Quest 3 Elite Strap With Battery Review: Is It Worth It?

I've been using the Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery since I bought my Quest 3 at launch. I share my experience of using this head strap and compare it to the regular strap and also to the Quest 2 Elite battery strap.
I share the pros and cons of this headstrap and discuss whether it is a good option to improve comfort and battery life for your Quest 3, or whether you should go for one of the third-party alternatives.
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[@gabrielsaunders4642]

I think Meta fit the default strap perfectly with how long the battery life lasts. In an hour or 2, my forehead starts to hurt and the headset is almost dead. Great video though, I would like it if you compared 3rd party straps in the future, I may consider getting one because they’re cheaper.

[@theillmeister]

🤣🤣

[@VRLowdown]

You could be right. They've balanced these two aspects well, lol. I hope to be able to compare a few different head straps in the next few weeks.

[@insertnamehere4419]

my forehead around the eyebrows hurts in MINUTES with the POS default strap. It's beyond awful.

[@napynap]

Just got my Quest 3. In terms of comfort, after about 30 min my concentration gets interrupted by the pressure on my forehead and cheek bones. Sure, I have adjusted it endlessly, but there's no getting around that it is front heavy. It can't just sit comfortably balanced. I'll be looking for a replacement strap. Thanks for the video!

[@waynestorton1875]

You make a lot of very good and valid points. I think, mainly, that Meta try to screw us with the high costs of accessories. Surely this is counterproductive? I would love to ALWAYS buy the official accessories, and I think most people would. Were their prices more competitive, then more of us would buy from them rather than from 3rd party alternatives. Lower prices, but with increased adoption would surely make more sense? But this is Zuckerburg!!!

[@VRLowdown]

Def agree. Counterproductive to profiteer at a point where its still only really early adopters using these headsets.

[@mxc0317]

@@VRLowdownCan’t agree more👏

[@TheExtraTerrestrial]

The lack of out-of-the-box comfort, and Meta's obvious ploy to rip off people for official accessories, won't do VR any favors. It'll probably just turn off a lot of people, and make them return their Quest.

[@napynap]

I remember when Sony did this to the memory cards for the PSP and VITA. When there was no affordable solution, users just hacked the devices to make them usable, which lead to their downfall. Hope that doesn't happen with Quest, or any other VR provider.

[@Ryuukami]

If you have a 3D printer or know someone who does, there are adapters for all the old Quest 2 headstraps.

[@VRLowdown]

Good advice!

[@magicalfrijoles6766]

Yes, the elite strap is more comfortable. Unless, you us your Oculus like I do in a recliner with your head resting on the back of the chair. It is really bulky in back. So, for apps like Tripp or Maloka then I don't like the elite strap. But, if you are standing up and gaming then the elite strap is much better.

[@VRLowdown]

Good point. That's a significant negative point for this type of strap.

[@NeonPizza80s]

It really depends on the game I guess. When it comes to VR or pancake gaming, i usually tap out at 2 1/2 hours max, for something like Resident Evil 4 VR. My eyes start to strain and the experience starts to become less enjoyable. I was thinking of just getting the standard elite strap without the battery, but if it craps out at just under 2 hours I'll most likely regret it. Elite Strap+Battery it is! :P I just don't like the cable popping off the side of the headset like that, kind of ruins the design/aesthetic a little.

[@VRLowdown]

Elite Strap with battery is great. Bit pricey, but I definitely like it.

[@KennyKennTV]

I use my original battery strap with q3. I just use zipties, works perfect but looks a bit shit. But $220AUD not worth to get new one

[@VRLowdown]

Hadn't thought of this!

[@vrglcom]

No complaints with the Elite strap here. Played Population:One for just over 4hrs straight, Elite strap was 0% but headset still had 87% on it so could have played for another hour or so. If you think the Bobo is better, this may have been true for Quest 2 but not Quest 3. The Bobo batteries are 2.6amps only drawing 13Watts. Quest 3 draws 18w-22watts, so the B2’s just can’t keep up with the power hungry Q3. Jay Bratt has already covered this on his KZbin channel. As soon as m3 pro starts selling on mass scale the complaints will start circulating. Bobo should have shipped the m3 pros with a more powerful battery.

[@VRLowdown]

The extra battery life is pretty much essential for anyone who's got more than a very casual interest in VR. Going to be very interesting to get my hands on a BoboVR head strap and test it out.

[@vrglcom]

@@VRLowdown I just hope meta sorts out a fix soon for the people effected with the Elite strap battery issue. It’s not good enough - Especially when paying that price for a premium head strap! Not acceptable.. Both Meta and Bobo have not handled this well at all imo..

[@ryurien]

Do you think that in this moment, the best choice remains the official one, the bobo or some other brand? Regardless of the price I mean

[@robihobby9490]

If i use Elite Strap With Battery on the Quest 3 , so where i connect the UBS Link Cable to the PC for PCVR?

[@awesomeone101101]

The fault issues ive heard about makes me not want to get it, but other than that it seems like the sleekest looking one on the market sans the wire sticking out, they could easily make that cleaner and should’ve at this price point. I might pick it up cause the standard strap and the battery life make the quest 3 unusable for longer than an hour. It either dies or i get a headache from the strap

[@Meandtheghosts]

Do not buy the Elite strap with the battery!It is sh*t!Not worth £130!!Only gives you an extra hour to play.I will return it, then I will buy an elite strap without the battery, along with a 30.000mha power bank.

[@VRLowdown]

Quest 3 def needs a better strap and battery life. I can't say I regret buying the elite battery strap.

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

​@@Meandtheghostsjust get the Bobo m3 with battery. Even more comfortable and half the price. Meta are literaly pulling everyone's pants down with 2 things. 1st charging the amount they do for the head set that barely gives you 2 hours MAX of VR, which is a joke, and then charging for this elite strap with a battery. They are quite literally bumbing everyone, and DRY too...not even any Lube.

[@MarkLikesGaming]

Would also be interested to see you compare the elite straps to the Bobovr halo strap.

[@VRLowdown]

I suspect the BOBO VR strap will perform a lot better. I've just tried out another 3rd party battery strap that I'm pretty impressed with.

[@MarkUnique]

@@VRLowdownI used the official elite strap with the Quest 2 (not comfortable IMO), so I'm tempted to try a halo strap, like BoboVR's, although I am concerned about how wobbly it might feel on the face and also the added bulk - most rave how comfortable it is though.

[@hanguangqin1677]

Decided to get one after your video, thank you so much keep up the amazing work❤❤❤❤

[@VRLowdown]

Thanks for the feedback. I've been really happy with mine so far.

[@Factsfun-kg4xc]

Given the price of the Quest 3, the Elite Strap should have been included. there is no way i am going to pay the asking price of the elite strap. i will just 3D print a my own strap! for the battery i will be using a 5000Mha Pack with a cable from the headset into my pocket if i need it otherwise just a smaller battery pack i can clip on my Headset and exchange while charging!

[@VRLowdown]

Not a bad option at all. I totally agree that an Elite Strap by default is essential.

[@aatguzman8920]

Make an adapter with your 3d printer to fit the elite strap 2 on the 3, if you do let me know I buy from you 🤙🏻

[@juancarloshorta1934]

Is it safe to have a battery like this that close to the head?

[@VRLowdown]

I hope so!

[@namelessfrce5842]

just purchased this headset today instant comfort and great design im also going to get the new m3 from bobo vr when available

[@VRLowdown]

Good choice!

[@RasenRambo23]

Great content! Thanks for your impressions. For future content, you need to do something about the echo. Maybe a mic, or fix it in post production, change the room - or all three. :D Good luck.

[@VRLowdown]

Thanks for the tips! I definitely agree.

[@jshfdz1451]

great video, thanks

[@meejmuas8686]

I have the elite strap with the Q3. It does not fix the issue of putting stress my forehead. Basically, $130 wasted. Hoping bobovr will save this headset for me. The sweetspot of Q3 is amazing

[@VRLowdown]

I think this could be due to the Quest 3 facial interface. I sometimes get the same issue.

[@Belgarath777]

Completely disagree. I find the Elite Strap w battery is perfectly balanced as long as the top strap is tight enough and you properly tilt up and down the front part. For me it's been a miracle even though I think it should be half the price. Love it while exercising in Supernatural. I did get the Silicon interface which I also love even though it's also overpriced.

[@meejmuas8686]

@VRLowdown I figured it out. The top strap of elite strap makes a massive difference of where the weight of the Quest 3 will exert on your face. If the top strap is very short, it tilts the face mask where all of the pressure is on your cheek bones. If the strap is very long, the pressure is heavily exerted on the top of the mask, where your forehead is. The Q3 is still front heavy, despite pulling in the thickness of the headset, and it pulled that weight into the front mask. The top of the strap only adjusts where the fulcrum point is. Hence, elite strap still needs more weight at the back of the elite strap where the battery is move that fulcrum to the center. For the time being though, adjusting that top headstrap will heavily determine where the weight is distributed on which part of your face. Elite strap is still not a complete solution, but adjusting the top strap will help mediate some of the discomfort it causes, or putting more weight at the battery to move the fulcrum closer to the top of your head

[@zakariya5110]

How do you compare the quest 3 to the pico 4? I have both currently and find the pico quite uncomfortable stock, the res is also quite a lot lower but for me the sweetspot is quite disappointing on the pico. What virtual desktop settings are you using for the pico?

[@VRLowdown]

For PCVR, they're quite similar. Displays, lenses, FOV etc. Pico 4 facial interface much less comfortable, but overall headset better balanced. For standalone VR, Quest 3 is a very comfortable winner.

[@DjKRuZe81]

Got mine yesterday, love it! The standard strap was terrible. This one has zero discomfort. Price is too high for what it is though.

[@VRLowdown]

Totally agree

[@navinbhandari2001]

I found this strap made the quest top heavy on my eyes, but the orginal strap did not. I find that weird?

[@vrglcom]

To be honest, that’s very weird..

[@navinbhandari2001]

@@vrglcom It was the silicon face fitting I had to adjust it to the extreme setting and now its nice, but glasses get fog now lol

[@VRLowdown]

I can see how that could happen. I was getting some excess pressure on my forehead for a day or two, but adjusting the top strap made a huge difference.

[@johnrichardson7652]

My Elite Quest 3 strap battery when charged always says 68% charge not 100% why is this? Anyone know?

[@Belgarath777]

Good video. Love the elite strap w battery for exercising w the silicon interface. For me i have zero discomfort and it feels well made and perfectly balanced. I dont want to play in one sitting for more than 4 hours. I also play games on my pc amd ps5 and there are just so many hours in the day. Have to have a life outside of gaming.

[@VRLowdown]

Totally agree

[@shauryavirsingh5767]

is the elite strap with battery resolved the one that shows its plugged in and it doesn't charge

[@VRLowdown]

Mine has been working great for weeks without issue. However, they did pause sales of the Elite battery strap due to this issue until it was resolved. It's still not available to buy again as of today, but I am assuming that it will once the issue is fully resolved.

[@Grainsauce]

I've heard the bobo vr headstrap is even more comfy!!!

[@VRLowdown]

I'm sure it is. They have a great reputation.

[@sandragruntee1595]

Hello Which ou think is more comfortable the one with battery or without. I play most of the time boxing games. Thanks for answer.

[@VRLowdown]

I think a battery strap is always going to be the most comfortable option because the rear-mounted battery balances the weight of the headset on your head. The official battery strap is good, but its expensive and there have been a lot of reliability issues. I'd say the KIWI Design battery head strap is the best I've tried so far.

[@sandragruntee1595]

@@VRLowdown thanks for the answer.

[@mrdummy_nl]

I don't recommend buy Meta headstrap with battery. Especially if you play often more than 4 hours, even 8 hours possible. I recommend only solutions where you can exchange the battery, like Bobo VR. If you have too much money, go ahead. But overall: don't buy it. 3rd party solutions are much cheaper and can do same job.

[@VRLowdown]

You're right. Only big advantage of the official strap is how it looks.

[@mikemayo4812]

The official battery strap can directly power the headset while unofficial solutions just attempts to keep the headset battery charged while the headset runs off it. When using the official battery strap, the headset doesn't even touch the internal battery until the battery strap gets down to 1%. It puts much less wear and tear on the headset battery.

[@mrdummy_nl]

@@mikemayo4812 Why only "official battery strap" if there are plenty good powerbanks around who can also deliver enough power, like you said. I know what you mean and matter is make sure it can provide enough power so internal battery will less used. You need find it. Stop focusing on this strap.

[@mikemayo4812]

@@mrdummy_nl You fail to understand how power banks work. The device runs off the battery while the power bank recharges it simultaneously....meaning it is putting stress on the battery even if it never gets depleted.

[@seanhaynes8758]

I have the kiwi strap and battery for my quest 2, Uber comfortable. I have a giant gripe against all these extra battery packs... THEY HAVE NO DATA PASS THROUGH!!! Steam said the most common vr headset used on their platform is the quest 2. Most users will tether to the PC, but if you use a battery pack you can't simultaneously use the additional power and tether!! There is no technical reason why it should be designed this way. If you look at the pin outs of USB3 all they had to do was create a splitter, for better looks carry the data cables through to the output into the headset. Stupid or lazy I'm not sure. I did email kiwi support requesting the pin out schematics so I could make my own but heard nothing back.

[@VRLowdown]

I use a powered USB-C cable when doing tethered PCVR to keep the headset fully charged while in use, so no need to use the additional battery.

[@seanhaynes8758]

@VRLowdown I run my set at 90mhz which seems to drain the battery quicker, which I guess makes sense. I have ordered up some USB3 to dip boards to test if I can create an effective pass through without having to chop wires...

[@gabrieledellera70]

CIAO COLLEGATO AL PC IL CAVO PC DOVE VA INSERITO CON LA BATTERIA AGGIUNTIVA? GRAZIE

[@andrewmckelvey4543]

how do you know that the elite battery is charged? I assume the port at the back charges both of them but the headset only tells you its battery

[@VRLowdown]

When using the Elite Strap, you get a separate battery reading for the headset and the strap in the quick settings menu. Other battery straps don't do this, but they usually have an external battery level indicator.

[@fuzzydragon]

My q2 elite strap died in 3 weeks and has no swappable battery compaired to other 3rd party headsets that are cheaper, more comforable and feature battery hot swapping....why would I ever get a carbon coppy of the same obsolete design?

[@VRLowdown]

Not sure I'd call it obsolete, but def a lot of room for improvement.

[@dbean2321]

Does the meta official charging dock charge 3rd party battery straps

[@VRLowdown]

I'm not sure. I haven't tried the official charging dock, but the documentation says that it will charge the official Elite battery strap. Anyone else know if it charges 3rd-party battery straps?

[@Dan-gw3cu]

No its not, stop giving meta money for free, that should cost 50, or even come with the headset.

[@VRLowdown]

It's definitely overpriced, that's for sure.

[@jamesleegte]

The quest 2 headstrap is not powerful enough to charge the quest 3. Same with all the bobo batteries they can’t keep up. Only realistic options as I type are Q3 elite strap with battery or the neck wrap battery bank from Zyber vr, or the ravpower bank 20k 30wPD. All other mainstream third party batteries are getting murdered by the Q3. I always purchase the official batteries worth every penny! I did a four hour session and still had 24% battery left. Caveat I have all my headsets at 40% brightness and I had hand tracking turned off!

[@VRLowdown]

Thanks for the info. I've been testing some 3rd party battery options over the last week. I think the max power discharge of Quest 3 is 12W and a lot of external battery solutions have maximum power output of 10W, so there is potential for them to not keep up. I haven't had too many issues in real world testing though.

[@NONE2NONE]

Can kids use this or is it too large?

[@VRLowdown]

My 9 year old and 7 year old have used it in limited amounts without any issues. They absolutely love it!

[@laggy_luke]

Dude, fix your acoustics.

[@VRLowdown]

No probs.

[@incubeezer]

Sounds like the video is using the audio from the camera instead of the mic on your neck

[@VRLowdown]

Thank You! Your comment made me realise why the audio is so bad! What a rookie mistake, lol.

[@incubeezer]

@@VRLowdown totally get it! Thanks for the content 👍

[@Haiina]

130$ and this thing stops working after first use. Q3 won’t recognize it. It’s been two weeks for me and many others and Still no solution. Don’t even know if it’s software or hardware. Do Not Recommend!

[@VRLowdown]

There do seem to be quite a number of people with hardware issues with the elite battery strap. Thankfully, my replacement strap is working well. I hope it's just an issue with an early manufacturing batch. It's a bit frustrating that Meta have not provided more info about the cause of this problem.

[@JamsterJules]

I've been using mine everyday for a week. I had 1 issue with not seeing it, but I kept the Q3 on, unplugged the elite, held the button in for >12 seconds and plugged it back in. It worked as expected from then on.

[@thesenutz7876]

Bobo m3 is way better,, if I can find one

[@vrglcom]

Maybe for Quest 2 but not Quest 3. The Bobo batteries are 2.6amps only drawing 13Watts. Quest 3 draws 18w-22watts, so the B2’s can’t keep up with the power hungry Q3. Jay Bratt has already covered this on his KZbin channel. As soon as m3 pro starts selling on mass scale the complaints will start circulating. Bobo should have shipped the m3 pros with a more powerful battery.

[@VRLowdown]

Really interesting info. Hope to test the M3 before long.

[@VRLowdown]

I haven't been able to get one yet, and looks like it could be at least a few weeks.

[@Jason-gs6hd]

short answer: hell nah

[@VRLowdown]

Well we know where you stand on this one, lol.

[@thesenutz7876]

Hahaha, all I can say is Wow........

[@VRLowdown]

Wow, good? Or wow, bad?

[@KeleMann]

Bobo VR strap way better!

[@VRLowdown]

I think you might be right! Hopefully, I'll get a chance to try it soon.

[@TheExtraTerrestrial]

Except they used the wrong battery, so it hums and buzzes, and doesn't charge the headset correctly.

[@jeremyjones4200]

Awful sound quality...

[@RichJohannsen]

it is. *do not recommend channel*

[@VRLowdown]

Thanks!