What’s the finest Nintendo Swap console for you? This information will suggest the finest console in your price range and wishes, primarily based on hours of gameplay expertise and hands-on testing.
The three present Nintendo Swap fashions – the Nintendo Swap, Swap Lite, and Swap OLED – all share related (however not similar) designs, video games, and software program. What’s completely different is the worth, measurement, controls, and display. The latest Swap OLED is the costliest, with a 7-inch show and 65GB inside storage for video games, whereas the Swap Lite is the most cost effective, however restricted to handheld video games reasonably than TV docking. Whichever you in the end select, the Swap continues to be going sturdy with an ever-expanding library of new Swap video games, and all three are among the many finest moveable gaming consoles. It’s arduous to make a foul selection!
Why you may belief our recommendation ✔ At Pocket Techniques, our specialists spend days testing video games, telephones, tech, and providers. We at all times share trustworthy opinions that will help you purchase the very best. Discover out how we take a look at.
The very best Nintendo Swap fashions in 2024
The very best Nintendo Swap for many
Nintendo Swap specs:
Reminiscence capability |
32GB |
Contact display |
6.2-inch LCD |
Whole ports |
3 USB ports, 1 HDMI port, 1 AC adapter port |
Playable docked? |
Sure |
Removable Pleasure-Cons |
Two |
Causes to purchase
- Moderately priced
- Could be performed handheld or docked
Causes to keep away from
- No LAN port
- Reminiscence capability on the smaller facet
The unique Nintendo Swap helps you to play each in your TV and on the go. It’s on the large facet, however that’s the place Swap carry instances are available in, and it’s nonetheless straightforward sufficient to hold round with you.
The Nintendo Swap comes with 32 GB of inside storage capability, in comparison with 64 GB on the Swap OLED. When you plan on downloading all the finest new Swap video games, you may discover it filling up fairly shortly. Nevertheless, a microSD card will quickly clear up that downside.
With the packaged-in Pleasure-Cons, you and a buddy can play on the identical display. Whereas it is a very viable choice, the bigger, clearer display of the Swap OLED could be preferential to you if that is going to be a serious a part of your Swap utilization.
Many avid gamers fall into the class of both solely taking part in their Swap via the tv, or solely taking part in it in handheld mode. The usual mannequin is nice at doing each of this stuff, isn’t overly costly, and doesn’t have any main issues – that’s why we suggest it as the very best Nintendo Swap total.
Learn our Nintendo Swap overview.
Essentially the most inexpensive Nintendo Swap
Nintendo Swap Lite specs:
Reminiscence capability |
32GB |
Contact display |
5.5-inch |
Whole ports |
No dock, so no ports |
Playable docked? |
No |
Removable Pleasure-Cons |
None |
Causes to purchase
- Most cost-effective Nintendo Swap you will get
- Small and handy for handheld play
Causes to keep away from
- Can’t be performed on a TV
- No removable Pleasure-Con controllers
This smaller mannequin is particularly designed to be an inexpensive choice for gaming on the go, making it perfect for youngsters or anybody working with a tighter price range. When you’re somebody who doesn’t foresee themselves taking part in their Swap on the TV, then you could have little or no to lose by going for the Swap Lite.
Whereas it isn’t suitable with Swap docks and so can by no means be performed on the large display, its a lot smaller measurement makes it perfect for handheld gaming, as not like different fashions, it might truly match inside your pocket. Whereas some avid gamers gained’t care about this in any respect, the Swap Lite simply seems to be rather a lot nicer than the usual and the OLED fashions. It is available in numerous brilliant, vibrant coloration schemes. It’ll look nice in a gamer bed room and is simply typically a handsome little bit of gaming {hardware}.
One thing for followers of Nintendo Swap multiplayer avid gamers to remember is that the Swap Lite doesn’t have removable Pleasure-Cons for associates utilizing one Pleasure-Con every. You possibly can nonetheless play in opposition to associates on-line, however it’s not as effectively optimized for face-to-face periods because the others.
Nonetheless, there’s rather a lot to admire about Swap Lite. When it first got here out, early adopters who had purchased the unique Swap, however who solely ever performed handheld, lamented the truth that they hadn’t waited a little bit bit longer in order that they might get the mannequin higher suited to them.
Learn our Nintendo Swap Lite overview.
The very best Nintendo Swap display
Nintendo Swap OLED specs:
Reminiscence capability |
64GB |
Contact display |
7-inch OLED |
Whole ports |
2 USB ports, 1 Lan port, 1 HDMI port, 1 AC adapter port |
Playable docked? |
Sure |
Removable Pleasure-Cons |
2 |
Causes to purchase
- Largest OLED display of all Swap fashions
- Finest reminiscence capability
- Improved dock with added LAN
Causes to keep away from
- Few advantages for individuals who play docked
- The most costly choice
Based mostly on the specs alone, the Nintendo Swap OLED is the very best model of the Swap. Nevertheless, we didn’t really feel we might give it the primary spot because it has a considerably larger price ticket, for upgrades that gained’t enchantment to all customers. When you plan to play this at dwelling in your TV solely, you’ll barely profit from the enhancements in any respect and might be higher off with the usual model.
When you desire taking part in in handheld mode, one of the best ways to take action is thru the Swap OLED. The 7-inch display makes your video games look higher than ever earlier than, and there’s even an choice within the sport’s settings to regulate the console display colours to make them as vivid as doable. If this ever seems to be too saturated to you, you may simply set it to look as regular – you may wish to modify the colour settings on a case-by-case foundation.
The OLED Swap has 64GB reminiscence – double the dimensions of the usual mannequin – though, you may purchase a micro SD card for Swap and broaden the capability. One other good thing about the OLED is the LAN port, which lets you use a wired web connection for smoother on-line gaming.
There are additionally modifications to the design of the dock. It’s a little bit extra spacious than the sooner mannequin, so it’s a bit simpler to get cables plugged in. Nonetheless, there’s no denying the improved visible high quality of taking part in the OLED in handheld mode.
Learn our Nintendo Swap OLED overview.

How to decide on the very best Nintendo Swap
Whereas the usual Nintendo Swap goes to be the best selection for the most important variety of gamers, the Swap OLED and Lite every have some distinctive advantages. These are the issues to take into consideration while you’re looking for a brand new Swap:
- Play modes: The Nintendo Swap Lite solely helps a handheld gaming mode. The Unique and OLED provide Tabletop and TV modes, so you may play with out having to carry them and plug them right into a TV. They each include a Nintendo Swap dock and HDMI cable.
- Dimension: When you get pleasure from handheld gameplay, the size of the Swap could be essential. Because the Swap Lite is the smallest, it’s finest for younger gamers and people with small arms. Whereas all three fashions are 0.55 inches deep, each the OLED and authentic Swap are longer and better. They’re finest suited to docked gameplay or bigger arms.
- Value: Do you could have a good price range? In that case, the Swap Lite is the most cost effective, adopted by the Unique after which the OLED.
- Battery: If you wish to play predominantly when you’re touring, battery life could be an essential consideration. The Nintendo Swap Lite has a decrease lifetime of 3-7 hours, whereas each the Unique and OLED offer you round 4.5 – 9 hours. After all, how a lot juice you truly get will fluctuate between video games.
- Design: Do you wish to showcase your distinctive character with a daring and brilliant Nintendo Swap? Possibly you’d reasonably have a modern white model. The Swap Lite is available in a wider vary of enjoyable hues, together with turquoise, yellow, and coral.
Learn our how we take a look at web page to seek out out extra about how we put these lists collectively. When you nonetheless have any questions, take a look at the FAQs beneath:
Which is the very best model of the Nintendo Swap?
Whereas the Lite and OLED each have some distinctive advantages, we nonetheless suppose that the usual model stays an honest middle-of-the-road choice that’ll be your best option for most individuals – particularly anybody who needs to play rather a lot on their TV display.
Nevertheless, should you plan on utilizing handheld mode extra typically and cash isn’t any choice, get the OLED.
Then again, should you’re wanting to avoid wasting cash and don’t thoughts being restricted to handheld solely, the Lite is your best option for you.
Is the Nintendo Swap or OLED higher?
By way of pure specs, the OLED is best, although not by a lot. On the within, the 2 consoles are just about the identical, however the OLED has a a lot better display. The display doesn’t make any distinction for individuals who play solely on the TV, however should you’re a handheld participant, you’ll see an enormous step up in image high quality on the OLED.
Is Nintendo Swap price it in 2024?
In our opinion sure, the Nintendo Swap continues to be price it in 2024. Even when a brand new Nintendo console is on the horizon, there’s nonetheless an infinite library of video games to play on the Swap. Realizing Nintendo, when the subsequent console comes out, the Swap will nonetheless be the one solution to play a number of its most gratifying exclusives, so it’s price having should you’re a gaming fan – particularly since its library is so large.
We hope that helps you determine which of those would be the proper Swap for you. Quickly you’ll be sitting right down to get pleasure from all of the finest Swap video games. Take a look at our finest Nintendo Swap equipment information for a collection of important extras to get essentially the most out of your Swap console. When you’re looking for a teenager, learn our information on the very best Swap video games for teenagers, which will provide you with some thought of what they could prefer to play.