The Xbox Series X launched in November 2020, but even a year later, it still isn’t much easier to find. It’s normal for consoles to be scarce shortly after launch, but in this case, chip shortages have caused the Xbox Series X to be difficult to track down. If only the console were in stock as often as the games. The system’s younger brother, the Xbox Series S, is slightly more readily available, but not by much.
Despite availability shortages, finding an Xbox Series X is doable if you know where to look. With some luck and patience, you’ll be able to get your hands on a new Xbox system without having to pay scalper prices, just in time for the upcoming holiday season. Many retailers have recently had
Oh, and if you’re looking for a PlayStation 5, we can also help out there.
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Microsoft Store
From our experience, the Microsoft Store has frequently regained stock since the system’s launch in November 2020. It’s currently sold out of systems right now, but at least once a month, consumers have been able to get their hands on an
Going through the Microsoft Store will likely be your best bet when compared with other retailers, as it features more inventory more frequently. Still, it doesn’t hurt to try other retailers. Speaking of which, the Microsoft Store links to other retailers that also carry the system, though, currently, almost all are sold out as well. Still, it doesn’t hurt to keep checking.
Sadly, it doesn’t appear like Microsoft had any available for Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Buy at Microsoft StoreAmazon
Amazon is currently out of traditional
Amazon last had
Best Buy
Best Buy is a good option if you have a Best Buy card and want to choose a financing option. You can also add a Geek Squad warranty for $70, which lasts for two years and covers all kinds of console-related mishaps. It’s unavailable at Best Buy right now but has frequently popped in stock since the system launched.
The last time Best Buy had the system in stock was on November 18.
Buy at Best BuyWalmart
Walmart has a very robust in-stock alert system that we suggest you sign up for. The retailer also makes some effort to stagger stock rollouts to help discourage bots and make it easier for people to find consoles throughout the day, which makes it a nice site to check in on. According to the site,
Walmart actually had
GameStop
Note that GameStop also has separate pages for a couple of different options. There was a Launch Day bundle for $905 that included Gears Tactics and AC: Valhalla, as well as an Elite Controller and a headset, but this has since sold out, along with the standard version.
The site also has a separate page for signing up for the All Access package, which is a payment plan through Microsoft that includes access to GamePass as well as the Series X for installments of $35 per month. Availability for the All Access package is currently live, though it requires a credit check. This might be your best bet if you’d rather pay for your system in monthly installments, as you would a smartphone. Though it ultimately means overpaying for the system, so it’s a tossup.
You can also find pre-owned systems in stock sometimes, but we advise staying away from used hardware.
Buy at GameStopLenovo
Lenovo took down its Series X webpage, possibly in an attempt to avoid confusion and deter bots until they get new stock in and are ready to start selling. But it appears the page is available once more, despite being sold out of
Newegg
Newegg hasn’t been great about availability since the
Target
Target has also been lousy about extra allocation since the system’s launch, but you might as well keep the retailer on your list, just in case. The website tells you when consoles are available to ship or purchase in-store. Note that Target is another site that makes signing up for the All Access payment plan super simple if you would prefer to pay that way. You can also choose a two-year warranty to go with your Xbox system. Below is the landing page for the Xbox Series line of consoles, but both are sold out.
Buy at TargetSam’s Club
Sam’s Club has had a couple of notable extra bundles, such as a Series X that comes with a RIG 500 Pro HX headset, but these have sold out. Stock has appeared semi-regularly since the system launched, but all consoles are sold out right now.
Buy at Sam’s ClubAntonline
Antonline is yet another retailer that consistently has
Can I find the Series X on eBay?
Yes, you can, because a variety of eBay sellers (and various bots) stocked up when the
We highly suggest avoiding this option if possible since there have been reports of scams. You can, of course, get your money back, thanks to eBay’s guarantee, but that’s a major hassle. Plus, you’ll pay a pretty penny for a system that you can find at the retail price elsewhere if you’re patient.
Wario64 on Twitter
By far, the most effective way to track down a new
Halo XSX at BJs maybe https://t.co/9Uth2X5MEz pic.twitter.com/JsuAEedDGG
— Wario64 (@Wario64) November 29, 2021
As you can see in the tweet above,
The nice thing is that Wario only posts allocation notices from retailers, meaning you’ll never have to pay scalper prices if you use this method.
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