"Save $50 on Meta Quest 3S VR, Get $50 Best Buy Gift Card"

If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the cost has been a barrier, the first major Meta Quest deal of 2025 might be the perfect opportunity for you. Best Buy is currently offering a fantastic discount on the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, slashing $50 off the original price, bringing it down to just $349.99. But the savings don't stop there. With this deal, you'll also receive a $50 Best Buy gift card and a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at no extra cost, effectively lowering the headset's price to match that of the base 128GB model.

To make this offer even more enticing, the package includes a copy of the highly praised Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's comprehensive 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton highlighted that "Batman: Arkham Shadow successfully adapts the core gameplay elements of the Arkham series to VR, complemented by an engaging mystery storyline."

Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow

Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset + Bonus $50 Best Buy Gift Card

Original Price: $399.99
Discount: 13%
Sale Price: $349.99 at Best Buy

The Quest 3S stands out as a significant upgrade from the Quest 2, matching many of the advanced features of the pricier Quest 3, such as the new Touch Plus controllers, the enhanced SnapDragon APU, and full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's glowing 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss praised the Quest 3S, stating, "With its robust processing power, vibrant full-color passthrough, and responsive Touch Plus controllers, the Quest 3S delivers an exceptional standalone VR experience, introducing accessible mixed-reality gaming to a broader audience."

What makes this deal unparalleled in the VR market is the Quest 3S's ability to function completely untethered. This means you can enjoy popular games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a high-end gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. At this price point, you won't find another standalone VR headset that offers the same level of freedom and quality.

How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?

Even at full price, the Quest 3S is $200 cheaper than the Quest 3, offering a 40% savings. To achieve this competitive pricing, certain compromises were made. Here's a detailed comparison:

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 summary, while the Quest 3S has slightly downgraded optics compared to the Quest 3, it uses the same powerful processor. Operating at a lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially enhancing game performance and contributing to the extended battery life.

Given its price and features, the Quest 3S offers exceptional value compared to the Quest 3, making it a more attractive option for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. When compared to the older Quest 2, the choice becomes even clearer.

Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?

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