Is the Meta Quest 2 still worth it? Our verdict on the VR headset
Should you invest in the headset formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2 now its successor is here?
It seems like only yesterday that decent VR was the stuff of sci-fi and theme parks.
Now it's not only ubiquitous, but a realistic and immersive means of playing games. You only need to look at games like Arizona Sunshine, F1 23 and Elite: Dangerous to see how far we've come.
One of the most popular pieces of VR hardware you can get your hands on is the Meta Quest 2, formerly known as the Oculus Quest.
Both a follow-up and a rebranding of the Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2 was first released in 2020. But three years later, how does it fare and is it still worth the price now that the Meta Quest 3 is here?
We actually tested the Meta Quest 2 for our best VR games article, and it's worth knowing that there are two different versions of the Meta Quest 2 – the 128GB version and the 256GB. The former goes for around £249, and the latter £299.
Want to know if either of them are still actually worth it? Let's take a look.
Buy the Meta Quest 2 for £249.99 at John Lewis
For the latest in VR technology, check out our review of the Meta Quest 3, selection of Meta Quest 3 deals, as well as the best VR games to play on Meta Quest, PS VR and more.
Is the Meta Quest 2 worth it? Here's what we think
In short, yes, we'd say that the Meta Quest 2 is worth buying if you're looking to embrace the world of virtual reality on a budget.
This headset still offers a great introduction into VR and a wide array of games are available on it, and it will see continued support despite the Quest 3.
When we tested the Meta Quest 2 over a period of months last year, we found that it was a lot more comfortable than the PS4-era PSVR headset that we'd previously been using, and it offered a wide array of gaming possibilities with some brilliant graphics on display.
The ease of set-up was so much better, too. While the PSVR requires a camera and a bunch of cables, the Meta Quest 2 can be used totally wirelessly, and there's no camera in sight!
Before we even started playing games on it, we were impressed by the Meta Quest 2. Not only was the setup incredibly easy, but the home screen (which offers a chilled-out seaside view) was nothing short of blissful. This may sound like a minor thing, but it goes a long way in making the Meta Quest 2 feel like a welcoming device and a nice place to spend your free time.
Finding and downloading games was easy on the built-in store, which can also be linked to an app on your phone, and it didn't take us long to find some games that we really wanted to play. We'd heard a lot of positive things about Beat Saber (think Guitar Hero with lightsabers) and the Resident Evil 4 VR port, both of which are available on the Meta Quest 2.
Once we'd got those games and a few others installed, it was time to start playing. And we're very pleased to say that every game we tried on the Meta Quest 2 ran very smoothly and looked great.
Beat Saber really is as good as they say, and it feels like a decent workout once you get to the harder levels. The Resident Evil 4 port is a fun experiment, too, although you'll want to pick the less free-moving settings if you're liable to get motion sick in VR.
You'll also find a number of games tied to big franchises of the entertainment world, including Jurassic World Aftermath and Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge. Speaking of Star Wars, you can also get Vader Immortal on the headset, which is one of our favourite VR games to date.
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There are heaps of games (like all the ones we've listed so far) that you can play on the Meta Quest 2 without needing a PC at all. This makes the Quest an ideal headset to start your VR journey with, especially since it's at the more affordable end of the market. Much less expensive than buying a PC and a headset.
And as an added bonus, if there are any PC-only VR games that you want to play (such as Half-Life: Alyx), you should be able to connect your Quest to a PC with a link cable and play them through there.
So, if you're looking to join the VR movement, we'd say that the Meta Quest 2 is a great way to do just that. It'll serve you very well as a standalone headset, and it'll support PC VR as well if you invest in a powerful computer later.
Though the Meta Quest 3 is now here, the millions of Quest 2s will ensure that we see new games for many years to come.
Buy the Meta Quest 2 for £249.99 at John Lewis
Why not level up your Meta Quest 2 with the best Meta Quest 2 accessories? Or if you're more of a PlayStation fan, take a look at our answer to the question is the PS5 worth it?
