Virtual reality is slowly making its mark in the tech world, but let’s face it: it’s still a bit of a niche market. If you’re curious about VR and mixed reality, splurging $4,000 on an Apple Vision Pro that has limited content and unclear use cases just doesn’t seem like the smartest move. Your best bet would be to go with the company that has been fully dedicated to VR from the get-go: Meta.
The Quest 3S serves as the most budget-friendly entry point into Meta’s VR ecosystem, and for Prime Big Deal Day, Amazon is throwing in an exclusive Cardboard Hero Bundle at $299: This package includes the headset along with the Handiwork Helmet, Handiwork Armor, and 1,000 shiny rocks for Gorilla Tag, adding $45 worth of in-game content to sweeten the pot + three months of Meta Horizon Plus at no cost.
Mixed Reality That Actually Makes Sense
The Quest 3S bridges the gap between pure virtual reality and the real world through its mixed reality capabilities. This means you can seamlessly blend digital objects into your actual environment, engaging in games where virtual characters interact with your furniture or working on multiple virtual screens while still being able to see your surroundings. The headset utilizes passthrough cameras to display your surroundings in high-definition resolution, making the experience feel natural rather than disorienting. You have the option to dial up the immersion and delve into full VR when you’re looking for complete escapism, or keep your environment visible for those times when you need to remain aware of your surroundings.
Meta has equipped the Quest 3S with the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform, which offers twice the graphics performance of the Quest 2. This translates to less stuttering in demanding games and sharper in-game details that enhance the realism of virtual worlds. The improved processing power also allows for smoother operation of experiences that would have lagged in older headsets, providing a more immersive experience even during extended gaming sessions or in highly detailed virtual worlds.
The home theater-like effect alone might be worth the purchase for some users. You can transform any room into your personal in-home cinema by dimming the lights and watching content on a large, colorful virtual screen. It’s like having a 100-inch TV that only exists within your headset. Plug in your USB-C headphones for a 3D-like sound experience, or use your regular 3.5mm headphones with a USB-C adapter (available separately) for an optimal movie-watching session.
Physical activities feel comfortable with the wireless freedom and compact design of the Quest 3S. Virtual exercises can get your heart rate up without any pesky cables hindering your movements, and full-body games turn your entire living room into a fun playground. The Touch Plus Controllers provide realistic feedback and precise pinch and tilt for games that require fine motor controls, while hand tracking enables you to navigate menus and interact with content using just your hands.
Meta has included robust parental controls within the system, allowing you to manage screen time, monitor daily usage, and set permissions for household members. You can create multiple user profiles and sharing accounts for content, making it easy for everyone in the household to have their personalized experience. Accounts for users aged 10 and up are enabled by default, with additional safety features readily available online.
Your purchase includes three months of Meta Horizon Plus at no cost, giving you access to a seasonal game library, monthly content drops, and special experiences. You can explore the library in VR without any extra purchases right away, subject only to eligibility and auto-renewing terms. At just $299 for the exclusive bundle, the Quest 3S offers an affordable entry into VR and mixed reality at a fraction of the cost of competing headsets.
