Meta sells the Meta Quest virtual and mixed reality headsets, their accessories, and a range of smart glasses made with partners such as Ray-Ban. Most people shopping on the Meta store are buying a Quest headset for the first time.
The order goes well when you pick the right headset model, choose storage you will not outgrow, plan for comfort, and claim any Quest Cash you are entitled to before the first game purchase.
Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S
The two current Meta headsets run the same software and the same game library. The difference is optics and display.
Meta Quest 3 uses pancake lenses, which give a sharper image across more of the view and a slimmer front. It has a continuously adjustable lens spacing wheel.
Meta Quest 3S is the cheaper headset. It uses Fresnel lenses, so the sweet spot is smaller and edges look softer, and lens spacing sets to a few fixed positions.
If you mainly play games and the budget is tight, the Quest 3S is a sound buy. If you plan to watch a lot of video, use the headset for work or productivity, or share it with people whose eye spacing differs a lot, the Meta Quest 3 is the better pick.
Choosing storage
Storage cannot be upgraded later on a Meta Quest, so choose it once.
Many Quest games are a few gigabytes, and some large titles are much more. Downloaded films, recordings and apps add up too.
A light user who plays a handful of games and deletes what they finish can live with the smallest option. A household sharing one Meta headset, or anyone who plans to keep a large library installed, should buy the larger size. Deleting and re-downloading is possible but slow.
Fit, comfort and glasses
Comfort decides how long you will actually use a Meta Quest.
The standard strap is basic. Many owners add an upgraded head strap, and some choose a version with a built-in battery to extend play time. Check that any strap is listed for your exact Quest model.
Glasses wearers can usually wear frames inside the headset using the spacing adjustment, but large frames can scratch the lenses. Prescription lens inserts designed for Meta Quest are sold by third parties and are worth it for regular use.
Set the lens spacing to your eyes during setup. A blurry picture is often spacing or strap position, not a faulty headset.
Your Meta account and subscriptions
A Meta Quest needs a Meta account and the Meta Horizon phone app for setup. Keep your account details to hand before the headset arrives.
Meta sells an optional games subscription, Meta Horizon+, that gives access to a rotating catalogue and some monthly titles. It is good value if you play widely, and easy to forget if you do not. Check the renewal date.
Games are bought through the Meta Horizon Store, and prices drop in regular sales. Wishlist titles rather than buying everything on day one.
Returns and warranty
Meta has offered a return window on hardware bought directly from its store. Test the headset, controllers and fit within that time. Check the current window on the Meta site at purchase.
Keep the box. Returns and warranty claims are simpler with the original packaging and all accessories.
Smart glasses on the Meta store
Meta also sells smart glasses, including Ray-Ban Meta glasses. They take photos and video, play audio through small speakers in the arms and answer voice questions through Meta AI. They are not a headset and show no virtual reality picture.
The main choices are frame style and lens type, such as clear, sunglass or transition lenses, with prescription lenses available on eligible frames. Try the frame size in a shop if you can, because fit on the nose and ears decides comfort.
The glasses pair with a Meta phone app. Some Meta AI features roll out country by country, so check what works where you live before buying.
Where the Meta savings are
Quest Cash is store credit for games and apps, not money off the headset. Meta's referral scheme has typically given a new owner Quest Cash when they activate a headset using an existing owner's referral. Apply it once, at setup, and it waits in your account for the first game.
The percentage codes are the ones that reduce the cash price. A 30% code on the Meta store is unusually deep, so expect it to apply to selected items such as accessories rather than every headset. Check the basket before paying.
On a $50 accessory, 10% saves $5 while the Quest Cash is worth $30 in games. The best plan for a new owner is both: a percentage code on the purchase and a referral at setup.
Meta headsets are also discounted by other retailers during sales events. Compare the final Meta price with those before you buy.
Common questions
Is Meta Quest 3 worth the extra over Quest 3S?
For sharper visuals, video and long sessions, yes. For gaming on a budget, the Quest 3S plays the same library.
What is Meta Quest Cash?
Store credit for the Meta Horizon Store, spent on games and apps. It does not reduce the price of the headset.
Can I add storage to a Meta Quest later?
No. Choose the storage size carefully at purchase.
Can I wear glasses in a Meta Quest?
Usually yes, though large frames can scratch the lenses. Prescription inserts are the better long-term option.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| 10% off | Promo code | View at Meta → |
| Free gift | Promo code | View at Meta → |
| Special Offer | Promo code | View at Meta → |
| Get $30 Quest Cash | Promo code | View at Meta → |