Meta Quest 3 (8/10, WIRED recommended) is a major upgrade over its predecessor in almost every category. It has improved specs across the board — slightly higher resolution, faster processor, more RAM and up to 512GB internal storage options — but the biggest change is the actual upgrade mixed. previous model, Task 2there’s an outward-facing camera to orient yourself in the world, and a pass-through feature that lets you see into the room you’re in to avoid obstacles. Mission 3 goes a few steps further, making immersive augmented reality the core of the experience.
For starters, relay cameras can now show you color images instead of black and white. Its resolution is also a bit higher so it’s easier for you to know what you’re looking at. It still feels like you’re watching a YouTube video from the early 2000s of your living room, but it’s even better because you can’t see your surroundings. This technology allows for a number of improvements New games and experiences. One of my favorite apps, PianoVision, is designed to help you learn piano by putting helpful information and even piano rolls on video of your actual physical keyboard. It turns musical instrument practice into one Guitar hero–like experience and that is something that cannot be done with VR alone.
Disadvantages? Meta Quest 3 is more expensive than Quest 2 before (even after it price increases in middle age). Starting at $500, it’s on par with buying an entire game console, so it’s not exactly an impulse buy, but if you’re looking for the best standalone VR headset with a library of The widest range of games and apps to support both VR and mixed reality, the Quest 3 is the headset to beat. It’s worth noting that the company behind it all is Meta (aka Facebook). You might not like that, because Meta less stars history User data management (not to mention How that data is used). At least you don’t need a Facebook account anymore to use the Meta headset.
Supports room-scale, pass-through mixed reality VR, can work with or without a PC, and comes with two controllers.
