Meta Quest 3S has finally sold me on VR

I’ve questioned the value of adding a VR headset to my gaming setup for years. The newest addition to the medium, Meta Quest 3S, has finally sold me on it. With a low cost of entry, a library of exclusive games, and Steam VR compatibility, the headset finally proved it was time for me to get into virtual reality.

This cheaper entry point is ideal for exhibitors

Depending on which model you get, the Quest 3S is one of the cheapest options for current VR headsets, making it an ideal starting point for casual gamers. I only had a few specific games in mind when I was looking to play in VR, which made me hesitant to spend hundreds of dollars on a rig I was worried I might not use very often.

My options included the $529 PlayStation VR 2 (which now supports PC with the appropriate attachments) to pricier VR setups like the $999 VR valve assembly Which includes lighting stations that must be mounted on the wall. There’s also a more expensive VR headset from Meta, the $499 Meta Quest 3, which is more powerful and has more storage than the cheaper Quest 3S I chose.

But with a price tag of just $299, it was a lower financial investment to opt for the Quest 3S in order to give VR a fighting chance, especially with the Meta’s payment plan options.

The price point is similar to how the Nintendo Switch Lite gave players a chance to play exclusives without having to fork over the full price of the console. The Quest 3S lets me experience all the biggest VR games without breaking the bank or severely compromising the experience because it’s still powerful enough to run all the new VR games.

Hardware is only a slight downgrade

The lower price point may come at a slight hit to the Quest 3S’s hardware specs, but the differences are slight enough to make a small difference in value. When it comes to trying VR games at a slightly lower resolution or not at all, I’ve come to terms with my decision.

While the 3S’s chipset is still comparable to the flagship Quest 3, the lenses are the same as those on the Quest 2, which are called Fresnel lenses. The flagship Quest 3 uses fewer convex pancake lenses, providing slightly better images and less blur at the outer edges, but nothing that would significantly hamper the experience.

Other than that, the hardware inside the 3S is more than capable of handling any current Quest 3 games, even with a slight visual downgrade. This makes it an ideal platform for those who just want to play a few specific games without worrying about having the best platform possible. It’s great if you want to get into VR without feeling like you have a lot riding on your financial commitment.

Stay up to date with current releases

The Quest 3S headset may not be the most powerful VR rig on the market, but it’s more than enough to run the latest games, and that will last for the life of the Quest 3.

This means that no matter what, I can count on being able to stay up to date and keep up with the latest games, especially since Meta is one of the biggest VR platforms. Many of the latest and most popular VR games are designed exclusively for the Meta platform, and for under $300, I’ll never have to pass up them.

Compatibility with SteamVR keeps it future-proof

With a powerful enough PC and access to Steam, I can also play some of the latest PC VR games, since the headset is fully compatible with Steam VR. Even if I have to upgrade my PC to play it, I can rest assured that my Quest 3S will remain a viable option, making it a long-term part of my PC setup for a while to come.

Considering that upgrading my PC is inevitable at some point, making my VR headset a permanent part of my setup will only expand my gaming options. If I decide that VR is really for me, I can upgrade to a more performing headset later.

Steam VR isn’t a perfect solution because it relies heavily on Steam Link, which requires you to stream games from Steam instead of playing them locally. This will ultimately depend largely on your network connection, but aside from that, it’s a fairly seamless way to bridge the gap between Meta and Steam.

Ideal for low-level PC gamers

For someone like me, who is primarily a console gamer who only uses my PC for mods and exclusives, I’m not as up to date as many others when it comes to PC hardware. My previous experience with an older model of the Oculus Rift showed me that my computer had difficulty running even the simplest VR experiences, and risked overheating when it did.

This makes the Quest 3S the perfect alternative, as I can play the latest VR games on a standalone system without relying on my PC’s internal specs. Now, I can get to grips with the latest Meta exclusives while I upgrade my PC, which takes a lot of the pressure off when it comes to staying up to date.

Instead of worrying about whether my PC can run any of the VR games, I can just buy them on Meta and know that they’ll always be playable, regardless of the system requirements.

Even if you’re someone who owns a powerful PC but is skeptical about the benefits of VR, rest assured that the Quest 3S can give you everything you need. You’ll be able to play any of your Steam VR games with it whenever you’re ready, and you’ll get access to a slew of exclusives on top of that without paying the price of a high-end headset.

Virtual reality remains largely the domain of enthusiasts, but headsets like the Quest 3S could change that. By offering a relatively cheap and easy entry point into the market, Meta has created a platform that allows VR enthusiasts to get in on the action for almost the cost of a console.

Don’t let the Quest’s limited power discourage you, there are still plenty of games that will keep your arms flapping for hours. In addition to our list of favorite VR games, check out some mission-friendly games that are perfect for headset owners with limited space.