Now that Playstation VR 2 is cheaper, should you consider buying one instead of a Meta Quest?
Playstation VR 2 is now priced between Quest 3S and Quest 3, but should you buy one? It depends.
Playstation VR 2 is currently reduced to $350, with or without Sony's big VR exclusive Horizon Call of the Mountain. Previously, the device cost up to $600.
Thanks to this big discount, Sony's VR headset is now priced between Quest 3S ($300) and Quest 3 ($500).
Does this make it a viable alternative to the Quest 3 family of headsets? It depends on what you're looking for in a VR headset.
Buy Playstation VR 2 or Quest 3(S)?
First things first: Playstation VR 2 requires a PS 5 (Pro) or gaming PC if you want to access VR games on Steam. Quest 3(S), on the other hand, is a standalone device with all the technology built in. If you want to use PSVR 2 on your PC, you will also need to purchase Sony's PC adapter for $50 and, and in many cases, a Bluetooth adapter to connect the PSVR 2 controllers to your PC.
Another important point that will probably play a role for you: The Playstation VR 2 is tethered to the PS5 or PC, which limits your freedom of movement while playing. This means that the headset cannot easily be used in another room or taken to a friend's house. Meta Quest, on the other hand, has no cables, and you can even play wirelessly on a PC.
Another selling point for Quest 3(S) is its support for mixed reality and hand tracking, two technologies that are changing the way headsets are used, and immersive gaming is experienced. The Playstation VR 2 offers nothing comparable.
The software library on Meta Quest is also significantly larger and more varied, while the PSVR 2 scores high on graphics and delivers stunning visuals in some games.
All in all, the Meta Quest 3S remains the most versatile headset with the best bang for your buck at the moment, unless the above is less important to you and you're primarily looking for a VR headset that you can use with your PS5 or gaming PC to enjoy the best graphics available.
Below is an overview of other pros and cons of PSVR 2 and Meta Quest that goes a bit deeper without getting too bogged down in technical details.
If you're not sure if you should invest a little more and buy a Quest 3 instead of a Quest 3S, check out our Quest 3 vs. Quest 3S comparison.
Good about Playstation VR 2:
- Some games are graphically much more elaborate
- Exclusive AAA games and high-quality VR modes:
- Horizon Call of the Mountain
- Synapse
- Gran Turismo 7
- Resident Evil 4
- Resident Evil Village
- No Man's Sky
- Supports eye-tracking (only on PS5 / PS5 Pro), which makes some games more beautiful and enables unique game mechanics (check Synapse)
- High-contrast OLED display with beautiful colors
- Headset and controller offer great haptic effects
Not so good about Playstation VR 2:
- Headset and controllers are quite bulky
- Many VR games on the PS Store are Meta Quest ports without significant PS5 optimizations
- Outdated lenses (small sweet spot, less than optimal edge-to-edge clarity)
- Mura and Sony's reprojection can have a negative impact on the VR experience
- Many VR titles don't support eye tracking
- Many of PSVR 2's best features do not work on PC
- Sony is not investing much in Playstation VR 2 anymore
Good about Meta Quest:
- Larger and more diverse selection of games, movies, experiences, and apps
- Exclusive AAA games include:
- Asgard's Wrath 2
- Assassin's Creed Nexus VR
- Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Resident Evil 4
- Supports passthrough & mixed reality games
- Supports hand tracking
- Meta continues to invest heavily in VR
- Great lenses with a much sharper image (applies to Quest 3 only)
- Ringless controllers
Not so good about Meta Quest:
- Graphics pale in comparison to optimized PSVR 2 titles
- LCD panels with poor black levels
- Outdated lenses (small sweet spot, less than optimal edge-to-edge clarity) (only applies to Quest 3S)
- Battery life of 2–3 hours
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