The sale event of the year, Black Friday 2024 has landed, making now the perfect time to grab the Xbox series X and Xbox series S consoles, as well as discounts on controllers and accessories. As The Independent’s tech expert, I’m rounding up all of the best Xbox deals below.
The highlights? There’s a £50 saving on the already cheap Xbox series S (was £249.99, now £199.99, Amazon.co.uk), and while the top-of-the-range Xbox series X hasn’t been discounted as aggressively as it was last year, there’s an extra £40 saving to be had on a certified refurbished console. The Xbox store is also cutting the price of thousands of games by up to 55 per cent.
Rivals PlayStation and Nintendo have their own Black Friday sales too, with some very competitive discounts on the PS5 and enticing bundle offers on the Nintendo Switch.
If you’re waiting to pick up an Xbox Series X, an Xbox Series S or even some new Xbox accessories or Xbox games this Black Friday, I’ve spotted the best discounts and savings.
Follow live: Latest Black Friday deals and updates
Why trust IndyBest Black Friday Xbox sales coverage
When the Xbox series X first launched, I spent months at the helm of The Independent’s stock tracker (the console was plagued with stock issues). Now, all those years later, I’m still here, but instead regularly tracking the price of the Xbox consoles, along with the games, accessories and controllers. I’d never write about a deal that isn’t a genuinely good one, nor would I (or the IndyBest team) point you in the direction of a brand or retailer that we haven’t tried and tested.
Best Xbox deals to shop now
- Xbox Series X: Was £479.99, now £457.74, Amazon.co.uk
- Xbox Series S: Was £249.99, now £199.99, Amazon.co.uk
- EA Sports FC 25, Xbox Series X: Was £59.99, now £39.99, Currys.co.uk
In the best gaming consoles review, the tech team and I concluded that the “Xbox Series S is remarkably good value for a gaming console”. It’s “the lowest price point for any of the major next-gen console manufacturers, it’s a good option for anyone looking for a cheap gaming solution that doesn’t need a 4K resolution to have a good time”. It can still play all of the same games as the Xbox series S, so you won’t miss out on any of the fun. There’s £50 off at Argos and Amazon.
The Xbox Series X is the most powerful gaming console Microsoft makes. Large and cuboid but completely silent, it matches the performance of a high-end gaming PC – loading games in a snap and booting up menus in a fraction of a second. When fellow tech writer Steve reviewed it, he wrote: “It’s a thunderously powerful next-generation console, with a brilliant games-on-demand service”. Right now, you can save £20 on the console at Amazon.
Xbox wireless controller: Was £54.99, now £38.99, Amazon.co.uk
Microsoft’s Black Friday sale includes a £16 saving on the official Xbox controller, which also happens to be one of the best controllers for PC gaming. Essential for local multiplayer gaming, the wireless controller is down to just £38.99.
Save £40 on certified refurbished Xbox consoles: From £169.99, Microsoft.com
The certified refurbished programme is an easy way to save a bundle on an Xbox series X or Xbox series S, and right now Microsoft is offering an extra £40 off. Every refurbished Xbox is screened, repaired, tested and cleaned to ensure it’s as good as new before being packaged with the original accessories and manuals. Unlike buying second-hand, you get a shiny new 12-month warranty to cover any problems.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, three-month subscription: Was £32.99, now £21.99, Cdkeys.com
Launched back in 2017, Game Pass is Xbox’s answer to Netflix. The service offers players a library of hundreds of games, which subscribers are free to download and play at their leisure, including new releases on launch day, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. You get access to online multiplayer, EA Play and cloud gaming on your PC. A three-month subscription currently has more than £10 off at CD Keys.
IndyBest’s pick for the best Xbox game of 2024, gaming and tech expert Steve Hogarty described GTA V as “nothing short of a cultural phenomenon and a must-own game on any console.” Commenting on the gameplay itself, he said: “The freeform crime simulator stands head-and-shoulders above others in the genre with brilliant writing and plotting, excellent acting and punchy, interesting missions.” Now available with discounts on the Xbox one compatible disc, it’s the perfect time to join in on the “magnificent” single-player experience.
Metal Gear Solid V: Was £24.99, now £12.49, Cdkeys.com
I’ve been seeing massive discounts on lots of our favourite Xbox games this Black Friday. Like a huge 50 per cent off our favourite open-world stealth game Metal Gear Solid V. Our gaming expert Steve was blown away by the clever systems and dynamic gameplay the pinnacle of Hideo Kojima’s series had to offer. “MGSV blends high-budget production with the kind of truly bizarre and brilliant characters, writing and gameplay that only his studio could get away with at this scale,” writes Steve.
‘EA Sports FC 25’, Xbox Series X: Was £59.99, now £39.99, Currys.co.uk
Save £20 on FC 25 for the Xbox Series X, a game that boasts the biggest shake-up to the Fifa franchise in years. This isn’t just the same game with players donning new kits. There’s a new game mode, a new FC IQ system, new player roles, better tactical options and new game mechanics. If you haven’t yet laced up your boots, now’s the perfect time.
Seagate 5TB external hard drive: Was £154.99, now £104.99, Amazon.co.uk
Here’s a 32 per cent saving on Seagate’s 2TB external hard drive for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The drive expands your console’s storage so you don’t have to delete games to make room for new ones, and is fast enough to play installed games directly from. Unlike the official storage expansion card (£269.99, Argos.co.uk), which slots neatly into the console, this drive sits alongside it.
Razer Blackshark V2 Pro gaming headset: Was £199.99, now £179.99, Amazon.co.uk
If you’re looking for a low-latency gaming headset for your Xbox, our tech writer Steve’s pick is the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro, which currently has a £20 discount at Amazon. “This headset looks and sounds amazing, is comfortable to wear for long play sessions and is tuned for gaming straight out of the box,” he said in his review. “The balanced soundstage and an emphasis on bass frequencies helps you pick out important aural cues like footsteps and reloading sounds, while the companion software gives you full freedom to tweak the EQ to your own preferences.”
Looking for more console deals? Take a look at our guide to the best Black Friday gaming deals