If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the cost has been a barrier, the first significant Meta Quest deal of 2025 is here to help. For a limited time, Amazon is offering a $50 discount on the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing the price down to just $349. This makes it only $50 more than the base 128GB model, making it an excellent choice for those looking to store more games and enjoy untethered play. This direct discount is even better than the Black Friday deals, which often included digital credits or gift cards restricted to specific stores.
To make this offer even more enticing, the package includes a 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
$399.99 save 13%
$349.00 at Amazon
The Quest 3S surpasses the original Quest 2 in every aspect, remarkably without raising the price. It also incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, including the new and improved 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, saying, "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 truly distinguishes this deal is that the Meta Quest 3S can be played **completely untethered**. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. At this price point, you won't find another standalone VR headset that offers such freedom.
How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?
Even at its retail price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To reach this competitive price, some compromises were necessary. Here's how the two models compare:
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 essence, the Quest 3S is nearly identical to the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, since both use the same processor, operating at a lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially enhancing game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.
Given the price, the Quest 3S offers much better value than the Quest 3 and is the better choice for most gamers, particularly if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. Compared to the previous generation Quest 2, the decision becomes even clearer.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of collective experience in uncovering the best discounts across gaming, tech, and various other categories. We prioritize transparency and value, ensuring our readers are informed about genuine deals on products from reputable brands that we've personally tested. For a deeper understanding of our methodology, visit our deals standards page. Stay updated with the latest deals by following IGN's Deals account on Twitter.
