We bought the Oculus Quest 2 Elite strap with battery and carrying case so our reviewer could test it out. Read their full product review.
A standalone wireless headset is hands down the best VR experience for most buyers, with strong power, a great screen and quality gameplay. But there they are a few discounted versions of the original and more expensive Oculus Quest model, and the thin strap is the main one.
While the Quest 2’s textile strap is certainly usable, it’s not particularly effective at keeping the headphones securely and comfortably on your face. Fortunately, Quest 2 owners have another option if they’re willing to spend the extra cash: the official Oculus Quest 2 Elite belt.
Available only for $49 or with a battery and carrying case for $129, the Elite strap is a significant improvement and a useful pick-me-up for anyone who doesn’t like the original fit. I tested the last configuration with the integrated battery and the included case.
Design: firmer belt
While the standard Oculus Quest 2 strap is simply fabric straps, one behind the head and one at the top, the Elite strap is mostly plastic and much sturdier. This is because it helps offset the weight of the visor by holding the entire earpiece securely in place using the back of the head, minimizing its ability to droop or feel heavy on the face.
The Elite Strap does this by using an oval-shaped piece of soft plastic on the back that gently presses against the back of the head. It is partially supported by a single fabric strap at the top, but mainly by a locking mechanism at the back.
Unlike, say, the PlayStation VR strap, the wheel on the Quest 2 Elite strap doesn’t click into place and you have to press a button to release it to get out when you want to get out. Instead, you can adjust it gradually until the headset feels tight but comfortable, and tighten or loosen it as needed. Remain silent.
It’s a big upgrade over the regular Quest 2 belt. The original Quest had a simple plastic strap, but it was a step up from what Oculus supplied with the sequel. The Elite strap is an improvement over both standard models and is one of the best VR headset straps out there. It is safe, easy to use and convenient to check every box in the list.
This Elite band model has a battery built into the back of the band in a plastic housing. It doesn’t feel heavy or noticeable, although there should be a weight difference between this version and the separate, battery-less Elite Strap option.
Meanwhile, the carrying case in this pack is large enough to hold the entire headset and Elite Strap, as well as two Oculus Touch controllers and a charger. The large pill-shaped design is not traditional for a gadget case, it looks like light gray sweatpants with a wool-like felt construction. The case can be a little tricky to open, but it’s functional and roomy enough to store everything, even if it doesn’t look as good as what is inside.
Installation process: paste it
Oculus has integrated a smart strap support system into the Quest 2, which allows you to attach different types of straps securely and seamlessly. When you remove the stock strap, you’re left with these plastic “wings” on either side of the visor and they snap right into the plastic straps on the Elite strap to securely attach it to the visor.
Just plug the USB-C cable on the side of the Elite strap into the Quest 2 visor once plugged in as it adds power from the battery to the total stash. You now charge the entire headset via the USB-C port under the watch face on the Elite wristband, which powers both the visor and the band’s batteries.
Comfort: efficient and adjustable
Comfort is one of the driving forces behind the creation of the elite belt and one of the main reasons anyone would consider paying $49 or more for another belt. Some may find the strap on the Oculus Quest 2 fine, but in my testing it was just acceptable – the headset felt heavy and never quite clicked into place the way I would have liked.
The Oculus Quest 2 Elite strap solves this problem for me and I can’t imagine anyone finding it less comfortable than the stock strap. It’s a clever design that takes inspiration from previous VR headsets to adequately support the weight of the visor, but still allows for subtle adjustments without having to remove the visor from the dome. It’s nice to wear, and most importantly, it helps remove some of the friction from a faulty belt, immersing you more deeply into the immersive illusion.
Battery: Double the usage time
The Oculus Quest 2’s built-in battery only lasts around two hours, and the Elite Strap’s 4,676mAh secondary pack doubles that amount. This adds about two more hours of use, meaning you’re free to play much longer sessions and / or charge your headphones less often.
I personally haven’t had any issues with the Quest 2’s modest battery life as I rarely play VR for more than an hour at a time. However, the extra buffer can be useful when more immersive games are released, when people use VR for social interaction, and because you may be spending more time watching passive content (like movies) in a VR environment. The Quest 2 first draws the battery from the Elite Strap and, as previously mentioned, a single USB-C socket charges the whole thing.
Sure, there are DIY options for extending the Quest 2’s battery life, including plugging in a portable power bank and putting it in your pocket or otherwise connecting it to your body or headset. Depending on the size of the power bank, this type of solution could get a lot more time of use and less, but it is more problematic.
Oculus Quest 2 Elite Strap vs Or zero Quest 2 “adjustable headband
There are a number of third-party wristbands available for the Quest 2, no doubt encouraged by the severe supply shortage of the Elite wristband since launch. Or zero’s adjustable headband for Oculus Quest 2 (see on Amazon) is a well-reviewed option that looks a little different thanks to the much larger plastic shell on the back of the head, but appears to work similarly to the official Elite. a belt . It costs $ 10 less than the official option, so it may be a good or cheaper option. However, the built-in battery does not have a version.
Final judgement
A true elite addition to Quest 2.
If your Oculus Quest 2 is not positioned correctly, take the Elite band. It is a much better designed strap that keeps the VR headset firmly and comfortably in place during use and is worth the extra money. While you might cringe at the thought of spending more money on something that should have come with standard headphones, the improved user experience would eventually outweigh this frustration. The battery pack and carrying case add value and are worth it if you enjoy long gaming sessions or don’t want to charge the headset as often, but the Elite strap itself is the most essential addition to this set.