There are plenty of virtual reality headsets on the market, but only a few are actually worth your money. As one of BI Reviews’ gaming experts, I’m a particularly big fan of Meta Quest headsets. I even bought one back when it was still called the Oculus. Luckily, this year’s best Meta Quest Black Friday deals feature a great discount on the Quest 3S.
The entry-level Meta Quest 3S is currently $50 off, and you can get an additional $50 credit through Amazon. This model is ideal for gamers on a budget (you can learn more in our full Meta Quest 3S review). Meanwhile, the flagship Meta Quest 3 hasn’t been discounted at the time of writing, but we’ll update if that changes. The step-up model offers better image quality through its higher-resolution display, but the cheaper 3S has been the more popular of the two since its release. I’ve also found a few choice deals on Meta Quest accessories to complete the package.
I expect these Meta Quest Black Friday deals to last through the weekend, and some could extend to Cyber Monday, assuming they don’t sell out first. If you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on buying a Meta Quest, now is the time. For even more discounts on other products, visit our main Black Friday deals page.
The Meta Quest comes in two varieties: The standard Meta Quest 3 and the entry-level Meta Quest 3S. However, only the Quest 3S is currently on sale. The 128GB model is 17% off, while the 256GB model is 18% off. Both also include around $50 of Amazon credit with your purchase. Whether you’re in the mood to play a wild party game like “Beat Saber” or an immersive shooter like “Half-Life: Alyx,” the Meta Quest 3S is a great choice.
The Quest 3S is Meta’s most affordable VR headset. It has the same chipset and gaming performance as the pricier Quest 3, but its display isn’t as sharp. This is an excellent option for casual users seeking a more budget-friendly entry into the world of VR.
The larger 256GB model of the Quest 3S is for the more dedicated VR fan keen on downloading and storing more games and apps. Otherwise, you’re getting the same excellent value, and all purchases currently include a code for three months of Meta Quest+, so you’ll have plenty of games to enjoy straight away.
Best Meta Quest accessory Black Friday deals
Virtual reality headsets are fun, but they’re not always comfortable to wear. If you plan on getting heavy use out of your Meta Quest, you should also invest in some accessories, such as the Quest 3 Elite Strap, which is currently 21% off.
This headstrap replaces the one included with the Meta Quest 3. Unlike the original, the Elite Strap is made with soft silicone, features a back panel to balance the weight on your head, and includes a dial that allows for easy adjustment of the fit.
Black Friday Meta Quest FAQsWhat are the differences between Meta Quest models?
For most users, the differences are minimal. The Meta Quest 3 and 3S both play the same games, and each one has about the same two to four hours of battery life. The primary factors that distinguish each model are storage space and display resolution. Meta also used to make a higher-end Quest Pro model, but it was discontinued earlier this year.
Here’s a breakdown of specs for the Quest and Quest 3S:
Do other brands make virtual reality headsets?
Although Meta Quest is the most popular VR headset brand on the market, it’s far from the only one.
The most popular non-Meta headset is the Valve Index, a product developed by the gaming juggernaut Valve.Sony makes the PlayStation VR2, which is designed for use with the PS5, but can connect to a PC using an official adapter.The Pimax Crystal Light is designed with a focus on display quality, featuring a resolution of 2880×2880 and a refresh rate of 120Hz.Other high-end models include the Somnium VR1 and Apple Vision Pro — the latter of which is designed primarily for productivity tasks rather than gaming.
Any modern VR headset can usually play any VR game, whether it’s from Steam, the Epic Games Store, or somewhere else.
Shopping for more discounts today? Check out all of our best Black Friday deals coverage.
William Antonelli
Freelance Writer
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider’s lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He’s also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.ExpertiseArtificial Intelligence (AI)Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)DisinformationEducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.
Read more
Read less
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.