Microsoft
The Xbox Series X launched on Nov. 10, 2010, and has been consistently sold out at major retailers ever since. It’s in incredibly high demand thanks in part to its bleeding-edge specifications (in theory, it supports up to 8K displays and a 120Hz refresh rate, for example) despite the fact that the gaming experience on the Series X isn’t substantially different than what you get today with an Xbox One. Of course, this is just a moment in time; as the library of Series X-optimized games fills out in the future, that’ll change. The $500 Xbox Series X is the console to get if you want to be completely future-proofed, though if you don’t have a 4K TV — and don’t plan to get one anytime soon — the Xbox Series S can save you $200.
Regardless of which model you plan to buy, inventory is all-but-impossible to get right now. Ever since launch, most of the major retailers have restocked and dropped consoles in bursts that tend to sell out in minutes. For the latest updates on those restocks, check back here frequently. You can monitor Xbox availability on your own as well; Twitter is a popular (if not entirely reliable) source of restock rumors. But here at CNET, we occasionally get word directly from retailers and other tipsters about upcoming inventory restocks, and when we do, we put out the word immediately.
This much is true: It will be months before anything approximating normal inventory levels appear in stores, so getting your own Xbox before summer is likely to be a challenge: Microsoft recently confirmed inventory will be short through June.
Here’s a list of all the major retailers (and high-profile resellers) where you can monitor stock and availability.
Xbox Series X Restock Possibilities
You can find both the Xbox Series X and the less expensive Series S from the same Amazon product page.
Here’s where to find the Xbox Series X at Best Buy (when inventory drops).
This is the product page for the Xbox Series at GameStop.
You might also want to visit the retailer’s Xbox landing page to see both new consoles, but here’s the product page for the Xbox Series X.
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.
This is Target’s product page for the Xbox Series X.
This is where you can purchase the Xbox Series X at Newegg when the retailer has inventory.
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 simply can’t wait, be advised that the average Xbox Series X price on eBay is about $800.
Are you willing to pay a premium of hundreds of dollars over the list price? We don’t recommend you do it, but StockX is a reputable eBay-style site that will let you buy a new Xbox — as long as you’re willing to pay $600 or more.
This story is frequently updated with the latest Xbox Series X inventory news.
Watch this:
Xbox Series X and Series S offer a fine-tuned, streamlined…
5:19
CNET’s Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest promo codes from Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page.