Live Science Plus
VR headset deals: Save on Oculus Quest 2, the ideal gateway to VR
Enter a whole new world with these VR headset deals, including ways to get the Meta Quest 2 cheap.
Virtual reality may not be as commonplace as Metaverse enthusiasts are hoping just yet, but the platform offers a stunning array of VR games and experiences that can educate, entertain, and leave your jaw on the floor.
It’s never been a better time to get into VR, and that’s partially down to the best VR deals available on a range of headsets, like the high-end Valve Index, or more affordable (but no less impressive) tech like the Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2).
Offering the chance to visit far off worlds, step into scenes from your favorite movies, or play a huge variety of hit games like Beat Saber, there are plenty of compelling reasons to pick up your first VR headset.
VR isn’t just for entertainment either - it can also be used to help keep your mind and body in shape with VR exercise programs and guided meditation apps to help you relax. Check out our guide to the best VR experiences to see some of our favorite unexpected things you can do in VR.
While some of the best VR headsets like the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite need to be hooked up to a powerful PC, others like the Meta Quest 2 work on their own. This makes the Quest the perfect entry into the world on VR, and the wireless connection makes it even more suited to fitness and wellness apps, where you need free movement and don't want a bunch of wires to trip over.
Best VR headset deals
Meta Quest 2 128GB (refurbished): Was $299 now $249 at Amazon
The Meta Quest 2 is available with a saving of $50, if you’re OK with a refurbished model. Amazon promises a "like-new" experience , and offers a one-year satisfaction guarantee so we think it's worth looking into.
Meta Quest 2 128GB (manufacturer refurbished): Was $299 now $249 at Walmart
Basically the same deal as the Amazon one above - you get $50 off the regular price at Walmart if you're ok with a refurbished model.
Meta Quest 2 128GB (Refurbished): Was $299 now $249 at Best Buy
More Deja Vu. Walmart is also selling refurbished versions of the Meta Quest 2 with a $50 discount.
Oculus Quest 2 / Meta Quest 2 deals
Meta, formerly Oculus, offers the easiest route into VR thanks to its Meta Quest 2 being a self-sufficient platform with its own app store and wireless setup.
That makes it easy to jump into the latest games, including Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, and plenty more, and it’s much more affordable than some of its more advanced contemporaries, too.
Valve Index deals
Valve’s Index headset is pretty expensive, but it uses its impressive Index Controllers to make it feel as though your hands are in games like Half-Life: Alyx. This clever tech can even track your individual finger movements. The room-scale VR set-up for the Index is also great for more active VR pursuits like VR workout sessions too.
You’ll need a PC with a decent spec, too, as the Index runs off of your computer with no standalone version. We've listed some offers from third part retailers below, but you're almost always going to get a better price buying the Index direct from Valve on the Steam store. Index's on other sites like Amazon are usually priced way above the MSRP of $999.
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
Lloyd Coombes freelance tech and fitness writer for Live Science. He's an expert in all things Apple as well as in computer and gaming tech, with previous works published on TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Live Science and more. You'll find him regularly testing the latest MacBook or iPhone, but he spends most of his time writing about video games as Gaming Editor for the Daily Star. He also covers board games and virtual reality, just to round out the nerdy pursuits.