It has never been cheaper or easier to access high-quality virtual reality. This headset offers a cord-free design and convincing hand tracking, with the added option to plug it into a PC to access more-powerful games.
The Quest 3 looks and performs similarly to the Quest 3S but has an upgraded screen and lenses. You can spend thousands of dollars chasing the best specs in a VR headset, but we think comfort and ease of use are more important elements for most people who want to explore VR.
With that in mind, the Meta Quest 3S is the clear winner. It combines good-enough specs with the ability to use it cord free. Yet you can also plug it into a computer, which opens up even more options for how and where you can use it. The controllers are intuitive and easy to hold. It also has a higher-resolution screen with a wider field of view. Together, they provide an especially immersive VR experience. Short films, puzzles, social networks, and other types of VR entertainment are available.
Virtual reality games are different from games on traditional consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation. Motion-tracking controllers, which bring your hands into the virtual world, are more intuitive for beginners: Swinging a sword feels more like swinging a sword, and ducking for cover can require real ducking.
If you want to use a Quest or PC headset to its full potential, you need a powerful gaming computer and, ideally, an empty room to set everything up in. Both headset makers also offer tools that you can download to test whether your current PC is VR-ready. We evaluate each headset for its controllers, screen, and fit for comfort. We play a mix of action and puzzle games to evaluate performance. For most people, this headset will be a good-enough entry point into the world of VR.
