Oculus Quest 2

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.

Oculus Quest 2

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.

Oculus Quest 2

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.

Oculus Quest 2

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.

Oculus Quest 2

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

Dave Neufeld
Dave Neufeld
Dave is an avid gamer, a musician/songwriter/recording artist, and an ardent reader with a degree in the Classics but a love for comics too. When he's not gigging with the band or pulling books at his local comic shop, he can usually be found gaming on any platform, from consoles to PC to his self-built personal arcade cabinet.
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1277 COMMENTS

  2. I love the accessibility it features. I also love how realistic the graphics are. My boy and I tested one out. He fell in love. This would make one little boy very happy for Christmas. Good luck everyone and Merry Christmas!

  4. What I love about the Oculus Quest 2 is that it is lightweight and wireless. I would use it to watch my favourite action movies.

  5. i would use it for both movies and gaming i like the price range compared other types as well as wireless and stand alone portability. would make for a lot of fun at Christmas time!

  6. Great that it is wireless and that it can also be used for movies as well. Would really like to win this. Won’t be able to afford it otherwise

  7. I like that it comes with no tether, no attached cable. I would use it for exploring travel destinations and games

  9. I love the Quest 2 because it improves on the innovations of its predecessor to bring longer use duration, ergonomics, and accuracy for all applications. It continues to build on its biggest selling point: no tether! I would personally use it to play some VR games like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx.

  11. The fact that there are no cables is really the killer feature here. Wow. Can’t wait to do some serious gaming and dancing workout on this platform!

  12. I love how the headset is standalone and doesn’t need to be tethered to a pc. I would use it to spend some quality time with my family

  14. What I like about the Oculus Quest 2 is it’s portability and immersive, all-in-one wireless features. This makes it easy to enjoy anywhere and introduce VR to friends and family.

    I would use it to spend time in virtual reality with my friend (who owns one already) while social distancing. We can play games and watch movies together on a big screen all from the comfort of our own homes.

  16. What I like best is that it has an easy set up and it is wireless. That is important to me as a so often the set up takes away f any pleasure from owning new technology. I would use it to watch movies.

  21. I love it’s amazing fast refresh rate. Since we’re all staying put this winter, I would take myself on a virtual vacation in Bali.

  23. I love that the quest 2 is making VR accessible to so many more people, encouraging innovation in the industry. I would love to gift one to my wife and get one myself so we can stay active and enjoy games together during this pandemic.

  24. I love that it comes with no tether, no attached cable. I would love to watch a movie with this on or even try out a game or two!

  28. I love the wireless aspect, but didn’t realize about the Oculus Link capabilities. That makes this SO much more interesting to me (and I was already VERY interested). I would primarily use the Oculus Quest 2 for gaming, but I’d be interested in exploring other media as well.

  31. I love the wireless nature of the Oculus Quest 2. VR needed to reach this cordless usage mode which makes the experience more immersive for the end user. I would use this for VR gaming if I had a Oculus Quest 2.

  32. I have three kids from 7 to 17 and a gaming platform like this could provide a lot of fun during COVID. The quest 2 has games for all ages I am sure my youngest (my daughter) would love it! I’d also like to give my father (74) a chance to use it – I am sure he’d love it.

  34. Its such a great product with no wires and love the feature of on board storage. I would use it watch movies and play games.

  36. I love that the Oculus Quest 2 is wireless! No more tripping over cords woohoo 🙂 I would use it to play video games with my boyfriend. We like to play VR horror games.

  38. I love that it is wireless and still lightweight.
    Definitely be used for gaming, but travel videos would be a bonus as well.

  40. I really like that it is a stand-alone headset. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of an Immersive VR computer, reading snow crash and other Sci-Fi novels. I tried out an HTC Vive and experienced free movement, and I knew that VR technology had reached a new level, where it was probably going to start getting popular. I’m a developer, so I’d love to be able to use it to make immersive Virtual Reality games and movies.

  42. The thing I love about the Oculus Quest 2 is its accessibility and portability. I would mainly use the Oculus Quest 2 for gaming but I’m really excited about the possibility to utilize it for virtual travel as a safer option during the pandemic.

  44. I have a Quest 1 and honestly, the Quest 2 is such a big upgrade. The resolution is better and the fit is so much more comfortable. It works really well as a standalone but also with a computer with the Link. It’s great being able to play with friends from around the world, and feel like you are physically together.

  46. I totally agree with the many points made in this article, quest 2 seems like the perfect VR for the public now. I am not a seasonal gamer, but I love casual gaming from time to time, and VR just seems perfect gaming device now where most are stranded at home. I want to play half-life Alyx and Beat Saber, all seemed so much fun for staying home! I also would like to watch movies on big screen inside VR headsets, it would feel like I am in the theatre again, I miss going to the movies so much…

  48. I like that this pushes the technology boundaries and you can be part of the game, instead of moving your character with a game controller. I’m not impressed that you require a Facebook account, as I believe that accessing new technology shouldn’t be dependent on having a social platform. However, I do like that it’s wireless and you can set your boundaries. The review was very thorough as it also covered cables and sound. I would enjoy taking turns playing games with my family with the Oculus Quest 2 headset.

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