Should I put my Xbox Series S vertical or horizontal?

As an avid gamer and Xbox enthusiast, I get asked this question a lot when folks see my entertainment center setup. The quick answer is that both vertical and horizontal alignment work great for the Xbox Series S. But let‘s dive deeper into the key factors I considered when deciding on my own setup.

Microsoft‘s Official Guidance

First, what does Microsoft recommend regarding Xbox Series S positioning? According to Xbox Support:

An Xbox Series S console can be placed either horizontally or vertically. Make sure that you place your console on a stable surface that is well-ventilated, relatively cool, and away from direct heat sources. Don‘t put other objects on, under, or right next to the console.

So Microsoft confirms that both alignments work – the priority is ensuring good stability and ventilation around your Xbox.

A Look Inside the Xbox Series S Cooling System

What makes me confident about the Xbox handling either orientation? It all comes down to the cooling system engineering.

The Xbox Series S uses a single centrifugal fan measuring 120mm x 14mm, smaller than the Series X but designed to quietly cool the less powerful components.

This efficient cooling keeps the main SoC and other chips at safe operating temperatures. And most importantly, the fan works identically pushing air through the chassis whether positioned horizontally or vertically.

So you don‘t have to worry about hot air becoming trapped or ventilation changing based on alignment. Microsoftwisely built the Xbox Series S cooling to be orientation agnostic.

Real-World Temperature Testing

But theory is one thing – what about actual thermal performance? Independent testing backs up Microsoft‘s cooling claims.

WindowsCentral measured the Xbox Series S temperature while gaming for 1 hour, reporting a peak of just 121°F (49°C) on the backside vent.

For context, the safe long-term operating range for Xbox processors is up to around 158°F (70°C), so we‘re seeing very conservative temps even after lengthy gaming sessions.

The efficient Xbox Series S cooling can maintain safe chip temperatures whether placed vertically or laid horizontally. Both alignments allow the single rear-mounted fan to adequately ventilate the console.

Noise Levels: Whisper Quiet

In addition to thermal performance, what about noise output? Gamers don‘t want loud console fans interfering with their game audio.

Thankfully, the Xbox Series S also impresses here. The precision cooling keeps fan speeds low, resulting in an ultra-quiet 37 decibels noise output during most gaming. You‘d have to try pretty hard to even hear its subtle hum over game effects and music.

So noise isn‘t a concern regardless of going vertical or horizontal. The Xbox Series S is an acoustic featherweight!

My Setup: Vertical for Aesthetics & Space

Given the versatile cooling and low noise, I chose a vertical alignment for my entertainment center purely for aesthetics and space efficiency.

I love how the Black Xbox Series S pops upright next to my other gear, almost like a mini-tower. And going vertical takes up slightly less footprint real estate.

But horizontal would offer similarly stellar performance. So come down to personal preference based on shelf space, aesthetics, and disc swap convenience since the Series S lacks a disc drive.

Tips for Picking Your Setup

No matter whether you stand it tall or lay it flat, follow these best practices:

• Allow at least 4-6 inches clearance on all sides for maximum ventilation
• Don‘t cram it into a tight media cabinet
• Place on a stable, flat surface
• Keep away from heat sources like AV receivers and sunshine

Do that and your Xbox Series S can serve faithfully for years of epic gaming in either orientation! I hope breaking down the cooling tech and real-world data gives you confidence to position your console however best fits your space.

Let me know if this helps or if you have any other Xbox questions!