Quest 3 vs Quest 3S: Simple Recommendation

The Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S are quite similar and run the same games, but there's about a $200 price difference. If you're unsure which one to buy and wondering if the difference is worth it, here's my advice:

If you’ve never played VR before, go with the Meta Quest 3S.

It’s the most affordable option and a good way to see if VR is something you'll enjoy long-term. The visuals aren’t as sharp as the Quest 3, but it has the same power and plays the same games.

If you’ve owned a Quest 2 or play PC VR, get the Quest 3.

If you’re already into VR, you’ll appreciate the sharper display, wider field of view, and bigger sweet spot of the Quest 3. Upgrading from a Quest 2, the Quest 3S won’t feel like much of a step up since they share the same screen and fresnel lenses. The games may run smoother, but the graphics will look very similar.

Is the $200 price difference worth it?

In my opinion, yes. The key reason is the pancake lenses in the Quest 3, which provide a larger "sweet spot" and make everything look sharper.

In VR, the "sweet spot" is the area in the lenses where the image is the clearest. Outside of this area, things can get blurry. A larger sweet spot means a clearer view across more of the screen, with less need to adjust the headset.

Another reason it’s worth the upgrade is comfort. Though both headsets weigh almost the same, the Quest 3 has better weight distribution, sitting closer to your face and offering better balance.

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