What’s going to come with your shiny new headset on October 13th? Find out in our Oculus Quest 2 unboxing!
Facebook revealed its latest standalone device during its Connect developer conference yesterday. It’s lighter and smaller than Quest 1, plus it’s got more horsepower and better screen resoltuion. Some caveats aside, we think it’s a pretty splendid bit of kit, all-in-all. But what actually comes in the box?
Oculus Quest 2 Unboxing
Up above is our full unboxing of the Quest 2’s 64GB model. There’s no material difference between that and the 256GB model Facebook is also releasing next month. Quest 2 comes with the headset (duh), two touch controllers, some AA batteries to use them and then some other useful extras like a glasses spacer for the kit and a USB-C charging cable. Sadly, as you’ll see in the video, that cable really isn’t anywhere near long enough to use with Oculus Link.
Our video gives you a better look at each of the individual elements you’ll find in the box, right down to the user manual (exciting!). If you want a more in-depth look at our impressions of the device itself, make sure to check out our video review below.
We’ve also been using an official ‘Elite Strap’ for the Quest 2, though that comes as a separate $50 add-on. Facebook is also shipping the strap with an added battery extender and a carrying case for $130. The 64GB version of Quest 2 goes for $299 and the 256GB goes for $399.
What did you make of our Oculus Quest 2 unboxing? Let us know in the comments below!
Jamie Feltham
Jamie has been covering the VR industry since 2014 having come from a gaming and technology background. While he loves games, he's most interested in experiential VR that explores narrative, human connection and other such themes. He's also the host of Upload's VR Showcases, which you should definitely watch.
The Meta Quest 2 ships with a one-meter cable. However, it's far too short to safely use while wearing the headset. While Meta officially recommends that you should "only charge your headset with the charger that was included in the box," you can still find alternative cables easily, with many designed for Oculus Link.
So whether you lost the cable that came in the box or want an Oculus Quest 2 replacement charging cord to make room-scale PC VR easier and safer, we've rounded up a variety of options that will fit your needs.
The best cables to charge your Quest 2
Quest 2 headset cable (1m)
Guaranteed compatibility
If you just want a basic charging cable, Meta sells official replacement cables on its site. Admittedly, they're a bit overpriced for a one-meter cable; still, at least you know for sure that it'll (supposedly) preserve the longevity of the headset by providing the correct amount of voltage. Being able to recharge your headset in just a couple of hours, it's the safest replacement cable for Quest 2 owners who don't need it for Link.
Unmatched for PC VR
This 16-foot cable serves two purposes. The obvious one is that it can connect to your PC to play Rift or SteamVR games, with enough length to let you move around the room with some freedom. It'll charge in this mode, but the headset will still drain over time. As for standard charging, this USB-C to USB-C cable can also slot into the included 10W charger and refill your battery at top speed.
uni Long Type-C 15ft Fast Charging Cable
Long and fast
Practically any USB-C to USB-C cable will work with the standard Quest or Quest 2 power adapter, but the included cable forces you to keep the Quest 2 right next to the outlet. This 15-foot nylon braided cable will let your Quest sit anywhere nearby that's convenient and is durable enough to handle any accidental yanks — it just doesn't have the data transfer speed for Link.
Anker Charging Dock for Oculus Quest 2
Charge your headset and controllers at once
This dock technically has a four-foot cable inside, so we'll include it here. Aside from the cable, this dock allows you to charge your Quest 2 and both Touch controllers simultaneously. It ships with rechargeable batteries and custom battery covers that allow the controllers to recharge without removing the batteries. The only downside is that the headset won't fit into the dock if the Elite Strap with Battery is attached.
WiRoTech Blue USB-C to USB-C Fast Charging Cable
Cheap, colorful charging
Anyone looking to replace the official Quest 2 charging cable can get one of these reliable cables for half the price and in 19 colors at either 1, 6, or 10 feet in length. Unfortunately, these WiRoTechs aren't built for Link-quality data transfer; still, they will easily slot into the power adapter and get your headset recharged in no time.
Official Oculus Link alternative
While Meta would prefer you to buy the official Link cable, this serves as a more affordable (though shorter) alternative. In fact, its developers named it as the one alternative cable it tested that works to its satisfaction. It'll connect to a standard PC USB port without needing an adapter, but unfortunately, it won't plug into the standard power adapter for charging without one.
TNE Link Cable for Oculus Quest 2
Right-angled Link cable
This USB 3.2 to USB-C cable maxes out to 16 feet, though you can downgrade to 13 or 10, depending on your needs. It also has a right-angle USB-C head, matching the official cable. This gives you a much better fit into the headset, as a straight connector can cause more damage or even break off inside the headset if it's yanked too hard. It's a popular choice for frugal Oculus Link users.
BeswinVR Quest 2 Controller Charge Kit
Top them off
BeswinVR makes a unique charge kit for the Meta Quest 2's 3rd-gen Oculus Touch controllers, which comes with a particular rechargeable battery, replacement battery door, and a magnetic charging cable. The trick here is that these batteries have a little magnetic charger that fits inside the window on the replacement battery doors, enabling quick charging without removing the batteries. Pick them up with a BeswinVR grip set for extra comfort.
Charge everything
The Meta Quest 2 only pulls a set amount of charge, so Power Delivery cables are extreme overkill for recharging the headset. But if you want a cable that'll charge all your tech quickly, including your smartphones or laptops, this 60W cable will serve them all universally. Made of double-braided nylon, it'll even last you for years. Keep in mind that it doesn't have the data speeds necessary for Oculus Link, nor the length to play comfortably with it plugged in.
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How to find the best Quest 2 replacement charging cables
There are two categories of products that could fit the bill here. Some people just want a longer USB-C cable to slot into the included Quest power adapter. In contrast, others want an Oculus Link-compatible USB 3.0 to USB-C cable to simultaneously handle data transfer and power charging. Whichever of the two you choose — if not both — they should be compatible with either the Meta Quest or Meta Quest 2. The exceptions on this list are the Anker Charging Dock and BeswinVR Charge Kit, which only work with Quest 2 and its touch controllers.
Remember that Meta recommends you only use their official Quest 2 headset cable for charging or the Oculus Link cable for PC VR. The charging cable is only 1m, making it too short to charge your headset while you wear it, but Meta support also suggests that you "avoid charging your headset while it's in use." This is because the headset can get too hot while charging and playing, which could cause performance or stability issues. If you're willing to take that risk and want a longer USB-C cable, look for one that at least hits 5V 3A, so it gives your headset enough juice, such as the uni Long USB Type C cable listed above or any of the best USB-C cables available.
It's worth noting that most Oculus Link cables will not keep the Quest powered indefinitely. Users have found that the headset doesn't really start to pull a charge from any cable until the power level hits 80% or lower; after that, the cable will give the headset more power, but your battery will still steadily drain. That being said, some Link cables charge and transfer data better than others. If you can't afford the official Meta option, Anker and TNE are great options, or you can check out some of the other best Link cable alternatives for the Meta Quest 2.
If you're looking for a way to extend your Meta Quest or Meta Quest 2's battery life without relying on a cable, try one of the best Meta Quest 2 battery packs, which you can strap directly to your headset to extend the battery life for hours upon hours.
Michael spent years freelancing on every tech topic under the sun before settling down on the real exciting stuff: virtual reality, fitness wearables, gaming, and how tech intersects with our world. He's a semi-reformed Apple-to-Android user who loves running, D&D, and Star Wars. Find him on Twitter at @Michael_L_Hicks.