Meta Quest 2 is a beautiful, affordable VR headset that supports both mobile and desktop. But can I use the Meta Quest 2 while charging?
You can play with the Meta Quest 2 while charging. There are several options for doing so, including using the included charging cable, an external battery pack, and the Oculus Link cable. Be aware that using the Quest 2 while charging may cause the battery to charge more slowly and result in shorter battery life.
In this article, I’ll show you how to use your Meta Quest 2 while charing using different methods and the consequences.
Table of Contents
Can I Use The Meta Quest 2 While Charging?
The Meta Quest 2 should last roughly 2-3 hours on a single battery. It will last closer to the top end of this spectrum when doing something like watching a movie, and closer to the bottom when doing something more power-intensive, like playing a game.
Nevertheless, if you plan to game all night long, 2-3 hours will probably not be enough. So what do you do? Can you play and charge the Meta Quest 2 at the same time?
Yes, you can keep playing your Meta Quest while charging it. There are several ways to accomplish this, as I will discuss later in this article, but there are also some consequences to be aware of.
Generally speaking, it is advised not to play any VR games while charging the device as this could potentially damage the battery.
The Meta Quest 2 is a powerful computer in itself and uses a lot of power while operating on full effect. So even if you have the charger connected you might experience that the battery isn’t actually charging but only keeping up with the power consumption or even depleting slowly.
Where a normal session with the battery would last 2-3 hours, gaming with the charger connected might give you 4 to 6 hours of playtime.
If you are doing easier tasks like watching a movie, the battery will most likely charge while in use. But it will take some time until the battery is back on 100%.
READ MORE! How Long Does It Take To Charge The Oculus Quest 2? (Solved)
Is It Dangerous To Play An Meta Quest 2 While Charging?
There is no definite answer as to whether or not it is dangerous to play a Meta Quest 2 while charging. Some people may say that it is not dangerous, while others may say there is a fire risk.
Oculus offers several helpful recommended practices on their support page for maximizing battery life on your headset. When it comes to charging, Oculus recommends utilizing the included cable. It is about 1 meter long and was created specifically for use with the headset.
This would imply that Oculus has made it possible to charge your headset while playing if you so desire. They do not directly indicate this on their support page, but they also do not advise against it.
The fact that the Meta Quest 2 features an active cooling mechanism with an internal fan also implies that they considered decreasing the risk of overheating.
Ultimately, it would be up to the individual if they feel comfortable playing an Meta Quest 2 while charging.
READ MORE! 18 Tips & Tricks For Oculus Quest 2 (You Need To Know!)
Meta Quest 2 Charging Issues While Being Used
Unfortunately, there are a few issues that can happen when you’re using the Meta Quest 2 while charging.
First of all, if your Quest 2 is plugged into an outlet that’s not providing enough power, the headset will not be able to charge. This is because Quest 2 needs a minimum of 1 amp of power in order to charge.
Secondly, if your Quest 2 is being used while it’s charging, there is a chance that the battery will eventually run out and you will not be able to continue playing. In order to prevent this from happening, make sure that your Quest 2 is connected somewhere it’s getting enough power to charge.
Third, remember to unplug the charger when the headset is fully charged to prevent shorter overall battery life. Oculus states that “leaving your Quest 2 or Quest on the charger after it has been fully charged can shorten its overall battery life.
When your headset is fully charged, the indicator light on the side of the headset will turn green. Unplug your headset if this occurs. If you do not intend to use your headset after charging, turn it off after unplugging it.”
4 Ways To Play Meta Quest 2 While Charging
1. Using the included Meta Quest charging cable
The included Meta Quest charging cable is a short, thin cable that plugs into the side of the headset. It has a built-in USB-C port, so you can choose if you want to connect it to an ordinary wall outlet, or plug it into a computer or other devices with USB-C.
If you need a quick answer and don’t want to spend any extra money, using the cable that came with your Oculus Quest is the best option.
Some Quest owners may not be as accustomed to handling cords while in VR as PC VR users are. And the charging cable is only around one meter long so playing with the cable is not ideal.
If you utilize the provided cable, I recommend securing it to the rear of your Quest head strap. This allows it to run elegantly down your back and simplifies cable management.
In a pinch, a cable tie, a strap, or something similar from around the house should suffice to secure the cord.
Although Oculus does not recommend it, you can buy a longer cable with basically the same specifications as the standard charging cable.
2. Using an external battery pack
A battery pack might be the way to go if you don’t want to use the provided charging cable or if you want more freedom with less wire management.
There is a range of battery packs that work with the Meta Quest 2. You can even buy one with a USB-A port instead of a USB-C connector since you can connect the Quest to the battery pack with an inexpensive USB-A to C converter.
With a connected battery pack, you can keep the pack in your pocket while walking around untethered with the Quest.
A cable going to an external battery pack in your pocket is less invasive than a Quest cable that runs down to the floor, giving you greater flexibility and less cable management.
Rebuff Reality has made a unique battery pack called VR Power which is developed particularly for the Meta Quest.
3. Purchasing the Elite Strap with battery
If you wish to play untethered, you have another option to play while charging. This can be accomplished by purchasing the Quest 2 Elite strap with a battery.
Elite Strap is a battery-powered accessory for Meta Quest and has a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to two hours. You also get a little more value for money with the included comfort strap and brace!
The included battery may be recharged using the same charging wire that came with your Quest 2.
In practice, you can use the Elite Strap battery for about 2 hours before it runs out. Then you charge the Elite Strap battery while playing with the Meta Quest 2 regular battery for another 2-3 hours.
When the regular battery is nearly depleted, you can reapply the Elite Strap. This allows you to extend the playing session by several hours.
And, if you do run out of battery power, you can use the included charging cable to extend the playtime even further.
4. Oculus Link Cable
The Oculus Link Cable is a cable that allows you to connect to PC VR content. With the proper cables and connection type, your Meta Quest may be charged while playing PC VR content through an Oculus Link connection.
When utilizing Link with the proper equipment, you should experience no or very little battery loss.
The official Oculus Link cable linked to a USB-C port on your computer, or a cable with equivalent standards or specs, is your best chance for this. Other cables may continue to work with Link, but they may not be able to charge at the same time or rate.
You can connect your Quest to your computer with the official Oculus Link cable but without running Oculus Link.
This allows you to utilize your Link-compatible cable to charge the Quest 2 while it is running native Quest content, just like any other USB-C chord.
5. Can You Charge A Meta Quest 2 With a Portable Power Bank?
The Meta Quest 2 does need a significant amount of power. This implies that the great majority of power banks will be unable to provide the Meta Quest 2 with the power it needs to function properly.
There are various portable power banks on the market that can provide a limited amount of power to the Meta Quest 2 when used. However, it is unlikely that they will be useful.
The power will deplete quite quickly, and it will frequently take hours to recharge the portable power bank again.
Most individuals who use a portable power bank with their Meta Quest 2 do so because they want to be able to move about while their Meta Quest 2 is charging.
In that case, I would recommend investing in an external battery pack designed for use with the Meta Quest 2.
FAQ
How Long Can You Play Meta Quest 2 While Charging?
When your headset is fully charged, the light on the side will turn green. If you don’t intend to use it after charging, unplug it.
Can You Use Multiple Batteries On A Meta Quest 2?
However, you cannot use multiple batteries at the same time. You can use external battery packs or the Elite Strap with a battery to extend the play session for several hours.
Can I Use The Meta Quest 2 Controllers While Charging?
This means you can have numerous rechargeable batteries ready to plug into your Meta Quest 2 controllers anytime the power runs low.
What Does It Mean If My Meta Quest 2 Isn’t Charging While Playing?
This can occur if the power source you are connected to has low power output. If the charge light does not illuminate, there is a problem.
It could mean that there is a problem with the Meta Quest 2 or the charging cable you are using or the power output.
Conclusion
Meta Quest 2 can be played while it is being charged using the charging cable that comes with the box, external battery packs made for Oculus Quest, Oculus link cable, or using the Elite Strap with a battery.
Note that if you are playing Meta Quest 2 and are also charging it with the battery, it will charge slowly and may even shorten your total battery life.
Espen
Espen is the Director of PursuitMeta and has written extensively about Virtual Reality and VR Headsets for years. He is a consumer product expert and has personally tested VR Headsets for the last decade.
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