Meta Quest 3S

Doubles Quest 2 graphics performance ; Mixed reality is good enough to use a phone ; IR sensors automatically map your room ; Ringless controllers are comfortable ; Incredible value

Battery is in front, adding face pressure ; Fresnel lenses aren't as clear as the Quest 3

“The Meta Quest 3S is the VR headset most people should buy.”

Inexpensive ; Fast processor ; Color pass-through camera ; Works standalone or tethered to PC ; Many apps and games

Occasionally grainy display ; Controllers must be in view of the headset for accurate tracking

The Meta Quest 3S is all you need to get started with VR, thanks to its color pass-through cameras, reliable controls, and affordable price.

Very Affordable ; Good specs ; Fantastic Horizon OS software

Bulky shape ; Poorer visuals than we’d like ; IPD presets instead of granular adjustments

The Meta Quest 3S may have some design and image-quality drawbacks, but its otherwise solid specs at a very affordable price make it a VR headset you should be at least paying attention to.

Price is right ; Solid passthrough ; Great hand tracking

Lower resolution than the Quest 3 ; Some visual distortion

The Quest 3S does most of that its predecessor does for a full $200 less. If you're looking to get into VR or XR for the first time, the Quest 3S is likely the best and most affordable way to get a full-featured experience.

Better battery life than the 3 ; Depth sensing works well ; Color passthrough is top notch ; Top of the line chipset ; Good price

Lenses and LEDs are a bit outdated ; Headphone jack is gone

Passthrough mixed reality and convincing VR at a keen price ; Biggest library of standalone VR content ; Plays nicely with PCVR too

Older Fresnel lenses showing their age vs newer rivals ; Fabric strap not the greatest for comfort or positioning ; Battery life is pretty limited

Makes some compromises in the name of price, but as well-rounded as standalone VR gets without breaking the bank.

Really low price ; Improved color passthrough cameras ; Mixed reality can blend VR and real world ; Improved CPU and graphics

Same display resolution and lenses as Quest 2 ; Still uncomfortable for longer play sessions ; Less than 3 hours battery life

$200 lower starting price compared to the Quest 3 ; Slightly better battery life than the Quest 3 ; Same CPU, RAM, and base storage as Quest 3 ; Batman: Arkham Shadow is included with purchase

Lower-resolution displays lead to a grainer picture ; Narrower interpupillary distance range

Meta has a winner on its hands with the Quest 3S from a value and performance perspective.