Which Nintendo Switch should you buy? If you’re shopping around for a new games console, and can’t decide which Switch model to go for, this guide will take you through all the important similarities, differences, and considerations for the three Switch consoles available to buy.
Whether you’re buying for yourself, a friend, or a relative, there are some key things to consider before making a Nintendo Switch purchase. While there are only three Switch models to mull over, they each occupy a very different price point and target demographic – meaning that your age, budget and play-style are all crucial to picking the right one, if you want to maximize your fun.
The Switch family of consoles has existed since 2017, when the original Switch machine made its debut, and quickly became a bestseller around the world. With the ability to play both in handheld and on a TV screen, this dual-functionality console allows for a thrilling variety of playstyles, both as a home console and a ramped-up GameBoy you can take on the go.
But Nintendo saw fit to expand its lineup, first with a discounted model that did without that TV functionality, and then with a premium OLED alternative that offered improved picture quality and a hint at the future of Nintendo Switch screens.
While we expect a Nintendo Switch 2 to release at some point in the coming years, there’s no official word from Nintendo, and it’ll likely take until 2024 at the very least to appear – so if you have a gaming itch to scratch in the meantime, we’d recommend plowing ahead with one of the options here.
Best Nintendo Switch console at a glance
- Best for basics: Nintendo Switch Lite, £199.99, Argos
- Best for handheld: Nintendo Switch OLED, £289, Amazon
- Best for TV: Nintendo Switch (Original), £259, Currys
Read on for more information about each Nintendo Switch console.
Best Nintendo switch games for kids: MarioKart, Pokémon, Minecraft, LEGO and more
Best Nintendo Switch deals in the UK for February 2023
Best Bluetooth headsets for hands-free calls or gaming
Best PC games to play in 2023 from old favourites to recent classics
Best Xbox games to play in 2023 from open world epics to indie classics
Nintendo Switch OLED
Best for: Quality handheld play
Screen: 7-inch OLED
Dimensions: 4 x 9.5 x 0.55 inches
Battery life: 4.5-9 hours
Storage: 64GB
TV compatible: Yes
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the most premium option you can buy. This step-up model was released in late 2021, and offers an impressive screen upgrade over the other available models.
The OLED panel allows for more vivid, impactful images, while a larger 7.7-inch screen size ensures greater detail and visibility when playing in handheld mode. There’s also an improved kickstand at the back, which is far more effective at keeping your console upright than the flimsy plastic found in the original Switch.
Functionally, though, the OLED carries the same internal specs as the 2017 Switch, which means games don’t play faster – simply prettier. The added benefits are only really felt in handheld, too, meaning that connecting the Switch OLED to your TV feels much the same as the original model. A Switch Pro, this isn’t, but grown-up fans of handheld play will appreciate the larger size, expanded screen, and picture quality nonetheless.
The upgraded 64GB storage is also twice what you get on other Switch consoles, meaning you don’t need to wait as long before buying a separate memory card for your games.
It’s worth noting that the Switch OLED only comes in two colorways – Red/Blue and White – so is a little less varied when it comes to customization. It’s also the heaviest Switch console, at 0.42kg, and plays best in adult hands.
Buy now £289.00, Amazon
Nintendo Switch Lite
Best for: Basic handheld play
Screen: 5.5-inch LCD
Dimensions: 3.6 x 8.2 x 0.55 inches
Battery life: 3-7 hours
Storage: 32GB
TV compatible: No
The Nintendo Switch Lite is the cheapest Switch model out there – making it a go-to purchase for those after a handheld gaming console that doesn’t cost the earth. The Switch Lite is cheaper than the 2017 Switch or the Switch OLED, and far cheaper than the current generation of Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
Nintendo had to cut some corners to bring down the price, of course, and you’ll only be able to play this Switch in handheld; there’s no option to connect it to the TV for a larger image.
The Joy-Con controllers are also integrated into the console, meaning you can’t detach them for spontaneous co-op action either, though this does have the added benefit of shrinking the overall size and weight of the console – making it just small enough for a stocking filler, or a lightweight gaming console for your bag.
So if you plan on playing solo, or envisage this as a gift for someone to play at night under the covers, the Switch Lite is an ideal gaming machine. It’s also available in the most colour options, coming in yellow, grey, coral, turquoise, and blue.
Buy now £199.99, Argos
Nintendo Switch (Original)
Best for: TV players
Screen: 6.2-inch LCD
Dimensions: 4 x 9.5 x 0.55 inches
Battery life: 4.5-9 hours
Storage: 32GB
TV compatible: Yes
Sometimes, the original model does it best. Aside from a small boost to battery life, the original Nintendo Switch is essentially unchanged since its 2017 debut, but since its games generally don’t target the processing power of a brand-new PS5, that age feels like just a number. You get the same internal specification – processor, frame rate, resolution – with all three Switch models, after all, so it’s not like the original Switch has been left behind.
This Switch model is the best all-round option, neither as expensive as the Switch OLED or as limited in functionality as the Switch Lite. You can detach the Switch’s controllers for co-op play, connect it to a television for a larger picture, and enjoy the entire eShop library of titles that have accrued since 2017. This model comes with 32GB onboard storage, as well as a microSD card slot for storing more games, should you need to.
This is really the best Switch console for those wanting to plug into their TV; the Switch Lite lacks that capability, and the Switch OLED’s entire purpose is a premium handheld experience. So if you plan on leaving your console in the Switch Dock most of the time, the basic 2017 Switch is going to be your best bet.
Buy now £259.00, Currys
Verdict
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the most impressive console of the lot, with an upgraded OLED screen and a host of premium improvements to the build quality. If you can afford it, it’s the obvious choice, though the cheaper Switch Lite will still serve handheld users fine at a lower budget, and TV players should really opt for the original Switch model, given the OLED doesn’t improve on matters there.
