Our verdict
The Xbox Series S is the smaller, cheaper Xbox. Its 512GB SSD (solid-state drive) loads games faster than an older hard drive, and there is no disc drive, so every game is a download. It aims for 1440p, a sharper picture than Full HD that the console upscales to 4K on a 4K TV. On a TV with HDMI 2.1 it can run supported games at up to 120 frames a second, which makes fast games look smoother. TechRadar found it completely silent in use. The trade-offs are storage that fills up quickly and the running cost of games and subscriptions. On 1 August 2026 the UK price we recorded was £429 for the 512GB digital console.
Buy it if
- You want a current Xbox for the lowest upfront cost and are happy to buy games digitally
- You want a small, quiet console: TechRadar lists it at 6.5 x 15.1 x 27.5cm
- You have compared the cost of subscriptions and extra storage with a bigger Xbox
Skip it if
- You want native 4K graphics or a disc drive
- You plan to install many large games and do not want to buy an expansion card
- You want to buy, borrow or trade discs
How it would fit your home
A second console for a bedroom or small room
The compact, silent design fits on a shelf or under a small TV, and 1440p upscaled to 4K looks sharp on most screens you would put there.
Playing fast games on a 120Hz TV
If your TV supports 120Hz over HDMI 2.1, supported games can run at up to 120 frames a second. Check the game's own settings, as many do not offer it.
Keeping the total cost down
The console is the smaller part of the bill. Add up the games you want, any subscription and a storage card before deciding it is cheaper than a bigger Xbox.
The details, in plain English
Picture and smoothness
The Series S targets 1440p and upscales to 4K, so it looks sharp on a 4K TV but is not native 4K. On a display with HDMI 2.1 it can run games at up to 120 frames a second, which makes fast action look smoother and the controls feel more immediate. Ray tracing, a way of drawing more realistic light and reflections, is supported by its AMD RDNA 2 graphics, though not every game uses it. The results depend on each game, so check what your favourites offer before buying.
Storage and games
The 512GB SSD is fast, so games load quickly, but TechRadar says the storage fills up fast. Large modern games take up a lot of space, so you may be deleting and re-downloading games sooner than you expect. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card adds 500GB, 1TB or 2TB. There is no disc drive, so you buy digital copies only. That suits people who download everything, but rules out cheap second-hand discs.
Sound and streaming
The console supports Dolby Atmos, which adds height and movement to sound when you use compatible headphones or a soundbar. TechRadar also says it supports Dolby Vision, a richer HDR picture format, in streaming apps that offer it. Neither matters unless your TV and audio kit can use them. If you have an older TV, you will still get a good picture, but some of these extras will go unused.
What it really costs
The £429 price covers the console only. Games, an online subscription for multiplayer and extra storage are separate, and together can outweigh the price difference with a bigger Xbox. Our price and verdict apply only to the 512GB digital version. Confirm the exact configuration and final basket total before buying.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 512GB SSD: TechRadar noted faster load times, so you spend less time waiting to play
- Aims for 1440p with 4K upscaling: a sharp picture on a 4K TV
- Up to 120 frames a second in supported games on an HDMI 2.1 TV: smoother motion
- Completely silent in operation, according to TechRadar
- Dolby Atmos support: more spatial sound on compatible speakers or headphones
What to watch out for
- No disc drive: every game has to be downloaded, so you cannot buy or use discs
- Storage fills up fast (TechRadar's words); the Seagate Storage Expansion Card adds more, at extra cost
- Targets 1440p rather than native 4K
- Games, subscriptions and extra storage all add to the real cost of owning it
- Not every game reaches 120 frames a second or the highest picture detail
The Series S is the budget end of the current Xbox range. Set its lower price against what you give up: the disc drive, native 4K and storage headroom. If you play a lot of large games or want discs, a bigger console or an added storage card may be the better total value.
Make the Microsoft Xbox Series S 512GB easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: storage fills up fast (TechRadar's words); the Seagate Storage Expansion Card adds more, at extra cost
Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S, 1TB Not yet reviewed by us
Adds Xbox expansion-card storage for the named space limitation or expansion cost consideration. Check that the cost still makes this console the sensible purchase.
Check first: This is the Xbox expansion-card system, not a generic USB SSD.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Microsoft Xbox Series S 512GB (this one) | A low-cost way into current Xbox games if you are happy to buy digitally and add storage later, but not the one to pick if you want native 4K or discs. | £429.99RRP · 512GB digital console, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Microsoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition | The best console for anyone happy to pay for Game Pass and buy everything digitally, but it locks you out of discs for good | £619.99RRP · 1TB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB | Worth considering as a powerful, quiet console with a disc drive and a large SSD, if you accept that games, subscriptions and storage add to the cost. | £669.99RRP · 1TB disc console, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition | A good fit if you are happy to buy games digitally and have a compatible 4K TV; choose a disc model if you buy secondhand games. | £519.99RRP · 825GB digital console, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. Specifications and comments quoted here come from TechRadar's Xbox Series S review and Microsoft's Xbox site; we have not tested this console ourselves.