Which Nintendo Switch is right for you? Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite vs Switch OLED

What are the differences between each Nintendo Switch?

This comparison table shows the main technical specifications of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED.

In terms of price, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the most affordable and the Nintendo Switch OLED is the most expensive. To save money while protecting the planet, you can opt for a refurbished Nintendo Switch that has been reconditioned by certified professionals and buy it cheaper on Back Market.

On paper, the Nintendo Switch OLED, the latest addition to the Switch family, looks like a real winner. But is it really for you? Let's find out!

Which Switch is the most powerful?

The Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED all boast the same power on their specification sheets. The only slight difference is the processor. While the first version of the Nintendo Switch is equipped with a Tegra X1 chip customised by NVIDIA, the second version, released in 2019, features a Mariko processor. The Mariko processor is etched more finely, for lower operating voltages and longer battery life. The Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED are equipped with this Mariko chip.

Which Switch has the best battery life?

From 2019, the Nintendo Switch Lite had a better battery life than the entry-level Nintendo Switch, since the Lite got rid of its detachable Joy-Con controllers. You can play between 3 and 7 hours on a Nintendo Switch Lite, compared with 2 to 6 hours on the first Nintendo Switch. However, in 2021, the Nintendo Switch OLED did even better, by offering battery life of between 4.5 and 9 hours.

Nintendo Switch OLED has the best battery life out of the Switch family. Although it has the same battery as the original Switch, its OLED screen uses less energy.

Which Switch has the best screen?

With its 6.2-inch screen, the Nintendo Switch offers good quality, but its limitations are felt when you're on the move. The Nintendo Switch Lite has the smallest screen due to it's 5.5-inch LCD screen, but both consoles have a slightly mellow resolution in comparison to the Nintendo Switch OLED.

As you may have guessed, the Nintendo Switch OLED stands out thanks to its new 7-inch screen, plus OLED technology which offers better colour and contrast, even when you're on the move!

Which Switch is best suited for gaming in the living room?

Unfortunately for the Switch Lite, this console is designed for handheld gaming only. So the question is really between the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED. The verdict... pretty much a draw. Both consoles have a dock that allows the Switch to become a home console. However, the Nintendo Switch OLED is the only one with an Ethernet port. So you can play online with a better internet connection.

Which Switch is best for gaming on the move?

In theory, all three consoles can be played on the move. Note that the Nintendo Switch Lite is exclusively reserved for portable gaming. Switch Lite and the Nintendo Switch OLED are the most suitable in our opinion. The Nintendo Switch Lite is smaller and therefore easier to carry. The Nintendo Switch OLED is best suited to mobile and multiplayer mode. The entry-level switch is still adequate but loses out due to the inferior LCD screen when compared to the Switch OLED.

Reasons to buy a Nintendo Switch Lite

It is the most affordable in terms of price, the Nintendo Switch Lite also fits into your pocket easily and offers better battery life than the entry-level Switch. to buy it even cheaper, opt for a second hand Nintendo Switch Lite that has been certified refurbished.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is for you if:

• You're looking for a lightweight, compact console.

• You prefer to play games on the move.

• You travel a lot.

• You have a smaller budget.

Reasons to buy a Nintendo Switch OLED

A real breath of fresh air in the Switch range, the Nintendo Switch OLED screen is bigger and better for an enhanced gaming experience. It also has a more sophisticated design.

The Nintendo Switch OLED is for you if:

• You want to play in the best possible conditions with a Switch, thanks to its OLED screen and ergonomic design.

• You spend a lot of time playing games in portable mode but also on your TV sometimes.

• You don't have a Switch yet, or your Switch isn't new.

• You want to buy the best Nintendo has to offer.

Reasons to buy the classic Nintendo Switch

The original tried and tested hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch is a good compromise between the Switch Lite and the Switch OLED. It is also cheaper than the Nintendo Switch OLED slightly, but to get even more discount, be sure to shop for a second hand Nintendo Switch which has been certified reconditioned by professional refurbishers (recommended on Back Market).

The original Nintendo Switch is for you if:

• You play both on your TV and on the move.

• You're looking for a versatile console.

• You want access to the entire Nintendo games catalogue.

Can I transfer my data from one Switch to another?

If you have several Nintendo Switch consoles, you should know that you can transfer your data from one machine to another quite easily. The simplest option is to transfer them via the Switch Online cloud, for which you pay a subscription fee of £3.49 per month.

The second option is to transfer the account from one Switch to another. Bear in mind that this method deletes the account installed on the initial console. This solution is particularly suitable for changing consoles, for example.

The third and final option is to send your data from one Nintendo Switch to another console. This does not mean you're making a copy of your progress in the game, but actually transferring all of the progress from the initial console to the new one. You can only transfer one saved game at a time, and your profiles must be linked to the same Nintendo Account.

Now that you know all about Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED, choose the one that's right for you from a wide range of refurbished Nintendo Switch consoles on Back Market. All purchases come with a 30-day return policy if you ever feel unsatisfied, plus a 12-month warranty - what's to lose?

At the same time, you're doing your part for the planet by being more sustainable as you prevent more used Nintendo Switch consoles from ending up in landfills. Help give new life to certified refurbished Nintendo Switch consoles that can last for years longer when you buy a cheap Nintendo Switch from Back Market.