Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Which Xbox should you buy?

It's been more than two years since the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S came out. Generally speaking, they're exactly what Microsoft promised they would be. The Series X is a pricey powerhouse, delivering top-of-the-line performance in a black, boxy chassis. The Series S, on the other hand, is more limited in scope — although its compact size and cheaper price are definite points in its favor.

In any case, if you're in the market for a new Xbox console, you have two choices. To spare you the suspense, the Xbox Series X is the better console of the two, with better specs, better performance and better prospects for the future. The question, however, isn't "which console is better?"; it's "which console is better for you?"

While the Xbox Series X is the way to go if you've got money to spend and a 4K HDR TV to show off, the Series S is not without its charms. Read on to find out how the two systems stack up, and how you could find a spot for one — or both — in your home.

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Price 

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Xbox Series S' price is one of only a few categories in which it definitely beats the Xbox Series X. Simply put: the Xbox Series S costs $300, whereas the Series X costs $500. (Prices vary from country to country, but the differential is similar.)

You can make plenty of arguments about how the Xbox Series X does more to earn its price, or how "price" and "value" aren't the same thing, or how the Xbox Series S might not be as useful in the long-term. But for right now, the Series S is $200 cheaper than the flagship Xbox, and that might make a big difference, depending on your budget and your current entertainment setup.

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Performance 

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Whereas the Xbox Series S has a clear price advantage, the Xbox Series X has a clear hardware advantage. While the two systems have the same CPU, they have different storage and RAM capacities. There's also a significant difference in the two consoles' GPUs. Consult the chart below for a full breakdown of Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S specs:

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0 Xbox Series XXbox Series S
Price$500$300
ProcessorCustom Zen 2, 8-core, 3.8 GHzCustom Zen 2, 8-core, 3.8 GHz
GPUAMD RDNA 2, 12 teraflops, 1.8 GHzAMD RDNA 2, 4 teraflops, 1.6 GHz
RAM16 GB10 GB
Storage1 TB512 GB
Display (Targeted)4K, 60 fps1440p, 60 fps
Display (Max)8K, 120 fps1440p, 120 fps

In our tests, the Xbox Series X performed better than the Xbox Series S across the board — not surprising, considering the Series X's hardware. While the Xbox Series S has 4K upscaling and HDR features, it's not quite the same thing as having a native 4K display. The Xbox Series X supports ray-tracing on a huge variety of games, while the Series S has much more limited ray-tracing support. The Series X also has much better draw distance in optimized games. 

Qualitatively speaking, the Xbox Series S looks good and plays well, even on 4K displays. If you have a 1080p TV or 1440p monitor — and plan to keep using it for a few more years — the Series S is an easy sell. But if you have a high-end TV, save your pennies for the Series X. It's worth the upgrade price.

The Xbox Series X also has a 4K Blu-ray player built in; the Xbox Series S is a purely digital console. This means that if you have a lot of physical media — be they movies, TV shows, or backwards-compatible games — the Xbox Series X offers a huge advantage over the Series S. 

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Design 

xbox series x

(Image credit: Marshall Honorof/Future)

While the Xbox Series X is a pretty console, there's no denying that it's pretty big: 11.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches, and 9.8 pounds. It's not at all guaranteed to fit in your entertainment center, particularly if you want it in a horizontal configuration.

This is where the Xbox Series S positively shines. The little white console (with the tasteful black vents on top) is only 10.8 x 5.9 x 2.6 inches, and 4.3 pounds. It's one of the smallest, lightest consoles in years, and it fits perfectly in an entertainment center — or simply next to a TV on a dresser. The Xbox Series S is easy to fit into any setup, and easy to move around.

For this reason, the Xbox Series S makes a fantastic secondary console for a bedroom, child's room, guest room — you get the idea. This is particularly true since most Xbox Series X/S games are also available on PC, and your save data can carry over — especially true if you use Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($15 per month). On the other hand, we also realize it's a luxury to own a single console for the living room; an extra one might be pushing it.

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: What's the same? 

xbox series x

(Image credit: Marshall Honorof/Future)

In many ways the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are very similar. Sure their overall power and design is different, but both use the same controller, interface, and other features. 

Most pertinent, the game library is the same for both. Sure you'll get better graphics and faster frame rates in the latest games with the Series X, but the Series S isn't likely to let you down either. There are a lot of older Xbox games now optimized for both of the new consoles, and also run well on each. Both consoles can also use the Xbox's signature Quick Resume feature, which lets you suspend multiple games and pick up right where you left off in each one.

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Buy now or wait? 

Now that we're more than two years into the lifespan of the Xbox Series X and Series S, you may be asking if it's worth taking the plunge on either console. 

Well, we'd say yes. There are now some solid exclusive Xbox games that run well on both consoles. And we are now at a point where new games won't likely be cross-generation, so you'll need a current-gen Xbox to enjoy the games we expect to see across 2023, such as Starfield and Redfall

The Xbox Series X doesn't get discounted, so you'll definitely need to pay for the power. However, the Xbox Series S can occasionally be found with a $50/£50 discount, which almost makes it an impulse buy, relatively speaking.   

Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Verdict 

xbox series x, xbox series s

(Image credit: Future)

There's no denying that the Xbox Series X is the more powerful of the two systems, and the better investment, if you can afford it. However, there are a few circumstances under which an Xbox Series S might still be a smart buy. 

The "secondary console" case described above carries some weight. If you have a 1080p TV and no plans to upgrade anytime soon, the Series S is the way to go — and when you do get a 4K TV, it'll still be a good stopgap system thanks to upscaling.

Otherwise, get the Xbox Series X, even if you have to put off your purchase and save up for it. With more powerful hardware and better physical media features, it's more future-proof and versatile than the Series S. Yes, $200 can buy a lot of games, but you may only be delaying a more expensive purchase a few years down the road.

Marshall Honorof

Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom's Guide, overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing background, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and technology. After hours, you can find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi. 

  • gmk2311
    Being that I am totally enamored with the Xbox series S and its 1440 resolution, I just want to purchase the perfectly compatible TV that has 1440 native resolution. I don't want upscaling or downscaling.
    Also it seems that the series S units are readily available EVERYWHERE unlike the series X and PS5. I'm so lucky!!
    I want something relatively new, around 65" size.
    Can someone please direct me to a recent TV model that has 1440 native resolution please. (Also, built-in roku would be nice)
    Thanks a bunch!
    Reply
  • aaapone
    gmk2311 said:
    Being that I am totally enamored with the Xbox series S and its 1440 resolution, I just want to purchase the perfectly compatible TV that has 1440 native resolution. I don't want upscaling or downscaling.
    Also it seems that the series S units are readily available EVERYWHERE unlike the series X and PS5. I'm so lucky!!
    I want something relatively new, around 65" size.
    Can someone please direct me to a recent TV model that has 1440 native resolution please. (Also, built-in roku would be nice)
    Thanks a bunch!
    1920x1080 is "2k" for tv sets
    2560x1440 is QHD or Quad HD which is more common for pc monitors and not used in TVs
    3840x2160 is your consumer "4k" or UHD
    Reply
  • SamplingQueso
    gmk2311 said:
    Being that I am totally enamored with the Xbox series S and its 1440 resolution, I just want to purchase the perfectly compatible TV that has 1440 native resolution. I don't want upscaling or downscaling.
    Also it seems that the series S units are readily available EVERYWHERE unlike the series X and PS5. I'm so lucky!!
    I want something relatively new, around 65" size.
    Can someone please direct me to a recent TV model that has 1440 native resolution please. (Also, built-in roku would be nice)
    Thanks a bunch!
    Well the good news is the price of TVs has come down to a pretty reasonable level. When I first started working and was able to get my first HD tv (a want that came from a house that a few friends shared, that was a total bachelor pad, the roommates all had 55 or better plasma(ok laugh) TVs and seeing the 360 display on these gigantic TV's in rooms way to small was nothing shy of beautiful.) So black Friday is here I planned to get a 50 inch zenith plasma for 1,000 American dollars. Dude at circuit city(ok laugh again) was a butt puppet and it didn't happen. End up at Walmart getting a 32 inch 720 Sanyo and this was a deal and the TV was beautiful in comparison to my previous brick o junk. Years down the line I now have Xbox one and PS4 and I just got a place of my own with a crap ton of best buy gift cards from various wedding gifts. I get a 60 inch 3D LED Samsung 1080P(years ago I'm playing series x on it as we speak) when I got it people would come by and bitch that my tv display was to good. The screen space and speed improved my skill in call of duty. No regrets but that tv was a couple grand. Now head down to any electronic store USA and you can get a 4K tv that will dookies on my Samsung for a fraction of what I paid. Used to be once you went above 60 inch you were shellling out big money for the jump to 65, 70, 80(better sell a kidney) now not so much. So shop around, determine your want within a tv and you can get a dope the for a great price. I had planned to get a series s when they became readily available at best buy down the street. Rolled in ready to purchase and what do you know they had a fresh shipment of series x. If left with the choice between the 2 the X is a much better value(opinion yes) hard drive space alone, you want to save any new gen games and you are locked in to a choice of one hard drive and it is not cheap. You ever want to watch a Blu ray or play an older title you have on disc the series s won't do none of that old skill stuff. Plus the X is faster, better graphical capabilities, reduced loaf times. And it looks like a subwoofer for a desktop surround sound system from the early 00's so how can you lose. In any event happy x boning.
    Reply