Virtual reality headsets broke out of the luxury space with the original Meta Quest, and now that we’re on the third model, things are better than ever. The excellent Meta Quest 3 is still $500 as standard, though, but you can currently get it with a couple of freebies if you’re quick.

According to CNET VR expert Scott Stein, the original Meta Quest 3 is still the best VR headset on the market. Why spend $3,499 on the Apple Vision Pro when it doesn’t have the same library of games available? The Quest 3 offers some excellent VR and AR capabilities and a growing library of some of the biggest and best games from the technology.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.  

Unlike the Meta Quest 2, the Quest 3 embraces virtual- and mixed-reality experiences in a way that’s similar to the Apple Vision Pro and last year’s Quest Pro. Better yet, it costs a lot less than those sets, which makes it even more appealing. Other improvements over its predecessor include a new Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, better graphics, a higher-resolution display and improved controllers.

It’s also continually being updated. At Meta Connect 2025, the tech giant debuted new software tools for the Quest — like the capability to scan a room and view it in 3D. This came alongside plenty of new augmented reality glasses.

With years of experience helping readers score big savings on tech, Adam Oram and other members of CNET’s dedicated deals team have scoured the web to bring you the best Quest 3 bargains. We’ll continue to update this page with the latest offers, so be sure to check back often.

Best Meta Quest 3 deals

Pick up the Meta Quest 3 headset, and you’ll also get a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow and a free three-month trial of Meta Horizon Plus, which is a respectable $140 savings.

Details

Free Batman game, plus 3 months of Meta Horizon Plus

Grab yourself the Meta Quest 3 from Best Buy, and you’ll also wind up with a three-month trial of Meta Horizon Plus, which gives out monthly games and more.

Keep in mind that the availability of this product might vary by Best Buy location.

Details

Three months of Meta Horizon Plus subscription

Target has limited quantities of the 512GB model, but if you can get one, you’ll get the same deal as elsewhere, paying $500 to get the headset bundled with the Batman: Arkham Shadow game and a free three-month trial to Meta Horizon Plus. Shoppers who use a Target Circle Card* can save 5%, which will take a few bucks off the cost.

Details

Free Batman game, plus 3 months of Meta Horizon Plus

Get hand-picked deals from CNET shopping experts straight to your phone.

What is the best Meta Quest 3 deal right now?

Your best bet for the Meta Quest 3 is bundling a copy of the Batman: Arkham Shadow game with purchase, which is running out at different retailers.. Set in the Arkham universe, the game sees Batman take on The Rat King in an adventure that takes about four hours.

Most retailers also include a free three-month trial of Meta Horizon Plus, providing access to two free games per month until the subscription ends. At the moment, your best bet is to go with Amazon for all the bells and whistles.

How we choose Meta Quest 3 deals at CNET

There aren’t many direct discounts on the Meta Quest 3 right now, but we have rounded up a few other ways to score some savings. These primarily include bundle deals, which include a free game and occasionally some other free services. We’ve also scrounged up any retailer-specific offers, such as exclusive savings when you pay with a company credit card.

The Meta Quest 3 came with a pretty hefty price tag when it first hit shelves last year, starting at $500 for the 128GB model and $650 for the 512GB model. Fortunately, prices have dropped since then, and you can now grab the 128GB model for $430 and the 512GB model for $500.

Yes, you can absolutely still use the Meta Quest 3 if you wear glasses. Unless your frames are particularly bulky, you should have no problem keeping them on while you use the headset. Just make sure that they’re not bumping up against the lenses. Or, if you prefer a more streamlined solution, Zenni Optical — one of our favorite places to shop for glasses online — makes prescription lenses designed specifically for the Meta Quest 3.

We named the Meta Quest 3 the best mixed-reality headset in its price range, which means it supports both VR and AR gameplay. VR stands for “virtual reality” and refers to games and programs where you are fully immersed in a virtual environment. On the other hand, AR or “augmented reality,” refers to a real-world environment that has VR elements layered on top.

One of the most important tips for Quest 3 owners is to avoid exposing it — especially the lenses — to bright sunlight, as this can damage the display. It’s best to keep it in a case while you’re not using it, but if you don’t have one you should keep it away from windows and cover it with a towel or T-shirt.

You’ll also want to clean the headset occasionally. Use microfiber cloths to avoid scratching the lenses, and wipe the exterior with a slightly damp paper towel to remove any dust or grime.

*All information about the Target Circle Card and B&H Payboo Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.