Nintendo Switch OLED vs Switch vs Lite: Which Should You Buy Right Now?

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Switch vs Lite: Which Should You Buy Right Now?

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Switch vs Lite: Which Should You Buy in 2025?

So you've decided to get a Nintendo Switch - brilliant choice. But now you're stuck wondering which one to actually buy. The OLED? The original? Or maybe the Lite?

We get asked this question every single day at our shop, and honestly, there's no "best" Switch. It really depends on how you're planning to use it. Some people need the big screen and TV connection, others just want something portable for the commute, and some are buying for kids who'll absolutely destroy anything you give them.

Let's break down exactly what each model does well, who it's perfect for, and how much you can save by going refurbished instead of paying full price for new.

Quick Comparison: The Main Differences

Before we dive deep, here's what you need to know at a glance:

Nintendo Switch OLED

  • 7-inch OLED screen (the best display by far)
  • Plays on TV and handheld
  • Better kickstand, improved speakers
  • 64GB storage (double the original)
  • Save up to £100 buying refurbished

Nintendo Switch (Original)

  • 6.2-inch LCD screen
  • Plays on TV and handheld
  • Detachable Joy-Cons
  • 32GB storage
  • Save up to £80 buying refurbished

Nintendo Switch Lite

  • 5.5-inch LCD screen
  • Handheld only (no TV connection)
  • Built-in controls (can't remove them)
  • 32GB storage
  • Save up to £70 buying refurbished

The OLED: Premium Experience Without the Premium Price Tag

The OLED is Nintendo's flagship model, and you can immediately see why. That screen is genuinely gorgeous - colours pop, blacks are actually black instead of that washed-out grey you get on LCD screens, and everything just looks sharper.

What makes it brilliant:

The 7-inch OLED display is a game-changer if you play handheld. Games like Zelda and Mario Kart look absolutely stunning, and once you've used an OLED screen, going back to LCD feels a bit rubbish if we're honest.

The kickstand is actually usable now. The original Switch had this tiny flimsy thing that fell over if you breathed near it. The OLED's kickstand goes right across the back and you can adjust it to pretty much any angle. Massive improvement for tabletop gaming.

Storage is doubled to 64GB, which means you can actually download a few games without immediately running out of space. You'll probably still need an SD card eventually, but at least you're not scrambling for storage after installing two games.

The speakers are noticeably better too. Still not amazing (they're tiny speakers in a handheld console, let's be realistic), but definitely an upgrade from the original.

Who should buy it:

  • Anyone who plays mostly in handheld mode and wants the best possible screen
  • People who've got the budget and want the premium experience
  • If you're buying refurbished from us, it's only £50-80 more than a refurbished original Switch, which makes it much easier to justify

The honest drawbacks:

It's the most expensive option, obviously. And if you only ever play docked on your TV, you're paying extra for a better screen you'll never actually look at. The OLED screen doesn't make any difference when you're playing on telly - it outputs the same 1080p as the original.

Battery life is the same as the original (updated) Switch - around 4.5 to 9 hours depending on the game. So you're not getting any improvement there.

The Original Switch: The Goldilocks Option

This is still the most popular Switch model we sell, and for good reason. It does everything you need it to do without any compromise.

What makes it brilliant:

It's the complete package. You can play on the TV with the family in the evening, then undock it and take it to bed or on the train the next morning. The detachable Joy-Cons mean you've always got two controllers with you for impromptu Mario Kart sessions.

The price on a refurbished original Switch is genuinely excellent value. You're getting the full Switch experience - TV mode, handheld mode, tabletop mode - for around £179-£229 depending on condition. That's a proper saving compared to £259.99 for a new one.

Game compatibility is perfect. Every single Switch game works on it, including the handful of games that don't work on the Lite because they require detachable controllers or motion controls.

Who should buy it:

  • Families who want to play together on the TV
  • Anyone who wants flexibility between handheld and TV gaming
  • People on a budget who still want the full Switch experience
  • First-time Switch buyers who aren't sure how they'll mainly use it

The honest drawbacks:

The LCD screen is fine, but it's noticeably less impressive than the OLED if you put them side by side. Blacks look more grey, colours aren't as vibrant. It's not bad, it's just not as good.

Only 32GB storage means you'll definitely need an SD card if you download games digitally. Physical games are your friend here.

The original kickstand is genuinely terrible. It's tiny, flimsy, and only works at one angle. If you play in tabletop mode a lot, you'll probably end up buying a stand or wishing you'd got the OLED.

The Switch Lite: Portable Perfection

Don't let anyone tell you the Lite is somehow a "lesser" Switch. It's not - it's just designed for a specific purpose, and if that matches how you want to use it, it's actually the best option.

What makes it brilliant:

It's properly portable. Smaller, lighter, fits in a jacket pocket or small bag. The original Switch is portable but it's chunky - the Lite is genuinely pocket-sized.

The build quality feels more solid because everything's one piece. No detachable Joy-Cons that might develop drift issues (well, the sticks can still drift, but at least you're not paying £65 for new Joy-Cons). It feels more robust, which is why parents love them for kids.

Battery life is decent - around 3 to 7 hours depending on the game. Not quite as good as the original Switch, but considering it's smaller, that's fair enough.

The price is unbeatable, especially refurbished. £129-£159 for a fully working Switch that plays nearly every game in the library? That's brilliant value.

Who should buy it:

  • Anyone who only plays handheld and never wants to connect to a TV
  • Kids who need something durable for car journeys and don't need TV mode
  • People who already own a standard Switch and want a second one for travel
  • Budget-conscious buyers who just want to play Nintendo games without spending a fortune

The honest drawbacks:

No TV mode. This is the big one. If you think you might ever want to play on the big screen, don't get the Lite. You can't connect it to a telly, full stop.

A handful of games don't work properly on the Lite. We're talking about games that rely on detachable Joy-Cons (like Super Mario Party) or require specific motion controls. Most games are fine, but it's worth checking if there's a specific game you want to play.

The smaller screen can be a bit cramped if you've got large hands or you're used to playing on bigger displays. At 5.5 inches, text in some games can be quite small.

No kickstand at all, so tabletop mode requires propping it against something. Not a huge deal since the whole point is handheld gaming, but worth mentioning.

Which Games Play Best on Each Model?

Best on OLED:

  • Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom (those landscapes look incredible)
  • Metroid Dread (dark areas actually look dark, not murky grey)
  • Hollow Knight (again, proper blacks make a huge difference)
  • Any visual showcase game where you'll notice the better colours

Best on Original Switch:

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (brilliant on TV with mates)
  • Super Smash Bros Ultimate (needs the big screen for multiplayer chaos)
  • Ring Fit Adventure (obviously needs TV mode)
  • Any party game where you want multiple people playing together

Best on Lite:

  • Pokémon games (perfect for handheld-only gaming)
  • Animal Crossing (short sessions on the go)
  • Stardew Valley (cosy portable farming)
  • Any indie game that doesn't need a massive screen

The Refurbished Advantage: Why Pay Full Price?

Here's the thing about Nintendo - their stuff is built to last. A refurbished Switch from 2019 plays exactly the same games as a brand new one from 2025. Same performance, same games, same experience.

When you buy refurbished from a proper UK company (like us), you're typically saving anywhere from £40 to £100 depending on the model and condition. That's money that could go towards games, controllers, or an SD card instead of lining Nintendo's pockets.

Every console we sell has been properly tested, cleaned, and comes with a 6-month warranty. That's better protection than buying used from some random person on Facebook Marketplace, and you're saving a chunk of money in the process.

Check our current Switch prices and stock here →

Real Recommendations for Different Situations

"I want the best Nintendo Switch experience possible" Get the OLED. The screen makes a genuine difference if you play handheld at all, and the other improvements (kickstand, storage, speakers) all add up. If you're buying refurbished, the price difference from the original Switch is small enough that you might as well go for it.

"I mainly play on the TV but want handheld as an option" Original Switch, no question. You're not benefiting from the OLED screen when it's docked, so save your money. The original does everything you need.

"I'm buying for my kid" Switch Lite. It's tougher, cheaper to replace if something goes wrong, and kids honestly don't care about TV mode as much as adults think they do. They just want to play Pokémon.

"I've already got a Switch but want one for travel" Lite makes perfect sense as a second console. You can't transfer your account to play different games on both (you'd need two copies), but your save data syncs if you've got Nintendo Switch Online.

"I'm not sure how I'll use it yet" Original Switch gives you maximum flexibility. You can try handheld, try TV mode, see what you prefer, and you're not locked into anything. It's the safe choice.

"I only play indie games and don't care about graphics" Honestly, any of them. Indies look fine on all three models. Get the cheapest one you can find in good condition.

What About Battery Life?

Quick answer: They're all pretty similar, but game choice matters more than which model you've got.

  • OLED and Original (updated version): 4.5 - 9 hours
  • Lite: 3 - 7 hours

Playing Zelda on max brightness? You're looking at the lower end. Playing a simple indie game on medium brightness? You'll get hours more.

Pro tip: The original Switch that launched in 2017 had worse battery life (2.5 - 6.5 hours). If you're buying refurbished, check it's the updated version with better battery. You can tell by the serial number - starts with XKW instead of XAW.

Common Questions We Get Asked

"Will the OLED screen get burn-in?" Nintendo says no, and we've not seen it happen on any of the thousands of OLEDs we've sold. They've built in protections to prevent it. Don't stress about it.

"Can I upgrade my original Switch to an OLED screen?" No, sorry. They're completely different internally. You'd need to sell your current one and buy an OLED.

"Do all Joy-Cons work on all models?" Yes! Any Joy-Cons work with the OLED and original Switch. The Lite has built-in controls so you can't swap them, but you can still connect wireless Joy-Cons if you really want to (though why would you?).

"What size SD card should I get?" 128GB is the sweet spot for most people. 256GB if you download loads of games. Don't bother with anything smaller than 128GB - you'll fill it too quickly.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Actually Buy?

If we had to pick one for most people, it'd be the original Switch. It's the Goldilocks option - does everything well, doesn't cost a fortune, gives you total flexibility. A refurbished one offers genuinely excellent value.

But if you play mostly handheld and can stretch the budget, the OLED's screen is worth every penny. That display is just lovely, and the other improvements make it feel like a proper premium device.

And if you're absolutely sure you only want portable gaming, or you're watching the budget carefully, the Lite is a steal when bought refurbished. It plays almost every game in the library and fits in your pocket.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them. They're all brilliant consoles that'll give you hundreds of hours of gaming. The "wrong" choice is paying full price for a new one when refurbished works exactly the same and saves you money for games.

Ready to grab your Switch? Check out our full range of refurbished Nintendo Switch consoles - all tested, cleaned, and backed by our 6-month warranty. Same gaming experience, better price.