Virtual reality is a thing of wonder, but a lot of people only know it from limited experiences at amusement parks. And no wonder: Until recently you needed a high-end PC and a boatload of money to try VR. But no more: the Meta Quest 2 is down to just $249. Sure, it’s not the newest model, but the Quest 2 does almost everything the Quest 3 does, and for a lot less. If you’ve got some Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket, this is a worthwhile buy (and so are these post-holiday sale goodies!)

Why is this a good deal?

The price has been cut by a whopping $51, which gives you more than enough cash to dive into the Quest store and find a couple of great games to try.

Why we recommend the Meta Quest 2

The Meta Quest 2 is not the most powerful VR headset out there, but it does have one key advantage over most of the competition: it’s wireless. You can strap the headset on, and it uses built-in trackers to measure your location. You can move around a space without the risk of tripping over a wire or the discomfort of it dragging behind you. It’s freeing, and makes it a lot more immersive.

And speaking of immersion, the Quest 2 is fun. Whether you want to watch videos that let you look around at every angle of the action (there’s one in particular about rafting down the Grand Canyon that everyone should try) or you want to sink into competitive gameplay that utilizes your entire body, there’s something for everyone. Trust us, games like Beat Saber will have you working up a sweat (how’s that for a novel weight-loss strategy?).

VR games tend to be less expensive than conventional titles, so you can snatch up a great “starter kit” of games for the price of a single PlayStation 5 game. There are also a lot of free-to-play games and demos you can download and try out before you commit to purchasing.

What reviewers say

“The Meta Quest 2 has revolutionized my gaming experience like never before. This cutting-edge virtual reality headset has completely transformed the way I interact with games, movies, and even social experiences. From the moment I put it on, I was transported to a world of limitless possibilities, making it an absolute must-have for any gaming enthusiast,” one fan raved.

Another wrote, “Always wanted to try VR, but headsets were in the thousands of dollars the first many years. This thing comes along at just a few hundred dollars and can connect to your computer all the same to play the top games only limited by your own computer hardware. It’s wildly competitive!”

“The Meta Quest 2 has a ton of games and experiences to choose from. I was like a kid in a candy store! Whether you’re into action-packed adventures or educational simulations, there’s something for everyone. The only downside I found is that some of the big-name VR titles I wanted to play weren’t available on this platform. But hey, there’s still a wide variety of options to keep you entertained,” another gamer said.

Meta Quest

With games like Beat Saber and Gorilla Tag at your fingertips, this is one of the easiest ways to lose weight without feeling like you’re working out. 

$249 at Amazon

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

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