So, you’re looking at that sleek white box and wondering if it’s worth the cash in 2026. Honestly, the market is a bit of a circus right now. Prices are jumping all over the place. If you're asking how much is an xbox one s, the short answer is that you’re looking at a range between $110 and $240, but that depends heavily on where you’re standing and how much "character" (read: scratches) you're willing to accept.
It’s weird. Usually, old tech just gets cheaper until it hits "retro" status and spikes again. But we’re in this strange middle ground. With the "RAM crisis" hitting new consoles and pushing Series S prices up toward $400, the humble One S has suddenly become the life raft for gamers on a budget.
The Current Price Tag (And Why It Varies)
If you head over to eBay right now, you can snag a "loose" console—that’s just the box and maybe a power cable—for about $120. But who wants just a box? You need a controller. And maybe a game that isn’t FIFA 18.
A "Complete in Box" (CIB) setup is currently trending around $185 to $195. I’ve seen some mint condition units go for as high as $210 if they still have the original packaging. GameStop is even steeper. They’re hovering around the $239 mark for a refurbished 1TB model. It sounds like a lot for a ten-year-old machine, doesn't it?
- Used (Private Seller): $110 – $150
- Refurbished (Retailer): $200 – $240
- Special Editions (Gears of War/Minecraft): $260+
- For Parts/Broken: $30 – $50
Prices have actually gone up since last year. Microsoft raised the MSRP on their new hardware twice in 2025, which trickled down to the used market. Everyone realized they couldn't afford a $650 Series X, so they started hunting for the older stuff.
Is the Hardware Still Keeping Up?
Look, let’s be real. It’s 2026. The Xbox One S is basically a senior citizen in tech years. It’s got a hard drive, not an SSD. That means you’re going to have enough time to go make a sandwich while GTA V loads.
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But it has one massive advantage over the newer Series S: it has a disc drive.
In a world where digital storefronts keep raising prices, being able to walk into a thrift store and grab a $2 disc is a superpower. Plus, the One S is a killer 4K Blu-ray player. Seriously, people buy these just for the media capabilities. It supports HDR10 and 4K upscaling for video, which makes it a great "bedroom console" even if you aren't doing heavy gaming.
The Game Pass Lifeline
The only reason this console is still relevant for new games is Cloud Gaming. If you have a decent internet connection, you can stream the latest titles that the One S shouldn't technically be able to run. I've seen people playing Hollow Knight: Silksong and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance via the cloud on this hardware, and it works surprisingly well.
What to Watch Out For Before You Buy
Don't just impulse buy the first $100 listing you see on Facebook Marketplace.
The most common issue with the One S these days is the internal hard drive failing. If the console feels sluggish or keeps "freezing" on the dashboard, that drive is on its way out. Also, check the HDMI port. They’re notorious for getting loose or breaking if someone was too aggressive with the cables.
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If you’re buying from a person, ask them if they’ve ever opened it to clean the dust. These things can get loud—like "jet engine taking off" loud—if the fan is clogged. A clean One S is a quiet One S.
The Special Edition Trap
You’ll see some listings for the "Military Green" Battlefield 1 edition or the "Crimson Omen" Gears of War 4 version. These are cool. They look great on a shelf. But you’re going to pay a "collector’s tax" for them.
Usually, these run $50 to $100 more than the standard white model. Unless you’re a die-hard fan, just stick to the basic white 1TB version. It does the exact same thing for way less money.
Actionable Buying Steps
If you've decided the Xbox One S is your move, here’s how to do it without getting ripped off.
First, check Mercari and eBay for "Sold" listings to see the actual market value today—don't trust the "Asking Price." Look for bundles that include at least two controllers, as a standalone official controller still costs about $50 used.
Second, if you're buying locally, test the disc drive. Insert a movie or a game and make sure it doesn't make a grinding sound. A broken disc drive basically turns a One S into an "All-Digital" edition, which is worth about 30% less.
Finally, consider the Series S if you find one for under $250. Yes, it lacks the disc drive, but the performance jump is night and day. If your budget is strictly under $150, then the Xbox One S is your champion. Just keep those expectations in check regarding load times and frame rates.