This VR upgrade addresses my three biggest issues with the Quest 3S
The clue's in the name, really. This 'Audio head strap with battery' swaps the basic fabric headband for a much more substantial version complete with fixed arms, flip-down on ear headphones, and enough extra juice to extend your play time by an hour or two. Having previously been impressed by the firm's H4 Boost Halo battery strap, I was keen to see if this could go one better.
Installation is as easy as undoing the Quest 3 or 3S' loop-and-band headband and popping the plastic side plates off, then then reversing the process with the Kiwi Design upgrade. The fit was millimetre perfect on my pre-release unit and the shade of white was a perfect match to my Quest 3S. Then you just plug the stubby USB-C cable in on the left side to connect the headset and battery pack.
It uses the same strap style as the official Quest 3 one, rather than the H4's halo-style design that keeps much of the headset's weight (all 459g of it) off of your face. There's a thick pleather cushion at the rear, though, and placing the battery at the back acts as a counterweight to more evenly distribute weight. A dial then tightens or loosens the arms for a secure fit.
I've been sold on halo-style headsets since trying the Sony PS VR 2, but have to say the Quest/Kiwi combo was still very comfortable to wear. Even after two hours of Batman: Arkham Shadow, my face and neck weren't sore or stiff. The extra padding on the central head strap helps.
The integrated headphones are the reason to pick up a K4 Duo. I'd been using Soundcore VR P10 true wireless earphones, which have a passthrough USB-C dongle to connect to the Quest, but the stem-style design didn't have the greatest fit, and the case was another thing I had to remember to keep charged between play sessions. With this headband, I just flip down the hinges and I'm good to go.
There's loads of adjustment, with enough height, tilt and swivel to get a comfy fit. The foam earpiece covers are pretty thick, and I didn't notice an uncomfortable amount of pressure from the hinges. Importantly for anyone that has to share a room with you, sound leakage is at an absolute minimum when volume is under 60%. Your audio will escape if you crank it higher, but nowhere near to the level of the Quest's built-in speakers. I like that there's a switch on the side to swap between earphones speakers, to save you from having to pull the USB cable.
Audio is on the money for a pair of on-ear headphones, with reasonably impactful bass to give Arizona Sunshine 2's explosions and gunshots some oomph. Vocals and treble are clear for video content, too. My ears did get a little toasty on account of the foam, but not to a point I felt like taking a break.
As far as I can tell, Kiwi Design has stuck with the same battery setup as the H4 and K4. It could extend my play time by about two hours, depending on whether I was playing demanding games or using a lot of mixed reality. The headphones don't really affect battery drain to any noticeable degree. The USB-C port at the rear can accept 45W refuelling, and supplies 25W to the Quest. Recharging both takes around two and a half hours.
If it weren't for the subtle Kiwi Design logos on the central headband and rear cushion, I could easily picture the K4 Duo as an official Meta accessory. It's amazing Meta doesn't actually sell one, leaving you to either play with the built-in speakers or buy your own headphones. The more comfortable fit and extended battery life are the icing on the cake.
VR converts wanting to upgrade don't need to have a ton of cash saved up, either. The K4 Duo will set you back $160 on Amazon, with a $20 coupon applicable at checkout, or £140 (with a similar 15% extra discount coupon). You can also buy direct from the Kiwi Design website. If you're already invested in Quest 3 gaming, this is a really worthwhile upgrade.
Stuff Says…
Far more comfortable than the stock headband, with a usefully longer battery life and practical built-in headphones. The Kiwi Design K4 Duo might be the most comprehensive upgrade Quest 3 and Quest 3S owners can make.
Pros
Built-in headphones are super convenient
Battery boost great for long play sessions
Cons
Padded earphone cushions can leave your ears toasty
No halo-style headband version – yet
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Stuff.tv
17 hours ago
- Stuff.tv
This VR upgrade addresses my three biggest issues with the Quest 3S
As big a fan I am of the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, there are a few things Meta's virtual reality headsets just can't seem to nail from the factory. Neither model is especially comfortable to wear for long play sessions, battery life isn't all that great, and you've got to supply your own headphones. Three irks Kiwi Design has seemingly solved in one swoop with the $160/£140 K4 Duo. The clue's in the name, really. This 'Audio head strap with battery' swaps the basic fabric headband for a much more substantial version complete with fixed arms, flip-down on ear headphones, and enough extra juice to extend your play time by an hour or two. Having previously been impressed by the firm's H4 Boost Halo battery strap, I was keen to see if this could go one better. Installation is as easy as undoing the Quest 3 or 3S' loop-and-band headband and popping the plastic side plates off, then then reversing the process with the Kiwi Design upgrade. The fit was millimetre perfect on my pre-release unit and the shade of white was a perfect match to my Quest 3S. Then you just plug the stubby USB-C cable in on the left side to connect the headset and battery pack. It uses the same strap style as the official Quest 3 one, rather than the H4's halo-style design that keeps much of the headset's weight (all 459g of it) off of your face. There's a thick pleather cushion at the rear, though, and placing the battery at the back acts as a counterweight to more evenly distribute weight. A dial then tightens or loosens the arms for a secure fit. I've been sold on halo-style headsets since trying the Sony PS VR 2, but have to say the Quest/Kiwi combo was still very comfortable to wear. Even after two hours of Batman: Arkham Shadow, my face and neck weren't sore or stiff. The extra padding on the central head strap helps. The integrated headphones are the reason to pick up a K4 Duo. I'd been using Soundcore VR P10 true wireless earphones, which have a passthrough USB-C dongle to connect to the Quest, but the stem-style design didn't have the greatest fit, and the case was another thing I had to remember to keep charged between play sessions. With this headband, I just flip down the hinges and I'm good to go. There's loads of adjustment, with enough height, tilt and swivel to get a comfy fit. The foam earpiece covers are pretty thick, and I didn't notice an uncomfortable amount of pressure from the hinges. Importantly for anyone that has to share a room with you, sound leakage is at an absolute minimum when volume is under 60%. Your audio will escape if you crank it higher, but nowhere near to the level of the Quest's built-in speakers. I like that there's a switch on the side to swap between earphones speakers, to save you from having to pull the USB cable. Audio is on the money for a pair of on-ear headphones, with reasonably impactful bass to give Arizona Sunshine 2's explosions and gunshots some oomph. Vocals and treble are clear for video content, too. My ears did get a little toasty on account of the foam, but not to a point I felt like taking a break. As far as I can tell, Kiwi Design has stuck with the same battery setup as the H4 and K4. It could extend my play time by about two hours, depending on whether I was playing demanding games or using a lot of mixed reality. The headphones don't really affect battery drain to any noticeable degree. The USB-C port at the rear can accept 45W refuelling, and supplies 25W to the Quest. Recharging both takes around two and a half hours. If it weren't for the subtle Kiwi Design logos on the central headband and rear cushion, I could easily picture the K4 Duo as an official Meta accessory. It's amazing Meta doesn't actually sell one, leaving you to either play with the built-in speakers or buy your own headphones. The more comfortable fit and extended battery life are the icing on the cake. VR converts wanting to upgrade don't need to have a ton of cash saved up, either. The K4 Duo will set you back $160 on Amazon, with a $20 coupon applicable at checkout, or £140 (with a similar 15% extra discount coupon). You can also buy direct from the Kiwi Design website. If you're already invested in Quest 3 gaming, this is a really worthwhile upgrade. Stuff Says… Far more comfortable than the stock headband, with a usefully longer battery life and practical built-in headphones. The Kiwi Design K4 Duo might be the most comprehensive upgrade Quest 3 and Quest 3S owners can make. Pros Built-in headphones are super convenient Battery boost great for long play sessions Cons Padded earphone cushions can leave your ears toasty No halo-style headband version – yet
Stuff.tv
3 days ago
- Stuff.tv
Best power banks and portable chargers in 2025 for charging on the go
Even the best smartphone is useless without power. A dead device won't get you very far. Facing the dreaded red bar? Whether you're camping away from the mains or commuting on 1-percent, put an end to your power struggle with the back-up batteries below. From compact packs to high-capacity hubs, we've rounded up the best portable chargers to keep your gear going wherever you do. We've also included a few rugged power banks for adventurous energy, plus our favourite solar panel for proper off-grid refills. Not sure what's watt? We've also included a few buying tips to help you decipher the spec sheets and pick a power source with the numbers to meet your needs. Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products. The best portable chargers you can buy today: The pocket pack 1. INIU Carry P50-E1 When pocket space is at a premium, you need to be selective about what you carry. Add this mini bank to your trouser ensemble for quick refills with zero bulge. Lightweight at 160g, it's barely bigger than a tin of mints. It doesn't do anything to freshen your breath, but it will fully refresh your phone. It can even give your laptop an emergency burst. The high-speed hub 2. Ugreen Nexode 25,000mAh A trickle won't help you in a pickle. Go from flat to full in half the time with this supercharged cylinder. Split its 145W output across the pair of USB-C ports for full-bore boosting, or divide the oomph to feed four at once. The brick itself takes two hours to refill. Got time to recharge? The MagSafe dock does 15W while you watch. The recycled refill 3. Gomi Power Bank Every charger has a carbon footprint. Feel better about your power bank with this eco-energiser. Its swirly marbled shell is made from layers of waste plastic and reinforced with recycled aluminium, while the cells inside are sourced from old e-bike batteries. Plus, all of its parts can be replaced. Ideal if you want to switch up the Pollock look when it's worn out. Buy Now The generous generator 4. Anker SOLIX C300 Working from the wilderness? Off-grid doesn't have to mean offline. Whether you're pitching a tent or a tender, this back-country backup keeps all your gear powered up. With a massive 288Wh battery and seven outputs (including two plugs and a car socket), the only thing the C300 can't boost is the data signal. Add an optional solar panel for a truly untethered setup. The boostable booster 5. EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus You know a power bank means business when it has its own backup battery. Standalone, the River 3 Plus can run a fridge for two hours. But if your campsite setup demands more juice, stacking is the answer. Extra cells ship in two sizes. Docked atop the bigger one, it maxes out at a whopping 858Wh. Pack several and you can keep the current coming. The drone dock 6. DJI Power 500 One day, drones will do air-to-air refuelling. Until then, this supply unit is the next best thing. Designed to minimise your downtime, its super-fast SDC port can get a compatible DJI kit brimmed and airborne within 30 minutes. Taking a break from the aerobatics? Its 1000W output is enough to run a kettle, while an arsenal of connectors means it can charge and be charged by almost anything. The tough top-up 7. RUGD. Power Brick I Water and electricity make shocking companions. If you're heading where it's wet, try this durable booster. With ports sealed, it's built to survive a dunking. It's also protected against dust and drops, so it can easily shake off the four seasons of a British summer's day. And if the conditions get too much, the built-in light has an SOS mode to signal mountain rescue. The sunshine supply 8. Jackery SolarSaga 40W In five billion years, the sun will begin to die. Until then, solar energy is the best way to get free refills in the great outdoors. Equipped with dual USB ports, this fold-out folio draws up to 40W from our closest star. Its IP68 rating means you can unfurl the panel on a rock for waterproof power-ups, or strap it to your backpack for watts while you walk. The basecamp battery 9. Elecom Nestout Trekking content might do well on the Gram, but campfires are all flickers and shadows. Luckily, this waterproof battery canister doubles up as a lighting rig. Styled like a canteen, one of its screw-capped ports will supply your phone, while the other can be fitted with an optional lantern or flash panel. There's also a tripod mount underneath, for support when you're going solo. How to choose the best portable charger Looking to buy the best portable charger but don't know where to start? Here are some things to consider: Capacity: Battery capacity is measured in mAh. A 5,000mAh number will do for a quick boost, while cells rated at 10,000mAh or more can juice your mobile several times over. Battery capacity is measured in mAh. A 5,000mAh number will do for a quick boost, while cells rated at 10,000mAh or more can juice your mobile several times over. Ports: Most back-ups boost your devices via USB-A or USB-C. The best can support several connections at once. Power stations feature 12V ports and proper plug sockets, too. Most back-ups boost your devices via USB-A or USB-C. The best can support several connections at once. Power stations feature 12V ports and proper plug sockets, too. Power: The higher the wattage, the quicker you'll hit 100%. 45W is fast enough for most, while 100W is the gold standard. Note that some divide their power over several ports. The higher the wattage, the quicker you'll hit 100%. 45W is fast enough for most, while 100W is the gold standard. Note that some divide their power over several ports. Inputs: Recharging your charger takes patience. Some need hours at the wall, or longer with a solar panel. For rapid refills, look for one that supports fast charging as an input. Now check out Stuff's guide to the best Bluetooth speakers reviewed and rated
Stuff.tv
24-06-2025
- Stuff.tv
A new Xbox has launched – but it doesn't look like a console
We've finally just got an Xbox handheld console, thanks to the updated ROG Ally. But now, there's a brand new Xbox you can buy – and it isn't even a console. Microsoft and Meta have birthed a bizarre but somehow compelling offspring: the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition. It's a VR headset that looks like it could belong under your telly. Microsoft has taken Meta's Quest 3S headset and dressed it up in Xbox's Carbon Black and Velocity Green. It's the first limited edition Quest headset ever, and I've got to admit, it's got some serious shelf appeal. The bundle is quite the care package. You get the custom 128GB headset, matching Touch Plus controllers (for the full Xbox experience), an Elite Strap for comfort, a limited-edition Wireless Controller, and three months each of Meta Horizon+ and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. That's a lot of gear before you've even pressed start. The partnership between the brands isn't exactly new – they first rolled out Xbox Cloud Gaming on Quest back in 2023 – but this is the most physical expression of that alliance yet. It's the gaming giant's way of saying, 'Who needs a telly when you can game on a floating screen hovering in your living room?' And thanks to cloud gaming, you've got access to a hefty library of titles like Avowed, Oblivion Remastered, and the gloriously swampy South of Midnight, all without a console in sight. It's also a win for continuity. If you start a game in VR, you can continue it on your console or PC, without missing a beat. Progress, achievements, and that unsaved moment of panic mid-boss fight? All travel with you. The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is available now for $400/£400 from Meta, Best Buy, Argos, and EE. Supplies are limited – and knowing Xbox fans, this thing might vanish faster than your storage space.
