The center of the display is obviously sharper than the edges, and you have to wear your headset perfectly to get it focused. This new version also addresses one of my biggest issues with the Quest 2’s optics, which is its narrow sweet spot. We’re not quite living the dream yet, since it could definitely be sharper (as compared to my 4K PC monitor), but it does look better than any comparable headset. You can see it most clearly with textual elements like in-game huds, menus, and virtual browsers, and with technically demanding games like Microsoft Flight Simulator when you’re tethered to your PC. The Quest 3 sports dual 2064x2208 LCD displays – that’s 30% more pixel density than the Quest 2 – and the result is, as you’d expect, improved visual clarity. Meta does sell a facial interface with an easier-to-clean silicone cover pre-attached, but you’ll have to pony up another $30 to get it. That’s a sanitation issue because the padding isn’t removable you have to detach the entire plastic facial interface, so you can’t just toss it into the washer. The facial interface is lined with a foam padding that, although is comfortable, will absorb your sweat like a sponge. The aggressively-curved facial interface means that there’s also a good amount of light spilling in from the nose bridge you’ll have to deal with it for the time being because Meta currently doesn’t sell a full light blocker like it does with the Quest Pro. I simply set it to the shortest depth to get the maximum 120-degree FOV, but if you wear glasses for VR you’ll appreciate the extra space. The Quest 3 also lets you adjust the depth of the facial interface, or how far from your face the screen is. The Quest 3 now offers continuous IPD adjustment, which ranges from 58mm to 70mm, easily manipulated by a little rotary dial on the bottom of the visor. Meta listened to user complaints about the limited IPD adjustability on the Quest 2, which only has three specific IPD stops (58mm, 63mm, and 68mm). If you want to swap it out for a more robust, hard plastic alternative, the Elite Strap will run you another $70. The soft, cloth head strap has also been redesigned so that it’s easier to adjust, and it does a good job of keeping the headset firmly in place without applying too much pressure – even during intense Beat Saber sessions. The Quest 3 still mounts the same way as the 2, but it protrudes out from your head by about an inch less than before, which means it feels less front-heavy.

The Quest 2 isn’t the most comfortable headset for long gaming sessions because the facial interface is pressed against your temples and cheeks, which isn’t nearly as comfortable as the PS VR2’s halo-style head strap that rests on top of your head. On a positive note, the ergonomics have been improved. There’s no weight savings either, unfortunately I weighed my Quest 3 visor without the strap at 459 grams, which is actually three grams heavier than a strapless 2. Meta claims that the Quest 3 is 40% slimmer, but if you look at the fine print you’ll see that the comparison excludes the facial interface, which is thicker on the Quest 3. The first thought that came to mind when unboxing the Quest 3 was just how similar it looked to the Quest 2. The contents include the headset itself, a pre-installed foam facial interface, two Touch Plus controllers with pre-installed wrist straps and AA batteries, an 18W power adapter, and a USB Type-C charging cable for the headset itself. I don’t mind because I’d rather not spend extra money on fancy packaging. The Meta Quest 3 arrives in a deceptively small, rather spartan looking box. But for everyone else, the Quest 3 and all of its current-gen tech easily justify the cost. Comparatively, the Quest 2 starts at only $299 for its 128GB model – and for newcomers to VR who don’t want to go all in with their wallet just yet, it’s still a wonderful option.

The Quest 3 is priced at $499 for the 128GB model and $649 for 512GB.

All those upgrades, though, don’t come cheap. With a slimmer design, sharper display, more powerful processor, full-color passthrough for mixed-reality gaming, and better controllers, the Quest 3 is clearly a superior headset when compared to its three-year-old predecessor. I’ll cut straight to the chase: the Meta Quest 3 is the best standalone, consumer-oriented VR headset you can get right now.

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