbox’s listing. Xbox console comparison
Can I use my Xbox One controller on Series X or Series S?
Xbox says both consoles work with most Xbox One controllers and gaming accessories. “Most” matters: check compatibility for a specific accessory if you plan to rely on it. Both consoles support games across four generations, though disc-based backward-compatible games require a disc-drive Series X and the game disc. Xbox Series X compatibility information
Check the exact model and local price before buying
Xbox’s comparison page lists multiple configurations, and Xbox says price and availability vary by retailer and market. Check the retailer’s current listing for storage, disc drive, color, and price rather than relying on a general Series X or Series S label. The prices of $499 for Series X and $299 for Series S were U.S. launch prices announced by Microsoft in 2020; they are historical figures, not current retail prices or a guide to today’s value. Microsoft’s September 2020 Xbox hardware fact sheet
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
