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Meta Quest 2 in 2025: Still Worth Buying or Obsolete?

Lachlan Charlie Smith Williams • 2026-05-15 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

The Meta Quest 2 is discontinued, but software support runs through 2027 and new stock still exists. The real question is whether this aging headset still offers value compared to the newer Quest 3 and Quest 3S.

Quest 2 release date: September 16, 2020 ·
Discontinued production: 2023 ·
Original price (128GB): $299 ·
Number of games in library: Over 600 ·
Silicone cover recall: recall: Summer 2021

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

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2What’s unclear
  • Exact end date for software and security updates (Meta Newsroom notes support pledge ends 2027 but not beyond)
  • Long-term game compatibility with newer titles – Road to VR notes 99% still work but future may drop (Road to VR)
  • Whether new replacement silicone covers remain from Meta – recall program has ended (Meta Quest Help Center
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Software support pledged through 2027 (Meta Newsroom)
  • Game library continues to function, but future titles may drop support

Here are the key specifications that define the Quest 2’s hardware capabilities.

Seven key specs of the Meta Quest 2

June 2024 that the Quest 2 would be discontinued, with production ending earlier in 2023 ( href=”https://about (June 2024 discontinuation)”anco official news corporation”>Meta Newsroom).

  • The announcement confirmed that new units are no longer being manufactured.
  • Can I still buy a new Quest 2?

    implication: buying new from an Irish retailer gives you the same legal protections as any other electronics purchase, but the clock on future software support is ticking.

    Is the Meta Quest 2 still any good in 2024/2025?

    Pros of using Quest 2 today

    • It remains a solid entry-level headset for standalone play — no required (Meta Quest product page).
    • Over 600 games in the library, including Beat Saber and VRChat, are fully playable (Road to VR – industry reports 99% of the Quest library still runs).
    • Netflix has a dedicated VR app. (available in the Store)

      Cons of using Quest 2 now

      • Lacks colour passthrough mixed reality — you get black-and-white passthrough.
      • The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 chip is slower than the XR2 Gen 2 in Questand (Qualcomm – chipset designer).
      • Fresnel lenses are bulkier and less clear than the pancake lenses in Quest 3 (Road to VR
      The trade-off

      You save up front, but you lose access to evolving mixed-reality features and future games optimized for the newer chipset.

      Bottom line The Quest 2 is still a capable entry-level headset, but its hardware age means it cannot run the next generation of mixed apps. Budget buyers: a good option if the price is under €250. Anyone wanting longevity: look at the Quest 3S.

      Is it better to get a Quest2 or a Quest 3?

      Quest 2 vs Quest 3: price difference

        • The Quest originally launched at $299; today leftover stock is often priced between $250 and $300 (Meta Quest product page).
        • The Quest 3 starts at $499, and the Quest 3S at $299
        • Quest 2 vs Quest 3> performance difference

          • The Quest 3 uses the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, offering roughly 2× the GPU performance and full-colour mixed reality (Road to VR)Road to VR).
          • Quest 3 has pancake lenses, reducing thickness and improving edge-to-edge clarity.
          • Quest vs 3S

            • The Quest 3S — released in — is the direct budget successor to the Quest 2, with the same XR2 Gen 2 chip as the Quest 3 but lower resolution screens and Fresnel lenses
            • > costs $299, exactly the same as the Quest 2’s launch price — hard to argue for Quest 2 unless deeply

            Bottom line:The Quest 3S offers better performance and longer support for the same money as a new Quest 2. Only buy a Quest 2 if you find it used for under €200.

            Here is a side-by-side comparison of thethree models to visualise the differences.

    Spec Value
    Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1
    resolution
    Quest 2 vs Quest 3 vs Quest 3S at a glance
    Feature Quest 2 Quest 3 Quest 3S
    Chipset XR2 Gen 1 XR2 Gendivsummer 2021, Meta recalled the foam facial interface after users reported skin irritation from the foam material (Meta Quest Help Center – recall details).
  • Meta offered free silicone replacement covers to all Quest 2 owners.
  • The official program has ended, but replacements were widely distributed.
  • How to get the replacement silicone cover

    • The recall program closed — if you but a used Quest 2 without a siliconeffindaftermarket replacements.

    What this means: the skin irritation issue is fully resolved for covered headsets, and used buyers should verify the interface type.

    Can VR damage your eyes?

    What eye doctors say about VR

    • The American states that VR headsets do not cause permanent eye damage (American Academy of Ophthalmology – professional medical society).
    • However, they note temporary eye strain, dryness, and fatigue are common after extended (ref>cnncom/tech/computing/is-vr-bad-for-your-eyes-heres-what-eye-doctors-say/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>CNET – tech journalism with medical sources).

    Does VR cause permanent eye damage?

    • No — current evidence confirms no permanent damage to vision or eye structure from proper VR use.
    • Pediatric use is recommended in moderation, though no specific limit is set by major health bodies.
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    Lachlan Charlie Smith Williams

    About the author

    Lachlan Charlie Smith Williams

    Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.