TLDR Review: Xbox Series S (Renewed)
Verdict
If you’re after an affordable, compact all-digital console that handles popular games like Fortnite smoothly and supports an extensive game library, the Xbox Series S renewed model will serve you well—but brace yourself for overheating risks and limited internal storage that will likely push you to buy extra drives. Plus, controller replacements aren’t straightforward with this bundle. If native 4K gaming or hassle-free reliability are must-haves, you might want to consider stepping up to a different console like the PlayStation 5 or a new Xbox Series X, which offer better performance and storage options out-of-the-box. Otherwise, for budget-friendly next-gen gaming, this is a solid pick.
- Top pro:
- Delivers excellent performance for popular games like Fortnite, with smooth gameplay at 1440p and up to 120 fps.
- Top con:
- The actual available storage is much less than the advertised 512GB, with about 320GB usable space, forcing most users to buy additional external storage.
Pros
- •Delivers excellent performance for popular games like Fortnite, with smooth gameplay at 1440p and up to 120 fps.
- •Compact and sleek design makes it a great fit for limited spaces.
- •Powerful custom AMD Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU with ray tracing support provide a strong next-gen experience on a budget.
- •Supports backward compatibility with many Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games, broadening game options.
- •Fast 512GB SSD reduces load times compared to previous generation consoles.
- •Offers 4K streaming media playback, enhancing versatility beyond just gaming.
- •Comes with one Xbox Wireless Controller included.
- •Access to Xbox Game Pass lets users play a vast library of games without buying each one.
Cons
- •The actual available storage is much less than the advertised 512GB, with about 320GB usable space, forcing most users to buy additional external storage.
- •Overheating issues have been reported, with the console getting hot just minutes after starting, which could impact performance and longevity.
- •Some users experienced controller problems right out of the box, and controllers are not sold separately for this Renewed bundle, meaning whole system replacement is necessary if the controller fails.
- •Certain games suffer from erratic in-game character movement and laggy UI, with little help available from Xbox Support.
- •The system does not support native 4K gaming, which may disappoint gamers seeking the best graphics possible.
- •Reported to perform worse in some aspects compared to a PS5, notably in responsiveness and stability.
- •USB ports on some units may be prone to damage.
- •Setup process can be confusing for some users.
- •Being a refurbished product, clarity about condition is sometimes lacking, leading to mixed expectations.
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How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from 2 retailers in ShopSavvy's price data, most recently seen May 12, 2025.
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