Spoiler: I love it, but it's been played a lot less than I thought it would.
In November 2025, I ordered a pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses after reading a few reviews. I was so excited about them, right up until they arrived then I had the returns form completed within an hour. This was my mistake. I didn’t realise the pair I’d bought had no display in the lenses and were really only for recording short videos. They did a couple more things than that, but I don’t know what led me to believe you could see something in the glasses too. I checked the website, and it turns out glasses like that were coming soon. The Meta Ray-Ban Display are out now, but they come with a much higher price tag, and the ones I ordered didn’t have that functionality. To be fair, Meta were very helpful, and I returned the glasses and got a refund pretty swiftly.
I was a little gutted, to be honest. Then I found myself browsing the Meta website to see what else they had to offer, and I discovered the Meta Quest 3S. I think it’s the cheaper version of the Meta Quest 3 and a really good introductory VR headset. Before I knew it, I’d ordered it in place of the glasses, not really knowing what to expect. Even though I’d watched videos and read about the features, I had never actually tried a VR headset, so the whole thing was new to me.
Unboxing
It arrived on 6th January 2026 and I was amazed by the unboxing. It was so well presented, with the headset and controllers placed perfectly in the box. The build quality is brilliant, and the controllers fit perfectly in your hands. I read a bit more about the device before unboxing it and putting it on my head. It also comes with a charging cable and plug, plus a spacer so you can use it while wearing glasses. It was really easy to put on and the straps were easily adjustable. I pressed the power button, waited for it to load up and, when it did, I was instantly impressed.
Design and Comfort
Even though this is a budget device, I couldn’t believe how premium it felt. There are other VR devices out there which cost thousands of pounds, and while this probably isn’t on their level, it feels like more than a budget entry into the world of VR. It doesn’t feel too heavy on my head, but I only wear it for short periods, so I’m not sure whether you’d notice it more if you were a daily player. Overall, I find it very comfortable when I do have a shot of it.
My First Time in VR
As mentioned, I was new to VR and didn’t know what to expect, but to say I was blown away would be an understatement. I was even impressed with the menus and navigation windows, because they’re literally right in front of you and bigger than any screen I’ve played a game on. There are two ways to control the system and apps: you can use the controllers, or switch to a controller-less mode and use your hands. The headset has cameras built in which detect your hand movements. The first app I tried was YouTube, as I wanted to see a video on a huge screen. It did not disappoint. I’m not sure if it was super high definition, but it was clear to me and seemed at least HD. The sound quality was also great, and you don’t need any third-party accessories for audio as the speakers are built into the headset.
The Games
Amazing. Honestly, some of the games available on this device are superb. You can buy games individually via the store, or you can get the Meta Horizon+ subscription at £7.99 a month, which comes with access to some of the top games.
Here are a few of the games I’ve played and my thoughts on them:
First Hand – If you want a VR game with cracking graphics that gives you the wow factor, First Hand is unreal. You use your hands to solve puzzles in real time.
Premium Bowling – A classic bowling game where you feel like you’re actually in a bowling hall. It feels so real, and you can even look behind you as you pick up your ball, ready to take your shot.
Shooty Fruity – This game is such fun. It’s a fruit-shooting game that keeps you on your toes, as not only do you need to battle fruit monsters, you also need to scan groceries at a checkout. It’s a pretty unique concept.
Just to mention, if you want to play with others but only have the one headset, you can cast what’s on your screen to the Meta Horizon app on your phone, and then cast that from your phone to the TV. Really good if you want to help each other navigate some of the games.
Mixed Reality
Some of the games on the Quest 3S give you an immersive experience where you can’t see your surroundings, but others take advantage of mixed reality. This means you can literally place a game in your living room. It’s really cool and there are some brilliant games to play in mixed reality. And don’t forget apps like YouTube and Disney+ can also be used as part of your space.
The 9-Month Verdict
On the website, Meta say the Quest 3S is for gaming, entertainment, sports and fitness. I’ve yet to watch a full movie on it, but I think it works well for short YouTube clips. For me, gaming is definitely the top use case.
It’s a great device, but if I’m being honest, I’ve only played it a handful of times since getting it in January. That’s nothing to do with the device, and I’d still recommend it if you’re looking for something in the VR space. I just don’t think I’m a huge gamer, so I’m not always inspired to put the headset on.
So who’s it for? If you’re a keen gamer, I’d say go for it. If you’re more like me and only dip in now and then, it’s still a fun bit of kit, but it might not get as much use as you’d expect.
Specs
This post is my own personal view of the Meta Quest 3S after 9 months. I’m not overly technical when it comes to VR, but I’ve noted a few specs below if you’re thinking of buying:
8GB RAM
High-definition resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye
2.5 hours of average run time
Two storage options: 128GB and 256GB (I bought the 128GB version)
What are your thoughts on the Meta Quest 3S? Do you have one and, if so, how often do you use it?