Even though the Xbox Series X and Series S were released months ago, it is still extremely difficult to get your hands on a new console. You’ve likely experienced a familiar and frustrating cycle if you’ve been trying to buy an Xbox Series X online. Even if you have been logging on right when there have been inventory drops at major retailers such as GameStop, Walmart, Target or Best Buy and you’ve managed to get the gaming console into your cart, you have probably gotten a “sold out” message right when you think your purchase will be completed.
But I have good news: There are actually ways to improve your chances of getting an Xbox Series X. First, don’t wait until you hear an update about a forthcoming inventory drop. Check the store inventory links for Xbox availability yourself, daily or even several times per day. (We’ve got the major retailer stores all lined up below.) If you happen upon an available Xbox Series X console, it’s time to jump on it. Use as many web browsers and devices as you can. On a desktop, for example, you could open the store page in Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Then you could do likewise on your phone and tablet. It’s like with lottery tickets: The more you have, the better your chances of winning.
Twitter remains a useful resource for many gamers checking on Xbox restock news, but even when the leads are credible, there’s rarely more than a few minutes’ warning and inventory sells out within minutes. Even so, better times are ahead.
One tip: Seek out the $500 retail price and avoid those costly retailer bundles, which include extraneous controllers, accessories and games. Even better, if you don’t have a 4K TV and don’t expect to get one anytime soon, get the Xbox Series S instead and save $200.
Currently, there’s no inventory to be had anywhere, but we’re keeping an eye on Twitter and other sources of news, and we’ll keep you up to date on what retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, GameStop and Target are planning. What follows is a list of the major retailers selling the Xbox Series X.
- Xbox Series X review: Game Pass is the secret weapon
- Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: It’s all about 4K vs. 1440p
- The best Xbox Series X games you’ll need to play
- PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: The next-gen consoles we’re buying and why
Xbox Series X: Check inventory restock
Amazon
Amazon is selling the Xbox Series X and the less expensive Series S from this same product page.
GameStop
GameStop had touted a “very limited number of Xbox Series X and S console bundles for purchase” but those are currently sold out.
Walmart
Walmart does a solid job of noting availability windows for PS5 and Xbox on its Twitter feed. You might also want to visit the retailer’s Xbox landing page for both new consoles.
Microsoft
If you want to get the latest on the Xbox Series X, there’s probably nowhere better than Microsoft’s own Xbox Series X home page. Here you’ll find the latest specs, announced game titles, details on the new controller and more.
Best Buy
Best Buy was the last retailer standing back in the preorder days, but now stands ready for your Xbox Series X purchase as inventory allows.
StockX
Are you already getting desperate? Are you willing to pay a premium of hundreds of dollars over the list price? Listen, we wouldn’t do this and we don’t recommend you do it, either. But if you want to take that path, StockX is a reputable eBay-style site that will let you buy and sell new Xbox and PS5 models — as long as you’re willing to pay upward of $650.
eBay
To be clear, we highly recommend waiting for inventory to appear at ordinary retailers, so you can buy an Xbox Series X at the regular retail price. But if you’ve decided you simply can’t wait another moment, the average Xbox Series X price on eBay is about $800.
This story is updated frequently with the latest Xbox Series X inventory news.
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