Meta Quest 3 S Review: Is It Worth It?

The Meta Quest 3 S is Meta’s newest standalone VR headset, designed to deliver high-end performance at an accessible price point. Released in October 2024, it shares the same powerful processor as the Quest 3 but is positioned as a more budget-friendly alternative. While it borrows features from both the Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3, it finds its own identity by offering color passthrough, modern tracking, and a refined ergonomic design—all at a starting price of $299.

In this in-depth review, we’ll cover every important aspect of the Quest 3 S, compare it to the Quest 2 and Quest 3, and help you decide whether it’s the right headset for your needs.

1. Design and Comfort

The Meta Quest 3 S features a refreshed design that bridges the gap between the older Quest 2 and the sleeker Quest 3.

It is about 20% slimmer than the Quest 2, thanks to a more efficient internal layout, though it remains thicker than the premium Quest 3 due to its use of Fresnel lenses instead of the newer pancake lenses.

In terms of weight, the Quest 3 S comes in at around 514 g, putting it nearly on par with the Quest 3 and slightly heavier than the Quest 2. However, the improved weight distribution and redesigned facial interface make it feel more comfortable in extended play sessions.

The headset comes with an updated soft head strap that offers better adjustability and improved comfort compared to the Quest 2’s standard strap (though not quite as premium as the Elite Strap).

Design highlights:

• Slimmer profile than Quest 2

• Softer, more breathable facial interface

• Well-balanced, comfortable fit

• Compatible with most existing Quest 3 accessories

Verdict: A comfortable, well-designed headset that corrects many of the Quest 2’s ergonomic shortcomings.

2. Display and Optics

One of the primary areas where Meta saves cost on the Quest 3 S is the display system:

• It retains the 1832 × 1920 resolution per eye from the Quest 2.

• Uses Fresnel lenses instead of the higher-end pancake lenses found in the Quest 3.

This means you won’t get the same edge-to-edge clarity or wide field of view as the Quest 3 (which offers 2064 × 2208 per eye resolution), but for most users—especially first-time buyers—visual quality remains more than adequate.

Text clarity, color reproduction, and contrast are slightly improved over Quest 2, thanks to:

• The newer Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip driving improved image processing.

• Full-color passthrough cameras delivering better mixed reality visuals.

Limitations:

• Narrower field of view than Quest 3 (~96° vs ~110°).

• Slight lens glare typical of Fresnel designs.

Verdict: A cost-effective display choice that delivers solid VR visuals, though not quite matching the sharpness and clarity of the Quest 3.

3. Performance and Processing Power

This is where the Quest 3 S truly shines—offering flagship-level performance at a budget-friendly price.

It uses the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset as the Quest 3, paired with 8 GB of RAM. This provides:

• Twice the graphical power of the Quest 2’s older XR2 Gen 1.

• Faster app loading, smoother UI performance.

• More demanding games running at higher frame rates and detail settings.

In practical use, this means you can play all of today’s most popular VR games and experiences with excellent performance:

• Fast-paced titles like Beat Saber run effortlessly.

• AAA games like Asgard’s Wrath 2 and Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR feel immersive and responsive.

• Mixed reality apps benefit from improved processing and lower latency.

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Verdict: Outstanding performance for the price, delivering a near-Quest 3 experience.

4. Mixed Reality Capabilities

One of the most exciting upgrades over the Quest 2 is the full-color mixed reality passthrough on the Quest 3 S.

The headset uses:

• Dual 4 MP RGB cameras for passthrough.

• Improved depth estimation via software, even though it lacks the dedicated depth sensor of the Quest 3.

This allows for:

• Basic room-scale mixed reality games and apps.

• AR productivity tools and social apps.

• Virtual home environments layered over your physical space.

While it doesn’t offer the precision or visual fidelity of the Quest 3’s mixed reality (which benefits from both pancake lenses and a depth sensor), the Quest 3 S gives users an impressive entry-level MR experience—especially considering its price.

Ideal use cases:

• Fitness games with real-world awareness.

• Creative apps like mixed-reality painting and design.

• Lightweight AR games and virtual desktops.

Verdict: Excellent MR for the price, and a huge leap forward from Quest 2.

5. Audio and Controllers

Controllers: The Quest 3 S comes bundled with Touch Plus controllers—identical to those used on the Quest 3.

Advantages:

• Slim, ergonomic design without tracking rings.

• Improved haptics for richer feedback.

• Excellent tracking via the headset’s external cameras.

Audio: The headset includes improved spatial audio speakers that are:

• 40% louder than those on the Quest 2.

• Provide better bass and clearer mids.

This makes for a far more immersive experience, whether gaming or watching media. You can also connect Bluetooth headphones for a more private audio experience.

Verdict: Top-tier controllers and audio for a mid-range headset.

6. Game Library and Compatibility

The Quest 3 S supports full backward compatibility with:

• All Quest 2 and Quest 3 apps and games.

• More than 500+ VR titles currently available on the Meta Store.

This means that you’ll have access to the industry’s largest standalone VR library, including:

• Beat Saber

• Asgard’s Wrath 2

• Population: ONE

• Walkabout Mini Golf

• Supernatural (fitness)

It also supports PC VR streaming (Meta Link & Air Link) and Xbox Cloud Gaming, making it a flexible entertainment platform.

Verdict: The best VR content library available—right out of the box.

7. Battery Life

The battery life of the Meta Quest 3 S is roughly 2 to 2.5 hours per charge, depending on usage:

• Gaming-heavy sessions: closer to 2 hours.

• Mixed reality experiences or light media viewing: up to 2.5 hours.

Charging is via USB-C, with fast-charging supported. Many users also opt for a battery strap accessory to extend playtime (compatible with existing Quest accessories).

Verdict: Battery life is standard for standalone VR, with easy options to extend if needed.

8. Price and Value

The Meta Quest 3 S offers some of the best value we’ve seen in standalone VR:

For just $50 more than the Quest 2, you get:

• The same XR2 Gen 2 chip as the Quest 3.

• Full-color mixed reality passthrough.

• Modern Touch Plus controllers.

• Improved comfort and spatial audio.

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Verdict: Easily the best performance-per-dollar VR headset available in 2025.

9. Quest 3 S vs Quest 2 vs Quest 3

Summary:

• If upgrading from Quest 2 → the Quest 3 S offers a massive performance and feature jump for just $50 more.

• If considering between Quest 3 S and Quest 3 → go Quest 3 if you want the absolute best optics and full MR, otherwise Quest 3 S gives you 80% of the experience for 60% of the price.

Conclusion: Is the Meta Quest 3 S Worth It?

In short: yes — the Meta Quest 3 S is absolutely worth it for most users in 2025.

If you’re looking to enter VR without breaking the bank, or if you’re upgrading from the Quest 2, the Quest 3 S offers unbeatable value:

✅ Same flagship Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset as the Quest 3
✅ Excellent performance in VR and MR apps
✅ Full-color passthrough for basic mixed reality
✅ Modern Touch Plus controllers and improved comfort
✅ Access to the largest VR library in the market

Sure, it doesn’t match the Quest 3’s optics and advanced MR depth sensing — but for most gamers, fitness enthusiasts, and casual users, the Quest 3 S delivers 80% of the experience at a fraction of the cost.

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Verdict: The best budget VR headset available today — and a smart choice for 2025.