If you've been eyeing VR gaming but the high costs have held you back, the first noteworthy Meta Quest deal of 2025 might just be your ticket in. Amazon is currently offering a $50 discount on the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing the price down to a tempting $349. This is only $50 more than the base 128GB model, making it an excellent choice for those looking to store more games for seamless, untethered play. This straightforward discount is arguably more appealing than the Black Friday deals, which often came with the hassle of digital credits or store-specific gift cards.
To make the deal even sweeter, the package includes a free copy of the Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, 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
Originally priced at $399.99, the Meta Quest 3S is now available for $349.00 at Amazon, marking a 13% savings. This model surpasses the original Quest 2 in every aspect, and remarkably, without a price hike. It incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, such as the enhanced Touch controllers, an upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review of the Quest 3S, Gabriel Moss highlighted its strengths, stating, "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 sets this deal apart from other VR offers is the ability to play the Meta Quest 3S **completely untethered**. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. At this price point, you won't find another standalone VR headset that offers the same level of freedom and performance.
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, certain compromises were necessary. Here's a breakdown of the key similarities and differences:
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, the Quest 3S is nearly identical to the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. The use of the same processor at a lower resolution can potentially enhance in-game performance and contribute to the improved battery life.
Given its price, the Quest 3S offers a superior value compared to the Quest 3, making it the better choice for most gamers, particularly those for whom the Quest 3 was out of reach. When compared to the previous generation Quest 2, the decision becomes even clearer.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
IGN's deals team brings over 30 years of combined experience in finding the best discounts across gaming, tech, and various other categories. Our commitment is to present the most compelling deals from reputable brands that our editorial team has firsthand experience with. We aim to guide our readers toward genuine savings without promoting unnecessary purchases. For more details on our methodology, you can review our deals standards here, or follow the latest deals we uncover on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.