"Save $50 on Meta Quest 3S VR, Includes Batman Game"

If you're eager to dive into VR gaming but the price tag has been a barrier, the first notable Meta Quest deal of 2025 might catch your eye. For a limited time, Amazon is slashing $50 off the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing it down to just $349. This price is only $50 more than the base 128GB model, making it an excellent choice for those looking to store more games for untethered play. This instant discount is even more appealing than the Black Friday deals, which typically came with digital credits or gift cards restricted to certain stores.

To make the deal even sweeter, the package includes a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, stating, "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."

Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow

Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset

$399.99 save 13%
$349.00 at Amazon

The Quest 3S marks a significant upgrade from the Quest 2 without a price hike. It incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, such as the improved Touch controllers, an upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss noted, "Raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for – arguably – the very first time."

What sets this deal apart from other VR offers is that the Meta Quest 3S can be enjoyed completely untethered. This means you can dive into games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. You won't find another standalone VR headset at this price point.

How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?

Even at its retail price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this competitive price, some compromises were made. Here’s a comparison of their specs:

Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Similarities

• Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
• Touch Plus controllers
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Mixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)

Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Differences

• Lower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 2064×2208)
• Fresnel lens vs. pancake lens
• Lower FOV (96°/90° vs 104°/96°)
• Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)
• Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)

In essence, the Quest 3S is nearly identical to the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, since both use the same processor, running at a lower resolution can reduce the load on the APU, potentially improving in-game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.

For the price, the Quest 3S offers unbeatable value compared to the Quest 3, making it the better choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. When compared to the previous generation Quest 2, the choice is even clearer.

Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?

IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of collective experience in uncovering the best discounts in gaming, tech, and various other categories. We prioritize integrity, ensuring we never mislead our readers into purchasing unnecessary items at inflated prices. Our mission is to highlight the most compelling deals from trusted brands that our editorial team has personally experienced. For more on our selection process, check out our deals standards here, or follow the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.