Are you looking for the best VR headset but don’t know which one is the best for you because of all the different options available? Well, in this article, I’m going to narrow down the top 5 VR headsets on the market this year based on price versus performance and the situations they’ll be used in. We’ll be looking at products in every budget range, so whether you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use VR headset, the best VR headset money can buy, or anything in between, we’ll have an option for you. So if you’re interested in finding out which VR headset will be best for you, stay tuned.
First up is the Oculus Quest 2, our pick for the best standalone VR headset for most people. The Oculus Quest 2 is a standalone VR headset that offers a good balance between price, performance, and overall comfort, making it a good choice for anyone who prefers an untethered VR experience. The integrated Snapdragon XR2 processor means that you don’t need a PC or base station, and it also eliminates menu lag and frame drops, so overall games just run better. All you have to do is put on the headset and start playing. With 1832×1920 resolution running per eye, you’ll enjoy a crisp look with sharp imagery and greater pixel density that makes gameplay look better and creates greater immersion. The headstrap audio, while pretty comfortable, doesn’t have a lot of dynamic range and tends to let in some ambient sound, so for some, the audio just doesn’t cut it. But you could still get a better, more immersive experience by simply throwing on some headphones. Better yet, if on-ear form-fitting headphones sound like a better idea, check out the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite coming up later in the video. Tracking is handled by the Quest 2’s four cameras, so there’s nothing extra to set up, and the system works well in rooms with adequate lighting. Tracking quality is pretty consistent, as long as the cameras don’t lose sight of the controllers when you put them behind your back or too far above your head. The controllers have been further enhanced with vibration that adds another level of in-game feedback, and battery life will give you about two and a half hours of playtime. If you’re looking for a standalone VR headset with easy setup and no tethering to a PC, the Oculus Quest 2 would be a good choice for you. This headset is a simple way to get started with VR, and the only true weakness here is the audio.
Next up is the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite, our pick for the best whole-room VR headset. If you’re interested in a whole-room VR headset, the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is a comfortable, powerful, and premium VR headset that provides an incredible platform to play top-of-the range VR content. The Cosmos Elite uses lighthouse tracking to keep tabs on where everything is in the virtual world in an area of up to 160 square feet. Each base station constantly sweeps the room with lasers to communicate where everything is located, giving you incredibly accurate tracking that doesn’t require room lighting like the Oculus Quest 2. In fact, you could play in complete darkness if you wanted to, with no negative effect on tracking. This VR headset has dual LCD screens with a resolution of 2880×1700 and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. But if you’re looking for even higher refresh rates up to 144 Hz, stick around for the valve index that’s coming up next. The headset allows for an IPD, the distance between your pupils, of 58–70mm, so you’ll have lots of leeway to get as perfect an image as possible. You’ll also get extra comfort with the Cosmos Elite because the entire headset is set up to rest on your forehead like a crown, with a visor in front that flips up so you can take care of something quickly or take a break without having to remove the entire headset. Stereo audio is integrated into on-ear, form-fitting headphones that let you experience great sound during your VR adventures. If you want to expand the capabilities of the Cosmos Elite, a suite of modular options is sold separately, including trackers, controllers, external faceplates, wireless adapters, and more. If you’re looking for a whole-room VR headset with excellent tracking capabilities, the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is an excellent choice for you. The headset is very comfortable and has good sound quality, and the flip-up headset configuration is an added convenience that you’re sure to appreciate.
Next up is the Valve Index, our pick for the best VR headset for PC. If you’re shopping for the best VR headset for PC use, the Valve Index is an excellent choice for you. From overall resolution to refresh rate to audio, the Valve Index is best in class, but it’s also one of the most expensive options out there. If you have the budget to bankroll it, the index is worth every penny. Its build quality is excellent, and tracking is reliable and consistent. The 1140×1600 per eye resolution delivers sharp imagery with full IPD adjustments. And while most VR headsets have a refresh rate of 90Hz, you can enable either a 120Hz or experimental 144Hz refresh rate with the Index for extremely smooth motion. When you put the index on, it’s clear that achieving comfort was a key factor in its design. The built-in headphones deliver excellent sound quality with positional 3D audio and minimal sound bleed. The controllers have the ability to sense whether each of your fingers is individually extended or closed and can even tell if you’re just closing your hand versus squeezing with force. And because they’re strapped to your hands, you can completely let go and see your in-game hands fully open. The valve index is available as a headset and controller, along with all the necessary power supplies and cables. Or for a much higher price point, you can get the Valve Index VR Kit, which gives you everything the headset and controller package provides, along with the addition of two base stations with power cables, stands, and mounting hardware, regionalized base station power adapter plugs, and more. If you want the best, the Valve Index is a great choice for you. From the standpoints of build quality, resolution, tracking, refresh audio, and comfort, the Index ticks all the boxes and will provide an excellent VR experience.
Next is the PlayStation VR. The Sony PlayStation VR is a great, affordable introduction to virtual reality that uses a PlayStation console instead of an expensive PC gaming rig, opening up affordable VR to everyone. The design of the PlayStation VR headset is built for comfort and is based on a halo shape with an adjustable single strap that wraps around your head, coming together in the back. The inside of the strap has a thick cushion with a rubber finish that holds your head gently in place. Once the headset is on, you can adjust the visor forward or backward to help bring items on the screen into focus. The headset hangs all of its weight at the top of your head, putting less pressure on the bridge of your nose and the forehead. Getting started is as easy as plugging in the PlayStation VR headset and the separately sold PlayStation camera into your PlayStation system, and you’re ready to go. Seamless visuals keep you immersed through an expansive 5.7-inch OLED 1080p display running at up to 120 frames per second. The LEDs around the headset, wireless controller, and motion controller are tracked by the PlayStation camera, capturing your natural movement in virtual space. What really sets this headset apart from the rest is that it lets anyone experience VR without the cost most often associated with higher-end VR headsets and the associated PCs needed to make them run. If that’s not enough to convince you, the PlayStation VR has the best content library and one of the biggest selections of VR titles you’ll find for both the PS4 and PS5. Whether you’re into driving games, action games, or horror-based games, there will be something that appeals to the gamer in you. If you’re looking for an affordable way to get started with VR and have a PlayStation console, the Sony PlayStation VR is a decent choice. It may not have super-high resolution or an elaborate tracking system, but it performs well, is comfortable to wear, and has great content. Everything you need for your first VR experience without breaking the bank. Finally, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is our pick for the best overall VR headset.
If you’re looking for the best overall VR headset, the HTC Vive Pro 2 will definitely fit the bill. It offers insane 5K resolution and the best PC VR visuals, but it doesn’t come cheap. The Vive Pro 2 mirrors all the features that Vive Pro users are familiar with. The headset includes the same rigid headstrap that the original Vive Pro is known for, but the rear tension dial is updated slightly for slightly quieter operation. Audio is delivered through built-in headphones that produce 3D sound that serves to further immersion in the VR experience. But it is a bit shallow on the low end, so if you want better audio, you might want to go back and take another look at the valve index. For connection to your PC, this headset uses HTC’s Linkbox system, which carries the power, USB, and DisplayPort signals to the headset on a single cable. The Vive Pro 2 also comes with a new type of lens that increases the horizontal field of view slightly. They’re slightly smaller, enabling a broader IPD range than previous Vive models, and support 57–70mm IPD with fine adjustment. Higher resolution is also part of the package, with the new screens increasing the per-eye resolution to 4896×2448 total, with refresh rates ranging from 90 to 120Hz to match your PC’s capabilities. While the Vive Pro 2 is an excellent VR device, it’s probably not a great option for most gamers unless you’re a hardcore flight simulator fanatic. Most gamers would be better served with something like the Valve Index, which provides a better audio experience and a comparable visual experience, and high refresh rates at a resolution that most modern GPUs can actually push. But if you’re looking for the best VR headset for business use in engineering, manufacturing, or medical applications, the HTC Vive Pro 2 would be a great choice for you.
