The Meta Quest 2 brings VR to the masses in an affordable, standalone headset. It’s also the best VR headset we’ve ever tested.
Launched as the Oculus Quest 2, the Quest 2 is a great follow-up to the original Quest headset and a noticeable improvement. It has a sleeker design and superior performance when it comes to playing the best VR games. Yet it keeps the Quest’s signature feature — playing games, watching shows and movies and enjoying immersive VR experiences without needing to be tethered to a PC, console or phone. You can even plug it into a PC to enjoy Steam VR games too if you’re so inclined, but it’s not a requirement.
The Quest 2 isn’t perfect — controllers that rely on AA batteries are at the top of our list of gripes. And while it’s the most versatile gaming headset, it’s not the most graphically superior. But in the end, we were still convinced it’s the best VR headset for most. So read on to see why this headset is still the best option for getting into VR.
- Oculus Quest 2 128GB (128GB) at Amazon for $299
Meta Quest 2: Price and availability
Currently, the Meta Quest 2 starts at $299 in the U.S. and £299 in the U.K. for the 128GB unit. But we’d suggest paying a little more to get the 256GB option; it will set you back $349 or £349 but will hold twice as many games and apps.
This pricing brings the Quest 2 back to its launch price — it’s gone through a couple of changes. At one point Meta increased the price of the Quest 2 to $399 / £399 for the 128GB headset, but not long after it had to regularly discount the headset or bundle it with games.
Now with the Meta Quest 3 likely coming in Fall 2023, Meta looks set to make the Quest 2 the entry-level model of a larger VR headset lineup and is pricing it accordingly. Still, always check out our guide on where to buy the Meta Quest 2 so you get the best price no matter what.
Meta Quest 2: Design
When it comes to design the Meta Quest 2 is sleek for a virtual reality headset. Normally, VR headsets feature bulky goggles, but the Quest 2 replaces those with a light and comfortable headset that is 10% lighter than its predecessor. A simple strap and four camera sensors on the headset give it a simple and clean aesthetics that means it looks decent just sitting on a desk as well as mounted on one’s head. Plus, the light gray color also makes the Quest 2 easy on the eye.
The headset’s sparse, smartly placed button and port layout help maintain its seamless design. You’ll find a power button on the right side of the headset, a volume rocker on the right underside, and a USB-C port and headphone jack on the left for charging and audio. You can adjust the spacing of the Meta Quest 2’s lenses with three different viewing settings by pinching them or spreading them out manually right within the inside of the headset, eliminating the need for the switch that sat at the bottom of the original Quest.
At a compact 7.5 x 4 x 5.2 inches and 1.1 pounds, the Meta Quest 2 felt lightweight and comfortable, even when I spent more than an hour at a time in VR. A generous amount of foam padding made it easy to forget I had a hunk of plastic strapped to my face, while the headset’s adjustable elastic bands allowed me to find the right fit for my head.
A word of warning: I finished a rather long play session with a comically large red indent on my forehead, so you might want to make sure your Meta Quest 2 isn’t too tight before you dive in. Or consider some of the best Meta Quest 2 accessories to ensure the most comfortable fit possible.
If you’re looking to keep your Quest 2 viewing experience pristine, check out our guide on how to clean Meta Quest 2 lenses quickly and safely.
