Virtual reality headsets are very popular right now, and the Meta Quest 3S is Amazon’s clear winner with over 80,000 units sold on Black Friday alone. The Quest 3S is the best choice for everyday users because it has a sweet spot that the more expensive Apple Vision Pro, the console-dependent PS VR2, and even its older sibling the Quest 3 can’t match.
The device takes away the complicated parts and high prices that have kept VR from becoming mainstream and keeps the performance that makes it so exciting. And the good news is that right now for Cyber Monday, it’s available for $249, down from its usual price of $299.
Wireless Freedom and Console-Grade Power
Cables were the most annoying thing about earlier VR generations, but the Quest 3S gets rid of them: you can spin around 360 degrees, duck under virtual obstacles, or explore huge open worlds without worrying about your play space radius or tripping over wires. The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor has twice the graphical processing power of older models which means that games load faster and have smoother frame rates during intense gaming sessions. You will see this right away when complicated environments render without stuttering or when more than one enemy appears on the screen at the same time.
The new 8GB of RAM is 33% more memory which makes it easy to do more than one thing at a time: You can switch between apps right away, and the system takes care of background tasks without slowing down your game. Because of this extra headroom, developers can make textures and environments that are more detailed and bigger without making you make any compromises. The Passthrough feature uses two RGB color cameras to put digital objects on top of your real room with amazing clarity.
The battery lasts for more than two hours on a single charge which is enough time for most gaming sessions without stopping. It may not sound like a big deal, but it’s the difference between finishing a mission and having your headset die in the middle of a boss fight. Because it’s standalone, everything runs on its own and you don’t need a PC, external sensors to mount on your walls, or a PlayStation console taking up space in your living room.
The included Gorilla Tag bundle makes the deal even better by giving you exclusive in-game items and 1,000 shiny rocks to use to make your character look different. Along with that bonus, new customers can try out over 40 games right away with a three-month trial subscription. This library has a wide range of genres, including rhythm games, fitness apps, story-driven adventures, and social experiences.
The Quest 3S is one of a kind in the world of VR: The Apple Vision Pro is more than ten times more expensive and is more focused on work than games; you need a PlayStation 5 console to use the PS VR2 (and it stays connected to your entertainment center); and the standard Quest 3 has slightly better lenses, but it costs more for improvements that most casual users won’t notice.
This model gives you 90% of the premium experience for a lot less money so it’s the clear choice for anyone who wants to try VR without spending a lot of money. For $249, you get a completely wireless package that doesn’t need any technical setup and lets you play games at console level. That’s a great deal for hardware that would have cost twice as much just two years ago.