Meta Quest 3S 128GB with Batman & Horizon+ Review: Top VR Headset?

Top Gaming Tech for 2025

5/11/20255 min read

Jumping into mixed reality with the Quest 3S offers a fresh way to interact with digital content right in your own space. We spent time exploring its blend of virtual reality and augmented reality features, and the overall experience is smooth with good graphics. It’s lightweight and wireless, which made it comfortable for longer sessions, though the headset’s face padding became a bit uncomfortable after a while.

The included games and access to social hubs add value and keep things engaging. Performance generally met our expectations for this price range, though occasional glitches appeared. Battery life was solid, and the ability to multitask between apps without losing track of the room was a practical plus.

Bottom Line

For those looking to enter or upgrade their VR setup without overspending, the Quest 3S is a solid choice. It balances ease of use, performance, and comfort while offering diverse content. Check it out and see if it fits your gaming and mixed reality needs.

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Overview of Meta Quest 3S 128GB

We found the Quest 3S to be a solid all-in-one headset that blends VR and mixed reality well. It handles games and apps smoothly, with crisp visuals and responsive controls that make immersion straightforward.

The 128GB storage feels ample for most users, and the included Batman: Arkham Shadow plus Meta Horizon+ trial add value. However, the facial interface can feel a bit textured, which might affect long sessions for some. Overall, it strikes a good balance between performance and comfort for its price.

Mixed Reality Experience

Using the Quest 3S, we found the mixed reality feature to blend digital elements into our real environment smoothly. It allows interaction with virtual objects while still seeing the room around us, creating a more natural feeling than pure VR.

The visuals were sharp, and the tracking responsive, making switching between real and digital worlds feel seamless. However, occasional glitches disrupted the immersion briefly, and the headset's comfort level dipped slightly during longer sessions.

Overall, mixed reality on this device offers a solid balance of immersion and usability, ideal for users wanting to explore beyond traditional VR without losing awareness of their physical space.

Immersive Social Features

We found the social features on the Quest 3S to blend digital interaction with real-world spaces effectively. Jumping into multiplayer games or Meta Horizon’s shared events felt natural, and being able to pull up multiple apps while staying aware of our room was useful.

However, some minor glitches appeared occasionally during extended use, which interrupted seamless communication. The ability to stay connected through apps like WhatsApp and Instagram without removing the headset adds convenience, though audio options require additional accessories for the best experience.

Overall, the headset creates a compelling social VR environment but could improve stability for longer sessions.
Pros:

  • Easy multi-app multitasking

  • Robust multiplayer support

  • Social media chats in VR

Cons:

  • Occasional software bugs

  • Extra gear needed for optimal audio

Personal Theater and Entertainment

Watching movies and shows with the Quest 3S quickly turns any room into a private theater. The vibrant screen feels much larger than it actually is, which makes streaming content more immersive than usual.

We appreciated the wireless design and the comfort during longer sessions, though the textured face padding can become slightly uncomfortable over time. Sound quality is good when using compatible headphones, but an adapter is needed for standard 3.5mm plugs.

Using multiple apps simultaneously and casting to a TV worked smoothly, enhancing the overall entertainment experience. Occasionally, minor glitches appeared but didn’t seriously disrupt viewing. Overall, it’s a solid choice for personal theater and mixed reality entertainment.

Performance and Responsiveness

We found the Quest 3S performs well across various virtual experiences. The graphics are noticeably sharper than previous models, and the system handles mixed reality smoothly without lag.

Control responsiveness is solid; hand tracking and the Touch Plus Controllers react quickly and precisely, making interactions feel natural. However, occasional minor bugs can disrupt the experience but aren't frequent enough to be a major concern.

Pros:

  • Crisp visuals and smooth frame rates

  • Accurate and intuitive controls

  • Good multitasking without performance drops

Cons:

  • Some reports of occasional glitches

  • Comfort issues after extended use may affect focus

Overall, the 3S balances power and freedom well, delivering a responsive experience for gaming and social apps alike.

Wireless Comfort and Fitness

We found the Quest 3S offers genuine freedom with its wireless design, letting us move without feeling tethered. The lightweight fit helps during longer use, though the face padding can get slightly uncomfortable after extended workouts.

When using it for fitness, the headset stays secure without slipping, which is important for more active sessions. The absence of cables enhances immersion, but some minor bugs occasionally interrupt smooth tracking. Overall, it balances comfort and mobility well for mixed reality workouts.

Family Sharing and Safety

We found the Meta Quest 3S makes it straightforward to share with family members. Setting up multiple user accounts is simple, allowing everyone their own space without mixing up content or progress.

Parental controls are effective for managing what kids can access and how long they use the headset daily. The ability to monitor usage and set permissions helped us feel more confident about safe playtime.

However, some safety features require online guidance to fully understand, which might take extra time to navigate initially. Overall, the device balances family sharing and security well, making it suitable for households with different age groups.

Pros and Cons

When testing the Quest 3S, we found it stood out in several areas, though it also showed room for improvement.

Pros

  • The visuals are sharp and immersive, making both VR games and mixed reality experiences feel detailed and engaging.

  • Performance is noticeably smooth, with better graphics than previous models at this price point.

  • The lightweight design adds comfort for longer play sessions, which helps prevent fatigue.

  • Multi-tasking with multiple screens and apps works well, allowing us to stay connected while gaming or exploring content.

  • Included digital extras like Batman: Arkham Shadow and a 3-month Meta Horizon+ trial add value.

  • Wireless freedom and responsive controls make physical movement and interaction intuitive and fun.

  • Parental controls and multi-user support enhance usability for families or shared setups.

Cons

  • We noticed the face padding can get uncomfortable after extended use, especially during intense sessions.

  • Occasional software glitches or bugs disrupted the experience briefly, which might require updates to address.

  • Using USB-C headphones requires an adapter for 3.5mm models, which isn’t included, adding potential extra cost.

  • Some users may find the learning curve a bit steep when getting started, though the interface is fairly user-friendly overall.

Overall, the Quest 3S blends solid performance and comfort with minor usability quirks, making it a good choice for those seeking a capable mixed reality headset without a high price tag.

Customer Reviews

Users generally find the Quest 3S to offer strong performance for its price, delivering clear visuals and responsive controls. Many appreciate its ease of setup and the included content, which adds immediate value.

Comfort is mixed; while the headset feels light for longer use, some mention the face padding can become uncomfortable over time. There are occasional reports of minor glitches, but these do not seem widespread.

Strengths:

  • Smooth gameplay and good tracking

  • Balanced performance for budget-conscious buyers

  • Solid storage space with useful extras

Weaknesses:

  • Face padding texture may cause discomfort

  • Rare instances of software bugs

Overall, the Quest 3S holds up well against other devices in its range, making it a practical choice for both newcomers and regular VR users.

Exclusive Bonuses and Offers

When we picked up this headset, the included Batman: Arkham Shadow game immediately added value. It gave us a solid, immersive experience right out of the box, which made testing the headset more engaging.

The 3-month Meta Horizon+ subscription also stood out, offering access to additional games and social features. This bonus helped us explore more content without extra cost upfront.

Overall, these extras enhance the core experience, though the trial is limited to three months, so long-term players will need to subscribe afterward. Still, the bonuses offer a practical way to test the platform’s capabilities before committing fully.

Conclusion

After spending time with the Quest 3S, we found it offers solid performance without breaking the bank. The visuals are clear, and controls feel responsive, making gaming and mixed reality experiences enjoyable. The headset’s comfort is decent but might need breaks during longer sessions due to the face padding texture.

There are occasional glitches, but they don’t significantly disrupt overall use. The included games and trial add value, giving us an easy way to jump right in. For those balancing cost and quality in a VR headset, the Quest 3S presents a practical choice worth considering.