• Grand Theft Auto 6 is selling eight times faster on PS5 than Xbox says IGN
• Xbox disputes this, however, in a statement to Windows Central
• This potential bad news comes just as Xbox announced console price hikes

IGN has reported that, based on its internal affiliate data, Grand Theft Auto 6 preorders on PS5 are surging ahead of Xbox preorders of the game at a rate of eight to one — Xbox is now saying this is far from the full picture. Though, I have a hard time believing Xbox is doing a heck of a lot better than this data suggests.

In a statement to Windows Central, an Xbox spokesperson explained that “This doesn’t represent pre-order data. We’ve had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links."

Now, I don’t doubt that GTA 6 is selling gangbusters everywhere it’s playable, leading to “record sales.” Grand Theft Auto 5 is considered the third-best-selling game of all time — trailing only Minecraft and Tetris (though not everyone counts Tetris, as the figures aggregate several versions of the game, and you might see some places calling GTA 5 the second-best-selling of all time). So it tracks that out of the gate GTA 6 would be hugely popular too, and I expect it will only get more popular when GTA 6 Online and the PC port eventually release.

However, Xbox seeing record orders and its preorders lagging behind PlayStation’s aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, it’s no secret that the PS5 has outsold Xbox consoles this generation, so you’d expect the Sony hardware to have more GTA 6 game sales — though with estimated sales figures sitting at around 95 million for PlayStation to 35 million Xboxes, you would expect a rate of two or three to one, not eight to one.

Is something more going on here as Xbox suggests?

What's going on with GTA 6 sales?

On Xbox’s side of the argument, there are reasons not to extrapolate too much from affiliate link data.

First, people might simply be picking the game up digitally directly from Xbox’s store rather than through typical affiliate partners like Walmart, Argos, and Amazon. Given that GTA 6’s physical edition is functionally identical to the digital version — as there’s no disc, just a download code in a plastic case — there’s little to no advantage to buying from a retail store.

And given Xbox's digital gaming focus with services like Game Pass and multi-platform gaming across consoles, PCs, and PC handhelds (even if GTA 6 doesn’t look set to be a Play Anywhere title at launch), it makes sense that Xbox gamers would be more comfortable (and possibly more likely to shop) at Xbox’s own store compared with PS5 gamers and PlayStation's store.

What’s more, affiliate data doesn’t necessarily mean sales. IGN hasn’t said much on what exactly its data is based on, but if it's affiliate link clicks (as the Xbox spokesperson suggests it is), then that doesn’t necessarily mean the PS5 version is selling eight times more copies, just that links for the PS5 version are eight times more popular.

Gamers could simply be clicking on them more but then not buying the game, or clicking a few times before making a purchase, though I’m not sure why you wouldn’t expect Xbox and PlayStation gamers to be equally flaky on a post-click purchase.

The only final piece of support for Xbox would be if IGN’s audience skewed more towards PlayStation at a rate disproportionate to the overall population’s two- or three-to-one.

Though as a general gaming outlet rather than one dedicated to either side of the aisle, I don’t see that being the case — all I could see happening is IGN’s audience of gaming enthusiasts could be more likely to own both an Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 console, and then with Sony’s promise that GTA 6 “plays best on PS5” they’d be more likely to pick up a copy for Sony’s hardware compared with Xbox’s.

All that’s to say, while IGN’s stats might not be entirely accurate to the final picture, I don’t doubt that PS5 sales of GTA 6 are blowing Xbox’s out of the water. And even if current sales aren’t quite eight-to-one, I wouldn’t be surprised if sales trend in that direction.

My argument here is Xbox consoles are set to get a major price hike effective August 1, 2026, putting the Series X at $749 for the all-digital, and $899 for the disc drive equipped model (price increases outside the US are yet to be confirmed) — a sharp raise on the previous costs of $599 and $649 respectively which are the identical to the equivalent PS5 models.

Sony may announce similar hikes itself — it isn’t immune to the cost increases hitting the whole industry, though its drastically better sales may help it weather the storm for a little longer — but until it does, the PS5 looks like a much better deal. If casual gamers still rocking a last-gen console finally want to upgrade so they can play GTA 6, there will be a clear winner: the PlayStation 5.

There’s still a lot of time before Grand Theft Auto 6’s eventual November 19 release date (I’ll be ready for another delay until it’s actually in my hands), but I don’t think Xbox’s fortunes will turn around dramatically by then.

Not only do I review gaming gear for a living, I game every day, which is how I know how important a truly reliable gamepad can be. Fortunately, while we're on the final day of Prime Day, I'm still seeing loads of offers out there on some of my favorite Xbox controllers. That's why I've brought you together the best I've found.

• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale

For a long time, when gaming on my PC and Xbox Series X, I just stuck with the Robot White Xbox Wireless Controller that came with my console. And who could blame me? It's a seriously well-designed controller, from its multi-platform connectivity to its Impulse Triggers. But there's a whole rainbow of different colorways out there: given they're so cheap, why not opt for the badass bubblegum vibes of Deep Pink or the exhilarating Electric Volt?

And although it may have taken me a while, I have since upgraded to a pro-grade pad: the fantastic Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless, one of the many premium controllers you can get an enormous discount on this Prime Day. Can't quite stretch to a high-end controller? Fortunately, plenty of cheaper options like the PowerA Wired Controller are still going for a song, so there's never been a better time to get your hands on a new one.

If you're keen to browse the deals where you are, feel free to skip straight to the US links or UK links. And if you're also on the hunt for other bargains, don't forget to follow our Amazon Prime Day US live blog or our Amazon Prime Day UK live blog.

Xbox controller sale — top picks

• Xbox Wireless Controller — Robot White: now $49.99 at Amazon (was $64.99)
• Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless: now $149.99 at Best Buy (was $189.99)
• GameSir Kaleid: now $32.51 at Amazon (was $40.40)

Xbox controllers — US deals

Xbox controllers — UK deals

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Back-to-school tech: 48% off laptops, headphones & tablets
• Cheap TVs: Samsung, Sony & LG from $89.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Smartwatches: up to $250 off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Fans: from £20
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

Microsoft has just announced that the price of the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles will increase "effective August 1, 2026" in a post on Xbox News Wire. Specifically, the company says that "The price of Xbox consoles will increase by US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models. We will also be sunsetting our 2 TB model."

We don't have confirmation on what this will mean in countries outside the US, but we know there will be changes worldwide; the question is how much.

This will make the prices of Xbox consoles in the US as follows:

So the Xbox Series S now costs the same as the Series X used to, and is the same price as the PS5 Digital Edition currently costs (though we'll see if that changes again too…).

Fortunately, you have a chance to beat the price rise at the moment — if you're in the US, Walmart has a great discount on the 1TB disc version currently.

We're getting into a real crunch point when it comes to price rises caused by the AI-driven memory crisis.

Apple has just announced a huge suite of price rises, having resisted as long as possible, and the price of the Steam Machine shocked people who were hoping for something more console-level — but Valve says the memory companies had them over a barrel, basically.

It's hard to say if the price rise coming just before the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch is a cynical move by Xbox, or if letting us know six weeks in advance, during a sales event, just after GTA 6 pre-orders went live is doing us a favor — I'm inclined to lean towards the latter.

If you've been following our GTA 6 pre-order live updates, you'll know that pre-orders now finally live in the UK for the new game.

Not only can you get your order in, including for the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition with all of its extras over the standard edition, but this has also finally revealed to us what the UK price actually is — Rockstar only revealed the US prices when it announced the pre-order time.

So now we know that GTA 6 will cost £69.99 for the Standard Edition, and £89.99 for the Ultimate Edition — we're in a brave new world of video game prices here, folks.

And don't forget, if you buy the 'physical' version of it, you're not getting a disc in the box. It's just for show on your shelf.

We're updating this page as different retailers start showing their pre-order pages — here's a quick list of search page links for now, but we'll put solid links in as they appear.

Confirmed pre-orders

• PlayStation Store
  🅿️ Standard Edition digital pre-order
  🅿️ Ultimate Edition digital pre-order
• Xbox Store
  ❎ Standard Edition digital pre-order
  ❎ Ultimate Edition digital pre-order
• Amazon:
  📦 PS5 Standard Edition box pre-order
  📦 Xbox Standard Edition box pre-order
• ShopTo:
  🟡 PS5 Standard Edition box pre-order
  🟡 Xbox Standard Edition box pre-order
• The Game Collection:
  🎮 Standard Edition box pre-order (both consoles)
• Smyth's Toys:
  🇸 PS5 Standard Edition box pre-order
  🇸 Xbox Standard Edition box pre-order
• Very:
  𝓥 PS5 Standard Edition box pre-order
  𝓥 Check Ultimate Edition box pre-order

Links for other retailers — pre-orders not confirmed yet

• Currys:
  ©️Check Standard Edition stock
  ©️Check Ultimate Edition stock
• Argos:
  🟥Check Standard Edition stock
  🟥Check Ultimate Edition stock
• Very:
  𝓥 Check Standard Edition stock
  𝓥 Check Ultimate Edition stock
• EE:
  📱Check Standard Edition stock
  📱Check Ultimate Edition stock
• John Lewis:
  🛍️Check Standard Edition stock
  🛍️Check Ultimate Edition stock

I've spent most of my life drifting from one fleeting entanglement to another, never really taking the risk to actually invest in something significant. But then, four months ago, I finally made a real commitment: my life changed for the better and I haven't looked back since. That's right, I finally bought myself a premium gaming controller. And, this Prime Day, I think should take the leap too.

But there are lots of great PC and Xbox controllers out there, so how do you know when you've found the one? Trust me: when you know, you know. And for me, that controller is the Asus ROG Raikiri II.

If you want a super low-latency, wireless controller for PC or Xbox, the Asus ROG Raikiri II is an excellent choice, thanks to its great feature-set and impressive build. And while it usually has a unflinchingly high price tag, you're currently in luck, as right now you can pick up the ROG Raikiri II at Amazon for $189.99 (was $143.99). In my book, that turns it from a strong candidate to an absolute must-have.

I've not exactly tried to hide my love for this controller, as you can see from my Asus ROG Raikiri II review. I gave it a glowing 4.5 stars, thanks to its compelling features.

Those dual-mode triggers mean you can easily set it to a shallow tap for clicking heads in shooters or set them to their full range for granular control over your accelerator for driving games.

The thumbsticks also feel wonderfully precise, making it easy to sneak past fascists on Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. Also, its 2.4GHz wireless connectivity offers super low-latency of just 2.3ms, making it always feel really responsive.

And when it comes to design, it's no less impressive. It feels solidly built in your hand and comes with its own charging dock and replacement thumbsticks. Meanwhile, its customizable RGB lightning adds just enough flair without it feel overdone or garish. Finally, ROG's Gear Link software allows to set response curves for its sticks and triggers and changes its lighting patterns. Not bad for less that $150 / £200.

Want to peruse some other controllers before making your decision? Then check out our guide to the best PC controllers. Alternatively, keep an eye on our Amazon Prime Day live blog for all the latest deals as we unearth them.

If you’ve read many of my recent gaming reviews, you’ll notice that there’s often one reference that’s peppered throughout them. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In fact, if you’ve ever had the misfortune of getting caught in a conversation with me, you’ll find I reference it approximately every 6.5 seconds. It was my frontrunner for Game of the Year 2025 by a clear furlong.

And yet despite my enduring love for it, a recent acquisition has totally changed the way I play the game. When toying around with the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox controller for review, I found it totally changed the way I play the game and, honestly, helped me enjoy it a whole lot more. I’d been missing something since the very beginning of the game, and the high-end, premium controller helped me realise why.

So what was it about picking up one of the best Xbox controllers out there that proved such a game-changer?

Despair Obscur

It’s not hard to explain why I’ve enjoyed Expedition 33 so much. The heyday of turn-based role-playing games (RPGs) came during my youth, when my brain was at its squishiest and most impressionable. I know we’re only supposed to care about action RPGs and Soulslikes these days, but Expedition 33 is a love letter to many of the games that sparked my adoration of RPGs, while having enough modern innovations to feel truly forward-looking.

Yet I have a confession to make. Despite how much I love the game, I’ve been harboring a dark, shameful secret that cuts to the core of my identity. While I never wanted to admit this publicly, I feel like I can no longer hide it… I kinda suck at it.

Don’t get me wrong. I hold my own in battles. My builds are relatively effective, I have a good lot of synergies worked out with my skills, and I can usually ace most of the quicktime events (QTEs). The vast majority of opponents fall at my feet, and I can master a lot of the bosses after a few humiliating deaths. So what’s the issue?

In a word: parrying. Ever since I started playing, I’d always felt something was slightly off with the parrying and counter mechanics – I could pull them off regularly enough to be satisfying and to bring many enemies to their knees. However, I often felt like I was missing something.

The window felt unforgiving at the best of times, and every time I came across new enemies, I’d spend most of the encounters with them learning their timings before they largely disappeared from play. I wanted to excel, but often found I got by on a painful process of repeating counters until I had the rhythm down. Later in the game, this sensation was only compounded – certain bosses required almost flawless countering, and the introduction of Verso’s Perfection ranks meant coasting was no longer an option.

I know, I know… get gud, right? But despite all the practice I got, I never quite built up the fluency I needed. And advice online didn’t seem to work for me: listening out for aural cues or the way the screen zooms in just before an attack didn’t help me hit the window with enough regularity. My younger co-workers didn’t seem to have any issues with it, convincing me my issue was more likely with my middle-aged brain. The old girl just ain’t as fast as she used to be.

But, as it turned out, the issue wasn’t with my wetware. It was with my hardware.

He’s got control again

Ridiculous as it is, I don’t actually spend a lot of money on gaming accessories. Despite owning a mid-weight gaming PC, an Xbox Series X, and a Steam Deck, when it comes to choosing between games and accessories, I’ll choose games every time. As a result, I’ve got a Steam library full of uncompleted games, and yet I’ve always used my PC with the cheapest controller I could get my hands on. Yes, I know: I can literally hear your eyes rolling from here.

Fortunately, TechRadar Gaming’s managing editor has been dragging me kicking and screaming into the 2020s one accessory review at a time. And it was as a part of this gradual reeducation process that I recently tested out a new pro controller for Xbox and PC: the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Controller.

When I test any gaming accessory, I’ll always try it out with as wide a range of genres as possible. So, naturally, one of the first titles I fired up was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Suddenly, something was different. Instead of getting slashed to ribbons by the Obscurs I was facing, I started deflecting their blows like a spider at the peak of his Olympic fencing career. The crack-thin parry window suddenly felt like an enormous floor-to-ceiling window, and hitting it became a far-less stressful experience. Verso finally went from an, at best, straight-C student to regularly unleashing his most powerful attacks.

I’d never previously considered that a more pro-level pad could make this much of a difference. But take a quick glance at the Raikiri II’s design and feature-set, and it’s easy to see why it’s been so transformative for my gameplay.

The most obvious is its triggers. Not only is the Raikiri II one of the few console controllers so far to have introduced Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors to its triggers – promising even more sensitivity and longevity than Hall effect sensors – but using Asus’s Gear Link software, you can set the sensitivity window for each trigger independently. By far the biggest game changer as far as Expedition 33 is concerned, though, is their micro-switch setting, a digital setting with minimal travel that makes it easier to hammer that parry trigger much faster.

But that’s not the only trick the Raikiri II has up its sleeve here. It’s also a blindingly fast controller, full stop. Thanks to its 1000Hz polling rate, it will pick up any trigger pull or button click within 1ms. On top of this, it has a seriously low input lag of just 2.32ms when hooked up in wired mode or 3.53ms when connected via its 2.4GHz wireless mode – meaning that the gains you’re getting out of faster triggers aren’t swallowed up by lag on the digital side.

And it’s not only been transformative for playing Expedition 33. Tweaking its left thumbstick curves on the Gear Link software made keeping up with the frenetic pace of Doom easier, while lengthening the sensitivity window for the accelerator on Forza Horizon 5 gave me slightly more granular control of my speed as I hurtled around the streets of Guanajuato. As important as speed, that increased level of sensitivity can be transformative for certain titles.

So while I’m not suggesting that all your woes in gaming can be solved with a magic bullet, I’ve definitely noticed how a more pro-level pad has given me more of an edge in certain titles. I may not be able to guarantee that’s why you’re finding the timing tricky in games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but it’s definitely worth considering if you’ve followed all other advice to no avail. Because sometimes that extra edge and precision can make all the difference.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless: one-minute review

The Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is a controller compatible with both Xbox Series X|S and PC. It’s an unabashedly premium product at $189.99 / £199 / AU$349 but, for that price, it’s wonderfully responsive, beautifully designed and comes with a good array of accessories.

First off, the Raikiri II feels beautifully well built. It feels solid and substantial, yet it’s ergonomically designed. Elements like the rear buttons are perfectly placed under your fingertips to make them easy to access without shifting your grasp, while its textured grips meant it never once slipped in my hands. Its RGB lighting is also tastefully done, just subtle enough to not detract from its sleek appearance and coming with plenty of customizable options.

Both the thumbsticks and shoulder triggers are staggeringly accurate, thanks to Asus’s decision to use TMR sensors in each of them. Not only do I relish not having to worry about the dreaded stick drift anymore but I found them astoundingly precise, giving me spot-on control over everything from acceleration in racing games to aiming in FPSes. The fact that the shoulder triggers can be toggled to using micro-switches is just the icing on the cake – smashing parries out against the Paintress in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has never felt so satisfying to me.

This awesome sensitivity and precision is further supported by the Raikiri II’s blisteringly fast connectivity, which rivals that of many of the best Xbox controllers. Not only does it offer an absurdly rapid 1,000Hz polling rate but its 2.4GHz wireless connection and USB-C connectivity each trim input latencies down to just 3.5ms and 2.3ms. Naturally, it also offers Bluetooth connectivity but, honestly, I found the former options so fast that I’d opt for those every time.

Thanks to Asus’s Gear Link software, you can also customize a lot of the Raikiri II’s functionality. On top of basic options like button remapping, you can also set discreet response curves and deadzones for each thumbstick, as well as start and end points for each of the shoulder triggers. There’s also the option to tweak how intense the controller’s rumble settings are and map the pad’s four rear buttons to various functions.

While you can save all of these settings to one of five profiles, this does come with a pretty serious caveat. When playing on Xbox, you can only switch between them using the Gear Link software, meaning hooking it up to your laptop or desktop each time. To me, this feels like a pretty major oversight – can you really class this Raikiri II’s Xbox edition, if a key part of the functionality is inaccessible to Xbox gamers?

This one misstep aside though, the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is a seriously impressive controller. While I think PC gamers will get even more out of it than those on Xbox, it’s still a fantastically responsive pad on either platform, offering some features I’ve not seen on many other products, like those TMR triggers. Yes, it’s relatively pricey at $189.99 / £199 / AU$349 but, if you’re looking for a trailblazing premium controller, it’s a great option.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: price and availability

• Launched December 10, 2025
• Retails for $189.99 / £199 / AU$349
• Offers a lot of accessories for that price

Having launched on December 10, 2025, the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is available now. You can pick it up for $189.99 / £199 / AU$349, putting it firmly up the premium end of the Xbox controller market.

In return for that spend, though, you get a whole heap of functionality, plus a range of connectivity options: Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz wireless dongle or wired USB-C connectivity. On top of this, it also comes with a carry case, USB-C cable, charging dock and replacement thumbsticks, so it’s a very decent package for the price.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: specs

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: design and features

• Long-lasting TMR sticks
• Excellent dual-mode triggers
• Attractive, ergonomic design

Over the years, I’ve built up quite the grisly mausoleum of dead controllers, both Xbox and otherwise. Eventually, the dreaded stick drift has claimed every single one. So it’s a relief to know that won’t happen with the ROG Raikiri II’s drift-resistant thumbsticks.

Asus has opted for TMR sticks here, which it says are not only more accurate but consume less power than Hall-effect alternatives. While it’s difficult to assess what kind of longevity you’ll get out of them, from the second I held the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless in my hands, the thumbsticks felt incredibly responsive and enabled me to make surgically precise movements in a variety of games.

But perhaps even more than the Raikiri II’s thumbsticks, I really fell for its dual-mode shoulder triggers. When set to their micro-switch triggers, I found they were lightning fast to activate, making them perfect for hammering the trigger in FPS games. Meanwhile, their full-range TMR sensor mode is a real rarity on console controllers – we’ve certainly not tested many with that functionality here at TechRadar Gaming – and it gave me really wonderfully precise control for games like Forza Horizon 5.

At first, I found the clicky feedback of the micro-switch face buttons took a little getting used to, as I’m more familiar with the spongy softness of the Xbox Wireless Controller buttons. But once I’d adapted to their novel feel, I was fully converted – they activate seriously quickly and offer such an immediate response that you know almost instantly when you’ve hit your target.

Its extra rear shortcut buttons are perfectly placed, sitting right under where your middle and ring fingers naturally grab the pad. And they’re wonderfully versatile. Not only are they great if you want to set up extra macros in game but being able to set a couple as shortcuts for the shoulder buttons saved me ever having to switch my grip during sessions of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which reduced my response times in game significantly.

When it comes to looks, the controller styles itself after the recent Xbox ROG Ally X, riffing off design elements like its subtle decal. It also mimics its textured grips, which I definitely found made it easier to keep hold of the pad without them ever feeling rough. In fact, its matt plastic build always feels pleasantly tactile to the touch, while the whole device feels just substantial enough to avoid flimsy or hollow.

And while I know that for some people RGB lighting on a controller is an unnecessary gimmick, I have to admit that I’m completely suckered in by the ROG Raikiri II’s lighting. Partly this is because it’s relatively subtle and restrained, limiting itself to a strip down either side and the central ROG button, and it’s fully customizable, allowing you to decide quite how much you want to lean into full-blown esports styling.

Finally, the ROG Raikiri II has an impressive range of connectivity options. On top of Bluetooth, it also has 2.4GHz wireless connectivity via a dongle and a USB-C wired connection. These latter two are particularly impressive, offering an 1,000Hz polling rate and trimming input latencies to just 3.5ms and 2.3ms respectively, meaning you should easily get the drop on most of your enemies in game.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: performance

• Blisteringly fast response times
• Brilliantly customisable
• Custom profiles can’t be changed on Xbox

With its 1,000Hz polling rate in PC mode, it’s safe to say I was expecting the Raikiri II to respond to inputs rapidly. And it did not disappoint. Even when playing fast-paced FPSes like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, I couldn’t detect the least hint of lag over its low-latency 2.4GHz RF connectivity or USB-C cable.

But it’s not only its connectivity that make for lightning fast gaming – those dual-mode shoulder triggers are a literal game-changer. When I first tried them out while playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the difference compared to my previous budget controller was immediately appreciable. Especially when using them in their micro-switch trigger mode, I suddenly found myself going from fumbling three-quarters of parries to nailing them 80% of the time. Those triggers respond fast and I certainly found it had a palpable impact on my game play.

And with Asus’s Gear Link software you can tweak things even further to get the kind of performance you need for each game you’re playing and save them to one of five customized profiles. You can access this tool by hooking up the Raikiri II to your PC and accessing it in your browser.

This method does come with an unfortunate wrinkle, however. As it's browser-based, there’s no way to access it on the fly from your Xbox and the controller doesn’t offer any way to switch between profiles as you play. That means you can only ever access one tuning at a time on your console before you need to return to a PC to switch things up – which is a weird choice to make for a controller that literally has ‘Xbox’ in the name.

Honestly, that’s a bit of a shame as, otherwise, the Gear Link software offers really granular control over the responsiveness of your controller. For example, I was able to set one of my profiles with very quick response and shallow range for its triggers, making it really easy to fan the hammer when trying to gun down opponents on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Conversely, for Forza Horizon 5, I set the right trigger to activate over its full range, giving me really precise control over the throttle so I could better manage my speed during cornering.

And that’s just the beginning. You can also set independent custom curves for each of the TMR thumbsticks, enabling you to tweak how fast they respond the further they’re moved, as well as set the size of their deadzones. While playing Doom, I set the left stick to have a rapid curve and kept the right one set as linear – as a result, I was able to close the gap between Doom Guy and all those demons far quicker, without having the camera whip round too violently.

The Gear Link software also unlocks a bunch of other customization options. You can change the intensity of the controller’s vibration haptics, which I imagine is very useful for people who have sensory processing problems or find it difficult to grip on to a controller that’s vibrating too fiercely.

It also unlocks some aesthetic tweaks for that RGB lighting. You have the option to set each zone up separately, whether you want it in solid color, breathing, reacting to button presses or color cycling. My personal go-to though? It definitely has to be battery mode, which allows you to set the lighting to specific colors for different battery levels – I can now get a precise sense of how much juice my pad has left at just a glance, which is a lifesaver.

Overall, I found the performance of the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless to be seriously impressive. Don’t get me wrong: there are some odd choices along the way, especially the lack of a hotswap button for saved profiles on the Xbox. But if you’re not flipping through different genres at the drop of a hat or you’re playing on PC, it's an incredibly responsive controller with a great level of customizability.

Should I buy the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: also consider

How I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless

• Tested it over two weeks
• Used it on both Xbox and PC
• Created multiple custom profiles

I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless over a period of several weeks. I tried it out on both the Xbox Series X and on PC and tried it out on a wide range of genres, from RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, FPSes like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and racing games like Forza Horizon 5.

Not only did I try the Raikiri II using all three connection methods – 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth and wired – but I used the Asus's Gear Link software to tweak all of its available settings. That included creating multiple profiles with varying trigger ranges, thumbstick curves and button assignments.

In terms of my testing experience, not only am I TechRadar's reviews editor, with experience of reviewing a wide array of gadgets, but I've been gaming for 35 years. That's across a wide range of platforms, including PC, consoles and gaming handhelds, meaning I've got loads of experience in gaming across a wide range of genres.

• First reviewed: February 2026
• Read more about how we test

If you’ve recently bought an Xbox Series X Digital Edition, you’ve likely realised that space is less than ideal. Game installs grow in size seemingly by the patch (we’re looking at you, Call of Duty) and who wants to be limited to just a few games, right? Today, you can buy the Seagate 2TB Xbox Storage Expansion Card at Amazon for $219.98 (was $359.99) and enjoy a huge boost to how many games you can have installed at once.

The Seagate 2TB Xbox Storage Expansion Card has been a little cheaper in the past. During the last Black Friday, it was $20 lower than this, dipping just under the $200 mark. However, it hasn’t been that low since, so the current offer is a very good price for this expansion card.

It works just like any hard drive upgrade, but you just slot it into the back of your Xbox like a game cartridge, meaning no need to open up your Xbox. It’s good to go within seconds.

Today’s best Xbox storage deal

The Seagate 2TB Xbox Storage Expansion Card isn’t the most exciting of upgrades for your Xbox, like the best Xbox controllers would be, but it’s a huge quality-of-life improvement. The Xbox Series X is a “tower of power”, but more storage is always welcome.

Unlike the PlayStation 5, you can’t just install one of the best SSDs and be all set. However, while the Seagate 2TB Xbox Storage Expansion Card costs more than these, you get a much simpler installation process. I’ve used the smaller 1TB version, and I can’t fault it. I just had to turn my Xbox around and slot it in. Within seconds, I was installing more games to suit my indecisive mood.

This is the ideal time to buy some of the best Xbox Series X games or upgrade to one of the best Xbox Series X headsets while you’re sprucing up your gaming time.

Current-generation game consoles are far from cheap, but thanks to Black Friday deals being in full swing, you can get the Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition at Amazon for $398 (was $449). That's a decent saving on a console that'll last you for some time yet and is arguably only just getting into its stride.

A cool $50 off is around the price of a game or a few months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which I think is also essential for any Xbox player. Plus in the rather fetching white finish, this Series X won't look as dominating in your entertainment setup as the Black model. You do have to make do without a disc drive, but I've found I very rarely use it on my Series X, as I've gone the digital download route. But if you're not convinced, check out our live coverage of the Black Friday Xbox deals for bargains that could catch your eye.

Not in the US? Scroll down for Xbox Series X deals in your area.

Today's best Xbox Series X deals

If you want my credentials for recommending an Xbox Series X deal, well, I reviewed the launch Series X for TechRadar's sibling site Tom's Guide and declared it to be the ultimate Xbox.

I stand by that conclusion, as while the Series X lacks the pizazz of the PS5 and PS5 Pro with their stand-out exclusive games, Microsoft's flagship console is just awesome at playing a vast range of Xbox games ranging from the latest releases to those on the original Xbox. In short, I love it.

But there's a but... and that's the 1TB of onboard storage fills up fast given the size of modern games. However, the Amazon deal on the WD_Black Expansion Card has you covered.

More of today's Black Friday sales in the US

• Amazon: TVs, iPads & air fryers from $12.99
• Apple: AirPods, iPads, watches from $89.99
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs & laptops
• B&H: $600 off Nikon, GoPro, Canon & Sony
• Cheap TVs: deals from $69.99 at Best Buy
• Christmas trees: from $54.99 at Amazon
• Dell: Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99
• Dreamcloud: mattresses from $349 + free shipping
• Gift ideas: deals for the family from $9.99
• Holiday: decor, lights, & PJs from $10.99
• Home Depot: 40% off tools & appliances
• Lowe's: holiday decor & appliances from $17.31
• Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses
• Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats & jewelry
• Purple: up to $1,000 off mattresses + base
• Saatva: up to $600 off luxury mattresses
• Samsung: $2,500+ off TVs, phones & appliances
• Target: furniture, Christmas decor, tech & clothing
• Tempur-Pedic: up to $500 off mattress sets
• Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs & AirPods
• Wayfair: 70% off furniture & decor

More of today's Black Friday sales in the UK

• Amazon: up to 58% off Kindle and Echo
• AO: savings on games consoles and appliances
• Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts
• Boots: up to 60% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips
• Carphone Warehouse: iPhone from £19.99p/m
• Currys: deals on TVs, appliances, laptops
• Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299
• Dunelm: deals on homewares and appliances
• Dyson: up to £150 off
• Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech
• EE Store: £40 off the PlayStation5 Pro
• Emma: up to 50% off mattresses
• Jessops: up to £900 off cameras and drones
• John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs
• LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances
• Ninja: up to £70 off air fryers
• Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets
• Shark: up to £100 off vacuums
• Toolstation: discounts on tools and smart home
• Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing

If you're wondering where to buy the new Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, then we're here to help.

All three of the new consolevariants are now out in the wild having released officially on October 15 (with some select countries following slightly later on October 29).

In brief, the main advancements and differences with these variants are boosts to storage on the Series S and Galaxy Black Series X models, and the offer of an all-digital, disc-less experience on the powerful Series X (in white for the first time).

You can see the key details below and the best places to place your pre-order for each, and we'll add more links and details when further listings appear.

Where to buy and pre-order the new Xbox Series X and S consoles

Where to buy and pre-order the new Xbox Series X and S consoles

Where to buy and pre-order the new Xbox Series X and S consoles

If you've been waiting for a new, different edition of the Xbox Series X console that's a bit special, or something that has a larger SSD for more games, then now is a great time to pre-order and jump in.

You might also like...

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle preview: shaping up to be a whip-cracking adventure
• The best Xbox Game Pass deals going right now
• A spread of the latest best Xbox game deals running now

Following what was a pretty awesome show stocked-full of exciting games at the Xbox Games Showcase, there’s never been a better time to get onboard the Xbox console wagon. That’s especially true since Amazon has slashed the price of the more powerful Series X to just AU$639 – one of the lowest prices we’ve ever seen. 

And if the upcoming onslaught of games coming to the Xbox isn’t already enough to whet your whistle, don’t forget you can also subscribe to access to Xbox Game Pass, which we regard as being an incredible games subscription service. For just AU$18.95 each month – you can try it for two weeks for just AU$1 – Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to the best Xbox Game Pass games library that includes: Minecraft, Forza Horizon V, Fallout 4,  The Callisto Protocol, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Starfield and more. Game Pass Ultimatecosts just NZ$21.95p/m in New Zealand, though that tasty little 14-day trial doesn't seem to be available.

Of course while providing access to the best games of 2024, the Xbox Series X is also the most overqualified media streaming device on the market. Not only can the Xbox Series X take care of all your movie streaming needs via its vast support for streaming apps, and play the best Xbox games, but it’s also a fantastic Blu-ray player, capable of supporting Ultra HD Blu-ray discs for when you really want to bring the cinema experience into your home – just make sure you have one of the best TVs to support 4K content. Whether you're an avid gamer or not, the Xbox Series X is ready to be your main source of entertainment. 

If you'd rather wait for the best product rather than the best deal, Microsoft recently announced new Xbox Series console models. This includes a 'robot white' Xbox Series X, new digital-only Xbox Series S in the same colourway and a 2TB Xbox Series X in a new 'galaxy black' colourway. If you're not necessarily loyal to Sony or Microsoft, the PS5 Pro is all-but guaranteed to release later this year.

With a huge new slate of games coming to the Xbox, a massive library of games available through Game Pass and an awesome array of Xbox Exclusives, though we've already seen Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush come to PlayStation, this deal couldn't be coming at a better time for buyers.

You might also like...

• Sticking to PlayStation? Save on more from Sony with our coupons.
• Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X? We'll help you figure out which one's for you.
• Keep track of the latest Xbox news and deals with our Xbox coverage.

It’s good news and bad news for prospective Final Fantasy 14 players on Xbox Series X|S. The open beta for the beloved massively multiplayer online role-playing game finally has a confirmed start date, but it’s simultaneously been confirmed that players will be required to have an Xbox Game Pass subscription in order to play the full release later down the line.

First thing’s first, the beta start date. New players can dive into the Free Trial version of Final Fantasy 14 (which allows you to experience A Realm Reborn, Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70, without playtime restrictions), from Wednesday, February 21 at 3am ET / 12am PT / 8am GMT / 7pm AEDT. This matches the estimated start date given by director and producer Naoki Yoshida (also known as Yoshi-P) during the Final Fantasy 14 in-person Fan Fest event last month, so it’s not too much of a surprise. 

However, the emphasis here is on ‘new players.’ In a news post on the Final Fantasy 14 website announcing the start date, it was confirmed that those who’ve previously used the Free Trial on another platform, or have a Final Fantasy 14 license registered to their Square Enix account already won’t be able to join in. They’ve instead been asked to wait for the full release, which will come “immediately” after the open beta concludes (although no indication has been given as to when this will be). 

Anyone who wants to play Final Fantasy 14’s Free Trial on Xbox, "including the open beta test," will be able to play regardless of whether they have an active Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription or not. However, the full release will require an active Game Pass subscription. This is quite surprising given that on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, players aren’t required to have an active PlayStation Plus subscription of any kind in order to play, and no extra fees are required on PC, either. 

All this considered, it appears that Xbox Series X|S will be the most expensive platform to play Final Fantasy 14 on if you count the additional cost incurred by the Xbox Game Pass subscription. Be sure to keep this in mind before deciding whether you want to dive in yourself. 

For more games like Final Fantasy 14, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best MMORPGs, as well as the best MMOs. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 players on Xbox, rejoice. Game director and CEO of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, has confirmed that the root of the problem causing save files to occasionally go missing on Xbox Series X|S has been found, and a fix is on the way. 

In a Twitter / X post published today (January 9), Vincke shared the patch notes for Baldur’s Gate 3’s latest hotfix, number 16, which promises fixes to several crashes and bugs. While the missing Xbox save file issue hasn’t been ironed out in this hotfix, Vincke stated that it’s “incoming.”

“Sizeable hotfix to kick off the new year. Also got good news from Xbox - they found the firmware issue that could cause save games to go missing, and a fix is incoming,” he wrote. “In the end, all will be well.”

In case you were unfamiliar, the missing save file issue has affected unlucky players since the Series X|S launch of Baldur’s Gate 3 last month. Larian and Microsoft have continued investigating the issue, and midway through December, Larian’s director of publishing, Michael Douse, announced that reports of the problem were down 75%. 

To help avoid the issue, players were previously advised to close the game fully when they’re finished playing, and keep their Xbox console connected to power. They can also take advantage of a workaround by creating a Larian account and activating cross-saves, which will automatically upload their last five saves to Larian’s servers. These can then be accessed even if the bug occurs by reactivating cross-save functionality in the options screen. 

Vincke didn’t announce exactly when the fix will be rolled out, but rest assured that it’s on the way, and it should allow Xbox players to dive into their adventure with peace of mind. 

For more games like Baldur’s Gate 3, be sure to check out our lists of the best RPGs and best story games.

Anyone who’s been anticipating the release of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox Series X|S doesn’t have much longer to wait, as director and producer Naoki Yoshida (aka Yoshi-P) has confirmed that the open beta will begin next month. 

It was first announced last July that the hit massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) would be coming to Xbox consoles, at which point it was given a “spring 2024” release window, effectively placing it tentatively between the months of March to June. Now though, during the Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival 2024, which took place in Tokyo over the weekend, Yoshida narrowed this down even earlier to February.

“As far as Xbox goes, we will be beginning the open beta test in February. Our current plan is to begin open beta around the 21st, plans could still change a few days in either direction, but that’s what we’re aiming for,” he said. “I really hope that a lot of Xbox players will get started right from beta and join us in [Final Fantasy] 14, and I look forward to meeting a lot of Xbox players as Warriors of Light in-game.”

Last year, it was announced (via Xbox Wire) that the Xbox Series X version of Final Fantasy 14 will include 4K support, but “both consoles will enjoy fast loading times.” At the time, it was also stated that Series X|S players will be able to try out the copypasta-famous Expanded Free Trial, which will allow them to play through A Realm Reborn, Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70, without any playtime restrictions. 

In other Final Fantasy 14 news, during the Fan Festival it was also confirmed that the Pictomancer job (essentially, class) is coming to the game’s upcoming Dawntrail expansion. Placed in the caster DPS (damage per second) role, players will be able to cast spells using a paintbrush. 

Dawntrail still doesn’t have an exact release date beyond its 'summer 2024' window, meaning it could launch anytime between June and August. Yoshida stated: "Unfortunately, though we do have an internal date that we are targeting, we are adjusting the schedule, making sure it's fine-tuned as much as it possibly can be before announcing, so we will not be sharing that today.” Explaining this, he said that he doesn’t want the expansion to get delayed like Endwalker previously did.

Find some fantastic recommendations for more games like Final Fantasy 14 with our lists of the best MMORPGs, as well as the best MMOs. 

Didn't get the Xbox Series X you've been wishing for this Christmas? Never fear, because right now it's massively discounted in the after-Christmas deals.

In fact, this is almost the best deal we've ever seen on Microsoft's most powerful Xbox, slashing the price from $499 to $379 at Walmart. For a current-gen console, that's a nearly unheard-of 24% discount, granting you 4K gaming, 3D spatial sound, and 12 teraflops of processing power at a fraction of the price.

We were mega surprised earlier this month to see Walmart offering a similar deal at a record-low price of $349, but it was fairly short-lived. Based on that, we'd strongly suggest acting fast before the year's out, as there's every chance we won't see a cheap Xbox deal as this good for a while.

If the Series X is still out of your price range, Walmart also has a fantastic bundle deal on the Xbox Series S, which is the same deal it's had for a while now, knocking the price down to just $269. Marvelous.

Not in the US but still on the lookout for the best Xbox Series X and S deals? Take a look at the best offers in your region below. 

Want to complete your new gaming setup? Check out our guides to the very best Xbox controllers and best Xbox Series X headsets for up-to-date recommendations on top hardware.

Looking for some fantastic game recommendations? Be sure to check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games, or read up on the best Xbox controllers.

One of the best Xbox controller deals we've seen this year is available once again in the after-Christmas sales - the white Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is back at its lowest-ever price for just $89.99 at Amazon.

We've only seen the price drop this low once before, which was during Black Friday earlier this year, however the black colorway was discounted by a further $2 briefly, too. Given there's not long left before the New Year, we wouldn't expect to see prices this low until the next major sales event which is a fair few months away - so act fast!

The Wolverine V2 Chroma doesn't quite rank among our picks of the best Xbox controllers, but it's a close contender, offering a superb array of sophisticated features including its two trigger locks, six additional remappable buttons (including an additional set of shoulder buttons) and a personal favorite - customizable Razer Chroma RGB. Plus, you're buying into Razer's fantastic, robust build quality, meaning you get even more bang for your buck in the long run. 

The standard Wolverine V2 is also half-price for $49.99 right now at Amazon, a fantastic deal that nearly matches its record low of $40.

Not in the US but still on the lookout for the best Razer Wolverine V2 prices? Take a look at the best offers in your region below. 

Looking for some fantastic game recommendations? Be sure to check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games, or read up on the best Xbox controllers.

If you're in the market for an affordable headset, you're in luck - both the Xbox and Playstation-licensed models of the Razer Kaira X are on offer at a record-low price in the after-Christmas sales.

Right now, you can grab this Razer headset for just $39.99 at Amazon, a record-low price we've only seen a handful of times this year during major sales events. Plus, given there's not another big sales event for a good few months, it's wise to act now if you're in need of one of the best wired gaming headsets.

This deal knocks $20 off Razer's already-great value headset, and for that price, you get excellent, plug-and-play simplicity and the fantastic audio quality Razer is known so well for. It features cutting-edge TriForce 50mm drivers, memory foam cushions and a Razer cardioid mic, as well as built-in volume and mute controls. Plus, it's compatible with PC, Mac, and mobile devices, too, giving you more ways to play.

Not in the US but still on the lookout for the best Razer Kaira X prices? Take a look at the best offers in your region below. 

Looking for some fantastic game recommendations? Be sure to check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games and best PlayStation 5 games.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably left your holiday shopping right up until the last moment and are now finding yourself desperately scrambling to get your hands on some great gifts that will be delivered just in time for the big day.

Luckily, I’ve got you covered with some personal picks for great Xbox Series S deals that should arrive by Christmas day. Thanks to its more affordable price tag, the Xbox Series S is a great choice for gifting and could make for the perfect treat for the gamer in your life.

You can find the console in a range of attractive bundles in the US, like the Xbox Series S Starter Bundle which includes three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and is currently $249.99 at Walmart (was $299.99). Top accessories like the attractive Electric Volt Xbox Wireless Controller are also on a discount, with this desirable model just $45 at Walmart (was $64.99).

Similar deals are also available in the UK, where the Xbox Series S Starter Bundle is just £209.99 at Currys (was £249.99). The Electric Volt Xbox Wireless Controller is also reduced, now £49.95 at Amazon (was £59.99).

The Xbox Series S is compatible with all of the best Xbox Series X games and comes in a super small and convenient size. For a full breakdown of the differences between the two models, see our guide to the Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S. Also be sure to visit our extensive Xbox gift guide while you're here for even more gifting ideas.

Today's best Xbox Series S deals

Don't worry if you're not in the US or UK, we've got all the best Xbox deals for your region below:

For some great games to play on Xbox, see our guides to the best Xbox Series X games and the best single-player games.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox Series X|S version is apparently still experiencing some save data issues, but players have been reassured that they now seem to be much rarer following a recent firmware update. 

In case you were unfamiliar, not long after the Xbox Series X|S version of Baldur's Gate 3 released at The Game Awards on December 7, some fans reported issues with their save files disappearing following a crash. Larian Studios and Microsoft have been investigating the matter since - Xbox users were advised to keep their consoles connected to power even when switched off, and close their game entirely when they’re done playing.

On Saturday (December 16), Larian Studios’ director of publishing, Michael Douse, shared on Twitter / X that the save issues are still “lingering” with new reports coming in from players, despite the fact that “the most recent firmware should have solved it.” However, “reports since Thursday’s update are down over 75%.”

“We’re in a holding pattern at the moment, since it’s firmware side,” Douse wrote. “Do keep your Xbox connected to the internet as much as you can.

“If I lost my saves I would not be ok with that. So I get it,” he continued. “I just want you to know that people are actively looking at it. Hopefully we hear more soon.”

He reiterated the previous advice of closing the game fully and keeping consoles connected to power in order to prevent the issue from happening in the first place, noting that “statistically you shouldn’t have any issues.”

In other news, last week, Baldur’s Gate 3’s director and the CEO of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, revealed that it was decided “from the get-go” that the enormous role-playing game wouldn’t be available to play via Xbox Game Pass. He told IGN: “We are in the business of making a game that has a beginning, middle, and an end. We made a big game, so I think there's a fair price to be paid for that, and I think that that is okay.”

For more games like Baldur’s Gate 3, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best RPGs, as well as the best story games.

If you missed out on last month's Black Friday Xbox Series X deals but were hoping to pick up one of Microsoft’s powerful current-generation consoles for the holidays, then you might just be in luck. The price of the console has been slashed once again and you can currently pick up the current-gen machine for just $349 at Walmart. 

First things first, $349 is a phenomenal deal. At $150 off the usual $499.99 price, that’s a saving of about 30%, which is even better than some of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts we saw this year.

If you've wanted a new Xbox console for yourself or as a gift before the holidays then this is your best bet - and it's at an incredible price. We just don't know how long the price will be held at this low level so act quickly if you're keen!

Not in the US but still on the lookout for the best Xbox Series X prices? Take a look at the best offers in your region below. 

Note: We previously reported on the console being discounted at Target for one day only earlier this week. However that deal has ended and we have updated this story accordingly with the next best offer.

Looking for some fantastic game recommendations? Be sure to check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games. You can enhance your gaming experience even further with our recommendations for the best Xbox controllers. 

At long last, the wait is over - Larian Studios has officially revealed the release date for the Xbox Series X|S version of Baldur’s Gate 3, and players will be able to dive into the action…immediately.

 Well isn’t this a nice surprise? It’s been stated a few times by the developers that Baldur’s Gate 3 would be hitting Xbox’s current-gen consoles by the end of the year, but I’m not sure if anyone was expecting it to happen right here, right now. Prospective players are now able to download a digital version of the enormous role-playing game, so the only thing stopping them from diving in is the increasingly large file size; and the hours they’ll inevitably spend on the character creation screen, of course. 

While Baldur’s Gate 3 released on PC in August and PlayStation 5 a month later, the developers faced difficulties during development trying to get the split-screen co-op feature working on Xbox Series S. In August, Larian boss Swen Vincke revealed that the Series S version will no longer feature split-screen at launch, but the official Xbox Twitter account clarified that it will continue to work alongside the developers to “explore the addition” in a post-launch capacity. This could be the first game to flout Microsoft's version parity requirement for games launching on the Xbox Series S and X

For those who’ve been hanging on for a physical version of Baldur’s Gate 3, the physical deluxe edition for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC is set to ship in Q1 2024, complete with a whole load of extra bonuses such as a soundtrack and map. It won’t be a limited-run product, so there’s no need to worry about buying from scalpers at an inflated price. 

If you love Baldur’s Gate 3, you can find some more amazing game recommendations on our lists of the best story games, as well as the best RPGs.

Now this is the Cyber Monday Xbox Series S deal you've been looking for: only a matter of weeks after launch, the new Xbox Series S 1TB console is on sale for below $300 for Cyber Monday.

It seems wild to say it but it's true! If you head on over to Dell right now you can pick the shiny new 1TB, black console for just $299.99 (was $349.99). This is a brand-new low price for the beefed-up all-digital console and sees it go below the $300 mark for the first time ever. Safe to say, if you've been eyeing up this larger-capacity variant at all, now is the time to strike.

This rather negates the price bump Microsoft added for that extra 512GB of storage and means that you can pick up this newer model for the same price as the regular white Series S would normally cost. We often encourage some extra storage with that white Series S, but that's not as big a problem here, and 1TB means this can really be an Xbox Game Pass machine too, holding a fair bunch of games on the subscription service at any one time.

We've got more information on the deal below as well as some of the latest prices on the regular model in case you want to keep your options open when searching through the wider Cyber Monday gaming deals, and the adjacent Cyber Monday Xbox Series X deals.

Today's best Cyber Monday Xbox Series S deal

If you're content with the smaller capacity of the original white model and are maybe looking to save a few more bucks, then check out the below prices on the white, 512GB model. 

If you're ready to commit to your new Xbox Series S machine and are interested in getting the best possible start then check out the latest lowest price on the below Xbox accessories to kit yourself out immediately. 

If you're looking for savings on other platforms this year check out the Cyber Monday PS5 deals and Cyber Monday Nintendo Switch deals.

Well, it finally happened, the Xbox Series X games console has had its price slashed on Amazon, ahead of Black Friday, with the 1TB gaming machine drop to AU$649. It’s not too often we see discounts on Microsoft’s gaming powerhouse – we have seen plenty of great deals on the PlayStation since its launch – so if you’ve been holding off, now could be the time to buy. 

If you want to get a game with the Xbox Series X to start playing immediately, Amazon also has a bundle that includes the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 title for AU$733. Admittedly, it’s not the greatest Call of Duty title to ever be released – we gave it just two stars in our Modern Warfare 3 review – but considering the price of the console plus the game is less than you’ll pay for a standalone console at most other Australia retailers right now, it could still be worth your consideration. 

The Xbox Series X can do pretty much anything you would want or expect a current-generation console to do, and in some areas, it has a leg up over its closest Sony-branded rival. Most notably, the Xbox is technically more powerful than the PS5 and it supports Dolby Vision via streaming apps. 

If you’ve previously owned either console’s predecessors, then you’ll likely be somewhat loyal, but it is worth pointing out that – in our opinion at least – the Xbox does lag behind a little when it comes to exclusive gaming titles. The Xbox gets titles including Halo and Forza, mind you, which could be enough of a draw for many gamers. There’s also Xbox Games Pass to talk about, which is a fantastic cloud-gaming streaming service that can be played on a multitude of devices when you’re away from home. 

It’s a terrific console, and now that it’s hit its lowest Aussie price – which we can’t guarantee will go any lower on Black Friday itself – it could be worth snapping up before stock runs out. 

Ark: Survival Ascended - the Unreal Engine 5 remake of the 2017 action-survival game Ark: Survival Evolved - has been hit with a last-minute delay on Xbox Series X|S after it was initially scheduled to release today (November 14).

The news was announced yesterday evening (November 13) on the official Ark Twitter account. There, the team wrote: “Xbox and Windows Survivors, the game is still going through the certification process and will not be releasing on Tuesday. 

“We are expecting it to release it later this week, but, we'll update with a more precise time when we have it.”

Since that post, no further information has been provided. It’s less than two weeks since the initial Xbox release date was announced in the first place. At the time, developer Studio Wildcard stated that it would launch with crossplay for the PC version, which launched in early access in October, as well as official servers for the different modes with boosted rates in order for players to catch up with those who’ve been playing in early access.

It was also stated at the time that the release date for the PS5 version is yet to be finalized, but the team expected that it would launch at the end of November. At the time of writing, it’s not known if this version is going to be pushed back, too, but when it launches, players can expect to see more official servers with even greater boosted rates to help them get up to speed with players who started before them on other platforms.

Black Friday is almost here, and Black Friday gaming deals are already available at various retailers. If you want to check out some of the best discounts, you can check out our Black Friday Xbox Series X deals hub, as well as our Black Friday video game deals roundup for offers on various huge current-gen games.

Black Friday officially kicks off on November 24 but many retailers have already started putting up some fantastic Black Friday gaming deals a couple weeks in advance of that date. This new offer from Microsoft is one of the most compelling Xbox Series X promotions that we've seen so far this year and offers the chance to grab a new console and two great games for less.

Containing the Xbox Series X Diablo 4 bundle (which includes an Xbox Series X console and digital copy of Diablo 4) in addition to another bonus digital game of your choice, we appreciate the rare level of versatility on offer here. You can choose from a list of 12 titles which includes popular recent releases like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Mortal Kombat 1. This represents a saving of up to $69.99 depending on your choice of digital game.

The full list of games available as part of this promotion is as follows:

• Madden NFL 24
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
• Elden Ring
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
• Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection
• Starfield
• Mortal Kombat 1
• UFC 5
• Assassin's Creed Mirage Deluxe Edition
• Lego 2K Drive
• EA Sports FC 24

Today's best Xbox Series X deal

A formidable current generation console, the Xbox Series X is an absolute powerhouse and our top pick if you care about pure gaming performance above all else. With a handful of desirable exclusives, not to mention heaps of third-party releases and the superb value Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, the vast majority of games are going to look and sound fantastic thanks to the console's powerful hardware.

No matter where you are, we've sourced the very best Xbox Series X deals in your region below.

Don't miss other brilliant Black Friday Xbox Series X deals. Also see our roundup of the best Black Friday Xbox controller deals.

After an Xbox Series X? We've got great news: Amazon UK has discounted the console by a substantial £70. In fact, it's not just the console by itself enjoying this saving, as a couple of incredible bundles have received similar price drops.

About two weeks ahead of the upcoming Black Friday gaming deals, you can grab the Xbox Series X console by itself for just £409 at Amazon UK, a saving of £70 and a record-low for it at the retail giant.

What's more, the Xbox Series X Diablo 4 bundle has dropped from £489.99 to just £429.99, saving you £60, which you can then spend on an Xbox Game Pass subscription or some of the best Xbox Series X games.

Lastly, fans of the best racing games may want to check out the Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle. Currently going for £419.99 (was £469.95), you're saving £50 and netting yourself the console and one of its finest racers, not to mention a whole bunch of DLC to boot.

Today's best Xbox Series X deals in the UK

For even more excellent early Black Friday deals where you are, consider browsing our guides to the best Black Friday Xbox Series X deals and Black Friday Xbox Series S deals.

Black Friday Xbox Series S deals have concluded for this year, with the event spanning November 24, but even though we've seen the sun set on Black Friday - we're still seeing a number of deals on the Xbox Series S pop-up. In fact, we're keeping an eye on all the Cyber Monday gaming deals that may crop up come Monday instead. 

With the console itself being the cheaper of the Xbox lineup, whenever it gets a price cut, it becomes obscenely good value - and there's precedent for this too with the console going down to record lows over the course of this year's sales. During the event, we saw a host of Series S accessories and peripherals discounted greatly. If you were in the market for one of the best Xbox controllers, best Xbox Series X headsets, or Xbox Series X hard drive and SSDs, then you may have been privy to several of the best deals available for the console and its peripherals.

There was some crossover with the Black Friday Xbox Series X deals, as both share a degree of parity, but if you're after a slimmed-down current-gen setup or want to get some accessories that are perfect for the Series S console, we are here for you with some key information, links, and of course, the deals. It's also worth checking out our Cyber Monday Xbox Series X deals which may offer more discounts. 

Black Friday Xbox Series S deals quick links

• Bundles: Xbox Series S Gilded Hunter bundle just $269 at Walmart
• Controllers: $40 off Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2 at Walmart
• Headsets: Up to $15 off Turtle Beach, HyperX, and more at Amazon
• Storage: SSD deals galore like the Seagate Xbox Card at just $149 at Amazon
• Game Pass: $10 off some cards for Plus or Total members at Best Buy
• Monitors: Up to $500 off perfect-for-Series-S Samsung monitors

Black Friday Xbox Series S deals - consoles and bundles

Black Friday Xbox Series S deals - controllers

Black Friday Xbox Series S deals - Headsets

Black Friday Xbox Series S deals - storage

Xbox Series S Black Friday deals in the UK

Black Friday Xbox Series S deals - FAQs

Looking to read up on other bits of hardware? Consider checking out our best PS5 controllers and best Nintendo Switch accessories pages if you're looking for ideas on what to shop for this Black Friday.

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals have ended for another year, but unsurprisingly there are still plenty of excellent deals for potential buyers to check out. So, if you're in the market for a new console or accessories then we've got you covered as we collect the crumbs of any leftover deals now Black Friday has finished. Fortunately, we've got Cyber Monday Xbox Series X deals happening right now, and we're seeing some great Cyber Monday gaming deals so far.  

We expect stock to dry up fairly soon, so if you've been waiting to see if any prices come down further you'll want to strike fast to ensure you don't miss out. But even despite the end of the event, we are continuing to see some fantastic price cuts for the Xbox Series X as well as some of the best Xbox Series X games and hardware. 

If you're looking for a reason to upgrade to an Xbox Series X or simply want to check out all the great deals on peripherals, such as those you'll see in our Black Friday Xbox controller deals hub, as well as some of the best Xbox Series X headsets and best Xbox Series X hard drive and SSDs, then you've come to the right place.

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals quick links

• Bundles: $439.99 Xbox Series X bundle with Diablo 4 at Walmart
• Controllers: More than half off Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2 at Walmart
• Headsets: Up to $15 off HyperX and Turtle Beach headsets at Amazon
• Storage: Seagate Xbox Expansion Card 2TB down to just $279.99 at Amazon
• Video games: Up to $40 off Madden 24, NBA 2K24 and more at Best Buy
• Monitors: Save $300 on the Odyssey G7 gaming monitor

Retailer links:

US

• Amazon: strong discounts for multi-platform gaming headsets
• Best Buy: save on Turtle Beach-branded accessories
• Walmart: Xbox Wireless Controllers seeing decent price drops
• GameStop: save on PS5, Xbox and Switch titles
• Samsung: up to $900 off Samsung's best gaming monitors

UK

• Amazon: Xbox Series S starter bundle is down to £189
• Argos: Black Friday Xbox deals have arrived
• Currys: HyperX and SteelSeries headsets discounted
• John Lewis: Borderlands, Gears and more down to reduced-to-clear prices
• Very: top Xbox titles going for reduced rates; up to £30 off

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals - consoles and bundles

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals - controllers

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals - headsets

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals - storage

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals - video games

Xbox Series X Black Friday deals in the UK

Black Friday Xbox Series X deals - FAQs

Last year's best Black Friday Xbox Series X deals

To give you a better idea of what to expect during Black Friday Xbox Series X deals, we've outlined a selection of the best discounts that were live during last year's event. Do keep in mind that the following deals are no longer live, but should provide a good measure of what you can expect in 2023.

US deals

UK deals

After more top Black Friday bargains? Check out our guide to the best Black Friday PS5 deals for a better look at the competition. We've also got a page for all the best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals if you prefer the portable system.

Larian Studios' CEO and the director of Baldur's Gate 3, Swen Vincke, has revealed that the RPG will be launching on Xbox Series X|S before December, as the team is “actually very close” to having the game ready.

Last week, Vincke confirmed that “we’ve found a solution that allows us to bring Baldur’s Gate 3 to Xbox players this year”, after the title’s release on the two consoles was initially pushed back due to technical hurdles. It was also revealed that the Xbox Series S version will no longer include split-screen co-op at launch.

In a new interview with IGN, Vincke revealed that now this solution has been found, “it shouldn’t take that long” to get the enormous RPG out and in Xbox users’ hands: "It's 2023. And 2023 is narrowing, so it's already pretty precise in my book,” Vincke said. “Between September and November... So, as fast as we can honestly.”

Before Larian Studios’ full focus is put on the Xbox release, however, the team is going to keep its center of attention on the upcoming PS5 version, and then shift over to patches for the game on PC. However, Vincke clarified that “the Xbox Series X version was already in good shape last time I looked at it”. 

“There's a bunch of stuff that needs to happen to finalize it,” he explained. “But I think from a content point of view and from a technical point of view, we're actually very close.”

He continued: “It was running already before, so it shouldn't take that long. It doesn't mean that we are not going to try to make it work also in split-screen, because I mean as I said, the team continues to optimize for all platforms because we really want to hit 60fps across the board on everything.”

For now, fans will just have to stay tuned to see exactly when Baldur’s Gate 3 will be released for Series X|S, but by the sound of it, we won’t be waiting much longer. 

For more upcoming games, be sure to have a look at our list of new Xbox Series X games. If you’re looking for some game recommendations, you can also check out our selection of the best RPGs.

Dell is currently offering an Xbox Series X deal which gets you the console with a $25 saving ahead of Starfield's launch next week. 

The Xbox Series X is retailing for just $474.99 (was $500) for $25 off. However, that's just one side of the story as you're also getting a free $75 gift card to spend on the Dell store as well. While this saving cannot be used in tandem with the system, that's still a solid bonus on top of the saving. 

That saving could be put toward Xbox Game Pass as Starfield lands on Microsoft's streaming service on day one, due on September 6. Alternatively, you can get your hands on the game ahead of schedule, as those who pre-order Starfield have access this Thursday (August 31). 

Starfield is one of the biggest upcoming games of the year and is poised to be one of the most high-profile releases on the platform. Time will tell whether it can be considered one of the best Xbox Series X games, however. That said, if you're into some of the best RPGs then it could be what you've been waiting for. 

Once you've secured the console, you can make the best of it with one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X, the best Xbox controllers, and one of the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs. 

Microsoft's head of gaming Phil Spencer has said there are no plans for an Xbox Series X|S mid-gen refresh, confirming the company is still focused on current hardware. 

During an interview with IGN at Gamescom 2023, Spencer was asked if there's any news on a mid-gen refresh for current-gen consoles, to which he simply replied "No," before adding that "we're at the end of the beginning" of the console generation for Xbox Series X|S and that the team is focused on increasing the storage for Xbox Series S.

The same topic was broached in a separate interview with Eurogamer, and Spencer reiterated his statements by saying that he didn't see a reason for mid-gen refreshes right now, pointing out that it can cause issues for developers and the platforms they target, and that "it starts to feel a lot more like PC...".

"I definitely think that when we do hardware, it should have a reason to exist that is demonstrably different than what came before," Spencer said. 

"I think that's important. Gen 10 - now you get more of my religion on this - I think what happens for us as an industry - and other people with other platform affinities are going to argue with me about this - but sometimes you feel really great about the price performance of the console early in the generation. 

"And then later in the generation, we look at what's happening on a PC. And we say, 'how come our consoles can't do that?' And the reason is, because when you plan for a console, you start two or three years before you launch it, and you kind of lock-in to a hardware spec. And then that's the spec you're gonna have for five, six, seven years. And because the pricing of consoles have gone up, it's closer to PC than it's probably ever been in terms of price and performance."

Microsoft recently announced that the digital Xbox 360 store will be closing in July 2024 meaning a ton of games that don't have a new home on current-gen consoles or PC could be lost forever. When asked about his stance on game preservation, Spencer said that he "would love to find solutions" but there are no plans right now. 

If you're looking for something to play, check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games you can play right now, and for storage solutions check out our guide to the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs which covers both Series consoles.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said players will need to play the first few hours of Starfield before it "blows up in terms of its epic scale."

Starfield is only two weeks away and as Bethesda gears up for the launch of perhaps its most anticipated game of all time, there's still a lot players don't know about the upcoming sci-fi RPG.

The spacefaring adventure game will be massive in scale, with reportedly over 1,000 planets to explore in an open galaxy, with free space travel, character customization, and a tailored experience based on the players' choices. 

We already know it will be a grand game - the biggest Bethesda has ever made - but according to Phil Spencer, the beginning of the game can be a little slow and players should expect the action to hit after a few hours of playtime. 

"It's a big game, and I'll be the first to admit the first three to four hours are a little bit hunt-and-peck, figure out 'what am I actually doing?' Then you get onto sidequests or something, and the game just blows up in terms of its epic scale," said Spencer in an interview with IGN at Gamescom 2023.

Starfield is set to launch on September 6 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, but early access will start on September 1 for those who purchased the Premium or Constellation editions of the game. 

It was announced last week that the game had officially gone gold, so users can preload the game right now ahead of its official release. This also applies to those who have pre-ordered the game digitally or are planning to play it via Xbox Game Pass. 

To get ready for the launch, here's everything you need to know about Starfield - including story and setting, trailers, gameplay features, and more. 

For more, check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games, as well as our essential guide to every upcoming game launching in 2023 for PC and consoles. 

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has discussed the ongoing Activision Blizzard deal, saying that the acquisition is about "mobile capability."

In an interview with Eurogamer at Gamescom 2023, Spencer explained that Xbox is actively looking to have a mobile presence and that the main reason behind its $68.7bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard is due to the company's mobile presence. 

"The reason we're in the acquisition discussion with Activision Blizzard King is around their mobile capability," Spencer said. "Because it's just something we don't have. We obviously already have Call of Duty on our platform, we already have Diablo on our platform. So it's not about new games that Xbox players don't have access to today.

"It is about a capability on mobile, and some broader ambitions that we have on the largest gaming platform, which is mobile phones."

Spencer was asked about the possibility of the deal falling through, but he explained that he doesn't think in terms of a "plan B" and that "Any kind of other plan for us would continue to be about: how do we find relevance in the mobile space?..."

He added that he knows people think about Activision in the console and PC space but that it's actually dominating in the mobile space, which is in Microsoft's interest. 

"So any other plan would still be about [that]," Spencer said. "We think that for Xbox to continue to thrive, we need to have some relevant place in the whole province."

Despite winning its case against the Federal Trade Commission, earlier this month, Microsoft sent a final report to the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in an effort to overturn the watchdog's block on the company's plan to acquire Activision Blizzard. 

The company later announced new plans to sell off game streaming rights to Ubisoft intended to directly "address the CMA's concerns."

Check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games if you're looking for something new, as well as the best Xbox deals of August 2023. 

Microsoft has unveiled the first of the official Xbox Series X console wraps which includes a Starfield variant. Pre-orders are now available in the US and the UK from $44.99 / £39.99.  

While the Xbox Series X is a powerful console, the bland expanses of its four big black sides are just ripe for creativity. After nearly three years on the market, Microsoft has officially showcased new Xbox Series X console wraps, all to give the system a much-needed new look - with the Starfield design an ideal companion for the Starfield Xbox controller and the Starfield Wireless Headset. 

Monique Chatterjee, Senior Design Director at Xbox, writes: "We know gamers want to be able to customize their consoles and show support for their favorite games, and we are delivering an option that’s more affordable and more sustainable than purchasing a special edition or limited edition console". She continues: "With the launch of Series X Console Wraps, you can customize the console you already have".

It's important that these skins do not impact the performance of the console, and it appears that a concerted effort has been made by Microsoft here. "The wraps were designed specifically for Series X and have a custom, precision fit.  Every detail was taken into consideration to ensure your console performance is preserved– vents are all clear, and small feet were added to the bottom of the wraps to ensure air can flow freely through the console". 

Aside from the Starfield console wrap, there are two other options with the Arctic Camo and the Mineral Camo, both of which have matching Xbox Wireless Controller designs. What's exciting about these wraps compared to third-party sticker sets is that they come as one solid piece and are fastened by velcro on each connecting side to sit snug into the system without having to worry about air bubbles or fiddly alignments. 

Pre-order Xbox console wraps

Get the full experience with the best monitors for Xbox Series X and the best Xbox controllers. We also strongly recommend the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs to make room for some of the best Xbox Series X games.

The WD Black C50 is a very welcome addition to the Xbox expansion card space. Previously dominated by Seagate, who used to be the only manufacturer in town when it came to Xbox Series X|S-ready SSDs, Western Digital’s bespoke solution for the Series consoles impresses in many ways.

The WD Black C50 combines affordability and reliability into one neat package. Expect blazing-fast transfer speeds for your money, with the card being particularly impressive when transferring files between itself and the Xbox Series X’s or Xbox Series S’s internal storage. If you need to move the best Xbox Series X games over to take over to a friend’s house, for example, the C50 excels here by transferring large files impressively quickly.

The biggest lamentation I have with the C50, though, is its relatively small capacity. There are only two configurations available, maxing out at just 1TB. While future revisions may explore higher capacities, what we have right now with the C50 is merely serviceable, at least in comparison to the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card which offers a larger 2TB model.

WD Black C50 - price and availability

The WD Black C50’s two configurations are available right now with the 512GB unit coming in at an attractive $79.99 / £89.99. I’d recommend going for the 1TB model, however, which retails for $149.99 / £149.99, purchasable from Western Digital’s official website or online retailers including Amazon and Best Buy. 

WD Black C50 - design and features

You’d be able to spot the WD Black C50 a mile off if you’re familiar with Western Digital’s all-black, industrial aesthetic. The card itself is impressively small – about the size of a Nintendo DS cartridge – and only as thick as a pack of gum. Build quality is reassuringly sturdy, too, featuring a rugged casing that should easily withstand years of wear and tear.

Much like Seagate’s option, the WD Black C50 slots neatly into your Xbox Series X|S console via the dedicated expansion card port. It’s a no-fuss setup, too; slot in the card for the first time to undergo a brief formatting phase, and, from then onwards, the card’s good to go.

My only major gripe with the C50 is its capacity configurations. The two models listed above are, at present, the only ones available for purchase. There’s, unfortunately, no 2TB or above configuration available to buy, which is a shame given it’s arriving three years into the generation and new-gen libraries are bigger than ever.

WD Black C50 - performance

The WD Black C50 has impressive transfer speeds when moving files over from the Xbox Series X’s internal storage to the expansion card. Fortnite (45GB) for example, transferred to the C50 in just 1 minute and 18 seconds. Meanwhile, larger titles like Wild Hearts (80GB) moved over in 2 minutes and 4 seconds.

Expect transfers from the card back to internal storage to take, on average, about a minute longer. In Fortnite’s case, the move back to internal storage took 2 minutes and 17 seconds, whereas Wild Hearts took exactly 3 minutes.

One thing to note is that in my testing, I found the C50 to have slightly slower boot times for games than ones installed on internal storage. Forza Horizon 5 went from boot-up to in-game in 59 seconds. The C50 managed the same in 1 minute and 9 seconds, so roughly ten seconds off the pace. It’s something you probably won’t notice unless you’re timing it yourself, but certainly worth noting if you’re planning to move your favorite games over to the card.

You’ll be dealing with a bit of a trade-off with the C50, then. While transfer speeds to the card are fantastic, the marginally slower boot times may become irksome if you regularly play larger games like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, or Halo Infinite. Still, it’s not much of a dealbreaker, and the C50 also supports X|S enhanced titles as well as Xbox’s Quick Resume feature, meaning you won’t need to reboot your favorite titles much at all, outside of scheduled updates. 

Should I buy the WD Black C50?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the WD Black C50

In testing the WD Black C50, we made sure to transfer games of various sizes to get a good feel of how long the process takes. We also compared boot times between it and the console’s internal storage to check for any differences in how long each takes to  load your favorite games. 

Overall, we found the card to be comparable in performance to the internal storage of the Xbox Series X|S consoles, with impressively quick transfer speeds when compared to competing models. 

Interested in other storage options for Xbox Series X|S? Have a look at our best Xbox Series X hard drive and SSDs guide to learn all about storage capacity upgrades for your console.

Turn 10 has confirmed that Forza Motorsport won't launch with three specific features, in part due to the "heavy investment" of the game's graphics. 

During a recent Forza Monthly broadcast, creative director Chris Esaki revealed that the team has decided to not include split-screen, AI competitors, and spectator mode on the release of Forza Motorsport (via Eurogamer).

When talking about spectator mode and AI races, Esaki explained that they won't be included in Feature Multiplayer because they don't fit the mode's rules, saying, "Having players come into a Feature Multiplayer event, and taking players slots, and then spectating, it's not really the racing that we had intended.

"Similarly, racing with AI in Feature Multiplayer, with all its potential impacts on your safety rating, also didn't make a whole lot of sense to have."

Split-screen in particular is another legacy feature that has been implemented in the series prior, but won't be in the upcoming game on release, the main reason being the game's graphical limitations.

"And since we're on the topic of some legacy features that aren't in at launch," Esaki said, "our heavy investment in pushing our new graphical features and our complete overhaul of the rendering engine, unfortunately, made split-screen really difficult to implement, and it's also not going to be in for launch."

It's unclear at this time whether Turn 10 intends on adding these missing features down the road, but the use of the words 'for launch' does definitely leave the door open.

Forza Motorsport is set to arrive on October 10 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Game Pass on day one. Microsoft has confirmed that the game will be making an appearance alongside Starfield at Gamescom 2023, but unfortunately, neither will be available to play. 

To gear up for the upcoming release, here's everything you need to know about Forza Motorsport, complete with trailers, gameplay, and more. You can also check out the best Xbox Game Pass games available to play right now.

We thought this deal would be taken down or end abruptly but we can still report that Dell is selling the Xbox Series X for its lowest-ever price! 

You can currently get the Xbox Series X for just $449.99 (was $500) for a $50 saving through the US computing retailer. It's the historic lowest price available on the current-gen Microsoft console and a rate that's yet to beat. We first reported this on Tuesday expecting the idea to be short-lived, but here we are, two days later, and it's still live. This is a great deal, and literally the best time to buy the console if you've been eye it up, and despite it still being live, we wouldn't recommend waiting much longer!

That $50 saving means you can put that money towards some of the best Xbox Series X games or one of the best Xbox Series X accessories such as the best Xbox Series X headsets. Previously, the cheapest it has ever sold in the US has been $468, a saving of $32, but now you're knocking a further $18 off for a rate that can't be beaten. Other retailers are still yet to price match too, so Dell really is offering the best price and the best place to buy the console.

Today's best Xbox Series X deal

There are a ton of great upcoming games available for the Xbox Series X to look forward to including Mortal Kombat 1, Starfield, and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty coming in the next month alone, so there's plenty to look forward to. There's no telling when this deal could cease so we recommend starting sooner rather than later. 

More of today's best Xbox Series X deals

All the new games will play great with the best Xbox controllers and look spectacular with the best monitors for Xbox Series X.

Microsoft has just rolled out an overhauled homepage and dashboard for the Xbox Series X which sees some of the largest improvements since the console's launch. 

The Xbox Series X home update was announced in a blog post on the Xbox website which goes into detail about the new changes that have arrived. The biggest difference between this homepage and the prior one has been the goal of streamlining the experience to make browsing through apps easier than before. This has ushered in the new "quick access menu" which has been implemented as a shortcut to your game library, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, search, and settings. 

Further changes include the ability to further customize your Xbox homepage with a more simplified layout showcasing your recently played games and media at the bottom of the screen so they are easier to jump back into. It also means more room for any personalized custom backgrounds to be on display instead of the previously cluttered design of the past, which was heavily based on the older Xbox One UI.

Further improvements have also been made to the game discovery feature, too. This means it should be easier for the algorithm to detect the types of titles you enjoy playing and accurately recommend more of the best Xbox Series X games. This extends to media available on your streaming services of choice for both media and music as well.

The Xbox Series X received a UI visual update back in March, however, the changes implemented then were ultimately underwhelming. While that one focused on small quality-of-life tweaks, today's overhaul finally sees an end to the cluttered main home screen after nearly three years of the new console generation being available. 

Ivy Krislov, Senior Product Manager Lead at Xbox Experiences writes: "When we first showed Xbox Insiders what we were working on we heard your feedback clearly – you wanted more room to show off custom backgrounds or game art, quicker navigation options, and more personalization". He continues with: "Over the last 8 months since initial release, we’ve implemented changes to meet those requests and have a new Home that feels fresh, puts the focus on your games and apps, and creates space for beautiful backgrounds." 

The new update will be arriving for all Xbox consoles over the next few weeks, with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S likely to receive it first. It's possible that Xbox One users may be waiting longer than current-generation gamers. 

You can make the most of the action with one of the best Xbox controllers paired with one of the best Xbox Series X headsets and one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X.

Update: This excellent Seagate official Xbox expansion card SSD deal is still live! We covered it before, earlier this week, but the great news is that if you want to capitalize this weekend, then you still can. Avoid the Prime Day rushes and bag yourself the best Xbox SSD going. Read on below for our original post and all the information you need, as well as some tweaked and new information for today.

Official hard drives for the new-gen consoles have been in constant supply since their launch given the extensive libraries that can be played on the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S - and external hard drive deals like this one are perfect to help out with that.

The 1TB capacity variant of the official Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is still at its record-low price at Amazon US today and can be had for an absolute steal. In the US, the expansion card is down to $149 at Amazon (was $219.99), and in the UK you can get the card for £149.99 at Very (was £219.99). As we say, the US price is a record-low deal so there's literally never been a better time to buy the card and boost your storage. The UK price is a tenner off its record-low but still represents excellent value. The 2TB variants are also on offer at lowest ever prices - this would sort you out for the rest of the generation (probably) and get you the objective best Xbox SSD in the process. In the US, the 2TB is $279 at Amazon (was $359.99), and in the UK it is down to £269.99 and Amazon (was £457.81 - though we think Amazon listing that RRP is a little off the mark).

But why should you invest in the official expansion card? After all, it's more expensive right? Well, a big benefit of going with the official expansion card is that, even though it sits on the consoles' exterior, instead of a regular USB connection, it uses a bespoke connection that connects directly to the motherboard of the machine. This is something that other Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs cannot do so really sets the official products apart. While that sounds very flashy, the reality and practical application of it means that you can store and play Series X-enhanced games directly from it - something that regular USB external drives cannot offer. This alone makes it the best Xbox Series X storage solution by far. 

As a result, that makes this offering one of the best early Prime Day Xbox Series X deals we've seen so far. 

Today's best Xbox hard drives deals in the US

Today's best Xbox hard drives deals in the UK

As we've mentioned a couple of times above, the official card goes along way to justify it's elevated price tag but if you are after something simpler, then we've rounded up some of the latest and lowest prices on some fine alternatives below.

If you're looking for deals and price cuts that are on the other side of the console wall, then check in with our pages covering the latest and early Prime Day PS5 deals, Prime Day PS5 SSD deals, and Prime Day PS5 TV deals.

Level up your Xbox experience with one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X. A dedicated gaming monitor can be a worthy alternative to one of the best gaming TVs, offering a sharper picture or high-end features like a blazing fast refresh rate or support for VRR.

If you're looking to make the most of the capabilities of the Xbox Series X, then a high-spec gaming monitor is one of the best upgrades you can get. When shopping for a new display, including the best gaming monitors or best PS5 monitors, you should generally pin down a few must-have features that you want from your screen.

We have tested and reviewed every single product in this list, after collective months of real-world application. Each of these gaming monitors for Xbox Series X have been tested under one simple premise: do they elevate your gaming experience beyond what a more standard display offers? Read on to learn all about the best monitors for Xbox Series X according to our expert reviewers.

The best monitors for Xbox Series X in 2026

Best overall monitor for Xbox Series X

The Gigabyte M32UC remains our top pick for the best monitor for Xbox Series X in 2026. This recommendation mostly comes down to the bargain price of this display.

At $799 / £681 (about AU$1,093) this is significantly cheaper than a comparable TV or many other monitors that boast a similar feature set. Here you're getting a full 4K UHD display combined with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate and HDR. Better yet, the display is an immersive curved design - rare for this price range.

In our testing, we found that there was a little tinkering that needed to be done in the display settings in order to make the HDR really pop. A few minutes after getting everything tweaked to our liking, however, we were blown away by the visual fidelity of top titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 6. Simply put, the Gigabyte M32UC makes your Xbox games look amazing.

Unfortunately, the built-in speakers, while a commendable inclusion, are one area which isn't exactly going to rival a gaming TV. We recommend pairing this panel with something from our list of the best soundbars or best stereo speakers for a better experience.

• Read more: Gigabyte M32UC review

Best budget monitor for Xbox Series X

The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q is our pick for the best budget monitor for Xbox Series X. One of the most affordable 4K gaming monitors on the market, offers high-end specs for a fraction of their usual price. It’s a spacious 28-inch display, with an impressively versatile base that allows for plenty of adjustments. It can tilt, swivel, and pivot with support for both horizontal and portrait viewing offering more movement than even a lot of more premium displays. The built-in speakers are also surprisingly adept and should be perfectly sufficient for most games.

Although the 60Hz refresh rate is lower than the maximum 120Hz refresh rate supported by the Xbox Series X, motion is still perfectly smooth and we think that it’s a worthwhile sacrifice given the low price and how well this display performs in other areas - namely, its impressive vivid colors. Unfortunately, the 4ms response time leaves a lot more to be desired, causing slight stuttering in intense AAA games which is worth bearing in mind if you could potentially afford other options. This is also one of the only monitors on this list which does not feature full VESA-certified HDR, instead opting for the inferior HDR10.

• Read more: Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q review

The best premium monitor for Xbox Series X

The Alienware AW3225QF is probably the best high-spec monitor for any kind of gaming that money can buy right now, and that's why it's our pick for the best premium monitor for the Xbox Series X.

The monitor channels and features all the latest and greatest in monitor tech to offer an uncompromising, visually spectacular screen that will make your Xbox games truly shine. This is due in no small part to some seriously staggering headline specs: a 32-inch curved4K QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display, blistering fast refresh and response times, all the ports you could need, a range of HDR settings, and a premium Alienware design to boot.

The Alienware AW3225QF excelled in our testing: colors, contrasts, and highlights are wonderfully vibrant, in-game action is buttery smooth, and the image quality is astounding, while the HDR options on offer are super too, offering plenty of flexibility to get the right settings for your games and preferences.

It's even more perfect for those with a PC in the same setup, as that will unlock a host of other features beyond the Xbox Series X such as G-Sync and FreeSync capability, and the screen's 240Hz refresh rate, but even when not on PC, all of the above combines superbly and goes a long way to justify the monitor's high price of admission.

• Read more: Alienware AW3225QF review

Best big screen monitor for Xbox Series X

If you're after an Xbox Series X monitor that truly rivals the size of TV, the Acer Predator CG7 is the best solution for those who can afford it. This is a gigantic 43-inch display which, while cheaper than a similar spec TV, certainly doesn't come cheap. Expect to spend around $1,199.99 / £1,166.80 (roughly AU$1,800) for this model.

In our testing, we found very little to fault with the Acer Predator CG7 from a performance standpoint. Every single game we threw at it, from the frantic firefights of Halo Infinite to the driving action of Forza Horizon 5, looked incredibly sharp and crisp. We also particularly appreciate the abundance of ports here, as the monitor boasts two HDMI 2.1 ports and four USB-3.2 ports.

What's more, the Acer Predator CG7 can mounted on a wall in addition to its included stand meaning that it could be the perfect addition to a living room setup.

• Read more: Acer Predator CG7 review

Best HDR monitor for Xbox Series X

If you're after the very best colors for your Xbox Series X games, then the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U should be on your radar. While some monitors and gaming TVs use an inferior, simulated form of HDR, you're getting the real deal here with full HDR10 support. This means colors in your games will look brighter and more life-like.

Priced at $1,100 / £1,000 / AU$1,699 the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U has a truly premium price tag. It is, however, frequently subject to steep sales so consider keeping an eye out for a bargain. In our testing, we found that the Quantum Dot technology, the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time made for an experience that few other panels can match.

Another major highlight of the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U are the excellent speakers that adorn each side. This stereo setup can truly rival some of the best TVs, saving you money that would otherwise need to be invested in a soundbar or separate speakers. If you're in the market for a big and beautiful display and can afford to shop at the high end of the price scale, you can't go wrong here.

• Read more: Gigabyte Aorus FV43U review

The best 1440p monitor for Xbox Series X

If you're looking for a 1440p Xbox monitor then the Inzone M10S could be it. In fact, if you're looking fo an Xbox monitor that's great for esports or online play, or looking for one that offers OLED excellence, then this could also be the monitor youy've been looking for.

While Sony's Inzone range has always been PlayStation-adjacent, there's no doubting the brand's screen and display prowess and that, manifested in their gaming monitors, makes the M10S a superb 1440p monitor for Xbox Series X.

If you want a screen that can offer reliably excellent and enjyoable performance for both comptitive online play, and solo single-player gaming then the M10S has all the features to do just that: it's blazin-fast refresh rate and reponse times can cater to the former, and the brilliant OLED panel with brilliant HDR will present the latter fabulously too.

In our testing, we found the monitor excelled as both a great console monitor and PC gaming monitor, but also one for work too, and while it is a premium monitor (list prices are $1,099.99 / £1,199) and some competitors might offer similarly-specced screens for abit less, the M10S absolutely justifies its price tag and is a great choice for Xbox gamers looking for a 1440p panel.

• Read more: Sony Inzone M10S review

Also tested...

We've tested a whole host of gaming monitors that would be great options for Xbox - there are just too many to cram into one distilled list. As a result, here are as look at some of the others we've tested to give you some more options if you're looking for something else.

How to choose the best monitor for Xbox Series X

As part of the wider gaming monitor market, looking for the best monitor for Xbox Series X monitor can be a little overwhelming when you start from scratch. However, focusing on a few key elements and decisions in the buying process will help you out enormously. The below isn't an exhaustive list, but these few key factors will help you narrow your search down nicely.

Specs
The most important element of a monitor in terms of what it can offer you is its specs. The top two specs to consider will be resolution and refresh rate - and then tally these against what is most important to you in gaming. Is it visual fidelity? Then lean toward 4K monitors with lower refresh rates. Is it getting the smoothest 120Hz pictures possible from your Xbox Series X? Then prioritize refresh rate. Is it both? Lucky you, you have quite a healthy budget (which is good!). For example, I value 4K resolutions more as I prefer soaking up every single detail - and I also play more third-person story and adventure games rather than fast-paced shooters. Think about those key specs and the games you play and you'll quickly narrow your search down.

Budget
Perhaps the most important one of all. Unless you have a truly outrageous budget (and if you do, kudos to you), it's probably unrealistic to enter the Xbox monitor market thinking you'll be able to get the biggest, baddest one going. As a result, just think ruthlessly about your budget - maybe allowing for a bit of stretch. Then tie budget into other factors: can you trade off specs against one another to lower the cost of the monitor for you? Could you go smaller to bring the price down? And remember, you could always look to sales events, such as Prime Day or Black Friday, to help save you cash too.

Size
There's only so much we can take in with our eyes, so think carefully about monitor size and placement to aid your search. If you're going to be putting this very close to you on a desk setup - perhaps using it for work too - then a massive screen might not be the best bet. If you have some more room to go for then a 32-inch beauty might just be the ticket.

Compatibility and flexibility
Are you going to be using multiple devices with this monitor? More pointedly are you going to be teaming it with a PC or other gaming platform? If so, you've at least got to make sure you have all the right amount of connections. But you'll also need to make sure that the monitor has specs that match the needs of the other devices. For example, if you have a great graphics card for PC gaming, you may want a monitor that goes higher in refresh rate or larger in resolution for that realm of gaming.

How we test the best monitors for Xbox Series X in 2026

We ground all of our choices for the best monitors for Xbox Series X on a variety of factors. Most importantly, we make sure to rigorously test each product hands-on, so that you can always be sure that our recommendations are accurate and trustworthy.

We look at aspects like image quality, refresh rate, size, price and extra features like HDR and VRR to establish a monitor's overall performance. We are also careful to always recommend a range of products, from budget powerhouses to top-shelf premium options.

Rest assured that no matter which of the options above you choose to buy, you'll be getting a quality product that fits your preferences and budget. If we feel the product doesn't meet our standards after lengthy testing, it won't appear on our ever-evolving list.

For more information on how we test products here at TechRadr, check out our full How We Test page with all the details.

FAQs

Is it better to use a monitor or TV for Xbox Series X?

Both 4K TVs and gaming monitors make for fine gaming companions for your Xbox Series X. Choosing between them will largely decide on some technical preferences and setup conditions and preferences too.

Gaming monitors can be excellent gaming-focused visual treats that can get the most out of your games and Xbox with a host of specs and capabilities - monitors will also offer the flexibility for work and productivity alongside gaming too, though will often offer a smaller screen and experience.

A 4K TV, particularly those of 40-something inches and above, will offer immersive and bombastic visual experiences, often offer great value for money, and are increasingly gaming-focused spec-wise. However, they will take up much more room in a setup, and can't often be used as a work screen too.

You'll get a super experience out of either a monitor or TV with Xbox Series X, it'll just depend on exactly what you need from the screen.

How much should I spend on my monitor for Xbox Series X?

This is a super question, as budget is at the forefront of any major gaming hardware or tech purchase. The simple answer is: as much as you feel comfortable spending to get what you need.

Think about which features are must-haves, and which might be just nice-to-haves and you'll soon start whittling down your options to meet your needs and budget. If you have some flexibility in your budget to cater for random price cuts and discounts too then you'll be in an even better position.

Speaking more broadly, we are now starting to see good 4K monitors dip below the $200 / £200 mark which feels like a landmark moment. Some decent 1080p monitors can even be had for less than $100 / £100. However, there is still a positive correlation between the more you're able to spend and the quality of the monitor you get.

Can I use a monitor for Xbox Series S?

Yes, you absolutely can! Every one of our monitors on this guide can be used with both Series X and Series S consoles. However, it's definitely worth remembering that the Series S is a less powerful machine and is happiest outputting at and aiming for 1080p resolutions so if you're buying exclusively for that machine a 1080p screen might be a better fit.

What are the best small TVs to use as gaming monitors?

In recent years, the use of small gaming TVs as desktop gaming monitors has become more and more feasible as well as affordable. Even modern gaming TVs offer things like G-Sync, which can be of great attraction to PC players.

And with some of the major players in the TV space going hard on gaming features as well as making smaller televisions, the choice has never been greater. Cutting to it, we think the best small TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming would be models like the 42- or 48-inch LG C-series TVs, or Samsung's S-series TVs that come in those smaller sizes.

Can I use a 240Hz or 165Hz monitor for Xbox Series X?

You can absolutely use a monitor with a high refresh rate like 165Hz or 240Hz with an Xbox Series X (or Series S, for that matter). However, you will not get the most out of said monitor. As the Series X tops out at 120Hz maximum for refresh rate or frame rate, the extra Hz in such a monitor will be left untouched.

One of the best ways to elevate or enhance your gaming experience on Microsoft's latest home consoles is to add one of the best Xbox Series X headsets to your setup.

Given the incredibly important and integral role that audio plays in modern gaming, no matter what you play, it's always going to pay to get the best headset possible to make the most of your games. Be that hearing every footstep and incoming shot in online multiplayer games like Call of Duty, or maximally immersing yourself in single player games like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 with its binaural audio design.

We have extensively tested all of the models featured here, living with them for weeks to recreate what you will experience from them, ensuring we have the best kind of informed advice to give to help your purchasing decision. With that, know that you can trust our expertise and recommendations, so let's get into our list of the best Xbox Series X headsets.

Best Xbox Series X headsets in 2026

The best overall Xbox Series X headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is our number-one pick for the best Xbox Series X headset on the market right now. It's a fantastic all-round performer, offering clear audio that's perfect for the majority of games and even holds its own when it comes multimedia consumption. The design of the headset is pleasingly robust, featuring a headband constructed with a durable combination of plastic, metal, and soft rubberized material. Add on the fact that the memory foam ear cups are comfortable to wear and it's a package that's very hard to beat.

This headset uses a flexible and retractable microphone, which features a prominent LED mute indicator that lets you easily see when the sound is off. It also features no shortage of on-board controls, with a volume dial, a ChatMix Dial, a mic mute button, a Bluetooth connection button, and, of course, the power button. It connects to your Xbox through a USB-C dongle (a USB-A to USB-C converter is included in the box) but it also supports a wide range of other systems including PlayStation and PC.

Switching between them is as easy as removing the dongle and slotting it into your machine, making this headset one of the most versatile choices on this list.

• Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X review

The best budget Xbox Series X headset

The cheapest of the RIG series, Nacon's RIG 300 Pro HX packs plenty of bang for your buck. You're getting a surprisingly comfortable and solid build. The chunky, early 2000s aesthetic won't be for everyone, but does admittedly help it stand out from the pack.

The ultra-low price point of $29.90 / £29.99 (around AU$44.89) is incredibly appealing and the headset manages to offer plenty at such a low price. Expect solid, but occasionally muddy audio, and a solid, but not exceptional, microphone. This is perfect as a backup headset for use by friends or as a primary one if you're working with a very strict budget.

The only thing that we would consider actively poor is the short length of its cable which, as a wired only headset, is a little disappointing.

• Read more: Nacon RIG 300 Pro HX review

The best premium Xbox Series X headset

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is the definitive choice for Xbox gamers who want top-tier audio, advanced active noise cancellation, and an exceptional finish quality that we've come to expect from Razer.

Its precise, flat sound signature with deep, authoritative bass and trio of customizable ANC modes deliver immersive experiences while looking and feeling every bit as premium as its price tag suggests. The immaculate stitching on the upper leather headband underscores its high-end craftsmanship, a detail rarely seen even among rival flagships.

The overall comfort level is simply lovely, with the headset sporting breathable cloth fabric earcups and memory foam cushioning designed for extended sessions. In our testing, the BlackShark V3 Pro stayed comfortable through marathon play thanks to these plush materials and a flexible, well-designed hinge.

Battery life is stellar: we consistently hit 70 hours of use over 2.4GHz wireless, so mid-match power drops are not a concern - even if you're the type to wait until the very last minute to start charging your gear again. Comms are handled by a detachable microphone with a large foam pop shield, which offers solid noise suppression and a natural, well-rounded sound, making it a reliable pick for in-game chat or streaming.

Compared to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, the BlackShark V3 Pro stands out for its superior audio fidelity and ANC, though it trades some versatility for these flagship features.

Now, the main drawback is the wireless dongle here, which bizarrely requires a USB cable connection to your console or PC. This makes setup a bit less seamless than some competitors, and could admittedly be irksome to those who were looking for a truly wireless setup.

On a better note, active noise cancellation transforms the V3 Pro into a versatile headset for phone calls, study sessions, or simply when burning the midnight oil with friends online. This is the go-to luxury pick for Xbox gamers who want the best audio and design, and aren't overly fussed about the small trade-off in connection convenience.

• Read more: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review

The best multiplatform Xbox Series X headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 has become my go-to Xbox Series X headset - the 5X model is the Xbox-focused variant of the line - but, in truth, it's just become one of my go-to headsets for anything. That's because it offers true multiplatform wireless connectivity - but it offers far more than just that and is basically as close to the full package as you can get for a quality wireless Xbox Series X headset.

Sporting all the hallmarks and design flourishes from SteelSeries' new Arctis Nova range, it's robust, well-built, and comfortable as heck. It also features those excellent SteelSeries 40mm Neodymium drivers that give you superb gaming audio straight out of the box. Controls are intuitive and easy to interact with, while you're also getting dual connectivity so you can connect to a phone simultaneously, as well as a 60-hour battery life.

The game audio is belting by default - no surprises there - but where the Nova 5 starts to stand out further from the crowd is with its Companion App. Available for iOS and Android this App offers over 100 audio and game presets designed by esports pros, game devs, and audio experts. Combine this with its overall excellence, and its wireless multi-platform compatibility and you've got one of the best feature sets in a gaming headset.

In the price category it's targeting, it offers exceptionally good value for money too: for a little over the three-figure mark, you get so much headset greatness and it's further accentuated by that companion app. Truly excellent.

• Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review

The best wired Xbox Series X headset

The Asus ROG Kithara is our pick if you're after the absolute best in wired sound quality for gaming on Xbox, delivering outstanding audio clarity and detail that’s simply on another level compared to most wireless headsets. The Kithara’s wired-only design is engineered for those who want a rock-solid, zero-latency connection and no risk of wireless dropouts during competitive play.

You get two separate cables in the box—a gaming cable with a high-quality mic, and a hi-fi listening cable with adaptors for 3.5mm, balanced 4.4mm, and 6.3mm sources. The connection system is a little more complex than plug-and-play models, but it gives you proper separation between gaming comms and pure audio. Despite its sheer size, comfort is actually better than you’d expect for such a large and heavy headset, making it viable for long sessions. Smaller heads might want to look elsewhere, though!

What puts the Kithara ahead of most wired rivals is its planar-magnetic driver tech. In direct A/B testing, it edges out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X (the wireless all-rounder) with richer, tighter detail and more immersive sound, especially for high-res music and pinpoint in-game audio. It’s also a step up from budget options like the Nacon RIG 300 Pro HX, which is lighter and simpler (not to mention several orders of magnitudes cheaper) but obviously can’t match the Kithara’s audio precision or feature flexibility.

The main trade-off here is compatibility: while the Kithara shines for sound, its cable and adaptor system is less versatile than wireless solutions, and microphone support for consoles is limited (especially on Xbox). If you care most about wired performance and unbeatable audio detail, this is the one to beat.

• Read more: Asus ROG Kithara review

The best earbuds for Xbox Series X

If you're on the hunt for the best earbuds for Xbox as opposed to a traditional headset, then let me heartily recommend the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. These are our favorite gaming earbuds right now and hit the sweet spot for a number of reasons.

First and most importantly, the audio is sublime. In our testing, no matter the game (or wider media, to be honest) the GameBuds provided a wonderful soundstage with beautifully detailed and enjoyable audio. They even have great bass for their tiny 6mm drivers. The pedigree of SteelSeries shines through in these buds and the audio is first-class.

Elsewhere, however, the proposition gets even better. The design is slick, there are superb battery life and charging features - including a case that can be charged wirelessly, excellent flexibility via the Arctis Companion App, and the Xbox variants are compatible across all major gaming platforms and mobile which is a wonderful characteristic.

Coming at $159.99 / £159.99, the GameBuds are premium buds, but they still undercut a bunch of the top-end competition and still offer a more complete package. All in all, these Xbox earbuds will give almost any of the headsets in our list a run for their money given the nearly complete package that they offer. A class act and the best pick for anyone looking for gaming earbuds for their Xbox Series X.

• Read more: SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review

Also tested...

How to choose the best Xbox Series X headset

The gaming headset market is one of the most filled-to-the-brim of all the peripherals markets so navigating it and finding the best Xbox Series X headset for you may be tricky when there are just so many to consider. However, concentrating on a few key characteristics or features could help you whittle down your options in a flash.

Wired VS Wireless?
I can't imagine using a wired headset anymore, personally. However, some folks will always prefer the flexibility that a wired USB or aux cable offers. Thus, it's a good place to start when trying to whittle down your options. Thinking about compatibility will help - do you want to definitely use the headset on other platforms? Then wired headsets could be the group to explore. Have you got a healthy budget? Then you might be able to consider more wireless sets as those are traditionally more expensive.

Budget
We like to recommend folks always have an ideal budget in mind when approaching new gear - but then have a little bit of stretch room should you find something just over that 'ideal' amount. Remember, there's always a sales event not too far around the corner either, with the likes of Prime Day, Black Friday, and Memorial Day all offering sales where you can save money and stretch that budget.

Battery life and solutions
If you choose a wireless headset, then you'll be met with a range of battery solutions and lifetimes. Thinking about how much you really need could save you some cash with those with extensive lives often costing more.

Features
Beyond those three, you might find looking more at headsets on a more granular level as to what they offer might be the best kind of tool to narrow your search down. Here, you can think about, and perhaps prioritize, the quality of the microphone, the accompanying software, design factors, EQ settings (either onboard or via software), connection type, and more. Really think about the specific features you need.

Our gaming headset vs gaming earbuds page and wired vs wireless gaming headset article might also be of some assistance here.

How we test Xbox Series X headsets

We test Xbox headsets in a variety of ways. Audio quality is typically the first port of call and we put each headset through its paces testing them with a variety of games and media to ensure we get an idea as to their strengths and weaknesses. We also consider battery life by testing wireless headsets out for many hours to drain their life, then also see how fast they charge up. We interrogate their connectivity to know which other platforms the headset can be used on, and we simultaneously test their ease of use - are the buttons where you'd expect and easy to interact with? Is it easy to adjust on the fly? We also live with them for a while using them every day to mimic how you would live with them - this gives us an overall picture as well as any insight into build quality and durability and whether the design is robust or not. The best Xbox headsets will strike a strong balance in all areas, or provide a seriously high-quality experience in one or two areas.

We make sure to test the best Xbox Series X headsets thoroughly before considering whether or not to place them on this list. There are plenty of headset brands available on the console, including Turtle Beach, Fnatic, SteelSeries, and Xbox's own-brand headsets. With so many options, it's important to highlight the ones that are really worth your time and money.

Our best headsets guide is updated regularly. As new products are released all the time, we endeavor to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to recommending the best headsets.

Best Xbox Series X headsets - FAQs

Will headsets work with both Series X and Series S?

The beauty of modern Xbox headsets is that they absolutely will work on both the Series X and Series S consoles. The process for pairing and using them will be exactly the same, and both machines have exactly the same required ports and buttons too, so regardless of which one you have, one of the best Xbox Series X headsets will serve you perfectly.

Are gaming earbuds good for Xbox Series X?

Gaming earbuds for Xbox Series X have become much more of a realistic concept in the past few years, especially with the likes of Razer releasing an Xbox-friendly Hammerhead Hyperspeed buds and SteelSeries releasing their brilliant Arctis GameBuds. Both perform brilliantly on the platform and offer a viable, tiny alternative for those folks looking to keep their audio givers small.

They often boast some truly brilliant sound quality too; quality that could rival those in the best over-ear headsets, pound for pound. But beyond that, they can also offer great features such as working with companion apps to offer more EQ presets, or offering great mobile performance for pairing with your phone when on the commute too.

Can I use Bluetooth headphones or headsets on the Xbox Series X or S?

The answer to Bluetooth on modern consoles is both yes and no for headsets. Basically, there's no default way to pair any old pair of Bluetooth headphones to Microsoft's current-gen consoles - but you can use a Bluetooth adapter plugged into one of the USB ports if you really have some favorite cups you want to use. Otherwise, you're best off using the best Xbox Series X headsets' 2.4GHz connections.

Phil Spencer has commented on the status of an Xbox Series X successor in a recent high-profile media interview. 

The current CEO of Xbox Game Studios, who oversees the development of new titles for the Xbox Series X among other duties, explained that he doesn't "feel an imperative" for the company to release an Xbox successor when speaking to Bloomberg. He went on to explain: "That's not the feedback we're getting right now. Right now, we're pretty set on the hardware we have". 

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are now nearing three years of market availability as both systems originally launched in late 2020. The prior console generation saw a system revision in the form of the Xbox One X (in 2017) which debuted three and a half years after the Xbox One did. The decision behind the upgrade was to deliver 4K resolution to consumers, a feat that the current flagship Xbox console can do straight out of the box. 

Microsoft went on to reveal new hardware during its Xbox Games Showcase, but not in the way that was typically expected. The all-digital Xbox Series S, which is currently only available in 512GB, is now getting a Carbon Black 1TB version effectively doubling the total available storage. Spencer seems content with the current Xbox ecosystem which stretches across not only the two current-generation Xbox consoles but also the previous-generation versions and PC with the continued success of Xbox Game Pass. 

The Xbox Series X is one of the best gaming consoles available, being the most powerful from a purely technical point of view. The system boasts the same 8-core AMD CPU as the PS5, however, it is clocked slightly higher at 3.8 GHz compared to the latter's 3.5 GHz among other differences. Namely, the fact that the AMD RDNA 2 GPU inside the Series X, Scarlett (10GB VRAM), is capable of delivering 24.29 TFLOPs in contrast to the rival system's Oberon (16GB VRAM) which outputs 20.58 TFLOPs. 

A mid-generational leap in hardware does make sense from a consumer's point of view. That's because some of the best Xbox Series X games are currently locked at 30fps, which extends to the brand's premiere first-party titles. You only have to look as far as Redfall and Starfield, the latter of which being one of the most anticipated upcoming games of the year which are stuck at this framerate. 

An Xbox Series X successor would mean that games on the platform could be able to run at the coveted 4K60 as promised by the hardware manufacturer, but it's a feat that fewer games are reaching as the chipset and GPU inside ages. Based on Spencer's comments, it's unlikely that we'll see a hardware revision any time soon, as performance and fidelity modes have become common practice for console games with little incentive to push the boat forward at this time. 

If you're interested in getting the full experience from Microsoft's latest consoles then we're rounding up all the best Xbox Series X accessories, as well as the best monitors for Xbox Series X, and the best Xbox controllers, too. 

It's bad news for Starfield fans who'll be playing the game on console, as game director Todd Howard confirms during not-E3 2023 that there'll be no performance mode.

That means that Starfield will be locked to 30fps on Xbox Series X|S. This is to ensure "consistency" of performance, Howard said in an interview with IGN, where he also confirmed that the game will run at 4K resolution on Xbox Series X, and 1440p on Xbox Series S.

"We do lock it at 30, because we want that fidelity, we want all that stuff," says Howard. "We don't want to sacrifice any of it. Fortunately in this one, we've got it running great. It's often running way above that. Sometimes it's 60. But on the consoles, we do lock it because we prefer the consistency, where you're not even thinking about it."

A 30fps lock on console will be a perfectly fine trade-off for many who want to soak in Starfield's gorgeous visuals. But as was the case with Redfall's lack of a performance mode, it's bound to leave no shortage of console players disappointed that there isn't a smoother option available at the cost of some visual fidelity.

What's perhaps equally troubling is Howard's phrasing of Starfield only running at 60fps "sometimes." Given it's a 30fps lock on console, this seems to suggest that performance could be all over the place on PC, too, at least at launch. That shouldn't surprise longtime Bethesda Game Studios fans, who've dealt with teething issues with prior games like Skyrim and Fallout 4.

While it's been confirmed that Redfall will receive a performance mode update sometime in the future, it doesn't sound like Starfield will have that same luxury. Hopefully that isn't the case, and Bethesda can figure out how to best optimize its massive spacefaring title.

We'll be keeping a close eye on Starfield's in-game performance at launch, then, just as we'll be keeping track of our fitness with the official Starfield smartwatch that's bundled with the Constellation Edition of the game.

Yes, that Starfield Xbox controller is real, and has been showcased at Xbox Games Showcase's Starfield Direct during not-E3 2023.

The Starfield Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller wasn't quite the surprise it could've been, as images of the controller appeared on Reddit just a few days ago, ahead of the Xbox Games Showcase presentation. Now, though, we have confirmation that the controller, and a companion Xbox Wireless Headset and a smartwatch are indeed real.

The Starfield limited edition controller and headset are both sold separately, and not bundled with any special editions of the game. However, the Chronomark Watch is bundled with the Starfield Constellation Edition.

No price point has been announced for either the controller or the headset as of yet. But going off prior limited edition Xbox wireless controllers, like the one for Forza Horizon 5, it's easy to see the gamepad pricing at around $89.99 / £79.99.

The Starfield limited edition Xbox Wireless Controller certainly looks the part. I'm a big fan of the red-on-white aesthetic for the gamepad's shell. The stylized colors wrapping around the home button are a lovely touch. That golden D-pad is a real eye-catcher, too.

Initially, looking at those original Reddit screenshots, I wasn't a huge fan of the flowchart-like text scrawled across the gamepad. Now, though, seeing the controller in a higher quality trailer, I'm starting to be won over by the overall design. The buttons, sticks and triggers are all labeled like they were modules on a spaceship, and that's kind of neat.

Lastly, there's no release window attached to any of the Starfield hardware at present. Though, they'll most likely launch either the same day as the game (September 6), or in the immediate weeks prior. It might not land on our best Xbox controllers list, purely because the Xbox Wireless Controller is already there, but it's definitely one to keep an eye on if you're a fan of extra snazzy hardware.

Microsoft has revealed a new 1TB of the Xbox Series S at the Xbox Games Showcase which is scheduled for launch on September 1. The console will cost $349 (or the regional equivalent). 

The console also inverts the standard Xbox Series S' color scheme alongside doubling the internal storage which means you'll have much more space for some of the best Xbox Series X games available on Xbox Game Pass. It will cost you $50 more than the standard model, so if you find yourself rapidly running out of room for more software then this upgrade could be worthwhile to you. 

Ditching the all-white aesthetic of the original Xbox Series S system makes sense as it matches that of the Xbox Series X. It's appreciated for those wanting to keep their gaming setups consistent, and means the smaller form factor machine can be even more capable in 2023. The full trailer down below highlights the hardware in all its glory. 

What has made the Xbox Series S a hit over its larger sibling is the cheaper price and smaller form factor. It's worth noting that the sleeker system only runs in 1440p and not 4K (2160p), so you're getting around half the total resolution on screen. With that said, it will still pair nicely with one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X, especially if you're opting for a high refresh rate 1440p (QHD) panel to really see what the console's capable of. There is also the consideration that many Xbox Series X games do run natively in 1440p before being upscaled, so you aren't always losing too much visual fidelity. 

There are a lot of new and exciting upcoming games being revealed at this year's E3 2023 summer games period. Stay tuned to TRG so that you don't miss a thing. 

A new Porsche edition of the Xbox Series X has been unveiled at Summer Games Fest, however, much like with other special edition variants, it's not for sale. 

The new Xbox Series X console is adorned with a spectrum of rainbow racing stripes as well as a huge "75" badge on both the system and the Xbox Wireless Controller to commemorate the anniversary of the luxury car manufacturer. It's a truly exceptional color scheme and adds some much-needed brightness and energy to the otherwise standard matte black sides of the machine. 

As was the case with the Mandalorian-themed Xbox Series X console, you won't be able to get your hands on this through conventional means. The new Porsche-branded model isn't available online or in-store but is entirely reserved for a sweepstakes giveaway in the US, the UK, and Germany. You can enter for a chance to win. According to the listing, there are only "six limited edition prize packs" available so this is about as limited edition as it comes. 

For the past three years, the Xbox Series X has been a blank canvas just begging for the opportunity to paint those four walls with something new. Microsoft has capitalized only once officially to the consumer, with the gorgeous Halo Infinite edition system back in 2021 which saw the Spartan armor and stars take center stage. Since then, though, alternative color choices have been few and far between, making this Summer Games Fest announcement less exciting than it could have been. 

Hopefully, now that we're around halfway through the current console generation, we'll see more exciting versions of the Xbox Series X going forward. It's something that Sony is also guilty of with the PS5. However, that console at least has custom console covers, in many different colors, to spruce up the look. 

We're bringing you everything you need to know about this year's not E3 2023 coverage as the Summer Games Fest has just concluded. There's still so much more to come over the next week.