As the Meta Quest 2 (formerly Oculus Quest 2) approaches its third birthday, it remains a popular choice among virtual reality headset users. Developed by Meta (formerly Facebook), the headset has a vast library of games and apps available and aims to be a leader in the VR and Metaverse market. One of the standout features of the Meta Quest 2 is its ability to play games directly from the headset without the need for a PC or console connection.
However, with new competitors entering the market like the Pico 4 and the forthcoming release of the Meta Quest 3, it’s worth considering whether the Meta Quest 2 is still worth purchasing in 2023.
This review has been updated for 2023.
Verdict
Table of Contents
| Pros | Cons |
| Direct access to the Oculus store with Oculus Exclusives | Uncomfortable headstrap and face gets hot during prolonged use |
| Self contained and wireless | Short battery life (2-3 hours) |
| Ability to connect to PC via Link cable to unlock PCVR titles | Resolution not as good as newer headsets |
| Affordability, in comparison to previous headset |
Resolution
With a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye. This allows for clear and crisp visuals, making the virtual reality experience more immersive and lifelike. The Quest 2’s refresh rate is updated to 90Hz, where the VR headset will be able to run natively at 90Hz in all apps and games.
In terms of performance, the Meta Quest 2 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor, which provides fast and smooth performance during gameplay and other VR experiences. The headset also features 6GB of RAM, which allows for multitasking and smooth operation of multiple apps and games at the same time. Overall, the Meta Quest 2 provided excellent resolution and performance for its time. In 2023 it is starting to fall behind what other headsets have to offer.
Meta Quest 2 VS Pico 4 Specs
| Specification | Meta Quest 2 | Pico 4 |
| Weight | 503g (front loaded) | 586 grams (balanced) |
| Resolution | 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye | 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye |
| Lens type | Fast-Switch LCD Display | Pancake Lens |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz, 72 Hz, 90 Hz | 72 Hz, 90Hz |
| Field of view | 90 degrees | 105 degrees |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| RAM | 6GB | 8 GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB |
| Battery life | 3 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Release Date | October 13, 2020 | October 18, 2022 |
| Price for 128gb | £399.00 | £379.99 |
As you can see on paper, the Pico 4 blows the Meta Quest 2 out of the water.
Tracking
Meta Quest 2 features advanced tracking technology that allows for precise motion tracking within virtual reality. This is made possible through the use of four external cameras that are positioned around the headset, which are able to detect the location and orientation of the headset and the controllers in relation to the surrounding environment. The tracking technology is able to accurately track movements in all directions, allowing users to move freely within virtual spaces and interact with their environment in a natural way. In addition, the controllers are equipped with additional tracking sensors that enhance their accuracy and responsiveness, further improving the overall tracking experience.
The Meta Quest 2 also features hand tracking, allowing users to interact with virtual environments and objects using natural hand movements. This feature is enabled by sensors on the headset that track the position and movement of the user’s hands in relation to the headset. Hand tracking allows for a more immersive and intuitive virtual reality experience, as users are able to interact with virtual objects in a way that feels more natural and familiar. It also eliminates the need for external controllers, making it easier for users to get started with VR without the need for additional accessories.
Meta Quest 2 with Quest Link Minimum Requirements
If you do plan on purchasing the Oculus Link cable to boost your VR experience, here is the minimum specs your computer will need to ensure smooth gameplay.
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon 400 Series or better. 3GB dedicated Video Ram |
| Pixel/Vertical Shader | 5.1 |
| CPU | Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater |
| Memory | 8GB+ RAM |
| USB | 1x USB 2.0+ |
| OS | Windows 10 |
Meta Quest 2 Game Library
The Quest 2 gives you access to the full library of Oculus content, including Echo VR, Moss, Vader Immortal among many others. Some of the new games and updates includes The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Beat Saber multiplayer and Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing. See our top 20 Meta Quest 2 Games of all time for more.
With Quest 2 and Oculus Link, some of the best PC VR await such as Asgard’s Warth, Lone Echo, Half Life: Alyx. See our top PCVR games of all time for more
Design and Comfort
Meta Quest 2 is sleek and compact, but unfortunately, it is not very comfortable for long sessions. One issue is that the weight is too front heavy, which can cause discomfort on the bridge of the nose and forehead. Additionally, the headset can make your face very sweaty during extended play sessions, which can be uncomfortable and lead to irritation. Overall, the Meta Quest 2 may not be the best choice for those who plan on using it for long periods of time or you may wish to invest in a third party strap to better distribute the weight.
How much is the Meta Quest 2?
Meta Quest 2 price increase happened on August 1, 2022, when the headset’s cost rose by $101. It has made the headset less of an impulse buy for many people. Despite the price increase, the Meta Quest 2 remains competitive and is still considered good value for money.
- VR Headset
- Two Touch Controllers
- Two AA batteries
- Glass Spacers
- Power Adapter
- Charging Cable
How to set up the Oculus Quest 2
Hardware
Whether this is your first VR headset or the third, you will want to set it up properly, from creating an account to establishing your guardian system.
Step 1: Plug your headset into a power source using the charging cable provided.
Step 2: Download the official Oculus companion app via the iOS App Store or Google Play, you’ll need to sign in with a Facebook account. (While you’re on your mobile, make sure your mobile is Bluetooth enabled)
Step 3: Turn on the headset by holding the power button located on the side for 2 – 3 seconds.
Step 4: Adjust the two plastic pieces located on the backstrap tighten the headset. Remember to adjust the centre Velcro strap. You will see a big white O. Feel free to adjust the lens with your fingers for maximum comfort and clearest picture.
Yes, your headset should be on your head by now.
Step 5: Here, you’ll be prompted to use your Touch controllers to proceed. Push a button or trigger to switch on the controllers. Once switched on, select your language and connect to your local Wi-Fi to allow your Quest 2 to run updates.
Software
Step 6: Once here, you’ll be provided with a quick safety video explaining how to properly set up your guardian and playspace. This will take approximately 5 minutes – feel free to take off your gears while it loads. (Your device will remember these boundaries you’ve drawn so you don’t have to redraw it every time you switch it on)
Step 7: Welcome to your Oculus home dashboard, there are multiple locations you can choose to customise your home page to.
Step 8: There is a six icon interface that leads you to every function within 3 clicks – Friends; Content Library; Sharing; Notification; Settings.
A better experience: power and data
Some may have had the experience of tripping over wires or a battery-low headset mid game, which can be easily solved with the 5 metre-long Oculus Link cable. The Oculus Link cable and software unlocks the power of your PC to add stunning graphics to your gameplay.
Also overcoming the issue of load time with fibre optic, the Oculus Link cable has a parallel copper line, keeping your headset charged while in use.
Conclusion
Is the Meta Quest 2 still worth it in 2023? Depends.
The Quest 2 still a fantastic segue into the virtual reality world for anyone without an entire ecosystem of technology, especially for those without a PC-ready computer. It is still the best stand-alone headset at the moment and brings more value than what it is worth. The oculus store really makes the Quest Shine. and over all we think the Meta Quest 2 is worth it.
And finally to address the elephant in the room, Meta/Facebook. While they have removed the need to link a Facebook account to your Quest headset they will still be collecting you data and sharing with partners as in their terms and conditions.
Review published on January 21, 2021.