Best answer: The Oculus Quest 2 controllers feature redesigned ergonomics, a dedicated thumb rest up top, enhanced haptic feedback, better battery life, and a redesigned battery compartment.
- A great new experience: Oculus Quest 2 ($299 at Amazon)
Oculus Quest 2 controllers More comfortable, more capable
Oculus labs at Facebook have learned a thing or two over the years about virtual reality controllers. That's why the third-generation Oculus Touch controllers for the Oculus Quest 2 are better than ever, with a more comfortable grip, wider spacing between buttons on the front, and redesigned grip and trigger buttons that are easier to use. If you've used both first and second-generation Oculus Touch controllers, you'll immediately recognize that these new third-generation Oculus Touch controllers look like a hybrid between the two older generations.
The face buttons and joystick up top now feature more padding around each one, including a new dedicated thumb rest for those games where you don't press buttons very often. The Home and Menu buttons on each controller have been moved away from the normal reach of thumbs and are now concave-shaped. Have you ever accidentally pressed the home button while playing Beat Saber? You're not alone, and this new thumb rest should help users avoid that in most circumstances.
On top of that, the handgrips are a bit larger and feature a stronger battery compartment that won't slide off as easily as before. Have you ever been playing the Oculus Quest or Oculus Rift S and the battery compartment slips right off? That shouldn't happen as much (if ever) with these new controllers. Some users say the new larger grips don't fit smaller hands as well, though, so be aware that this could be a comfort issue for some folks.
Haptics and battery life on the Oculus Quest 2 controllers
The Oculus Quest 2 controllers still use a single AA battery to power each one. While that seems a bit odd in 2020, Facebook has been able to quadruple battery life on the Quest 2's controllers when compared to battery life on the Quest 1's controllers. That's great for making AAs last a bit longer, especially if you're using rechargeable ones.
Last, but certainly not least, is the introduction of more advanced haptic motors inside. Improved haptic feedback is something we've seen from mobile devices and video game controllers alike. Enhanced haptics mean a more realistic rumble that can simulate real-world scenarios, like the difference between tapping a wall with your finger and hitting two swords together. Enhanced haptics give developers ways of making virtual reality feel more like actual reality, and that's a great thing.
The latest in VR greatness
Facebook has improved seemingly everything with the second-generation Oculus Quest, making this the VR console to get.
