If you've been eyeing VR gaming but found the cost prohibitive, you'll be thrilled to know about the first remarkable Meta Quest deal of 2025. Best Buy is currently offering a $50 discount on the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing the price down to just $349.99. But the deal doesn't stop there; it also includes a $50 Best Buy gift card and a free one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This effectively makes the cost equivalent to that of the base 128GB model.
To make this offer even more enticing, the package comes with a copy of the acclaimed VR game, Batman: Arkham Shadow, and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In an 8/10 review by IGN, Dan Stapleton praised the game, noting that "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."
Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow
Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset + Bonus $50 Best Buy Gift Card
Originally priced at $399.99, now save 13% and get it for $349.99 at Best Buy. The Quest 3S surpasses the original Quest 2 in every aspect without increasing the cost. It incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, including enhanced Touch controllers, an upgraded Snapdragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In a glowing 9/10 review, IGN's Gabriel Moss stated, "Raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for – arguably – the very first time."
What truly distinguishes this deal from others is the Quest 3S's ability to be played completely untethered. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. You won't find another standalone VR headset at this price point.
How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?
Even at its full retail price, the Quest 3S is $200 or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this competitive price, certain compromises were made. Here’s a comparison of their specifications:
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Similarities
- Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- Touch Plus controllers
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Mixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Differences
- Lower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 2064×2208)
- Fresnel lens vs. pancake lens
- Lower FOV (96°/90° vs 104°/96°)
- Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)
- Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)
Essentially, the Quest 3S is a near-identical headset with downgraded optics. However, using the same processor at a lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially enhancing game performance and explaining the longer battery life.
Given its price, the Quest 3S offers significantly better value than the Quest 3 and is a superior choice for most gamers, particularly if the Quest 3 was out of your budget. When compared to the Quest 2, the choice becomes even clearer.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of combined experience in uncovering the best discounts in gaming, technology, and beyond. We prioritize honesty, ensuring our readers aren't misled into purchasing unnecessary items at inflated prices. Our mission is to highlight the most compelling deals from reputable brands that our editorial team has firsthand experience with. For more on our approach, check out our deals standards, and stay updated with our latest finds on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.
