Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite: which Switch to buy?


While it's not very easy to buy a Nintendo Switch at the moment, you still might want to.

That makes this the perfect time for research. Sure, you might not be able to get one now, but you'll be resolute in your decision when the opportunity arises.

That's why we've put together a little list of the differences between the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.

[sc name="nintendo"]

Nintendo Switch vs Switch lite: price

The Switch Lite comes out on top in price thanks to its rather lovely £199.99 price tag on Amazon. If the cost is your main concern, then that's the clear winner when compared to the £279.99 of the normal Switch.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch lite: screen display

Now then, this is an interesting one. Both of the versions of this console have the same resolution, the difference here is size.

The original Switch has a 6.2-inch screen, while the Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch one.

That's not all though; the Switch Lite loses another point here because it can't dock.

That means you'll never see your games on the big screen, and it also means there are some games you can't play if they need to be on the big screen. It's not a common issue, but it is something to be aware of.

The Switch Lite has some cool colour options.
click to enlarge
The Switch Lite has some cool colour options.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch lite: battery life

Battery life is massively skewed in favour of the newer model of the regular Switch, which has a more efficient battery, with the range being between 4.5 and 9 hours depending on the game you're playing.

This makes the regular Switch perfect for your adventures around the world, or to work, or on the loo.

The Switch Lite, on the other hand, has between 3 and 7 hours battery life, which makes it a little less suited to being a pure handheld, which is odd, because it is a pure handheld.

Either way, it's often worth investing in a portable battery.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch lite: controllers

Finally the controllers. Now, both the Switch and Switch Lite can use the same controllers, but there is one key difference that edges the Switch into pole position here.

The Switch Lite has Joy-Cons built into the system, which is great if you're the only one using it, but means you lose the ability to take them off and do multiplayer with them.

This also means that if you fall prey to the dread Joy-Con drift on Switch Lite, there's nothing much you can do about it.

There's a lot to consider here, but ultimately you should have enough information here to make an informed choice, and that's what it's all about.

Of course, everything could change if we see a Nintendo Switch Pro anytime soon, but we can't compare that one just yet.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Buying Guides, Gaming, and Hardware pages.