Set for release Oct. 10 at a starting price of $500, the Meta Quest 3 makes various improvements to our best VR headset pick, from better pass-through cameras for staying aware and improved performance to full backwards compatibility with the Meta Quest 2 library.
But a new headset from Meta creeping around the corner doesn’t make the Quest 2 obsolete. In a recent Tweet, Meta CTO Andrew “Boz” Bosworth says that support for the Quest 2 will remain for quite some time as focus steers toward the Quest 3, with the Quest 2 selling at a cheaper $300 after a short-lived price hike.
Interested in stepping foot in the world of VR for the first time or making an upgrade? Here are some things to consider when choosing between the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3.
Meta Quest 3 vs. Meta Quest 2 at a glance
Not only does the Meta Quest 3 improve on every aspect of its predecessor, but new pass-through technology opens up mixed reality experiences as well.
VR newbies who don’t want to shell out too much money can enjoy hundreds of apps and games alongside compatibility with various forms of PC-based VR.
Quick comparison
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor and memory | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 with 8GB of RAM |
Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 with 6GB of RAM |
| Storage | 128GB / 512GB |
128GB / 256GB |
| Resolution | 2064 x 2208 |
1832 x 1920 per eye |
| Field of view | 100 degrees horizontal, 96 degrees vertical |
90 degrees (horizontal and vertical) |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz |
Up to 120Hz |
| Mixed reality | Yes |
No |
| PC compatibility | Yes |
Yes |
You should get a Meta Quest 2 if…
You want an affordable gateway into virtual reality
The Meta Quest 2 is the most affordable standalone headset available right now. The base $300 version comes with 128GB of storage, and for an extra $50, you can get twice the storage with a 256GB model. Both are more than enough for most apps that use somewhere between 2GB and 5GB (there are some exceptions; larger games like Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond take up as much as 41GB).
Beyond that is a headset with apps stretching multiple genres, including first-person shooters, sports, adventure fitness and rhythm games. For PC gamers that have a powerful enough rig, the Meta Quest 2 is compatible with both Oculus and Steam VR apps for more immersive experiences. The included controllers are also comfortable while lasting nearly 30 hours between batteries.
You don’t care about mixed reality or performance power
The Meta Quest 2 has pass-through cameras (which let you see the real world while wearing your headset), but they’re only in monochrome and don’t offer much detail. That’s because the Meta Quest 2 wasn’t built with mixed reality capabilities in mind like its successor was.
This is nearly three-year-old technology we’re talking about, from the cameras to the previous-generation Snapdragon XR2 processor. With 6GB of RAM and a 1832×1920 per-eye resolution, the Quest 2 may not deliver as graphically impressive an experience as newer headsets. But if fun factor and utility are all that matter to you, there’s still a lot to enjoy with the Meta Quest 2.
You should get a Meta Quest 3 if…
You want the absolute best standalone VR experience available
As of now, the Meta Quest 3 is the most technologically advanced standalone headset out there. Inside and out, everything about the headset is miles beyond the Meta Quest 2. Not only is the headset itself 40% sleeker and thinner than its predecessor, but it’s also twice as powerful.
The controllers themselves are also improved, ditching the tracking circle on the previous Touch Controllers for a slimmer feel while also promising advanced haptics. On top of being backwards compatible with all Meta Quest 2 apps, it can still be used with PC VR apps for those with a capable gaming PC. The base $500 version comes with 128GB of storage while a larger 512GB comes in the $650 version.
You want 4K visuals and mixed reality
The Meta Quest 3 promises higher picture quality this time around with a 2064 x 2208 resolution per eye. Meanwhile, the new Snapdragon XR2 chip platform and 8GB RAM aim to offer a 30% bump in performance. This allows for games to inch closer to PC-based VR quality with upcoming games like Asgard’s Wrath 2, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR and Red Matter 2. Backwards-compatible apps like Supernatural and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners will gain enhancements on the new headset.
However, the biggest addition to the Meta Quest 3 comes in the form of upgraded cameras that allow for full color pass-through with depth sensors. This opens up exciting new layers of interactivity that we got to demo last month, from virtual tabletop games to immersive experiences that blend the real and virtual worlds. Most importantly, this means that pass-through is good enough to use a cell phone or watch a hyperactive child while using the headset.
Bottom line
For those with the money to afford one, we think the Meta Quest 3 is the obvious choice for most people looking to get into VR. Its lightweight design, graphical performance and mixed reality capabilities are shaping up to be the best you can get for the money — and certainly the best we’ve seen in a fully standalone wireless headset.
However, if that $500 starting price point is too much then the $300 Meta Quest 2 still has some life left in it. Fortunately, you’ll have access to most of the same software across both headsets (save for exclusive mixed reality experiences), and thanks to backwards compatibility, your library will stay with you should you choose to upgrade down the line.
