Meta Quest 3 In-Depth Review!

We test and review the new Quest 3 virtual reality headset! From field-of-view testing to photography through-the-lens to check for image clarity, we put Meta's mixed-reality headset through its paces in this deep dive. We compare its performance and user experience with the Quest 2, Quest Pro, and other VR hardware. Here's what you need to know about how applications and games look and run, and how it works for streaming PCVR through a wired and Wi-Fi 6E connection.

Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.

CORRECTION: Apologies, we're actually wrong about the Elite Strap with Battery charging. It appears there is a USB charging port under the strap, in front of the adjustment dial. We weren't able to see this in the unit they had on site at Meta Connect, and interpreted PR's answer about the charging options incorrectly.

Shot by Josh Self and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
Additional media courtesy Meta

0:00 Introduction
0:54 LENSES - Chapter 1
2:30 FOV
3:17 LCD Panels/Resolution
6:50 Contrast Levels
7:50 Tilted Lenses
11:41 COMFORT - Chapter 2
12:08 Vent/Heat
12:21 Soft Strap
12:53 Elite Strap
13:57 Facial Interface/Glasses
15:15 Lens Inserts
15:55 Colors
16:15 Hardware Layout
16:58 Sound/Headphones
18:08 SENSORS/PASSTHROUGH - Chapter 3
18:40 Passthrough Video
20:07 Exposure/Fast Moving Tracking
23:17 Vision Pro
23:38 Depth Sensor
24:18 Room Scanning
25:00 MR Scanning
28:00 Occlusion/Warping
29:21 Depth API
29:50 TOUCH PLUS CONTROLLERS - Chapter 4
30:05 Quest Pro vs. Quest 3 Controllers
30:38 IR Lights/Tracking
32:20 Hybrid Input
33:18 Batteries
34:29 Haptics
35:56 Hand Tracking
36:55 Micro Gestures
37:29 PROCESSING - Chapter 5
38:10 GPU
39:10 Higher Resolution in Games
39:59 Graphics vs. PCVR
41:08 Quest 3 Exclusives and Quest 2 Games
41:38 PCVR (Virtual Desktop and Link)
42:42 Contrast Level/Wifi/Compression
43:49 HEADSET BATTERY/MISC - Chapter 6
43:49 Headset Battery Life
44:40 Elite Strap With Battery Pack (THIS IS INCORRECT)
45:33 Charging Dock/Price
46:50 RAM/Quest Pro Comparison
47:57 Native Home Screen Apps
49:39 MR Games
50:50 CONCLUSION
(thanks to @ExtremeCacti for creating the timestamps and chapters!)

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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

#quest #virtualreality #vr

[tested]

Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.

CORRECTION: I apologize, I believe I'm actually wrong about the Elite Strap with Battery charging. It appears there is a USB charging port under the strap, in front of the adjustment dial. I wasn't able to see this in the unit they had on site at Meta Connect, and interpreted PR's answer about the charging options incorrectly. My bad on this one.

[tested]

CORRECTION: I apologize, I believe I'm actually wrong about the Elite Strap with Battery charging. It appears there is a USB charging port under the strap, in front of the adjustment dial. I wasn't able to see this in the unit they had on site at Meta Connect, and interpreted PR's answer about the charging options incorrectly. My bad on this one.

[ExtremeCacti]

0:00 Intro
0:54 LENSES - Chapter 1
2:30 FOV
3:17 LCD Panels/Resolution
6:50 Contrast Levels
7:50 Tilted Lenses
11:41 COMFORT - Chapter 2
12:08 Vent/Heat
12:21 Soft Strap
12:53 Elite Strap
13:57 Facial Interface/Glasses
15:15 Lens Inserts
15:55 Colors
16:15 Hardware Layout
16:58 Sound/Headphones
18:08 SENSORS/PASSTHROUGH - Chapter 3
18:40 Passthrough Video
20:07 Exposure/Fast Moving Tracking
23:17 Vision Pro
23:38 Depth Sensor
24:18 Room Scanning
25:00 MR Scanning
28:00 Occlusion/Warping
29:21 Depth API
29:50 TOUCH PLUS CONTROLLERS - Chapter 4
30:05 Quest Pro vs. Quest 3 Controllers
30:38 IR Lights/Tracking
32:20 Hybrid Input
33:18 Batteries
34:29 Haptics
35:56 Hand Tracking
36:55 Micro Gestures
37:29 PROCESSING - Chapter 5
38:10 GPU
39:10 Higher Resolution in Games
39:59 Graphics vs. PCVR
41:08 Quest 3 Exclusives and Quest 2 Games
41:38 PCVR (Virtual Desktop and Link)
42:42 Contrast Level/Wifi/Compression
43:49 HEADSET BATTERY/MISC - Chapter 6
43:49 Headset Battery Life
44:40 Elite Strap With Battery Pack
45:33 Charging Dock/Price
46:50 RAM/Quest Pro Comparison
47:57 Native Home Screen Apps
49:39 MR Games
50:50 CONCLUSION

[broimnotyourbro]

The only Quest 3 review I care about. Norm has seen it all, has the context and understanding that's totally lacking in other tech publications and channels.

[djp]

You need to have your own VR YouTube channel. You have the best, most in-depth reviews of VR hardware.

[Spo]

Coming from the Quest 2, it's shocking every time to see how good the passthrough on this headset looks. I'm so used to blurry black and white with bad exposure settings.

[MntneerWVU]

Just tried my Quest 3 last night. I'm coming from an original Quest (skipped the Quest 2) and the improvements are with the Quest 3 are massive. Much lighter, better feel, no fog, images are vastly improved. Really really pleased with the 3. Great review.

[eighties]

Fantastic review Norm. The gold standard. Really appreciate the in depth FOV analysis. Glad it lives up to 110 horizontal FOV claims. The future is bright for VR and hopefully soon MR/AR

[mikeplow]

I don't think I have 'ever' sat through a 53 minute review of anything in my life. Great work indeed. Mine arrives tomorrow. Can't wait.

[TT]

Awesome review Norm.

As a DK1 backer it's amazing to see how the industry is progressing. Hopefully we get some new MR content soon.

Looking forward to trying the Q3!

[NeonNoodleNexus]

Great review. I watched one other review and it was like a feature runthrough. You actually went beyond the specsheet and gave us insight into the user experience.

[mysteriousqi]

The most detailed VR videos! Great work again thanks Norm!

[rtsstream]

ive learned to not doubt metas "coming soon" features...the hand tracking was "coming soon" and its turned out to be fantastic imo

[ibeholder]

I'm still using an OG Oculus Quest 1, so pretty much everything about this one is a huge leap forward, but I still got a ton of no-spin information out of this. Thanks for another excellent review Norm.

[UncleJessy]

Can’t wait to pick mine up tomorrow! Been looking forward to this review

[ZWRalZarek]

I got everything I heard from other videos and so much more. I was suprised to hear about the tilted screens and the implications that has on FOV as well as aliasing issues. Amazing review, no details left behind

[WMARUoriginal]

Norm is the gold standard for VR reviews. I was going to try to live with the regular strap, but if Norm says he had to go with the elite strap, then I'm just going for the elite strap right away. Also what an adorable doggy!

[gaborbeszteri]

Best review out there I could find on the Quest 3 so far, great work and special thanks for the extra added details, like the lens and panel orientation! :)

[acid]

Thank you for the in-depth review. I have the Quest Pro and am a big fan of local dimming. I was disappointed when I switched from Quest 1 to Quest 2 because of the lack of dark blacks. Sounds like I'd be disappointed with the Quest 3's lack of local dimming.

[GoshDiggityDang]

By far the most informative and complete Quest 3 review I've seen. Great video! I am really enticed to get me one.