As one of the most edge-cutting technology fields in the world, the video gaming industry is constantly offering consumers shiny new toys. The shiniest of these toys is none other than the Oculus Quest 2.

Officially titled the Meta Quest 2—it was originally sold under the same name as its predecessor—the Oculus Quest 2 is the biggest name in virtual reality (VR) headsets on the market today. The use cases for the Oculus Quest 2 are varied, as it can be used alone, with an Android OS, or through a PC with Oculus Rift-compatible software. 

However, the Oculus Quest 2 was released in 2020. Though a two-year-old device may not seem that old, in an industry that moves as quickly as video gaming, it does raise some concerns about whether or not the Oculus Quest 2 is a savvy investment in the coming months.

Is the Oculus Quest 2 worth it in 2023? To answer this question, these are some of the biggest pros and cons of buying the Oculus Quest 2 right now.

PRO: The Oculus Quest 2 is the best VR headset on the market right now.

The Oculus Quest 2 has few competitors—the most notable being the HP Reverb G2, Sony Playstation VR, and the Valve Index—but it exceeds them for two simple reasons: price and capability.

Unlike the other VR headsets on the market, the Oculus Quest 2 isn’t just a headset, it’s a console. This means that you don’t need an additional console or software, like a PC or a phone, to run Meta Quest 2 games. However, it can be connected to these external points.

Considering that the Oculus Quest 2 can be used as a standalone console, its price point makes it far more cost-efficient than its headset-only competitors.

CON: The Oculus Quest 2 is far from perfect.

Though the Meta Quest 2 is an insanely high-quality console, it has a few design flaws that simply cannot be ignored.

For starters, users report that the default Oculus Quest 2 head straps are uncomfortable and impede their enjoyment when gaming.

Secondly, the console only has 2-3 hours of wireless battery life before it needs to be charged.

Luckily, third-party sellers have offered their solutions to these issues, offering replacement Oculus Quest 2 head straps, like this ergonomic design or this set that features a rechargeable battery for extra playtime.

PRO: The game selection for the Oculus Quest 2 is fantastic.

There’s a reason why the Oculus Quest 2 is popular with Twitch creators. The games are not only fun to play, but they’re also fun to watch! Years ago, closer to VR’s popularization, game choices were slim, but not anymore. With an Oculus Quest 2, you can play indie and AAA titles alike, including (but not limited to):

• Beat Saber
• Resident Evil 4
• Half-Life Alyx
• The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
• Supernatural
• Wander
• Vader Immortal

As VR technologies improve and more game developers adapt titles to the format, we expect the Oculus Quest 2’s game library to get even bigger.

CON: The Oculus Quest 3 may come out soon.

When we say Oculus Quest 3, we’re not talking about the Meta Quest Pro, which is not the third generation of the console, but a slightly “upgraded” (and far more expensive) version of the Oculus Quest 2.

Meta has not officially announced the release date for the Oculus Quest 3, but the company has hinted at another console in 2023. However, since the Oculus Quest 2 was released only a year after the original Oculus Quest, it seems likely that the next generation of Oculus headsets is due to go on the market relatively soon. For this reason, it may be worth waiting to purchase a VR headset until the Oculus Quest 3 comes out.