Watch out: The Meta Quest Pro might not be the VR headset of your dreams
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Meta’s latest VR headset, the Meta Quest Pro, is finally getting into users’ hands and it seems that many are unimpressed with the next-generation device.
After launching on October 25, pre-orders for the Meta Quest Pro — a much more powerful, feature-packed device than Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 — are arriving at doorsteps, and users are taking to social media to share their thoughts.
Unfortunately for Meta, several of the posts we’ve seen on platforms like Reddit have been far from positive, with titles like “Quest Pro Sucks (opens in new tab)” and “Returning the Quest Pro (opens in new tab)” appears just one day after the device was released. Reading through the posts, it’s clear that users share some major frustrations regarding passthrough and the Quest Pro’s VR capabilities.
A big upgrade for the Meta Quest Pro is the color throughput, which means you can see a full-color video feed of the outside world while wearing the headset. In theory, this should make it possible to facilitate mixed reality experiences better than the Quest 2’s black and white passthrough. When we demoted the headset before launch, we thought this feature had a lot of potential – the mixed reality- titles we played were some of the best experiences we’ve had while wearing a Meta headset – but in the real world, the passthrough isn’t popular.
Users complain that the image is way too grainy unless you’re in a very bright room, especially considering you paid $1,500 / £1,500 / AU$2,450 for the privilege.
Plus, as we suspected, the Quest Pro isn’t the most immersive headset for playing VR titles like the best Oculus Quest 2 games. We didn’t get to play any VR games during our short hands-on time, but we were concerned that they wouldn’t be as immersive as a Quest 2 due to the Quest Pro’s design.
Unlike a typical VR headset, which forms a seal around your eyes, the Meta Quest Pro leaves a large gap between the screen and your face, so you can see the real world at all times. For mixed reality, we thought this was an advantage, but – as users have found – when trying to escape into virtual reality, seeing the real world can be super unpleasant. You can buy blinders for the Pro headset to fix this problem, but when you’re already paying that much for the device, spending more for what feels like an essential add-on is a heavy pill.
It’s worth noting that other users have had a more positive experience, and the complaints we referenced above may be coming from a loud minority rather than the majority of users. Still, they are worth paying attention to. Given the high cost of the Meta Quest Pro, you want to be absolutely sure that this is the best headset for you. Reading people’s reviews will help you determine if it is indeed what you want to buy, or if you’re better off with one of the other options out there.
Analysis: the best VR headset for you
The Meta Quest Pro does have some strengths. When we tried the headset, we found the mixed reality experiences to be incredibly immersive – thanks to the more open design and color permeability – and face tracking made interacting with other users real.
The price is a bit higher, though, and the focus on mixed reality comes at the expense of the VR experience (unless you buy the extra add-on that blocks the real world).
So even though it’s the latest headset from Meta, you’ll find that the Meta Quest Pro isn’t the best option for you.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly VR headset, you’ll want to go for the Oculus Quest 2 or Pico 4 right now. Based on our experience with both devices, the Quest 2 has a slight advantage. Despite poorer specs, the software is generally more polished, has a better selection of games and apps, and is more widely available (the Pico 4 is only available in the UK, Europe and Asia).
However, if you’re in the UK, the Pico 4 is one to consider. It’s slightly cheaper than the Quest 2 (although the Pico 4 doesn’t come with a free game like Beat Saber), and like I said, it’s slightly more powerful. The software is failing, but Pico has already made significant improvements to the device. With exclusive games like a VR version of Just Dance heading to the Pico platform, we could see the Pico 4 match and even surpass the Quest 2 in the coming year.
While not as talked about as the Quest 2, you may also want to consider the best VR headset in terms of raw performance: the Valve Index. It’s pricey (costs $999 / £919 / about AU$1,425), and you’ll need a solid PC to run many of its best VR games (which will set you back at least $500 / £500 / AU$750) ), but in return you get a great pair of headphones. The image quality and knuckle controllers make your VR titles feel even more interactive. This headset offers the best way to play some of the best VR games like Half-Life: Alyx.
The only drawbacks are that the Valve Index is wired and requires a fair amount of installation and space, thanks to the base stations. But these drawbacks are more than made up for by the performance of the Index.
Another device to consider is the Oculus Quest 3. Sure, it’s not available today, but it’s coming next year (according to Meta). Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said it will cost $300 to $500, which is roughly the price of the Quest 2 right now. We also expect to see the PlayStation VR 2 in 2023, although you’ll need a PS5 to play it. to use. So if none of the headsets above appeal to you, it wouldn’t hurt to wait a few months and see if the next generation of VR devices fits your needs (and your budget) better than what’s out there now.