The Best Xbox One External Hard Drives

Xbox One is a console known for technologically complex and realistic video games. Thus, it is no wonder why Xbox One games take up a lot of space on your Xbox’s hard drive! If you are tired of deleting old games off your Xbox in order to download the latest titles, an external hard drive is a perfect solution for you.

External hard drives are an inexpensive way to double or triple your console’s storage space without sacrificing its performance. However, for the best results, it is important to choose your new external hard drive wisely. We made this guide to showcase the best external hard drives for the Xbox One to ensure your console will never run out of storage space again.

Shopping for an External Hard Drive for Your Xbox One

Here are some features you should look into:

• Compatibility: An external hard drive used with an Xbox One must have at least a 128 GB capacity but should not be over 16 TB. Also, be sure the hard drive has a USB 3.0 connection, as lesser USB connections will not be fast enough and will affect gameplay. Thankfully, almost all modern external hard drives fit these requirements, so finding a great product for your Xbox One will be a piece of cake!
• Storage Capacity: Before you purchase, think carefully about how much storage space you will need for your Xbox. If you tend to play (or download) a lot of games, choosing a high-capacity external hard drive, such as a 3- to 6-TB option, is your best bet. This will ensure you do not run out of storage space all over again, and it’s a cost-effective method when compared to buying multiple external hard drives.
• Durability: The durability of an external hard drive should also be considered to ensure your investment lasts a long time. While many external hard drives offer shockproof construction, some go even further and offer water-resistant models. Added durability will also give you peace of mind while traveling with your external hard drive but is less necessary if your hard drive will sit in the same spot after it’s plugged into your console.

Best Overall: Seagate Game Drive 2-TB External Hard

Our top pick is the Seagate Game Drive. Featuring a sleek Xbox-inspired design and color scheme, this hard drive stays cool while operating and is fast enough to easily handle the rigors of lag-free Xbox One gaming. This external hard drive is also solidly constructed and compact enough to fit in your pocket, making it a safe and easy choice to travel with. Additionally, this product comes in a myriad of unique styles (including several well-designed special edition versions), making it a reliable choice for those who value form as much as function.

Best Value: Silicon Power 1-TB Black Rugged Portable External Hard Drive

This rugged external hard drive from Silicon Power is not only priced right, but it’s also one of the most durable and well-built external hard drives you will find. Featuring military-grade shockproof technology, a scratch-proof surface, and even IPX4 water resistance, this external hard drive is tough enough to travel without worry. Aside from its durability, this product is also super fast and reliable (it features USB 3.1 technology), so you won’t experience any performance issues while downloading or playing games on your Xbox.

Best Capacity: WD_BLACK 5-TB P10 Game Drive for Xbox One

This 5-TB offering from Western Digital can store over 100 Xbox One games and features speeds up to 130 MB/s for optimal gaming. It is also ready to use with the Xbox Series X/S, so if you decide to upgrade your console, your games can be quickly moved over. This external hard drive also scores major points in terms of durability and features active cooling to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions, making it an ideal choice for gamers with a large game library.

Great Performance: Toshiba Canvio Gaming 2-TB Portable External Hard Drive

The Toshiba Canvio Gaming 2-TB Portable External Hard Drive comes in 1-, 2-, and 4-TB iterations and is built for modern gaming consoles, meaning it performs quickly enough to either improve your game’s loading speed (on the original Xbox One) or cause no slowdown (on newer Xbox One models). It also features a firmware-customized “Always On” mode to ensure flawless performance when it is plugged into your Xbox. Given this product’s overall quality and budget-friendly price point, it is hard to see many similarly-priced models outperforming it as a gaming hard drive.

Best Solid-State Drive: Seagate Game Drive for Xbox 500-GB SSD

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are known to last longer and offer faster speeds than just about any hard disk drive, so it’s no surprise that this SSD from Seagate is a perfect match for Xbox One consoles. While there is naturally a sizable price bump when purchasing an SSD versus an HDD, the peace of mind that comes with this product is well worth the price, especially if you value your external game library. Featuring USB 3.0 connectivity, a shock-resistant design, and three storage capacity options, this SSD is no slouch. However, since the added speed isn’t readily noticeable when gaming on your Xbox One when compared to cheaper HDDs, this will remain a luxury pick for most gamers who simply need more storage space.