This week, Meta has introduced permanent price reductions on both Quest 3S VR headset models. The 128GB version is now priced at $269.99, down from its original $299.99. For more storage, the 256GB model is available for $349.99, a $50 savings. These new prices are available at major retailers such as Amazon, Target, and Walmart. The Meta Quest 3S is widely regarded as the best value proposition in VR gaming. It's priced significantly lower than most competitors, including Meta's own Quest 3, and it operates as a standalone, untethered system that doesn't require a PC or PlayStation 5.

To add even more value, every Quest 3S purchase comes bundled with the Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month subscription to Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton noted that "Batman: Arkham Shadow successfully translates the core Arkham gameplay into VR, and its mystery narrative delivers a satisfying conclusion."

Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow

Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset

$399.99 save 13% $349.99 at Amazon$399.99 save 13% $349.00 at Walmart$399.99 save 13% $349.99 at Target

Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset

$299.99 save 10% $269.00 at Amazon$299.99 save 10% $269.00 at Walmart$299.99 save 10% $269.99 at Target

The Quest 3S is a comprehensive upgrade over the original Quest 2, remarkably maintaining the same price point. It incorporates many key features from the more expensive Quest 3, including the enhanced Touch Plus controllers, a more powerful Snapdragon APU, and full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss wrote, "Its raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and responsive Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a superb standalone VR headset, effectively introducing accessible mixed-reality gaming to a broad audience for the first time."

What truly distinguishes this offer is that the Meta Quest 3S is a completely wireless system. You can dive into games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without the need for a high-end gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. Finding another standalone VR headset at this price point is virtually impossible.

How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?

At its standard price, the Quest 3S is $200 (or 40%) less expensive than the $500 Quest 3. Naturally, some compromises were necessary to achieve this competitive cost. The key specification differences are outlined below:

Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Similarities

Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processorTouch Plus controllers120Hz refresh rateMixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)

Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Differences

Lower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 2064×2208)Fresnel lens vs. pancake lensLower FOV (96°/90° vs 104°/96°)Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)

For its price, the Quest 3S offers superior value over the Quest 3 and is the ideal choice for newcomers to VR who want to explore the medium without a major investment. It is a definitive and substantial upgrade over the Quest 2 it succeeds.