Meta Recommends 20–40 Minute “Goldilocks” Session Length for VR

• Meta says the ideal session length for VR on Quest headsets is between 20 and 40 minutes.
• Shorter sessions feel less rewarding, while longer ones often lead to fatigue or discomfort.

Meta has identified a 20–40 minute “Goldilocks” session length as the optimal range for VR content on Quest. According to Meta, this range is long enough to feel worthwhile but short enough to avoid physical strain and issues like limited battery life.

Sessions under 20 minutes are seen as less enjoyable by users, often due to the effort required to start VR. On the other end, sessions longer than 40 minutes are less common and often uncomfortable due to current headset limitations. Meta cites physical discomfort, eye strain, motion sickness, social isolation, and battery life as key reasons users don’t stay in VR longer on a regular basis.

Meta encourages developers to design around this time range using short gameplay loops, flexible breaks, clear stopping points, and reward systems that support extended play. By chaining shorter objectives and offering ongoing goals, developers can let users play longer without making them feel pressured to push past their limits.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

The “Goldilocks” session guidance is an honest reflection of where mixed reality hardware stands today. This ceiling for regular use draws a line that the industry must cross to shift from short-form play to prolonged productivity. Doing so would turn headsets into spatial computers, enabling them to replace our laptops or PCs, and move VR from a special occasion to a daily norm.

Disclosure: Tom Emrich has previously worked with or holds interests in companies mentioned. His commentary is based solely on public information and reflects his personal views.

Source: Meta Developer Blog