Step into mixed reality with the 512GB version of the Meta Quest 3. The third gen PC-free headset combines VR with AR, using dual RGB cameras to provide full-color passthrough into your real world surroundings. This can be used to insert games, screens, and other virtual objects into your environment. When it comes to VR, the Quest 3 has been redesigned inside and out to deliver the best Quest experience yet.
Step into mixed reality with the 512GB version of the Meta Quest 3. The third gen PC-free headset combines VR with AR, using dual RGB cameras to provide full-color passthrough into your real world surroundings. This can be used to insert games, screens, and other virtual objects into your environment. When it comes to VR, the Quest 3 has been redesigned inside and out to deliver the best Quest experience yet.
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The lowest price for Oculus Quest 3 128GB-White-Brand New right now is $838.75 at TechCart, compared across 2 retailers.
The all-time low was $668.00 on 30 Nov 2025 — today's price is 26% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 8 May 2026.
Oculus Quest 3 128GB-White-Brand New
Step into mixed reality with the 512GB version of the Meta Quest 3. The third gen PC-free headset combines VR with AR, using dual RGB cameras to provide full-color passthrough into your real world surroundings. This can be used to insert games, screens, and other virtual objects into your environment. When it comes to VR, the Quest 3 has been redesigned inside and out to deliver the best Quest experience yet.
Step into mixed reality with the 512GB version of the Meta Quest 3. The third gen PC-free headset combines VR with AR, using dual RGB cameras to provide full-color passthrough into your real world surroundings. This can be used to insert games, screens, and other virtual objects into your environment. When it comes to VR, the Quest 3 has been redesigned inside and out to deliver the best Quest experience yet.
Last updated at 08/05/2026 14:38:38
Meta Quest 3 VR Headset (1286GB)
Delivery $150
Meta Quest 3 Advanced All-in-One VR Headset (128GB)
originally posted on oculus.com
The addition of passthrough considerably reduces the isolation of VR, while the changes in design- bringing the weight closer in - makes the headset much easier to wear - especially when paired with a battery strap to counter-balance the headset weight.The strongest asset is the flexibility and freedom allowed to the device and the competitive price.A consumer can see both the good and not so good experiences which I believe is healthy and critical for growing VR as a platform, just as much as an ultra high-end device is.The improvement of removing the ring on the controller is great and the sound isolation is better. The pancake lenses reduce friction of using the device due to not requiring a small “sweet spot” and careful placement on the head to use like ... MoreThe addition of passthrough considerably reduces the isolation of VR, while the changes in design- bringing the weight closer in - makes the headset much easier to wear - especially when paired with a battery strap to counter-balance the headset weight.The strongest asset is the flexibility and freedom allowed to the device and the competitive price.A consumer can see both the good and not so good experiences which I believe is healthy and critical for growing VR as a platform, just as much as an ultra high-end device is.The improvement of removing the ring on the controller is great and the sound isolation is better. The pancake lenses reduce friction of using the device due to not requiring a small “sweet spot” and careful placement on the head to use like headsets of the past.One thing to note though is that for VR, regardless of the headset manufacturer, you are still looking at a screen so you can’t wear it for a long time without tiring your eyes.So while this implementation of passthrough really is game-changing and is showing us a glimpse at the potential for MR, it is not realistic to think you can keep the headset on for several hours at a time.That being said, the Meta Quest 3 clearly proves that Meta is the pioneer of VR and is serious about VR and MR.There are a couple reasons why I cannot give a perfect score, however.While VR looks best with the Meta Quest 3 and is more accessible than other options, I’d argue that VR feels more immersive on Sony’s offering due to their controller design and haptic feedback in the controllers and headset.Also, the included headstrap is not realistically sufficient. So the real cost should be understood to be the headset plus the elite strap with battery. I understand why it was sold separately however.Also, my Quest 3 has a single bright spot in the center of the display on the unit I received. I have since contacted support and they offered to replace it. The support has been great and prompt. If the replacement has no display issues then this will improve my rating.Despite these issues, considering all aspects, the Meta Quest 3 is the best mass-market consumer VR headset.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
The changes this generation are pretty massive, and improvements in every way. Quick list of things that make it better than the Quest 2:+ While the weight is still comparable, the headset doesn't stick out from your face as far, and feels better balanced because of it.+ Lenses are bigger and clearer, the difference is HUGE and, to me, justifies the upgrade by itself+ The screen is noticeably higher resolution, still 120Hz capable+ The IPD adjustment is now a dial, with a broader range of settings instead of just being 3 positions+ There is eye relief adjustment! Bring the lenses closer to your eyes for better FOV, or further if you wear glasses+ AR games are actually fun now! Much better than Quest Pro, with the added depth sensor.+ The native games run ... MoreThe changes this generation are pretty massive, and improvements in every way. Quick list of things that make it better than the Quest 2:+ While the weight is still comparable, the headset doesn't stick out from your face as far, and feels better balanced because of it.+ Lenses are bigger and clearer, the difference is HUGE and, to me, justifies the upgrade by itself+ The screen is noticeably higher resolution, still 120Hz capable+ The IPD adjustment is now a dial, with a broader range of settings instead of just being 3 positions+ There is eye relief adjustment! Bring the lenses closer to your eyes for better FOV, or further if you wear glasses+ AR games are actually fun now! Much better than Quest Pro, with the added depth sensor.+ The native games run much smoother while looking better, thanks to the more powerful onboard graphics processing+ The wifi is significantly faster, averaging about 1,800Mb/s on local network speed tests with a high-end wifi 7 router (about twice as fast as Quest 2 averages), making the PCVR experience much more stable so far+ The controllers actually track just as well without the rings, and they improved the battery compartment by added a button you need to press to unlatch themAll this having been said, there are a couple things to note:- The stock headstrap and facial interface are both improved a bit from the last generation, but not by much. You're still going to want to invest in upgrades for both. I put a Kiwi battery headstrap and AMVR facial interface on mine and went from being able to wear it for maybe 10mins without too much discomfort to over an hour.- For those coming from a Quest Pro: My opinion is that the Pro is still the better device from the perspective of comfort (when modified). Also, the screen on the Pro gives much better contrast and slightly better colors than that in the 3. If you do mostly PC VR, the Pro might still be the better choice in ways, but the 3 is just unquestionably the better options if you plan on using the headset standalone.
originally posted on very.co.uk
The Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality (VR) Headset is the best bit of tech so far that I have ever purchased.The £479 price may seem like a lot of money, but once you have experienced this VR headset you will realise it's an absolute bargain! Forget games consoles or even visiting the cinema! This VR headset can provide you with an entertainment experience FAR superior to any of those. For example, if you play a game in VR you are not watching it, you are "IN" it!!! This is especially the case for flying games (several on the app store) where you actually sit in the cockpit of a plane, start it's engines, look around, and take off, just like you would in a real plane. But also, being like a real plane you can also experience a bit of motion sickness, but this can be ... MoreThe Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality (VR) Headset is the best bit of tech so far that I have ever purchased.The £479 price may seem like a lot of money, but once you have experienced this VR headset you will realise it's an absolute bargain! Forget games consoles or even visiting the cinema! This VR headset can provide you with an entertainment experience FAR superior to any of those. For example, if you play a game in VR you are not watching it, you are "IN" it!!! This is especially the case for flying games (several on the app store) where you actually sit in the cockpit of a plane, start it's engines, look around, and take off, just like you would in a real plane. But also, being like a real plane you can also experience a bit of motion sickness, but this can be eradicated over time by only playing for a few minutes a day, until you get used to it. Not all games give motion sickness though, many do not.Then you have the "Mixed Reality" feature on Meta Quest 3, which is another unbelievable experience that NOBODY should ever miss out on in life! Mixed reality combines images from real life (such as your lounge or bedroom) with computer graphics, this is seriously cool! So imagine sitting in your lounge and suddenly a zombie comes crashing through your patio door, or a space ship comes crashing through your lounge ceiling and lands on the floor! Well, this can be experienced on the Meta Quest 3. You will not believe your eyes, it's awesome!Moving onto the movie and video experience you can have with Meta Quest 3. If you have ever wanted a home Cinema in your house well now you can with Meta Quest 3. There are apps that allow you to sit in a room that looks just like a cinema (seats, fire exit, spotlights, you name it), you can even choose what style of cinema you like, whether it be retro or modern! It doesn't end there, you can even choose to watch a movie in space, at a drive-in, forest, classroom, or on top of a skyscraper! And the movie screen can be HUGE! In fact, some of the cinema screens in Meta Quest 3 make your real cinema look like a portable TV... seriously! You can even change your seating position unlike in a real cinema due to your pre-booked ticket! The Meta Quest 3 even allows a true 3D 4K movie experience, however, all the well known "on-demand" service providers have NOT moved with the times, and their very "dated" apps for Meta Quest 3 do not support 4K UHD movies, which is a big let down, especially to customers that subscribe to a 4K movie package. Only one well known provider (that everyone uses for video reviews and music) offers the best 4K 3D content I think, especially if you access their website via the Meta Quest 3 browser. Using the browser instead of the app seems to offer better settings and features. Oh, when viewing a 4K 3D movie in the "said site" remember to switch to Side-by-Side view "IF" you see two split identical images instead of one. This can be done by MAXIMIZING the viewing screen and selecting 3D Side-by-Side from the drop-down list at the bottom.Meta Quest 3 allows the user to wear glasses, however, this is not good practice as the lenses on your glasses "could" come into contact with the Meta Quest 3 lenses, resulting in possible scratches. Being a wearer of glasses myself I ordered some "Meta approved" prescription lenses (see the devices accessories page) and they are absolutely fantastic! I totally recommend doing this for ultimate comfort and vision when using your Meta Quest 3.One big downside to the fantastic features of Meta Quest 3 is battery drain. The built-in battery will be used up (flat) in 1.5 hours or less. But all is not lost, as 3rd party head straps that feature improved comfort and fitting are available if you search online, and many include EXTRA battery power! Look for headstraps with bigger batteries measured in "mAH". 8000 mAH will last longer than 2500 mAH. Some headstraps even feature interchangeable battery packs (like cordless drills) for an endless supply of power!Conclusion...So, if you take into account how much it would cost you to learn to fly and buy a plane and build a cinema in your house, the Meta Quest 3 at £479 that can offer a similar experience is an absolute steal! Add to that many more amazing features, games and entertainment and you really do have one of the best technology products ever to be sold on our planet. Yes, there have been VR headsets available for a few years, but Meta Quest 3 requires NO extra hardware to use, it also has NO restrictive wires, so an absolute dream to use.DON'T mess about....Buy it....you know it makes sense!
Meta Quest 3 VR Headset (1286GB)
Delivery $150
Meta Quest 3 Advanced All-in-One VR Headset (128GB)
The addition of passthrough considerably reduces the isolation of VR, while the changes in design- bringing the weight closer in - makes the headset much easier to wear - especially when paired with a battery strap to counter-balance the headset weight.The strongest asset is the flexibility and freedom allowed to the device and the competitive price.A consumer can see both the good and not so good experiences which I believe is healthy and critical for growing VR as a platform, just as much as an ultra high-end device is.The improvement of removing the ring on the controller is great and the sound isolation is better. The pancake lenses reduce friction of using the device due to not requiring a small “sweet spot” and careful placement on the head to use like ... MoreThe addition of passthrough considerably reduces the isolation of VR, while the changes in design- bringing the weight closer in - makes the headset much easier to wear - especially when paired with a battery strap to counter-balance the headset weight.The strongest asset is the flexibility and freedom allowed to the device and the competitive price.A consumer can see both the good and not so good experiences which I believe is healthy and critical for growing VR as a platform, just as much as an ultra high-end device is.The improvement of removing the ring on the controller is great and the sound isolation is better. The pancake lenses reduce friction of using the device due to not requiring a small “sweet spot” and careful placement on the head to use like headsets of the past.One thing to note though is that for VR, regardless of the headset manufacturer, you are still looking at a screen so you can’t wear it for a long time without tiring your eyes.So while this implementation of passthrough really is game-changing and is showing us a glimpse at the potential for MR, it is not realistic to think you can keep the headset on for several hours at a time.That being said, the Meta Quest 3 clearly proves that Meta is the pioneer of VR and is serious about VR and MR.There are a couple reasons why I cannot give a perfect score, however.While VR looks best with the Meta Quest 3 and is more accessible than other options, I’d argue that VR feels more immersive on Sony’s offering due to their controller design and haptic feedback in the controllers and headset.Also, the included headstrap is not realistically sufficient. So the real cost should be understood to be the headset plus the elite strap with battery. I understand why it was sold separately however.Also, my Quest 3 has a single bright spot in the center of the display on the unit I received. I have since contacted support and they offered to replace it. The support has been great and prompt. If the replacement has no display issues then this will improve my rating.Despite these issues, considering all aspects, the Meta Quest 3 is the best mass-market consumer VR headset.
The changes this generation are pretty massive, and improvements in every way. Quick list of things that make it better than the Quest 2:+ While the weight is still comparable, the headset doesn't stick out from your face as far, and feels better balanced because of it.+ Lenses are bigger and clearer, the difference is HUGE and, to me, justifies the upgrade by itself+ The screen is noticeably higher resolution, still 120Hz capable+ The IPD adjustment is now a dial, with a broader range of settings instead of just being 3 positions+ There is eye relief adjustment! Bring the lenses closer to your eyes for better FOV, or further if you wear glasses+ AR games are actually fun now! Much better than Quest Pro, with the added depth sensor.+ The native games run ... MoreThe changes this generation are pretty massive, and improvements in every way. Quick list of things that make it better than the Quest 2:+ While the weight is still comparable, the headset doesn't stick out from your face as far, and feels better balanced because of it.+ Lenses are bigger and clearer, the difference is HUGE and, to me, justifies the upgrade by itself+ The screen is noticeably higher resolution, still 120Hz capable+ The IPD adjustment is now a dial, with a broader range of settings instead of just being 3 positions+ There is eye relief adjustment! Bring the lenses closer to your eyes for better FOV, or further if you wear glasses+ AR games are actually fun now! Much better than Quest Pro, with the added depth sensor.+ The native games run much smoother while looking better, thanks to the more powerful onboard graphics processing+ The wifi is significantly faster, averaging about 1,800Mb/s on local network speed tests with a high-end wifi 7 router (about twice as fast as Quest 2 averages), making the PCVR experience much more stable so far+ The controllers actually track just as well without the rings, and they improved the battery compartment by added a button you need to press to unlatch themAll this having been said, there are a couple things to note:- The stock headstrap and facial interface are both improved a bit from the last generation, but not by much. You're still going to want to invest in upgrades for both. I put a Kiwi battery headstrap and AMVR facial interface on mine and went from being able to wear it for maybe 10mins without too much discomfort to over an hour.- For those coming from a Quest Pro: My opinion is that the Pro is still the better device from the perspective of comfort (when modified). Also, the screen on the Pro gives much better contrast and slightly better colors than that in the 3. If you do mostly PC VR, the Pro might still be the better choice in ways, but the 3 is just unquestionably the better options if you plan on using the headset standalone.
The Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality (VR) Headset is the best bit of tech so far that I have ever purchased.The £479 price may seem like a lot of money, but once you have experienced this VR headset you will realise it's an absolute bargain! Forget games consoles or even visiting the cinema! This VR headset can provide you with an entertainment experience FAR superior to any of those. For example, if you play a game in VR you are not watching it, you are "IN" it!!! This is especially the case for flying games (several on the app store) where you actually sit in the cockpit of a plane, start it's engines, look around, and take off, just like you would in a real plane. But also, being like a real plane you can also experience a bit of motion sickness, but this can be ... MoreThe Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality (VR) Headset is the best bit of tech so far that I have ever purchased.The £479 price may seem like a lot of money, but once you have experienced this VR headset you will realise it's an absolute bargain! Forget games consoles or even visiting the cinema! This VR headset can provide you with an entertainment experience FAR superior to any of those. For example, if you play a game in VR you are not watching it, you are "IN" it!!! This is especially the case for flying games (several on the app store) where you actually sit in the cockpit of a plane, start it's engines, look around, and take off, just like you would in a real plane. But also, being like a real plane you can also experience a bit of motion sickness, but this can be eradicated over time by only playing for a few minutes a day, until you get used to it. Not all games give motion sickness though, many do not.Then you have the "Mixed Reality" feature on Meta Quest 3, which is another unbelievable experience that NOBODY should ever miss out on in life! Mixed reality combines images from real life (such as your lounge or bedroom) with computer graphics, this is seriously cool! So imagine sitting in your lounge and suddenly a zombie comes crashing through your patio door, or a space ship comes crashing through your lounge ceiling and lands on the floor! Well, this can be experienced on the Meta Quest 3. You will not believe your eyes, it's awesome!Moving onto the movie and video experience you can have with Meta Quest 3. If you have ever wanted a home Cinema in your house well now you can with Meta Quest 3. There are apps that allow you to sit in a room that looks just like a cinema (seats, fire exit, spotlights, you name it), you can even choose what style of cinema you like, whether it be retro or modern! It doesn't end there, you can even choose to watch a movie in space, at a drive-in, forest, classroom, or on top of a skyscraper! And the movie screen can be HUGE! In fact, some of the cinema screens in Meta Quest 3 make your real cinema look like a portable TV... seriously! You can even change your seating position unlike in a real cinema due to your pre-booked ticket! The Meta Quest 3 even allows a true 3D 4K movie experience, however, all the well known "on-demand" service providers have NOT moved with the times, and their very "dated" apps for Meta Quest 3 do not support 4K UHD movies, which is a big let down, especially to customers that subscribe to a 4K movie package. Only one well known provider (that everyone uses for video reviews and music) offers the best 4K 3D content I think, especially if you access their website via the Meta Quest 3 browser. Using the browser instead of the app seems to offer better settings and features. Oh, when viewing a 4K 3D movie in the "said site" remember to switch to Side-by-Side view "IF" you see two split identical images instead of one. This can be done by MAXIMIZING the viewing screen and selecting 3D Side-by-Side from the drop-down list at the bottom.Meta Quest 3 allows the user to wear glasses, however, this is not good practice as the lenses on your glasses "could" come into contact with the Meta Quest 3 lenses, resulting in possible scratches. Being a wearer of glasses myself I ordered some "Meta approved" prescription lenses (see the devices accessories page) and they are absolutely fantastic! I totally recommend doing this for ultimate comfort and vision when using your Meta Quest 3.One big downside to the fantastic features of Meta Quest 3 is battery drain. The built-in battery will be used up (flat) in 1.5 hours or less. But all is not lost, as 3rd party head straps that feature improved comfort and fitting are available if you search online, and many include EXTRA battery power! Look for headstraps with bigger batteries measured in "mAH". 8000 mAH will last longer than 2500 mAH. Some headstraps even feature interchangeable battery packs (like cordless drills) for an endless supply of power!Conclusion...So, if you take into account how much it would cost you to learn to fly and buy a plane and build a cinema in your house, the Meta Quest 3 at £479 that can offer a similar experience is an absolute steal! Add to that many more amazing features, games and entertainment and you really do have one of the best technology products ever to be sold on our planet. Yes, there have been VR headsets available for a few years, but Meta Quest 3 requires NO extra hardware to use, it also has NO restrictive wires, so an absolute dream to use.DON'T mess about....Buy it....you know it makes sense!
How you view this device is going to largely depend on if you've used VR stuff before, and how much. If you have used a Oculus Quest 2 then this is a huge QoL improvement in mixed reality. If you haven't used VR before, or if you're enthusiast level and have tried everything, then some of the flaws are going to pretty apparent right out the gate.Pros:- Solid color pass-through & hand tracking makes for a much more usable mixed reality experience than its predecessors.- Room scanning is rather cool and a much better way to define boundaries than drawing.- The quality of the lenses and controllers mark a significant improvement over its predecessors, though good not great (esp when compared with some new devices coming out).- The price point! There's no way that ... MoreHow you view this device is going to largely depend on if you've used VR stuff before, and how much. If you have used a Oculus Quest 2 then this is a huge QoL improvement in mixed reality. If you haven't used VR before, or if you're enthusiast level and have tried everything, then some of the flaws are going to pretty apparent right out the gate.Pros:- Solid color pass-through & hand tracking makes for a much more usable mixed reality experience than its predecessors.- Room scanning is rather cool and a much better way to define boundaries than drawing.- The quality of the lenses and controllers mark a significant improvement over its predecessors, though good not great (esp when compared with some new devices coming out).- The price point! There's no way that Meta isn't losing $ on each unit, and nothing is even close for comparable functionality -- even upcoming devices are either 2x more expensive for the Immersed glasses that are really only for virtual desktop viewing (but with much better resolution and lighter glasses) or 7x more expensive for the Apple Vision Pro (which certainly promises a lot but $3.5k is steep even for Apple).Cons:- The base strap can be terribly uncomfortable if you don't calibrate it right, and it's generally a bit of a pain.- App support! It feels like this device can do so much and yet so little takes advantage of it. Take room scanning, for example -- it can clearly track the geometry of any surface in the room, yet when doing boundary recognition it ONLY creates walls, and you have to manually input (via tracing with the controllers) any couches, tables, windows, etc... This could and should be improved. Some apps like Gravity Sketch are incredible, a ton of fun to work with, and are consistently maintained. But many more are effectively deprecated or unnecessarily limited in their use, and most are not near the boundary of even what this device can do.- Peripherals. In reality you'll at least want a better strap, maybe an extended battery, and some kind of storage to keep it from just sitting loosely on the floor (travel case or charging dock). Meta are terrible in this department. Everything is overpriced (trying maybe to get back some money on the loss for the base model?), and it seems that at launch half the most important thing didn't even work, which has led to recalls and scarcity of devices like the elite headstrap with battery. I would *highly* recommend looking into 3rd party devices for affordable options, though ofc that's its own risk to make sure they meet compatibility specs.Overall I think this device is really cool, especially when you find apps that take advantage of the VR or MR to do something unique. It's also rather intuitive, and frankly when it's working right you feel like someone from a movie with future-tech. At the same time there are too few apps that take advantage of what the Quest 3 can do, and you should at the very least assume another ~$100-200 for hardware peripherals to make the device comfortable and stored well.
Best headset I've ever owned, but does have a few issues.Pros:1. Excellent motion handling2. Zero screen door effect3. Compatible with every game and app I've used with zero bugs4. Comfortable, minus the stock strap.5. No base stations or additional equipment needed for full utilization6. Great UI7. Incredibly clear and vibrant visuals!8. Seamlessly integrated hand tracking and motion trackingCons:1. This is a big one they don't tell you, YOU CANNOT FULLY CHARGE WHILE GAMING! Yes, you read that right, you cannot input enough current into this headset while gaming to keep it charged without damaging the battery and over-heating other parts. So you can only play until the battery dies, as the rated current just slows down the discharge rate, not stop it. ... MoreBest headset I've ever owned, but does have a few issues.Pros:1. Excellent motion handling2. Zero screen door effect3. Compatible with every game and app I've used with zero bugs4. Comfortable, minus the stock strap.5. No base stations or additional equipment needed for full utilization6. Great UI7. Incredibly clear and vibrant visuals!8. Seamlessly integrated hand tracking and motion trackingCons:1. This is a big one they don't tell you, YOU CANNOT FULLY CHARGE WHILE GAMING! Yes, you read that right, you cannot input enough current into this headset while gaming to keep it charged without damaging the battery and over-heating other parts. So you can only play until the battery dies, as the rated current just slows down the discharge rate, not stop it. I don't ever plan on being mobile with it, so I just purchased an aftermarket cable that allows it to link directly to PC for best performance, and allows it to charge fully as well, only cost about $20 on Amazon, but this voids the warranty so...do so at your own risk.2. Outrageously priced accessories, like $80 for a link cable...3. Lenses fog quickly as there isn't much ventilation in there4. Pass-through is nauseating without adequate light5. Stock headstrap is uncomfortable, but you can buy a very nice and far more comfortable one off Amazon for around $306. 128Gb is not nearly enough space as games can exceed 50gb, so for space saving and better performance, I recommend downloading the games on your PC and using the link cable from there, it actually does provide better visuals and performance.7. The link function, whether wired or wireless, needed somewhat complicated modifications to the operating parameters to function at its best.If you follow some of the instructions you can find online about modifying parameters and buy the aftermarket accessories for comfort, it is an outstanding headset, I fully recommend!
I should preface this by saying that the Meta Quest 3 is my first experience with VR headsets and I have only used it in a solo setting. I have been curious about VR headsets since they were introduced, having personally worked at Cybermind in the early 90s. Cybermind was a virtual reality gaming company that had arcade locations in a few malls around the country. Customers could strap on a headset or climb into a sit-down machine to play early stage VR games. The company was founded in 1991 and went bankrupt in 1997. Cybermind's VR games were ahead of their time, but the technology was not yet ready for mass adoption. The company's failure was a setback for the VR industry, but it paved the way for future VR companies like Oculus. To put it bluntly, this is far ... MoreI should preface this by saying that the Meta Quest 3 is my first experience with VR headsets and I have only used it in a solo setting. I have been curious about VR headsets since they were introduced, having personally worked at Cybermind in the early 90s. Cybermind was a virtual reality gaming company that had arcade locations in a few malls around the country. Customers could strap on a headset or climb into a sit-down machine to play early stage VR games. The company was founded in 1991 and went bankrupt in 1997. Cybermind's VR games were ahead of their time, but the technology was not yet ready for mass adoption. The company's failure was a setback for the VR industry, but it paved the way for future VR companies like Oculus. To put it bluntly, this is far more intense and superior to anything else I have ever experienced, including Cybermind. Is it mind blowing? Well, some of it is pretty awesome, but some of it still feels primitive to me. When I put this headset on and dive in, there are areas that are really cool, but some that have me scratching my head at times.Let's start with the actual interface and what it feels like for a newb. I really like how easy it was to get up and running. From creating / mapping a safe area to play in, to going through the helpful tutorials, to the virtual room spaces, and the really cool floating dashboard, it made me giggle more than once in delight. I have not had it long enough to comment on every feature, or app that is available for use, because there is just so much you can do with this thing. I have spent most of my time trying games, because that’s why most people have these in the first place right? Sure, you can watch movies and browse online, but I don’t feel like it looks good enough to do that over using my phone, tablet, TV, or computer.For me personally, gaming is why I wanted it and this is where some of my dislike comes into play. Having version three, I figured that the graphics would be good enough by now to keep me immersed and interested more than I actually am at times. Sure, some games look better than others, but overall, I still feel like I am playing games from the late 90s most of the time graphics wise. Now it’s not all bad, but I have played games that are some of the highest rated, with the most reviews, and still feel like they are just too clunky (control wise), and pixelated for my taste. I guess that’s what I get for being used to gaming with super sharp gaming monitors, PC’s and consoles. Will it get there? I do believe it will one day, but I am honestly shocked that it isn’t more realistic at this point. To me, VR gaming is moving too slowly in the graphics department. As stated before, some games look way better than others, so it really depends on the developer you choose as to the experience you will get. Also, watching YouTube video demos of VR games online, actually looks worse that it does inside the headset more often than not. Just an observation I have made by watching a lot of them recently.Where I think this currently shines is with Passthrough gaming. The first time I tried “First Encounters” was just so cool. The graphics on this look better than some of the higher rated games I have tried so far. The sound effects and gameplay are truly a crazy experience. Give this one a try as soon as you get all situated. Passthrough is a feature that I can see being a huge selling point for VR headsets moving forward. That said, to truly enjoy passthrough, you will need good lighting for your surroundings. If you are playing in low light, you can expect there to be some warping and quite a bit of noise in your environment. It almost reminds me of seeing heat rising off of pavement. I tend to play at night in a pretty dark room, so I can’t read my phone or smartwatch very easily at all. With a bright room, this isn’t an issue and the surroundings look much more clear.The floating dashboard is really cool and looks great. You can move it around by selecting the edge of the screen with your remote to drag it around and place it wherever you want in your room. This is where you select what you want to play, your settings, etc. It’s really fun seeing this floating in your room and reminds me of some futuristic movies I have watched in the past such as Minority Report.If you wear prescription glasses, the headset can accommodate them, but if your glasses are large framed, you may have trouble fitting them inside. That said, my glasses are relatively small. They fit inside the headset pretty easily, but I do have to clean them in-between gaming sessions, as they sometimes get smashed into my face by moving around so much making them get oily while playing. One major area that can be improved in future versions of VR goggles would be to have a better diopter system in place. This would allow users to effectively focus the lenses to their eyesight, so there would be no need to wear glasses at all. This feature is already available on some drones that I have used, so it would be a logical addition to VR goggles. It would make VR goggles more comfortable and accessible to a wider range of people. I simply feel like the goggles aren’t adjustable enough to adapt to everyone's eyesight and produce a perfectly sharp image for everyone without glasses or contacts depending on the level of prescription you personally need. You can adjust the depth and width to a certain extent, and while it gets close for me, I still feel like it looks better if I am wearing my glasses.The headset sounds really good. Not as good as wearing dedicated headphones, but still really good clear sound quality, which is nice.The remotes have been revamped for this version and appear to be much smaller and lighter than the previous Oculus versions. Each remote only requires a single AA battery and I have found them to be extremely efficient and last a really long time. The headset is rated to last two hours on a full charge, which honestly is enough time for me and my playing style. Any more than two hours inside this headset might be a bit much for most casual gamers.I am quite disappointed that the bundled game Asgard's Wrath 2 is not available at the time of launch. Needless to say, I was very much looking forward to playing it first. This forced me to browse the Meta store games and reviews in search of a game that I actually wanted to pay for to try out the system. There are demos of some games available, but more often than not, most games do not offer a demo version, which I think is a big miss for most developers. I think that offering a demo version would actually be beneficial to them in the long run. It would allow potential customers to try out the game before they buy it, which would increase the chances of people actually purchasing and enjoying the game. Additionally, it would give developers valuable feedback on how to improve their games. I hope that more (all) developers will start offering demo versions of their VR games in the future. Even if it is a single level, or time based. It would be a win-win for both developers and consumers.VR headsets can be disorienting at first, especially for people who are not used to them, like me. The feeling of being in a different world can be overwhelming, and it can take some time to get used to the controls and how to move around inside the virtual worlds that these games present. As an avid gamer, I have found that it takes me longer than expected to feel totally comfortable with the gameplay and controls inside VR worlds. This is because I am used to having complete control over my surroundings, and VR can sometimes feel like I am not in control. However, once I get used to the feeling of being in a VR world, I find that it is an incredibly immersive and enjoyable experience. I haven’t broken anything in my game room yet!Since I have been so wrapped up into playing games, I haven’t had the chance to try using this for more fitness oriented apps and games. I am putting that high on my list to try soon, as I think that will be a really fun and unique way to get much needed exercise.In conclusion, there is a lot to like about the Meta Quest 3, but there is also a learning curve as with most technology. There is room for plenty of improvement and I hope that happens by way of firmware updates from both Meta and the developers of the games and apps. I would recommend trying to find one in a store to demo if possible to see if it is right for you. As stated before, there are so many things you can do inside this headset, that I am pretty sure most anyone will have fun with it.
It’s difficult for most people to understand just how much fun virtual reality headsets can be if they have never used one before. Especially if the headset has all the new features of the Quest 3.We currently own all three models of the Quest VR headsets. The latest edition is pretty much better in every way, and it even fits better. Two of the most exciting upgrades are the mixed reality capabilities and the much better hand recognition. Advanced hybrid computer vision and machine learning sensors follow your gestures, with 4 IR cameras and 2 RGB cameras cameras to enable controller-free navigation and more intuitive control. Simply move your hands to tap, scroll, navigate and play.3D sound with 40% louder audio.4K display with infinite display resolution ... MoreIt’s difficult for most people to understand just how much fun virtual reality headsets can be if they have never used one before. Especially if the headset has all the new features of the Quest 3.We currently own all three models of the Quest VR headsets. The latest edition is pretty much better in every way, and it even fits better. Two of the most exciting upgrades are the mixed reality capabilities and the much better hand recognition. Advanced hybrid computer vision and machine learning sensors follow your gestures, with 4 IR cameras and 2 RGB cameras cameras to enable controller-free navigation and more intuitive control. Simply move your hands to tap, scroll, navigate and play.3D sound with 40% louder audio.4K display with infinite display resolution with 25PPD and 1218 PPI ( nearly a 30% increase in resolution)It also has an increased field of view of 104° horizontal/96° vertical vs 90° &90° for the Quest 2.Resulting in better peripheral vision in virtual worlds for the Quest 3.Better processor, XR2 Gen2 and increased RAM from 6GB to 8GB for faster load times and sharper imagesTruTouch variable haptics provide tactile feedback, enabling a more holistic range of in-experience sensations so you can touch, move and react realistically within the virtual environmentsThe slimmer optic profile grants extra versatility and lets it work with eye glasses out of the box, no need for additional adapters. The wider open straps help it to accommodate different types of hairstyles. You can easily adjust the facial interface closer or farther from your face to improve comfort and field of view. Pancake optics create a 40% slimmer optic profile for a more comfortable wear.The included head strap is pretty comfortable out of the box but doesn’t offer the stability of the Elite Strap. The included strap is stretchy on the sides, and velcro adjustable on the top. The elite strap offers a contoured cup for the back of the head, which is slightly adjustable. Solid plastic bands that run around the back and sides of the unit are actually adjustable through a dial at the back of the strap. It clicks into place as you tighten it for a more secure and adjustable hold around your head. The top strap is also adjustable with a velcro fastener. Both options work well, but the Elite strap is better for more active games and content.The Quest 3’s Mixed reality passthrough uses 2 RGB Color cameras and depth a projector for improved depth and resolution.of your surroundings. The Quest 2 offered a lower quality grayscale image for passthrough.The 5060 mAh battery length is a little over 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the activity and usage.This Quest is also Backwards Compatible.The facial interface is adjustable and has 4 different settings. The facial interface is the black part of the Quest with the foam liner that presses up against your face. Adjusting the distance of this between your face and the lenses can give you a better fit and less light leaking into your view from larger gaps.I would like to say that even though the Quest 3 can display 4k images, the passthrough feed is not in 4k, but it is in color and extremely useful. There are so many games out already that utilize the passthrough video for the Mixed Reality experience. It’s such an amazing thing to be able to see your physical surroundings be used as backgrounds, stationary items or workable objects in different apps.The controllers even got an upgrade with a smaller profile and variable TruTouch haptic feedback. They are very easy to use and work great for anything you are doing. There are still a lot of games out there that require the controllers.Cubism is one of the mixed reality games for the Quest 3. It’s a puzzle game based on different shapes that you need to move around and place accordingly into different cubes. The play area does not take up a lot of room , so you could use this app while sitting or standing. Standing does offer an advantage by being able to walk a 360 view around the puzzle and its pieces.The controllers are not necessary. I was able to spin, toss and maneuver up to 2 pieces at a time, one with each hand. The accuracy is really pretty good. I was able to select/activate items and even pick them up with my hand motions. The cameras and sensors in the Quest 3 are even just as capable in lower lighting settings, not missing a beat as long as your hands are within the field of view of the cameras.There is a free demo called “First Steps” that showcases a lot of different ways the controllers and the headsets can be used. You can actually pick up a remote control for a small air balloon replica, using dual or single guns to eliminate different threats. Pickup and toss random objects in the room including paper airplanes, blocks and paddle ball items. There is even a virtual video game system on the table in front of you, that takes cartridges. Once the cartridges are picked up and inserted into the game system, your environment changes and you are in the game. A robot comes out and starts mimicking your hand movements, and then proceeds to dance with you. There are a few different ways in which you can interact with him, like holding his hand, pulling him from one side to the other, and even spinning him.The Demeo app lets you basically get down into a role playing game somewhat similar to a dungeon or turn based strategy/action game. Here you can move around the outside of a board game seemingly to be around 8 to 10 ft squared. You can pick up your character and move him around the map. You must place him on top of items you want to interact with. Once you let go, the character reacts to whatever it is you placed him on. There are die and cards for attacks and other aspects of the game.Arkio is somewhat of an architecture app. It lets you design and manipulate houses and buildings. It also lets you enter these buildings to place and decorate with different objects.IT’s really pretty neat to be able to place a whole house down with your hand, and then project yourself into that house and just start moving furniture around like you are a superhuman.There are some work and meeting apps that let you do collaborations on certain types of projects.It looks like this will be catching on fast with the Quests new advancements, and wide variety of applications.If you just want to chill at the movies by yourself you can open the YouTube app, and set the screen to the largest size and just start watching videos.The sound is just as good as the picture. You can even opt for the curved screen. I must have watched over a dozen videos the first day. It really is an amazing experience.There is a built-in browser in the app library. It looks like this browser has all the same functionality as your desktop browsers. I was able to cascade several windows across my view, all with different web pages. The browser works great. My only complaint about it, is that I would have liked the option to be able to throw the browser to the wall and make it a large screen cinema experience as well. It would also be neat if you could take the cascaded windows and place them anywhere at any height.It was very easy to navigate through YouTube and the browser with or without the controllers.I really like my hands free, so using gestures is very pleasing. The typing takes a bit to get used to because it looks like you are always a bit off of a few numbers while trying to type free handed. You can use both hands to type, but you can not type like you can in the physical world. But using each forefinger works out pretty well.Honestly for what you get with the Quest 3 vs other PC VR headsets, you are getting a whole lot of value for half as much as some of the competition. The gameplay and use in general is very addicting, and I find myself moving my hands around in the real world as if I am in a VR realm.I will tell you that it is easy to get motion sickness and lose your balance a lot. So be careful on how you play until you adjust better. Even though a lot of the games use lower or cartoonish graphics the 3D effect just pulls you in and tricks your brain into believing that you are in a real environment, I was hovering above a building earlier and I couldn't help but have that feeling like in your dreams when you are falling through the sky. It was kinda disorienting at first, but easy to recover from with a quick acknowledgement of what you are doing.If you have the feature activated in the settings for Passthrough with 2 taps, you can tap the side strap twice to flip from a virtual realm to reality in a second without taking off the gear.It is possible to cast your VR experience to a phone through the app, if you are logged in properly and have the two devices paired, Bluetooth pairing is not the same as what is needed for the screen sharing.In the app you can create or adjust the appearance of your Meta Quest avatar. You can also check out the VR app store.Overall the Quest 3 is just so much fun with the new features. The Passthrough and Immersive game play is just awesome to be able to swap that on the fly and have it be interactive for mixed reality apps and games! The new controller free hand recognition is top notch. It works fantastic and is super fun and addicting to use. The Quest 3 is so much fun, I can not wait to see how many other apps there will be for it in the near future. They are currently at over 100 titles for the Quest 3 and something like 400 still available to download for the past versions. As this is backwards compatible you can enjoy them all on the latest model!!
The Meta Quest 3 is a significant and immediately noticeable improvement over the Quest 2, which itself was a notable improvement over the original headset. For anyone who is wondering what the best entry-level VR headset (in my opinion, best VR headset period) is currently: it’s this one. You do not need to read further. If you’re looking for information on what has improved over the previous model and how that affects the experience, read on.The improvement is immediately noticeable when setting up the headset. With prior models, you were introduced into a lo-fi greyscale version of your play area. This functioned, but was disorienting and could occasionally be frustrating to use as the cameras seemed to deliver video on a slight delay from real-time. With the ... MoreThe Meta Quest 3 is a significant and immediately noticeable improvement over the Quest 2, which itself was a notable improvement over the original headset. For anyone who is wondering what the best entry-level VR headset (in my opinion, best VR headset period) is currently: it’s this one. You do not need to read further. If you’re looking for information on what has improved over the previous model and how that affects the experience, read on.The improvement is immediately noticeable when setting up the headset. With prior models, you were introduced into a lo-fi greyscale version of your play area. This functioned, but was disorienting and could occasionally be frustrating to use as the cameras seemed to deliver video on a slight delay from real-time. With the added cameras on the Quest 3, you are now greeted to a (albeit still lo-fi) color-accurate version of your play area with much more responsive cameras. The software itself is more intelligent, too: whereas before you would have to draw your own play area, the Quest 3 now does it for you. And quite well at that. This reduces the frustration inherent to the previous models when the Quest would occasionally lose your saved playspace data and you would have to re-draw it: when it happens here, the Quest will now easily replace it.The cameras’ precision allows for more accurate hand-tracking now, too, and while I’m still not a fan of using my hands in VR space as opposed to much more accurate controllers – I will admit that Meta has done a very good job on improving this aspect of the technology. This is probably because I do not use my Quest for work or to create a virtual office space: rather, I use it for gaming, and the increased precision makes for a marked improvement in games where precision is vital. Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, and OhShape are games where precision is vital for playing at the highest level, and the Quest 3 makes it easier than ever to ensure you’re aiming, swinging, and positioning exactly where you want to. The increased processing power makes these games look better than ever and I look forward to trying out Resident Evil 4 when I have some more time.The new controllers are nice, though I’m struggling to decide whether I feel like they’re an upgrade or more of a horizontal move for the device. There really is nothing wrong with them, they function just as well as the previous model (better with the improved cameras) and like the previous controllers, feel nice to hold.If you’re playing around in VR a lot with your Quest or Quest 2, I recommend getting the Quest 3. However, these improvements aside, if you’re not an avid VR player and you have the Quest 2, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to rush out and buy this one. The Quest 2 is still a fantastic device, and while the Quest 3 is a significant improvement, it’s not world-changing, and the fidelity improvements are noticeable but not so massive that it makes the last generation look like a potato.What is clear is that the Meta Quest remains the best VR headset for gaming, bar none, especially at this price point. The ability to play wherever you want, free of cords and external sensors, is still outstanding. The library of apps and games is ever-growing, and because it’s backwards-compatible with everything released previously, you do not leave anything behind by upgrading your headset. I love my Meta Quest 3, and absolutely recommend it to anyone who’s interested in entering the VR space or has the spare money to upgrade their older Quest model.
The Meta - Quest 3 Mixed Reality system is very cool technology. I have previously never used a virtual reality headset, so this was a first for me. I was very impressed with the Quest 3 and everything I can do with it. Following are my observations:- Inside the box was the Meta Quest 3 headset, 2 Meta Quest Touch Plus controllers with wrist straps, an 18w power adaptor and USB-C charging cable, and a basic set of instructions to get started.- You need to download the Meta Quest App on your phone and set up a Meta account to get started. However, once I got everything connected and going, I haven't used the App since, as I have done everything via the headset.- Once you get started with the headset, the software in the headset took me through all the setup of the ... MoreThe Meta - Quest 3 Mixed Reality system is very cool technology. I have previously never used a virtual reality headset, so this was a first for me. I was very impressed with the Quest 3 and everything I can do with it. Following are my observations:- Inside the box was the Meta Quest 3 headset, 2 Meta Quest Touch Plus controllers with wrist straps, an 18w power adaptor and USB-C charging cable, and a basic set of instructions to get started.- You need to download the Meta Quest App on your phone and set up a Meta account to get started. However, once I got everything connected and going, I haven't used the App since, as I have done everything via the headset.- Once you get started with the headset, the software in the headset took me through all the setup of the whole system. You'll need access to WIFI to use the system. After first signing in, the system also prompts you to do a software and controller update that takes a few minutes. You also need to pair your headset to the App and the controllers are also paired via Bluetooth. I found this process all very easy to set up and connect to get started.- It's very cool how you can use the headset to pop up a large virtual screen in front of you that allows you to make any system changes, open menus and select apps to use or play. There are also a number of tutorials you can watch and practice with to get the hang of using the headset and controllers.- The system will allow you to set up a boundary for play. It can either scan the room and set up an automatic boundary for you, or you can draw your own boundary for play or exercise. This allows you to ensure you are not bumping into furniture or other items in your home. This can be adjusted for sitting or standing or whenever moving from room to room. If you get close to a boundary while using the headset, a boundary pops up so you can tell you are approaching the boundary and need to back away.- The headset has a pass through feature you can engage to be able to see through the headset to your actual surroundings with a quick double-tap on the headset.- I found the headset to be surprisingly comfortable. It has a little weight to it, but the strap system and padding around your face allow you to wear it comfortably while using it. It also felt secure while in motion so I didn't feel like it was slipping off. You can adjust the spacing on the lenses to improve the visuals and also adjust the depth adjustment from your face if you wear glasses or to just improve comfort to your liking.- There are many apps that you can use in mixed reality mode, where the pass through view allows you to mix the real surroundings with the virtual surroundings. You can also use Direct Touch hand gestures to access the menus and operate various games and apps using your hands and fingers to make gestures or tap on menus, etc.- There is a ton of content to choose from and use with the Meta Quest 3. There are over 500 games and experiences in the library to choose from. This includes many free items and a variety of items you can purchase, many of which come with a free trial period so you can try them out before paying for them. The content available come in the categories of Gaming, Entertainment, Fitness, Events and Productivity. I have played a number of single person or multi-player games, used a fitness app for a work out, logged into my Netflix and Prime accounts, allowing me to watch content via the headset. I'm barely scratching the surface so far, as there are a ton of things I plan to explore and try out.- I find the visuals to be great, a very high definition viewing experience and the sound is great also.- So far I would say the battery life has averaged about 2.5 hours of use on a full charge. It takes about 90 minutes to fully charge the headset. I would like to have seen the battery life last a bit longer than that. It's not too bad if you are just gaming or using a fitness app, as you can stop when you are running low on battery, but If you are in the middle of using a productivity app or watching a movie or event or anything like that, it can be a bit inconvenient to run out of battery and need to take a break to recharge it.Overall, I am very impressed with the Meta - Quest 3! This is a cool piece of technology that is going to provide countless hours of fun, fitness and productive use!
Coming from a Quest 2 I wasnt sure I would really see much of an upgrade but there are plenty of changes both large and small that make this well worth the upgrade in my opinion.The new lenses greatly reduce the depth of the headset and how far it hangs off your face. This brings the center of gravity closer to you and significantly reduces the percieved weight of the headset. I found the quest 2 and the elite strap with battery to be pretty comfortable but this headset and the elite strap with battery are extremely comfortable and I almost never feel fatigue from wearing it anymore. Combine all that with the new screens and wider FOV and that makes this by far my favorite headset as of right now (Though I do still wish they were OLED for the perfect black levels, ... MoreComing from a Quest 2 I wasnt sure I would really see much of an upgrade but there are plenty of changes both large and small that make this well worth the upgrade in my opinion.The new lenses greatly reduce the depth of the headset and how far it hangs off your face. This brings the center of gravity closer to you and significantly reduces the percieved weight of the headset. I found the quest 2 and the elite strap with battery to be pretty comfortable but this headset and the elite strap with battery are extremely comfortable and I almost never feel fatigue from wearing it anymore. Combine all that with the new screens and wider FOV and that makes this by far my favorite headset as of right now (Though I do still wish they were OLED for the perfect black levels, maybe next time)Another change, although minor, that I find extremely convenient is the addition of the charging pins on the headset. This makes it possible to use both the elite strap battery and the headset charging stand at the same time which was not possible with the quest 2 since the usb c port was the only way to charge it.The headset performance itself is also improved, games that are designed for this headset look better overall and even the ones that arent now run without any lag or hitches. I was a little worried about controller tracking because of the lack of tracking rings but I have found it to be just as good if not better than the quest 2 and the haptics definitely feel better as well.Lastly, the AR features I havent used much but they work fairly well. I have seen a few good use cases but I think a lot of them are more of a gimmick. The passthrough upgrade that comes with this is very useful though, I can easily walk around and do something without needing to take the headset off with the full color passthrough.
