MaeckerVR Upgraded Grips Review: Why AMVR is Still the King

My quest to find the perfect VR controller grips for the Meta Quest 3 continues. Honestly, the default wrist straps are a flimsy, Wii-era throwback that I’d rather leave in 2006.

We’ve already established that the AMVR Pro Grips are a top-tier, premium option. But on my search, I kept seeing another contender show up: the MaeckerVR Upgraded Grips.

Positioned as a direct competitor at the exact same $19.99 standard price, the Maecker grips often appear to be a bargain, frequently going on sale for as low as $12.99.

The big question is: are they a hidden gem when you can find them on sale, or is the AMVR Pro the clear winner when both are at their regular price?

Unboxing & Installation

While both the Maecker and AMVR grips ship in similar-style cardboard boxes with a printed sleeve, the difference in quality is immediate. The Maecker box felt rough, thin, and of a generally lesser quality. This was a clear indicator of the cost-cutting to come.

Inside, the installation process highlights the first major design compromise. The Maecker grips do include a replacement battery door, but it is not integrated into the silicon sleeve. Instead, the hand strap is permanently attached to this separate plastic door.

This forces you into a clunky, multi-step process: you have to snap the new door on, then painstakingly feed the attached strap through a small hole in the sleeve as you slide the sleeve down the controller. It’s an awkward design and, as we’ll see, the primary source of the grip’s biggest flaws.

Design & Material Quality

The cost-cutting is most apparent in the materials. The silicon used for the Maecker grips is noticeably thinner and more pliable than what you’ll find on premium competitors.

While it’s soft to the touch, it doesn’t feel as protective and has a slightly “floppy” quality, especially when compared to the dense, sturdy feel of the AMVR grips.

The hand straps themselves are functional. They use a standard velcro system that holds well enough during gameplay, which is fine. However, the silicon loops that the straps feed through are also part of that thin design, which makes me question their long-term durability after months of pulling them tight.

Fit and Finish: The Biggest Compromise

That clunky, two-piece installation process? This is where it causes the biggest problem.

Because the silicon sleeve has to wrap around a separate, non-integrated battery door, the fit is simply not precise. On my unit, there is a clear and ugly gap around the battery door, leaving a small, thin line of the white controller body exposed.

This isn’t just a small cosmetic issue. I found similar gaps and poor tolerances around the area where the hand strap feeds through the silicon. The whole thing looks unfinished and feels like it could allow dust and grit to get trapped between the grip and the controller over time. It’s a stark contrast to the premium, glove-like fit of the AMVR grips, which integrate the battery door seamlessly into the sleeve.

How Do They Stack Up to AMVR?

This is the most important question, and the pricing makes the answer simple. When both the Maecker grips and the AMVR Pro grips are at their standard $19.99 price, it is not a fair fight.

For the exact same cost, the AMVR Pro grips offer:

• A brilliant integrated battery door with an easy-pull tab.
• Thicker, more premium-feeling silicon.
• A flawless, seamless fit with no gaps.
• Superior ergonomics with its extended “Pro” handle.

The Maecker grips, for the same $19.99, deliver a clunky installation, visible gaps, and cheaper materials.

But what about when the Maecker grips are on sale for $12.99?

At that deep discount, they become a passable ultra-budget option if you simply cannot spend $20 and just want something better than the default straps.

But the AMVR Pro grips are not just a small step up; they are in a completely different league. The $7 you save during that sale comes at a massive cost to the fit, finish, and daily user experience. For me, the AMVR Pro is the clear winner and the best value, even at its full price.

Pros & Cons

The Verdict: Who Are These Grips For?

So, are the MaeckerVR Upgraded Grips worth it?

If they are at their full $19.99 price, my answer is a definitive no. For the exact same money, the AMVR Pro grips offer a vastly superior product in every single category that matters: fit, finish, materials, and ease of use.

If you find them on sale for $12.99, they become a bit more compelling, but only for a very specific user. If you are on an absolute rock-bottom budget and simply cannot spend $20, these will work. They are technically functional and still an upgrade over the flimsy, default wrist straps.

For everyone else, this is a clear case of getting what you pay for. The $7 you might save isn’t worth the daily annoyances of the poor fit, the visible gaps, and the cheap materials. My quest for the perfect grips continues, but the AMVR Pro Grips are still the undisputed king. You can read my full, in-depth review of the AMVR grips to see exactly why I recommend them so highly over this option.