Want to make your Xbox Series X or Series S gaming experience better? It's time to pick up some accessories. A new headset, an extra controller, and more storage space for your favorite games can go a long way.

UPDATE: 12/20/2023

We've reviewed our recommendations and these are still the best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories you can buy.

What to Look For in an Xbox Accessory in 2023

Xbox accessories come in all shapes and sizes, but the best ones are always reliable, easy to use, and offer plenty of value for their price tag. Whether you're shopping for a new controller, an upgraded SSD, or a comfortable headset, there are a few things to keep in mind when hunting down Xbox accessories.

The most important factor to consider is compatibility. The Xbox ecosystem has hundreds of third-party products floating around, and you'll want to ensure your prospective gadget will play nicely with Xbox Series X or Series S consoles. If you're ever in doubt, try sticking to big-name brands such as Razer, Seagate, or PowerA. Microsoft itself makes tons of Xbox accessories---and they often offer the best combination of price and performance.

You'll also want to take a few moments to establish a budget. Controllers, SSDs, headsets, and charging docks cover a giant range of prices. Setting your budget before you begin shopping is a great way to ensure you don't overspend or get tempted to upgrade to a pricier model just because it looks good.

Depending on the type of accessory you're shopping for, there are many other factors to consider. If you're in the market for a controller, rumble support, battery life, controller layout, and support for a wired headset are all things to consider.

For headsets, you'll need to choose between wired or wireless, then determine what sound quality you require---not to mention how robust a microphone is included. As always, you'll get more features the more you spend, so consider this when setting your budget.

If you're not excited about sifting through the thousands of accessories on the market to find the ones that are a good fit for your game room, here's a look at the five best Xbox Series X accessories currently available.

How Did We Research
Models Evaluated	Hours Researched	Reviews Analyzed
40	8	18

How-To Geek's product recommendations come from the same team of experts that have helped people fix their gadgets over one billion times. We only recommend the best products based on our research and expertise. We never accept payment to endorse or review a product. Read More »

Best Xbox Controller: Microsoft Xbox Core Wireless Controller

Every Xbox Series X and Series S comes bundled with an Xbox Core Wireless Controller, but if you need a second gamepad for player two, your best bet is simply picking up another one. Few controllers match the combination pricing and performance offered by the Xbox Core Wireless, making it an easy recommendation for almost every type of gamer.

Microsoft has launched many gamepad designs over the years, so it shouldn't be hard to find one that catches your eye. Regardless of which color scheme you opt for, you'll be treated to an ergonomic shape that's great for long play sessions, a responsive D-Pad, textured grips, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The controller also supports PC and most mobile devices. It doesn't come with a rechargeable battery pack (you'll instead need AA batteries), and anyone using it for more than a few hours a day will probably want to pick up a new battery pack as soon as possible.

But aside from that complaint, the Xbox Wireless Controller offers an incredible gaming experience.

Best Premium Xbox Controller: Xbox Elite Controller Series 2

If you love everything about the Xbox Core Wireless Controller but need something more customizable, consider stepping up to the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2. It offers everything on its more affordable sibling but bundles in many swappable components, making it easy to build the gamepad of your dreams.

Your purchase gets you more than just the Xbox Series X controller, as you'll find a carrying case, six thumbsticks, four back paddles, two D-Pads, and a charging dock. Components such as the thumbsticks and back paddles can easily be swapped out, giving you unprecedented control of your gamepad's performance.

Better yet, the controller is designed to work with more than just Xbox, as it offers full support for mobile and PC gaming. So while the Elite Series 2 is pricey, it can serve as your gamepad for three devices.

The swappable components and compatibility with multiple platforms are great, but Xbox didn't forget the basics. That means you'll benefit from an ergonomic design and battery life that runs for 40 hours before needing a recharge. Toss in the ability to save three profiles directly on the gamepad, and it's easy to see why this pro-level controller is so popular.

Best Xbox Headset: Xbox Wireless Headset

Hundreds of gaming headsets are available today, but the Xbox Wireless Headset remains one of the best. Sporting a reasonable price tag and premium performance, it checks all the right boxes and should please all but the most discerning audiophiles.

Microsoft filled the Xbox Wireless Headset's spec sheet with some great features, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X support, resulting in an impressive sound that punches above its weight. It can't quite compete with headsets in higher price brackets (like the SteelSeries Arctis 9X), but there's no need to drop $200 on a gaming headset unless you're a professional gamer or audio buff.

For everyone else, the Xbox Wireless Headset is perfect. It has a unique rotating earcup design that helps control the sound, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, and a sleek color scheme with eye-catching green accents. And with soft earcups that make marathon gaming sessions a breeze, you'll be glad to know the headset runs for up to 15 hours before recharging.

Best Xbox SSD Expansion: Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card

As the only official way to expand your internal storage, the Seagate Storage Expansion Card is a must-have accessory for folks with gigantic libraries. The expansion card is available in multiple sizes and makes it easy to store and run games without fiddling with an external drive.

Installing the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card is as simple as it gets---turn around your Xbox, find the expansion card slot, and plug it in. Since the card was designed as a collaboration between Xbox and Seagate, you'll enjoy speeds that rival the built-in SSD and its Velocity Architecture.

The partnership between Xbox and Seagate goes well beyond the simple install process. Beyond fast install speeds and short loading times, games on the card support Quick Resume. This allows you to pause your game, put your Xbox in sleep mode, then return to your game exactly where you left off.

It also means you can jump between games on your expansion card and built-in SSD without issues. That's a huge selling point for the Seagate Expansion Card, and largely the reason it continues to sell so well.

Of course, all that functionality comes at a price. Every product in the lineup is much more expensive than a similarly sized external drive. Still, seeing as they're the only official way to upgrade your Xbox Series X SSD, that shouldn't be a dealbreaker.

Best Xbox Controller Charging Dock: Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand

Razer is always at the top of the list regarding gaming accessories, so it should be no surprise that the Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand is the best Xbox charging docks. Available in a multitude of styles (including Robot White, Deep Pink, and Electric Volt), it's easier than ever to find a dock that fits your game room and quickly charges your controller.

If you're charging a dead gamepad, you can expect to return to full charge in less than three hours. The stand is also designed to prevent overheating or short-circuiting, so you can sleep easy when charging your gamepads overnight.

There's also a magnetic mounting system that ensures a solid connection is made between the controller and the stand. And if you own several different types of Xbox controllers, you'll benefit from a design that supports Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Elite Series 1 controllers.

Unfortunately, you'll only be able to charge a single gamepad at a time. Many other charging docks are built to support two gamepads at once, but that's not the case with Razer's product. It also only comes with a single rechargeable battery. But since it can charge controllers quickly and is built to high standards, that's a minor knock on an otherwise stellar product.

FAQ

Can I use Xbox One controllers on an Xbox Series X console?

Yes, the Xbox Wireless Controller from Xbox One can be used on Xbox Series X.

Can I play Xbox One games on the Xbox Series X?

Yes, you can play just about every single Xbox One game on Xbox Series X thanks to the wonders of backward compatibility.

Can I play Xbox 360 games on the Xbox Series X?

Yes, although not all titles are backward compatible. For a full list, check out the official Xbox website.

How do I reset my Xbox Series console?

If you’re trying to reset your Xbox Series X|S console to its factory settings, you’ll need to dive into the Settings menu. A step-by-step guide can be found on the official Xbox website.

What the difference between the Xbox Series S and X?

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S both can play the same games, although Xbox Series S lacks an optical drive. It also features less powerful hardware, which means it doesn’t support 4K resolutions and instead maxes out at 1440p.