Though some users might shy away from the models, refurbished Nintendo Switches from a trusted source are almost always just as good as new ones.
I have loved Nintendo my entire life and owned all of their consoles. That includes the Switch. My many years of using the brand, as well as my own experience with refurbished electronics, allowed me to fully break down the topics in this guide.
The following sections take a deep dive into refurbished Switches by analyzing renewed items, as well as the benefits and drawbacks that come with getting them.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Refurbished gaming consoles go through a strict quality assurance process that checks and fixes any potential issues they might have.
- A refurbished Nintendo Switch is an easy, environmentally-friendly way to enjoy one of the market’s best gaming consoles without breaking the bank.
- As great as refurbished Switches are, it’s always important to do your research and take the time to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.
Refurbished vs. Used and New
When it comes to electronics, many customers prefer buying new. As tech items tend to be high-end, and usually quite fragile, getting something out of the box is safer than getting something used. However, refurbished items are distinctly different.
Where used items have no quality assurance system and a lot of unknowns, refurbished items are held to a much higher standard. In fact, a lot of the time the devices aren’t even opened before being returned. Most had no issues or problems to begin with either.
That’s especially true of high-quality items from high-quality companies. Refurbished devices on the second hand market may not hold up, but almost everything you get from someone like Nintendo goes through plenty of checks.
Big companies don’t just take refurbished items in and put them back up for sale. They rigorously check them for any defects, run multiple tests on their hardware, and then wipe them clean. In that way, they’re basically the exact same thing as a new model.
Buying a Refurbished Nintendo Switch: The Pros
Getting a refurbished item might seem a bit scary to those who only buy new, but there are a few reasons to go with a renewed Nintendo Switch. The first is the price.
Refurbished items are always cheaper than their out-of-the-box counterparts, and it’s the main reason people choose to get them. While Nintendo doesn’t offer the same discounts as you’ll find on other renewed items, you can still save a good chunk of money on a Switch.
The gaming consoles are pricey. In addition, Nintendo is notorious for rarely putting their items on discount. They almost never go on sale, nor do they drop in price over time. That’s why getting some savings is such a big deal.
As mentioned, buying a refurbished item from Nintendo comes with good quality assurance too. The company is diligent about making sure all of their renewed models are exactly like new.
They also have all of the accessories you’d find with an out-of-the-box model. In fact, you can also get refurbished add-ons like controllers if you want to save even more money without losing out on the full Switch experience.
Another added bonus of getting a refurbished Switch is that it’s environmentally friendly. Anytime someone buys a renewed item, they’re contributing to recycling rather than putting more items (not to mention packaging or plastic) into the landfill.
Buying a Refurbished Nintendo Switch: The Cons
As great as refurbished Switches can be, there are always some risks that come with getting a renewed item. The biggest is that you have to do a bit more work when making your purchase. Normally, when buying electronics you just go online, add them to your cart, and buy.
That’s not the same with refurbished items. Unless you’re going directly from a big box store or the source (Nintendo) you always want to be careful. There are great deals out there, but if one seems like it’s too good to be true, it’s probably not worth it.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid any deals on refurbished items, it just means you should expect to do a bit more research when going that route. There are some great third-party refurbished sellers, they just take a bit longer to find.
There are also a few unknowns you have to consider when going refurbished. Though there’s a strict quality assurance, you never truly know what happened to your device before you got it. The lifespan may not be as long as a new item as well.
FAQs
Here I cover and answer some of the biggest questions about refurbished Nintendo Switches.
How Long Does a Nintendo Switch Last?
Typically, new Nintendo Switches last roughly six years right out of the box. While that’s not too long for a console, the company is taking steps towards increasing that number. They plan on upping the longevity by the end of this year.
Why Hasn’t the Switch Dropped in Price?
The simple answer is demand. Nintendo Switches have faced a bottleneck on production for a few years now. As such, there aren’t that many (new or refurbished) to go around. That’s why they cost a bit more than other older gaming systems.
Does Refurbished Mean Used?
No. While refurbished items can be used for a period of time, they are typically only opened or operated once before being returned. Used items, on the other hand, were owned for an extended period of time and come with no quality assurance.
Final Words
Nintendo Switches are some of the most expensive gaming systems on the market. Buying a refurbished model is one of the ways to curb that issue. As long as you know who you’re buying from and understand what you want, you’ll get a great, like-new model with no issues.
Do you own a refurbished Switch? How does it compare to new models? Let us know in the comment section below!
