Meta Quest 3 vs. HTC VIVE Pro 2: Which One Wins?

When it comes to Meta Quest 3 vs. HTC VIVE Pro, choosing a winner can be tough. You want to choose one that gives you the most bang for your buck. TheMeta Quest 3and the HTC VIVE Pro 2 are two of the best mid-range VR headsets today and there are pros and cons to each.

In this article, we will compare the new Meta Quest 3 to the HTC VIVE Pro 2 to see how they hold up against one another. When you re done reading this article, you ll know exactly which VR headset is right for you. Let s compare Meta Quest 3 vs. VIVE Pro 2 below.

Meta Quest 3 vs. HTC VIVE Pro 2: Side-by-Side Comparison

Specs	Meta Quest 3	HTC VIVE Pro 2
Standalone	Yes	No
Display Type	LCD	LCD
Resolution	2064 x 2208	4896 x 2448
Built-in Wireless	Yes	No. Requires Additional Adapter
Price	$499	$714
Field of View (FOV)	100	120
Weight	500 grams (1.1 lbs)	850 grams (1.87 lbs)
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz
Pass-through	Yes	Yes, but not natively
Augmented Reality (AR)	Yes	No

Meta Quest 3 vs. HTC VIVE Pro 2: What s the Difference?

To start, the Meta Quest 3 is releasing in September 2023. The HTC VIVE Pro 2 came out back in September 2021. Unfortunately, the HTC VIVE Pro 2 wasn t much of a hit. Customer reviews for the HTC VIVE Pro were mostly average. However, many people still recommend the HTC VIVE Pro 2 as a good mid-range VR headset. For a full list of VR headsets take a look atthis list. Now, let s get into the differences between the Meta Quest 3 and the HTC VIVE Pro 2 in greater detail.

Using the VR Headset with a PC

If you plan to use a VR headset with a PC, then you need to be aware of the differences between the Meta Quest 3 and VIVE Pro. First things first, make sure you have aVR-ready PCbecause VR requires powerful hardware to maintain stable performance.

First, while the Meta Quest 3 is a standalone device, it can also be used with a PC viaQuest Link(formerly known as Oculus Link). To use Quest Link, the Meta Quest 3 headset needs to be connected to your PC via aUSB-C cable. Air Link allows you to connect your PC to your Meta Quest over Wi-Fi without the need for any special wireless adapters. For best results, it s recommended to use a router that has 5GHz Wi-Fi because it delivers the best performance and lowest latency.

While you can use the VIVE Pro 2 wirelessly, you need to buy a VIVE wireless adapter, which is not cheap. In fact, the wireless adapter almost costs as much as a Meta Quest 3.

Besides the number of cables, your computer also needs to have DisplayPort. In comparison, the Meta Quest 3 only requires a 3.0 or 3.1 USB port to transfer the data. Overall, it s easier to use a Meta Quest 3 with PC VR because the setup is much more straightforward than the VIVE Pro 2.

Display Resolution

One of the most important features of a VR headset is the display resolution. The Meta Quest 3 will use an LCD panel with a display resolution of 2064 x 2208 at 120Hz. For a quick comparison, the previous Meta Quest 2 has a display resolution of 1832 x 1920.

As for the VIVE Pro 2, it also uses an LCD panel but with a display resolution of 4896 x 2448 (also known as 5K) at 120Hz. In this particular category, the VIVE Pro 2 wins, as it is capable of outputting a higher-resolution image.

However, there s one key point to keep in mind here. While the VIVE Pro 2 supports a higher resolution, it needs to be connected to something that can display that resolution. Even high-end gaming PCs struggle to display games at 5K at 120Hz. So, since most people don t have the hardware to run games at 5K, few people can experience the full potential of the VIVE Pro 2.

Weight

While no exact figures have been released yet, the Meta Quest 3 claims to be 40% thinner than the Meta Quest 2, which weighed about 500 grams, or 1.1 pounds. However, the exact weight of the Meta Quest 3 is still unknown. User testers have mentioned the weight of the Meta Quest 3 feels similar to the Quest 2. While the Meta Quest 3 may not be lighter than the Meta Quest 2, specific changes have been made to balance the weight, making it feel lighter.

In comparison, the HTC VIVE Pro 2 weighs about 850 grams, or 1.87 pounds. Naturally, it s very important for a headset to be comfortable and light. The comfort level and weight of the Meta Quest 3 are much better than the VIVE Pro 2, especially for long sessions.

Operating System

One key point is that the Meta Quest 3 is a standalone system. It s powered by a new Snapdragon XR Gen 2 processor, which claims to provide twice the processing power of its predecessor. The Meta Quest 3 runs on Android and has 128GB of internal storage. It s compatible with all the Meta Store games and can run over 200 VR games independently. In other words, the Meta Quest 3 can run its own software and games, while the VIVE Pro 2 requires another device to power it.

As for the VIVE Pro 2, it does not have an operating system, so it must be connected to a PC or another compatible device. Connecting a VIVE Pro 2 headset to a PC is a little trickier because you need to connect a USB cable and a DisplayPort cable to the VIVE Link Box 2.0, and then another cable from the box to the VR headset.

Price

The Meta Quest 3 starts at USD $499. There will be another option with more storage released later on. Meanwhile, the HTC VIVE Pro 2 costs $714.

To play wirelessly, the HTC VIVE PRO 2 requires a separate adapter is quite expensive. The Meta Quest 3 does not require an additional adapter for wireless gaming. Overall, the Meta Quest 3 is much cheaper.

Field of View (FOV)

The Meta Quest 3 will have a very similar FOV as the Meta Quest 2, which is around 100 horizontal. The HTC VIVE Pro 2 has a 120 horizontal FOV. Most VR enthusiasts agree that a higher FOV makes for a much better experience. In this case, the VIVE Pro 2 takes the point.

Battery Life

The Meta Quest 3 is expected to have between 2 to 3 hours of battery life, depending on the usage. The battery life of the VIVE Pro 2 is similar, as it usually runs out around the 2.5-hour mark.

Meta Quest 3 vs. HTC VIVE Pro 2: 7 Must-Know Facts

• The Meta Quest 3 is a standalone device while the VIVE Pro 2 is not.
• The Meta Quest 3 is much cheaper than the VIVE Pro 2.
• The VIVE Pro 2 offers higher resolution than the Meta Quest 3.
• The Meta Quest 3 is much easier to set up for PC VR and only requires one USB-C cable.
• Wireless gaming is easier on the Meta Quest 3 due to built-in Wi-Fi.
• The VIVE Pro 2 requires a separate, expensive, wireless adapter.
• Meta Quest 3 offers native support for Augmented Reality (AR).

Meta Quest 3 vs. HTC VIVE Pro 2: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Use?

To summarize, while the VIVE Pro 2 does have a better resolution and a wider field of view, the Meta Quest 3 is the winner.

We recommend the Meta Quest 3 because it s a standalone device, it easily integrates with PC VR, and it s very comfortable to wear. Most of the features of the Meta Quest 3 are included natively and you don t need to buy any additional adapter, unlike the VIVE Pro 2.

To gain the full functionality of the VIVE Pro 2, you need to spend upwards of $1,000, for the same features that are included in the Meta Quest 3 for a much lower price.