Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 review

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Meta Quest 2

A lightweight, comfortable, and powerful VR headset, the Meta Quest 2 is one of Meta’ best VR headsets. The VR headset might also be the best VR headset ever, depending on what you value in terms of raw power versus portability and comfort.

A review of two minutes Meta Quest 2

Meta Quest 2 was renamed Meta Quest 2 in January 2022. The hardware remains unchanged.

As a VR headset for beginners as well as seasoned veterans, the Meta Quest 2 is among the best available. We’d even say it’s a must-have device if you’re looking for the most advanced virtual reality system that doesn’t require wires, huge costs, or extra hassles of a PC VR setup, such as the HTC Vive or now-discontinued Rift S.

It’s likely that the Black Friday 2022 sales period will include some great Quest 2 discounts now that the Meta Quest Pro has arrived. Due to its historically stingy approach to deals, Meta’s headset price increase may mean that discounts won’t be much of a deal. You won’t have to worry if you’re looking for the best VR headsets at a discounted price if we keep an eye out for all the best deals.

Black Friday has its best Meta Quest 2 deals ever, with prices starting as low as / £329.98. Get the VR headset and two great games (Resident Evil 4 VR and Beat Saber) for as little as / £349.98, but act fast.

In October last year, Facebook (now called Meta) announced its latest VR headset, dubbed Project Cambria. However, how long will it remain top of the VR pile? According to the company, the new device will feature cutting-edge technology that aims to lay the groundwork for the company’s ambitious “metaverse.”

In the meantime, Meta is still ruling the VR world with its Quest 2 device.

Starting with the standalone Quest 2, you can access everything that makes virtual reality so special and well worth the time. It brings high-quality virtual reality experiences to your living room at an affordable price.

As well as accessing 360-degree video content and apps covering all genres, The Quest 2 lets you (almost literally) step inside game worlds. If you let your family get comfortable with VR (motion sickness is real) then they’ll have a blast with it even if they’re tech-shy.

A second version of the Quest VR headset, the Quest 2 is a battery-powered, standalone headset similar to the original Meta Quest. With it, you can freely roam around your virtual and physical play spaces without worrying about tripping over wires because it’s a battery-operated, standalone headset.

*We do our best to give you the correct and best prices, but prices may change at any time without prior notice.

When comparing the Quest 2 to the original Quest, there are some important changes that would be well worth an upgrade if you already own the original model. Having improved RAM and chip specs, the new model offers a more responsive experience. Moreover, it features a much sharper display, 50 percent more sharp than its predecessor, making it even more seamless and immersive than its predecessor.

Additionally, the Quest 2 now gives developers the option of running their games at 90Hz or even 120Hz (which increases comfort and even makes them more realistic), as well as a much lighter headset, with a double battery life in the controllers, than before.

The hand tracker, which was added via a firmware update on the original Quest but is baked into the Quest 2 from the start, is a highly impressive feature as well, though it can sometimes feel like a work in progress.

With the Meta Quest headset, you can play hundreds of separately-sold games – as well as some free ones too – including shooters, puzzle games, fitness games, and meditation apps. There’s something for everyone, despite the fact that quality and comfort can vary from game to game.

It is also a great social experience to play with friends with the Meta Quest 2, even though some might shudder at the requirement of a Facebook account (more on this below). By using online avatars, or by casting whatever you’re viewing in the headset to a TV in your room, you can do this virtually or in the same physical space.

Even so, Quest 2 still suffers from some of the same problems that virtual reality as a whole does, despite being the most accessible and feature-rich headset we’ve tested thus far. As long as you have a healthy constitution, you may experience motion sickness, which is unavoidable on most headsets, even those claiming to solve this issue. To avoid these telltale signs, it might be necessary to introduce yourself to VR more gradually.

The screen must also fit tightly so that it appears as clear as possible, otherwise it can be claustrophobic and a little uncomfortable to use. We’d like to see a greater array of new software to go along with this new generation of hardware. These issues remain unresolved.

While we are expecting more and more updates to the Quest 2, we are also expecting some improvements that may not address every niggling issue, but could further enhance the VR experience. The 120Hz gaming feature added not only to some games made them play smoother, but it also reduced the risk of motion sickness induced by VR.

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to switch reality for virtual reality, the Meta Quest 2 is worth your time, money, and energy. Until we see a Quest 3, this is definitely the VR headset you want.

Availability and pricing for Meta Quest 2

Two models of the Meta Quest 2 are now available: 128GB and 256GB, priced at /£400 and /£500, respectively.

Meta Quest’s entry-level model is cheaper than this, but it’s still more expensive than the Quest 2. The 128GB model sold for £299 / / AU and the 256GB model sold for £399 / / AU before Meta introduced the price increase (a result of inflation and higher production costs).

Meta Quest 2 is available for a higher price, but you’ll also get one of the best Quest 2 games free: Beat Saber. If you purchase a new Quest 2 by Christmas of 2022, you’re eligible for a free download of Beat Saber.

A look at the design process for Meta Quest 2

In a way, the Meta Quest 2 feels similar to a scuba mask because it is worn on your head. Instead of having a window, you’ve got a padded cavity that houses goggle-like lenses that sit before a screen, giving you 3D stereoscopic views. The headset’s motion sensors and accelerometers allow you to move your head and see your movements reflected in real time on the screen, just as if you were actually moving around.

A similar lightweight design to the first Meta Quest (now available in white plastic rather than black fabric) houses external cameras that aid in tracking your positioning and that of the controllers paired with it.

In place of the more structured rubberized model, the headset is fitted with an elasticated, velcro-fastened fabric strap.

Compared with the original Quest headset, the Quest 2 has a significant amount of internal improvements. It has six gigabytes of RAM compared to four gigabytes of RAM on the original Quest and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 processor. As a result, Quest 2’s experiences are more fidelity-focused, and it has higher resolutions and refresh rates as well.

Its predecessor utilized dual OLED displays with a resolution of 1440 x 1600 (one for each eye), but the second edition incorporates an LCD panel split so that each eye has a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels. We hardly missed the richness of an OLED display, however, even though this is 50 percent sharper than the original. Additionally, LCD offers greater refresh rates, with a 120Hz experimental feature compared to the original Quest’s 72Hz. There will be a noticeable improvement in the smoothness of the experience where supported.

However, on Quest 2, there has been a change to the slider for the Interpupillary distance. A slider was previously available on the Quest’s underside for fine adjustments. As a result, you have to physically move the goggles over three predefined distances, 58mm, 63mm, and 68mm. Most people won’t notice much difference (three settings cover the most common IPD ranges), but the loss of more delicate control is regrettable.

All of that is coming with the same 2-3-hour battery life that the first Quest offered, depending on your application. That may not sound like much, but it’s unlikely to be comfortable for longer play sessions than that.

In order to achieve this, Meta has made significant improvements to its tracking algorithms, as well as to its controllers, which now have twice the battery life (we’re talking weeks of continuous play).

In addition, there have been some small improvements to the motion controllers themselves. With white handles, you have more room for your thumb during play, so you can play longer. A baton-like handle, facial buttons, and thumb-movement sticks are all included on each device. Controllers are kept in place by a strap, while near-invisible LEDs are housed in a plastic ring around your thumbs, allowing the headset to track your movement.

Integrated speakers provide directional stereo sound in both directions. Your games sound clear and directional, while you can still observe your physical surroundings, thanks to their clear, loud sound. The built-in speakers will make sure your friends hear everything, but there is also a 3.75-inch display that you can use if you’re playing with a friend.To use your own headphones, plug in the 5mm jack.

Speech recognition is surprisingly accurate, as is the microphone built in. I used the microphone to communicate in multiplayer games and to make voice searches in apps that support it.

*We do our best to give you the correct and best prices, but prices may change at any time without prior notice.

What you need to know about Meta Quest 2

You usually need to plug in a lot of wires and install external sensors when you set up a VR headset. This game only takes five to ten minutes to get into because it uses a self-contained Meta Quest 2 headset to perform all of the computation and motion tracking.

The headset will be turned on after it is fully charged, and you will be shown some safety clips, as well as a very short intro video that shows you how to navigate menus using a wand-like controller. You will then be asked to set up what is called a ‘Guardian’ – one of the many ‘wow’ moments the Meta Quest offers.

A grayscale view of your surrounding environment will be displayed on your screen, in real time, by the headset’s external cameras. You’ll then use the controllers like a spray paint can, painting around the edges of your room, showing the headset you have a safe play space that you can freely walk around in without hitting your TV or sofa.

However, the most immersive experiences can be found in these room-scale settings. Spaces of at least six pixels are recommended by Meta.It measures five by six feet.If you’re careful, you might get away with something smaller than 5 feet. A grid-like digital wall is revealed when the boundaries are breached: the Guardian wall. Through the digital wall, you will once again see your real-world environment, and you will know where the safe play area is. Safety is enhanced by this clever feature.

The Guardian set-up will then show you how to use your hands (instead of controllers) to navigate menus. You can select options by pinching your thumb and forefinger and looking at your palm with your fingers touching opens menus. We’re sure we’ll see more and more games using it in the future, although there are only a few games using it.

After setting up and entering Meta Home, you are taken to the menu system, which sits on top of your customizable environment.

The app lets you browse content on your headset, manage storage, and connect with your friends on Facebook as well. The Meta Quest experience now requires a Facebook account, so if you don’t want to be a part of Zuckerberg’s data-harvesting empire, you’ll have to pass on the device. It simply cannot be used without one.

A separate login method is planned, but the exact date is not yet known.

In spite of its moral quandary, it’s a smooth and easy-to-navigate device. Especially with mobile VR, it proves just how far VR has come. Text is sharp, legible, and motion is smooth and comfortable. Although the goggles narrow your view, you won’t have a difficult time getting used to inhabiting the virtual world. For a newcomer, it’s breathtaking.

Quest 2 is an accessible VR experience for groups regardless of whether VR is perceived as a solitary experience. When you use the Quest 2’s screen sharing function, you can show what you’re doing on a smartphone or TV without wearing the headset. One player assumes control in the real world, while another navigates the virtual world through a VR headset.

Application and software support for Meta Quest 2

It is possible to run all Meta Quest apps on both Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 1, and most new Meta Quest apps are compatible with the original Quest (with the exception of some high-end games like Resident Evil 4 VR).

Thus, Meta Quest 2 had a large library of games and apps available at launch, and that library has only grown ever since.

Some of the best virtual reality games have been developed for Meta Quest 2. A healthy cadence of big releases on the system is being witnessed with events like Meta Quest Gaming Showcase becoming a yearly event. We’ve seen some of the best ideas on display.

The Quest 2 takes you deep into the game world, letting you really live within it and connecting with your characters. If you can stomach it, then it’s totally worthwhile.

While some people feel seasick because their senses do not correspond to what their eyes see, others experience symptoms similar to seasickness. You can build up a tolerance to VR motion sickness over time, but limit your play sessions accordingly, or make sure to keep a bucket handy.

You should be able to find something that works for you in plenty of games. For example, many have various comfort settings you can use to ease you into the game, such as snap turning or features designed to alleviate nausea caused by moving on the spot.

However, Quest 2 can go beyond just games. It can be educational as well – there are VR applications that take you on a journey of historical events, such as those that explore Anne Frank’s life and Chernobyl, for example.

As a platform for ’empathy,’ virtual reality can give you a glimpse of other cultures and lives. Virtual tourism is possible through National Geographic and other organizations’ apps that let you experience places around the world, while also highlighting the very real dangers of climate change. If you can visit a real-world fitness studio or meditation center, there’s a good chance it has a VR version being developed, or is already available.

The Quest includes a built-in video player that, along with a browser, can allow you to sideload your own videos.

There is also the option of downloading Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube to create your own digital living room for watching films. As well as allowing you to sit inside 360-degree videos and access YouTube’s wealth of content, YouTube VR generally feels sharper, and it allows you to pull the massive screen closer to you, just as if you were watching a movie in the IMAX theater.

A PC tethering option for Meta Quest 2

As a result of Meta Quest 2, tethered PC-only headsets like the Meta Rift and Meta Rift S are coming to an end. TechRadar has been informed that, moving forward, the headsets will combine tethered play between mobile devices and PCs rather than being just PC-tethered hardware.

It is possible to access tethered virtual reality experiences powered by your computer with the Meta Quest 2 if you have a decent gaming PC. Plugging in a high-speed USB 3.0 cable to the headset, installing the Meta launcher and store on your PC, and downloading the apps you like is all that’s needed.

If you prefer a wireless PC VR experience, you can utilize Quest 2’s Air Link feature.

As long as your PC hardware is capable of running these titles, Meta Quest 2 players will have access to a significantly more range of titles. Furthermore, PC-based games can have a much higher level of detail and ambition than mobile-based games due to their increased GPU horsepower.

As the Quest has more power at hand, it can run some really impressive adventures, such as Asgard’s Wrath and Lone Echo, which are both mind-blowing. Despite the lack of graphical fidelity of Quest 2’s mobile apps, these are high-quality virtual reality adventures worth taking advantage of. The Quest 2 can also play VR apps from other stores like Steam VR’s highlight Half Life: Alyx with a bit of tweaking.

The decision by Facebook to make both of these play scenarios available through the same headset line reduces the amount of hardware it supports. It is our hope, however, that mobile VR doesn’t dampen developers’ ambitions as mobile VR becomes Meta’ default (not everyone has a gaming PC). Rather than focusing exclusively on the lower-powered mobile headset, we would prefer more powerful PC-based experiences.

A virtual reality accessory guide for Meta Quest 2

A number of Meta-licensed accessories are available for the Meta Quest in addition to the controllers. A structured headband to improve comfort, a battery-powered headband to double playtime, Logitech audio accessories, and different inner faceplates can be used to accommodate all sizes are among these features.

The Meta Quest 2 battery strap is our favorite because of its ability to extend the battery life of the headset, as well as the fact that it makes the headset feel less front-weighted, resulting in improved comfort.

Getting the strap with the battery upgrade is a better option if you’re saving up.

Here are some reasons why you should buy the Meta Quest 2

Whether you’re a VR enthusiast or an absolute newbie, Meta Quest 2 offers a range of great VR experiences and gaming in an accessible, wire-free package.

The Quest also unlocks the possibility of tethered PC VR experiences if you have a VR-ready gaming PC on hand.

With a large play area, Meta Quest 2 can be enjoyed by anyone, since its Guardian room tracker scales from sitting to standing to free roaming. Nevertheless, Quest 2 is best enjoyed when you can roam around an indoor (or outdoor) space without obstacles obstructing the illusion of being in a virtual world.

Meta Quest 2: Why you shouldn’t buy it

The Quest 2 requires a Facebook account if you don’t want to be tied to Facebook. Due to recent changes to Meta User Agreement, you need to have an active Facebook account to use the Quest. If you’re not comfortable with Facebook’s data collection practices, you’re out of luck.

Regardless of who you are, certain virtual reality experiences will still make you feel a bit nauseous no matter what. There’s lots of ways to minimise this effect, including not playing racing or flying games, but it’s not an issue that usually applies to other platforms and media as well.

You’ve already got the original Meta Quest, so you shouldn’t feel left behind by this new version if you own the original model.

*We do our best to give you the correct and best prices, but prices may change at any time without prior notice.