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’m sold on the technology. It’s the future of VR experiences
Wireless beat saber seems so cool!
Everything about the Oculus Quest 2 is AMAZING! I especially love its portability and being a stand alone device.
I am a younger senior and have never experienced VR in my life; so, I would very much love to see a variety of what VR has to offer for all generations. I also want to share this VR experience with my brother, also a senior, especially while following all public health protocols and restrictions during this pandemic.
I played DOOM and QUAKE on Windows 98SE a long time ago, so it would be nice to try the newest versions of those in VR, even some newer games like Call of Duty Black Ops II and Modern Warfare 2, Resident Evil 2, 4 and 5, Assassin’s Creed II, Tomb Raider, Star Wars the Force Unleashed 2, just to name a few.
Viewing some science fiction and action movies would be an awesome bonus!
Most of all, I truly want see this world, the Earth, in VR, from various landscapes to the national museums or historic sites of different countries, and VR through Google Earth and Google Street View.
This is an amazing contest with an even more awesome prize! Good Luck to ALL!
Love the wireless gaming on the go and quick play sessions. Excited for the new Medal of Honor game this month.
I love that the Quest 2 allows you to play untethered from your PC in a larger space OR connected for enhanced graphics. It’s a great alternative to traditional 2D gaming nights! Would love to be able to play with my gf. I bought my headset from BestBuy and hope to be able to have a friend to play with now!
Being able to enjoy live concerts, groundbreaking films, exclusive events, and so much more, including games and virtual connections with family and friends – WOW! What more could you want?
I like that it is easy to setup and wireless. I would use it to play VR games!
My favourite part about the Oculus Rift 2 is that it is wireless and I can’t wait to play games while wearing it to be fully immersed.
I’ve kept up with the VR space for the last decade and am amazed by the progress I’ve seen! Now that the resolution is at a point where small text and details are noticeable, a gaming computer is no longer required, amazing content and that battery life is sufficient for most, is enough for me to invest in the Quest 2 once I’ve completed university !
I’m a little bit concerned about the Facebook account requirement. Especially with the fact that if you get banned you could lose access to your games. However I’m super impressed with the features the quest 2 is providing for the price. It really seems like this could be the device that makes VR go mainstream.
Oculus Quest 2 the official King of VR
It is great that you have freedom of movement without wires.
I would play games, Wow!
I love that it’s wireless and I’m going to use it for wireless gaming!
Standalone VR sounds awesome and then being able to use it with the Oculus link or virtual desktop to play PCVR games would be great to!
Wow! So much fun! Wireless, compact, and wonderful review! We have been looking forward to the Oculus Quest 2 for quite some time.
All in one VR system, more pixel density per eye to have less screendooring effect, and wireless. I followed beat saber since it’s beta days and would love to finally own a VR system to play it. Would also like to try and create models for my video game I’m making for school.
Love that I have to have a Facebook account to use it….just kidding, I hate that. But everything else is great. Wireless, high-res display, 90Hz refresh rate, compact and easy to take on the go.
Use mine for both home office work and gaming. Fantastic. Hope to win one for my wife so we can play virtual table tennis together!
It would be amazing for zooming around in Google Earth VR and taking a look around the world especially since we can’t do that right now.
Great standalone VR, resolution, refresh rate. I’d use it for games.
If I win the Oculus Q2 contest it’ll allow me to easily connect with my team mates at work through Spatial VR (A VR collaboration space). On top of that, I love the fact that Oculus managed to achieve 90Hz 4K displaying in a small and inexpensive package!
This technology is really amazing. There is nothing on the market that can compare to entering a game at this scale. Also, being able to travel and immerse yourself in environments is incredible during these hard times with Covid forcing us to stay home. A real step into a new world !
As an experienced VR user (original htc vive), the upgrades to the Quest 2 address many of the issues we’ve had with our original headset…increased resolution, wireless freedom, and access to the excellent Oculus game library! Awesome product, thanks for the excellent review!
The concept of not having to lug around a huge gaming pc just to show off vr is extremely appealing.
I would love to have one to play some vr games and see how cool it is.
Standalone VR! No expensive gaming pc. And playing games in VR would be amazing.
I love that it’s not tethered but you still have the option to play PC games! I’d use it mainly for playing games!
Would like to see how a movie looks with the headset. Would use it for movies.
I love the Quest 2 because of how incredible and unique VR experiences are, and how accessible the Quest 2 makes them to people. If I won, I’d give it to a friend so that they can experience how incredible it is as well
I like the 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye. I would use this for gaming.
I love the easy set up and thank you for your review!
Our family would love this and it would be a great addition to playing games and a new way to be interactive with the kids
Use it to socialize during the pandemic and also doing some worked because the gym are close. It’s a good way of doing a lot at the same place. Also use it to work on my computer with Virtual Desktop. I even installed steam on it and can play my whole library on the quest! It’s a good headset for the price and also a good way to play wirelessly without the constraint of other brand like HTC vive or valve index.
Love the wireless feature, perfect for gaming
Easy setup, fantastic game line up and wireless!!! Can’t beat that.
I love how easy it is to set up compared to earlier VR systems. And I’d use it to play games and watch movies in bed.
I love that it is wireless! I would totally use this for gaming and watching movies.
Leap forward in accessible home tech
OMG. I would love to do some gaming with this!
Love that it is wireless
My son could play his Steam games on it
It is a great experience I love that it can be played anywhere.
Hello,
My name is Lucas, and I am from Toronto, Canada. The Oculus quest 2 is a revolution to the vr headset realm. Many of my friends own this gadget and have been hooked to it ever since! They have been recommending and encouraging me to purchase one for myself. They also have very positive feedback on their gaming experience. I love its freedom and portability and how you can bring it with you anywhere at ANY time to play with your friends! Its intriguing variety of games makes me want to play it every day! The fact that I can relax watching youtube on my couch (without any computer, of course) sounds AMAZING!
On the other hand, the controllers on the quest look very comfortable for long gaming sessions. My friends tell me they grip your hands perfectly! I also want to get into drawing! Many applications help you learn to draw virtually! I would be thrilled to win this quest, and I am looking to buy many of your fun projects! Best part? No computer!
Thank you!
Love how portable yet powerful it is! Would love to take it on the go and share the experience with friends!
Loved trying my friend’s Quest 2 — multiplayer VR would be mind blowing.
Looks like a well thought out system. I love that you don’t need a PC or console to play. Will use it for gaming.
Love the design and aesthetics, the best part of the Oculus quest 2 is the full wireless capabilities! Good luck to everyone who’s entered.
I love that its a standalone system but you can connect to a PC if you want to. I am all about the gaming!
I love that the Oculus Quest 2 is totally tether-free. I would definitely use it for gaming.
Wow – would love to try this out – VR should not depend only upon a wired connection … sure, enhanced features/graphics… Etc.… But the freedom to connect without cable is super appealing. Cant wait to lie on a beach – which is what I will do with mine! (And gaming too LOL beat sabre – yes!)
I love that they increased the hrz as it should decrease motion sickness.
I can’t wait to play the next VR Star Wars game, Tales from the Galaxies Edge!
I love the freedom and performance offered by the Quest 2! I’d use it mostly for gaming. I’ve been dying to try Half-Life: Alyx.
I have an older VR headset that gets practically zero use because I don’t have the space near my gaming machine to move around. The thing about the Oculus Quest 2 I most like is the wireless capability. Yet it also can be plugged in for an expanded set of games requiring more hardware. I would 100% use this for gaming. I’d love to get some daily exercise in with a rigorous Beatsaber workout.
I love that it’s wireless but you can plug it into a gaming pc to get all the best VR games.
I’ll use it to play all the Vader Immortal games (Star Wars VR!)
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