The VR landscape has been stagnant for years, but the arrival of headsets like the Quest 3 and Vision Pro has revitalized the technology. Leading the charge for wider VR adoption is the Meta Quest 3S. At $300, it’s a budget-friendly standalone VR headset that doesn’t compromise on the core experience. It supports the same games, apps, mixed-reality features, AI assistance, and hand tracking as the more expensive Quest 3, making it one of the best VR headsets available, and arguably the best choice for most consumers. But how did Meta manage to achieve this impressive feat?
Setting Up the Meta Quest 3S
Meta bundled Batman- Arkham Shadow and three months of Quest+ with the Quest 3S.Meta bundled Batman: Arkham Shadow and three months of Quest+ with the Quest 3S. Photo by Tracey Truly / MaagX
The initial setup for the Quest 3S is streamlined. Upon powering it on, I was prompted to connect to my Meta account using a pairing code. A concise setup guide, supplemented by helpful videos on my phone, quickly prepared me to enter the virtual world. The phone tutorials focused on safe usage, which I skipped due to my prior VR experience. However, the in-VR tutorials are engaging and worth exploring, even for seasoned Quest users, as they highlight the Quest 3S’s new features, including a dedicated button for seamlessly toggling between immersive VR and mixed reality, allowing virtual objects to interact with your physical space. The entire setup process takes less than 10 minutes, after which I was ready to dive into 3D videos, games, and the wider Quest 3S experience.
Evaluating the Meta Quest 3S Performance
MetaMeta’s Quest 3S is great for mixed reality VR gaming. Photo by Tracey Truly / MaagX
Even disregarding its affordable price, the Quest 3S is a remarkable headset. It delivers a fast, user-friendly, and captivating experience. It offers a compelling alternative for those intrigued by the Apple Vision Pro but deterred by its $3,500 price tag, or even the $500 Quest 3. The Quest 3S provides a comparable experience at a fraction of the cost. The clear, bright color passthrough allows for safe navigation while wearing the headset, enabling interaction with physical objects like phones, keyboards, and mice, effectively transforming the Quest 3S into a virtual multi-screen workstation. While bulkier than AR glasses, it offers a glimpse into the future of mixed reality. The automatic room scanning feature, creating virtual boundaries to prevent collisions with furniture, enhances user safety and convenience. While the display resolution matches the Quest 2, the significantly faster processor and reduced GPU throttling result in a noticeably sharper image. This is crucial for VR, where maintaining a consistent frame rate is paramount to avoid motion sickness.
QualcommQualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform summary. Qualcomm
Powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, the same chipset found in the Quest 3, the Quest 3S handles Quest 2 games with ease, and many titles have been re-released with enhanced graphics. The chipset also powers the AI capabilities, enabling voice commands and real-world object recognition, similar to the Meta AI found in Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. The included Touch Plus controllers offer improved tracking accuracy and responsiveness without bulky tracking rings. While the headset itself has a rechargeable battery, the controllers require AA batteries. Meta includes alkaline batteries, but rechargeable batteries are recommended for frequent use. Hand tracking is also supported, allowing for controller-free navigation within Horizon OS and a growing number of compatible games and apps. The integrated IR projector enables hand tracking even in low-light conditions, enhancing usability and convenience.
Comfort and Design of the Quest 3S
Meta gave the Quest 3S passthrough cameras that are good enough to check my phone without taking the headset off.Meta gave the Quest 3S passthrough cameras that are good enough to check my phone without taking the headset off. Photo by Tracey Truly / MaagX
The Quest 3S features a padded cloth facial interface and a fabric head strap with three adjustment points, identical to the Quest 3, offering improved comfort over the Quest 2. While I experienced pressure on my face after about an hour, immersive gameplay extended wear time. The “VR face” phenomenon, temporary redness where the headset contacts the skin, is unavoidable. The slimmer design of the Quest 3 helps mitigate this issue by distributing weight more evenly. For those with sensitive skin, the Quest 3 may be a more comfortable option. Meta offers optional accessories like the Elite Strap and Elite Strap with Battery, which enhance comfort and extend battery life, but these come at an additional cost.
The Quest 3S: Best Budget VR Headset?
The Quest 3S even works as a productivity headset or for SteamVR PC gaming.The Quest 3S even works as a productivity headset or for SteamVR PC gaming. Photo by Tracey Truly / MaagX
The Quest 3S stands out as the best budget VR headset currently available, offering exceptional value. Meta’s aggressive pricing strategy makes it difficult for competitors to match the technology offered at this price point. Beyond gaming, the Quest 3S offers diverse applications, from fitness and language learning to scientific exploration and productivity, supporting up to six Horizon OS screens or three screens connected to a PC or Mac. The inclusion of Batman: Arkham Shadow and three months of Quest+ further enhances the value proposition.
Who Should Consider the Quest 3S?
MetaMeta’s Quest 3S is a fantastic mixed reality VR headset at a very low price. Alan Truly / MaagX
The Meta Quest 3S is a highly recommended VR headset, significantly outperforming the Quest 2 and offering a near-premium experience comparable to the Quest 3. It’s compatible with PC for SteamVR gaming and connects to Macs for remote desktop use. Existing Quest 3 or Quest Pro owners may not find the need to upgrade, but the Quest 3S caters perfectly to those seeking an affordable entry point. For owners of the original Oculus Quest or Quest 2, the Quest 3S represents a substantial upgrade with double the graphics performance, eight times the AI processing power, improved power efficiency, and refined controllers. Newcomers to VR will find the Quest 3S to be an ideal starting point, offering cutting-edge features like hand tracking and color passthrough. While extended use might necessitate comfort accessories, the Quest 3S delivers a compelling VR experience for shorter gaming sessions and workouts. Backed by a three-year warranty and Meta’s history of long-term device support, the Quest 3S offers a promising and affordable entry into the world of virtual reality.
