Xbox series X stock UK - live: Argos restock sells out in minutes as Game All Access drop continues

Update: The liveblog has now ended. At the time of writing – 5pm on Friday 24 September – both Game and Smyths Toys have the Xbox series X in stock, exclusively via Xbox All Access scheme. The console could now be sold out.

The Xbox series X is almost one year old, but since launching has been consistently sold out everywhere in the UK. A global shortage of microprocessors, combined with collapsing supply chains at home and abroad, has slowed production of Microsoft’s newest Xbox to a crawl.

The cheaper and less powerful Xbox series S is easier to find online, but the more advanced Xbox series X sells out within minutes or even seconds of new stock appearing. Knowing where the Xbox will be restocked next is key to getting hold of one.

If you’re wondering where to buy an Xbox series X in the UK today, our stock tracking liveblog is here to help. We’ll update you with the latest stock drops as soon as they happen, as well as any news on predicted restock dates and milestone events.

Read more:

• Where to buy a PS5 in the UK

• Best games consoles 2021: How to choose

• Is the Xbox Game Pass worth the money?

• Where to buy Xbox series X: Tracking major UK retailers

Check stock from UK Xbox series X retailers below:

• Microsoft Store

• Box

• Amazon

• Game

• Smyths Toys

• Currys PC World

• John Lewis & Partners

• Argos

• Asda

• AO

• ShopTo

• Very

• BT

• EE

• Ebuyer

• Simply Games

Key Points

• Smyths Toys is selling the Xbox series X

• How does Xbox All Access work?

• Does Xbox All Access charge interest?

• Xbox All Access is in stock at Game

Follow the liveblog for the latest Xbox stock alerts

Monday 20 September 2021 08:10 , Steve Hogarty

Good morning, Xbox hunters!

Welcome to this week’s Xbox series X stock tracking liveblog, where we’ll be monitoring UK retailers for sightings and rumoured of Microsoft’s elusive new console.

The Xbox can appear without warning and sells out almost instantly, so we’re here to bring you live stock updates as they happen to give you the best chance of grabbing one.

Where is the Xbox series X in stock right now?

Monday 20 September 2021 08:31 , Steve Hogarty

Right now, the Xbox series X is sold out everywhere.

So let’s start poking around a few retailers and rating their chances of restocking the Xbox today, shall we?

First up we’ve got AO, which last restocked the Xbox series X on Friday, 17 September, when it sold the console as part of a rather expensive bundle costing £614. It was pricey enough that shoppers hesitated, which kept the restock going for a good 45 minutes.

Such a recent restock means AO is unlikely to receive another allocation of Xboxes soon. We’ll keep tabs on the retailer all the same, but we think your best chance of finding an Xbox right now is to look elsewhere.

When did Argos last restock the Xbox series X?

Monday 20 September 2021 08:43 , Steve Hogarty

Argos hasn’t restocked the Xbox online in weeks, and has sailed right past every predicted restock date. We’ve heard rumours of some in-store restocks happening at random spots around the country, but it’s been almost two months since the retailer last any stock on the site.

The best way to buy an Xbox series X from Argos is through the app. Add the console to your wish list, which lets you slip the Xbox into your basket in advance for a speedy checkout when the time comes.

When will Smyths Toys restock the Xbox?

Monday 20 September 2021 08:57 , Steve Hogarty

Smyths Toys last restocked the Xbox series X on 9 September, though it was a very small allocation. We’d estimate that less than a dozen consoles were sold in total.

Before that on 10 August, Smyths Toys had Xbox stock available to click and collect from stores around the country, and we’ve heard reports of shoppers being able to find the Xbox in stock in physical stores.

It’s worth popping into your local branch if you’re passing by to ask about stock.

When did Currys last restock the Xbox series X?

Monday 20 September 2021 09:14 , Steve Hogarty

Though not available right now, we think Currys could restock the Xbox series X as early as this week, most likely today or tomorrow.

The retailer has only restocked once so far in September, but managed a grand total of three stock drops in August. We ran these stats past a mathematician, who informed us that one is two less than three. If the law of averages holds, we’re coasting towards a Currys restock very soon.

Is the Xbox stock situation getting better or worse?

Monday 20 September 2021 09:28 , Steve Hogarty

We’ve been tracking the availability of the Xbox series X stock for months now, and while analysts say that the global shortage of microchips is worsening, lately we’ve been seeing more Xbox stock drops than usual.

Many retailers have found ways to evade scalpers – Game’s last restock was in store only and couldn’t be found online, and sites like AO bundle the console with accessories to cut into the scalpers’ profit margins.

This means more Xbox consoles are finding their way into shoppers’ hands than ever.

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

Monday 20 September 2021 09:44 , Steve Hogarty

Aside from an incredibly brief restock on 9 September, Amazon has been missing the Xbox series X for months now.

It’s occasionally been possible to buy the console from Amazon’s European sites – the Xbox was in stock at Amazon Germany and Amazon France in recent weeks – though importing the Xbox from the EU incurs a hefty wodge of taxes, delivery charges and fees. Expect to pay at least £100 extra to buy an Xbox this way.

If you’ve given up on waiting, Amazon currently has the less powerful Xbox series S in stock (£249, Amazon.co.uk).

Where can you buy a PS5 today?

Monday 20 September 2021 10:01 , Steve Hogarty

If there’s any consolation for Microsoft, it’s that rival Sony has the same production line problems to contend with. The PlayStation 5 is about as difficult to find in stock as the Xbox series X, though in recent weeks the console has been restocked with increasing frequency. It’s enough to make an Xbox stock tracking liveblog jealous.

Follow our PS5 stock tracking liveblog for more updates on new PS5 stock as it arrives.

All the latest news on PS5 restocks in the UK

Does Game have the Xbox in stock?

Monday 20 September 2021 10:18 , Steve Hogarty

Though it’s sold out right now, Game has had the Xbox All Access programme in stock intermittently for the last two weeks. The pay-as-you-go alternative to buying the console at full price costs £28.99 per month for 24 months, and comes with two years of Game Pass Ultimate included.

The retailer is also one of two places you can pre-order the Halo Infinite limited edition Xbox series X bundle. Game last stocked that limited edition Xbox on Wednesday 25 August, and last sold the regular Xbox series X on 13 August.

We’ll let you know if Game receives another allocation of Xbox stock.

The limited edition ‘Halo Infinite’ branded Xbox series X

Monday 20 September 2021 10:40 , Steve Hogarty

We’re tracking both types of Xbox series X: the vanilla Xbox series X (£449.99, Amazon.co.uk) and the Halo Infinite branded Xbox series X (£479.99, Microsoft Store).

The rarer Xbox celebrates 20 years of Master Chief and boasts “a custom console design imprinted with stars as seen from the surface of Zeta Halo – extending onto the fan behind a blue vent inspired by Cortana.”

The Halo Infinite branded Xbox series X is only available to pre-order and doesn’t launch until November.

When will John Lewis & Partners restock the Xbox?

Monday 20 September 2021 11:11 , Steve Hogarty

John Lewis & Partners hasn’t had so much of a whiff of an Xbox series X since 12 July.

The retailer only ever restocks at 7am sharp, so by this point in the morning we can safely assume that the historic department store won’t be selling any Xboxes today. That doesn’t mean we don’t keep tabs on this retailer though.

We’d never let our guard down like that.

When did the Microsoft Store last have Xbox stock?

Monday 20 September 2021 11:45 , Steve Hogarty

You’d think the official Xbox store would be the best place to find the Xbox series X in stock, but the retailer has to fight for the limited supply of consoles just like everybody else.

The store last had the Xbox series X in stock on 7 September, and before that on 25 August when it opened up pre-orders for the limited edition Halo Infinite Xbox bundle.

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals

Monday 20 September 2021 12:29 , Steve Hogarty

Want 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.

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There are two ‘Halo Infinite’ Xbox controllers

Monday 20 September 2021 13:40 , Steve Hogarty

There’s a standard, black Halo Infinite themed controller, which comes bundled with the new Halo Infinite themed Xbox series X and can’t be bought separately.

But there’s also a new elite controller (pictured above) themed around Master Chief’s iconic green armour. The elite controller launches 15 November – Halo Infinite’s intended release date before it slipped to 8 December – and can be pre-ordered from the Microsoft Store when stock is available.

Here are your basic Xbox series X controller options, setting aside the glut of other limited edition pads out there.

• Xbox wireless controller: From £49.99, Amazon.co.uk

• Xbox elite wireless controller series 2: £159.99, Argos.co.uk

• Xbox elite wireless controller series 2 - Halo Infinite limited edition: £179.99, Xbox.com

The best Xbox series X games to play right now

Monday 20 September 2021 14:38 , Steve Hogarty

Did you manage to grab an Xbox from Game last week? Well have a gander at our round-up of the best Xbox series X games to decide what to play first.

Both the Xbox series X and the PlayStation 5 have endured a slow launch, with the global pandemic putting the brakes on development of many new titles. You’ll notice that many of the best Xbox series X games are upgraded and remastered versions of Xbox One games, but there are some genuine next-gen experiences to be enjoyed already.

Managed to find the Xbox series X in stock? Here are the games you need to play

You can play Xbox games on your laptop

Monday 20 September 2021 15:36 , Steve Hogarty

You don’t actually need an Xbox series X to play Xbox series X games, just a fast enough internet connection and a compatible streaming device.

Xbox Cloud Gaming streams games from Microsoft’s servers to your console, laptop or phone, via your internet browser or the Xbox app. How does cloud gaming work? Well it’s basically like being on a Zoom call with a game that you’re controlling, meaning you can jump into new games at the push of a button rather than waiting around for your download to finish.

Cloud gaming requires 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 2021.

The ultimate guide to the best laptops of 2021

The best TVs for gaming on Xbox series X

Monday 20 September 2021 16:28 , Steve Hogarty

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

A lot of next-gen games allow you to choose between a performance mode and a graphics mode. Performance mode dials down the graphics settings in favour of smoother framerates of 60fps or more, while the graphics mode enables higher resolutions and fancier visual 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.

10 best 4K TVs for needle-sharp viewing

Xbox stock trackers, signing off

Monday 20 September 2021 16:55 , Steve Hogarty

Well that’s all from us today.

While brief, this morning’s Amazon restock set the week off to a great start. The retailer’s first Xbox drop in almost two weeks lasted almost two minutes. Unlike the PS5 the console was available to anyone regardless of Prime membership status.

If you missed it, don’t worry. We’re expecting more Xbox stock to arrive later this week, so join us again tomorrow to be the first to know when Microsoft’s console rears its head again.

Follow the liveblog for the latest Xbox stock alerts

Tuesday 21 September 2021 08:10 , Steve Hogarty

Good morning, Xbox hunters!

Welcome to Tuesday’s Xbox series X stock tracking liveblog, where we’ll be scanning the retail horizon for available stock of Microsoft’s new console.

The Xbox shows up without warning and sells out in seconds. We’re here to bring you live stock updates as they happen to give you the best chance of grabbing one.

Is the Xbox series X in stock anywhere?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 08:36 , Alistair Charlton

The short answer, unfortunately, is no. Over 10 months after first going on sale, the Xbox series X console is still incredibly difficult to buy from any retailer. Some shops, like AO, Game and Amazon have small amounts of stock arrive every few weeks, or sometimes once a month. But there is rarely any warning about when these will drop, so stock sells out very quickly indeed.

Other retailers have really struggled to offer much stock at all. Argos and ShopTo haven’t had stock since August, while John Lewis, BT and Box haven’t sold any Xbox series X consoles since July.

Which retailers have had Xbox stock this week?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 08:51 , Alistair Charlton

There have been a couple of Xbox series X restocks this week. Both AO and Amazon had stock yesterday, 20 September, but the former bundled the console with expensive accessories, pushing the price up and putting off some buyers. This is a technique we suspect AO is using to dissuade scalpers, as buying then having to sell the accessories takes time and eats into their profit margin.

As for Amazon, the restock came without warning and was snapped up quickly. Unlike Amazon’s recent PS5 restocks, the Xbox consoles offered this week were available to everyone and not just Amazon Prime members, causing them to sell out even more quickly.

When did Game last have Xbox series X stock?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 09:15 , Alistair Charlton

Being a dedicated video game retailer, Game has had more restocks than most others over the past year. According to our records, Game had four Xbox series X restocks in June, followed by one in July and no fewer than six in August.

So far, there has been just one restock this month, on 8 September, so we’re hoping to see more stock arrive before October. It’s also worth explaining that the 8 September drop was tied to Xbox All Access, where the console is available for a monthly fee spread over 24 months. With a bit of luck, Game will have another regular stock drop before the end of September.

When did Smyths Toys last have Xbox series X stock?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 09:58 , Alistair Charlton

Smyths Toys had just a handful of Xbox series X restocks over the summer. We saw just one in June, none in July, then two in August (one of which being click-and-collect) and one on 9 September.

That last drop was tiny though, with stock selling out online very quickly. We’ve heard shoppers getting lucky with Xbox stock arriving in their local branches, so if you live or work near a Smyths store it’s definitely worth calling in to see if any stock has arrived.

The Smyths Toys website currently says fresh Xbox series X stock is due in September. With the month ending next week, shoppers should hopefully only have a few more days to wait.

When did the Microsoft Store last have Xbox series X stock?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 10:32 , Alistair Charlton

You might think that Microsoft’s own online store would be a surefire bet when it comes to finding Xbox series X stock online. But you’d be wrong. Unfortunately, the Microsoft Store has only offered a handful of restocks over the summer.

These included two drops in August, with the latter being a Halo exclusive, and the most recent restock arrived on 7 September. Now though, the store only points to other retailers and states how they are also all out of stock.

The cheaper and less powerful Xbox series S is available from the Microsoft Store, however, at its regular price of £249.99.

What is Xbox All Access?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 11:14 , Alistair Charlton

We mentioned earlier this morning how Game recently had series X stock, but only via the Xbox All Access subscription. This is a monthly payment option where, for £28.99 a month for 24 months, you get an Xbox series X, plus Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

That means you get the console, plus access to Microsoft’s online catalogue of games, ready to play right away. Xbox All Access is only available through Smyths Toys, Game and 4gadgets in the UK, but with no stock currently available. However, when Game last had series X stock via Xbox All Access, consoles remained available for quite some time.

So if you’d rather pay monthly for your console, and like the look of the games offered on Game Pass Ultimate, then Xbox All Access could be for you. The Xbox series S is also offered through All Access, and is priced at £20.99 per month for 24 months.

How to pre-order the Xbox series X ‘Halo Infinite' edition

Tuesday 21 September 2021 12:02 , Alistair Charlton

Microsoft is preparing to release a limited edition version of the Xbox series X to celebrate the upcoming Halo Infinite game. The game itself is due out on 8 December, while the console will land on 15 November.

The console, which also comes with a Halo-themed controller, is priced at £479.99, so only a little more expensive than the regular £449.99 series X console. However, and as you might have already guessed, pre-orders through Game and the Microsoft Store sold out almost immediately.

It isn’t clear if more stock will arrive for pre-order before 15 November, or if Microsoft is holding stock back for the launch date itself. The console can be put into a basket of the Microsoft Store, but cannot currently be ordered.

There is better news when it comes to the Halo Infinite-themed Xbox elite controller, which is £179.99 and currently available to pre-order at Game.

When did Very last have an Xbox series X restock?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 12:31 , Alistair Charlton

Very has had several Xbox series X restocks over the summer, including two in June and one in both July and August. The most recent restock came on 14 September, but we haven’t seen anything land since.

The Very website currently shows both the Xbox series X and series S as out of stock, with a message simply stating how stock is “coming soon”. Once the consoles arrive, Very tends to operate a virtual queuing system where shoppers must wait their turn to access the site and drop an Xbox into their basket.

Keep your eyes on this live blog for the latest news on when Very, and other retailers, finally get hold of some fresh Xbox series X stock.

How to buy a PS5

Tuesday 21 September 2021 13:00 , Alistair Charlton

If you fancy buying a PS5 as well – or perhaps you’re considering a change of console given the lack of Xbox series X stock – then we have a live blog for Sony’s console too.

The IndyBest team is working hard to keep you updated on all of the latest PS5 restocks, the moment they happen. Unlike the Xbox series X, the PS5 has been easier to buy in recent weeks, with retailers like Game announcing the arrival of fresh stock ahead of time, while Amazon makes things less chaotic by limiting orders to Prime members.

The most recent news is that PS5 restocks could drop at both Game and Amazon today, 21 September.

Read The Independent’s live PS5 UK stock live blog

What’s the difference between Xbox series X and series S?

Tuesday 21 September 2021 14:01 , Alistair Charlton

Microsoft makes two versions of the Xbox series game console, called the series S (£249, Amazon.co.uk) and the series X. The former is cheaper and less powerful, but is also far more widely available than the more powerful and more expensive (but very tricky to find) series X.

As well as being smaller – and white instead of black – the series S has 512GB of solid-state storage, which is half that of the 1TB found in the Xbox series X. The S has four teraflops of processing power compared to the series X’s 12 teraflops, and it is limited to displaying games at a resolution of 1440p, whereas the series X can output games in 4K. That said, the series S can play video content from apps like Netflix and Prime Video in 4K resolution.

Lastly, and unlike the series X, the series S does not have a disc drive, so games have to be downloaded from the Microsoft Store and it cannot play Blu-ray movies.

The Xbox series S is priced at £249.99 and the series X is £449.99, making the smaller console great value for gamers who don’t demand 4K gaming. And you can actually buy one today, which is a nice bonus.

How to buy the best TV for your new Xbox

Tuesday 21 September 2021 14:27 , Alistair Charlton

While you wait for Xbox consoles to come back into stock – or for yours to arrive if you’ve been lucky enough to buy one – you might want to pick up a new TV too.

The television market is huge, with options for almost all budgets. But there are a few key features to look out for when buying a TV to get the most out of your new game console.

More specifically, you’ll want a TV that can handle 4K resolution, with HDR and a 120Hz refresh rate, which the Xbox series X is capable of. This makes for smoother visuals when playing your favourite games and navigating the Xbox interface. You’ll also want to make sure the TV has an HDMI 2.1 port for hooking up your console.

Read The Independent’s guide to the best gaming TVs for PlayStation and Xbox in 2021.

How to sign up to the IndyBest newsletter

Tuesday 21 September 2021 15:04 , Alistair Charlton

Has our live blog helped you secure an Xbox series X? If so, and you want to get your hands on some more deals, then why not sign up to the free IndyBest newsletter? This will give you access to the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products chosen by IndyBest experts.

Landing in your inbox every Friday morning, the newsletter features products from our tried and tested reviews by pros in the field, helping you make the most informed choices when it comes to spending your hard-earned cash.

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

How to buy a Nintendo Switch OLED

Tuesday 21 September 2021 16:02 , Alistair Charlton

While you wait for the Xbox series X to finally come back into stock, how about a new Nintendo Switch OLED? The new handheld game console will arrive in the UK on 8 October and is priced at £309.99. Pre-orders have already come and gone at most retailers, but we’re hopeful that more stock will arrive before (or on) the release date.

The big feature of the Nintendo Switch OLED is, unsurprisingly, its shiny new OLED display, which promises more vivid colours and deeper blacks than the previous model. A massive upgrade on the old LCD screen, the new OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panel does away with a separate LED backlight, as each pixel emits its own light. That way, the brightness can be adjusted on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and when a pixel is switched off it is truly black, improving the contrast of the display.

Nintendo has also increased the display size slightly, from 6.62in to 7in, and upped internal storage from 32GB to 64GB.

Where to pre-order the Nintendo Switch OLED in the UK

Xbox live blog signing off

Tuesday 21 September 2021 17:03 , Alistair Charlton

That brings to a close another difficult day of Xbox hunting. Unfortunately we didn’t see any Xbox series X restocks at all today, and we don’t yet know for sure if any stock will drop tomorrow either. But don’t lose hope, team! Some retailers have had restocks in recent weeks, and Smyths Toys says fresh stock will arrive at some point in September, which should mean a drop happening before the end of next week.

In the meantime, keep your hopes up and we’ll see you again tomorrow morning!

ShopTo restocked the Xbox in the night

Wednesday 22 September 2021 08:27 , Steve Hogarty

Good morning Xbox hunters!

Yesterday evening we had an out-of-hours Xbox restock at ShopTo. It had been almost exactly a month since the retailer last dropped the Xbox series X on us, and the online store took advantage of the fact we were all settling down to watch Bake Off to catch us off guard.

Missed it? (The Xbox drop we mean, not Bake Off). Don’t worry, we’re monitoring UK retailers all day to bring you more news of Xbox restocks as they happen.

Where will the Xbox series X restock next?

Wednesday 22 September 2021 08:43 , Steve Hogarty

We think Currys PC World is next in line for an Xbox drop, based on previous restocking patterns and whispers on the wind.

The retailer rarely goes more than two weeks without a fresh allocation of Microsoft’s newest console, and it’s been about that long since it last had any Xboxes in stock.

Currys tends to put its consoles on sale between 8am and noon, and not during any popular televised baking contests.

Will Amazon restock the Xbox series X today?

Wednesday 22 September 2021 08:56 , Steve Hogarty

In the last few minutes Amazon has dropped fresh stock of the PS5, breaking a six week long dry spell for the retail giant.

When a retailer restocks Sony’s next-generation console, often the Xbox isn’t far behind, so watch this space.

Amazon reserves its PS5 stock exclusively for Prime subscribers and could do the same for the Xbox soon, so we’d recommend signing up for a 30-day free trial if you aren’t already a member. Follow our PS5 stock tracking liveblog for more updates.

Amazon has restocked the PS5 - here’s how to get it

Amazon Italy has the Xbox series X in stock

Wednesday 22 September 2021 09:09 , Steve Hogarty

Amazon Italy has restocked the Xbox series X.

The console costs €599, but you’ll incur some hefty import charges (usually at least £100) if you want it delivered to the UK.

Will there be an Xbox restock at Argos?

Wednesday 22 September 2021 09:22 , Steve Hogarty

Argos treated us to a brief Xbox restock earlier this month, when the Xbox series X was suddenly available for click and collect across a range of local stores up and down the country. Whether or not you could pick one up was based on nothing more than geography.

Don’t be fooled by Argos allowing you to click the “add to trolley” button. The button is usually available regardless of whether the console is in stock, and if you try to check out you’ll find that there are no collection or delivery options to choose from.

We think new stock could appear at Argos as early as next week.

When it happens, the best way to buy an Xbox series X from Argos is through the app and by adding the console to your wish list. You have better luck checking out by following the link on your wish list page rather than through the product page.

Could AO restock the Xbox series X today?

Wednesday 22 September 2021 09:44 , Steve Hogarty

AO last restocked the Xbox series X on Friday, so we don’t expect the retail to have more Xbox stock until next week at the earliest.

When it was available the Xbox was sold as part of a bundle costing £614. The bundle included a charging dock, extra controller and wireless gaming headset. Bundles tend to stay in stock longer as they’re slightly more expensive and less appealing to scalpers, as the bundled accessories eat into their potential profit.

Might Game restock Xbox All Access again?

Wednesday 22 September 2021 10:01 , Steve Hogarty

Game is completely sold out of the Xbox series X.

The retailer is one of three sites selling the Xbox All Access programme, the £28.99 per month, pay-as-you-go alternative to buying the Xbox for the full £449 in one go.

The scheme is only open to new customers as long as the retailer has the Xbox series X console in stock, but Game usually sets a number of consoles aside to sell through Xbox All Access. That is, if the console appears sold out on the main product page, you might still be able to pick one up on the Xbox All Access page.

Right now, neither works. Game doesn’t have two Xboxes to rub together, but could restock again by the end of the week.

What’s going on with Smyths Toys?

Wednesday 22 September 2021 10:21 , Steve Hogarty

Smyths Toys is a curious one.

One of three retailers partnering with Microsoft to sell the console through the Xbox All Access scheme, Smyths hasn’t sold an Xbox through this programme since the beginning of August.

Instead, the retailer has been focusing on restocking physical stores around the country, often without listing stock as available on its website. That’s frustrating for stock checkers like us, but it might be worth checking with your local branch of Smyths to enquire about available stock and pre-orders.

How to buy an Xbox series X online

Wednesday 22 September 2021 10:39 , Steve Hogarty

Sometimes we’re so busy thinking about where to buy the Xbox series X, that we forget how to buy the Xbox series X.

Here are a few general tips on bagging Microsoft’s next-gen console when it appears in stock.

• Register accounts at the retailers most likely to restock, such as Amazon, Currys PC World, Smyths Toys, Argos and Game

• Add your payment details and delivery address in advance for a speedy checkout

• Download each retailer’s app 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 that 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

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals

Wednesday 22 September 2021 11:02 , 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 ‘Halo Infinite’ themed Xbox is sold out everywhere

Wednesday 22 September 2021 11:28 , Steve Hogarty

Back in late August, both Game and the Microsoft Store sold pre-orders for the newly revealed, limited edition Halo Infinite themed Xbox series X bundle (£479.99, Microsoft Store). It should come as no surprise to you that this Xbox is even more difficult to find in stock online than the standard Xbox.

The branded box celebrates 20 years of Master Chief and sports a fetching “custom console design imprinted with stars as seen from the surface of Zeta Halo – extending onto the fan behind a blue vent inspired by Cortana.”

The Halo Infinite themed Xbox series X launches 15 November.

The ‘Call of Duty: Vanguard’ beta closes today

Wednesday 22 September 2021 11:58 , Steve Hogarty

The Call of Duty: Vanguard multiplayer beta was originally slated to finish on Monday, but was extended until later this evening to give more players the opportunity to test out Activision’s blockbuster FPS. The event now finished at 6pm BST, so you might need to skive off work to get a few more rounds in.

The full version of Call of Duty: Vanguard launches on 5 November for the Xbox series X, Xbox series S and Xbox One.

You can pre-order the game from Argos for £69.99.

The best Xbox series X games to play right now

Wednesday 22 September 2021 12:46 , Steve Hogarty

Bought an Xbox this week? Ohh, get you. Why not take a break from refreshing the delivery tracking page to look at some of the best Xbox series X games.

Many of the best games to play on the Xbox series X right now are upgraded and remastered versions of Xbox One games. But already there are some unmissable next-gen exclusives to be enjoyed, such as the spectacular looking Microsoft Flight Simulator. We’ve included some of the console’s most highly anticipated upcoming games too.

Managed to find the Xbox series X in stock? Here are the games you need to play

Does ‘Deathloop’ have a release date on Xbox?

Wednesday 22 September 2021 13:30 , Steve Hogarty

Arkane’s time-bending assassination game has been a huge hit on PS5, but when will Deathloop launch on Xbox series X?

Not until 2022 at the earliest.

Sony purchased the exclusive rights to Deathloop while the game was still in its development phase, meaning it won’t appear on Microsoft’s next-generation console until September next year at the earliest.

The game is also available on PC.

Read our full review of the Xbox series X

Wednesday 22 September 2021 14:28 , Steve Hogarty

If you can’t buy an Xbox series X, why not do the next best thing and read all about it?

Our review of the most advanced Xbox yet describes a powerful machine that’s still waiting on truly next-generation games to take advantage of the hardware. The pandemic has slowed more than just the production of games consoles. Many video games have had their development schedules delayed by the sudden shift to remote working in 2020, meaning the launch dates of major titles have had to be pushed back.

Still, the Xbox series X is impressive. As our review puts it, “inside the black box are some seriously powerful components, matching a high-end gaming PC in a chassis that’s about the size of a loaf of Hovis.”

Half a year after it launched, is now the time buy the Xbox series X?

The best VPN for Xbox series X

Wednesday 22 September 2021 15:26 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X has top-notch security when gaming online, but there are other reasons why you might want to install a VPN on an Xbox.

For example: if you use your Xbox to watch movies and TV shows on platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, a VPN allows you to spoof your location and access content not normally available in your country. To keep your Xbox series X at peak performance while using a VPN, you’ll want to make sure that the service 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

Differences between the Xbox series X and series S

Wednesday 22 September 2021 16:21 , Steve Hogarty

There are two next-gen Xboxes: the less powerful Xbox series S and the more advanced Xbox series X.

They both run the same next-gen games (as well as older Xbox games through backwards compatibility), but the cheaper Xbox series S has less processing power and storage space. This means graphics won’t look as detailed and performance may be a little slower, and you’ll have to use an external hard drive or delete and redownload games to make space.

For that reason, the Xbox series X is considered to be the “true” next-generation console here – but both consoles are excellent games machines. The Xbox series S has another big advantage in that it’s much easier to find in stock than the Xbox series X.

The Xbox series S costs £249 (Amazon.co.uk), which looks positively bargainous compared to the Xbox series X at £449.

Xbox stock trackers, signing off

Wednesday 22 September 2021 16:47 , Steve Hogarty

That’s all from us today. Thank you for joining the Xbox stock tracking liveblog, and please accept our deepest apologies that there weren’t any Xboxes to report on.

It’s a bit like a safari: sometimes you don’t get to see the elephant (the Xbox series X), so you just have to be make do with the less powerful and more readily available zebra (the Xbox series S).

But if a stripy horse doesn’t cut the mustard, join us back here tomorrow morning when we’ll be resuming our Xbox series X search all over again. Until then!

Wake up, it’s Xbox time

Thursday 23 September 2021 08:10 , Steve Hogarty

Good morning, Xbox hunters!

Welcome to Thursday’s Xbox stock tracking liveblog, where we’ll be scouring the internet in search of el chupacabra, the mythical beast of the Americas who prowls the land in search of prey.

Failing that, we’ll also be on the lookout for available stock of the Xbox series X, Microsoft’s equally hard-to-find next-generation console. We’ll bring you live alerts as soon as new stock drops, so stick with us for updates as they happen.

Let’s go!

Which retailers are most likely to restock this morning?

Thursday 23 September 2021 08:34 , Steve Hogarty

This week has not been kind to anyone in search of an Xbox. So far we’ve seen drops by Amazon and ShopTo, but nowhere else.

Where do we think the Xbox might pop up next? Let’s run through our most likely looking retailers.

At the top of our list is Currys PC World. The retailer is overdue another allocation of Microsoft’s next-generation console, having restocked a couple of thousand machines just over two and half weeks ago. Currys rarely goes more than two weeks without restocking and has restocked on a Thursday plenty of times before.

Smyths Toys, Xbox stock, when, please

Thursday 23 September 2021 08:51 , Steve Hogarty

Smyths Toys is another retailer that could be be bursting with Xboxes any second now.

Along with Game and 4gadgets, Smyths is one of three retailers to partner with Microsoft to sell the Xbox through the Xbox All Access programme. Lately, for reasons unknown, only Game has had the pay-as-you-go scheme available for customers. Smyths hasn’t sold an Xbox through All Access since early August.

Instead, the retailer has focused on restocking small numbers of consoles in physical UK stores. It might be worth checking with your local branch of Smyths to enquire about available stock and pre-orders.

When will John Lewis & Partners restock the Xbox?

Thursday 23 September 2021 09:04 , Steve Hogarty

We’re rapidly losing hope of a John Lewis & Partners restock ever happening again. The last time the department store had the Xbox series X was 12 July, over two months ago, but it’s exactly when we least expect it that the console tends to appear.

John Lewis is a creature of habit and only ever restocks at 7am, so by this point in the morning we can assume that the retailer isn’t going to cough up the goods today. Then again, stranger things have happened.

What’s happening at the Microsoft Store?

Thursday 23 September 2021 09:21 , Steve Hogarty

You might think that the official Xbox store would be the best place to find the Xbox series X in stock, but Microsoft doesn’t play favourites. The in-house retailer has to fight tooth and nail for the limited supply of consoles, and for a long time the Microsoft Store had no stock to speak of.

That said, along with Game it was one of only two places offering pre-orders for the limited edition Halo Infinite Xbox bundle. The rare, branded Xbox series X was announced in August and launches 15 November. The store last had the plain Xbox series X in stock on 7 September.

When will Amazon restock the Xbox series X?

Thursday 23 September 2021 10:40 , Steve Hogarty

Amazon restocked the PlayStation 5 yesterday, selling Sony’s console exclusively to Prime members. It broke a six week dry spell for the company.

While we guessed that this might lead to a similar Xbox restock, things didn’t unfold quite as anticipated. Amazon restocked the Xbox series X as predicted, but only in Italy. It’s possible to import consoles from international Amazon sites, but they come with prohibitively expensive import fees and taxes.

If you’ve given up on waiting, Amazon currently has the less powerful Xbox series S in stock (£249, Amazon.co.uk).

Best Buy is selling Xbox series X in the US today

Thursday 23 September 2021 11:01 , Steve Hogarty

We’re tracking the availability of the Xbox series X in the UK, but in the absence of any local updates to share let’s peer across the pond for a second.

US retailer Best Buy is selling the Xbox series X and the PlayStation 5 at its flagship stores all around North America this morning, 23 September. To give you some indication of the scarcity of these next-gen consoles: it will be the first time the warehouse retailer has stocked either machine all year.

The sales event will be ticketed, with customers queuing up — which they would call standing in line — to get their hands on an Xbox series X.

Will Very restock the Xbox series X today?

Thursday 23 September 2021 11:20 , Steve Hogarty

Because it lives for the drama, Very tends to restock the Xbox series X at the same time it restocks the PlayStation 5.

Rumours are more readily circulated about where Sony’s console might appear next, so we’re reasonably confident we’ll see a Very restock of both consoles between 5 October and 7 October. That’s also in keeping with the frequency of restocks we’ve seen at Very in recent months.

Might AO restock again this week?

Thursday 23 September 2021 11:43 , Steve Hogarty

We saw an Xbox restock at AO last Friday, 17 September, when the retailer sold the console as part of a bundle costing £614. That’s £165 more expensive than buying the console by itself, which made many shoppers hesitate and extended the lifespan of the drop to around 45 minutes (which is an eternity in Xbox stock-adjusted terms).

Friday drops are less common, so this surprise resupply at AO came out of the blue (though of course, we brought you the stock alert within seconds). It’s also a key data point for future predictions. Whereas some retailers rigidly stick to Monday to Wednesday drops, we now know that AO isn’t afraid to swoop in unannounced on a Friday afternoon, just as we’re all aimlessly clicking around on the internet and pretending to do any useful work.

The ‘Halo Infinite’ limited edition Xbox could go on sale at Game

Thursday 23 September 2021 12:11 , Steve Hogarty

Game has activated the pre-order button for the Halo Infinite limited edition Xbox series X bundle.

The console is currently out of stock, but the retailer tends to make its button clickable shortly before stock is actually available.

Keep an eye on this one.

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals

Thursday 23 September 2021 12:38 , Steve Hogarty

Want even more great shopping insights? Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter today 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 best SSD for the Xbox series X

Thursday 23 September 2021 13:35 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X comes with 1TB of internal storage built in. That’s plenty for now, but as games become more complex and installation sizes grow it won’t be long before you find yourself repeatedly running out of space. Microsoft Flight Simulator (£59.99, Very.co.uk) alone will gobble up 100GB of storage.

You can plug most external USB hard drives into the Xbox series X to store your games and data, but you can only run next-generation games from Seagate’s official SSD expansion card. This is because it offers the faster read-and-write speeds required to run the latest games.

The Seagate 1TB storage expansion card (£199, Amazon.co.uk) doubles the capacity of the Xbox series X and currently has 10 per cent off at Amazon. If the thought of running out of space is keeping you up at night, now’s a good opportunity to pick one up.

Currys PC World has price matched Amazon (£199, Currys.co.uk).

10 best external hard drives for boosting your storage

Will Xbox supply issues get worse before they get better?

Thursday 23 September 2021 14:32 , Steve Hogarty

The global shortage of silicon semiconductors – which we now know are a vital component in everything from laptops and electric toothbrushes to games consoles and cars – is still wreaking havoc on supply chains everywhere.

Analysts are predicting that smartphone manufacturers could be in trouble next. Companies like Samsung and Apple had so far been insulated from the problem as they kept stockpiles of the microchips they need, but now those supplies are running out and increased demand for chips from other industries is ramping up costs even further. Microchip manufacturers are also reducing the range of products they produce to focus on their most profitable chips.

Far from being over, the semiconductor shortage looks set to continue for some time. That’s why we’ve already launched our best Black Friday tech deals article, to give you as much time as possible to pick up the tech you need ahead of what promises to be the busiest shopping season of all time.

Black Friday tech deals: What offers to expect this year

What’s the price of the Xbox series X in the UK?

Thursday 23 September 2021 15:28 , Steve Hogarty

We’re looking less and less likely to see an Xbox stock drop today, so let’s brush up on the fundamentals. How much does the Xbox series X cost?

We’re noticing more retailers are bundling the Xbox series X with extra games, controllers, peripherals and access to Game Pass Ultimate to extend the lifespan of their restocks and dissuade scalpers.

Naturally, this bumps up the price of the Xbox series X, so it’s worth keeping in mind how much everything costs to know whether a bundle is good value or not.

• The Xbox series X console is priced at £449.99

• The all-digital Xbox series S console is priced at £249

• The Xbox wireless controller is priced at £54.99

• The Xbox elite wireless controller series 2 is priced at £159.99

• Game Pass Ultimate costs £10.99 per month

Argos has the Xbox series X in some stores

Thursday 23 September 2021 16:16 , Steve Hogarty

Argos has begun restocking the Xbox series X in some local stores this afternoon.

Buy now.

Add the console to your trolley to check if the Xbox is available for collection at a branch near you. Only very few stores have the console in stock, so your nearest Argos may still be sold out.

Thursday 23 September 2021 16:53 , Steve Hogarty

That’s all from us!

Today we’ve had a smattering of reports of a series of very local in-store restocks at Argos. These low-key physical restocks are becoming more common, especially at Smyths Toys, AO and Game, so we’d recommend dropping into a high street store to enquire about the Xbox series X if you can.

You should also keep an eye on Game and the Microsoft Store this evening, as Game has just redesigned its product page for the limited edition Halo Infinite Xbox series X bundle, and you don’t do that unless you’re about to sell some Xboxes.

Join us again tomorrow to be the first to know when the Xbox reappears.

Bye bye!

Xbox stock trackers, activate

08:24 , Steve Hogarty

Good morning, Xbox hunters!

Welcome to Friday’s Xbox stock tracking liveblog, where we’ll be scanning the retail landscape for the first sign of Microsoft’s elusive black box.

We kick off with news that Argos has had a trickle of Xbox series X consoles popping up in a handful of its stores around the country. It’s a long shot – most shoppers can’t see it in stock where they are – but it’s worth checking. Today could be your lucky day.

Could Game restock today?

08:39 , Steve Hogarty

Yesterday afternoon, Game made a change to the Halo Infinite limited edition Xbox series X pre-order page. This is the rare and recently announced Halo Infinite branded version of the console, which costs a little more but comes with the latest Halo game pre-installed. It will launch on 15 November.

Game prematurely activated the Xbox’s pre-order button for a few hours yesterday evening, though no stock was available. This sort of website tinkering usually indicates that stock levels are being manually adjusted somewhere, and that an imminent restock could be on the horizon.

Might AO restock again this week?

08:55 , Steve Hogarty

AO is one of a handful of retailers who won’t hesitate to restock on a Friday.

In fact, its most recent restock took place last Friday on 17 September, when the retailer sold the console as part of a pricey bundle costing £614 and including a gaming headset, charging dock and controller.

Two Fridays in a row would be gratuitous for AO, but it’s not inconceivable. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility. Keep an open mind.

We’ve got eyes on them.

Game is selling Xbox All Access right now

09:13 , Steve Hogarty

Game is currently selling the Xbox series X console through its All Access programme.

Buy now

The pay-as-you-go alternative to purchasing the £449 console up front allows you to pay for the Xbox series X in 24 monthly instalments of £28.99. This includes a Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions worth £10.99 a month, which works out as £712 worth of stuff for £695.

You need to pass a credit check with Klarna before you can check out.

Argos could restock the Xbox again soon

09:31 , Steve Hogarty

Earlier this morning we reported that Argos has a handful of consoles dotted about the country, but we’re hearing fresh rumours that the retailer might be about to unleash a more thorough restock of the Xbox series X across most of its UK stores soon.

There’s already a big PS5 restock that’s heavily rumoured by @PS5StockAlertUK.

So a similarly widespread resupply of Microsoft’s next-gen console would make sense of these smaller drops we’re seeing right now.

Top tip! Click the heart to add the Xbox to your wishlist. Using the Argos app, you can transfer the Xbox from your wishlist straight into your basket, which unlocks your delivery and collection options so you can check out with it the instant a drop happens.

Xbox All Access is in stock at Game

09:43 , Steve Hogarty

Game is currently selling the Xbox series X through the Xbox All Access programme, a scheme that lets you spread the cost of the Xbox over two years.

A quick note: at the time of writing we are able to reserve a console at Game for 20 minutes and begin the Klarna credit check process. Many readers have been in touch to say that the Xbox is sold out by the time they click through, or once their credit check is completed.

We’ll do our best to keep you updated on availability if it changes.

How does Xbox All Access work?

09:58 , Steve Hogarty

When Game restocks the Xbox, it’s often through the Xbox All Access programme, which isn’t very well signposted on the Xbox product page.

So how does Xbox All Access work?

Rather than pay £449 for the console in one go, 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.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate usually costs £10.99 per month alone, which makes Xbox All Access slightly cheaper than buying the console and Game Pass Ultimate separately.

Xbox All Access requires passing a credit check with Klarna, the buy-now-pay-later service.

Does Xbox All Access charge interest?

10:19 , Steve Hogarty

Still wondering if the Xbox All Access deal at Game is right for you? Let’s go through some Xbox All Access FAQs:

Is Xbox All Access interest-free?

Yes. Xbox All Access is an interest-free credit agreement between you and the buy-now-pay-later service Klarna. There are no service charges and the cost includes the console itself and 24 month subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, the Netflix style library of over 100 games.

Can you pay off Xbox All Access early?

Yes. You can make early repayments or pay off the remaining balance at any time for no extra fee.

What happens if I stop paying Xbox All Access?

The same thing that happens if you default on any loan. You’ll be in trouble with Klarna’s debt collectors and your credit score will take a big hit. Your Xbox account could be suspended and your console taken as collateral, and you’ll start racking up interest and other late payment charges.

Make sure you’re in a position to make the payments comfortably – especially considering the unpredictable age we’re living in.

Who else might restock the Xbox today?

10:39 , Steve Hogarty

While Game continues to stock Xbox All Access online, several other retailers are poised to drop more Xbox stock today.

We’ve got our sights set on Currys PC World. The retailer hasn’t restocked the Xbox series X since 7 September. That’s over two and a half weeks ago and the longest the retailer’s gone without restocking since early August.

Smyths Toys is selling the Xbox series X

11:05 , Steve Hogarty

Smyths Toys is selling the Xbox series X via the Xbox All Access programme.

To recap: with Xbox All Access you pay for the console in 24 monthly instalments of £28.99 rather than paying £449 up front.

This includes two years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the games subscription service allowing you to access more than 100 games on demand.

Game is also still selling the Xbox series X via Xbox All Access.

Can you pre-order the ‘Halo Infinite’ bundle at the Microsoft Store?

11:31 , Steve Hogarty

The Halo Infinite limited edition Xbox series X launches on 15 November. While it’s absolutely sold out now, there have only been two places you can pre-order the console, Game and the Microsoft Store.

Pre-orders for the limited edition Xbox opened on 25 August and were snapped up in 20 minutes flat.

Game teased us by tinkering with their Halo Infinite Xbox series X product page yesterday evening, momentarily listing it as in stock before any stock was available.

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals

12:33 , 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

‘Sable’ is out now on Game Pass

13:31 , Steve Hogarty

Looking for something to play this weekend? Check out Sable, an epic adventure game from two-person dev team Shedworks. Sable launched on Game Pass earlier this week to loud and rapturous critical acclaim.

Buy now (£20.99, Xbox.com)

You play a wandering nomad, zooming across a vast desert on your hoverbike in search of mysteries and ancient ruins and all manner of fascinating stuff.

If that sounds vague, it’s because we haven’t played Sable yet and we refuse to read too much about it before we jump into it ourselves.

How to buy an Xbox series X in store

14:28 , Steve Hogarty

Lately, more retailers have opted to restock the Xbox in store rather than online. This helps avoid scalpers and get the console into the hands of legitimate customers.

Keeping track of the stock situation in physical shops is tricky, but not impossible. We rely on tips from shoppers, reports from Twitter, and intel from our shady network of spies embedded in every brick-and-mortar shop in the country.

Here are some tips for finding the Xbox series X in stock out there in the wild:

• The retailers rumoured to have in-store stock are Argos and Smyths Toys. To a lesser extent we’ve heard of John Lewis & Partners, Currys PC World and Game having physical stock.

• Enter your post code on the retailer’s online product page to check for local stock. If you can, scroll around to peek at other stores farther away from you.

• Xbox not in stock? Don’t lose hope. Many stores don’t log returns or uncollected Xbox pre-orders back into their stock systems. Pop into your local shop in person and ask a member of staff.

The best VPN for the Xbox series X

15:32 , Steve Hogarty

If you watch movies and TV shows on your Xbox, a virtual private network allows you to spoof your location and access content not normally available in your country.

If your internet access is restricted somehow – maybe you’re playing Call of Duty at work or at college – a VPN can disguise your web traffic to bypass firewalls.

You can’t install a VPN directly to an Xbox series X, but you can install one on your laptop and route your console’s internet connection through that.

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 best laptops in 2021

16:21 , Steve Hogarty

You don’t actually need an Xbox series X to play the latest Xbox games, just a fast enough internet connection and a compatible streaming device.

Xbox Cloud Gaming streams a selection of Xbox games from Microsoft’s servers to your console, laptop or phone, via your internet browser or the Xbox app. This means you can jump straight into new games and multiplayer experiences as easily as pressing play on a Netflix show, rather than waiting around for your download to finish and the game to install and load up.

Cloud gaming requires 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 2021.

The ultimate guide to the best laptops of 2021

The Xbox series X is in stock at Argos

16:33 , Steve Hogarty

Buy now

Argos has restocked the Xbox series X for click and collect at stores all over the country.

We’re seeing available stock in most of the larger Argos stores across London at the moment. Add the Xbox series X to your trolley to browse nearby stores and check for available stock.

Argos has sold out of the Xbox series X

16:46 , Steve Hogarty

We’re no longer seeing any Argos stores with the Xbox series X in stock.

IndyBest towers may simply be too far away from the nearest Xbox for the site to list it, so it’s still worth heading to the product page to check for available stock if you haven’t already.

This could also have been the first of a series of restocks this evening, so keep an eye on Argos today and over the weekend for more updates. If you’ve got a local branch near you, pop your head in to ask about the console.

Xbox stock trackers, signing off

16:58 , Steve Hogarty

Well, that’s all from us for another week. We hope we never see you again – by which we mean we hope you’ve managed to grab an Xbox series X and no longer need to follow our liveblog for stock updates.

Let’s recap Friday’s events. We’re still reeling from an Argos drop, which ended only moments ago and may still be ongoing in some stores around the UK.

And earlier, both Game and Smyths Toys re-opened applications to the all-inclusive, pay-as-you-go Xbox All Access scheme. As we close the blog for the weekend, both retailers are still selling the console through this programme.

If you didn’t manage to pick up a console today, don’t fret. Join us again on Monday when we’ll be back on the hunt for Microsoft’s elusive black box.

Have a great weekend!