Meta recently released the Quest 3, a $500 VR headset that shares some features of the more expensive Quest Pro. If you want to explore virtual reality for games, entertainment, and work, there are several points to consider before deciding between the Quest 3 and the Quest Pro.
The operating system and app libraries are virtually identical. So we need to examine the price, performance, image quality, comfort, and special features to determine the best VR headset and help you identify which one is right for your needs.
In many ways, the Meta Quest 3 is a game-changing VR headset that raises the bar for low-cost standalone solutions, as you can read in our Meta Quest 3 review. However, its design is closer to the Quest 2, while Meta has introduced several new concepts to the Quest Pro (read our Meta Quest Pro review for more details).
Rest
Comfort is sometimes overlooked in VR because there is a tendency to think of headsets as technology like computers, tablets, or gaming consoles. In truth, it is wearable, so comfort is an important factor in usability.
It may come as a surprise that the Meta Quest 3 is 207 grams lighter than the Quest Pro. Despite this fact, the Quest Pro will be more comfortable for most people.
The Quest Pro has open sides and bottom. Plus, the battery is on the back of the headset, so the weight is more evenly distributed.
The Quest 3 has a full light shield and battery on the front. The thin profile and superior soft strap reduce pressure on the face, and I found it comfortable for about an hour of gameplay, but my skin did get a little irritated.
“VR Face” is a common effect of spending an hour or more wearing the Quest 3. A red ring in the shape of the headset remains for a long time after it is removed. This is more noticeable for some people than others, and supportive headbands often help reduce this problem. If you have sensitive skin, the Quest 3 may cause noticeable pressure on your face after an hour of use.
The Quest Pro’s design results in the display moving in front of your eyes without putting pressure on your nose or cheeks. I can wear it for hours without any discomfort. The downside is that the weight, as it is balanced, rests on your forehead. This is a bony area that can bear more weight, but some users find it uncomfortable.
The Quest Pro’s more open interface helps with workouts in VR or playing intense games that might cause sweat and steam in the Quest 3. Most people find the Quest Pro to be more comfortable overall. As with any headset, it takes time to refine the fit, so allow a week or two to adjust to the headset you choose.
Display
Devices designated as Pro models are usually faster, but this is not always true when comparing different generations. The Quest Pro launches in October 2022, while the Metaza Quest 3 arrives a full year later.
Even a few months can bring big changes in the field of technology. The Qualcomm XR2+ Gen 1 processor powering the Quest Pro was a step up from the Quest 2, but the Quest 3 is noticeably faster with its Qualcomm XR2 Gen 2 chip.
Meta says the Quest 3 has twice the GPU performance of the Quest 2. The margin on the Quest Pro is not known, but it is significant. Most games will be targeting Quest 2 compatibility for a year or two, but many games are already taking advantage of the Quest 3’s improved graphics capability.
The Quest Pro has 50% more memory, 12 GB compared to the Quest 3’s 8 GB. This may allow for better multitasking and productivity, but I haven’t noticed this in my testing.
image quality
Meta gave the Quest Pro a big boost in clarity by using pancake optics instead of the Quest 2’s older Fresnel lens. The Quest 3 benefits from that research and also uses a pancake lens, which eliminates “God ray” artifacts and expands the sweet spot for better edge-to-edge clarity.
The Quest 3 features the Meta’s highest-resolution display, with 30% more pixels and a slightly wider field of view than the Quest Pro. The Quest 3’s refresh rate can reach up to 120Hz, while the Quest Pro’s maxes out at 90Hz.
However, the Quest Pro features mini-LED backlighting for deeper blacks and higher dynamic range. As for visual quality, it’s a matter of preference. Do you prefer a clearer image or better dynamic range? The Quest 3 offers the former, while the Quest Pro offers the latter.
mixed reality
One of the Quest Pro’s key features, a color mixed-reality view that blends graphics into your physical environment, attracted media attention. Meta’s VR headset provided a solid glimpse of what will be possible in future AR glasses.
While it’s interesting for demonstrations, some games and apps have offered a compelling reason to use mixed reality. Playing virtual board games at your table is fun, but sometimes the experience is better in VR where your friends have faces, even if they look like cartoons.
AR may be a feature that works best as glasses when you’re moving around and looking for computer assistance in daily life. VR is meant to be immersive so you can lose yourself in another world.
However, for parents and pet owners, there is a good reason to be mindful of their environment. Mixed reality games allow you to see what’s happening in the real world so you can avoid stepping on a cat or bumping into someone walking into your game space.
Whether you have a keen interest in mixed reality or not, the Quest 3 will outperform the Quest Pro in this area. The Quest 3 also includes a depth sensor to automatically map your room, whereas marking a safe play area on the Quest Pro is a manual process.
controller and dock
The Quest Pro still has some special features missing from the Quest 3. Eye-tracking and face-tracking are only possible with the hardware built into the more expensive Meta headsets.
The Quest Pro comes with a convenient charging dock, so the battery charges as soon as you put it away. Cabling isn’t a major hassle, and the dock even charges the controllers simultaneously.
The Quest uses 3 AA batteries, so there may be times when your controllers malfunction and drain your battery. The Quest 3 controllers look similar to the Quest Pro’s Touch Pro controllers, but they lack precision tracking. The Quest 3’s cameras have to look at the controllers to track them, while the Touch Pro controllers are self-tracking.
Meta sells the Quest 3 dock with a rechargeable battery for the Touch Plus controllers, but it adds $130 to the price.
price
Both headsets have pros and cons, but the Quest 3 is a newer device with better image quality and better performance at a lower price. For $500, it’s hard to go wrong with the 128GB Meta Quest 3.
However, the Quest Pro wins in terms of comfort and ease of use. It comes with twice as much storage and 50% more memory. Professionals might choose the Quest Pro for these reasons alone. Add eye-tracking and face-tracking for VR chats and meetings and you can see where it might be worth the extra cost.
The Meta Quest Pro currently sells for $1,000 with 256GB of storage. The Quest 3 with 128GB of storage is $500. The 512GB model costs $650 and has twice the storage of the Quest Pro.
Which is Right for You?
For most people, the Quest 3 is an easy, automatic choice. If you want a low-cost VR headset for gaming, fitness, 360 movies, and generally exploring virtual and mixed reality, this is an exciting new headset with a huge library and a long future ahead of it. Meta will now continue to sell the Quest 2 for $300 for those on a budget.
The Quest Pro is great for people with sensitive skin who want to avoid irritation from the pressure of the device on their face. If you’re going to be in VR all day and can’t wait an hour for the VR face effects to wear off, Meta’s premium headset largely solves that problem.
If you plan on using the VR headset for work and will be in and out frequently, the dock and rechargeable controller keep the battery full and ready to go at a moment’s notice with the Quest Pro Live. For virtual meetings, Quest Pro can animate your avatar’s face and eyes for a more natural appearance and nonverbal communication.
Ultimately, if the Quest Pro costs too much, the Quest 3 will work well for most people. If you’re able to do this, consider how you’ll be using the device before deciding. There’s a reason Meta will sell both.