If you've been eager to dive into the world of VR gaming but have been put off by the costs, the first significant Meta Quest deal of 2025 might just be the opportunity you've been waiting for. Amazon is currently offering a $50 discount on the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing the price down to just $349. This deal makes it only $50 more than the 128GB model, making it an excellent choice for those looking to store more games for untethered play. This instant discount is even better than the Black Friday deals, which often included digital credit or gift cards limited to specific stores.
To make the offer even more enticing, the package includes a copy of the Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. IGN's reviewer, Dan Stapleton, gave the game an 8/10, praising it by saying, "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 is a substantial upgrade from the Quest 2, yet it maintains the same price point. It incorporates many features from the more expensive Quest 3, including the improved Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss noted, "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 makes this deal stand out from other VR offers is the ability to play the Quest 3S **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, you won't find another standalone VR headset that offers this level of 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 achieve this competitive pricing, certain compromises were made. 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, because both use the same processor, running at a lower resolution can reduce the load on the APU, potentially improving in-game performance and contributing to the increased battery life.
Given its price, the Quest 3S offers a better value than the Quest 3 and is a more suitable option for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. Compared to the Quest 2, the choice is even clearer.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
--------------------------------------IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of collective experience in sourcing the best discounts across gaming, tech, and other categories. Our mission is to guide our readers to genuine deals on trusted brands, without promoting unnecessary purchases. Our editorial team's firsthand experience ensures that we only recommend deals that meet our high standards. You can learn more about our process in our deals standards section or follow the latest deals via IGN's Deals account on Twitter.