Meta Quest 3S - Best Budget VR Headset
The Meta Quest 3S offers the core Quest 3 experience at a lower price point, making high-quality VR more accessible while compromising slightly on display quality.
- +Affordable price point
- +Same processor as Quest 3
- +Improved battery life over Quest 3
- -Uses older Fresnel lenses
- -Lower resolution display
- -No headphone jack
The Meta Quest 3S offers an excellent entry point into virtual reality, delivering strong performance at a more accessible price. Powered by the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor as the Quest 3, it provides comparable processing capability and full access to the Meta Quest library. It retains improved controller tracking and color passthrough for mixed reality, though with lower-resolution cameras. By using Fresnel lenses and the Quest 2–level display resolution, the 3S keeps costs down while still delivering a solid VR experience.
Battery life is slightly better than the Quest 3 at up to 2.5 hours per charge. The lack of a headphone jack may inconvenience some users, though Bluetooth audio support remains available. For buyers who prioritize value over premium optics, the Quest 3S stands out as one of the smartest budget VR options in 2026, particularly for first-time users or those upgrading from older headsets.