Xbox Series S vs Series X — Which Should You Buy Used?

Microsoft launched two consoles side-by-side in November 2020: the Xbox Series X ($499) and the Xbox Series S ($299). Both play the same game library. Both support Game Pass. But they're very different machines under the hood — and on the used market in 2026, the price gap is significant. Here's how to decide.

The Xbox Series S is a small, all-digital console that targets 1440p gaming at up to 120fps. It has a custom SSD, a modern GPU, and can run every current Xbox game. No disc drive, smaller SSD (512GB vs 1TB), and lower GPU performance than the Series X. In 2026, used Series S consoles sell for $130–$180 on eBay — making it one of the cheapest entry points into current-gen gaming.

The Series X is Microsoft's flagship. It targets 4K gaming at up to 120fps, has a 4K Blu-ray disc drive, 1TB SSD, and significantly more GPU power than the Series S. It's a proper 4K gaming machine. Used Series X consoles sell for $260–$310 on eBay in 2026 — roughly double the Series S.

For most games, the Series S delivers a great experience — but it shows its limits in demanding open-world games. Some titles run at lower resolutions or reduced settings on Series S compared to Series X. The 512GB SSD also fills up faster than you'd like, and the 1TB expansion cards are expensive. If you have a 4K TV and care about the best visual experience, the Series X is noticeably better.

The Series S is the right buy if: you have a 1080p or 1440p TV and don't plan to upgrade; your budget is under $200; you subscribe to Game Pass and primarily play digitally; you want a compact second console for a bedroom or travel. At $130–$180 used it is genuinely excellent value for the gaming experience it delivers.

The Series X is the right buy if: you have a 4K TV and want to use it properly; you occasionally buy physical disc games; you want the best Xbox performance available; or you're keeping this console for 3–5 years and want headroom. The extra $80–$130 over the Series S gets you a meaningfully better machine that will age more gracefully.

If budget is the deciding factor, the Series S is a great console at a great price. If you have a 4K TV and want the full experience, spend the extra money on a Series X. Both are excellent — the gap is real but not enormous for most games. Either way, add Game Pass and you have one of the best value gaming setups available.