Xbox series X stock - live: Who could restock Microsoft’s console next in the UK today?

Update: The Xbox series X is now sold out at Amazon. Read on for more details.

The Xbox series X launched in late 2020, but bottlenecks in production coupled with huge consumer demand has seen Microsoft’s newest console consistently out of stock since release.

At the end of last year, shoppers were treated to a wave of restocks from Very, Smyths Toys, Game, Argos, Asda and Amazon. Since then the supply of new consoles has slowed to a trickle. When the Xbox series X does appear, it sells out in minutes as customers snap up the available units as soon as they arrive.

That’s why we launched our Xbox stock tracking liveblog, where we track every UK retailer at once to bring you live stock alerts as they happen. We’ll also bring you tips and advice for beating the crowds to bag an Xbox series X, including which sites to pay attention to, deals and discounts on Xbox accessories, and how to register your interest for new consoles before they go on sale.

Read more:

• Where to find the PS5 in stock today

• The best Nintendo Switch deals in 2022

• 10 best games on Xbox Game Pass

• 8 best PS5 accessories to enhance your gaming

• 10 best wireless headphones 2022

Which UK retailers stock the Xbox series X?

• Microsoft Store: Out of stock

• Box: Out of stock

• Amazon: Out of stock

• Game: Out of stock

• Smyths Toys: Out of stock

• Currys: Out of stock

• John Lewis & Partners: Out of stock

• Argos: Out of stock

• Asda: Xbox All Access available

• AO: Out of stock

• Shopto: Out of stock

• Very: Out of stock

• BT: Out of stock

• EE: In stock

• Ebuyer: Out of stock

• Simplygames: Out of stock

Key Points

• Xbox has posted its biggest ever annual revenue

• Can we expect an Xbox restock at John Lewis?

• The Xbox series X hard drive has £20 off at Very

Xbox stock trackers, signing off

16:53 , Steve Hogarty

That’s all from us for today, and what a day it’s been.

Amazon dropped the Xbox series X on us like it was nothing, spilling over with fresh consoles for a good 30 minutes before selling out again. It’s the first time the retailer’s restocked since early January, and hopefully marks a change in fortunes for Microsoft’s beleaguered production lines.

If you missed it, don’t worry. We’re coming back tomorrow to resume the search on your behalf, so join us then to be first to know when the Xbox reappears.

Until then!

The best VPN for the Xbox series X

16:28 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X has impeccable built-in security when playing games online, but there reasons besides security to install a VPN for the Xbox.

If you use your Xbox as your main entertainment hub, a virtual private network allows you to spoof your location and access telly shows and movies not normally available in your country, such as those found on American Netflix, which is full of amazing things they don’t want British people seeing. You can’t install a VPN directly to an Xbox series X, but you can install one on your internet router to anonymise all of the web traffic in your home in one fell swoop.

A slow VPN will hinder your online gaming, so to keep your Xbox series X running at peak performance you’ll want to make sure the VPN you choose is fast and responsive enough to avoid lag and dropouts when playing online. Check out our round-up of the best VPNs for torrenting, streaming and gaming.

The best VPN for every type of device

The Xbox series X headsets to look out for

15:28 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X is often bundled with a gaming headset to bump up the price and stave off scalpers.

The console doesn’t come with its own headset but the Xbox series X is compatible with all existing headsets for the Xbox One. The Xbox wireless controller (£54.99, Currys.co.uk) also has a headphone jack, so you can plug in your regular headphones to have game audio play through them rather than your TV.

If you need to upgrade or you don’t have your own headset yet, Microsoft sells the wired Xbox series X headset s(£54.99, Currys.co.uk). Lots of third-party manufacturers make Xbox compatible headsets too. We’ve rounded up the best gaming headsets you can buy today.

Immerse yourself in play with one of the best gaming headsets

The difference between the Xbox series X and series S

14:24 , Steve Hogarty

There are two next-gen Xboxes, the less powerful Xbox series S and the top-of-the-range Xbox series X.

All Xbox games old and new will run on both consoles, though on the less powerful Xbox series S the overall graphics quality will be dialled down. The Xbox series S does not have a disc drive, has half the storage capacity and can only play downloaded games. The Xbox series S is much easier to find in stock than the series X. It’s also cheaper and costs just £249 (Amazon.co.uk).

Here are the details, if you’re into comparing teraflops.

Xbox series S specs:

• CPU: Custom Zen 2 8-core CPU

• GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUS

• Memory: 10GB GDDR6

• Storage: 512GB SSD

• Resolution: 1440p at 60fps

Xbox series X specs:

• CPU: AMD 8-core Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz

• GPU: 12TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz

• Memory: 16GB GDDR6

• Storage: 1TB custom WD SSD, optional 1T

• Resolution: 4K at 60fps

Read our review of the new Nintendo Switch OLED

13:25 , Steve Hogarty

If handheld gaming is more your thing then check out our review of the new Nintendo Switch OLED. The console features an OLED display for the first time, which is larger than before and produces punchier colours and deeper blacks. There’s also a redesigned kickstand and double the internal storage of its predecessor.

Our reviewer said of the £309.99 console: “The larger display is fantastic and playing games in handheld mode is an absolute joy. The kickstand feels so solid and makes us never want to look at that little toggle on the back of the original Switch ever again...this is absolutely the best version of the console yet.”

Nintendo Switch OLED review: The best version of the console yet

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter

12:31 , Steve Hogarty

Want even more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the free IndyBest newsletter, where you can access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products chosen by IndyBest experts.

Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by pros in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.

Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now. You won’t regret it.

IndyBest newsletter - Sign up for your essential weekly shopping guide

How to buy an Xbox series X online

12:02 , Steve Hogarty

While we wait for more consoles to appear, let’s go over some of basic tips when it comes to securing an Xbox series X. Preparation is key to success, and there are a bunch of things you can do right now to ensure you’re ready when the next restock happens.

• Register an account and save your payment details at each of the retailers that stock the Xbox series X. They’re listed in the main article above

• Are you a BT customer, or know somebody who is? Register your interest on the BT site to get exclusive access to BT’s next drop

• Download each retailer’s app (if they have one) and add the Xbox series X to your wish list or “save for later” list

• When the console drops, use the link in your wish list to add the Xbox to your trolley – this usually has a higher success rate than navigating through the website

• Keep note of the prices of bundles to ensure you’re getting a good deal. Rounding up, the console itself is £450, controllers are £50, the official headset is £90, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs £11 per month. Newly released game are £60, but retailers usually bundle older games with the console

• The pay-as-you-go Xbox All Access programme is good value for money, so long as you don’t already have a Game Pass subscription

The best TVs for gaming on Xbox series X

11:29 , Steve Hogarty

To get the most out of the Xbox series X, you’ll need a 4K television.

Many next-generation games allow you to choose between a performance mode and a graphics mode. The former downgrades the visuals slightly for smoother framerates, while the latter mode enables higher resolutions and more fancy effects at the expense of framerate.

If your TV only goes up to 1080p, you won’t be getting the most out of your new Xbox series X. To help you upgrade your set without breaking the bank, we’ve pulled together a list of the best 4K TV deals for entertainment, movies and gaming.

9 best 4K TVs for needle-sharp viewing

The Xbox series X is in stock at Amazon

11:03 , Steve Hogarty

Buy now

Amazon has restocked the Xbox series X for the standard retail price of £449.

If you can’t see it, select “see all buying options” and choose the Amazon listing found there.

Can you buy an Xbox series X from another country?

10:40 , Steve Hogarty

Amazon is currently sold out of the Xbox series X in the UK, but in recent weeks the retail giant has restocked Microsoft’s new console in Germany, France and Spain.

You might want to consider some of the hidden costs of important the console from the continent. Since the whole Brexit business, importing electronics above a certain value from the EU incurs a set of taxes, delivery charges and fees. Because of the additional paperwork required, many courier services have hiked up their prices too.

You can expect to pay at least £100 extra to buy an Xbox this way, and your Xbox could have an accent.

If you’ve given up on waiting, Amazon has the less powerful Xbox series S in stock as part of a bundle with Fortnite and Rocket League (£248.99, Amazon.co.uk).

Hunting for a PS5 today?

10:22 , Steve Hogarty

If there’s any consolation for Xbox, it’s that Sony is suffering with the same supply issues dogging all high-end electronics right now.

If you’re searching a PS5 today, you might want to pop over to our PS5 stock tracking liveblog for a quick nose around. Several major retailers are expected to drop new consoles shortly, and we’re bringing you the latest news on where to expect the PS5 next.

PS5 stock UK - live: Tracking today’s restocks from Game, John Lewis, Currys and more

Can you buy an Xbox on the high street?

10:01 , Steve Hogarty

It’s technically possible to walk into a shop and pick up an Xbox series X, though it’s rare to find one out in the wild. There’s a drip feed of consoles that get sold online, and when they’re somewhere physical they’re usually pre-ordered only for click and collect.

If you’d like a nice big walk anyway, your best bet is to try your local branches of Game and Smyths Toys, as these retailers sometimes have consoles on their shelves. But these in-store restocks are often very small and sell out quickly, usually within hours.

Game stores each have a Twitter account, which they use to promote the arrival of Xbox stock. This Twitter list is a great way to keep an eye on all Game store Twitter accounts. Meanwhile, the Smyths website has a tool for checking on console stock levels at all of its UK stores.

Where is the Xbox series S in stock?

09:44 , Steve Hogarty

As fans clamour to get their hands on the most advanced member of the Xbox family, demand for the less powerful Xbox series S is smaller and so the console is easy to find in stock pretty much everywhere.

The Xbox series S is a brilliant games machine however, and a viable alternative to the more expensive Xbox series X. The console is backwards compatible and runs the same next-generation Xbox games, but with some of the fancier graphics options dialled down. It doesn’t have a disc drive, so you can only play downloaded games. The hard drive is also half as big.

There’s now an official Xbox series S + Fortnite + Rocket League bundle on the shelves too, costing £249. You can find it at Very, Game, Amazon and more.

Xbox All Access is still available from Asda

09:29 , Steve Hogarty

It looks like there is still some Xbox All Access consoles available from Asda. For anyone who can afford to pay £28.99 per month for 24 months, and can pass a Klarna credit check, it’s a viable option to get your hands on the elusive Xbox series X. The programme is interest-free and you can pay off the full amount at any time without penalty.

With Xbox All Access you also get 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate worth £10.99 per month making the deal good value if you plan on using it to play Xbox exclusives such as Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.

What’s happening with Amazon’s Xbox series X stock?

09:10 , Steve Hogarty

Aside from a small restock in early January, Amazon has been missing the Xbox series X since late last year. Just before Christmas the retailer treated shoppers to an enormous restock – the biggest and longest-lasting we’ve seen at Amazon since launch – which suggests that the well has run dry.

The world’s largest online retailer is predicted to have new PS5 stock arriving this week, so we’re hoping that fresh Xbox stock will follow.

If you can’t wait until then, Amazon currently has the less powerful Xbox series S in stock (£249, Amazon.co.uk).

Can you buy an Xbox series X at Game right now?

08:55 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X is currently sold out at Game. The retailer did have lots of stock available on Tuesday, which suggests we’ll be waiting another couple of weeks before it appears on the shelves again..

That said, Game’s approach to restocking is hectic, with lots of repeated drops in quick succession and dozens of very similar bundles to choose from, so we’re keeping an eye on the retailer this morning.

Where is the Xbox series X in stock?

08:41 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X is effectively sold out everywhere in the UK right now.

However, you can have the console added to your phone plan if you’re an EE customer. For a £10 upfront cost and £31 per month you get the console along with membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the Netflix-style library of more than 100 games. That usually costs £10.99 per month.

Xbox stock trackers, activate

08:25 , Steve Hogarty

Good morning! Welcome to Thursday’s Xbox series X stock tracking liveblog.

If you’re on the hunt for an Xbox today, we’ve got your back. We’re scanning the retail horizon for any available stock, to bring you live alerts as soon as Microsoft’s newest console appears.

That way, you’ve got the best chance of bagging one before it sells out again.

Ready? Let’s go.

Xbox stock trackers, signing off

Wednesday 26 January 2022 17:09 , Steve Hogarty

That’s all from us for another day, thank you for reading the Xbox series X stock tracking liveblog.

There were vanishingly few consoles to report on, but we can confidently say that we didn’t miss any. There simply aren’t many consoles around. Besides a handful of Xboxes scattered around random Argos stores up and down the country, we were left wanting.

But each passing day brings us closer to the next restock. To be the first to know when it happens, join us again tomorrow when we’ll be resuming the search.

Bye bye!

You can play Xbox series X games on a laptop

Wednesday 26 January 2022 16:28 , Steve Hogarty

There are ways to play Xbox games that don’t involve owning an Xbox series X.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play a limited selection of Xbox games on their PC right now using Microsoft’s cloud streaming service.

You don’t even need a gaming PC, just a fast enough internet connection. Xbox Cloud Gaming streams games from Microsoft’s servers to your laptop or phone, via your internet browser or the Xbox app. You’ll need a membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (£32.99, Argos.co.uk), which unlocks on-demand access to more than 100 games.

Thankfully, decent laptops are much easier to find than the Xbox series X. If you’re thinking of upgrading, check out our list of the best laptops in 2022.

The ultimate guide to the best laptops of 2022

Xbox has posted its biggest ever annual revenue

Wednesday 26 January 2022 15:24 , Steve Hogarty

As reported by VGC, Microsoft’s gaming division broke its annual revenue record for the second year running, generating $16.3bn (£12bn) in 2021.

The skyrocketing figures are fuelled by an estimated 12 million console sales since the Xbox series X launched in 2020, as well as a huge uptick in the number of customers subscribing to the Netflix-style Xbox Game Pass service.

So how is Xbox raking it in when the Xbox is consistently out of stock? Boss Phil Spencer claims the current shortage of consoles is down to excessive demand rather than a short supply, and that Microsoft is producing as many consoles as it has in previous generations.

“At this point, we’ve sold more of this generation of Xboxes, which is Xbox series X and S, than we had any previous version of Xboxes,” Spencer told the New York Times last month.

Does the Xbox series X come with a headset?

Wednesday 26 January 2022 14:28 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X doesn’t come with its own headset but it’s compatible with all existing headsets for the Xbox One. The Xbox wireless controller (£54.99, Currys.co.uk) also has a headphone jack, so you can plug in your regular headphones to have game audio play through them rather than your TV, which is ideal if you’re sharing a room with somebody you don’t want to disturb.

If you need to upgrade or you don’t have your own headset yet, Microsoft sells the wireless Xbox series X headset separately (£54.99, Currys.co.uk). Lots of third-party manufacturers make Xbox compatible headsets too. We’ve rounded up the best gaming headsets you can buy today.

Immerse yourself in play with one of the best gaming headsets

The best VPN for Xbox

Wednesday 26 January 2022 13:28 , Steve Hogarty

Quick break from stock tracking for a VPN chat?

If you use your Xbox to watch Netflix or other streaming services, you might want to consider installing a VPN on your games console. A virtual private network keeps you secure online, blocks ad trackers and other malicious cookies, and lets you spoof your location to access TV shows and movies not normally available in your country.

The Xbox series X doesn’t have native VPN support but you can install a VPN to your router to anonymise every device on your network at once. You can also route your Xbox’s internet traffic through your PC and install the VPN there. Be aware that it’s against the terms of service of most streaming platforms to disguise your true location.

To use a VPN with your Xbox series X without slowing it down, you’ll want to make sure the VPN you choose is fast and responsive enough to avoid lag and dropouts playing online. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the best VPNs for torrenting, streaming and gaming.

The best VPN for every type of device

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals

Wednesday 26 January 2022 12:28 , Steve Hogarty

Want even more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the IndyBest newsletter right now to access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products, as chosen by our crack team of IndyBest experts.

Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by experts in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.

Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of our other newsletters now by clicking below.

IndyBest newsletter - Sign up for your essential weekly shopping guide

The Xbox series X hard drive has £20 off at Very

Wednesday 26 January 2022 11:30 , Steve Hogarty

While we wait for more Xbox series X stock to materialise, why not consider boosting your future console’s available storage?

The Seagate 1TB storage expansion card (£199.99, Very.co.uk) doubles the capacity of the Xbox series X. With download sizes ballooning and games like Microsoft Flight Simulator (£59.99, Very.co.uk) hogging up to 100GB of the Xbox’s built in hard drive, it likely won’t be long until expansion drives are an essential purchase.

Is the Xbox series X in stock at Amazon?

Wednesday 26 January 2022 10:40 , Steve Hogarty

Amazon hasn’t shown much love to the Xbox series X lately.

It’s been 22 days since Amazon last had Microsoft’s new console in stock, and even then the Xbox sold out in seconds. Whereas Amazon requires PS5 shoppers to have a Prime account before they can grab Sony’s console, there are no restrictions on who can buy an Xbox – meaning automated bots and scalpers can swoop in and stockpile as much as they can. Legitimate shoppers have to be especially quick.

Here are our top tips for securing the console:

• Make sure to use Amazon Smile – a separate website that gives a portion of the cost of your purchase toward a chosen charity of your choice. Amazon Smile gets a lot less traffic than the regular Amazon website, so if there are issues, Smile should work better.

• Add the console to your wish list and then add it to your basket – apparently, people have found more success this way

What is Xbox All Access?

Wednesday 26 January 2022 10:16 , Steve Hogarty

Game, Asda and Smyths sell the Xbox series X through the Xbox All Access programme. But what is that exactly?

Xbox All Access is a payment plan that lets you spread the cost of the Xbox series X or Xbox series S over two years. Rather than pay £449 for the console up front, you pay 24 monthly instalments of £28.99.

This includes two years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the games subscription service allowing you to access more than 100 games on demand, including the likes of Halo Infinite (£46.99, Currys.co.uk) and Forza Horizon 5 (£44.99, Currys.co.uk). Xbox Game Pass Ultimate usually costs £10.99 per month.

That works out as £712 worth of stuff for £695, meaning Xbox All Access is pretty good value for money.

Now you just need to find an Xbox in stock. Stick with us and we’ll alert you as soon as consoles are available.

Can we expect an Xbox restock at John Lewis?

Wednesday 26 January 2022 09:50 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X is profoundly out of stock at John Lewis & Partners.

The department store hasn’t had an Xbox restock for many, many months. But don’t lose faith: John Lewis & Partners is still in the business of selling next-gen consoles. It had the PlayStation 5 in stock in late December, so we’re expecting some movement on the Xbox series X front shortly.

The retailer is an early bird, preferring to restock between 7am and 7:30am, so set your alarms.