The Quest 3 and the Quest 3S look like two versions of the same headset, and in many ways they are. They have the same processor, the same controllers and the same library of games. The difference is in what you look through: the lenses and the display. After Meta's price increase in April 2026, that difference costs $250 at list price, and less when you find either one on sale.
Prices right now
| Product | List price | Lowest new price now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Quest 3 (512GB) | $599.99 | $524.98 | See it on eBay |
| Meta Quest 3S (128GB) | $349.99 | $321 | See it on eBay |
Lowest price for a new, sealed unit from a US eBay seller with 98%+ positive feedback, shipping included, before sales tax. Prices checked 1 hour ago. As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Both headsets now cost more than at launch. Meta raised the US price of the Quest 3 by $100 and of both Quest 3S models by $50 in April 2026, pointing to the rising cost of memory chips. That makes discounts on sealed, new units more valuable than before. Click a product name to see its daily price history.
What is different
| Quest 3 | Quest 3S | |
|---|---|---|
| Lenses | Pancake lenses, sharp edge to edge | Fresnel lenses, sharp in the center |
| Display per eye | 2064 × 2208 pixels | 1832 × 1920 pixels |
| Field of view | 110° horizontal, 96° vertical | 96° horizontal, 90° vertical |
| Lens spacing (IPD) | Smooth wheel, 53 to 75 mm | Three fixed positions |
| Depth sensor | Yes | No |
| Storage | 512GB | 128GB or 256GB |
| Headphone jack | Yes | No |
| Processor, controllers, games | The same: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, Touch Plus controllers, one store | |
Lenses and display
This is the difference you notice first. The Quest 3's pancake lenses keep the image sharp almost to the edges, so you can move your eyes to read text instead of turning your head. The Quest 3S uses Fresnel lenses, the same design as the Quest 2: the center is sharp, but the edges blur and you get some glare on high-contrast scenes. Combined with the higher resolution, the Quest 3 is clearly better for reading, browsing, watching video and anything with small text.
Field of view
The Quest 3 shows more of the virtual world at once, especially to the sides. It makes games feel more open. Most people stop noticing the narrower view of the 3S after a few minutes in an action game, but it is noticeable side by side.
Mixed reality
Both headsets show the room around you in color through their cameras, so you can play mixed reality games and see your surroundings. The Quest 3 has an extra depth sensor that maps your room faster and more accurately, which helps games place virtual objects on your real furniture.
What is the same
Under the shell, the two are close relatives. Both use the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, so games run with the same performance. Both come with Touch Plus controllers, support hand tracking, and connect to a PC for PC VR. And both run the same Horizon OS with the same store: there is no game you can play on one and not the other.
Who should buy which
Quest 3S: you want to try VR without spending the most, you mainly play games or use fitness apps like Beat Saber and Supernatural, or the headset is for a teenager. At list price you save $250, enough for several games or an extra-comfortable head strap. Pick the 256GB version if you want many big games installed at once, because storage cannot be expanded.
Quest 3: you care about image quality, plan to watch movies or use the headset as a virtual screen, wear glasses and want an easier fit, or want the best mixed reality. You also get 512GB of storage, which is plenty for a large game library.
Buying a new Quest on eBay
- We only show listings marked as new and sealed, from US sellers with at least 98% positive feedback. Refurbished and open-box headsets are filtered out.
- Check the storage size in the listing title. The tracked Quest 3S price is for the 128GB model.
- A Quest headset needs a Meta account to set up. Check the seller's return policy before you buy, so you can return a headset that does not fit your face or glasses.
- Pay through eBay checkout so eBay's Money Back Guarantee applies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Quest 3 and the Quest 3S?
Both run on the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, use the same Touch Plus controllers and play the same games and apps. The Quest 3 has sharper pancake lenses, a higher-resolution display, a wider field of view, a depth sensor for mixed reality and 512GB of storage. The Quest 3S uses the older Fresnel lens design from the Quest 2 and comes with 128GB or 256GB.
How much do the Quest 3 and Quest 3S cost?
Meta raised its US prices in April 2026, citing higher memory costs. The list price is now $599.99 for the Quest 3 (512GB), $349.99 for the Quest 3S with 128GB and $449.99 for the Quest 3S with 256GB. New headsets regularly sell below list price on eBay; the table in this guide shows today's lowest price.
Can the Quest 3S play every Quest 3 game?
Yes. Both headsets run the same software and share one store, so every game and app that runs on the Quest 3 also runs on the Quest 3S. Games can look a little less sharp on the 3S because of its lower-resolution display and lenses.
Is the Quest 3 better for people who wear glasses?
The Quest 3 adjusts the distance between the lenses smoothly with a wheel, which makes it easier to find a sharp, comfortable fit. The Quest 3S has three fixed lens positions. Both fit most glasses, and both accept prescription lens inserts from third parties.
Is 128GB enough on the Quest 3S?
For a handful of games, yes. Big titles can take 10GB or more each, and the system itself uses part of the space, so heavy gamers fill 128GB quickly. Storage cannot be expanded, so pick the 256GB Quest 3S or the Quest 3 if you plan to keep many games installed.
Specs checked against Meta's product pages and list prices against Meta's US store and its April 2026 price announcement on November 4, 2026. Found something out of date? Let us know.
