Updated 4 Nov 2026
Is the Meta Quest 3S worth it?
Yes — the headset most VR beginners should buy.
It has the Quest 3's chip, colour passthrough and the whole standalone VR library, needs no PC or console, and also connects to a gaming PC. To save money it uses the Quest 2's Fresnel lenses and screen, so the picture is softer, with a smaller sweet spot and some glare. Battery lasts about two hours, the strap is front-heavy, and the 128GB model fills fast. Since April 2026 it costs about $350 and £320.
91%of 288 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Same chip and games as the Quest 3
- Colour mixed reality
- Much cheaper
We earn a commission from these links.
What owners say
Owners love it as a present for children and for family fun, and say it's good value. The main complaints are faulty units, a softer picture than hoped and Meta's accounts and ads.
Good to know
- Fresnel lenses: softer picture, smaller sweet spot and some glare.
- Battery lasts about two hours.
- The fabric strap is front-heavy; many buy a better one.
- No headphone jack.
- 128GB fills up after a few big games.
From 288 buyer ratings at Boulanger (France), Harvey Norman (NZ, Australia), Costco (US) and Costco (Canada), every complaint read by us, November 2026. How we do this
What they love
- A hit with children and the familyMentioned a lot
- Hours of funMentioned often
- Good valueMentioned often
- Easy to set up and useAlso mentioned
- Great for fitnessMentioned by some
What they complain about
- Faulty: glitches, a stuck pixel or spotVery rare
- Meta accounts, subscriptions and ads get in the wayVery rare
- Picture softer than hopedVery rare
Get it if…
- You're new to VR.
- It's for a teenager or a family to share.
- You want fitness, rhythm or party games.
Skip it if…
- You already own a Quest 2: the picture is the same.
- Sharpness matters to you: the Quest 3.
More on the Meta Quest 3S
How we reached this verdict
Road to VR calls it the best value in VR, with the Quest 3's chip, colour passthrough and better hand tracking, but the Quest 2's Fresnel lenses, a small sweet spot and an uncomfortable strap. Trusted Reviews finds Quest 3 performance and games for far less, with lens distortion, a front-heavy fit and about two hours of battery, and Stuff gives it 5 out of 5 as the place for newcomers to start. Meta raised it to $349.99 from 19 April 2026 (Meta), about £320 and €360 (PC Gamer). Owners at Costco, Harvey Norman and Boulanger call it a hit with children and good value; the main complaints are faulty units and a softer picture than hoped.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Road to VR, Trusted Reviews, Stuff, Meta (prices), PC Gamer (UK and EU prices), Tom's Guide, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 4 Nov 2026How we decide