Oculus Go Headset Review: Specs, Current Status and Honest Verdict

Product status and source notes

Oculus Go status: checked 24 September 2026

No longer sold or supported. Facebook (now Meta) ended Oculus Go sales in 2020, stopped accepting new Go apps and app updates after 4 December 2020, and provided bug fixes and security patches only through 2022. There is no Oculus Go successor; Meta put its effort into the Quest line.

What still works: an existing Go still works, but only partly. Since 2024 owners have reported "Failed Entitlement Check" errors when launching some purchased apps on a headset connected to the internet, and Meta told them some apps may no longer work because the Go is unsupported. In May 2024, YouTube VR, Skybox and Netflix were reported as still working. First-time setup needs Meta's phone app. A 2024 app update stopped Go setup from finishing until Meta fixed it, and later forum reports say the same problem has come back with the renamed Meta Horizon app, so setting up a reset Go may not be possible.

Worth buying? Only as a very cheap used headset for video, and only if you accept that nothing will be fixed. For new VR, the Meta Quest 3S starts at $349.99 and the Meta Quest 3 costs $599.99 in the US (Meta's list prices since April 2026). See current alternatives.

Original review introduction

The Oculus Go is the best purchase I’ve made all year.

I’ve used it dozens of hours in the month that I’ve had it. I’ve blasted zombies, watched Netflix, and even watched a Cirque du Soleil show, all in my headset. I freaking love the thing!

The Go solves the issues with wires holding you down as well as needing a powerful PC for VR. It needs neither. I want to take the time today why I love the device so much, and why you should consider it for your next headset.

This review was written in 2019, while the Go was still on sale. The hands-on impressions below still describe the hardware, but the software, store and alternatives have changed, and we have noted those changes where they matter.

Things to Consider When Buying a VR Headset

Virtual reality is immersive and mesmerizing. It can transport you nearly anywhere that you can imagine. Simply put: VR is the future. It allows users to visit places they’d never get to visit and do things that they’d never have the chance to.

VR headsets are cool but are held back by a few things. Most VR headsets need a powerful gaming PC to run the games. These headsets often have cables, which can cause tangles and are a real pain in the booty. I’ve had a few times when my PlayStation VR tripped me!

Who Is The Ideal VR Consumer?

The ideal consumer for virtual reality is changing. In the past, I’d say that the ideal customer is somebody that’s tech-savvy and has deep pockets. Now, I say that anyone can be an ideal consumer for VR. Headsets like the Go make that possible, giving anyone who wants it access to the technology.

You should buy a VR headset if you want to consume media or play games. Media consumption can be done on mobile VR headsets or high-end sets. Gaming is traditionally reserved for higher-end hardware. Headsets like the Oculus Go are a happy medium. They support both media and basic gaming for a fraction of the price of high-end headsets.

Potential VR headset buyers need to consider the following:

• Goals - What are your goals with VR? Do you mainly want to consume media, or do you want to play games also? The ideal headset is dependent on what your goals are.
• Motion sickness - VR isn’t for everyone. The technology makes some people queasy, but not everyone. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll want to consider whether or not VR is a good option.
• PC or no PC? - PC VR is the best experience you can get, but it is expensive. If you have a powerful rig, then a high-end PC provides great gaming. If you don’t have a PC or just want media consumption, a lower end setup works just fine.

Presenting the Oculus Go

The Oculus Go is the company’s first true attempt at wireless VR. The Go launched in 2018 and has great features. I bought one of these not too long ago and have been blown away at the build quality and functionality.

Unlike the Rift or HTC Vive, there are no wires to be found here, nor do you need a PC to power the headset. This is the first truly wireless VR headset that doesn’t feel like a toy.

With the Go, you’re getting a capable device that brought a social aspect along with games and media. It is an all-in-one device that gets the job done. Those social apps are gone now: Oculus Rooms closed in October 2019, and Meta retired the standalone Venues app in June 2022.

Pros

• Excellent high-resolution screen
• Good software
• Excellent 3D audio included
• Well balanced, not too heavy

Cons

• Poor battery life
• Lack of a USB C port
• Light leaks in from the bottom

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Features and Benefits

Video

The Oculus Go packs in a 5.5 inch LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (1280 x 1440 per eye) and a refresh rate of up to 72Hz. That works out to roughly 530 pixels per inch, and Oculus has worked in some tricks to increase performance, such as fixed foveated rendering, which renders the edges of the image at lower resolution than the center.

The end result is a stunning display that has almost zero screen door effect. Compared to the likes of the Rift, the Go is sharper and feels nicer.

Audio

The Go has built-in 3D headphones that are included in the headband. This means that you can use the headset without traditional headphones. I’m impressed with how good these sound, and there’s a lot of depth for certain experiences. A downside of using these is that others can hear your VR content.

If you don’t want to use the standard sound, a headphone jack is included.

Design

I’m in love with the Go’s design. It fits comfortably on my face and the head straps hug you without being too tight. The weight is also balanced well, which let me use the Go for long periods of time without getting sore.

There are two small gripes I have, though.

The first is that Oculus put a USB micro slot in for charging, rather than USB C. This is more delicate and just not as fast as a C connection.

The other gripe is that some light leaks in from the bottom occasionally. For those with smaller noses, this won’t be an issue, but if you have a big schnoz like me, you’ll see it.

Battery

The battery life for the Oculus Go is horrible. For some reason, the Oculus team put in a smaller than expected battery in the headset, and it doesn’t last long at all. Watching movies, I could squeeze about two hours out before I needed to connect a charger.

Playing games, the battery life fell to about an hour and a half. This is too short. The only way to alleviate the issue is to plug in, which makes to Go wired. That stinks.

Controller

The Oculus Go comes with an included pointer controller. The device functions as a 3D mouse, and it’s capable. Running on AA batteries, the Go controller does last for upwards of 20 hours before it needs to be changed.

If you’re going to be doing serious gaming on the Go, a third party controller is something I recommend. You can use any Bluetooth controller to connect to the Go, but I recommend the Xbox One S controller. It feels great and works like a dream in VR. It must be stated that you need to use the One S controller though, as the traditional Xbox One controller isn’t Bluetooth compatible.

On Bluetooth-supported controllers, the plastic around the Xbox button is part of the face of the controller. On controllers without Bluetooth, the plastic around the Xbox button is part of the top, where the bumpers are.

Software

The Oculus software is the best in VR. The platform as a whole is stable and is snappy. This carries on with the Go, as players have access to a great menu system. From the home screen, I was able to find events going on, launch my favorite apps, and navigate to anywhere I want. Oculus even lets you set your background, which includes canyons, cities, and a Zen retreat.

Oculus has video and picture platforms included, as are some third party trialware. I am fond of Oculus TV, which serves as a launcher and lets you watch streaming TV and movies. There’s also Oculus Rooms, which let you invite your friends over to hang out in VR.

A store is built in as well, which lets you purchase and download third-party software to your device. There are a lot of great VR apps on the Go, with Bigscreen VR, Catan, and End Space being some of my favorites. Oculus has a lot of sales on their store, so keep an eye out for a deal.

What Others Are Saying About the Oculus Go

I’m always curious as to whether or not people feel the same way about tech as me. Since the Go has been out a while, I took a look around the internet to see what others have to say about the headset.

The reviews and video originally embedded here are no longer available, so here is a short summary of two launch reviews. SlashGear gave the Go 9/10, praising its comfort, surprisingly strong speakers and smooth software, but noted the lack of room-scale tracking, the AA-powered controller, micro-USB charging and the need for a phone to set it up. The Ghost Howls liked the price, the simple setup and the built-in spatial audio, but noted a clearly visible screen-door effect, straps that were uncomfortable at the back of the head, the limits of the Snapdragon 821 chip and a rated battery life of 2 to 2.5 hours, which it called too short for long gaming sessions.

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Alternatives to the Oculus Go

The Oculus Go isn’t for everybody. There are some people that will want a higher-end experience and others that will want something less expensive. There is no shortage of options when it comes to VR headsets, and below are some good alternatives to the Oculus Go.

All three headsets in this section have since been discontinued as well, so treat them as historical comparisons. Headsets you can buy today are listed under current alternatives.

Samsung Gear VR

The Gear VR is a collaboration between Samsung and Oculus. The headset is a precursor to the Go, and it works well. The headset isn’t as nice as the Go, but it works well for media consumption.

Of course, the device requires you to have a compatible Samsung phone to be able to use it. Facebook ended Gear VR software updates in 2020, and newer Samsung flagships no longer support the headset. If you would like to know more about this headset, please read our Samsung Gear VR headset review.

Similarities

• Runs Oculus software
• Doesn’t have wires
• Uses same style controller

Differences

• Requires a Samsung phone to use
• Doesn’t run as many games
• Isn’t as “nice” as the Go

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Oculus Quest

The Quest was the newest wireless VR headset from Oculus when this review was written. It is a hybrid of the Go and the Rift, as it brings higher quality games without any wires. Featuring six degrees of freedom, the Quest has no base stations or anything of that nature. It’s true wireless VR goodness. It has since been replaced by later Quest models, and Meta ended its security patches in August 2024.

I got some time in with a demo Quest a few weeks ago, and I fell in love. Of course, I’ll still have a place for my Go, but the Quest is a must buy.

Similarities

• Both are wireless
• Features the same operating system
• Both are immersive experiences

Differences

• Quest has six degrees of freedom. Go has three degrees of freedom
• Quest includes better controllers
• Battery life is better on the Quest

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Google Daydream View

The Google Daydream View VR headset is a lot like the Gear VR. It requires you to put a phone into the headset to use it. Unlike the Gear though, it worked with a range of Daydream-ready Android phones, rather than needing a Samsung. Google discontinued the Daydream View in October 2019 and dropped Daydream support with Android 11, so it is not a practical choice today.

The quality of the device is good, and there is decent app support. I don’t like this as much though, as I prefer the Oculus OS. If you don’t want to break the bank and don’t mind using your phone, the Daydream View is a decent alternative.

Similarities

• Both are comfortable
• Similar style controllers
• Both can support Android apps

Differences

• Requires a phone
• Mediocre VR support
• Fabric look on Daydream

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Current Alternatives to the Oculus Go

Meta’s current standalone headsets are the Go’s modern replacements. Unlike the Go, they track full six-degrees-of-freedom movement with two hand controllers and can show the room around you in color (mixed reality). US prices below are Meta’s list prices following its April 2026 price increase.

The Quest 3S launched in October 2024 as the replacement for the Quest 2 at the entry-level price point. It uses the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip as the Quest 3, so games run comparably, and it comes with Touch Plus controllers; the main compromises are the lenses, the narrower field of view and the missing depth sensor. For a closer look, see our Meta Quest 3 vs Quest 3S comparison.

For someone who only wants to watch videos in a headset, as many Go owners did, the Quest 3S is the closest modern equivalent. Phone-based headsets such as the Gear VR and Daydream View are no longer an option, because the platforms behind them have been shut down.

Conclusion

I think the Oculus Go is one of the best VR headsets available. The device is my favorite purchase this year, beating out my MacBook Pro. The product is well-designed and the software is great. I’ve had great social experiences and played great games as well.

This is such a great product that I cannot see myself without it. If you’re interested in checking out the Go, you can do so at the link below.

View the listing on AmazonPaid link · Historical or unverified listing

Oculus Go FAQ

Is the Oculus Go still supported?

No. Oculus committed to bug fixes and security patches only through 2022, and it no longer accepts new Go apps or updates. Meta has told owners with broken apps that some may no longer work because the Go is no longer supported.

Can you still set up an Oculus Go?

Possibly, but it is not guaranteed. The Go needs Meta’s phone app for first-time setup. In March 2024, owners on Meta’s community forums reported that a phone app update left Go setup stuck at the "Health and Safety" video. Some got past it with an older version of the app, and Meta support later said that app version 259 fixed the problem (forum thread). Since the phone app was renamed Meta Horizon, owners have reported the same problem again, and we found no confirmed fix.

What is the Oculus Go unlocked build?

In October 2021 Oculus (now Meta) released an unlocked Oculus Go OS build that gives full root access so developers and tinkerers can repurpose the headset. Unlocking is not reversible, erases all data on the headset and ends official updates, so it is only for people comfortable with modding.

Is there an Oculus Go 2?

No. When Facebook ended Go sales in 2020 it said it would focus on Quest and Rift instead, and no Go successor followed. Meta’s entry-level headset today is the Meta Quest 3S.

Research behind this guide

Check the linked specifications and support documents, or read how we research. Original review experience stays attributed to its author.

View 17 sources

• An Update on the Evolution of the Oculus Platform (Meta Quest Blog)
• Unlocking Oculus Go (Meta Horizon OS Developers)
• An Update on Meta Quest Pricing (Meta)
• Upcoming Changes to Quest 1 (Meta Horizon OS Developers)
• Oculus is winding down Oculus Go support (Game Developer)
• Oculus Go: Purchased apps suddenly unusable (Mixed)
• Netflix VR App For Quest Is No Longer Available (UploadVR)
• Meta Retiring Venues App & Building Events Into Horizon Worlds (UploadVR)
• Facebook Ends Samsung Gear VR Software Updates (UploadVR)
• Google drops Daydream VR support with Android 11 (GSMArena)
• Oculus Go to Offer Fixed Foveated Rendering and Up to 72Hz Refresh Rate (Road to VR)
• Oculus Go Review: So Simple, So Great (SlashGear)
• Oculus Go review: should you buy it? (The Ghost Howls)
• Oculus Go (Wikipedia)
• Meta Quest 3S (Wikipedia)
• (Resolved) Meta Quest mobile app disables Oculus Go setup (Meta Community Forums)
• Reposting as still an issue: Meta Horizon app Oculus Go setup stuck at Health and Safety (Meta Community Forums)

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