The Meta Quest 2 is four years old, first launched as the Oculus Quest 2 before Meta bought the VR headset company. Until now, it was our budget recommendation if you were interested in VR without committing too much money.

It's by far the best value in VR. But the question is, should you upgrade to it or go with Meta's even better model?

I reviewed Meta's Quest 3S, a budget VR headset with mixed reality and AI, to test its quality and value as an upgrade or a first headset.

Unlike the Meta Quest 3, the Quest 3S doesn't have a 3.5mm audio port. In other words, you won't be able to connect wired earbuds to the Quest 3S, but it's not necessary. The audio that emanates from the Quest 3S is crisp and sharp, and it gets sufficiently loud, too.

The Meta Quest 3S contains many of the Quest 3’s signature features, including color passthrough, speedy performance, a compact design, and a robust app library — all for $299. Though it’s not as comfortable to wear and its battery life isn't the best, its low starting price makes it an enticing product for those curious about VR.

If you crave peace and limited distractions, consider investing in the Meta Quest 3S to achieve fitness goals in the privacy of your home.