Meta Quest 3 VR headset review: Virtually peerless

Virtual reality continues to be a well-attended niche among gamers, even if there’s still mostly the problem of needing the space and patience to set everything up for a play session. Cue the entry of the Meta Quest line, which feels like a better-implemented expansion of the Samsung Gear VR line (remember those?) that wanted to simplify the effort required to swap reality for the virtual.

A few months ago, I bought a Meta Quest 3 with a couple of essential extras. After hours of use, let’s take a look at how the Meta Quest 3 fares in today’s VR landscape.

Since I originally bought the Meta Quest 3 128GB model a few months ago, it’s been replaced by the Meta Quest 3S. The Meta Quest 3S is a very competitive $499.99 for 128GB of internal storage, but the Meta Quest 3 is now relegated to the 512GB version, albeit at an RRP that’s now identical to what the Meta Quest 3 128GB used to be when it was an option.

For VR comparison, the PlayStation VR2 is the cheapest competitor at $879 RRP, but you need a PlayStation 5 to use that, so that’s not even a fair base price. From there, the prices go up. The Meta Quest Pro starts at $1,729.99, the HTC Vive HX Elite typically costs at least $1,599, and the less said about the eye-watering $5,999 entry point for the Apple Vision Pro, the better. Bottom line: the Meta Quest 3 or cheaper Quest 3S are great entry points to a device-less VR launchpad.

One thing I’ve become accustomed to with VR headsets is a certain degree of patience during initial setup. For device-reliant ones, that’s connecting a bunch of cables, and for others, a drawn-out configuration to nail all-important comfort and define your play area. Even compared to the relatively straightforward setup for the Meta Quest 2, I was shocked at how fast the configuration is for Meta Quest 2.

This is a VR headset that’s built with room for glasses—and I tested both with and without my glasses on—with a noggin-adjustment strap that makes it a cinch to shift between multiple users. Selecting between sitting or standing is straightforward, and the passthrough mode is a great and welcome addition to moving around without having to constantly lift the headset for a view of the real world.

In my hours of testing, I never once ran into any real-world objects. I advise installing the Meta Horizon app on your smartphone for a headset-less alternative for go-to tasks like browsing the game store or casting from Quest 3 to a TV. This latter function is something I ended up using a lot of, which helped to stop the VR headset from being a dedicated single-player device and, instead, made it something that others could appreciate while one person was playing.

Initially, I signed up for the Meta Quest Plus VR trial and even paid for an extra month or two because it has a decent selection of monthly games (like PlayStation Plus) and more permanent fixtures. At the time of writing, that latter category included renowned Asgard’s Wrath 2, iconic Tetris Effect: Connected, and downright essential Walkabout Mini Golf.

I was dubious when I heard people raving about Walkabout Mini Golf, but it’s the killer app of the Meta Quest 3, less so for its graphics (they’re still great) and way more for the sheer addictiveness of its pick-up-and-play design. Outside of maybe the clunkily titled Star Wars Battlefront Rogue One: X-wing VR Mission, I’ve yet to encounter a better VR experience that’s as satisfying for rookies as it is for V(ete)R(ans).

For something that’ll impress VR fans specifically, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR is absolutely worth taking for a spin. Fans of the series will get the most out of it, but for everyone else, the organic translation of free movement, scale, stealth and combat make for an immersive experience. It’s a similar tale for the recently released Batman: Arkham Shadow. I wish it wasn’t as buggy as it was at launch, but there’s nothing quite like looking down to see your Batman shadow. It helps that the gameplay, while watered down from the Arkhamverse, is about as faithful a facsimile as you can get from VR.

I spent extra money on a third-party USB-C charging cable, but you can also connect to a gaming PC wirelessly via Air Link. The cable option has the benefit of lower latency and charging while playing. Given the short two-ish hours of battery life, that’s important for longer sessions. But I love that wireless is a viable option for playing the VR games in my Steam library, watching YouTube or a movie on my PC, or even for epic-screen productivity perks via Virtual Desktop (also available natively on the Meta Quest 3).

My first stop was Half-Life 2 VR Mod, which adds a fantastic level of immersion to a 20-year-old game. For something more recent, locally made roguelike The Light Brigade or The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners are great shooter showcases for the Meta Quest 3 via Steam VR, as is the maligned Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond. Outside of the short battery life, something I fixed with a counterbalanced wearable third-party battery pack, I didn’t have any negative gaming experiences with the Meta Quest 3.

Compared to the Meta Quest 2, the Meta Quest 3 has a newer processor, larger capacity for its top-end model (512GB vs 256GB), 2GB more RAM, and higher per-eye resolution: 2064x2208 vs 1832x1920. That lower resolution per eye is also relevant to the Meta Quest 3S, though it has the same second-generation processor and RAM.

The max storage for the Meta Quest 3S is also 256GB, like the Meta Quest 2. Expect a slightly wider FOV from the Meta Quest 3, too: 110 horizontal and 96 vertical vs 96 and 90. None of these VR headsets supports face or eye tracking (though the Meta Quest Pro does), but all support hand tracking.

One key area where the Meta Quest 3S wins over the Quest 3 is battery life, despite having a smaller battery (4,324mAh vs 5,060mAh). The Meta Quest 3 has a 2.2-hour running time, while the Meta Quest 3S has up to 2.5 hours. Generally, expect a better experience across the board, including the controllers, from a Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S compared to the Quest 2.

For years, I’ve felt guilty that I missed out on core VR experiences, both Quest/Oculus exclusives and plenty on Steam. That’s why I bought an Oculus Rift S, which has spent a disproportionate amount of time gathering dust in my cupboard after finishing Half-Life: Alyx due to connection requirements. Fast-forward to the Meta Quest 3, and those pain points are removed, making it the best choice of VR headset available today. Admittedly, I don’t use the Meta Quest 3 weekly, but I like knowing that when I feel the urge to VR, I’m seconds away from being immersed.