Before I upgraded to the Xbox Series X I wondered if I could place the console horizontally as I did with my Xbox One X.

Most Xbox Series X marketing videos show the console placed vertically.

If the only way to position the console was vertical, I would have to look for a new place to put the Xbox Series X because it wouldn’t fit on the shelf I had placed my Xbox One X on.

Eager to find an answer, I jumped online and did some research and this is what I found:

Can the Xbox Series X lay horizontally? The Xbox Series X can be placed horizontally or vertically, just like the Xbox One X. Whether you choose to place the Xbox Series X on its side or upright, ensure the surface you place the console on is stable, well ventilated, and not close to heat sources.

Now that you know that the Xbox Series X can lay horizontally, let’s delve deeper into how to position your next-generation console.

How big is the Xbox Series X?

When a new console is released one of the concerns lingering among gamers is whether it will fit in their TV stand.

Almost always the new console is bigger than its predecessor.

The dimensions of the Xbox Series X are 301mm (height) x 151mm (width) x 151mm (depth) when standing upright.

This console is smaller than the Xbox One in a couple of dimensions. The Xbox one was actually quite heavyweight and measured in at 332 x 78 x 275mm dimension. 

That manes the Xbox One is actually 3.76% bigger by volume than the Xbox Series X.

Remember however that the Xbox One was designed to be only placed horizontally while the Series X is best suited to be placed upright.

The physical size of the Xbox Series X means finding it a place under your TV can be quite difficult.

Hopefully, this news doesn’t force you to take a wrecking ball to your entertainment setup and rebuild it from the ground up.

Unlike it did with me.

Horizontal or Vertical: Which is the best way to position your Xbox Series X?

How you position your Xbox Series X doesn’t matter. 

Microsoft made sure that the Series X can be used when on its side or upright without affecting the console’s performance or damaging components.

I have played my Xbox Series X while positioned vertically and laid down and, from my experience, there was no difference in how the console performed.

To ensure the Xbox Series X is stable when placed vertically, Microsoft integrated a circular stand on the console to support it.

The stand also aids in better cooling and airflow through the vent at the bottom of the Series X.

This circular stand cannot be removed and can be an eyesore when the Xbox Series X is placed on its sides.

For those who want to use the Xbox Series X in a horizontal position because maybe their entertainment center lacks adequate headroom to place the Series X upright, Microsoft included four rubberized feet on the console’s right-hand edge to support it when laid down.

The Xbox Series X supporting vertical and horizontal positioning means there is no best way to place the console.

Xbox Head Phil Spencer had this to say when asked the best way to place the Xbox Series X, “The first thing I want to say is the Xbox Series X’s design works vertically or horizontally, just like the Xbox One S and Xbox One X. We think that it’s not our job to dictate the orientation of our console in your home. That is up to you.”

In my opinion, the main thing that will determine how you position your Xbox Series X is the space you have on your gaming entertainment setup.

Whichever way you position your console you should ensure you do the following:

• Ensure the surface you place the Xbox Series X on is strong and stable enough to hold the console’s bulky design.

• Don’t place the Xbox Series on top of speakers. Speakers have magnets and they vibrate, this could damage your console.

• Don’t place your console inside an enclosed cabinet. The space you place your console in should be well ventilated, away from direct heat, and relatively cool. Positioning your Xbox Series X in such a space will prevent the console from overheating.

• Don’t put objects on top, under, or next to the Xbox Series X. For example, if you place the Xbox Series X vertically, then store your physical copies of the Xbox games on top of the console, this will block the air vents at the top of the console and could make it overheat. To avoid overheating, always ensure that your Xbox Series X vents are not blocked and you have at least 4 to 6 inches of clear space around the console.

• Position your Xbox Series X within two meters of your TV. The console comes with a 2-meter Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable to connect to your TV. If you need a longer Xbox Series X HDMI 2.1 cable to reach your TV you’ll need to purchase one. Ensure the HDMI cable you buy is also an Ultra High-Speed cable. If it’s not you’ll not enjoy HDM1 2.1 features such as 4K gaming at 120Hz supported by the Xbox Series X console. 

Does Xbox Series S work horizontally and vertically?

If you’re wondering if the Xbox Series X’s sibling, the Xbox Series S, can be used horizontally and vertically, the answer is yes it can.

Microsoft also designed the Xbox Series S to function horizontally or vertically without any impact on performance.

To secure the Xbox Series S, and ensure it doesn’t look awkward when placed vertically or horizontally the console has rubberized feet on the underside.

The Xbox Series S measures 275mm x 151mm x 64mm when positioned vertically. It is almost 60 percent smaller in size than the Xbox Series X.

The Series S’ small size allows it to easily fit into most entertainment units in an either vertical or horizontal position.

Like the Xbox Series X, when positioning the Series S ensure the area is stable, adequately ventilated, and cool. 

Also, avoid placing things on the Xbox Series S to prevent it from overheating.