Not sure what the best Nintendo Switch console is for you? No problem at all, because we can demystify each version of Nintendo’s trusty handheld for you. No matter what your budget is or your gaming needs, our collective experience using the best Switch across hundreds of hours of different genres mean we’re more than equipped to help.
Right now, there are three modes to choose from: the Nintendo Switch, Lite, and OLED. Each of them share similar designs and software, and run the same games. The differences, however, are in the price, size, controls, and screen of Nintendo Switch. The OLED model is the most expensive, and has a 7-inch display and 65GB internal storage for games, while the Switch Lite is the cheapest. It is also limited to handheld mode, and can’t be docked.
Whichever you ultimately decide to pick up, the Switch is still going strong with an ever-expanding library of new Switch games, and all three are among the best portable gaming consoles. It’s hard to make a bad choice!
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Nintendo Switch
The best Nintendo Switch for most
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| Memory capacity | 32GB |
| Touch screen | 6.2-inch LCD |
| Total ports | 3 USB ports, 1 HDMI port, 1 AC adapter port |
| Playable docked? | Yes |
| Detachable Joy-Cons | Two |
- Reasonably priced
- Can be played handheld or docked
- No LAN port
- Memory capacity on the smaller side
The original Nintendo Switch lets you play both on your TV and on the go. It’s on the big side, but that’s where Switch carry cases come in, and it’s still easy enough to carry around with you.
The Nintendo Switch comes with 32 GB of internal storage capacity, compared to 64 GB on the Switch OLED. If you plan on downloading all of the best new Switch games, you might find it filling up quite quickly. However, a microSD card will soon solve that problem.
With the packaged-in Joy-Cons, you and a friend can play on the same screen. While this is a very viable option, the larger, clearer screen of the Switch OLED might be preferential to you if this is going to be a major part of your Switch usage.
Many gamers fall into the category of either exclusively playing their Switch through the television, or exclusively playing it in handheld mode. The standard model is great at doing both of these things, isn’t overly expensive, and doesn’t have any major problems – that’s why we recommend it as the best Nintendo Switch overall.
Read our Nintendo Switch review here for a full breakdown.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The most affordable Nintendo Switch
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| Memory capacity | 32GB |
| Touch screen | 5.5-inch |
| Total ports | No dock, so no ports |
| Playable docked? | No |
| Detachable Joy-Cons | None |
- Cheapest Nintendo Switch you can get
- Small and convenient for handheld play
- Cannot be played on a TV
- No detachable Joy-Con controllers
This smaller model is specifically designed to be an affordable option for gaming on the go, making it ideal for children or anyone working with a tighter budget. If you’re someone who doesn’t foresee themselves playing their Switch on the TV, then you have very little to lose by going for the Switch Lite.
While it is not compatible with Switch docks (so can’t be played on the big screen), its smaller size makes it ideal for handheld gaming, as unlike other models, it could actually fit inside your pocket. While some gamers won’t care about this at all, the Switch Lite just looks a lot nicer than the standard and the OLED models. It comes in a number of bright, vibrant color schemes. It’ll look great in a gamer bedroom and is just generally a good-looking bit of gaming hardware.
If you’re a big fan of multiplayer games, however, it’s best to stick to the original Switch or an OLED, as the Lite does not have detachable Joy-Cons. You can still use extra controllers with it to play with others, but keep this in mind if you play games with friends and family often.
You can read our Nintendo Switch Lite review for more information, here.
Nintendo Switch OLED
The best Nintendo Switch screen
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| Memory capacity | 64GB |
| Touch screen | 7-inch OLED |
| Total ports | 2 USB ports, 1 Lan port, 1 HDMI port, 1 AC adapter port |
| Playable docked? | Yes |
| Detachable Joy-Cons | 2 |
- Largest OLED screen of all Switch models
- Best memory capacity
- Improved dock with added LAN
- Few benefits for those who play docked
- The most expensive option
Based on the specs alone, the Nintendo Switch OLED is the best version of the Switch. However, we didn’t feel we could give it the number one spot as it has a substantially bigger price tag, for upgrades that won’t appeal to all users. If you plan to play this at home on your TV exclusively, you’ll barely benefit from the improvements at all and will be better off with the standard version.
If you prefer playing in handheld mode, the best way to do so is through the Switch OLED. The 7-inch screen makes your games look better than ever, and there’s even an option in the game’s settings to adjust the console screen colors to make them as vivid as possible. If this ever looks too saturated to you, you can just set it to appear as normal – you might want to adjust the color settings on a case-by-case basis.
The OLED has 64GB memory – double the size of the standard model – although, you could buy a micro SD card for Switch and expand the capacity. Another benefit of the OLED is the LAN port, which allows you to use a wired internet connection for smoother online gaming.
There are also changes to the design of the dock. It’s a little more spacious than the earlier model, so it’s a bit easier to get cables plugged in. We have a full Nintendo Switch OLED review for you to consider, here.
How to choose the best Nintendo Switch
For many players, the standard Nintendo Switch is likely going to be the preferred choice, but the Switch OLED and Lite each have certain benefits that could sway your decision. Here are some things to consider when you’re ready to pick up a new Switch:
- Play modes – The Nintendo Switch Lite only supports a handheld gaming mode. The Original and OLED offer Tabletop and TV modes, so you can play without having to hold them and plug them into a TV. They both come with a Nintendo Switch dock and HDMI cable.
- Size – If you enjoy handheld gameplay, the dimensions of the Switch might be important. As the Switch Lite is the smallest, it’s best for young players and those with small hands. While all three models are 0.55 inches deep, both the OLED and original Switch are longer and higher. They’re best suited to docked gameplay or larger hands.
- Price – Do you have a tight budget? If so, the Switch Lite is the cheapest, followed by the Original and then the OLED.
- Battery – If you’re playing on-the-go, battery life is an important factor to consider. The Nintendo Switch Lite has a lower life of 3-7 hours, while both the Original and OLED give you around 4.5 – 9 hours. Of course, how much juice you actually get will vary between games.
- Design – Looking for a specific colorway or want to show off your personality with a bold, bright Nintendo Switch? The Switch Lite has loads of colors to use, but the OLED model is also available in a very sleek white version too. Alternatively, you can acquire different Joycons to customize the standard Nintendo Switch.
Read our how we test page to find out more about how we put these lists together. If you still have any questions, check out the FAQs below:
Which is the best version of the Nintendo Switch?
We love each iteration of the Switch, but when it comes to all round versatility, the standard Nintendo Switch still remains an excellent middle-of-the-road contender. As you can play it on the TV too, this makes it more appealing if you’re having friends over or playing it on the big screen alone.
If you plan on using handheld mode more often and money is no object, we reckon you should get the OLED. On the other hand, if you’re looking to save some money and don’t mind being limited to handheld only, the Lite is the best choice for you.
Is the Nintendo Switch or OLED better?
In terms of pure specs, the OLED is better, but only by a margin we might add. The two consoles are pretty much the same, but the OLED has a much better screen – hence the price bump. The screen doesn’t make any difference for those who play exclusively on the TV, but if you’re a handheld player, you’ll see a huge step up in picture quality on the OLED.
Is Nintendo Switch worth it in 2024?
In our opinion yes, the Nintendo Switch is still worth it in 2024. Even if a new Nintendo console is on the horizon, there’s still an enormous library of games to play on the Switch. When the Nintendo Switch 2 comes out, the Switch will still be the only way to play a lot of its most enjoyable exclusives, so it’s worth having if you’re a gaming fan – especially since its library is so big.
Soon you’ll be sitting down to enjoy all the best Switch games. Alongside your Switch purchase, be sure to check out our best Nintendo Switch accessories guide for a selection of essential extras to get the most out of your Switch console. If you’re shopping for a young person, read our guide on the best Switch games for kids, which will give you some idea of what they might like to play.