Why You Can Trust CNET Meta Cuts Prices on Quest 2, Quest Pro VR Headsets
The 256GB Quest 2 and Quest Pro price changes kick in March 5, but we recommend you hold off for the Quest 3.
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
The Meta Quest Pro debuted six months ago. Now it's $500 less expensive.
Meta's reducing prices on its VR headsets again. The news comes less than a year after Meta (formerly Facebook) increased the price of the Meta Quest 2 VR headset (formerly, and sometimes still, the Oculus Quest 2).
The changes, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg this morning, go into effect March 5. The entry-level Quest 2 with 128GB of storage is still $400, but the model with 256GB storage will drop down to $430, making it a $30 step-up for double the app space vs. $100 more previously. Both Quest 2 models currently come bundled with two games: Golf+ and Space Pirate Trainer DX. International prices were not immediately available but $430 is roughly £360 or AU$640.
The Meta Quest Pro, which started at $1,500 (AU$2,550, £1,500) last October and is nearing its half-year anniversary, got a temporary price drop to $1,100 earlier this year. It will drop to $1,000.
I wouldn't recommend you get either of these headsets, though -- not now, at least. The Quest 2 is a great standalone VR headset with tons of games, and remains CNET's pick as the best overall VR headset, but it's two and a half years old and Meta's Quest 3 successor is expected this fall. According to a leaked internal meeting at Meta, which The Verge received, it'll be more expensive than the Quest 2, but it should be smaller, have improved mixed-reality features and have a faster processor. After that, Meta may have an even more affordable new headset in 2024.
Also, the 128GB storage on the base Quest 2 is probably more than enough for most people (although, at $430, I'd be more tempted by the 256GB upgrade).
The Meta Quest Pro, aimed at work instead of gaming, has a better display, color passthrough cameras, and eye and face tracking cameras. But it's still not significantly better enough to merit an extra $600 over the Quest 2, and Meta's clearly had difficulty selling them.
Plus, there are likely to be other VR headset contenders arriving throughout 2023.
According to Meta's press release, "Pricing changes will go into effect for the 256GB Meta Quest 2 SKU on March 5 in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK and the US. The Meta Quest Pro price drop will take effect March 5 in the US and Canada and March 15 in all other countries where Meta Quest Pro is supported."