Meta Quest 2 & Oculus Rift S share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Meta Quest 2 rather than the Oculus Rift S.
Why Do I Recommend The Meta Quest 2?
- The Meta Quest 2 features a higher resolution display (1832 x 1920 per eye) for sharper visuals, improved clarity, and enhanced detail compared to the Oculus Rift S’s 1280 x 1440 resolution.
- Meta Quest 2 offers multiple refresh rate options (60Hz, 72Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz) for smoother gameplay, better motion handling, and reduced motion blur, whereas the Oculus Rift S is limited to 80Hz.
- It is a versatile standalone headset with a powerful Snapdragon XR2 processor to enjoy VR games and apps without a PC, whereas the Oculus Rift S requires constant PC connectivity.
- The Meta Quest 2 features improved controllers with enhanced haptic feedback and better ergonomics for a more immersive and comfortable VR experience compared to the Oculus Rift S’s standard Oculus Touch controllers.
- Meta Quest 2 includes native hand-tracking support to navigate VR environments and interact with content, while Oculus Rift S lacks these features.
- It supports both wired (Oculus Link) and wireless PCVR (Air Link) connectivity for providing more flexibility and freedom compared to the Oculus Rift S’s wired PC connection.
- The Meta Quest 2 is lightweight (approximately 503g) for improving comfort during long VR sessions, while the Oculus Rift S is around 563g.
Maybe the Oculus Rift S price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Meta Quest 2. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
Feature | Meta Quest 2 | Oculus Rift S |
Display Type | LCD with Fast-Switch Technology | LCD |
Resolution (per eye) | 1832 x 1920 | 1280 x 1440 |
Total Resolution | 3664 x 1920 | 2560 x 1440 |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz / 72Hz / 90Hz / 120Hz | 80Hz |
Wireless Capability | Yes (Standalone + Oculus Link/Air Link for PCVR) | No (Tethered to PC only) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 | Powered by connected PC |
RAM | 6GB | N/A (PC-dependent) |
Storage Options | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | N/A (PC-dependent) |
Battery Life | 2-3 hours (built-in battery) | No battery (PC-powered) |
Audio Solution | Integrated positional speakers | Integrated speakers with 3.5mm audio jack |
IPD Adjustment | Manual 3-step adjustment (58mm / 63mm / 68mm) | Fixed IPD with software adjustment |
Head Strap | Soft fabric strap | Rigid Halo headband |
Controller Design | New ergonomic Oculus Touch controllers | Standard Oculus Touch controllers |
Software Support | Standalone VR apps + PCVR via Link/Air Link | PCVR-only support |
Setup Requirements | Guardian boundary setup only | PC setup with USB 3.0 + DisplayPort required |
Hand Tracking Support | Yes (native support) | No |
PCVR Link Cable | Oculus Link cable (optional) | N/A (permanently wired connection) |
Gaming Library | Quest Store + Oculus Store + SteamVR support | Oculus Store + SteamVR support |
Passthrough Feature | Yes (Passthrough+ for improved environment visibility) | Yes (Standard Passthrough) |
Color Passthrough | Yes | No (Black & White only) |
Comfort Accessories | Elite Strap | Integrated Halo headband |
Default Facial Interface | Soft foam with removable facial interface | Rigid plastic with foam padding |
Release Date | October 2020 | March 2019 |
Weight | ~503g | ~563g |
Price | Check Quest 2 Price | Check Rift S Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Display Type (LCD Panel): Both headsets utilize LCD panels, which provide improved brightness, color accuracy, and reduced screen door effect compared to older OLED screens.
- Field of View (FoV): Both offer a similar field of view (~100-110 degrees), ensuring a comparable immersive visual experience with wide peripheral vision.
- Inside-Out Tracking: Each headset features inside-out tracking technology, meaning the built-in cameras track your movements without the need for external sensors, simplifying setup.
- 6DoF (Six Degrees of Freedom): Both devices support 6DoF, allowing for complete head and body movement tracking, giving users the ability to move naturally within the virtual environment.
- Integrated Audio System: Both headsets include built-in positional speakers that deliver immersive 3D audio without requiring headphones, enhancing the VR experience with spatial sound.
- 3.5mm Audio Jack Support: Both provide a 3.5mm audio jack for users who prefer to connect their own headphones for personalized sound.
- Passthrough Feature: Each headset includes a Passthrough feature, which allows users to see their real-world surroundings through the headset’s cameras. While Quest 2 offers improved color Passthrough via updates, both originally featured black-and-white Passthrough.
- Guardian Boundary System: Both devices implement the Guardian Boundary system, enabling users to create a safe play area that alerts them if they move too close to walls or objects during gameplay.
- Oculus Touch Controllers: Both headsets come with Oculus Touch controllers, designed to provide precise hand tracking, motion control, and intuitive interactions in VR.
- PCVR Compatibility: Both headsets are compatible with PCVR experiences. The Quest 2 achieves this through Oculus Link or Air Link, while the Rift S requires a constant wired PC connection.
- Game Library Access: Both devices offer access to the Oculus Store and SteamVR, ensuring a wide variety of games and applications for immersive entertainment.
- Room-Scale VR Support: Both headsets support room-scale VR, allowing users to physically move within a defined play area for a more immersive experience.
- Glasses Compatibility: Both headsets are designed to accommodate glasses wearers comfortably, with the Quest 2 including a dedicated glasses spacer.
- Software Ecosystem (Oculus Home): Both devices use the Oculus Home platform, providing a familiar interface for managing games, apps, and social features.
- Firmware & Software Updates: Both headsets receive regular updates to enhance performance, introduce new features, and improve overall user experience.
Common Features
Feature | Meta Quest 2 | Oculus Rift S |
Display Type | LCD | LCD |
Field of View (FoV) | ~100 degrees | ~110 degrees |
Inside-Out Tracking | Yes | Yes |
6DoF (Six Degrees of Freedom) | Yes | Yes |
Integrated Audio System | Yes (Built-in positional speakers) | Yes (Built-in positional speakers) |
3.5mm Audio Jack Support | Yes | Yes |
Passthrough Feature | Yes (Black and White Passthrough, upgraded to color via software update) | Yes (Black and White Passthrough) |
Guardian Boundary System | Yes | Yes |
Oculus Touch Controllers | Yes (Improved version) | Yes |
PCVR Compatibility | Yes (via Oculus Link/Air Link) | Yes (Native PCVR) |
Game Library Access | Oculus Store + SteamVR support | Oculus Store + SteamVR support |
Room-Scale VR Support | Yes | Yes |
Glasses Compatibility | Yes (with spacer) | Yes |
Software Ecosystem | Oculus Home | Oculus Home |
Firmware & Software Updates | Yes | Yes |
Price | Check Quest 2 Price | Check Rift S Price |
FAQ
Can the Meta Quest 2 be used as a PCVR headset like the Oculus Rift S? Which headset offers better display quality? Does the Oculus Rift S support wireless gameplay like the Meta Quest 2? Which headset is easier to set up? Do both headsets support room-scale VR? Are both headsets compatible with the same game libraries? Which headset offers better comfort for long sessions? Do both headsets support hand tracking? Which headset has better refresh rate options? Do both headsets include built-in audio? Can I use glasses with these headsets? Which headset is lighter and more portable? What type of tracking system do both headsets use? |