Summary
- Meta Quest 3 and 3S offer standalone VR, eliminating the need for external hardware.
- The Meta Store provides easy access to VR games and apps directly on the headset.
- Impressive mixed reality features at a lower price point compared to competitors.
With the ever-expanding world of virtual reality, picking the right headset can quickly become overwhelming. From high-end PC-powered devices to fully standalone options, there are great choices for every type of user. That said, the Meta Quest 3 and 3S have quickly emerged as standout contenders for both newcomers and seasoned VR users.
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Whether users are into immersive gaming, fitness, or productivity, the Quest 3/3S delivers versatility at an affordable price. While the Quest 3/3S may not be the very best headset money can buy, this article will explore six key reasons why the Meta Quest 3 and 3S are worth considering over the competition.
6 Standalone Capability
The Quest 3/3S Can Be Used Without Any Additional Hardware
While standalone capability is becoming more common, most headsets at the Meta Quest 3/3S price point still rely on a constant connection to a PC or console (like the PlayStation VR2). In contrast, the Quest 3 and 3S offer a complete VR experience without the need for external hardware.
By removing the need for a PC, the Meta Quest 3/3S offers a more convenient, portable, and affordable entry point into Virtual Reality, especially for newcomers. With that said, the 3 and 3S models support PCVR for those who want access to higher-end performance and additional content.
5 Meta Store
The Official Meta Store Is All Users Need to Get Started
Building on the standalone capabilities of the Meta Quest 3/3S, users can access the Meta Store. In this digital marketplace, users can browse, purchase, and download VR games and apps directly to their headsets. While the Meta Store experience may not be as seamless as the PlayStation Store with PSVR2, it offers a larger selection of VR titles and the convenience of direct headset access.
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The Meta Store offers the largest standalone VR library available, making it a one-stop shop for most users' virtual reality needs. Additionally, players can link their Steam accounts using Steam Link, unlocking access to hundreds of high-end PCVR titles, though a capable PC is required. Users can also download the Xbox app, giving them access to Xbox Game Pass and cloud-streamed console games.
4 Mixed Reality & Passthrough
Seamless Interaction With the Real World
Mixed Reality, often called Passthrough, lets users interact with virtual content while seeing the real world. While the Apple Vision Pro leads in mixed reality quality, the Meta Quest 3/3S offers impressive mixed reality features at a much more accessible price. The Quest 3/3S features impressive room mapping, enabling seamless interaction with virtual content in the real-world environment.
The Meta Quest 3 and 3S feature full-color Passthrough, a major upgrade over previous models, and recent updates have significantly improved their quality and stability. While the Passthrough on the 3/3S still has room for improvements, it's still a valuable feature, considering that the better-quality alternatives like the Varjo XR-4 and Apple Vision Pro come at a much higher price.
3 Software & Ecosystem
The Meta Quest 3/3S Receives Consistent Updates
The software on the Meta Quest 3/3S is user-friendly and straightforward, especially the Meta Horizon app that allows users to control the headset and download games and apps directly from their phones. The software is consistently being updated and improved, making for an overall better experience. Even the older Oculus Quest 2, released in 2020, is still receiving updates after being discontinued.
With the ever-expanding Meta ecosystem, VR headsets are becoming more and more useful even outside of gaming with the inclusion of apps like Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Facebook. These apps make the Quest 3/3S even more viable for non-gamers who want to experience the world of virtual reality.
2 Virtual Desktop / Air Link
Connect Wirelessly to a PC
One of the more convenient features of the Meta Quest 3/3S is Air Link. Air Link allows users to connect to their PCs completely wirelessly via a Wi-Fi connection. While a strong and fast Wi-Fi connection is needed for the best experience, Air Link is relatively seamless and, with a fast connection, provides a lag-free wireless PCVR experience.
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Similar to Air Link, Virtual Desktop is a wireless streaming app available on the Meta Store, allowing users to connect their headset to a computer to play PCVR games or use the headset as a virtual monitor. One of Virtual Desktop's standout features is the ability to play non-VR games, watch media, and use any app or browser on a massive virtual screen, creating an immersive experience, even for everyday tasks like reading emails.
1 Price
The Meta Quest 3 and 3S Are Some of the Most Affordable VR Headsets
Getting into virtual reality can be expensive, especially for newcomers. This is where the Meta Quest 3 and 3S stand out, offering some of the most affordable headsets available without sacrificing the core features expected from a full VR experience. Coming in at $499.99 for the Quest 3 and $299.99 for the 3S, it's difficult to find anything comparable at a similar price.
Not only are the prices reasonable for a virtual reality headset, but added features like standalone capability, PCVR compatibility, and app support make the Meta Quest 3 and 3S great value for money. At a cheaper price, the Meta Quest 3S is perhaps the best entry into the world of virtual reality for those who are skeptical.
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