If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the cost has been a barrier, the first significant Meta Quest deal of 2025 might be just what you need. For a limited time, Amazon is offering a $50 discount on the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing the price down to just $349. This is only $50 more than the base 128GB model, making it an excellent choice for those looking to store more games for untethered play. This direct discount is even better than the Black Friday deals, which often came with digital credit or gift cards limited to specific stores.
To make the deal even sweeter, the package includes a copy of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, stating, "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
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Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset
Originally priced at $399.99, now save 13% and get it for $349.00 at Amazon. The Quest 3S surpasses the original Quest 2 in every aspect, and remarkably, without a price hike. It also incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, such as the enhanced Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review of the Quest 3S, 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 sets this deal apart from other VR offers is the ability to play the Meta 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 point, you won't find another standalone VR headset that offers such 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 price, some 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, since both use the same processor, running at a lower resolution can reduce the load on the APU, potentially improving game performance and contributing to the increased battery life.
For the price, the Quest 3S offers better value than the Quest 3 and is a more suitable choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was out of your budget. Compared to the previous generation Quest 2, the decision is even clearer.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
--------------------------------------IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of collective experience in finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and various other categories. We prioritize transparency and value, ensuring our readers are not misled into purchasing unnecessary items at inflated prices. Our goal is to highlight the best deals from trusted brands that our editorial team has firsthand experience with. For more insight into our process, you can review our deals standards here, or follow the latest deals we uncover on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.
