Microsoft · platform · 2020
Xbox Series S (512GB)
All-digital Xbox with no disc drive; 1440p up to 120 fps, now $499.99 after the August 2026 hike.
Microsoft's small, digital-only console with the same games and wheel support as the Series X at lower resolution and detail. After the 2026 price rise it costs only $100 less than a PS5 Digital, which undercuts its budget role.
AI rating
- Sim catalog
- 6
- Wheel support
- 7
- Performance
- 4
- Value
- 3
Who it suits
- First rig
- 6
- Console racing
- 8
- Competitive racing
- 3
- Small rooms
- 9
- Tight budgets
- 4
- Enthusiasts
- 1
Scores are AI analysis of public information (specs, manuals, published reviews and owner reports), not a hands-on test. How we rate
Pros and cons
- Smallest console here; fits a shelf on a wheel stand
- Same Xbox-licensed wheel support and Game Pass library as Series X
- Plays every Xbox racing game
- Runs games at lower resolution and detail than Series X
- 512GB fills after two or three large racing games
- $499.99 now, only $100 under a PS5 Digital that runs Gran Turismo 7
Watch out: 512GB of storage: Forza Motorsport and a couple of other racers fill it, so budget for an expansion card. Wheels must be Xbox-licensed.
What it feels like
- Noise
- Load times
Near-silent in menus and light load, with a quiet fan during racing.
Games load quickly from the NVMe SSD, and Quick Resume picks up where you left off.
Small enough to sit on a shelf next to the wheel base.
About the size of a thick paperback laid on its side.
What the Xbox Series S (512GB) works with
- 19 of the 38 wheel bases we track work on Xbox Series.
Wheel bases that work on Xbox Series
- Moza R12 V2 (12 Nm) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim84
- Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (15 Nm) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim83
- Moza R21 Ultra (21 Nm) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim83
- Moza R9 V3 (9 Nm) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim82
- Fanatec CSL DD (8 Nm) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim81
- Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (5 Nm bundle) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim81
- Fanatec ClubSport DD (12 Nm) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim79
- Logitech G RS50 System (PlayStation/PC) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim79
- Logitech G RS50 System (Xbox/PC) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim78
- Moza R5 Racing Bundle · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim77
- Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel (Xbox/PC)76
- Fanatec CSL DD (5 Nm) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim74
- Moza R3 Racing Bundle (Xbox & PC) · Needs an Xbox-licensed rim72
- Thrustmaster T598-X (Xbox/PC)71
- Thrustmaster T248 (Xbox/PC)68
- Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition (Xbox/PC)64
- Logitech G920 Driving Force (Xbox/PC)62
- Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE (Xbox/PC)62
- Thrustmaster T128 (Xbox/PC)58
Racing games on Xbox Series
- Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Assetto Corsa
- DiRT Rally 2.0
- EA Sports WRC
- Forza Motorsport
- F1 25
- NASCAR 25
- Forza Horizon 5
Tech facts
| Storage | 512 GB |
|---|---|
| Disc drive | No |
| Video out | HDMI 2.1, 1440p target, up to 120 fps |
| VR | None |
| Power supply | Internal, 100-240V AC |
| Outlets needed | 1 |
| Connection | HDMI 2.1 out, 3 USB-A 3.1 ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
| Size (W × D × H) | 3 × 6 × 11 in (7 × 15 × 28 cm) |
| Weight | 4 lb (1.93 kg) |
| Materials | Plastic |
| Released | 2020 |
| Platforms | PS5XboxPC |
Our take
AI analysis of public information, not a hands-on review.
The Series S is the cheapest way into Xbox sim racing, and it works with Xbox-licensed wheels such as Logitech, Thrustmaster and Fanatec models marked for Xbox, plus Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon. It targets 1440p and up to 120 fps over HDMI 2.1, which suits racing games where frame rate matters more than 4K sharpness. It has no disc drive, so every game is a download or a Game Pass title. The 512GB drive is the real limit. Modern racing games are large, and the usable space is smaller than the label says, so plan on an external USB drive or the proprietary expansion card. The price story has changed. The reported August 1, 2026 increase moved the 512GB model to $499.99, which is the same money as a lot of capable used PCs or a current-generation console from a previous cycle. For a first rig, compare it with a used Series X or a budget PC before buying. It has no VR support. It is small and quiet, and it sits easily on a rig shelf or a desk. If you already own one, it is a fine racing platform.
Questions buyers ask
Which wheels work with the Xbox Series S?
Only wheels licensed for Xbox, such as the Logitech G923 Xbox/PC, Thrustmaster T248X and Fanatec bases with Xbox support. PlayStation-only or PC-only wheels won't work. Check the box for the Xbox logo.
Is 512GB enough for racing games?
It's tight. Racing titles are often 100GB or more, and the system takes a share of the space. Most buyers add an external USB 3 drive for storage, or the proprietary expansion card for running games at full speed.
Does it have a disc drive or VR?
No to both. It's digital-only, and Xbox consoles have no VR support. You buy games through the Microsoft Store or use Game Pass.