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Oct 15, 2024

Meta Quest 3S review: Best VR headset for new gamers, but seasoned players will notice flaws | Mashable

Meta Quest 3S made me feel like Tony Stark without needing his billionaire bank account. For just $299, I got to step into my own Iron Man suit right in my living room (shout out to Marvel's Iron Man

Meta Quest 3S made me feel like Tony Stark without needing his billionaire bank account. For just $299, I got to step into my own Iron Man suit right in my living room (shout out to Marvel's Iron Man VR). Did I almost break my hand from being too into it? Maybe. But hey, if Iron Man can take a few hits in his suit, so can I.

Meta’s decision to launch a budget-friendly Quest 3 model took me by surprise, but it’s a welcome one. At $499, the original Quest 3 was already priced reasonably compared to other VR headsets on the market. And the now-discontinued Quest 2 — which got its price tag sliced down to $199 in April — was an even sweeter deal.

Still, with these stellar prices and features, it’s baffling why more people haven’t jumped into VR yet. Trust me, they’re missing out on an extraordinary experience.

As mentioned, the Meta Quest 3S is a cheaper version of the Meta Quest 3, with a starting price tag of $299.99. This configuration comes with the following specs:

Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

8GB of RAM

128GB of storage

VR and AR capabilities

1,832 x 1,920-pixel resolution for displays

72Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz refresh rate support

Fresnel lens

The unit I tested in this review costs $399.99 and upgrades your storage to 256GB.

In my experience, 128GB is sufficient. Even with a 64GB Quest 2, I managed to store 40 games and apps with 12GB of storage left over. Titles range between 400MB and 4GB, so if you're not a hoarder and you continue to delete games once you're done with them, 128GB should be fine.

However, if you plan to take a lot of photos and videos (perhaps you're a VR streamer), you'd be better off with the 256GB variant.

If you're wondering what you're sacrificing in opting for the Quest 3S over the Quest 3, I'd definitely say out-of-the-box comfort.

The Quest 3S may be alright for casual activities, but for more high-movement games and services like Supernatural, Beat Saber, Gorilla Tag, and Superhot VR, you'll want something with a lot less pressure on your cheekbones.

However, there is something you can get to make Quest 3S more comfortable: the $69 Elite Strap. What's the Elite Strap? It's an accessory that improves the weight distribution of the headset, as well as its adjustability, compared to the straps that ship with it. It alleviates pressure points and minimizes discomfort. If $70 is too pricey, the CNBEYOUNG Adjustable Head Strap and BOBOVR M3 Pro are awesome alternatives.

Get the Quest 3S sans the Elite Strap (or any of its alternatives) first. Test the comfort for yourself. After all, everyone is different. If you feel that you need a lil somethin' somethin' to help alleviate the facial pressure, the Elite Strap is what you'll need.

Although the Quest 3S is bulkier in design, I was surprised to find out that it's actually slightly lighter than the Quest 3 (514 vs. 515 grams). It is, however, heavier than the Quest 2 (503 grams). That being said, the Quest 3 has better weight distribution, which is why it's slightly more comfortable than the Quest 3S.

The main concern I have with the Quest 3S are the fabric straps. Frequent use and sharing of my Quest 2 and Quest 3 caused wear and tear on the straps within a year, so handle the Quest 3S carefully to avoid extra stress on them.

I'm serious; don't just yank it off your head or pull it down your cranium. Be careful with it.

You'll also have to keep in mind that the all-white straps get dirty quickly — especially if you're sharing the headset often. To keep them pristine, you'll likely have to clean it every two or three times of usage. If you don't care to do that, that's fine, but say hello to your new off-yellow straps.

But even if something happens to the straps, they can always be replaced.

There's also a soft foam padding on the Quest 3S that is designed to enhance comfort with an ergonomic shape that fits the contours of your face. It's breathable and lightweight, but it can collect a lot of sweat.

I understand that Meta likely wants to stand out from the crowd with the mostly-white chassis of its Quest line, but I would be ecstatic of the company could make a black variant, similar to the Quest Pro. I mean, how can I snack on Doritos and Cheetos worry-free with a milky headset?

The Meta Quest 3S has its sensors arranged in two sets of three, forming triangular patterns on either side of the front panel. There's nothing particularly eye-catching about the Quest 3S except for the fact that it's pretty insect-like, with the dual clusters making the Quest 3S look like a half-bot, half-arachnid creature. Despite not being mind-blowing, I appreciate the practical design. I don't need my VR headset to look pretty to enjoy it.

The best part of the Quest 3S is that, like the Quest 3 and Quest 2, it's a standalone headset.

This means you don't need to worry about wires, gaming rigs, tracking stations, connection cables, etc. You need absolutely nothing but the Quest 3S, a Wi-Fi connection, and a decent-sized play area to operate the new budget-friendly headset.

The one thing the Quest 3 has over the Quest 3S (that I miss dearly) is the IPD adjustment wheel. For those who aren't familiar with IPD adjustment, this feature lets you position the lenses in a way that provides the clearest, most focused visuals. However, the Quest 3S only has three levels of IPD adjustment whereas the pricier Quest 3's adjustment wheel allows for more precise calibration to find that "sweet spot."

As such, for me, the Quest 3's focus is a lot more clearer and easier on my eyes because I'm able to find a "lens spacing" position that is right for me. But because the Quest 3S only has three levels, the focus is always slightly off.

The Quest 3S' displays, emanating 1,832 x 1,920-pixel resolution, are a downgrade from the pricier Quest 3, which has 2,064 x 2,208-pixel resolution panels. The Quest 3S shares the same display specs as the Quest 2.

Is there really a big difference between the Quest 3 and Quest 3S as far as the display is concerned? I didn't notice it right away. But when I compared my Quest 3S and Quest 3 headsets side-by-side, there is definitely a recognizable upgrade, with the latter offering slightly more detail and more vividness. Since the Quest 3S uses fresnel lenses, which are less advanced than the Quest 3’s pancake lenses, I noticed some "god rays." However, if you’re new to VR or haven’t used headsets with better lenses, you might not even notice them.

However, even with the Quest 3, you have to temper your expectations. The displays are still quite middling, but they're sufficient enough for you to enjoy games in the Meta Quest Store.

When it comes to streaming videos, the quality is impressive. No, it's not as vivid and rich as the display on my M2 MacBook Air nor my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the details are shockingly crisp and sharp. I watched this "Costa Rica in 4K" YouTube video on the Meta Quest 3S, and it does a great job at capturing textures, like the glistening body of a tree frog and the scaly skin of a snake.

I also watched some episodes of The Boys via the Prime Video app, and I loved expanding the virtual window to great lengths while kicking back and enjoying the show.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Quest headsets no longer support a dedicated Netflix app, which is a bit of a bummer because it had one of the best viewing experiences on the headset. On the plus side, you can always access Netflix through the browser. It's arguably better than the now-defunct Netflix app, too, because it streams at 1080p, up from the app's 480p cap.

Unlike the Meta Quest 3, the Quest 3S doesn't have a 3.5mm audio port. In other words, you won't be able to connect wired earbuds to the Quest 3S, but it's not necessary. The audio that emanates from the Quest 3S is crisp and sharp, and it gets sufficiently loud, too.

However, there are instances where you may want to connect some earbuds. (Perhaps your rowdy family is in earshot and you want to don't want to break the audio immersion.) In this case, you can still use USB-C headphones or Bluetooth-supported variants. You'll find the power button on the left of the headset, but if you want to reduce or increase the volume, you'll find the rocker nestled on the chassis' underside.

Of course, there's a USB-C port, too, allowing you to play some PCVR games by connecting Oculus Link to a VR-ready PC or gaming laptop. This will free you from the confines of the Meta Quest Store, allowing you to explore Steam VR for more graphics-intensive games.

The Quest 3S borrows the new Touch Plus controllers that were introduced with the Quest 3 last year.

I don't know which Meta engineer came up with their brilliant design, but they deserve a raise. The Touch Plus controllers scream ergonomic, with a comfortable shape that closely follows the natural contours of my hands, allowing for a secure grip. The buttons and thumbsticks are positioned for easy access, so I don't need to stretch my fingers much to reach them.

The black part of the controllers, located at the top, is slightly tilted, which thoughtfully aligns with my thumbs' range of motion.

The Quest 3S controllers are a joy to use, but make sure to make use of those wrist straps. If you accidentally let go of them, the wrist straps ensure they don't go flying across the room.

I've must've played at least 100 Quest games. My top three are Laser Tag from Rec Room (free), I Expect You to Die 2, and Superhot.

However, while testing the Quest 3S, I've discovered two new awesome games: Marvel's Iron Man VR and The Light Brigade.

The first game taught me a lesson, though. Don't be lazy and move everything out of the way. While being too immersed as Tony Stark in Marvel's Iron Man VR, I swung my arms to fly across the sky. And it was exhilarating — until I hit my hand so hard against a wooden chair that I thought I broke my fingers. Ouch! Moral of the story? Get obstacles out of your playroom, stat!

Did that stop me from playing though? Only for an hour. I hopped right back into the game as Iron Man, and even saved Pepper Potts from a burning plane while zipping around the sky in a heroic metal suit. The Light Brigade is another badass game with a lot of action, allowing me to wield a rifle and take down enemies.

And the best part is that there's something for everyone. If you enjoy silly sim games, you may like I Am Security and Job Simulator. If you like sporty action, you'll enjoy Nock, Eleven Table Tennis, and Sports Scramble.

If you prefer a laid-back puzzler, I highly recommend Moss and Moss 2.

The sheer number of Quest 3S games may be overwhelming, but filtering them so that the Meta Quest Store only shows games that are four stars and up has never failed me.

There are more mixed-reality games this year compared to last year when Meta debuted AR capabilities with the Quest 3. However, compared to VR games, AR games are still catching up. For the uninitiated, VR games give you total immersion while AR games merge your environment — thanks to its color passthrough capabilities — with virtual effects.

For example, First Encounters, Meta's free game that showcases the headset's AR prowess, continues to be one of the best AR games you can play. With my living room in sight, I got swarmed by tiny, fuzzy alien invaders. And with my weapon, I can shoot them to reclaim my home. I have yet to find any AR other game that beats First Encounters, but I will say that Starship Home comes close.

Similar to First Encounters, it has an alien theme, but it's not as action packed. It transformed my living room into a spaceship. I traveled to new planets and even owned my own extraterrestrial plant that I got to water.

Another interesting mixed-reality game is Hello, Dot, which lets you play around with a little pet critter, and showcases the Quest 3S' hand-tracking capabilities.

It's not as seamless and smooth as the Apple Vision Pro, which makes sense because its costs just a fraction of the value of that high-end headset, but isn't half bad. If I could put an arbitrary figure on it, I'd say that the hand-tracking is responsive about 80% of the time, which is OK for a sub-$300 VR headset.

For those who don't give a rat's behind about games, perhaps you'll enjoy the concert series on Quest 3S. I got to see some of my favorite artists, Sabrina Carpenter and Doja Cat, right before my very eyes as they performed some of my favorite songs, from "Espresso" and "Feather" to "Say So" and "Kiss Me More."

I discovered these concerts in Meta Horizon Worlds, which also features the likes of BLACKPINK, Victoria Monét, and The Kid LAROI.

In most cases, it feels as if you're right front of the artist. In the Carpenter concert, it felt like I was actually on stage with her. There are some times, like the Doja Cat concert, that you'd be thrown back into the nosebleed seats, which always perturbed me. But this is only for a few seconds to give you some perspective of the "vibe" of the stadium, giving you a view of fans enjoying the Doja Cat concert just as much as you are.

Overall, the Quest 3S is one of the best ways to consume concert content nowadays.

The Meta Quest 3S is packed with the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 as the Quest 3. I've tested 13 games on the Quest 3S so far. For almost all of them, I experienced relatively fast load times, smooth gameplay, and zippy graphics rendering. However, just as the PS5 is a powerful console, but still has games that may suffer from bugs and other issues due to developer shortcomings, you may encounter similar experiences with the Quest 3S.

For example, Iron Man VR, the Moss series, Pistol Whip, and Beat Saber run like a dream. But the likes of I Am Cat, a simulator where users step into the shoes of a furry pet, and Hello, Dot are a little rough around the edges when it comes to ensuring that real-life controller maneuvers translate well in the game. To be fair, though, these are early access games, which means they're bound to have some hiccups.

Meta claims that the Quest 3S has a battery life rating of 2.5 hours.

I put this to the test while playing the Quest 3S nonstop; I didn't take a single break. To my surprise, the runtime matched Meta's claims on the dot. According to my testing, the Quest 3S lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Absolutely. For under $300, the Quest 3S delivers an impressive entry into the world of VR with its solid mixed-reality capabilities and access to Meta’s expansive content library. The budget-friendly price point makes it an attractive option, especially for newcomers or casual users looking to dip their toes into VR without splurging. The Quest 3S makes VR accessible, offering immersive experiences at a fraction of the cost.

That said, it does come with trade-offs — most notably, the lack of a precise IPD adjustment and the fresnel lenses that fall short of the clarity provided by higher-end models. While it may not rival its pricier counterparts, the Meta Quest 3S still provides a compelling and affordable VR experience that’s hard to pass up. If you’re willing to embrace a few limitations for the sake of affordability, then the Quest 3S is definitely worth it.

For under $300, the Quest 3S delivers a stellar VR experience that feels like a steal — offering incredible immersion at a fraction of the cost.

TopicsVirtual RealityMeta