The Oculus Quest really shook up the VR landscape when it was released. It had enough power to do real gaming, but was still a completely self-contained system that didn't require a PC to run. But in late 2019, Meta Platforms sweetened the pot by adding Oculus Link functionality, which allows the Quest (and by extension the Quest 2) to be connected directly to a PC to function as a more traditional VR headset for Steam or any other PC VR game.
The problem was that the USB Type-C cable they advertised with it was $79 and was out of stock for a long time. Luckily, the official Oculus Link cable is just a USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB Type-C cable, which means any cable that meets that same standard should work just fine. Plus, there are alternatives that don't even require a cable at all.
Anker Powerline USB C to A Cable AK-A8167011
Anker is well known in the phone and PC accessories space as a trusted supplier of USB accessories ranging from docking stations to cables. Their Powerline USB C cable was one of the first third-party cables to be fully vetted to work with Oculus Link, and remains a strong contender when it comes to alternatives. It's a little shorter with a maximum of 10 feet instead of the official cable's 16 feet, but still works well and costs just over $20. It also ends with a handy USB-A port on the PC side, which is handy for those who don't have USB-C on their PC.
It is also built like a tank with high tensile strength and heavy duty reinforced connectors. It's worth noting that the cable doesn't terminate in a right-angle connector, so some fiddling to position it correctly may be required, but other than that it's a reliable competitor to the official cable for just under silver.
Related: How to use Air Link to play Steam VR games on Oculus Quest 2
KRX Link Cable
If the reason you're looking for an alternative cable is that the official cable's 16-foot length isn't long enough, then this cable from KRX might be right for your setup. The large version costs a few dollars less than the Anker cable and four feet longer than the official cable, or 20 feet in total.
It also features the right-angle USB-C termination that the Anker lacks, and just trades in a bit of that cable's sturdy construction for something a little thinner, more manageable, and braided to prevent tangles. This cable is USB-C to USB-C (the same as the official one), so make sure you have a USB-C port or a USB-A adapter available on the computer side.
32ft TNE Link Cable
If you're looking for the maximum distance between your Oculus and PC, look no further than the TNE Link Cable. This is a 16ft USB-C to USB-A cable that includes a full 16ft active extension for a total length of 32ft at less than half the price of the official Oculus Link cable. And the active extension is an important component, because you can't just use a regular USB extension for the Oculus Link because it will cause connection issues. Apart from the extreme length this is also a solidly built cable and the ability to remove the extra extension gives some flexibility in how you use it in your particular setup.
Virtual office
Why not just skip the cable? Virtual Desktop has been around for a while now and provides a seamless, wireless way to use your desktop across your network. After installing the PC-side software, your Oculus Quest or Quest 2 will be able to connect via Wi-Fi using the Virtual Desktop app, which will put you directly on your regular Windows desktop. After that, just launch SteamVR or just use the software as a general-purpose remote desktop suite. Virtual Desktop also lets you set up your Windows desktop in a variety of ways, including a small virtual desktop space complete with a desk so you can fully simulate sitting in front of the computer.
Virtual Desktop is compatible with Quest, Quest 2, and Oculus Go. You'll want to make sure your router is up to the task, but it's a great alternative to free space near your PC for your VR projects. .
Related: How to Set Bandwidth Limit on Oculus Quest 2
Oculus Air Link
Image par Remy Gieling
If you specifically have an Oculus Quest 2, there is actually official Meta Platforms support for wireless connectivity, but there are a few caveats. First of all, Air Link is still in beta, so you'll need to enable Air Link in the Beta tab of your settings to even access it. Second, you'll need to run the Oculus PC app for Air Link to connect.
As with most beta software, Air Link still has a few issues to iron out. It's specifically designed to play official Oculus software, but some users have also reported success with SteamVR via Air Link. This is the path of least resistance if you have a Quest 2 as it requires no additional hardware, no software outside of the Oculus ecosystem, and will likely only get better over time.
There are a surprising amount of ways to connect your Quest or Quest 2 to your PC without having to shell out $79 for the USB-C cable, and plenty of good reasons to do so other than price. It's the perfect time to step out of the space and cable constraints of traditional VR gaming with your Oculus Quest.
For more hardware recommendations, check out Best Keyboard and Mouse for the PS5 and Best RGB Gaming Setup and Accessories on Pro Gaming Guides.
