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Still trying to get your hands on an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S? You’re not alone — just like with the PS5, finding Microsoft’s newest consoles has been a frustrating lottery of random restocks that sell out mere moments after they go live.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go about your quest for an Xbox Series X without any help. We’ve compiled a handy list of the best retailers to check frequently, as well as various tips and tricks that will give you the best shot at adding that shiny new system to your cart.
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Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S restocks: Where to buy
The $499 Xbox Series X and $299 Xbox Series S are both sold at most major retailers (including Microsoft’s own online store), but tends to sell out very quickly after it comes back in stock. We’ve noticed that the cheaper Xbox Series S tends to be in stock more often, for those who don’t mind owning the smaller, less powerful console of the two. Here’s a list of the biggest stores that generally stock the latest Xbox machines — we recommend bookmarking each of these pages and checking them often.
Latest update: GameStop will have a special Far Cry 6 Xbox Series X bundle that gets you the new game, an Electric Volt controller and a $20 GameStop gift card starting at 11am ET today (Oct. 7). The bundle will be available exclusively to GameStop Powerup Rewards Pro members for the first hour, and then will open up to everyone else. We’ll occasionally update this story with in-stock alerts, but consoles will go fast, and availability is subject to change.
- Amazon: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S
- Best Buy: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S
- Walmart: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S
- GameStop: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X Far Cry 6 Bundle (in stock 11am ET)
- Target: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S
- Microsoft: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S
- Newegg: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S
Based on our own tracking over the past several weeks, we’ve found Walmart and Best Buy to be among the most consistent retailers in terms of how often they get the Xbox Series X back in stock. Walmart usually announces its restock times before they go live, which is helpful. We’ve also had success purchasing an Xbox Series S directly from the Microsoft Store.
GameStop typically sells the Xbox Series X as part of a bundle with various games and accessories, which are pricier but sell out less quickly. For example, the retailer recently offered a $744 Ultimate Assassin’s System Bundle, which included the Series X as well as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Hitman 3, three months of Xbox Game Pass, a $20 GameStop card and an extra controller. These bundles aren’t cheap, but if they include games and add-ons you planned on getting anyway, they might be your best bet.
Tips for securing your console
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S don’t stay in stock for very long, but having a bit of online shopping savvy can increase your chances of successfully checking out. Here are some tips for giving yourself the best shot at bringing a new console home.
Create accounts with every major retailer
Every second matters when you’re trying to secure an Xbox Series X, which is why you should create accounts and store your payment info at a few retailers ahead of time. YouTuber Jake Randall recommends storing a PayPal or Apple Pay account instead of a credit card if possible, as it will allow you to circumvent some of the heavy site traffic that occurs during a restock.
Once you’re logged in to stores such as Amazon and Best Buy and already have a payment option set up, you’ll have much less clicking and typing to do once it’s time to add that new Xbox to your cart.
Follow Xbox Series X restock trackers on Twitter
Twitter is often the fastest way to get alerted to major console restocks, thanks to a variety of accounts that are dedicated to keeping tabs on the latest Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5 availability. We recommend following accounts such as @mattswider, @wario64 and @videogamedeals and signing up for Tweet notifications so that you never miss an alert.
Avoid shady sellers
Due to the massive demand for the latest game consoles, there are plenty of non-legit retailers and unscrupulous scalpers looking to get your money. We recommend sticking to the stores we’ve listed above, and avoiding shady websites such as TechInn and CheapGameCenter as well as people claiming to be selling the console on Twitter. You should also avoid buying the console on resale websites such as eBay and StockX, where the Xbox Series X is being sold for upwards of $1,000 — that’s twice its retail price.
Keep trying
Don’t give up hope if the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S appears to be out of stock the moment a big restock happens. Online retailers are usually being slammed at these times, causing that “in stock” button to flicker in and out. As such, we recommend refreshing the page for around 5-10 minutes — you never know when you might get lucky.
Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?
Before you buy the first Xbox that becomes available, you should know that Microsoft’s two new consoles have some significant differences. The $499 Xbox Series X is the flagship powerhouse of the family, designed to deliver immersive 4K gaming complete with a Blu-ray disc player and 1TB of internal storage for housing your digital downloads. If you have a 4K TV and want to experience the highest performance available on a console, you should spring for the Series X.
The $299 Xbox Series S is the streamlined, entry-level machine, able to play games at up to 1440p resolution and has roughly half the internal storage at 512GB. The Series S lacks a disc drive, so you’re limited to digital downloads only. It’s also significantly smaller than the chunky Xbox Series X, if space is a concern. If you’re still using a 1080p TV but want to enjoy many of the perks of next-gen gaming, this is the system for you.
Fortunately, these systems have a lot of key features in common. Both use a solid state drive (SSD), which allows games to load up within seconds. The Series X and Series S both feature Quick Resume, which lets you bounce between a handful of games at once without losing your progress in any of them. And they’re both capable of running games at up to 120 frames per second for super-smooth gameplay, complete with ray tracing technology that allows for ultra-realistic lighting and shadows.
What is Xbox All Access?
Once you do find a new Xbox in stock, you don’t necessarily have to pay for it all up front. Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are part of the Xbox All Access program, which allows you to lease a console — complete with Xbox Game Pass — by making small monthly payments.
Xbox All Access starts at $24.99 a month for 24 months for the Xbox Series S, and costs $34.99 a month for 24 months for the Xbox Series X. Both memberships include 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (normally $15 a month), which gets you access to hundreds of Xbox games including the Halo, Gears, Forza and Elder Scrolls franchises. When you factor in Game Pass, both of these monthly plans add up to roughly the same amount as buying everything up front, so All Access is worth considering if you don’t want to dish out a few hundred bucks all at once.
Xbox All Access memberships are available at various retailers, including Best Buy, Walmart, Target and GameStop. Just note that you’ll have to qualify for a line of credit via Citizens One.
- Plus: Why Xbox Game Pass is the best value in gaming
Bottom line
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are still hot commodities, but you’ll get your hands on one eventually. The consoles have been returning to stores at a fairly frequent clip, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t land one during your first few attempts.
The good news is that all Xbox One games will work on the new consoles, so you can pick up titles such as Hitman 3, Star Wars Squadrons and Resident Evil Village for your current Xbox and know that they’ll run even better once you upgrade. And if you’re not attached to having an Xbox console, we’ve found Google Stadia to be a good alternative for playing many of these big games right from the cloud without having to buy any extra hardware.
So if you’re still on the hunt, bookmark your retailers of choice, follow our expert shopping advice and don’t give up hope — it’s only a matter of time before you’ll bring a new Xbox Series X or Series S home.
As an enthusiast and expert in the field of gaming and technology, I understand the frustration and excitement surrounding the quest for the latest gaming consoles, such as the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. My expertise is built on a solid foundation of tracking console releases, restocks, and staying informed about the intricacies of online purchasing in the gaming industry. Here's a breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S Restocks: Where to Buy:
- The article lists major retailers where the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are available, including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, Target, Microsoft Store, and Newegg.
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Retailer Recommendations:
- Walmart and Best Buy are highlighted as consistent retailers for Xbox Series X restocks, with Walmart announcing restock times in advance.
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GameStop Bundle Strategy:
- GameStop often sells the Xbox Series X as part of bundles with games and accessories, which, although pricier, may be a viable option for those looking to secure the console.
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Tips for Securing a Console:
- Recommendations include creating accounts with major retailers in advance, using PayPal or Apple Pay to streamline the checkout process, and following Xbox Series X restock trackers on Twitter for timely alerts.
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Avoiding Shady Sellers:
- Emphasis on avoiding non-legit retailers, scalpers, and resale websites like eBay and StockX where consoles are sold at inflated prices.
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Persistence in Checking:
- Encourages users not to give up if the console appears to be out of stock initially, as online retailers may experience high traffic, causing stock indicators to fluctuate.
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Comparison between Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S:
- Highlights the differences between the two consoles, with the Xbox Series X being the flagship model for 4K gaming and the Xbox Series S being a streamlined, entry-level machine with a lower price point.
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Common Features:
- Both consoles share features like a solid-state drive (SSD) for fast loading times, Quick Resume for switching between games seamlessly, and the capability to run games at up to 120 frames per second with ray tracing technology.
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Xbox All Access Program:
- Explains the Xbox All Access program, allowing users to lease a console with Xbox Game Pass through monthly payments, providing an alternative to paying the full price upfront.
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Availability of Xbox All Access Memberships:
- Xbox All Access memberships are available at various retailers, including Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop, with the requirement to qualify for a line of credit via Citizens One.
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Xbox Game Pass Value:
- Mentions the value of Xbox Game Pass, highlighting it as one of the best values in gaming.
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Encouragement and Conclusion:
- Reassures readers that the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are still available and returning to stores frequently, advising them not to get discouraged and suggesting alternatives like Google Stadia for cloud gaming.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide for potential buyers, covering where to purchase, strategies for securing a console, comparisons between models, and alternative payment options.