Xbox Series X restock: Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Microsoft’s secret availability

Gaming

Despite no Xbox Series X restock today, July 13, it’s become easier to buy when you follow our 24/7 Xbox restock Twitter tracker Matt Swider, who will send you an alert when it’s in stock – if you follow his Twitter account and turn on notifications. In fact, when tracking Best Buy, GameStop, Target and Walmart, Matt has noticed that the Microsoft Xbox Series X console stayed in stock longer in June than it ever did in the first five months of 2021, especially compared to the PS5 restock that remains elusive as ever. Plus, Microsoft has a new Xbox Insiders pilot program that looks promising for its most loyal Xbox users.

► When is Xbox restock? Follow our Xbox Series X restock Twitter tracker Matt Swider and turn on notifications for live restock news. It’s the fastest way to get Xbox restock updates.

► Don’t buy from other Twitter users – which are all scams. Only buy from the US stores Matt alerts you about. No one will legitimately sell Xbox Series X for just $550.

Xbox Series X restock

(Image credit: Twitter / Matt Swider)

Click on this last major Xbox Series X restock date, when Best Buy had the $499 Xbox for sale at MSRP.

Microsoft’s secret Xbox Series X availability

  • Microsoft has diverted Xbox console stock to its Xbox Insiders program
  • Beta testers (of new dashboards and such) get access to buying a console
  • It requires powering up your Xbox One console

The Microsoft store hasn’t had a major restock in the US months. Why? It’s partly because the company is now diverting some of Xbox Series X inventory to a pilot program designed to help its most loyal Xbox fans get the new Series X console. 

The Xbox Insiders Xbox Series X upgrade plan is actually a great incentive for people who want to beta test dashboard tweaks and other system updates that Microsoft is developing for its consoles, and if you’re stuck testing things out on an old Xbox One and wanting to upgrade to new Xbox Series X, really you should be the first in line. 

Note: you’ll need to power up your Xbox One in order to log into the Xbox Insiders program. You can’t do this online, nor can you find the menu on an Xbox Series X. This prevents Xbox Series X owners from ordering a second console from their brand new system.

Xbox Series X restock Insiders program menu

(Image credit: Brandon Hofer / Gaming Target)


Xbox Series X restock news: Walmart and Best Buy

  • Walmart could be this Thursday, July 15 at 2:30pm or 3pm if it happens
  • Best Buy may be this week or, more likely next week, given inventory count

The Xbox Series X restock news has been slow recently, with the last massive restock date being at Walmart on July 1. But what we noticed is that the console was far easier to buy than prior weeks and months. This is a good sign.

Here’s what we noticed:

  • July 1: Walmart had it in stock for about 14 minutes (it’s always a Thursday)
  • June 24 and 29: Best Buy had Xbox Series X in stock for about 29 minutes
  • Costco had a bundle with a pricey SSD in stock for an entire weekend

The same thing happened on June 24 and June 29 when there was a Best Buy Xbox Series X restock. The console just sat there for several minutes without selling out (though its availability is by region despite being sold online, so you may see a different in-stock notice where you live), and it was selling for MSRP. Even GameStop was willing to sell the new Xbox in stores without forcing a bundle in a one-off opportunity in June. 

We noticed is that the console was far easier to buy than prior weeks and months. This is a good sign

Finally, there’s typically a Costco bundle that contains MLB The Show and an SDD that gets a little pricey, but it was available to purchase for an entire weekend. This is a much better option than resorting to a reseller, who will charge you the same price for just the console. 

So while we haven’t seen the new Xbox in stock at retailers in recent days (besides a random BJs Wholesale restock), there’s a lot of promise in the two weeks ahead, as GameStop, Best Buy and Walmart are all due to carry the Microsoft console.

Here are some options to buy the Xbox Series X.

See more

Target Xbox Series X restock: daily online locally

  • Target Xbox restock are online locally now almost every morning
  • Only a few zip codes have the Xbox Series X for sale – and only a few consoles at that
  • This is very different from the nationwide Xbox Series X restocks before

Every morning Target has the Xbox Series X in stock at random stores to be bought online (no, you cannot buy the Xbox in stores in the US at this time). The problem is that it’s hard to issue Twitter alerts when it’s usually select stores in a city and there are as few as five consoles as part of the Xbox restock.

Target has switched from a nationwide restock date to offering the Xbox Series X at a local level (again only to be bought online buy picked up in stores) and it has the Xbox consoles for sale as they come in every morning.

Target Xbox Series X restock Twitter alert

(Image credit: Matt Swider / Twitter)

Xbox All-Access is often the silent restock

  • Walmart and GameStop had Xbox Series X in stock through All Access for weeks and no one noticed
  • The pay-as-you-go program does hook you into a 24-month contract

Stores like Walmart and GameStop often restock the Xbox Series X through the Xbox All Access bundle, which works a lot like a smartphone plan. You pay for the console over time, but you’re also signed up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (which is actually something you should look into buying alongside an Xbox anyway).

After 24 months, you save a couple of dollars with this Xbox Series X plan, but you’re on the hook being required to pay for it for two years.

We’ll continue to offer Xbox Series X restock updates as stores like Best Buy, Walmart and GameStop are overdue to make the Microsoft console available to purchase. After all, they have to compete with those Nintendo OLED pre-orders.

Xbox Series X restock

(Image credit: Matt Swider / Twitter)

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