Out of the box, a Meta Quest VR headset offers plenty on the surface, but if you already have one of these headsets and think you’ve seen and done it all, there are more than a few things you can do to wring even more from your investment.
1 Accessorize!
Meta Quest accessories can turn your headset from “quite good” to “great.” One of the first things I bought was a more comfortable strap, such as the official Elite Strap from Meta. You can even get one with an extra battery that both extends your play time and helps better balance the Quest. The default Quest design has always favored portability over comfort, and for my money, anything that takes the pressure off your face is worth investing in.
Another great accessory to consider is a carry case, since the Quest really shines when you use it as a travel device, and, with a good case, you can always bring it with you.
2 Subscribe to Quest Plus
Quest+ is a subscription service for Meta’s headset, and I love it. I would never be able to afford or justify all the various games available on the Quest, but Quest+ gives me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. It’s also a great service if you’re only going to play something once, and you can always buy it later, if you really love it. I wholeheartedly recommend everyone with a Quest, especially new owners, to sign up for this service.
3 Watch Movies and Shows
Having a Quest headset is like owning your own personal and private theater that you can take everywhere with you. There are many streaming apps in the Quest store, but you can also play your own media files too. My personal favorite use case is watching Plex with my Meta Quest, but really the possibilities are endless. A VR headset like the Quest is also the only way to watch 3D movies outside an actual theater these days.
4 Use It for PC VR
If you have a PC powerful enough to run VR apps like Half-Life Alyx, then you can use your Quest headset as a PC VR headset. You don’t need any special equipment, other than a fast USB-C cable or fast Wi-Fi and an Ethernet cable. You can get all the details in my guide to playing PC VR games on Meta Quest.
However, these days, my preferred way to play is by using the Steam Link app for Quest. Virtually all of my PC VR games are on Steam anyway, and I’ve found it works much better than other wireless alternatives.
5 Try Out Virtual Desktop Apps
While 90% of what a Quest is good for comes down to some form of entertainment, you can do some serious work using one of these headsets too. I’ve spent quite a bit of time working in VR when I need privacy, a bigger screen on the go, or I just want to focus without distraction. You need to make some preparations so that working in VR is as comfortable as possible, but for many people it might turn out to be the ultimate work environment.
6 Hang Out With Real People in VR
One interesting use of VR is hanging out with other VR users in a social space. While it’s not like seeing your friends in real life, there is definitely a better sense of being in the presence of other people compared to, for example, a Zoom call. The most popular app for this purpose is VRChat, but Meta’s own Horizon Worlds is worth checking out too.
Also, you don’t have to use an app specifically designed for socializing. Some VR games with multiplayer modes work just as well. Nothing like doing some virtual fishing with a friend!
The Quest VR headset family is pretty versatile, and I’m always discovering cool new things, or finding new apps with fresh ideas about how to use VR in interesting ways. If your headset is gathering dust, it might be time to give it another go and find the killer app you may have overlooked before.
