What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £350 (~$466) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £298 (~$396) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £228 (~$303) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £158 (~$210) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £88 (~$117) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Missing proprietary cables and power supplies, controller stick drift, and optical drives that spin but no longer read.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether an Xbox Series X is worth what is being asked:
- Console-only listings with no controller
- Dust build-up and fan noise, both obvious on a video call
- Missing the proprietary storage card if the listing implies it
- Scuffed casing from being moved between setups
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Controller, HDMI and power cable all present
- Original box, which matters more on consoles than most electronics
- Any storage expansion card included
- A quiet fan and clean vents
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit cartridges are common in retro titles and usually give themselves away on label print quality and the screws used on the shell.
Ask for a photograph of the console powered on with a game running, and for a list of exactly which cables and controllers are included.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about an Xbox Series X, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
State it plainly and photograph the console. They look nothing alike but the names confuse people constantly, and the price gap is large.
Check. The Series X ships with a high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 cable that is needed for its best output modes, and buyers who game at high frame rates ask specifically.
Test both sticks and answer honestly. It is the standard question on any console sale and a straight answer builds the trust that closes it.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Confirm whether you have the Series X or the smaller Series S
- Gather the controller, cables, box and any expansion card
- Compare sold listings for the same model and bundle
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The console upright as it will be handed over
- Everything included in one frame, cables and controller together
- The rear ports and the model label
- The controller from above, showing the thumbsticks and any wear on the grips
Details to confirm before you commit
- Series X or Series S, and the storage capacity
- Everything included: power cable, HDMI 2.1 cable, controller, batteries
- Whether the controller sticks drift, tested
- Whether the console has been opened, repaired or is still sealed from a repair centre
Live Xbox Series X listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse gaming for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Steady with a strong November and December. Consoles bundled with a second controller or a chunk of Game Pass move fastest.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have an Xbox Series X sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell Xbox Series X for what to photograph and how to price, or what Xbox Series X is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used Xbox Series X?
Around £130 to £228 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check an Xbox Series X before buying?
Ask for a photograph of the console powered on with a game running, and for a list of exactly which cables and controllers are included.
Is buying an Xbox Series X second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Missing proprietary cables and power supplies, controller stick drift, and optical drives that spin but no longer read.
See also: all buying guides · Xbox Series X value guide · selling Xbox Series X · Gaming · condition grades.