If you are in search of a high-quality VR headset, then you are reading the right article. You see, VR headsets have gained prominence over the years because of the evolution of technology. With gaming PCs, laptops, and even smartphones, it was only a matter of time for VR headsets.
The VR headset enables you to view to play games or perform activities like climbing a mountain as if you are really doing it. Hence, it is named as virtual reality. The only difference being that you are doing it virtually.
Today, we are going to be reading about the Oculus Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset vs the Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset. Oculus is a popular brand in the virtual reality segment.
They are known for their reliable, durable, and affordable products. Users have complained about the pricing of their products, but for the features infused in them, they are priced aggressively.
Both the Quest 2 and the Rift S are popular models in the market. So naturally, therefore, the maker has a difficult choice in describing which of them is their main product. You can imagine, rightly so, how difficult it was for us to decide the winner in the end.
It is because things got somewhat tricky. Their features are almost on par with each other, they are priced nearly the same, and the brand name is the same. So, what do you do? How do you decide which one is meant for you?
Rightly, it is not a straightforward decision. However, we have performed some comparisons in certain areas to help you find out the main differences between the two models. So that you can make your decision in the end.
The Oculus Quest was the first unit from the maker that came without cables. As a result, you were able to get the proper immersive VR experience through it. The same can be said about the Oculus Quest 2 model.
However, it comes with a brighter screen, a phenomenal processor, and is much lighter than the earlier unit. Additionally, it is priced lower than the previous model, which was close to $400. That is way less than top-end models like the HTC Vive Cosmos priced under $700 and the Valve Index priced under $1000.
The Oculus Rift S is a second to none model. The Rift model was first released into the market in 2012. Today, they are a run-on-the-mill brand that is targeting users of all ages and lifestyles. They are currently pushing harder to strive for the leading position owned by Facebook.
Though the Rift S cannot be described as the successor of the Oculus Rift 2 model, it is a proper contender in the best VR headsets 2022. Those of you who read our previous review on Oculus Quest 2 might know by now that it is one of the most prominent models sold in the market.
Besides, Microsoft and Apple have an ‘S’ that indicates the product has some innovative updates in them. We were referring to the hit models from them, the Xbox One S and the iPhone XS. You know that it has to be good when you read the letter ‘S’ in the product.
The model is lightweight, priced alright, comes embedded with a wide range of features in it. Though some may not term it a massive update from the original Oculus Rift, it comes with some trade-offs that feel good about it and worthy of calling a ‘next-gen’ headset.
We can now read the full review about the VR headsets. We have mentioned the winner at the end of the post.
Also check: Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift
 |  |
|---|---|
| OCULUS QUEST 2 | OCULUS RIFT S |
| PROS | PROS |
| The model is lightweight and comfortable to wear for lengthy hours. The unit offers you with a clear display & a phenomenal processor. It does not require any cables for operation. It is able to provide you with accurate motion tracking. The product comes with optional PC tethering with an accessory cable. | The unit is light and portable. The model comes with a sturdy build performance. It has no external tracking stations. It provides you with opulent visuals. The product comes with backward compatibility. |
| CONS | CONS |
| The VR headset could have come with better battery life. | The VR headset has a reduced refresh rate. |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Design & Features
Let us see how they both fare in the design & features segment. First, the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset is smaller and lighter than the previous unit. It weighs around 18 ounces and measures quite nice at 4.0 x 7.5 x 5.6″.
This is without the strap. You will take delight in the fact that the model’s plastic body is white, and the rear of the unit near the eye mask is black. You can find close to 4 position-tracking cameras that are mounted on the edge of the headset.
On the left side of the unit, you can notice a 3.5mm headphone jack and the USB-C port. You can find an indicator LED and the power button on the right side. There are 2 microphones and the volume rocker at the underpart of the VR headset.
You can adjust the lenses as you want to according to the size of your head. It is usually slightly larger for men, and for women, it is generally smaller. Those of you wearing glasses can move the separator away gently.
But those of you wearing glasses with large frames might find it extremely challenging to wear them. However, our tester felt good wearing the headband that comes with a 3-point elastic strap mounted on arms produced from plastic.
They do not come with headphones. You can adjust the top strap and the side strap with the help of fasteners. It can fit on your face elegantly without causing much difficulty. It does not take too long to adjust it either.
But we noticed that it shifts as you move your head vigorously to the sides. This is something that we were surprised to see in it. However, you can replace the strap with a high-end accessory in the form of Quest 2 Elite Strap.
The Oculus Rift S VR Headset is similar in design to the previous model. However, it is slimmer and more comfortable than the earlier headset. Also, unlike the Quest product that uses a rubbery strap tightened by a Velcro strap, this model comes with a curved plastic mould.
The amount of padding found on the forehead area in this unit is worth mentioning here. You do not feel as if you are wearing something in there. Like most VR models, it is good enough. However, the unit does not make you realize that you have something on your face.
Our tester felt that the Rift S model felt slightly heavier than the earlier unit. That is a nice thing to know because it is durable and won’t break that easily. We also noticed that the touch controllers found on the model are different from the previous unit.
You can find a trigger button to place your index finger. You can notice a button that is present in the handle that you need to hold using a fist position. However, you can see that there is a tracking ring at the top.
We find directional speakers in the Rift S model, which is a good thing. However, though the speakers offer you good audio quality, they also allow you to hear what is happening around you.
But they tend to leak a lot of sounds, which is annoying for those around you. If you are sharing a room with somebody else or if somebody is reading near you, then they can be disturbed. Also, due to the release button on the underside, you may feel slightly tight at the edges.
Overall, the design & features of both models are good and acceptable. They could have been done better, but for the pricing, they are fantastic. Some users with long hair or glasses might feel odd wearing them for 2-3 hours, but otherwise, they are good enough.
You can also read How to Replace Oculus Quest 2 Controller Battery.
Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Setup & Performance
The Oculus Quest 2 comes with an incredible setup & performance. Similar to the Quest VR headset, the setup is pretty quick. You are done in no time and can begin to play your favorite games.
You can instantly notice that it comes with the same Guardian system. Using that, you can easily draw boundary lines for your play area. Your unit warns you whether you are going out of it.
Our tester thought that the tracking was accurate and firm. You can effortlessly make use of the 4 cameras that are found in the headset. This helps you find out more about the internal sensor’s track orientation.
It is highly immersive. A high display resolution makes quite a difference with anything you look at, appearing with amazing clarity. When compared to the earlier model, you can see that it comes with a clearer image.
You can play a wide range of games and be taken aback by the sheer display movements of the VR headset. In addition, since it comes with a high resolution, you can now pick out the targets and then align the headshots better.
This almost provides you with a simulator experience. Additionally, you can watch videos using the model. The unit also offers you with a simulated monitor for videos. As a result, you may get a feeling as if you are watching home theatre.
To know more about the Oculus Quest 2 model, you can read our earlier review. The Oculus Rift S model comes with a good setup and mighty performance. You can instantly notice how improved the cameras are placed in there.
The need to place and adjust the positions of the external sensors is no longer needed. When you want to play shooting or room-scale games, you need to decide on your play space. Instead, you can make use of the camera-powered insight system that is quite simple to use.
Once you are ready with the camera settings, you need to use the controllers to point to the ground and draw the obstacles to play. Now you are prepared to play the games. When you need to know what is happening around you, you have to remove the device and look around.
Besides, you can see that the games present in the earlier model are also available here. The sheer volume of titles found on the VR headset is remarkable. However, there were stability issues, according to our tester.
After some time, when you place it on your head, it does not come to life, which is quite unfortunate. You can restart the PC, but it would work only when you completely unplug the model.
Overall, the Rift S model is better in many aspects than the Rift VR headset. Users will like the fact that it has an enhanced resolution, easier to set up, comfortable to wear, and comes with a wide range of games in the library.
Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Price
The Oculus Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset is priced under $300. It comes with the ultimate control that lets you feel as if you are present in those conditions. The VR quality is top-notch, along with the intuitive controls.
You will be glad to know that the model is compatible with the PC. So you can make use of the Rift titles. You can do that with the help of the link cable along with a compatible gaming PC. But please note that the link cable has to be bought separately.
Its audio quality is powerful, offering you with a 3D cinematic sound performance. You can listen using all the directions with built-in speakers that provide you with cinematic 3D positional audio.
The Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset is priced under $456. Instead, there is a price difference of $156. However, you can keep your eyes open for those discounts that are provided during the sales season.
Having said that, it is cheaper than other models, including the Vive Pro, HTC Vive, and the Valve Index. In addition, the VR gaming library is second to none providing you with awesome games. Finally, the model enables you to play several hundred games available in the Oculus store.
The optics are fantastic and provide you with eloquent images. You would not be able to find a better visual quality. In addition, it provides you with a decreased screen door and fabulous colors. The VR headset comes with an ergonomic design with a Halo headband that is designed comfortably.
Oculus Quest 2 vs Oculus Rift S: Verdict
We have come to the end of our comparison review between the Oculus Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset vs the Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset. We hope that you enjoyed reading the post and were able to make up your mind.
The Oculus Quest 2 VR headset is a massive enhancement from the previous model. Almost all the areas have some kind of improvement in it. Besides, the unit comes at an affordable price too.
You may note that the earlier Quest model came with 6DOF head and controller tracking. But this unit provides you with more features and capabilities. For example, it comes with a light design, sharp display, and a quicker processor.
Likewise, the Oculus Rift S VR headset is more approachable into the PC-based VR segment. So those of you who like that segment can choose it. However, the take-offs haven’t been that great so far.
But we have seen that it is able to deliver when it matters the most. Of course, the sound quality and the refresh rate had to be sacrificed to get the right kind of product. We also noticed that wearing the model has not changed much.
You could be a gamer or a regular user. But you know what to do when you are looking for a standard VR headset that can give you some more juice from it. The makers have ensured that they keep producing models that can offer them a performance bump of their own.
Our winner in this comparison review between the Oculus Quest 2 model vs the Oculus Rift S unit is the Quest 2 unit. The comfort, lightweight, and software factors shifted our likeness towards the unit. But the Rift S is a worthy contender.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.