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

  1. What I like most about the Oculus Quest 2 is the ability to stream it to a Chromecast-enabled TV so me and my girls can take turns cheering each other on! I would die to have one!

  4. I have waited for VR To be available after playing a VR game 25 years ago in Las Vegas! I love the fact that I don’t have to have a gaming PCVR computer and that this is wireless. I love the fact that you can play games phenomenal games like Moss or jump into Star Wars galaxy edge for some action. I think one of the biggest assets is that I can go places and see things that I would never be able to do. Like surfing in Australia. Sky diving with United States Air Force soldiers. Go mountain climbing or caving. Set an on shows. Walk the streets of Paris! I can meet family and friends and play with them or make new friends! There’s no end!

  5. I would love to have a quest too to use for gaming like beatsaber and just watching 360 videos to feel like I’m traveling

  7. I love that it’s wireless with all the sensors built into the headset itself, no sensors to mount around the room. If I won I would use it for playing games, watching movies and once accessible try it for work.

  11. I love that it’s completely stand alone but if I wanted to upgrade my pc I could then use the headset to run pcvr. If I got one I would want to explore the starwars universe

  16. I would rock out the new games and try the oculus link for the new game asgards wrath. It looks like the most amazing game ever. This would really make my kids Christmas. We could feel like things were back to normal for a little while.

  17. Funny enough, not only do I really want one of these, but my mid 60 year old parents REALLY want one of these. I told then that this one would be their best option. Here’s to hoping someone in the family gets one!

  18. I would love to win this i would watch movies and surf websites while my daughter is a gamer. It would be a win for us both. Happy Holidays all.

  20. I like the fitness aspect of VR, and the Quest 2. I can envision my wife and I taking turns and competing while getting healthy, that would be fun. There are some boxing fitness applications they look fun. The Climb 2 looks fantastic on the Quest 2.

  21. I’m excited for the higher resolution display and no screen door effect. I’d love to have one of these for the holidays!

  22. I don’t have one but would love to try it on both movies and games. Seems like it would be really cool. Of course, if I won this one, I would have to buy a second one for the husband so that we could both do it together.

  24. love the layout of the touch controllers inputs it all makes so much more sense than other options, its straight to the point, easy to use, and feels very comfortable.

  25. I love the layout of the touch controllers inputs it all makes so much more sense than other options, its straight to the point, easy to use, and feels very comfortable.

  27. I love that I can access the Oculus Rift library in tandem with a VR-ready PC for an awesome gaming experience.

  30. There’s no doubt that the current pandemic has divided everyone from each other. I am so grateful that technology like this exists so that we can once again connect and be close to friends and loved ones! If I won I would use this amazing device to watch movies with my family in apps like bigscreen and challenge my friends in games like echo vr. Not to mention being able to go fishing like the old days with someone who can actually sit next to you and talk with! Amazing stuff!

  33. The quest 2 is much more cheaper than the previous one and the fact that you can play it anywhere you want Is just what I love to see..

    I can’t wait to play games like beat saber and super hot on that

    • I love that I could easily take it anywhere!
      That is such a cool concept for a VR headset!
      I would probably bring it to friends houses to play some awesome multiple titles!

  34. The games for the quest look super fun and I can’t wait to see how the movie watching experience is!

  35. Love the standalone design, oculus is far behind its VR competition. I’ll be playing games when I can get my hands on one!

  36. This looks so cool! I love the fact that its not connected to a cord so your not tied down. I would definitely try out some games on it.

  37. Amazing, no wires, I wonder if I can use it for running on treadmill and be somewhere else. and gaming I tried once previous VR, it was interesting feeling.

  38. I love that it’s able to be used both untethered and tethered! It will become my go-to gaming machine, for sure.

  41. The fact that this headset is completly wireless is what set it apart from others. Always held off on buying one because of the cables, But this one is really interesting.

    I definitly would use it for gaming.

  44. Best part of the Quest 2 is it’s wireless feature. Looking forward to play workout games like Beat Saber on it

  46. Really loved this review. If I don’t win the prize draw, I will definitely still pick one up for my nephew. It would be awesome to check out virtual shows/concerts/events, but also to game. I love that the Quest 2 has so many options.

  48. I would play with my dad and I love how it improved over the original Quest! 90Hz wireless VR Gaming, its awesome!

  49. It’s amazing that the Quest 2 is BOTH one of the best wired headsets and the best wireless. I’d love to use it with my gaming PC it to run Halflife Alex and then unplug it to try out Population One without wires. Also, great way to connect with people during covid lockdown with Echo Area and Horizon coming soon.

  50. I’ve tested the Oculus Quest 1 and this look like a big improvement over the first generation. Would really like to try the games on the new Oculus Quest 2.

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