Oculus Quest 2: How the VR Headset Compares to the First Quest

The Oculus Quest 2 is a rare gadget sequel: The self-contained Facebook VR headset-slash-game-console is less expensive ($299/£299/AU$479), faster, lighter, and better. But how different is it from the first Quest?

The Quest 2 has the same apps and interface as the 2019 Quest. But its insides are all new.

There are revamped controllers with better battery life, but they still use AA batteries.

The Quest 2 has a far better Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor, which allows better graphics and 90hz refresh rate for future games and apps.

The same four tracking cameras scan rooms and allow free movement in space when playing, but the Quest 2 could evolve better hand tracking and room awareness down the road.

The headset's lighter and smaller, and the head straps are different, too. They're elastic and floppy now, making them easier to pack down.

The inner LCD display is higher-res, and visuals are far less pixelated. But black levels are less black.

The controllers are almost a bit too big. Playing Beat Saber felt different.

There's more resting space for fingers.

The Quest 2 controllers are fantastic, though.

The eye area is a little tight for my glasses, but Facebook sells separate sizing kits.

The Quest 2 charges via USB-C, and there's a single headphone jack (but there's also audio pumped through mini speakers on the headstraps).

Eye distance can be adjusted to one of three settings by pulling the eyepieces farther apart or pushing them together.

Quest 2 apps also play on Quest, but the new headset could develop more advanced games.

You also need a Facebook account to use the Quest 2. It's mandatory. While Oculus VR doesn't feel like normal Facebook, I wish there were a way to use it without logging into Facebook.

USB-C cables connected to a PC can turn the Quest 2 into a capable PC VR headset, which is a nice bonus.

Battery life lasts about 2 to 3 hours, and recharging takes a while (a couple of hours).

The Oculus Quest 2 (left) compared to the original Quest (right). The original Quest had more rigid headstraps, which you can now buy separately.

The Quest 2 controller (left) and the original Quest controller (right). Note that the original is actually smaller.

The two headsets still look similar.

The Quest 2 feels like an impressive revision of last year's headset, and at a lower price it's a shockingly good value. But that Facebook login is something you'll have to accept, or find another VR platform to use instead.