The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have launched at last, but they’ve been notoriously hard to get hold of. The good news is that an Xbox Series X restock is rolling out at retailers this week for Black Friday, alongside the Xbox Series S.
While Microsoft has warned of months of shortages, retailers are still drip feeding their Xbox Series X stock, releasing more over the coming days as part of their Black Friday deals. We’ll hopefully see more consoles come out in the runup to the Christmas gift season, although retailers haven’t shared their plans for the festive shopping season just yet.
To secure an Xbox Series X|S, you can check out its availability below at retailers in the US, UK, and Australia. Stores like Best Buy and Walmart have confirmed they’ll be getting more stock of both consoles in this week, with the latter dropping stock today. GameStop is also dropping bundles online today before its in-store restock this Friday.
If the PS5 is more your style, head on over to out PS5 restock guide to see where and when you can pick one up this week. You’ll need to be quick off the marl tough, as they’re getting snapped up in seconds.
Xbox Series X: top retailers [UK]
GAME
GAME is offered pre-orders for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S with a delivery date of December 18, 2020, which is the earlies time you’ll receive the console for orders placed from the November 10 launch day onward. It sneakily released some Black Friday stock earlier this week, so we’ll keep an eye on the site for more drops.View Deal
Microsoft Store
Microsoft is the source of the Xbox, so hopefully it’ll be getting in on the Black Friday action. We haven’t had official confirmation yet, so sit tight.View Deal
Very
Very is a great place to visit for the new consoles, but it tends to sell out pretty fast so don’t expect to see stock available for long. Very hasn’t weighed in on the Black Friday Xbox Series X stock yet, but we’d be surprised if it hasn’t held back some units for the pre-Christmas rush.View Deal
Amazon UK
The Xbox Series X is listed as out of stock at Amazon, but the retailer has had stock refreshes with now warning. We expect it to have an Xbox Series X restock this week, but you could be looking at a possible 2021 delivery date. View Deal
Currys
Currys was set to get its Black Friday Xbox Series X restock on November 24, but cancelled at the last minute. The site has been inundated over the course of the console launch, so you’ll need to be very fast to secure one when it finally does go live. If you don’t have an account, make one, and be sure to log in to make the checkout process as smooth as possible. View Deal
John Lewis
Not a retailer many would think of for game console orders, but John Lewis’ fantastic customer service and two-year guarantee actually make it a great place to lock-in an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. The retailer doesn’t have an update on when more will be back in, but it’s worth keeping an eye open for Black Friday sales. View Deal
Smyth’s Toys
Smyth’s Toys is almost certainly going to have an Xbox Series X restock, so while we wait on official word, bookmark the site and keep checking in for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.View Deal
ShopTo
ShopTo is another safe bet for a Black Friday Xbox Series X restock, so we’ll be keeping an eye on this page. View Deal
Argos
Argos seems to be in the same boat as Very with its seemingly tiny stock gobbled up within minutes of going live. The retailer now recommends its customers register their interest to be notified when it gets more consoles in.View Deal
Xbox Series X: top retailers [USA]
Walmart
Walmart has promised more inventory for its Black Friday sales, expected to go live on November 25, at 6PM PT/ 8PM CT/ 9PM ET, although we were initially told it would be 4PM PT/ 6PM CT/ 7PM ET. We suggest visiting the site at both times, just to be on the save side. View Deal
Amazon US
Amazon usually has large allotments of products on launch days, but the official channels for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S seem to have dried up. There are sellers advertising the consoles for double their usual price, but it’s worth hanging on until Black Friday, with Amazon confirming that it’s getting more stock in November and December. View Deal
Buy Xbox Series X at GameStop | Available Friday, November 27
GameStop will be selling the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S this Black Friday in-store, so you don’t have to worry about bots beating you to the punch; just all the other humans who might give you a punch in the frenzy to grab one. You can try your luck at 7AM local time when the doors open. The retailer has said each store will stock two consoles minimum, and they’re limited to one per customer. It’s also dropping Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S bundles online, so keep an eye on the website this week.View Deal
Microsoft Store
While the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are Microsoft’s babies, visiting the store right now and trying to buy one will direct you to retail partner websites where you can pick up the consoles. It’s worth keeping the page bookmarked just in case, but try your luck elsewhere first. View Deal
Best Buy
Best Buy dropped its Black Friday Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S stock early, on November 22, as you’d expect, it sold out fast. We don’t know if it’s releasing more for Black Friday, or holding some back for Christmas, but we’ll keep you posted. It’s still worth checking the site this week.View Deal
Target
Target has sold out of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The retailer hasn’t confirmed that it’s getting more in for Black Friday but we’d be surprised if hasn’t allocated stock for the event, given its competitors have done so. Bookmark the page and check back, and we’ll keep you updated!View Deal
Xbox Series X: top retailers [AUS]
Microsoft Store
Microsoft is currently directing customers to its retail partners to find their next-gen consoles as it’s out of stock of both the Series X and Series S.View Deal
EB Games
EB’s launch stock of both consoles sold out fast, but we anticipate it’ll be getting on the Black Friday action this week, so keep an eye out. View Deal
JB Hi-Fi
JB suspended its Xbox Series X pre-orders, but promised more when it has confirmation of more stock. So it’s worth checking the website for the Xbox Series X this week as retailers start their Black Friday sales. View Deal
Harvey Norman
One of the official partners on Microsoft’s ‘pre-order retailers’ list, Harvey Norman had a large allocation of consoles available to pre-order, and we expect it to be getting an Xbox Series X restock this week.View Deal
Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?
With the next-gen Xbox, you’ll essentially be deciding between a pricey and more powerful console with the Xbox Series X, or a surprisingly cheap, all-digital option, that’s being touted as the smallest Xbox console ever.
While the Xbox Series S isn’t packing the same premium hardware as the Xbox Series X, it boasts four times the processing powerful of the Xbox One X. The main difference between the two next-gen options is the resolution; the Xbox Series X can support 4K gaming at 60fps, while the Xbox Series S offers 1440p at 60fps.
Whichever flavor of Xbox console you opt for, you’ll want to do your due diligence when it comes to making sure you’re snagging the best deal; we’ve made that job a whole lot easier by hooking you up with retailers in your region so you can instantly find the best places to pre-order the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in the UK, USA and Australia. You can find links to these retailers above.
Xbox Series X: What are the console bundle options?
We haven’t seen any console bundle options revealed yet – from Microsoft or other retailers – but if you were hoping for a Halo Infinite bundle, you’re out of luck as the game has been delayed.
Instead, Microsoft is leaning into its Game Pass, offering four generations of titles at launch for gamers straight off the bat. No doubt we’ll see bundles with upcoming titles like Cyberpunk 2077, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for players who want to sink their teeth into a brand new game. We may even see special editions of the console in upcoming bundles, so keep an eye out.
Xbox Series X All Access
Xbox Series X All Access is a payment program that Microsoft has announced that allows gamers to pick up a next-gen console without the upfront cost – in a similar vein to smartphone contracts.
The Xbox Series X is available on All Access for $35 / £29 / AU$46 per month, while the Xbox Series S will cost $25 / £21 / AU$33 per month. The contract is for 24-months and is interest-free; it also includes 24-months of Game Pass Ultimate, offering a saving of over £100 over the duration of contract.
It is a credit agreement ultimately, so be sure to give it the same consideration you’d give any other before committing to it.
