Updated 26 Oct 2026
Is the Microsoft Xbox Series S 512GB worth it?
Only if you'll play mostly through Game Pass.
It's tiny and quiet, loads games fast and plays the same new games as the Series X, mostly at 1080p and up to 1440p, which suits a smaller TV. There's no disc drive, so every game is a download, and the 512GB SSD fills after a handful of big games; the official expansion cards are expensive. Since Microsoft's August 2026 price rise it costs about as much as a Switch 2.
95%of 1,981 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Small and quiet
- Fast loading
- Plays every new Xbox game with Game Pass
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What owners say
Owners love how fast, small and quiet it is, and it's a popular present. The main complaints are the small storage and units that crashed or stopped working.
Good to know
- No disc drive: every game is a download.
- 512GB fills after a handful of big games, and the official expansion cards are expensive.
- Most games run at 1080p, so they look softer on a big 4K TV.
- Some owners had consoles that crashed or stopped working.
From 1,981 buyer ratings at Currys and Target (US), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- A hit as a presentMentioned a lot
- Fast loadingMentioned a lot
- Easy to set up and useMentioned a lot
- Small and quietMentioned a lot
- A real step up from the Xbox OneMentioned often
- Good valueMentioned often
What they complain about
- Crashed, overheated or stopped workingVery rare
- Storage fills up after a few gamesVery rare
- Controller faulty, disconnecting or eats batteriesVery rare
Get it if…
- You'll play mostly through Game Pass.
- It goes on a smaller TV or in a bedroom.
- Your friends play on Xbox.
Skip it if…
- You want the sharpest games on a big 4K TV.
- You buy games on disc or second-hand.
- You want the most for your money: a PS5 costs more but does much more.
More on the Xbox Series S
How we reached this verdict
Windows Central praises its compact design, fast loading and Game Pass, and notes that most games run at 1080p, up to 1440p, and that 512GB fills quickly. Pure Xbox's price table shows Microsoft raised it to £429.99 and $499.99 in August 2026, up from £299.99 and $399.99. Currys and Target owners love how fast, small and quiet it is; their complaints are the storage and units that crashed or failed.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Windows Central, Pure Xbox (prices), Xbox (specs), TechRadar, Push Square (PS5 Pro reviews), manufacturer specifications.
Updated 26 Oct 2026How we decide