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Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Full Comparison

Oculus Quest 2

Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Full Comparison

Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Five Must-Know Facts

  • The Oculus Rift S was discontinued in June 2021.
  • Oculus Quest 2 comes in two models (128 GB storage or 256 GB storage).
  • Oculus Quest 2 can be used with a VR-ready PC for Steam VR.
  • Both headsets use 6DoF tracking, but only the Quest 2 has hand tracking.
  • Oculus Quest 2 has support for a plethora of third-party accessories.

There are quite a few VR headsets out there that are worth considering, and the Oculus Quest 2 and Oculus Rift S are two of the best. With that said, there are plenty of differences between the two devices, from resolution to price. Additionally, the Rift S is the predecessor to Oculus Quest 2 and has since been discontinued, so you might have a bit of trouble locating one. Nevertheless, here’s a more in-depth review if you’re looking to compare them.

Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Side-by-Side Comparison

Oculus Quest 2Oculus Rift S
What It Is:Standalone VR HeadsetPCVR headset
Primary Use:VR Games, Rooms, Work, and ExperiencesVR Games, Rooms, Work, and Experiences
Conceived:October 13, 2020March 20, 2019
Initial Release:October 13, 2020May 21, 2019
Technical Committee:Meta/FacebookMeta/Facebook
Influential Developers:Meta/FacebookMeta/Facebook
Open Format:NoNo
Technologies Influenced:Gaming, Apple VR, Spectacles, modeling applications, remote work, spatial computingGaming, Apple VR, Spectacles, modeling applications, remote work, spatial computing

Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: What’s the Difference?

Wired vs Wireless

The most obvious difference between the two comes down to how the devices are used. The Meta Quest 2 is used either standalone or tethered to a PC with a USB-C cable or wirelessly. The Oculus Rift S only has the option to be connected by DisplayPort and USB 3.

Standalone vs Tethered

While it may seem like an iteration of the previous point, the Quest 2 can operate standalone while the Rift S is essentially a VR monitor. That means the Quest 2 can run some of the best games available for VR with the highest refresh rate without the need for a desktop tower or a bulky laptop.

IPD and Refresh Rate

As expected with upgraded devices, the Quest 2 has better optics. It’s not just a higher resolution. The IPD can be physically adjusted by pushing the optics lens closer together or further apart in one of three different settings. This helps to remove blurriness caused by improper focus. The Quest 2 can also push out a much higher refresh rate of 120 Hz over the Rift S’s 80 Hz refresh rate. These two seemingly small differences make the Quest 2 optics a much better experience overall.

Comfort

Keeping in line with the comfort provided by improved optics, the Quest 2 has a large market of third-party accessories. While it may seem like a downgrade to purchase head straps and other accessories after the initial purchase, the size of the accessories market for the Quest 2 is growing every day. Whether you prefer a straight connection like the Meta Quest Elite Strap or the improved comfort of “halo” head straps, the options are available.

The Rift S comes as is. It does use a rather comfortable halo head strap, but it can’t be replaced.

Useability and Function

The wireless and standalone nature of the Quest 2 lends it to many more functions than just a VR monitor for desktop applications. It promotes freedom with movement and supports entire room tracking that has been used to map out VR users’ entire homes. This allows the Quest 2 to act as a powerful AR headset as well.

Similarities and Differences In a Nutshell

Similarities

  • Both use inside-out tracking
  • Both use Oculus Touch controllers
  • Both have access to the Oculus Store
  • Both can be tethered to a PC
  • They are only three grams apart in weight

Differences

  • Quest 2 can be used standalone
  • Quest 2 has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Quest 2 supports hand tracking
  • Quest 2 has higher resolution overall and per eye
  • Quest 2 has a 120 Hz refresh rate vs the Rift S’s 80 Hz
  • Rift S is discontinued

What is the Oculus/Meta Quest 2?

Oculus Quest 2
The Oculus Quest 2 can be connected via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB-C.

Meta Quest 2 is the primary VR headset offered by Meta/Facebook for VR/AR experiences that can range from gaming to remote work. It features inside-out tracking and standalone processing. That means it does not require any external tracking devices and it can be used without the need of a powerful VR-ready PC or laptop.

The Meta Quest 2 was released under the Oculus brand as the Oculus Quest 2 on October 13, 2020. In November 2021, Facebook went through with the final changes to the Meta brand name. The VR headset comes in two different models (128 GB storage model and 256 GB storage model).

The Best Meta Quest 3 Alternative
Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset
$249.00
  • Self-contained, no PC required
  • 360-degree field of view
  • 3D positional audio
  • Hand tracking with haptic feedback
  • 128GB
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03/11/2024 09:11 am GMT

Meta Quest 2 Specs

  • Operating System: Quest System Software based on Android 10 source code
  • SoC (System on a Chip): Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
  • Memory: 6 GB
  • Storage: 64 GB (discontinued in July 2021), 128 GB, 256 GB
  • Display: 1,832 x 1,920 per eye @ 120 Hz, LCD
  • Display: 1,832 x 1,920 per eye @ 120 Hz, LCD
  • Sound: Two built-in speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Input: 6DoF (6 Degrees of Freedom) inside-out tracking, hand tracking, Oculus Touch controllers, Bluetooth keyboards and mouse, microphone
  • Camera: Four infrared cameras
  • Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
  • Battery Life: Two to three hours
  • Online Services: Oculus Store, Steam VR(through Oculus Link)
  • Weight: 503g (17.7 oz)
  • Price: $299, $399

What is the Oculus Rift S?

Unlike the Oculus Quest 2, the Oculus Rift S must be tethered to a VR-ready computer.

The Oculus Rift S is a peripheral VR headset that must be tethered to a VR-ready computer to operate. It was released in May 2019 and features the inside-out tracking that was developed for the Oculus Quest lineup. It was released as a successor to the Oculus Rift CV1 model with a higher-resolution display, inside-out tracking, and a “halo” head strap for increased comfort.

While the Oculus Rift S is an improvement over its predecessor, it does suffer from some shortcomings such as a lower 80 Hz refresh rate in comparison to the CV1’s 90 Hz.

Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset - 301-00178 (Renewed)
$350.90
  • Top VR gaming library: Blast, slash and soar your way through the top library in VR gaming. Oculus Rift S lets you play hundreds of games and exclusives already available in the Oculus store, with so...
  • Improved Optics: Stare down the competition with next-generation lenses and a sharper display. Improved optics deliver bright, vivid colors and reduced “screen-door” effect.
  • Ergonomic Design: Keep your head in the game thanks to a halo headband redesigned with speed in mind. Rift S stays securely and comfortably in place with a quick twist of the fit wheel, so it can...
  • Oculus Touch Controllers: Arm yourself with our updated Oculus Touch controllers. Your slashes, throws and grabs appear in VR with intuitive, realistic precision, transporting your hands and gestures...
  • Oculus Insight Tracking: Take a step forward with Oculus Insight. It translates your movements into VR no matter which way you're facing and provides room-scale tracking without external sensors.
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03/11/2024 08:16 am GMT

Please note: As of July 18, 2023, this VR headset is out of stock on Amazon. Please check back with Amazon in the future for availability.

Oculus Rift S Specs

  • Display: 2,560 x 1,440 (1,280 x 1,440 per eyes) @ 80 Hz, Fast-Switch LCD
  • Sound: Integrated speakers
  • Input: 6DoF (6 Degrees of Freedom) inside-out tracking
  • Camera: Five cameras
  • Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0
  • Controllers: 2nd Generation Oculus Touch
  • Weight: 500g (1.1 lb)
  • Online Services: Oculus Store, Steam VR
  • Price: $399 (Discontinued)

Are They the Same Thing?

Both of these products are VR headsets. Both can be used tethered to a VR-ready computer. They even have a lot of physical similarities. However, they are not the same thing. The Oculus Rift S is a VR headset meant to be used as a peripheral for a VR-ready PC or laptop. It has no internal battery or processing unit and cannot operate without being tethered to another device.

The Meta Quest 2, on the other hand, is meant to work as a standalone VR headset meaning that it can play the best games available for VR right on the headset itself. The physical setup is also quite a bit different, but it’s mostly due to improvements and pathways to cut the price. The Meta Quest 2 is easily the most affordable VR headset on the market.

While the Meta Quest 2 is primarily a standalone device, it can also be used tethered to a VR-ready computer so players can not only play the best games for VR but at the highest resolution and graphic quality available.

Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Pros and Cons!

Quest 2

Pros!Cons!
Works standalone or tethered to a PCShort battery life
High-resolution displayRequires a Facebook/Meta account
Inside-out tracking eliminates the need for external tracking devices or sensors
Modular design that supports customization with third-party accessories
Hand tracking
Incredible developer support
Affordable price

Rift S

Pros!Cons!
Doesn’t need to be chargedMediocre speakers
Inside-out tracking gives it a leg up over other tethered VR headsetsNo hand tracking
“Halo” head strap designed for comfortRequires connection to PC
No physical IPD adjustment
Non-modular design, meaning no support for customization or accessories
Discontinued in favor of the Meta Quest 2

Which is better?

The Meta Quest 2 is objectively better than the Oculus Rift S which was made abundantly apparent when the Rift S was discontinued as the Quest 2 carried on improving. From technical specs like tracking quality and resolution to device features and price, the Quest 2 has a massive lead in quality in comparison to the Oculus Rift S.

If you’re in the market for a VR headset and are considering purchasing a used Oculus Rift S, I would urge you to reconsider. While the Rift S can be obtained at a cheaper price, the Quest 2 is a better value overall. In the next section of this article, I’ll break down the technical specifications and weigh the pros and cons between the two devices to outline why I recommend the Oculus/Meta Quest 2 over the Oculus Rift S.

Up Next…

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the Oculus Quest 2 and the Oculus Rift S?

The Rift S is the predecessor to the Quest 2. The Rift S can only be used tethered to a VR-ready PC. The Quest 2 can operate standalone as well as tethered. The Quest 2 also features a higher resolution per eye, a faster refresh rate at 120 Hz, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and hand tracking.

Which one is better, the Oculus Quest 2 or the Oculus Rift S?

Without question, the Quest 2 is the better VR headset and overall product. The Rift S may have advantages over other tethered devices, but the Quest 2’s features outweigh the Rift S.

Which is more comfortable, the Oculus Quest 2 or the Oculus Rift S?

The Rift S is more physically comfortable than the stock Quest 2. However, the improved features and functions available with the Quest 2 make it a better option. The Quest 2 can also be customized with aftermarket parts that make it just as comfortable and increase the battery life as the Meta Quest 2 Elite Strap, KIWI Elite strap, or BoboVR M2 Pro.

Is the Oculus Quest 2 more expensive than the Oculus Rift S?

For a new product, the Quest 2 has a lower price. As the Rift S is discontinued, you are more likely to find used prices for the product making it the cheaper option. I would highly suggest acquiring a Quest 2 over the Rift S. If you are looking for a bargain, the Quest 2 can also be found on the used market in places like Facebook Marketplace or eBay.

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