Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, released the Quest 2 standalone VR headset in 2020. The price has changed several times since then, but now Meta is sticking to $250 for the 128GB model and $300 for the 256GB model. The prices for some accessories are also dropping.

Meta confirmed in a blog post that the entry-level Quest 2 VR headset with 128GB storage will remain at $250. That price was initially a deal for Black Friday in 2023, then remained at that price for the entire holiday season. The company said, “we’re permanently lowering prices on Quest 2 and its accessories, effective January 1! Our 128GB Quest 2 SKU will now cost $249.99 USD, while you can bring home the 256GB Quest 2 SKU for $299.99 USD.”

There aren’t many options right now for standalone VR headsets, so the Quest 2 at $250 is still probably the best option for playing some Beat Saber or Asgard’s Wrath 2 on a budget. The upgraded Quest 3 still starts at $500, which is a significant leap in price. Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm are working on a mixed reality headset that might be a proper competitor, but it’s unclear when that device (or devices?) will be available to purchase.

Meta is also dropping the prices for some official Quest 2 accessories. The Quest 2 Elite Strap is now $50, the Quest 2 Carrying Case is now $45, the Quest 2 Elite Strap with Battery is $90, the Quest 2 Active Pack is $60, and the Quest 2 Fit Pack is $40.

You may recall that Meta has changed the retail price for the Quest 2 several tmes. It was originally priced at $300 for the 128GB model, and $400 for 256GB, then the prices for both were raised by $100 in 2022. Meta said the higher prices were required “to continue investing in moving the VR industry forward for the long term.” The 256GB model dropped to $430 in March 2023, but the 128GB model remained at $400, until both models returned to their original prices in June 2023.

Long-term support remains an open question for the Quest 2. It’s now over three years old, and the Quest 3 is a significant upgrade in both features and graphical performance. Meta ended mainstream support for the original Quest headset in March 2023, which was roughly four years after its introduction. The Quest 2 is more powerful and popular than the original model ever was, so it should last longer, but Meta has not commited to any specific timelines.

Source: Meta