It’s been a while since I last played on an Xbox console, but after diving deep into the comparison of Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X, I started wondering whether adding another console next to my PS5 was worth the extra investment. But let’s not get sidetracked by Sony’s console in this discussion.
I’ve dedicated considerable time and effort to researching the differences between these two and unearthed some small yet significant differences that are not easily accessible at the tip of the finger. In this article, I’ll walk you through some key differences between the Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X to help you make an informed decision.
Without further ado, let’s see which one is right for you.
Pick the Xbox Series X if: – You want excellent performance with native 4K gaming. – You prefer having an integrated Blu-ray player for physical games and movies. – You want more internal storage for your game library. – You want much faster load times and can’t stand delays. | Pick the Xbox Series S if: – You’re looking for a budget-friendly option into next-gen gaming. – You don’t mind a digital-only gaming experience (so no Blu-Ray movies with physical discs). – You prefer a compact console that fits easily into your setup. |
If I were to pick, I’d go for the Xbox Series X since it’s simply designed for gamers who want the best of the best. And as someone who dedicates a solid two hours every day to gaming, I’d want something that has faster load times and won’t turn a 2-hour session into a 4-hour one (I may have exaggerated a bit, but you get the point). What makes it a go-to is the 1TB of storage, 4K gaming support and lightning-fast load times. You’ll notice the difference as soon as you launch an AAA title like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
That said, the Xbox Series S isn’t as powerful as the Series X, but it’s still a great option if you’re not too bothered about the extra power. It offers 4 teraflops of GPU and 512GB of storage, which is plenty for casual gaming.
Table of Contents
- Best Overall: Xbox Series X
- Best Budget-Friendly Option: Xbox Series S
- Best Performance: Xbox Series X
- Best Storage Option: Xbox Series X
- Best Blu-Ray Compatibility: Xbox Series X
- Best Portable Option: Xbox Series S
- Best Backward Compatibility: Tie
- Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X: Key Quirks & Advantages
- 2 Great Alternatives to Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X
Best Overall: Xbox Series X
Again, if it were all up to me, I’d go with the Xbox Series X. The power, speed, and storage are hard to beat. Plus, with its integrated disc player, you won’t have to invest in a new blu-ray player. You can actually save a lot of space by killing two birds with one stone. It’s a bit of an investment, but it’s totally worth the smoothness and no-compromise experience.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: Xbox Series S
Xbox Series S is a more affordable entry into next-gen gaming, priced at $299. While, for the Xbox Series X, you’ll pay nearly double, with a price of $499.
Best Performance: Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is clearly the winner here. With 12 teraflops of power, it’s built for smooth 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second. If you’re after the best performance, this one’s the real deal. The Xbox Series S, on the other hand, is perfect for those who want next-gen gaming without breaking the bank. It can handle 1440p gaming and up to 120 fps with ease.
Best Storage Option: Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X comes with a 1TB SSD— more than enough space for games and media, which can hold up to 10-12 games. If you’re not an avid gamer, though, 5 games should be more than enough. While extra storage won’t directly improve performance, it can help prevent the system from slowing down when you’re running low on space. That said, Xbox Series S packs only 512GB SSD, which means more frequent management of game installations. Still, if you’re not going to foray on the storage, this will do just fine for a couple of heavy games.
Best Blu-Ray Compatibility: Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, meaning you can play physical game discs and movies. On the flip side, Xbox Series S is a digital-only console. So, if you don’t have a Blu-ray player to watch movies, you’ll need to buy one separately. (Honestly, I’d go with the Series X to get the Blu-ray player feature as well. That way, you can kill two birds with one stone.)
Best Portable Option: Xbox Series S
The Xbox Series S is smaller and lighter, so it’s a great fit if you’re tight on space. At just 4.25 lbs, it’s a breeze to move around, especially compared to the Xbox Series X, which weighs a hefty 9.8 lbs.
Best Backward Compatibility: Tie
Both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S offer backward compatibility with thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games.
Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X: Key Quirks & Advantages
 ✅1TB SSD ✅12 teraflops, great for 4K gaming at 120 fps ✅Includes 4K UHD Blu-ray disc drive ❌Bigger and bulkier ❌Heavier (9.8 lbs) ❌ More expensive$499 |  ✅Cheaper- $299 ✅Smaller and more compact ✅Lighter (4.25 lbs) ✅4 teraflops, designed for 1440p gaming ❌512GB SSD (about 364GB usable) ❌Digital-only (no disc drive |
XboX Series S vs Xbox Series X: Gameplay Performance
Here’s a secret that I unearthed from the web. Even though the Xbox Series S isn’t as powerful as the Series X, it still holds its ground in performance, especially for games that aren’t as demanding. For instance, in titles like Fortnite or Rocket League, you may not even notice a huge difference between the Series S and Series X. This is because the Series S is optimized for these types of games, where performance isn’t as dependent on raw power. On the Series S, you’ll get smooth gameplay without needing the extra muscle of the Series X.
Still, for heavier games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Xbox Series X’s faster load times really stand out. That’s something I personally value the most in a console—speed. And believe me, the extra cash is worth it, because you don’t want to waste time waiting for the next level or mission to load.
Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X: Storage Expansion
Another thing to consider before making a decision is your storage needs. The Series S comes with 512GB of storage, but that fills up quickly with large games. If you want more space, you’ll need to buy an expensive expansion card, which could push the overall cost higher than expected and you’ll end up paying more than for an Xbox Series X. So, if you’re unsure about your storage needs, I’d recommend going with the Xbox Series X to play it safe.
2 Great Alternatives to Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X
If you’re on the fence about Xbox, the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro are solid alternatives. The PS5 is closer to the Xbox Series S in performance, while the PS5 Pro goes head-to-head with the Series X.
Released in November 2024, the PS5 Pro packs a stronger GPU, AI-powered upscaling, and better ray tracing. Below, you’ll find more details on these consoles and exclusive PS5 accessories to amp up your gaming experience.
PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 is the one I own, and I couldn’t be happier with it. Load times are practically nonexistent thanks to its ultra-high-speed SSD, and the DualSense controller makes every game feel more immersive with its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. The graphics are stunning, with ray tracing bringing out realistic lighting and reflections. Plus, Sony’s exclusive games, like God of War Ragnarök and Spider-Man 2, make it a must-have for any gamer.
Price & Purchase link: As of February 2025, the PlayStation 5 is available for $429.99 ($374 for the digital version). You can get it directly from Sony here: PlayStation Direct.
PlayStation 5 Pro
Released on November 7, 2024, the PlayStation 5 Pro is Sony’s most advanced console. It features an upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven enhancements for sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. The 2TB SSD offers generous storage, and Wi-Fi 7 ensures fast, reliable online connections.
Price & Purchase link: As of February 2025, the PlayStation 5 Pro is available for $699.99 (special edition priced at $999). You can buy it directly from Sony here: PlayStation Direct.
Pre-order exclusive PS5 accessories at Prelaunch Marketplace. Hurry and grab the PS5 Chroma Teal Controller and Chroma Teal Covers for half the price.
Conclusion
The advantages of the Xbox Series X heavily outweigh the perks of its counterpart. It’s faster, offers better graphics, and has significantly more storage. What more could you ask for, right? The only ‘disadvantage,’ so to speak, is the price. With the $499 price tag, you could almost get two Series S consoles.
The Series S is a solid entry-level console, but it does come with trade-offs. It lacks a physical disc drive, so no Blu-ray movies, and it doesn’t match the raw power of the Series X. Still, for digital gamers on a budget, it gets the job done.
Bottom line—if you want the best of the best and don’t mind the extra size and weight of the Series X, then it’s your go-to. But if you’re into casual gaming and aren’t planning on downloading more than five games, the Series S will do just fine.
