If you’ve always been curious about buying a VR headset, today is the day to pull the trigger. Cyber Monday is here, and it comes bearing deals on headsets. The most shocking price cut in the bunch is the PlayStation VR2. While it usually retails for a whopping $550 or $600 if you buy a Horizon: Call of the Mountain bundle, you can get either version for $350 today. That’s a wild deal that puts the headset at what it probably should have been in the first place, considering its competition.
But does a $250 price cut mean that it’s the best headset to buy today, or is the Meta Quest 3S still worth it with a less eye-popping deal? After all, these are both two of the best VR headsets you can buy right now.
This would have been an easy question a few months ago. The fact that the PSVR2 was tethered to the PS5 meant that the standalone Quest would always win out. However, Sony recently made it so players can connect its headset to a PC and play games there via an adapter. That eliminates one of its biggest limitations and turns the device into a very powerful VR headset. So, which headset should you buy this Cyber Monday?
Why buy a PlayStation VR2?
So, what’s the advantage of buying a PlayStation VR2 now? It comes down to games. Since the headset can now play the same PC VR titles that the Quest 3 can, it has the advantage of including some valuable exclusives like Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Synapse, and excellent VR integration for select Resident Evil games. PSVR2’s value starts to add up if you have a PS Plus account too, as Sony now regularly adds standout VR titles to its subscription service library. If you’re already in the PlayStation ecosystem, you might save even more money in the long run.
It’s a great headset, too. Sony went all out for its second stab at VR with top-of-the-line specs — which explains its high price tag. You’re getting a clear OLED display with a 2000 x 2040 panel resolution per eye. Its four embedded cameras do a great job at tracking its Sense controllers, leading to smooth and responsive gameplay. It’s undoubtedly one of the best headsets on the market, and it’s much more reasonably priced at $350.
The caveat here is that it’s unclear how much longer Sony will support it. It’s already seemingly given up on making first-party exclusives for the system, and I’m frankly not seeing many third-party developers create games solely for Sony, either. You’d only be missing out on a handful of games if you went with a PC headset, and you don’t have to worry about missing a big surprise down the line. With its new PC support, Sony can wash its hands of the headset if it chooses to and focus on the PS5 instead. Keep that in mind if you’re looking for something that’ll stay up to date.
Why buy a Meta Quest 3S?
By comparison, the Meta Quest 3S doesn’t have an impressive deal behind it this year. The models are selling for their base price, but the Cyber Monday gimmick is that you can get a $75 digital gift card with purchase (at both Amazon and Best Buy). That’s a nice little gift that pairs well with the Quest 3S’ low price tag. The 128GB version is only $300, so it’s still cheaper than the PSVR2, even at its $200 discount.
The Quest 3S has some major advantages over Sony’s headset, too. The biggest pro is comfort. The Quest 3S is a wireless system that doesn’t have to be tethered to a device via a wire to use. It’s also a less bulky headset that’s nearly 50 grams lighter than the PSVR2. Trust me, that’ll be a big deal for your skull.
When it comes to exclusive games, the Quest 3S wipes the floor with the PSVR2. Sony’s exclusives are largely middling VR games that are fun to play if you need something to test the device out. Meta, on the other hand, has some of VR’s best exclusives, from Asgard’s Wrath 2 to Batman: Arkham Shadow. These aren’t just good VR games; they’re some of the best games of the past year, period. Meta seems a bit more invested in delivering high-quality exclusives than Sony does right now, so I imagine you’ll see longer-tailed support on the Quest 3S.
So, is there anything the PSVR2 can do that the Quest 3S can’t? Not really, but the former does have some technical advantages. You’re getting an LCD display here with 1832 x 1920 panel resolution per eye. That’s a step down from both the regular Quest 3 and the PSVR2. To its credit, though, the Quest 3S does include some impressive passthrough technology and has a slightly better battery than the Quest 3 when used wirelessly. There’s some tradeoff there, but you could argue that the PSVR2 is the more capable piece of tech overall.
Which should you buy?
There are advantages to both headsets, but at the moment, I’d recommend the Meta Quest 3S. Even with some lower specs, the Quest 3S is my go-to headset at the moment, thanks to its standalone capability, lightweight design, and strong library of games. I haven’t touched my PSVR2 since I got it, and I don’t anticipate I’ll go back unless Sony surprises me with a new Astro Bot VR game.
The PSVR2 only really makes sense in some pretty specific circumstances. Do you want the clearest display possible? Are you already in the PlayStation ecosystem and want a device that pairs with it? Are you planning on plugging whatever headset you buy into a PC anyway? The PSVR2 might be worth it in that case. The Quest 3S is a more casual entry point into VR. Even so, I still think it’s the better device overall.
Sure, you won’t get the serotonin that comes with saving $200, but you can put that $75 to good use!
