BOBOVR E3 Pro Review: A Strong Elite Strap with B100 Battery and Audio

Disclosure: The review unit was sent to me for free by Bobovr. I use affiliate links always when they are available. If you buy through one of them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

The BOBOVR E3 Pro is a high quality elite-style strap for Quest 3 and 3S. It includes BOBOVR’s excellent B100 battery, a padded top strap, interchangeable rear padding and a built-in USB audio DAC with a 3.5 mm headphone port.

At roughly $80 in the video, it was expensive, but much of that price came from the B100 battery. Compared with buying an M3 Mini and upgrading its battery system, the E3 Pro offered better construction and similar overall cost. It is the BOBOVR elite strap I would choose.

The audio output is convenient, especially on Quest 3S, which lacks a native headphone port. Its power is close to Quest 3 built-in output: sufficient for sensitive earbuds, but too quiet for high-impedance/low-sensitivity headphones.

Pros

• Includes the high-capacity, high-output B100 battery
• Built-in headphone DAC is especially useful for Quest 3S
• Large S3 Pro-style rear pad suits bigger heads
• Battery acts as an effective counterweight
• Better construction and color matching than BOBOVR M3 Mini
• Rear adjustment knob is less intrusive when leaning back
• More convenient than adding an external DAC

Cons

• Expensive if you do not need the B100 battery
• Integrated DAC is too quiet for demanding headphones

What is included?

The box contains the E3 Pro strap, S3 Pro-style rear section, top strap, B100 battery, USB charging cable and a honeycomb rear pad for users who do not want the default PU-leather surface.

The E3 Pro strap and its packaging during the unboxing.

The integrated headphone port is the feature that visually separates it from most elite straps, making a wired 3.5 mm output available even on Quest 3S.

B100 battery performance

BOBOVR’s B100 is the best Quest battery I have tested. In the scenarios described in the review, a Quest that normally lasted about two hours reached roughly over five hours total. A headset lasting two and a half hours by itself approached seven hours total.

The battery can provide more than 22 W, leaving enough headroom for Quest plus compatible accessories through a USB hub. It also balances the visor effectively at the back of the head.

This battery is expensive on its own, which explains much of the E3 Pro’s price. If you intend to buy into the B100 ecosystem, purchasing the complete strap makes more sense than upgrading a cheaper (and much worse) M3 Mini later.

Built-in DAC and headphone output

On Quest 3, the E3 Pro output was only slightly louder than the headset’s native 3.5 mm port. The difference was difficult to notice. It was louder than very cheap USB adapters but quieter than a more powerful DAC.

For small, sensitive earbuds with low impedance, the integrated output is loud enough. Higher-quality headphones often have higher impedance and lower sensitivity - they can sound too quiet. Even Bose QC35 II and HTC Deluxe Audio Strap headphones were examples where I wanted more powerful output, particularly for quieter films/television content (I often use Quest as a remote cinema) and music-driven games.

A dedicated DAC can solve that problem, but then you also need a compact USB hub to connect audio and power at the same time. The E3 Pro’s built-in solution is much cleaner when its output is sufficient.

Build quality compared with M3 Mini

The E3 Pro is not simply an M3 Mini with a battery and audio port. Its rear part is derived from the S3 Pro and uses a more recessed adjustment knob. That makes it better for leaning against a chair or pillow, although it is still not completely comfortable for lying flat.

The white plastic matched Quest much better than the grayer M3 Mini. The side mechanism was also less flimsy and flexed less while putting the headset on. It was not as rigid as the best KIWI design straps, but overall construction was a clear improvement.

Comfort, size and weight

The padded top strap is very comfortable. The large rear cradle should be particularly helpful for bigger heads. On my smaller head, comfort was similar to M3 Mini, but the extra rear size did not cause a problem.

The strap weighed approximately 264.7 g without the battery and 449.3 g with it. Although the complete number is high, the battery’s position makes it a useful counterweight rather than dead weight.

The E3 Pro strap measured 264.7 g without the B100 battery.

The strap adjusted from roughly 12 cm at its smallest measured internal distance to around 19–20 cm when opened, with additional flexibility in the padding and arms.

The E3 Pro and M3 Mini rear sections shown side by side.

A ruler measurement across the E3 Pro’s internal width.

Cable length

The battery cable is longer than necessary for a basic direct connection. That creates visible slack, but it can be useful if a hub or another USB accessory is mounted on the strap. A short cable would look cleaner, while an extension could always be added for complex setups.

The battery cable routed along the E3 Pro strap.

Should you buy it?

If you want an elite-style Quest strap with a serious battery, the E3 Pro is a strong choice. It is more comfortable and better built than the M3 Mini, and the B100 battery adds enough runtime to justify much of the price.

Quest 3S users gain the most from the integrated audio port. Quest 3 owners already have a headphone port with similar output power, so the DAC matters less, but the strap, rear cradle and battery still make a convincing package. Unless cost is the overriding concern, choose the battery-equipped Pro model rather than buying the non-battery version and upgrading later.

Watch the original video review

Where to buy

Interested in BOBOVR E3 Pro?

These are the same affiliate links I use below my YouTube videos. They cost you nothing extra and help support the channel.

Check at BOBOVR Store

Check at AliExpress

Check at Amazon