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Can You Put An Xbox Series S On Its Side?

The Xbox Series S ticks all the right boxes with its small form factor and appealing looks. No matter where you place this beauty, it will look great in your home. But it is safe to position the Xbox Series S on its side?

You can position an Xbox Series S vertically or horizontally. What’s most important is that you keep it away from other heat sources, on a sturdy, well ventilated surface. Don’t put anything on, underneath, or right beside your console so that it can vent properly. Wall-mounting is also an option.

At the end of the day, the way you choose to position your console largely depends on how you prefer to organize your gaming setup. If you’re looking for a console that can be positioned horizontally and still look good, then the Xbox Series S is the one for you. Besides, the design of the Xbox Series S includes a beautiful light-up logo that stays right-side-up even when you shift the console to its side.

Is It Safe To Lay the Xbox Series S on Its Side?

The Xbox Series S was designed with the ability to stand up or lie flat. Even though it’s what’s inside the console that really counts, and some people may have other issues with the design of the Series S, it can be positioned to fit perfectly in any gaming setup.

The Xbox Series S has the same versatility as the Series X, with support for horizontal and vertical orientations. Although some say that the Series S vents better in the vertical position, the fan and belt were designed specifically so that the console can lie on its side.  

Unlike the more stable, boxy Xbox Series X, however, the Series S is narrow and tall, with little or no surface area to keep it balanced. Because of its slender design, the console can topple over quite easily. It’s important to keep this in mind as you’re planning your gaming setup; you may not want to place your Xbox in an elevated spot.

If you do decide to place your Xbox Series S in the vertical position, ensure that the side with the large black fan vent is placed towards the top, and the engraved Xbox logo closer to the base.

When looking at the Series S straight on, the circular power light with the Xbox logo on the front part of the console should be on the upper-left.

If you decide to lay the console horizontally on its side, ensure that the big vent faces up, and that the power light is on the upper-right.

Can the Xbox Series S Properly Ventilate on Its Side?

Since the Xbox Series S doesn’t have the same upright cooling system as the Series X — the Series S has a single black fan vent and side vents to pull in air — it’s important to keep the primary vent clear at all times.

As long as there are 4 to 6 inches of clearance on every side of the Xbox Series S, the console shouldn’t have any ventilation problems either standing up or lying on its side. Even if you decide to wall mount it with an option like the TotalMount (on Amazon), it’ll be closer to the wall on the back, but the other vents and the front still need a good 4-6 inches of clearance.

You shouldn’t keep your console too close to any other objects or stack anything on top of it to allow proper ventilation and prevent overheating. Also, avoid placing the console in an enclosed cabinet, and ensure none of the vents are clogged in any way.

Does the Xbox Series S Get Hot When It’s Lying on Its Side?

The thermal system of the Xbox is weight-balanced and engineered to work with the same effectiveness in both the horizontal and vertical positions. This flexibility is a core part of the design, allowing users to set up their consoles as easily as possible.

The design on all Xbox consoles allows them to ventilate air as needed to remain at an optimum temperature during use. It is normal for your console to feel hot around the vents as a result of the hot air that is released from the console to keep the inside cool. If your console is kept free of clutter and obstructions, it should ventilate properly.

The Xbox Series S does release a good amount of heat. According to reviewers, it can get even more hot than the Series X, so be aware of what’s around it while it’s on. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t be too hot to touch in case you need to move it.

If your Xbox Series S starts to overheat and shuts down, it may be because there is insufficient space for ventilation. Try removing any nearby items that may be obstructing the air flow, or try placing the console somewhere else.

You can also add more cooling with aftermarket devices like the Yuanhot Cooling Stand (on Amazon), which may give you options a little more flexible (especially if you want to store your system in a cabinet, for instance).

What Is the Best Way to Position My Xbox Series S?

The “best” or “safest” way to position your Xbox Series S is really up to you. Whichever position works best for your setup, while also providing sufficient space for air flow, will be the best option.

Placing your console in a vertical position can sometimes help the fans vent more effectively, and it may be a more suitable option for especially tight spaces.

Nonetheless, placing your console horizontally gives it a lower center of gravity and more stability, so the risk of it falling is reduced. If there’s limited space above your console, horizontal might be the better choice.

Ultimately, your Xbox Series S can be safe and function properly while standing up or lying on its side. The Series S can be easy to knock over due to its small form factor, so place it carefully if it’s going to be standing upright.

And if you have kids or animals in the home, you’re probably better off placing the console on its side to keep it extra safe.