Meta Quest 3S review: Impressive VR for $300

Meta Quest 3S offers fast VR performance for $300, but lacks sharpness.

: The Meta Quest 3S delivers impressive virtual reality for $300, featuring fast performance, comfortable wear, and excellent controllers. While it lacks the advanced optics of its pricier sibling, the Quest 3, it remains a significant improvement over the older Quest 2 with better hand tracking and mixed reality capabilities. The hardware includes the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1,830 x 1,920 pixel per eye display, making it a notable contender in the VR market.

The Meta Quest 3S emerged as an impressive VR headset priced at just $300, offering fast performance, a comfortable fit, and excellent controllers. Despite older Fresnel lenses causing visual artifacts, it remains a compelling option for newcomers, supported by a wealth of VR experiences.

The headset reuses older screens from the Quest 2, resulting in a slight reduction in visual clarity compared to the Quest 3. Notably, it includes the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor for superior graphics performance, alongside 8GB of RAM to support detailed textures and smoother game play.

Lacking a headphone jack, the Quest 3S instead relies on USB-C or wireless headphones for audio connectivity. Its notable features, such as dedicated action buttons for mode swapping and the reuse of excellent Meta Touch Controllers, enhance the overall VR experience despite the modest price point.