Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Review: Worth Buying?
The first shock for many buyers of the Microsoft Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Edition Console (Renewed) wasn’t about performance—it was about the absence of a disc drive. As one Best Buy reviewer warned: “If you’re looking to purchase physical games, avoid this version at all costs.” That design choice defines the entire experience, and whether you’ll love it or find it limiting depends heavily on your gaming habits. Initial verdict: 8/10 for digital-first players, but closer to 6/10 if your library is disc-heavy.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — Excellent for digital gamers with strong internet, but offers less appeal for those who rely on discs or cheap used games.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large 1TB storage fits dozens of large games | No physical disc support — cannot play DVDs/Blu-rays |
| Compact design and quiet operation | Cannot access cheap second-hand disc deals |
| Seamless cloud saves & Xbox Play Anywhere | Requires strong, consistent internet for downloads |
| Bundled free games in many packages | Some refurbished units ship without controllers |
| Smooth, stable performance | Certain users report loud fan noises over time |
| Affordable compared to disc models | Value drops if you already own extensive disc collection |
| Great fit for Game Pass subscribers | Large game sizes quickly fill internal storage |
Claims vs Reality
Microsoft’s marketing stresses “disc-free gaming freedom” and “cloud saves that travel with you.” On paper, this all-digital promise sounds like a clear upgrade. Yet digging deeper into feedback reveals a more nuanced picture.
The disc-free design works perfectly for streamers and Game Pass subscribers. A verified Amazon buyer noted: “Y’all would read it clearly says all digital so no disc... also said no controller included so I really appreciate the fact it was worth it.” No fumbling with discs, instant access to your library—if you have fast broadband. However, Reddit users repeatedly raised concerns about the inability to trade in or resell games, removing one of the biggest value levers in console gaming.
Microsoft also touts storage as generous—1TB. But heavy users point out reality hits faster than expected. One Reddit poster calculated that just four modern AAA titles consumed “402GB of storage,” meaning expansion is almost inevitable. Several Best Buy reviewers echoed this: “Need more memory… need to buy hard drive now.” Even refurbished buyers suggest adding a 2TB external drive early in the life cycle to avoid juggling installs.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
A recurring theme across Amazon, Best Buy, Reddit, and Trustpilot is how seamlessly the console fits into a digital lifestyle. Families love the clutter-free experience—Trustpilot reviewer: “Great purchase, no clutter of games, everything is digital.” For parents, the absence of discs prevents loss or damage—“Kids and discs don’t mix well, so the digital only doesn’t bother him or my sister,” shared one Best Buy reviewer.
Game Pass subscribers enjoy a “deep library of more than 100 high-quality games,” and the all-digital build pairs naturally with this subscription. Reddit user praised: “Always get great discounts with Gold; it’s a really great option.” Performance remains comparable to disc-based Xbox One S units; owners describe graphics as sharp and load times reasonable.
Compact design, quiet fan operation, and easy navigation are also common highlights. One Twitter/X review put it simply: “Affordable Xbox console with clean and fast design… games run well as expected.”
Common Complaints
While officially marketed as an evolution, disc drive omission is perceived as a downgrade by many. Physical media collectors lose both gaming and Blu-ray/DVD playback. Best Buy customer “old school mom” lamented: “I like having physical games, how can you trade a digital copy when she’s done with it?”
Pricing also draws criticism. The Microsoft Community threads repeatedly question why digital-only versions “are not really an appeal” unless priced significantly lower—several users pinpointing $199 as the psychological sweet spot. Reddit user: “Cool concept, but too expensive. You can get a regular S with better games for cheaper.”
Storage capacity is another friction point. Large modern titles eat up space quickly, pushing buyers toward external drives, adding cost. For rural gamers, download times and day-one patches make digital-only frustrating or even impractical—Trustpilot reviewer cautioned: “If you live in a rural area… go with the disc drive version, it’ll save headaches.”
Divisive Features
Bundles with games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sea of Thieves provoke split reactions. Some love the value—Twitter/X user declared: “Got it with three months of Game Pass—great idea for $1.” Others see the included titles as filler, especially if they already own them elsewhere or find them uninteresting.
Game streaming and Xbox Play Anywhere also divide opinion. PC gamers question the need for this console at all if most exclusives are available on Windows 10. Best Buy reviewer “mr met 2087” explained: “All Xbox games now you can play on PC day and date with Xbox… no reason to own one if you have a PC.”
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Amazon reviews for renewed units show generally positive purchase experiences—few credible scam reports. Many refurbished units arrive “perfectly packaged” and “look like they just got bought new.” However, a minority mention missing accessories, such as HDMI cables or controllers, prompting advice to check listing inclusions carefully.
Long-term, wear-and-tear manifests as fan noise. One Amazon buyer reported a “disappointing ticking sound” within days, suggesting fan degradation in some refurbished units. The good news: replacements and refunds are commonly offered. Parts like the disc drive are irrelevant here, reducing mechanical failure points; however, digital-only hardware is still dependent on hard drive integrity.
Alternatives
Several Reddit and Steam Community users recommend the standard Xbox One S with a disc drive for anyone wanting Blu-ray playback or access to cheap used titles. Others urge considering the Xbox One X for enhanced graphics, though it costs more. For Game Pass-driven buyers, the newer Xbox Series S may be more future-proof, offering faster load times with an NVMe SSD at similar digital-only restrictions.
Price & Value
Pricing fluctuates heavily. Refurbished units on eBay list from $99 to $150, while Amazon’s renewed consoles hover around $259. As Reddit threads noted, “you can buy a regular S for 100 bucks” second-hand—making it hard to justify high prices for digital-only unless bundled games are valuable to you.
Resale value is weaker compared to disc-based models, as the lack of drive limits appeal, but for committed digital gamers, the simplicity and lower mechanical failure risk offer long-term stability. To maximize value, buyers advise waiting for seasonal sales—Black Friday deals often hit $150 or below, frequently packaged with games and Game Pass trials.
FAQ
Q: Can I add an external disc drive to play physical games?
A: No. Even if you buy an external drive, the Xbox One S All-Digital cannot read physical game discs or DVDs/Blu-rays.
Q: How does game sharing work on this console?
A: Game sharing functions like on other Xbox One models—once you set a “home console,” digital games can be shared with accounts on that system.
Q: Is 1TB storage enough for modern gaming?
A: For light or casual use, yes. But AAA titles can consume 80–100GB each, so frequent players often add external drives to avoid reinstall cycles.
Q: Does it work well without Game Pass?
A: Yes, you can buy and download games individually, but the lack of disc support means all purchases must be digital.
Q: Can I stream movies in 4K?
A: Yes, via apps like Netflix and Hulu, but you cannot play 4K Blu-rays due to the missing disc drive.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a Game Pass subscriber, a family avoiding disc clutter, or a gamer with fast broadband and no interest in physical media. Avoid if you rely on buying cheap used games, have slow internet, or want Blu-ray playback.
Pro tip from the community: wait for deep holiday discounts—multiple buyers scored bundles with games for under $150, turning this digital-only console into a much smarter buy.
