If you've been eager to dive into the world of VR gaming but have been put off by the cost, the first major Meta Quest deal of 2025 might just be what you're waiting for. Best Buy is currently offering a tempting discount on the Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, slashing the price by $50 to just $349.99. But the savings don’t stop there. You’ll also receive a $50 Best Buy gift card and a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at no extra cost, effectively reducing the price to match that of the base 128GB model.
To make the deal even more attractive, the package includes a copy of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In his 8/10 review for IGN, Dan Stapleton praised the game, stating, "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."
Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow
Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset + Bonus $50 Best Buy Gift Card
Original Price: $399.99
Discounted Price: $349.99 (Save 13%) at Best Buy
The Quest 3S is a significant upgrade from the Quest 2, offering enhanced features without a price hike. It incorporates many of the same advancements found in the pricier Quest 3, including the new and improved Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. IGN's Gabriel Moss gave the Quest 3S a 9/10, noting, "raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for – arguably – the very first time."
What sets this deal apart from other VR offers is the Quest 3S's ability to be used completely untethered. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a high-end gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. At this price point, it's challenging to find another standalone VR headset that offers such freedom.
How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?
Despite the Quest 3S retailing at a much lower price of $349.99 compared to the $500 Quest 3, some compromises were made. Here's a breakdown of the similarities and differences:
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Similarities
- Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- Touch Plus controllers
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Mixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Differences
- Lower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 2064×2208)
- Fresnel lens vs. pancake lens
- Lower FOV (96°/90° vs 104°/96°)
- Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)
- Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)
Essentially, the Quest 3S offers nearly the same experience as the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, because both use the same processor, the lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially improving game performance and contributing to the extended battery life.
Given the price, the Quest 3S represents a superior value compared to the Quest 3 and is the better choice for most gamers, particularly if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. When compared to the Quest 2, the decision becomes even clearer.
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