Meta’s latest virtual reality headset, the Quest 3S, offers almost all the features of the Top Model but at a more affordable price point of £290 (€330/$300/AU$500). This makes it around 40% cheaper than the Quest 3 and even cheaper than the 2020 Quest 2.

Positioned between the Quest 2 and Quest 3, the Quest 3S utilizes the same high-performance Qualcomm VR chip found in the Quest 3 while maintaining a similar design and feel to the Quest 2 to keep costs down.

The Quest 3S has adjustable straps, rotatable arms, and a foam faceplate that make it one of the most comfortable headsets for extended wear. Additional straps and faceplates are available for users seeking a customized fit.

Featuring speakers in the arm, the Quest 3S provides decent spatial audio, but users can also opt to connect Bluetooth headphones or use a USB-C headphone adapter for wired audio.

The Quest 3S boasts the same screen and lens as the Quest 2, delivering sharp images at up to 120 frames per second. However, the use of fresnel lenses with limited distance settings may lead to blurriness at the edges when looking around.

Two hand controllers, light and comfortable, feature capacitive buttons that respond to finger movements without accidental presses. Each controller uses a standard AA battery, with rechargeable options recommended for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

The Quest 3S also includes spacers for glasses and offers prescription lenses for an additional cost.

Specifications

• Screen: 120Hz LCD (1832×1920 per eye)

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

• RAM: 8GB

• Storage: 128GB or 256GB

• Operating System: Horizon OS (Android)

• Connectivity: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth, USB-C with Oculus Link, stereo speakers, microphone

• Headset Dimensions: 191.5×102×142.5mm

• Headset Weight: 514g

• Controller Weight: 103g (excluding batteries)