20 Affordable Target Home Finds That'll Make Your Place Look Like A Million Bucks
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Start the new year with a space that practically feels brand new.
1. A lidded bamboo jewelry box that lets you see your collection at a glance and promises to give your earrings a safe home so you're not crawling on the floor looking for a lost one. Again.
I love this thing. It's the perfect size for my jewelry collection and cute enough to leave out on my dresser. I bought it when I realized that my jewelry had unnecessarily sprawled out to three different organizers and I was spending more time hunting down a specific necklace. It also forced me to pick my highlights and declutter the rest, which frankly, is a boundary I needed in my life. (RIP to that one ring that kept turning my finger green.)
Promising review:" This is the perfect jewelry box if you don't have a lot of jewelry. I like that I can see into the box without opening it and it is definitely made of quality materials." — REN
2. A textured throw pillow for a quick refresh of that chair you love playing Switch games in and are now ready to add a pop of new color to the area.
Target
3. A Brightroom fabric storage bin to hide away clutter in plain sight and break up big spaces. (Like I did in the cabinet of requirements, which mostly consists of board games and puzzles I swear I'm gonna do someday.)
Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed, Target
4. A sculpted green hand towel that will make you feel super put together and seasonally appropriate anytime you go to wash your hands.
Target
5. A weighted knit blanket reviewers swear is the snuggle companion of dreams in weight, softness, and cuteness.
Target
Promising reviews:"Oh this is so plush at the fraction of some more big box stores selling them for way more. Its weighted but not uncomfortable which is why I love it, it doesn't feel like its crushing you. Anthro looks at target price? Win win! Buy it, you wont regret it!" — Hols
"This is the 3rd weighted blanket I have tried and by far my favorite. Compared to traditional weighted blankets, the knitted design is elegant. It's not only functional, but a statement piece. The flexible knitted design also provides even weight distribution across my entire body creating a hugging sensation that prevents me from tossing and turning throughout the night. Unlike blankets filled with beads, this one is virtually silent as you move it. There are no distracting rusting sounds, allowing for uninterrupted sleep. Thanks to the knit pattern, this blanket also excels at temperature regulation and not trapping excessive heat. This blanket is fit for all seasons. My favorite feature is that it is perfectly oversized which gives me the freedom to sleep in any position i find comfortable while still enjoying the pressure of the blanket. The only drawback I've noticed is the light color, which makes me a bit more cautious about potential stains, especially since there's no removable cover. However, with proper care, I'm confident this blanket will continue to be a staple in my nightly routine." — Julia
7. A set of soft double-brushed sheets to help you slip into a new year of self-care and cozy sleep hygiene.
Target
Promising review:"The double brushed microfiber feel makes all the difference! These are seriously like butter. Super soft and warm but also light. I got a set for my bed and one for my son. These are a great buy to keep a couple of extras around so me they are so affordable." — Marissa
8. A floral table runner that'll liven up where you eat with the flick of a wrist. Anything that has a tassel on it adds ten points to your interior decorating skills, and this thing has four!
Target
Promising review:"This table runner is absolutely beautiful! It is the perfect way to add a touch of style to any tablescape, whether it is casual or formal. The fabric is high-quality and the colors are rich and vibrant. I love that it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. I would highly recommend this table runner to anyone looking for a stylish and versatile piece for their home." — Target reviewer
9. An Our Place ceramic nonstick Always pan I can PERSONALLY attest are 100% swipe right vibes because I am simply ~obsessed~ with ours and am slowly building an Our Place empire. Easy to clean, cute, cute, cute, and the kind of item that makes you EXCITED to cook because of how easy it is on the eyes and the cleanup.
Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed, Target
Set includes an Always Pan 2.0 in original nonstick, a modular, steam-release lid, a nesting beechwood spatula that slots right onto the handle for easy holding, and a steamer basket and colander.
I truly can't say enough nice things about the Always pan. I have a Very Fancy pan that has been living in the cabinet since I got this one because the Always is a joy to use and such a breeze to clean up when finished. Just be sure to let the pan TOTALLY cool before washing to extend the non-stick life, and you'll be just as obsessed as I am!
Promising reviews:"Evenly cooks and easy clean up. Purchased on sale so I feel pricing was good." — J
10. Some delightfully funky plastic tumblers so you and your drinks can feel glam without worrying about shattered glass or floor dents from your too-heavy water bottle. (Oops.)
Target
Promising reviews:"My all-time favorite plastic cups. Looks and feels like glass but lighter. I bought the blue but the pink and clear are cute also!" — Debb
"The durability because of the material isn't overshadowed by bright colors it's nice and modern and looks great on the table even though they're being tossed around by kids all day. 🤣" — Thismomreviews
11. A plush pouf because this is Target's world and we're just livin' in it.
Target
Promising review:"Absolutely love this! Very sturdy. Color is true to what is advertised. A bit bigger than I thought it would be. Would buy again. Can fit many different decor styles." — Britt
12. An elegant shower curtain that won't clash with your current decor but promises to give your bathroom a whole new look.
Target
13. A macrame light filtering velvet curtain to keep that pesky sun out when it starts rising earlier and earlier.
Target
Promising review:"Love love love these curtains. Color is true to the pictures. The fringe is a gorgeous detail. These do a great job at blocking sunlight out and are not thin by any means. I wouldn't say they are black out curtains though. It's soft, velvety and high quality material." — Valeria
14. Some funky peel-and-stick animal wallpaper reviewers promise is a winner even for wallpaper novices.
Target
Promising review:"Super easy to apply, I did it by myself and this is my first time using wallpaper! Looks amazing, so many compliments! I needed JUST over 2 rolls (so now I basically have an entire extra roll) to do my bathroom. Which is a very small downstairs guest bathroom. It looks amazing." — Jazmin
15. A quirky mushroom stool to prove that you're a fun 'lil guy. 🥁
Target
Promising review:"I got the cream version of this stool and it far exceeded my expectations. It is large enough to use as a stool for guests on game night, a footstool that I can use to cross my legs on, and to add a nice decor to a space. It is easy to clean with a handheld vacuum and has stayed a nice cream color. The base is a dense firm material while the top is very squishy and nice to sit on." — Bri
16. A laundry basket because we might as well make laundry as fun as possible by getting a colored basket to help us with the job.
Target
17. A wooden kitchen utensil set that will inspire you to try that new cookie recipe that keeps popping up in your feed.
Target
Promising reviews:"I'm trying to move away from plastic and was so excited when I found this set of wooden utensils! They're affordable and high quality. The wood is very pretty but also practical. It's smooth and works well with all sorts of cookware. These are hand wash only but it's pretty easy to clean them and they seem durable." — Magpie198331
"So glad I got these! Not only are they pretty, they cook and clean perfectly. Super happy to have these in the kitchen." — Ally
18. And a new enamel Dutch oven to go with them in colors that practically scream, "HELLO COLD WEATHER."
Target
19. A two-tier fruit basket you *can* use for fruit, but you can also use to stuff EVERYTHING that's been living on your kitchen island into one place, so you have room for a cutting board amidst the mayhem.
Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed, Target
In my defense, there's usually at least *one* fruit-related something in here. (Yes, fruit snacks count, imo.)
20. And finally, an Ototo Buddy spoon holder to lend you a helping paw in the kitchen and keep your counters spick and span while you cook!
Target
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Los Angeles Times
35 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a refinement rather than a reinvention. Is that enough?
Nintendo is in many ways a different company now than it was back in 2017 when it released the Switch. For one, it has sold more than 150 million units of its hybrid TV/on-the-go console, making it the defining game device of the last decade. Nintendo also expanded its universes beyond its game consoles. At long last, 'Super Mario Bros.' became a blockbuster animated film, and there are now three Super Nintendo World theme park properties, including one here in Los Angeles at Universal Studios Hollywood. That makes the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 something of an event, and arguably the most important tech instrument of the year. So, the good news. The pricey Switch 2 is a worthy successor to the original. And unlike the motion-controlled Wii in 2006 or the dual-screen Nintendo DS in 2004, this play-it-somewhat-safe console takes an if-it-ain't-broke philosophy to gaming, continuing Nintendo's legacy rather than redefining it. While it's bigger, stronger, better feeling, higher-res and comes with a couple new tricks, overall it's primarily a refinement of the original Switch's ideas. The first game company to make interactive characters household names — Donkey Kong, Mario, Link, take your pick — Nintendo has become a full-fledged, cross-media storytelling company. And it has done so via a medium that in its most mainstream form is only about four decades old. The Switch 2, officially released June 5 and selling for $449.99, is the vessel for which Nintendo will reveal its play-focused worlds for likely the next decade. The reception from consumers may be inspiring but brings with it a host of questions. The Switch itself is far from obsolete, despite being significantly less powerful than Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox consoles, due largely to its hybrid design. And consumers may be forgiven for wondering why — or when — they should upgrade to a machine that looks, feels and plays similar to the one they currently own, especially when Nintendo is unleashing only one new core game for it this month, the dazzling 'Mario Kart World.' Valid, but I believe those who make the leap will be happy in their investment, even if its lineup of exclusive games is relatively barren for now. There are enough improvements to make the Switch 2 feel fresh. I'm eager, for one, to see how its controllers, the detachable 'Joy-Cons,' evolve, as they now have the ability to act as a mouse. This has already come in handy in the strategy game 'Civilization VII,' a title I waited for the Switch 2 to play and one that can utilize the more precise maneuvers mouse controls provide. First-person shooters should benefit even more. And then there are its chat features, which can be enhanced with an optional Nintendo camera ($54.99). While serious gamers who use services such as Discord may not need a console to facilitate chatting with friends, the Switch 2 makes connecting and conversing safe and easy for the gamer who plays primarily solo. One can can only talk with approved friends, and Nintendo will verify accounts and a phone number to do so. Simply touch a button on the Joy-Con, and the chat feature is enabled. My circle of connections who own a Switch 2 is currently small, so I haven't experimented with these accouterments as much as I would have liked, especially the CameraPlay feature that allows users to overlay their own faces on drivers in the game. Other features will no doubt come in handy during 'Mario Kart World,' saving my friends and I from conversing via text. And they would have been a godsend during the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when every Switch owner was eager to share their 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' creations with their pals. All of this says nothing about how good the Switch 2 simply feels. The Joy-Cons now connect magnetically rather than having to lock into place, and while it's perhaps an incremental upgrade, snapping them into the console is one of those tech creations that feels like magic, like the first time one uses a touchscreen. It's slightly larger, and I find a more robust Switch 2 is easier to handle, my arms less likely to grow tired when playing in bed. The screen is 1080p, making just about every old game feel brighter, crisper and less fuzzy, and the Switch 2 has support for 4K TVs. 'Super Mario Odyssey' has never looked so clear, and $9.99 upgrades to 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' and 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' will have you wanting to revisit — or jump back into — each of those titles, as refreshed resolutions and frame rates have us seeing the worlds anew. Battery life, however, might be a challenge. In handheld mode I was able to get about two hours of 'Mario Kart World' before needing to recharge. The console fared better with independent and smaller games. But the real reason to buy a new gaming console is for its next-generation games. Nintendo is counting on 'Mario Kart World' to be enough initially to entice buyers. It's a safe bet, when one considers that 'Mario Kart 8' is one of the bestselling games of all time, having sold more than 67 million copies. Many an original Switch was likely a 'Mario Kart'-focused machine, and though I prefer my plump plumber when he's exploring the Mushroom Kingdom on foot — running, jumping and power-upping his way to rescue his friends — I am not immune to the charms of 'Mario Kart World.' 'Mario Kart 8' was released back in 2014, meaning these cute-but-vicious races are now nostalgia bait for another generation. And 'World' marries some Nintendo weirdness — you can now race as a cow — with its penchant for playful world building. I'm smitten, for instance, with the game's approach to races, which makes driving among the Mushroom Kingdom landscapes as important as it does wacky tracks that encompass everything from Route 66-inspired hokeyness to careening amid giant ice cream palaces. There's now a so-called 'free roam' mode, allowing us to simply drive off course and explore the wonders of the Mushroom Kingdom. Though there could probably be a few more hidden mini-games, I find it relaxing and full of little surprises. Instead of zooming by Yoshi's Cafe, I can now pull up, enjoy some speed-boosting ice cream, admire the animation work and take in the delightfully down-home soundtrack, an orchestral, slightly upbeat and cartoonish approach to classic American big band, jazz and Western stylings. As an insomnia sufferer, I've spent a few recent sleepless nights just roaming around 'Mario Kart World,' driving through empty castles-turned-racetracks. Then there's 'Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.' This is a $9.99 introduction to what the Switch 2 can do, full of odd little mini games, most of them able to be completed in a minute or two. One shows off the Switch 2's touch screen, having us use the device as a sort of Twister board for our hands. Others use the Joy-Con as a mouse to swing wildly at a golf ball or dodge falling metallic obstacles. Sometimes they're not games at all but rather tech demos designed to show off, say, the rumble vibration effects in the controllers. One simply had me using the Switch 2's backing stand to try and match the degrees for which it was asking me to place the console. 'I've never seen such amazing angling!' it told me after completing the task. Why, thank you. It's cute. I've completed a little more than half of it. It reminds me a bit of mid-'80s PC work 'Little Computer People,' as it turns the Switch 2 into a living, theme park-like mall space full of tiny humans. Though I do recommend springing for it if you buy into the Switch 2, it's ultimately a game-as-tutorial and should have been included with the system, especially since one of its goals is having us better appreciate the tech behind the console. The most common question I've received — understandably so — is if I believe the Switch 2 is 'worth it.' While it's difficult to tell someone to drop close to $500 for a gaming machine and then another $80 for 'Mario Kart World' (you're also probably going to want the $84.99 Pro Controller, as it's a more ergonomically-friendly way to play via the TV), those with the means and in the market for a new gaming console will likely be pleased. Thankfully, your Switch controllers will work with the Switch 2, saving you some financial upgrade headaches, and with 256 GB of internal storage, you likely won't need a memory-expanding microSD Express card right away, although you will need a new case due to the console's bigger size. Blissfully, upgrading from a prior Switch to the Switch 2 is relatively easy. One logs into their Nintendo account, and places the two consoles next to one another while data is transferred. I brought over a handful of games, which took about half a day. Download speeds varied. 'Tears of the Kingdom' was loaded in about 20 minutes, whereas a bigger game such as 'Cyberpunk 2077' took about three hours. Part of buying a new gaming console is the gamble of, betting on new games rolling out over the coming years that will hopefully make the device a worthy investment. Early signs are promising; 'Donkey Kong Bananza' is due July 17. I played the game at a Nintendo media event earlier this year and I'm eager to get my hands on it as it embodies Nintendo's play-as-discovery principles. Our friendly but grumpy banana-crazed ape can essentially power his way through the world, stomping and smashing new pathways to make this a game about exploration as much as it is any challenges. That's long been Nintendo's approach to play and storytelling, and that likely isn't going to change anytime soon. The Switch became the most popular gaming console of the decade by giving us games that became global phenomena, be it 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' or 'Tears of the Kingdom' (I'm most partial to 'Super Mario Odyssey'). And to buy a Switch 2 is to trust the Nintendo design team to continue to deliver. It's early days, but I feel good about that gamble. After all, I have a cow in a kart waiting for me to get back into a race.
Engadget
7 hours ago
- Engadget
Splatoon spinoff game will launch exclusively on Switch 2
Nintendo just dropped a trailer for a Splatoon spinoff game. Titled Splatoon Raiders , the third-person paint slinging shooter spinoff will be released exclusively on the Switch 2 . This marks the first spinoff in the franchise and will take players to a new location called the Spirhalite Islands. While details are sparse at this early stage, the trailer mentions players will take on the role of 'a mechanic' alongside Deep Cut, a fictional band in the Splatoon universe. There's no mention of multiplayer (and no footage of it in this teaser), so Splatoon Raiders may well be a single-player experience. While the initial launch will be exclusive to Nintendo's newest handheld, the trailer says that 'research is still underway,' implying there may be future releases on additional consoles. A substantial update for Splatoon 3 was also announced, with version 10.0 landing on both Switch and Switch 2 June 12. Included in the update is the Splatlands Collection, a cache of 30 new weapons from the Barazushi and Emberz in-game brands. While they are based on previous weapons, they will sport new designs, sub weapons and specials. The update also includes matchmaking improvements, with an added metric called Series Weapon Power, which will track your effectiveness per weapon based on your win-loss ratio in battles. This new metric will be considered when pairing you with other online players. Version 10.0 is also bringing back Urchin Underpass, a popular multiplayer map from the original Splatoon game. Nintendo says that Switch 2 players will notice more detailed visuals and improved performance with this update. Alongside the Animal Crossing franchise, Splatoon and its sequels have been star properties for Nintendo, and have sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The Nintendo Switch 2 was released on June 5 and has been hard to find in stock during its first launch week.
Tom's Guide
9 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Nintendo Switch 2 review — no gimmicks here, just a fantastic hybrid console
In many ways, Nintendo Switch 2 is quite an un-Nintendo-like follow-up. The Japanese gaming titan is known for its left-field turns and big swings. Which other console maker goes from the record-selling motion-controlled Nintendo Wii to the tablet-based Nintendo Wii U? However, Nintendo's successor to the juggernaut Switch, a hybrid handheld and home console system, avoids the 'gimmicks' and instead opts for an iterative approach. Giving gamers more of the same, but with across-the-board upgrades. It's a very wise move. Nintendo Switch 2 feels like the ultimate version of the Switch concept, taking everything great about its predecessor and buffing it to a fine sheen. From the larger 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz display, to the dramatically improved specs, which rival those found within the best handheld gaming consoles, such as Valve's Steam Deck OLED and the Asus ROG Ally X. And with its still innovative docking system, you can again switch between playing on your TV and gaming on the go in a matter of seconds with zero interruptions. Nintendo Switch 2 makes the original look like merely a proof of concept. It's the culmination of the Switch idea. The numerous upgrades don't come entirely without caveats. The impressively boosted performance levels come at the cost of battery life. Even if you're heading out with a full 100% charge, you'll want to keep a power supply to hand. Plus, Switch 2's larger size only further highlights issues with the console's flat design that lacks built-in ergonomic grips. Priced at $449, which places Switch 2 at parity with Sony's PS5 Slim, Nintendo's hardware is no longer the 'cheap option.' The hybrid is a more substantial investment and less attractive as a second console for those looking to play exclusive games like Mario, Zelda and Kirby. At the same time, Nintendo has managed to take (almost) everything that worked about the original Switch and improve upon it. Justifying the purchase price even at this early stage, and setting up Switch 2 for an exciting lifecycle ahead, even if the launch library is lacking. Dimensions 10.71 × 4.57 × 0.55 inches (w/ Joy-Con 2s attached) Weight 1.18 pounds Processor Custom Nvidia processor RAM 12 GB LPDDR5X Storage 25GB (UFS 3.1) Display 7.9-inch LCD, 1080p, HDR10, 120Hz refresh rate Ports 2 x USB-C, 1x 2.5mm audio jack, 1x microSD Express card reader slot, 1x Switch 2 Game Card slot Wireless connectivity Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth Battery life 2 – 6.5 hours (Nintendo provided figures) Price $449 USD If you've used the original Nintendo Switch at any point since its launch in spring 2017, then you'll have a good idea what to expect when it comes to Switch 2. But Nintendo hasn't skimped on the upgrades, it's better across the board. Before Switch 2's launch, there was much consternation within the Tom's Guide team about Nintendo's decision to revert to LCD following 2021's well-received Nintendo Switch OLED. However you slice it, it is a downgrade over its predecessors' mid-gen refresh (the base Switch stuck with LCD, as did the Nintendo Switch Lite). But Nintendo has done a pretty remarkable job not making it feel like a significant step back because the Switch 2's display is seriously pretty. Even just scrolling the UI on initial boot up had me oohing and ahhing. Measuring in at 7.9 inches, compared to 6.2 inches on Switch 1, it's not only larger but also offers a max 1080p resolution (select games can be played in 4K via the dock), which is a large leap from 720p on the original Switch. It also packs HDR and a 120 Hz refresh rate, allowing for up to 120 fps gaming in select software. Although I expect these will be rare. Now, I still wouldn't say no to a Nintendo Switch 2 OLED in the future, but the fact I've switched from a Steam Deck OLED to an LCD Switch 2 and haven't felt particularly shortchanged is a testament to just how excellent the console's bigger display looks. Nintendo consoles have historically been known for being less powerful than rivals like Xbox and PlayStation (even if Nintendo GameCube was more than a match for the PlayStation 2), but unlike its predecessor, Switch 2 doesn't feel like it's lagging behind right out of the box. Naturally, it can't outmuscle the PS5 Pro or even the base PS5, but it's quite a boon for Nintendo that the best on-the-go versions of blockbuster titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy are currently found on Switch 2. Oh, and I can't speak highly enough of finally getting Zelda: Breath of the Wild without fuzzy textures and an inconsistent framerate. Switch 1 felt like a console that was already somewhat dated from day one, whereas Switch 2 feels primed to compete in the graphics space right now. That is probably until Steam Deck 2 launches and blows it out of the water. But for now, Switch 2 is a portable powerhouse. Not to go all Jesse Pinkman from 'Breaking Bad,' but Nintendo Switch 2 has made me love magnets. On the surface, the Joy-Con 2 controllers don't look all that different from their predecessors, aside from being larger and slightly more curved, but the real upgrade comes in the way they effortlessly connect to the Switch 2 console. Gone is the finicky railing system of the Switch 1 in favor of powerful magnets that allow the Joy-Con 2 controllers to snap to the main unit with ease. The days of cumbersome attempts to align the plastic rails, or even worse, accidentally sliding the Joy-Con straps on the wrong way and finding them glued stuck, are mercifully gone. And I couldn't be more grateful. The Joy-Con 2 controllers also attach to the Switch 2 console with a delightful degree of sturdiness. The connection points feel solid, with only marginal give, another appreciated upgrade over its predecessor. I do have some slight concerns that the magnetism may degrade over time, but I'm informed that modern magnets take hundreds of years to lose their strength, so this might be a moot point. I know I opened this review by saying that Nintendo has eschewed its habit of strange gimmicks, but this is still the Big-N, so there had to be at least one novel new feature. With Switch 2, this comes in the form of the Joy-Con 2 Mouse Mode, which allows each controller to be used like a PC gaming mouse just by laying the Joy-Con 2 on a flat surface. Heck, you don't even need the 'flat' part; the feature works even when placed on your lap. The mouse tracking is surprisingly accurate, surface-dependent, of course. You can even use both controllers at once for a dual mouse setup. Plus, there's no setup required; just place your Joy-Con 2s down and the mode will activate. I'm not sure I would ever want to play an entire game using the control method over traditional joysticks, but it's still a pretty nifty inclusion, and I look forward to seeing how game developers utilize the option in the future. Anybody picking up a Switch 2 who owned a Switch 1 may notice a new button on the right Joy-Con 2 marked with a 'C'. This is the dedicated GameChat button, and serves as your instant portal to the Switch 2's new online communication functionality. GameChat is one of those 'does what it says on the tin' features. It allows you to chat with your friends and family while gaming on Switch 2. You can communicate via the console's built-in microphone (which offers background noise reduction tech), or, if you have the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, you can even video broadcast yourself just like you're on Zoom. While PlayStation and Xbox have offered Party chat for multiple console generations at this point, for Nintendo, it's a huge step up from the antiquated app-based solution found on Switch 1. So, while it's hardly revolutionary, it's great to see Nintendo get with the times. You also have the option to share your screen, letting participants watch your live gameplay, but persistent lag makes this feature close to unusable. Plus, I have to wrinkle my nose at the fact that GameChat is locked behind a Nintendo Switch Online paywall. It'll be free for the console's first year, but after 12 months, you'll need to fork over for a $19 subscription. While there's much to love about Switch 2, all that extra performance power does come with a fairly significant drawback to battery life. Plus, dedicated handheld players might want to consider investing in a third-party grip case. When discussing gaming handhelds, the conversation will always broach the thorny issue of battery life before long. And this is one area where the Switch 2 sadly doesn't shine bright. During my testing for this review, I was able to get just shy of two-and-a-half hours of play from a 100% charge while running Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with Wi-Fi switched on and display brightness set to the default 'Automatic Brightness' setting. This isn't a disastrous total, and would last you the length of a short-haul flight or a decently long train journey, but if you're away from a power outlet for a prolonged period of time, you're going to want to invest in a good power bank to make significant gaming progress. It also compared unfavourably to the Nintendo Switch OLED (which we benchmarked at around five hours) and the 2019 model of the Nintendo Switch, which lasted four hours and 40 minutes in our testing. Though it's roughly in line with competitors like the Steam Deck. If you plan to play Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode for a significant amount of time, you might want to invest in a third-party case with built-in grips because, without one, it's just not that comfortable to hold for hours at a time. If you prefer your Switch 2 to be naked, it's far from a fatal flaw, but my hands quickly found themselves missing the ergonomic design of my trusty Steam Deck OLED. Placing the Switch 2 in dbrand's Killswitch 2 case intently elevated my portable gaming experience. The original Switch has this problem too, but the increased size of the Switch 2, which naturally comes with increased weight, only exacerbates the issue. While my hands are far from shovel-sized, I really cannot imagine how a young child could hold one for very long. The overall slick aesthetics of the Switch 2 certainly trump the Steam Deck OLED or Asus ROG Ally X, with their protruding plastic shells being rather unsightly, not to mention giving them a larger overall profile. But sometimes you've got to prioritize function above all else. For years, I've been pining for a Nintendo Switch console which is the same but with more powerful components. And Nintendo has given me exactly that. Couple the increased under-the-hood improvements with smart upgrades like the magnetized Joy-Cons and the impressive larger display, and you've got the best version of an already excellent system. For the most part, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a thoroughly well-designed hybrid console that offers a fantastic play experience, whether tethered to your television or roaming just about anywhere. Though, don't expect to play on the go for too long due to the poor battery life. At present, the Switch 2's biggest weakness is its limited software library. There's only a pair of new first-party experiences, Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, flanked by a lot of third-party ports of games you've (probably) already played elsewhere. But this is to be expected at launch, and over time, this 'issue' will naturally resolve itself. Even if the selection of games needs bulking out, Nintendo Switch 2 is a phenomenal console out of the box. It makes all the improvements I wanted, and even some upgrades I didn't know I needed. Nintendo struck gold with the initial Switch concept, and its numbered successor takes just about everything I loved about the original and makes it even better.
