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The best Xbox Series X accessories

Xbox Series X sitting against a wall.
Microsoft / Microsoft

You don't need much to get started playing the best Xbox Series X games once you've got the console in your hands. But if you really want to take your gaming experience to the next level, there are plenty of accessories out there that can completely change how you use your console. There are some obvious picks like checking out the best Xbox Series X controllers or best headsets, but there are some other accessories you may not think of that could truly level up your gaming.

Halo Infinite Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
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Xbox Wireless Headset
Xbox Wireless Headset
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Xbox rechargeable battery + USB-C
Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C
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Seagate Storage Expansion Card
Seagate Storage Expansion Card
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Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
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PDP Universal Gaming Media Remote Control for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
PDP Talon Media Remote
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PowerA Dual Charging Station
PowerA Dual Charging Station
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Halo Infinite Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.
Microsoft

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Pros
  • Wireless charging
  • Adjustable controls and parts
  • Durable
Cons
  • Expensive

The Series X comes with a new controller, so why should you invest in a premium controller for a hefty $180? The Elite Series 2 from Microsoft is the most premium controller on the market. Aside from remarkable build quality, this controller is designed for customization. You have the replaceable thumbsticks, completely remappable buttons, a 40-hour rechargeable battery, adjustable triggers, and three unique profiles to customize these presets. That alone makes this a tempting buy, but what really pushes it over the edge are the back paddles. These four extra paddles on the back can be mapped to any other function on the controller. For example, this can allow you to keep your thumb on the right thumbstick to aim while doing a melee attack in a first-person shooter instead of moving it off to hit a face button. It is such a simple concept, but somehow one that hasn't become mainstream.

Halo Infinite Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Xbox Wireless Headset
Microsoft

Xbox Wireless Headset

Pros
  • Great quality for price
  • Surround sound
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Somewhat small

Headsets are a far cheaper and convenient way to get a fully surround-sound and immersive experience with your games that doesn't require investing in expensive speaker systems. The official Xbox headset is not only far more affordable, but it doesn't skimp out on features. It comes with a great mic for online play, surround sound, and overall high-quality audio to get you immersed. You can even use dual connections to talk with friends on the phone while gaming all at once.

While generally comfortable, it is a bit small and can feel tight over longer play sessions.

Xbox Wireless Headset
Xbox Wireless Headset
Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable
Microsoft

Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C

Pros
  • Saves money on batteries
  • Fast charging
  • Convenient
Cons
  • No charge level indicator

If you're sticking with the traditional Xbox Series X controller, then you should at the very least invest in the rechargeable battery and USB-C cable. Microsoft has once again opted to make their standard wireless controllers powered by normal AA batteries. Once those bite the dust, it will be up to you to continue replacing them every so often to stay in the game. Depending on how much you play, buying more batteries can get expensive and wasteful quickly. This kit will solve both of those problems for you. Plus, you can even continue playing while it's charging so you're never left waiting to play.

Xbox rechargeable battery + USB-C
Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C
The Microsoft Xbox Series X + Seagate 2TB Storage Expansion Card on a white background.
Microsoft

Seagate Storage Expansion Card

Pros
  • Can quick-resume games
  • Large size
  • Easy to install
Cons
  • More expensive than similar SSDs

The Series X comes with an internal hard drive of 1TB. That may sound like a lot, but even toward the end of the Xbox One and PS4 generation, games were getting so large that dedicated gamers needed to add on more space to keep more than a handful of major titles on their systems at once. We can only expect the current generation to see game sizes continue to expand as they push graphics and scale further and further. Thankfully, Microsoft realized space would be a problem and planned accordingly by including a special storage slot on the Series X for you to insert extra storage. The Seagate Storage Expansion card is an officially licensed storage expansion that is as easy to install as plugging it in to double your storage space.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card
Seagate Storage Expansion Card
Xbox Cloud Gaming's submenu in Xbox Game Pass.
Microsoft

Xbox Game Pass

Pros
  • Hundreds of games to play
  • New games added every month
  • Allows streaming and downloading
Cons
  • Not great discoverability options

Let's cut to the chase here. You bought your Series X to play games on. Yeah, you can use it to watch movies and TV and browse the web, but its primary function is to play games. If you somehow haven't heard about Game Pass or are new to the Xbox family of consoles, then this should be on the top of your list. Sometimes referred to as the "Netflix of games," Game Pass is your subscription service that instantly adds hundreds of games to your library for a monthly fee. These games include titles from every Xbox console, from the OG Xbox up to the Series X, for you to browse, download, and play whenever you like. New titles are added monthly, and Microsoft has promised that every game made by one of their first-party studios will be available on Game Pass the same day as release.

Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

PDP Talon Media Remote

Pros
  • More convenient for entertaniment apps
  • Non-gamer friendly
  • Somewhat odd button layout
Cons
  • Doesn't do anything you can't with a controller

While gaming is likely the primary function of your Series X, we can't ignore how great of a media device this box is. Since you can get essentially every major streaming service on your console, it just becomes that much more convenient to use it to watch all your favorite shows and movies. Using your gaming controller to navigate these services can be awkward and cumbersome at times, which is why the PDP Talon Media Remote is a perfect accessory to have on hand. This remote was made specifically for the Xbox, complete with the branding and face buttons, but designed like a traditional remote. This makes it way more intuitive and comfortable to use for media purposes than a gaming controller, especially if you live with others who are not gamers and just want to use it for streaming.

PDP Universal Gaming Media Remote Control for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
PDP Talon Media Remote
PowerA Dual Charging Station
PowerA

PowerA Dual Charging Station

Pros
  • Charges two controllers at once
  • Very cheap
Cons
  • Controllers need to be placed perfectly to charge

A rechargeable battery is good for many people, but not ideal for people who aren't within reach of an outlet to plug in if your controller runs dry. Instead, if you snag a PowerA Dual Charging Station and make that the place you set your controller down after each gaming session, you should never have to worry about a low-battery message popping up in the heat of battle. If it does, you can still hotswap to a second controller you leave charging on the second slot as a backup.

PowerA Dual Charging Station
PowerA Dual Charging Station
Jesse Lennox

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things gaming but has a specific interest in all things PlayStation, JRPGs, and experimental indies. Jesse has been writing about games for over 10 years, starting off as a volunteer and eventually finding his way into doing it full-time. He is constantly striving to push his boundaries in what he covers and finds thought-provoking and important angles to highlight within the games industry.

Originally double-majoring in English and Education, Jesse came into games media as a profession by accident. After an unfortunate layoff, he took his passion for writing about games seriously and was lucky enough to find Digital Trends and other outlets such as Pocket-Lint, Classic Nerd, and Gamepur to write for. He has held numerous writing positions, as well as several editing roles, and is always on the hunt for new opportunities to grow his skillset.

Based in Colorado, Jesse spends at least two hours every morning training in the gym to set his mind straight before a full day of writing and gaming.

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Best video game deals: PlayStation 5, Xbox S and X, Nintendo Switch

There's a lot to love about PC gaming, but if you want a very streamlined plug-and-play experience, consoles are the way. Of course, console games are also quite expensive, and if you've gamed on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch, then you know how quickly your wallet can empty, filling up your library. That said, there are actually quite a few great deals that you can take advantage of across pretty much all platforms, so it's not as bleak as it may feel. That's why we've gone out and collected our favorite PS5 games, best Xbox Series X games, or best Nintendo Switch games to save you the hassle, so be sure to check out all the options below.
On the other hand, if you're just doing a bit of window shopping, then check out some of our other favorite PS5 game deals, Xbox game pass deals and Nintendo Switch deals for more specific offers.

Best PS5 game deals
Dead Space -- $20 $50 60% off

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Best Xbox Series X and Series S deals: discounts and bundles
Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S game consoles.

The latest Xbox consoles from Microsft, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are an interesting take on the usual console generation, where you can pick a more budget-oriented option to play games if you don't run a high-resolution screen. On top of that, you get access to Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service that gives you access to a ton of games at a great price, especially with these Xbox Game Pass deals. To that end, we've gone out and collected some of our favorite Xbox console and accessory deals for you below, and if you're not quite sold on the Xbox, then check out these PlayStation deals instead.
Xbox Core Wireless Controller -- $53 $65 18% off

Whichever Xbox you buy, you get a standard controller but how about having one that shows off some of your personality? Or one that means you can play games on the couch with your buddies or family. That's where the Xbox Core Wireless Controller is so useful. Available in many different colors, you get all the benefits of an ergonomic design with sculpted surfaces and refined geometry for enhanced comfort. Up to 40 hours of battery life is convenient while it connects via Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth so you can use it with your PC, phone or tablet too.

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Best gaming console deals: cheapest prices on PS5, Xbox S and X and Switch
father and son playing video games

While gaming on a PC is great, it can be very pricey, especially if you're the sort of person who really wants to push the graphics to the limit. Unfortunately, doing that can cost you a big chunk of money, not to mention that it requires the time and effort to put one together. Luckily, consoles like the PS5 and Xbox are easy to use for pretty much anybody and are very much plug-and-play. That said, there aren't a ton of great deals on the consoles themselves right now, although there are still quite a few good bundle deals that are worth grabbing. To that end, we've gone out and collected our favorite Series S and X deals, PlayStation 5 deals, and Nintendo Switch deals, so you can pick whichever one sparks your fancy.
Nintendo Switch OLED Refurbished -- $298 $349 15% off

The Nintendo Switch, in many ways, is the ultimate handheld gaming device. Everything Nintendo has released since the Gameboy has culminated here. That makes it even more exciting when they commit some serious resources to making the mobile aspect as good as it can be. For instance, adding an OLED screen. The Nintendo Switch OLED is an obvious upgrade that will be most exciting for people who like to game on the go. If you don't own an OLED TV already, you might find yourself playing it in handheld mode just for the gorgeous visuals. When comparing the Switch OLED versus the standard Switch, the only real difference is the screen and a slight memory upgrade. Unfortunately, there currently aren't any good deals on bundles or consoles for the Nintendo Switch OLED, so the best thing to do is go for a refurbished version if you want to buy cheaper.

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