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 love the fact there is no tether, no attached cable. I would use it to watch movies.
I love that it is wireless and I would use it for games
I love that the headset is lightweight, minimal, and, most importantly, comfortable. I can’t wait to try gaming on it.
I like the fact that the Oculus Quest 2 is a untethered device. Having no dangling cables to deal with would make immersing yourself in the VR experience much more enjoyable.
I like that the Oculus Quest 2 is lightweight and I would use it for awesome movies.
Wireless and pcvr is great, plus the resolution
Feature I like: Backward compatibility – more games to play
With the COVID regulations in place, I would be using it for experiences with friends!
I like that the Oculus Quest 2 is lightweight and I would use it for gaming mostly.
What I love about the Oculus Quest 2 is its overall ease of use, increased immersion due to being wire-free/untethered, and variety of games, some of which are a good source of exercise. I’ll use a Quest 2 to connect with friends and family in multiplayer games and experiences available on the system. It’ll be safer and more convenient to interact this way during the pandemic than in person, and it will be more engaging (and fun) than voice or video calls.
Love that the Quest 2 has no attached cables, will use it for gaming
There are many things that I find incredibly exciting and groundbreaking about the Oculus Quest 2.
Normally VR has required a cumbersome cable to a high powered computer and video card to generate the computationally intensive virtual worlds. The Oculus Quest 2 is a stand alone vr device with no cable needed which means no potential for tripping, getting caught in the cable, or buying equipment to keep the cable out of the way.
The Oculus quest 2 has internal sensors and camera which have done away with the external sensors that many other vr systems need. This benefits us with no external sensors to setup, no additional cost from buying tripods to hold up the sensors which results in there being more room available for your virtual reality experience.
All of these great features provide full immersion, freedom, and a simplified setup, that can be taken anywhere.
One of the most impressive things about this vr system is the low cost, while being incredibly innovative and offering the same features as other high end vr systems. All in all, it’s incredibly exciting.
Such a low cost could finally being vr to the mainstream. With many more people adopting vr, this will draw the attention of developers and game studios to invest more time and money to create many more immersive experiences.
I would love to use Oculus Quest 2 for games, watching Netflix, and immersive underwater or space environments.
I like the ability to set up boundaries so that you don’t bump into the furniture!
the wireless feature makes it great for gaming!
I love how happy it would make my kids and how realistic it is. The whole family would have so much fun using it for gaming
for me the wireless component is a great feature i would enjoy! I would use this fab unit for gaming!
The VR experience sounds amazing, and I really like the custom boundary set-up allowing it to be safely played anywhere.
We have the first Oculus Rift and I would love to experience the Oculus with no cables attached!! Definitely time for an upgrade! It would be used for gaming mostly but I’d have to try watching movies too!
I love how the Oculus Quest 2 is both stand alone but can also be linked to a pc for the full pc VR experience. I would be using it for gaming.
I would get into Beat Saber custom songs with this. It would be so nice to play without wires.
I love the idea of untethered vr
Love that the Quest 2 has no tether or attached cables, will use it for gaming.
Love that the Quest 2 is wireless. Will use it for gaming.
Love that the Oculus Quest 2 is a standalone product. Will use it for gaming.
It would be neat for portable gaming!
Between 7 siblings, we’ll finally get to see who’s the toughest in a boxing match, without anyone getting bruised up!
Is the tough talking little sis really all that? Perhaps with Oculus Quest 2 we can find out!
Looks neat! Would love to get my hands on one.
Love the wireless. I’ll be using this for beat saber 🙂
I love that the Oculus Quest 2 is tether free meaning total immersion, and I would use it for gaming
The oculus quest would be a great option for me to get into VR gaming! I’m looking forward to trying this system out finally
The oculus quest looks like a great way to spend time with the family isolating this holiday! Looking forward to gaming in VR!
I like that quest is an evolving platform with new features and improvements being added all the time. I’d give it to my girlfriend so we could play together instead of taking turns 😛
I have been following VR for the past decade and started off with Oculus first gen models when you buy a Samsung phone. The concept was great back then for an intro to VR, but not something I’d could get fully immerse in. Since then, I haven’t got into VR. Fast forward to 2020 with the new Oculus Quest 2, now we are getting somewhere. It’s amazing how far VR has come, to the point of 90+fps, completely standalone and wireless play to really enjoy the immersion to its fullest.
It is also been a dream of mine to find an affordable standalone VR, equip it with upgrades/accessories such as Cybershoes and dive into a MMORPG game. A great way to exercise during these isolated times. In it for the chance to win a Quest 2 and looking forward to 2021 Quest games and accessories.
Cheers!
Andy
My friends use Oculus headsets for VR gaming and they seem to be the best. I’d love to win one to join them
Love the all-in-one wireless design. I would use it for gaming for sure.
I’d like to replace my aging Oculus Rift.
I would share this with my husband, who I was lucky enough to marry last week. We would play VR MMO games as that is one of our favorite things. I would also love to bring more activity/exercise into our gaming world. We’re saving our money to try to buy one for a wedding gift to each other.
Love the headset design!
I think VR is the ultimate arcade machine which takes your level of immersion to a whole new level. With a Quest 2 I’d play fun rhythm games and story filled adventures using an oculus link. I would also love to learn how to develop fun games for VR and the Quest 2 would be a great way to do that.
Got to admit that the Quest 2 has me thinking of going VR. No other device has done so yet. So that’s impressive.
I’ve been waiting for a quality wireless VR option. The quest 2 checks all the boxes for quality for me and I can’t wait to game on it.
I believe this is best vr headset gaming ever! Good family gaming time.
I love the ideal of gaming and watching movies. I would love to owe one of these.
Untethered, insideout postional tracking and high refresh rate. VR is moving in right dirrction I would to deveople with this headset.
The kids an I love VR. Having the freedom to use the Oculus Quest 2 anywhere, without cables would be awesome – like playing games in the living room, without being tethered to the computer. And with the Oculus Link cable, we’d still be able to play all Oculus Rift titles.
I think the oculus quest 2 is amazing! I love that it can do both standalone games and can do PC VR over a link cable. And it can even do wireless VR over WiFi 6, which is incredible! I would probably use it most for playing beat saber or VRchat. I will probably also try out star wars squadrons to finally get some use out of my joysticks and use it as a display for watching movies too.
I like the idea of virtual reality without being connected to a PC. I would use for active gaming and for movies.
I love how the quest 2 is affordable, I can take it to friends, looks good, and is powerful. I’d love to play minecraft with link and get lost in virtual worlds.
Oculus 2 is correctly the only headset that allows you map a real world keyboard to a virtual keyboard, allowing a truely virtual working experience. I love it for that and so much more!
I love the oculus quest 2 because I can afford it and I can finally try VR experiences like going to museums with my sons or watching movies with my sons. I’m disabled so it is hard to get around and this will widen my experiences while I stay home alone due to covid-19. Finally I get to buy video games for myself instead of my three sons!
The Quest 2 looks absolutely amazing. I’ve been so keen to dip into VR gaming for years, but this looks like the device to finally lure me in with it’s powerful standalone capability.
Great device for keeping in shape with games like beatsaber, thrill of the fight
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