If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the price tag has held you back, the first enticing Meta Quest deal of 2025 might just be your golden ticket. Amazon is currently slashing $50 off the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing it down to an irresistible $349. This price is only $50 more than the base 128GB model, making it a fantastic choice for those wanting to store more games for seamless, untethered play. This straightforward discount outshines even Black Friday deals, which often come with the hassle of digital credits or store-specific gift cards.
To make the deal even sweeter, it includes a copy of the highly praised *Batman: Arkham Shadow* VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised it, stating, "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
$399.99 save 13%
$349.00 at Amazon
The Quest 3S is a significant leap forward from the Quest 2, delivering enhancements across the board without raising the price. It incorporates many of the same features as the pricier Quest 3, including the advanced Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review of the Quest 3S, Gabriel Moss noted, "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 makes this deal stand out among other VR offerings is that the Meta Quest 3S offers **completely untethered** gameplay. Whether you're slicing through beats in *Beat Saber* or dodging bullets in *Pistol Whip*, you won't need a high-end gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. At this price point, you won't find another standalone VR headset that matches the Quest 3S's capabilities.
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 pricing, some compromises were made. Here's how the two headsets compare:
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)
In essence, the Quest 3S is nearly identical to the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, since both use the same processor, the lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially enhancing game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.
For the price, the Quest 3S offers unbeatable value compared to the Quest 3, making it the better choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was out of your budget. When compared to the Quest 2, the decision becomes even clearer.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of collective experience in uncovering the best discounts in gaming, tech, and beyond. We prioritize transparency and value, ensuring our readers are never misled into purchasing unnecessary items at inflated prices. Our mission is to highlight the best deals from reputable brands that our editorial team has firsthand experience with. For more insight into our methodology, check out our deals standards here, or follow the latest deals on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.
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