Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSleep Mode suspends your game so you can resume quickly, while turning the Nintendo Switch off shuts the console down. Sleep Mode still uses some battery, and Nintendo warns that unsaved progress is lost when you turn the console off. For everyday pauses, Sleep Mode is usually more convenient; choose a full shutdown when you want the system completely off or need to perform a normal shutdown for troubleshooting.
Sleep Mode and Off: the key differences
| What matters | Sleep Mode | Turn Off |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to the system | Suspends the current game for quick resumption. Nintendo describes Sleep Mode as a quick way to suspend a game. | Shuts the console down completely. Nintendo’s shutdown instructions distinguish this from Sleep Mode. |
| How to enter | Briefly press POWER, or choose Sleep Mode from the power menu. | Hold POWER for at least three seconds, choose Power Options, then Turn Off. |
| Battery use | Uses some battery while the console is asleep; Nintendo does not give a fixed drain rate. | The console is shut down rather than left in Sleep Mode. |
| Unsaved game progress | The game is suspended for resumption. | Unsaved progress will be lost. Save before shutting down. |
| Charging attached Joy-Con | Attached Joy-Con can charge while the console is in Sleep Mode. | Attached Joy-Con do not charge while the console is completely off. |
Nintendo lists Sleep Mode, Restart, and Turn Off as separate power-menu options. If the menu is left idle for ten seconds, the console enters Sleep Mode. See Nintendo’s power-menu instructions.
Which should you use?
Choose Sleep Mode for everyday pauses
Use Sleep Mode when you expect to come back to your game and want to resume quickly. A short press of POWER puts the system to sleep; press POWER or HOME to wake it. Sleep Mode is a low-power state, not a complete shutdown, so the battery will decline while the console is asleep.
Choose Turn Off for a complete shutdown
Turn the console off when you want it fully shut down or when a normal shutdown is needed for troubleshooting. Save your game first: Nintendo says unsaved progress will be lost when the system is turned off. Nintendo does not specify a universal amount of time after which you should switch from Sleep Mode to a full shutdown.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
Keep attached Joy-Con charging
If you want attached Joy-Con controllers to charge, leave the console in Sleep Mode rather than turning it completely off. The console itself can charge in either state; Nintendo estimates approximately three hours for a full charge when powered off or in Sleep Mode. Nintendo’s charging guidance covers charging the console and controllers.
How to enter Sleep Mode or turn the Switch off
Enter or leave Sleep Mode
- Briefly press the POWER button, or select Sleep Mode from the power menu.
- To wake the console, press POWER or HOME.
Turn the console off normally
- Save your game, since unsaved progress will be lost when the system shuts down.
- Hold the POWER button for at least three seconds.
- Select Power Options, then Turn Off.
If the console is unresponsive and will not turn off normally, Nintendo’s instructions say to hold POWER for at least twelve seconds. This is a recovery step for an unresponsive system, not the standard shutdown method. See Nintendo’s full shutdown instructions.
Rank #2
- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
Battery life depends on the Switch model
Nintendo lists these approximate battery-duration ranges for the specified Switch models. These are model runtime estimates, not measurements of how quickly Sleep Mode drains the battery.
| Model | Nintendo’s approximate battery duration |
|---|---|
| Original Nintendo Switch, HAC-001 | 2.5–6.5 hours |
| Nintendo Switch, HAC-001(-01) | 4.5–9 hours |
| Nintendo Switch OLED, HEG-001 | 4.5–9 hours |
Nintendo also says a battery may provide approximately 80% of its new-console duration after about 800 charge cycles, and describes this decline as normal. That figure concerns battery aging, not Sleep Mode drain. See Nintendo’s battery-duration and battery-aging information.
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Rank #3
- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 - 9 hours.
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
- Model number HAC 001( 01)
Scope
These instructions and figures are for the Nintendo Switch family covered by the cited Nintendo support pages; they do not establish how Nintendo Switch 2 behaves. Menu labels may vary slightly by localization or software version.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
- Two players can each take one
- Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
- Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- 6.2” LCD screen.
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
