The new Meta Quest 3S is the more affordable option but according to our resident VR expert, Scott Stein, the original Quest 3 is still the best headset on the market right now. Yes, you can drop a whopping $3,499 on the Apple Vision Pro and get even better features, but that's out of most people's price ranges and doesn't have the same library of games available. The Quest 3 boasts some excellent VR and AR capabilities and a growing library of some of the biggest and best games in this space. Discounts are hard to come by, but some offers are running right now that help make the asking price much more palatable.
With years of experience helping readers score big savings on tech, Adam Oram and other members of CNET's dedicated deals team have scoured the web to bring you the best Quest 3 bargains you can shop right now. Most deals at the moment will get you a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow, but there are some other retailer-specific savings you can take advantage of as well. With a new Quest headset hitting shelves soon and the holidays on the horizon, we could see some more substantial savings soon. We'll continue to update this page with the latest offers, so be sure to check back often.
Unlike the Meta Quest 2, the Quest 3 embraces both virtual reality and mixed reality experiences in a way that's similar to the Apple Vision Pro and last year's Quest Pro. It costs a lot less than both of those devices, which gives it quite the appeal. Other improvements over its predecessor include a new Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, better graphics, a higher-resolution display and improved controllers.
What is the best Meta Quest 3 deal right now?
Most major retailers are offering a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow with the purchase of the Meta Quest 3 right now, which is a pretty solid bargain. There is also a free three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus included for those who want to try the service out, too.
Best Meta Quest 3 deals
Pick up the 512GB headset and you'll also get a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow and a free three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus, which is a respectable $140 savings.
The 512GB Meta Quest 3 was selling for around $499 at Newegg, but it's out of stock at the time of writing. That could well change soon though.
The 512GB Meta Quest 3 is currently the only model available at Target, but you do get one for $500 with the Batman: Arkham Shadow game and a three-month trial to Meta-Quest Plus thrown in.
Like Amazon, B&H is offering a Quest 3 bundle deal that includes a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow with the purchase of the 512GB model. Note that, unlike Amazon's deal, this bundle does not include a free three-month trial to Meta Quest Plus. B&H Payboo Credit Card* users can save a few extra bucks as they'll also get the sales tax back as cashback.
If you want the more affordable 128GB model also get a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow. The same bundle is also available with 512GB of storage for $499, too.
How we choose Meta Quest 3 deals at CNET
There aren't too many direct discounts on the Meta Quest 3 right now, but we have rounded up a few other ways to score some savings. These primarily include bundle deals, which include a free game and occasionally some other free services. We've also scrounged up any retailer-specific offers, such as exclusive savings when you pay with a company credit card. We're keeping a close eye on prices at the moment as the upcoming release of the new Meta Quest 3S could mean we'll see some better deals on this headset soon.
The Meta Quest 3 came with a pretty hefty price tag when it first hit shelves last year, starting at $500 for the 128GB model and a whopping $650 for the 512GB model. Fortunately, prices have dropped since then, and you can now grab the 128GB model for $430 and the 512GB model for $500.
Yes, you can absolutely still use the Meta Quest 3 if you wear glasses. Unless your frames are particularly bulky, you should have no problem keeping them on while you use the headset. Just make sure that they're not bumping up against the lenses. Or, if you prefer a more streamlined solution, Zenni Optical -- one of our favorite places to shop for glasses online -- makes prescription lenses designed specifically for the Meta Quest 3.
We named the Meta Quest 3 the best mixed-reality headset in its price range, which means it supports both VR and AR gameplay. VR stands for "virtual reality" and refers to games and programs where you are fully immersed in a virtual environment. On the other hand, AR or "augmented reality," refers to a real-world environment that has VR elements layered on top.
One of the most important tips for Quest 3 owners is to avoid exposing it -- especially the lenses -- to bright sunlight, as this can damage the display. It's best to keep it in a case while you're not using it, but if you don't have one you should keep it away from windows and cover it with a towel or T-shirt.
You'll also want to clean the headset occasionally. Use microfiber cloths to avoid scratching the lenses, and wipe the exterior with a slightly damp paper towel to remove any dust or grime.
*All information about the Target Circle Card and B&H Payboo Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.