Play games, watch shows and movies, surf the web, and much more in virtual reality from absolutely anywhere. The Oculus Quest 2 is an all-in-one wireless VR headset that doesn’t require any additional equipment. There’s no need to connect to a console or expensive gaming PC, nor are there any necessary cables, wires, or sensors to hook up. Simply slide your Oculus Quest 2 headset on and enter an amazing world of VR.
Oculus Quest 2 pushes the boundaries of VR comfort and accessibility
As an early adopter of VR headsets, I can’t believe how fast the technology is advancing. I recall my first experiences just a few short years ago. They were underwhelming affairs featuring cumbersome, uncomfortable headsets with bulky cables and unimpressive sensors.
I can see now that the Oculus Quest 2 is exactly the kind of VR headset I was wishing for at the beginning. This headset is lightweight, minimal, and, most importantly, comfortable, yet it still performs great. It took a few years, but the Oculus Quest 2 shows how we are pushing past the initial bumps and roadblocks of affordable and functional virtual reality and toward a bright future.
The Quest 2 features 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, and a 72Hz refresh rate (with the option to bump up to 90Hz currently in beta). These aren’t the most high-end VR specs available. However, they are amazing when you consider the standalone nature of the headset. Furthermore, the whole package is incredible when you take into consideration the price range of the Oculus Quest 2 over more expensive VR rigs.
The only real downside in my opinion is the mandatory Facebook login the Quest 2 requires. Personally, I’m not a Facebook guy. Having to make a dummy Facebook account to use this VR headset bothers me more than a little. I wish there were a separate option, but sadly the two products are forever tied together.
Take VR with you anywhere you go
The most important feature of the Oculus Quest 2 is the fact that it’s a completely standalone product. There’s no PC or console necessary. The Quest 2 is its own gaming and entertainment hub. As Dr. Seuss might say, “You can play it here or there, you can play it anywhere”!
Since the Quest 2 works all on its own, it obviously requires onboard storage for games and apps. There are two different options here: a 64 GB model and a 256 GB model. Most games available come in around 2 – 6 GB, although some larger games (such as the recent Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners) can approach 12 GB or more in size.
This should mean that the smaller 64 GB model will be sufficient for most. It’s possible to download a healthy amount of content with this much space, especially if you tend to delete older games over time. However, if you intend to build a massive library that you always want available, the 256 GB model may be the choice for you.
Easy setup in a play area of any size
The Oculus Quest 2 is far and away among the easiest VR headsets to get up and running. Getting started is as simple as sliding the headset on and establishing your play area. Since the headset uses its own built-in cameras (instead of sensors), video passthrough allows you to see your surroundings even with the headset on.
There are essentially 3 ways to play—sitting, standing, or roomscale. When you enter VR with the Quest 2, you’ll essentially decide how you want to play, and the headset will assist you in creating a boundary. You’ll then receive a visual warning anytime you are in danger of exceeding the boundary, making it easy to maintain your space and not wander or bump into your surroundings.
The really amazing thing is that the Quest 2 will actually allow you to create a custom boundary. Instead of estimating the room or choosing from preset sizes, you can simply use the controller in passthrough mode to draw your own boundary on the floor. You’ll instantly have a play area that perfectly matches the room you are playing in.
The boundary system works so well and perfectly suits the portable functionality of the Quest 2. If you are sitting down, you can shift to a stationary boundary as well. Some games and apps are primarily designed for sitting, while others require roomscale movement. Check the details of any given app to see which modes it supports.
PC VR functionality via Oculus Link
While the Oculus Quest 2 functions on its own, it’s still possible to expand its use to a PC. This requires utilizing “Oculus Link”, which involves installing the Oculus App and connecting to your PC via the Oculus Link Cable (or a similar high-speed USB-C cable). Using this method, Quest 2 owners can access the Oculus Rift library in tandem with a VR-ready PC.
This is definitely important to me as I want to be able to play games from my Steam library with the Quest 2. Luckily, this is very much possible by connecting the headset to the Oculus PC App via Oculus Link and then downloading the “Steam VR” App from the Oculus Rift store.
Unfortunately, I do not have the official Oculus Link Cable for testing, but I was able to get up and running using the USB-C cable from my Nintendo Switch console. With little effort, I was soon playing Star Wars: Squadrons in VR via Steam. You can read more about the Star Wars VR experience in my Star Wars: Squadrons review!
Preparation for Oculus Link
While my Switch cable works well enough, I did encounter a bit of lag here and there. If you intend to use the Oculus Link feature regularly, I recommend either investing in the official cable (warning—it’s not inexpensive), or researching to ensure you obtain a third-party cable that meets the high-speed requirement.
Another aspect I noticed was that the built-in headphones weren’t quite loud enough in many instances when using Oculus Link—even at max volume. This was a quick fix, however, since the Quest 2 also supports external headphones via a 3.5mm headphone jack.
After plugging in my Beats Over-Ear Headphones (which fit comfortably over the Quest 2’s sleek design), the sound experience improved greatly, and I realized that this was my preferred audio solution overall—not just when necessary to bolster the weaker volume in link mode.
The Oculus Link 2 is one of the most accessible and streamlined VR options out there
As previously stated, my first impressions of VR were less than stellar. So much so that I haven’t given the technology much attention since those earliest days. However, the Oculus Quest 2 clearly demonstrates for me that VR is finally delivering the experience I was hoping for in the beginning.
The Quest 2 is so easy to use. It fits comfortably, offers a decent library of games and apps, and best of all it’s extremely portable. I love the fact that it delivers awesome VR anywhere without the need for a console, PC, or sensors. Not to mention that owners get all this at a much lower cost than that of high-end VR rigs.
I could do without the mandatory Facebook integration. However, I’m ultimately willing to curate a dummy account in order to enjoy the Quest 2 on its own, as well as in conjunction with my PC via Oculus Link. The Oculus Quest 2 is a fantastic choice for VR enthusiasts, casual users, and newcomers alike.
Oculus Quest 2 64GB VR Headset with Touch Controllers
Oculus Quest 2 256GB VR Headset with Touch Controllers
I would love to win this for our family. We’ve been researching VR for years. I had no idea that it does so much, and to be wireless is even better, no spaghetti mess of wires. I would use for movies and surfing the web and the boys of the house would use for gaming. With the pandemic we have become house bound, I have been hospital bound with mom’s terminal cancer. Hoping to spend one more Christmas with my special Mom❤
I love that I can be inside the game. I’ll use it to blast zombies and keep my family safe.
I love that the Quest 2 is wireless, ive been waiting for a good wireless headset since I used the original oculus long ago. I would use it for fitness, gaming, and watching videos and sports with a friend that has one until the pandemic is over.
I’ve been dreaming of getting an Oculus Quest 2 for FORever!!! I know someone who played the Oculus Quest and LOVED it. I played something similar at an arcade, and it was soooo much fun!! I would love to win so I could play games and watch movies! It would definitely be addicting 🙂
I love how for the price you’re getting a unit that is very close to the higher tier vr sets out there, as well as being able to go eother wireless or wired (and I hear virtual desktop works well too). Oculus has a winner on their hands, and I think this is going to be a game changer for the industry. I could see myself spending hours on Population: 1 and watching YouTube.
Love that it’s wireless. My son and I would use for gaming, first in would be HL: Alyx for sure.
I’ve never get t to experience VR but I love the wireless design and I’m a huge gamer who would love to finally experience VR!
I love how easy it is to set up (no external wires and base stations) and you don’t need an expensive PC to run it.
I want to play some beatsaber!!!
Love the fact that it’s self contained. Would use it to play Beat Saber so hard.
Love that it’s a self contained system, and I would use it for gaming.
Complete wireless, and to play some beat saber.
Love the complete wireless ability so I can play any immersive racing games!
I love that the Quest 2 takes a huge leap not only in the tech but the price for the first Quest. I hope to use it to play games and consume media.
Would definitely be gaming, watching movies, getting exercise!
I love that the headset is a standalone device and that there are no cables tying you to anything. It will probably be used most for gaming by me, movies by others in the family.
Love that it’s completely wireless and would love to play immersive gaming on it, especially Beat Saber
Love it for its wireless abilities and would use it for gaming!
I love that it can set up it’s own perimeter and has awesome tracking. I’d use it for some serious gaming.
The occulus or the Valve Index were my 2 go to in terms of VR. Would love to win to play with my brother.
Am definitely gonna use it for gaming & some workout Very Exciting stuff!
I love the high resolution. I would use it for games.
I really like that it is a self contained system that doesn’t require a pc.I would use it for gaming.
I would to use this to meditate
I love that is does not require a PC it is self contained and gaming
Love that it does not require a pc gaming
I would love to play the game with my Child
VR is definitely the future and I would use it for a virtual office and to play games
Welcome to the future! Can’t wait to try this standalone VR headset! Looks easy to use, and set up! Will definitely need to pick one up for us to use!
Wireless vr playing games would be awesome. I’d play Half Life alyx.
Love the high resolution
Would love to try racing simulator on it
I love the lack of cables and excess bulk in general.
I’d probably use it for gaming
Wow. Wireless VR. I would use this to race F1 sims for all it’s worth.
Vroom Vroom!
This would be awesome and easy to take anywhere I want! VR is the future.
I’d love to use this on a plain to watch whatever the heck I want lol.
The wire free experience sounds amazing! I would love to play beat saber on the quest 2 and try out so many VR titles. VR is the future!
I love that it’s hybrid, meaning either no cables in standalone mode, or cabled to your gaming PC to ise as if it was a Rift, to play Skyrim VR.
Would love to win this one so I don’t need to share mine with my wife!
I love that No PC or console needed; just open the box, set up with the smartphone app and jump into VR
I would use it for gaming
I love that No PC or console needed; just open the box, set up with the smartphone app and jump into VR
I would use it for gaming
I love that No PC or console needed; just open the box, set up with the smartphone app and jump into VR
I would use it for gaming or concerts
Love that it’s an untethered system that now runs with a 90hz refresh rate. I would use it for games and from what I hear rhythm games area a way to get some exercise indoors
I love that the Oculus Quest 2 has no cables attaching it to a computer (unlike the Rift). I’ve done a little gaming with a friend’s Oculus Quest 2 and fell in love with it playing Beat Sabe, which is really fun.
I love the wireless aspect and can’t wait to introduce my daughter to VR. We’ve started gaming together and this would such a cool thing to introduce her to. Watching movies with the Quest also sounds like such a fun way to make the experience more immersive, especially since we don’t go to the movies anymore.
I love how it is wireless and I will use it for watching movies and gaming!
I like the blazing-fast processor and highest-resolution display. I would use it for gaming.
What I love about the Occulus Quest 2 is that it has increased visual fidelity even in standalone mode & it can connect to a PC wirelessly so no more annoying cables to worry about. My wife & I would use it for exercise. I’ll be recovering from ACL surgery & my wife from pregnancy soon. And with Covid restrictions, this may be the best option to make working out at home fun.
Have tried a few VR games and they can be tons of fun. Can’t wait to get one for myself.
for playing!!!!!
Sounds like this device would be well used in this household! Avid technology family without VR. We would love to experiment and provide feedback.
I love that the I no more wires. Brings so much more freedom to be.
My goal is to learn how to make a VR game
Obviously wireless… God yes… My psvr just keeps getting entangled when I move.
And gaming… I’m just 1 gpu from having my pc completed a wireless VR would just be icing on a fresh cake.
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