TechVRMeta Quest 3 review: mixed reality’s tipping point to major success?A major upgrade over the Quest 2 that’s worth the extra moneyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictWhether you’re upgrading from the Quest 2 or not, the Quest 3 brings superior virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) for a just-about-affordable price. We just hope the library of apps and games continues to grow and develop as the MR/VR hardware gets better and better.Reasons to buy+Sharp, clear visuals and audio+Passthrough works well+A growing number of apps and gamesReasons to avoid-Not enough mixed reality content… yet(?)-Controls can sometimes be confusing-Price has jumped up from the Quest 2Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechVRMeta Quest 3 review: mixed reality’s tipping point to major success?A major upgrade over the Quest 2 that’s worth the extra moneyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictWhether you’re upgrading from the Quest 2 or not, the Quest 3 brings superior virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) for a just-about-affordable price. We just hope the library of apps and games continues to grow and develop as the MR/VR hardware gets better and better.Reasons to buy+Sharp, clear visuals and audio+Passthrough works well+A growing number of apps and gamesReasons to avoid-Not enough mixed reality content… yet(?)-Controls can sometimes be confusing-Price has jumped up from the Quest 2Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
A major upgrade over the Quest 2 that’s worth the extra money
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictWhether you’re upgrading from the Quest 2 or not, the Quest 3 brings superior virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) for a just-about-affordable price. We just hope the library of apps and games continues to grow and develop as the MR/VR hardware gets better and better.Reasons to buy+Sharp, clear visuals and audio+Passthrough works well+A growing number of apps and gamesReasons to avoid-Not enough mixed reality content… yet(?)-Controls can sometimes be confusing-Price has jumped up from the Quest 2
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
T3 VerdictWhether you’re upgrading from the Quest 2 or not, the Quest 3 brings superior virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) for a just-about-affordable price. We just hope the library of apps and games continues to grow and develop as the MR/VR hardware gets better and better.Reasons to buy+Sharp, clear visuals and audio+Passthrough works well+A growing number of apps and gamesReasons to avoid-Not enough mixed reality content… yet(?)-Controls can sometimes be confusing-Price has jumped up from the Quest 2
T3 VerdictWhether you’re upgrading from the Quest 2 or not, the Quest 3 brings superior virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) for a just-about-affordable price. We just hope the library of apps and games continues to grow and develop as the MR/VR hardware gets better and better.
T3 Verdict
Whether you’re upgrading from the Quest 2 or not, the Quest 3 brings superior virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) for a just-about-affordable price. We just hope the library of apps and games continues to grow and develop as the MR/VR hardware gets better and better.
Reasons to buy+Sharp, clear visuals and audio+Passthrough works well+A growing number of apps and gamesReasons to avoid-Not enough mixed reality content… yet(?)-Controls can sometimes be confusing-Price has jumped up from the Quest 2
Reasons to buy+Sharp, clear visuals and audio+Passthrough works well+A growing number of apps and games
Sharp, clear visuals and audio
Passthrough works well
A growing number of apps and games
Reasons to avoid-Not enough mixed reality content… yet(?)-Controls can sometimes be confusing-Price has jumped up from the Quest 2
Not enough mixed reality content… yet(?)
Controls can sometimes be confusing
Price has jumped up from the Quest 2
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The Meta Quest 3 is the latest andbest virtual reality headsetfrom Meta, following on directly from theOculus Quest 2and adding mixed reality (MR) at the same time – the ability to blend digital elements with the real world, and have them interact with your surroundings.
We’ve been testing and playing with the Meta Quest 3 for several days for this review, and can tell you everything you need to know about the headset: from the time you’re going to get between battery charges, to the kinds of apps and games you can enjoy on the device.
Having transitioned Oculus over to Meta (after the former’s acquisition), the Meta Quest 3 is a bold step that’s often brilliant. The question, really, is whether this is the tipping point for virtual reality, that moment it can really connect with the masses, or whether there’s just not enough practical use for it just yet?
Meta Quest 3: price & availability
Today’s best Meta Quest 3 deals$499.99View$538View$589ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Meta Quest 3 deals$499.99View$538View$589ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Meta Quest 3 deals
$499.99View$538View$589View
$499.99View
$499.99View
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$538View
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The Meta Quest 3 is out now and available to buy direct from Meta: it’ll cost you £479.99 / $499.99 for the headset with 128GB of storage, £619.99 / $649.99 for the 512GB version (as reviewed here, not that there are any other differences).
Check the widgets embedded in this page for the latest and best deals on the headset online – if you’re in the UK you can find the Meta Quest 3 at retailers includingJohn LewisandCurrys. Deals aren’t likely to be available close to release, however, so if you’re not sure yet then waiting for a bargain could be your best plan.
Meta Quest 3 review: design & setup
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The Meta Quest 3 is some 40% slimmer than the Quest 2 that came before it, and that’s really noticeable (I also reviewed the former): this new headset is very comfortable to wear, with easily adjustable straps across the top and around the back that mean you can get a comfortable fit with no trouble at all. If you wear glasses, these can be accommodated too.
Everything is nicely finished in plastic, fabric and foam, and along the front of the device there are controls for adjusting the volume and focus. You can plug in a USB-C cable for charging, and a 3.5mm headphone cable if you want (though the integrated speakers work just fine). There are also three pill-shaped cut-outs on the front, housing two cameras and other sensors.
Those rather clumsy tracking rings from the Quest 2 controllers are done away with on the two controllers bundled here – they feel a little on the cheap side but are comfortable to hold. It takes a little bit of time to get used to all the different buttons and gestures if you’re a complete beginner (there are two triggers and six buttons in total), but even newbies will be up to speed in a couple of hours.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
While not exuding the class and style of, say, theApple Vision Pro, the Meta Quest 3 nevertheless feels like a solid bit of kit (it’s also nowhere nearly as expensive, I must say, plus you can actually buy one right now – unlike theAppledevice at the time of writing).
Setup is handled reasonably neatly through the Meta Quest app forAndroidoriOS, which will handle the jobs of getting the headset configured and hooked up to Wi-Fi and so on. You can create a new Meta account from scratch, or you can connect your Facebook profile with a few taps, and from start to finish you shouldn’t be spending more than about 20 minutes getting it all up and running.
There’s a new passthrough feature which lets you see your surroundings (and enjoy mixed reality experiences) that really makes a difference when it comes to setting up the playing area: it not only scans your walls in seconds, it also identifies bits of furniture that might get in your way.Sony’s PlayStation VR 2does the same, in fairness.
Meta Quest 3 review: features & performance
(Image credit: Meta)
(Image credit: Meta)
Together, that all translates into an experience that’s noticeably better in terms of visuals and speed from the Quest 2. Text, images and 3D shapes are all crisp and well rendered, and I didn’t notice any sluggishness or lag while using device. If you’re thinking about upgrading from the previous headset, I’d say it’s worth it for these upgrades alone, but what really tips the balance is the addition of mixed reality.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
You’ll find the video you get inside the headset is decent enough to avoid falling over chairs and to pick up a drink, but you’re not going to be able to read a book or check your email – the quality isn’t that good. It’s as good as it needs to be really, and it saves you having to lift up the headset completely for those times when someone wants to talk to you or you need to make sure you’re not about to walk into a wall.
There’s also 8GB of RAM here rather than the 6GB you get with the Quest 2 headset. In terms of other key numbers, you have to choose between 128GB and 512GB of internal storage: some of the larger games take up 3-4GB of room, but many are significantly smaller, so you only really need to go for the bigger option if you’re planning on installing lots of stuff and want it all accessible at the same time. More storage also equals more cost of course.
There are some features you don’t get: the face tracking, eye tracking, and controller cameras that you get on theMeta Quest Pro, for example. But for most people and most experiences inside the headset, that doesn’t really matter – and the Quest 3 costs considerably less than the Quest Pro, remember. For a standalone device not tethered to a PC, you get a very impressive level of performance.
Meta Quest 3 review: games & apps
Lego Bricktales looks good… but isn’t out yet.(Image credit: Meta)
Lego Bricktales looks good… but isn’t out yet.
Lego Bricktales looks good… but isn’t out yet.
(Image credit: Meta)
The problem is, a lot of those experiences aren’t outyet, so I can’t pass judgement. For example: I would’ve loved to have built a Lego castle on my living room floor, butLego Bricktalesdoesn’t arrive until December.Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lordlooks good, but I can’t tell you exactly how good, because it won’t come out until the end of October. I was able to tryIslanders, though, a well-established VR game that has been updated to support mixed reality, so you can construct little villages as they float in front of you.
There’s also Meta’s ownFirst Encountersmixed reality game: little alien critters break into your room and you have to shoot them back into their space capsule. It’s fun and really effective – and the way these creatures clamber through the walls and hide behind chairs really shows the potential of mixed reality on the Quest 3. It’s a shame that there aren’t more titles like this at launch I reckon. Though they should come eventually… assuming the audience is big enough.
Red Matter 2 shows off the enhanced graphics of the Quest 3.(Image credit: Vertical Robot)
Red Matter 2 shows off the enhanced graphics of the Quest 3.
Red Matter 2 shows off the enhanced graphics of the Quest 3.
(Image credit: Vertical Robot)
Otherwise it’s the same Quest 2 experiences, running more smoothly and with better graphical fidelity. Exploring worlds in 360 degrees, blasting away baddies, solving puzzles, even getting videos or your computer desktop up in front of you on a giant screen. Since the Oculus Quest 2, games and apps have gradually been getting more sophisticated and more mature, though progress is slower than it is on other platforms.
Titles such as this are really impressive in showing off the capabilities of the Meta Quest 3, but other titles haven’t been updated in months or even years. This isn’t really a reflection on the Meta Quest 3 hardware, which on the whole is hard to fault, but it is a consideration when you’re thinking about buying a device like this: with hundreds of high-quality titles available, there’s no doubt there’s lots to explore, but I still feel that more stand-out, must-have games and apps are needed.
Honestly, I don’t really enjoy frenetic or scary VR experiences – locked inside a headset, they just feel too intense for me. As a result I stuck largely to the slower-paced, more relaxing experiences available in the store (you cancheck all of these out online, whether or not you own a headset). For me, those titles are much more enjoyable, and are the ones that won’t have you eager to pull off the headset after only 15-20 minutes.
(Image credit: Meta)
(Image credit: Meta)
There are very occasional problems with the Quest 3. Sometimes a menu will pop up behind you, the hand tracking (without the controllers) remains pretty hit-and-miss, and sometimes apps and games don’t do enough to tell you what you’re supposed to be doing and how you’re supposed to be doing it. It’s not yet a 100% problem-free experience, while still offering just about the best value-for-money MR/VR experience yet.
Battery life isn’t great either, and hasn’t improved much over the Oculus Quest 2 either. You’re looking at around two hours of use between charges, based on my testing, though of course it depends on the apps and games you’re running, and how hard that Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor is working. A full recharge takes around two hours: so it’s two hours use, two hours at the plug.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the Meta Quest 3 doesn’t really change the fact that VR just isn’t for everyone: a lot of people, like your reviewer here (and T3’s Tech Editor, Mike Lowe, who lovedPSVR2’s withHorizon: Call of the Mountain, but had to do it in limited play-sessions), get somewhat nauseous or feel a growing headache coming on after spending more than about 45 minutes in these artificially generated worlds. No matter how good the gameplay, VR (and even MR) is still something to dip into rather than spend hours with. For me, anyway.
Meta Quest 3 review: verdict
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
In short: I enjoyed my time with the Meta Quest 3 a lot. Everything is better than it was in its predecessor, with the addition of mixed reality a potential game-changers, so there’s a lot of fun to be had here.
However, while the number of games and apps is still growing, and the quality of those games and apps is improving too, it’s hard to judge precisely where that will land. A lot of the titles just aren’t out yet for me to take stock.
Of course the question still remains about whether you need an MR/VR headset at all: it’s going to be interesting to see how many new converts the Quest 3 wins over, people who have never owned a device like this but who will take the plunge because of what the Quest 3 offers. It’s debatable whether or not the headset brings enough to the table to get new users flocking to these VR and MR experiences. But it’s a strong argument for it, and could be the tipping point yet…
Also consider
While the Meta Quest 2 follows on from the Oculus Quest 2, there’s also theMeta Quest Pro, which is yours for a cool $/£1,499.99. At that price it’s aimed more at enterprise customers, though no one will stop you buying one if you’re not a business. It has higher-level specs than the Quest 3, and looks even more stylish, and also has mixed reality capabilities. If you have the cash to afford it, it’s worth considering for diehards.
As usual, you also need to think about the other hardware you already own. If you’ve got aSony PlayStation 5at home, then you may well find that thePSVR2is a better buy for you than the Meta Quest 3 – the device offers an excellent tracking system, and some genuinely impressive titles likeHorizon: Call of the Mountain. You’ll need to spend £529.99 / $549.99 to be able to get it strapped to your head, which is about the same as the Meta, so could make sense (if you own the PS5 already anyway).
Today’s best Meta Quest Pro, Oculus Quest 2, Sony PlayStation 5, Sony PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 3 dealsMeta Quest Pro$999.99$949.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation 5$439ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$439.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3$538ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Meta Quest Pro, Oculus Quest 2, Sony PlayStation 5, Sony PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 3 dealsMeta Quest Pro$999.99$949.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation 5$439ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$439.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3$538ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Meta Quest Pro, Oculus Quest 2, Sony PlayStation 5, Sony PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 3 dealsMeta Quest Pro$999.99$949.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation 5$439ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$439.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3$538ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Meta Quest Pro, Oculus Quest 2, Sony PlayStation 5, Sony PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 3 deals
Meta Quest Pro$999.99$949.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation 5$439ViewSee all pricesSony PlayStation VR2$439.99ViewSee all pricesMeta Quest 3$538ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest Pro$999.99$949.99ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest Pro$999.99$949.99ViewSee all prices
Meta Quest Pro
Meta Quest Pro
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Low StockOculus Quest 2 128GB$322$259.95ViewSee all prices
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Sony PlayStation 5$439ViewSee all prices
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Sony PlayStation VR2$439.99ViewSee all prices
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