A intriguing method to travel with just technology is through virtual reality. You may play a game or explore a virtual environment as if you were truly there with the help of a headset and motion tracking. Thanks to engaging games and experiences, virtual reality (VR) has gained popularity recently. However, the technology still seems to be in a state of flux, with headsets appearing and leaving pretty quickly. Here, we’re keeping tabs on the top products that are currently available.
The finest VR headsets industry is booming right now. With businesses like Meta and Sony putting significant investments on the future of the tumultuous technology, virtual reality appears to be finally finding its way into the public. Since the market is already packed with outdated versions, many people are eager to invest in their first VR headset. However, how can you determine whether you’re picking up the appropriate specs at the right time?
Right now, a wide spectrum of headgear—from inexpensive smartphone purchases to high-end, wallet-busting systems—is vying for the title of greatest VR headset. A lot of the technology they use to sell themselves appears spanking new to those who are not familiar with it, in addition to the fact that new brands and model names are appearing left and right. To help you obtain the greatest experience possible, we’ve compiled all the specs you should be concerned about, explained everything here, and shown you all the top VR headsets currently available.
Which VR Headset Is the Best?
There are presently just two types of modern VR headsets: tethered and standalone. A PC (or, in the case of the PS VR, a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5) is physically linked to tethered headsets such the HTC Vive Pro 2, PlayStation VR, and Valve Index. The cord makes them a little cumbersome, but since the whole video processing is housed in a box rather than being directly strapped to your face, your VR experience may be much more involved. Motion-sensing controllers provide comprehensive 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) movement tracking for both your head and your hands using either external sensors or outward-facing cameras.
The least priced tethered choices are presently approximately $400, and it doesn’t even take into account the processing difficulties; the PS VR requires a PlayStation 4, while the Valve Index, Vive Cosmos, and Vive Pro 2 require rather strong PCs.
The most physical flexibility is provided by standalone headsets since they don’t have any cords and don’t need an additional device for processing. The Oculus Quest 2 offers 6DOF motion tracking and controls using comparable outward-facing cameras as the now-discontinued Oculus Rift S. The Quest 2’s high-end mobile processor can nonetheless deliver detailed, fluid visuals while lacking the processing capability of a dedicated gaming PC.
Oculus Quest 2
In the current wave of VR, the Oculus Rift was the first well-known brand, and Oculus is still a significant participant in the market. However, the business has decided to abandon the tethered, dedicated Rift S in favor of concentrating solely on the standalone Quest 2. You may still use the new headset from the firm to experience PC VR; you simply need to purchase an auxiliary cord.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor powers the $300 Oculus Quest 2, a far more powerful standalone VR headset than the first Quest’s Snapdragon 835 chipset. With the exception of charging the headset, it offers a complete VR experience in a single box and has the greatest per-eye resolution of any consumer VR headset at 1,920 by 1,832. For full 6DOF head-and-hand motion tracking, it features two motion controllers, and its onboard shop has a surprisingly large selection of VR apps.
This does not exclude you from using the Quest 2 with tethered VR, though. Play PC-specific VR games like Half-Life: Alyx with the Quest 2 by connecting it to your computer via the $79 Oculus Link cable, which is a five-meter USB-C cord. Even after adding the attachment, the Quest 2 still offers a better value because it costs $100 less than the original Quest. The cable is pricey.
Valve Index
One of the most expensive PC-tethered VR headsets is Valve’s own, the Valve Index. If you purchase everything you require for it to function, it costs $999. (except the computer, of course). Even though the Index has a 120Hz refresh rate, which is far greater than most of its rivals, that is difficult to accept (with an experimental 144Hz mode). But right now, the Valve Index is our preferred tethered VR headset.
The headgear itself isn’t all that spectacular, but the controls are. Games that use them can monitor individual finger motions, which makes them far more immersive than other controllers’ typical trigger grips. Technology-wise, it’s really amazing, and we were enough impressed to suggest this headset. Another good perk is that the action moves more smoothly because to the Index’s increased refresh rate. If you already own an HTC Vive or Vive Cosmos Elite, as well as their base stations (not the standard Cosmos), you may upgrade your VR experience by purchasing only the controllers for $280 rather than the entire Valve Index system.
HTC Vive Pro 2
We recommend the HTC Vive Pro 2 if you’re looking for the greatest VR headset money can buy. With a price tag of $800 for the headset alone, without including the other peripherals or high-end PC, this is unquestionably a toy for older children. However, the 4896 x 2448 resolution, precise motion tracking, and Steam VR integrations of the HTC Vive Pro 2 make it a must-see for experts and enthusiasts willing to stretch their wallets.
That resolution dominates the market right now and provides incredibly clear graphics that are unavailable in less expensive headsets. Since you are connected to a PC via a Link Box connection, you are in danger of tripping if you are moving about.
For the entire experience, you’ll need to purchase two Steam VR base stations as well as motion controllers, which will cost you an additional $600 in total. Once you do, though, you’ll have access to a new degree of tracking and motion that other VR headsets may find difficult to match unless they do so at the expense of other features.
This display’s outstanding resolution, together with the 120° field of view and up to 120Hz refresh rate, are its primary selling points. This is where the piggy bank should go if you’re fully committed to a system that is future-proof and want your games to look as nice as they can while doing so.
HTC Vive Cosmos
The improved Vive Cosmos is HTC’s more economical VR option and an improvement over the original Vive. The exterior base stations are replaced by outward-facing cameras for motion tracking, which has a greater resolution. At $699 for the entire system, it is one of the most cost-effective PC-tethered solutions for whole-room VR.
The Vive Cosmos Elite, which costs $899 extra, reinstates additional base stations to enhance how it tracks your head and motion controllers for even superior motion tracking.
Sony PlayStation VR
Thanks to Sony’s support for its development as well as the PlayStation 4’s accessibility and cost compared to gaming PCs, the PlayStation VR is intriguing. All you need is a PlayStation 4, a PlayStation Camera, and the headset (now included with most PlayStation VR bundles). PSVR is also compatible with the PlayStation 5, however in order for the PlayStation Camera to function, you must ask Sony for a free adaptor.
Moss, Rez Infinite, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, and Five Nights at Freddie’s: Help Wanted are just a few of the fantastic titles available on PS VR. You can play many PlayStation VR games using the DualShock 4, so motion controls are not even necessary. The PlayStation VR, on the other hand, falls short in this area since it continues to employ PlayStation Move wands from the PlayStation 3 era, which aren’t nearly as effective or comfy as the Oculus Touch controllers. Additionally, they cost a lot of money and aren’t often offered in PlayStation VR packages.
For the PlayStation 5, Sony is developing a new PlayStation VR system with updated controls. The business has offered a glimpse of the new controllers but hasn’t yet shown the new headgear.
Windows Mixed Reality
For the last few years, Microsoft has been advertising its collaboration with a number of headset producers to create a line of “mixed reality” headsets that are compatible with Windows 10. Although it is currently debatable, the distinction between virtual reality and mixed reality suggests the incorporation of augmented reality (AR) technology employing cameras on the helmet. The hardware in each of the headsets we examined is good, and setup is straightforward, but location tracking isn’t as precise as with tethered headsets with external sensors or the Quest 2 with its outward-facing tracking cameras. Additionally, compared to the Rift and SteamVR stores, the Windows Mixed Reality store doesn’t provide as many intriguing VR experiences. However, with a little software wrangling, you can play SteamVR games on Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
The HP Reverb G2 is the only consumer Windows Mixed Reality headset of the current generation, despite the fact that a number of independent firms have been working on the technology over the past few years.
HP Reverb G2
Few people are interested in purchasing the HP Reverb G2, but HP does have a surprise hit on its hands with its $600 VR headset. It’s important to note that this is considerably simpler to locate in the US, and if you’re looking in the UK, you’ll probably only have access to special editions costing over £1,000 in price. With a focus on resolution but also some pleasant features for quality of life (why didn’t anybody else think to have the display flip up so you could view your surroundings?) Even while this set doesn’t quite match up to some of the top picks on the list overall, there is still much to enjoy about it.
No additional tracking sensors are required because the HP Reverb G2 has built-in cameras to handle all of that. Additionally, there isn’t much setup to complete. Since this headset is a full Windows product, connecting to your PC is as easy as plugging it in and waiting for Windows 10 or 11 to finish installing and configuring your applications.
The HP Reverb G2 is a good purchase for any PC aficionados who don’t want to have to outfit their house to enter a virtual world, even though it lags behind Oculus in terms of value.
What About the Metaverse?
With a greater focus on cross-platform compatibility, the recently renamed to Meta Facebook may ultimately push the Quest 2 and other Oculus devices even farther. The Oculus division would be the ideal vehicle for that as the company’s aims to create a “metaverse” would probably incorporate AR and VR technologies. Oculus headsets will undoubtedly be engaged because Facebook’s vice president of AR and VR, Andrew Bosworth, said that the metaverse will “create the connective tissue” between them and other Facebook/Meta gadgets.
The purpose of the metaverse is still somewhat unclear, and Meta hasn’t been entirely transparent about it. Based on the scant information we have, our metaverse guide will assist you in understanding what’s going on.
The Best Augmented Reality Headsets
Other well-known visual headsets, such as the Microsoft HoloLens and the Magic Leap One, may have appeared during the past few years. There are a few reasons why they aren’t on our list, but the main one is because they are augmented reality (AR) headsets rather than virtual reality headsets. There is a difference, really.
These augmented reality headsets basically feature clear lenses that allow you to see your surroundings rather than fully replacing them with computer-generated images. They overlay whatever you’re looking at with graphics, but those images are created to interact with and enhance your surroundings. For example, you may create a web browser appear in the center of a space or watch animals circle your coffee table. It’s an intriguing technological advancement that may portend changes in computing.
The future, as in several years from now, is the main focus here. The HoloLens and Magic Leap One aren’t on our list because they aren’t consumer goods, which leads us to the second most important reason. The sole purpose of these devices is to serve as development tools for developing AR applications. Given that each headgear costs several thousand dollars, don’t anticipate seeing a lot of AR content very soon. Outside of particular commercial and educational purposes, augmented reality headsets are, at best, a toy for early adopters and not for the majority of users.