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Leading VR Headsets Reviewed: Elevate Your PC Gameplay Today

For years, enthusiasts have extolled the magic of virtual reality. Admittedly, VR technology has taken a long time to mature. However, towards the end of last year, VR finally gained mainstream attention. Everyone is suddenly talking about the Metaverse, which means that more and more people will soon be looking for a VR headset to help them experience the promised immersive future.

VR technology has evolved quite a bit in the last five years. So if you’re one of the early adopters with a first-gen headset or someone who’s abstained from VR altogether, now might be the time to take another look.

When VR headsets first hit the market, early adopters had to accept low-resolution displays, poorly optimized optics, low frame rates, and often poor tracking accuracy. Not to mention, headset manufacturers have struggled to make their devices comfortable for years. Thankfully, most of the earlier VR devices’ problems have been solved with the most recent HMD designs.

The format of VR devices has evolved. We used to see VR headsets powered by smartphones, and while those still exist, they have largely been phased out of the market. The PlayStation VR remains the only console-based VR headset, and will soon be replaced by the PlayStation VR2. Xbox head Phil Spencer recently reiterated that he has no current plans to bring VR to Xbox consoles.

The highest-end VR headsets offer incredible resolutions and advanced features like eye-tracking. However, they typically require a high-end gaming computer to maximize their superior pixel count, refresh rates, and feature sets.

The standalone HMD segment is benefiting from rapid innovation. Qualcomm’s SnapDragon XR-2 SoC has proven to be a robust VR platform, with many companies choosing it to power their HMDs, including Meta (formerly Facebook/Oculus), Pico Interactive, and HTC Vive. Pimax is also planning to use Qualcomm’s hardware in its next-generation VR headsets, which will launch late next year.

The VR headset market is evolving rapidly, and it’s easy to get confused with all the choices. To help you skip all the confusion, we’ve prepared a bit of a cheat sheet that should save you some time. Below you will find our recommendations for the best VR headsets worth your money. You should also check out ourBest Gaming Headsets page.

Quick Shopping Tips

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When looking for the best VR headset for gaming, consider the following:

PC-connected VR has the best experience but requires an expensive system. The best VR gaming comes from headsets that you tether to a PC. When VR headsets first hit the market, you could find a VR-ready gaming PC for under $1000, and for a time, you could build one for even less than that. With the current state of the graphics card market, you could be looking at double that figure for a system with a powerful GPU. For more wallet-friendly VR, consider standalone HMDs that don’t connect to any system. Just know you generally won’t get the same level of graphical detail.
Is your PC powerful enough for VR? Before buying a VR headset that relies on a PC, you should ensure your computer at least meets the headset’s minimum requirements. However, it’s an excellent idea to overshoot the minimum requirements by a large margin. As we’ve learned from testing the most advanced headsets, you can never have too much GPU power for VR. With the resolutions that modern HMDs boast, even an RTX 2080 can inhibit your experience with a top-tier headset. If your PC doesn’t meet the headset’s requirements, you might want to increase your budget or buy a standalone HMD instead.
When it comes to specs, bigger is better. In general, the greater the headset’s refresh rate,field of view (FOV) , total resolution, and pixel density (measured in pixels per inch or PPI), the sharper games will look. Just remember anything that increases the number of pixels your GPU needs to process every second will demand more from your graphics card.
Make sure your home has enough square footage. Depending on the headset, you may need a notable amount of physical space to game properly. For example, theOculus Rift S recommends a 3 x 3-foot space minimum, and the PSVR suggests a 10 x 10-foot area. Generally, you need at least enough open space to stretch your arms to the side and rotate 360 degrees for standing-only VR. If you want to move around, you’ll need more than that.
Mind your glasses. You can usually wear glasses in VR, but some HMDs make this more comfortable than others. Some headsets are too narrow to accommodate wider frame designs, while others have cut-outs in the foam cushions to make space. Many headsets also have accommodations for glasses by adjusting the depth of the lenses, either with a mechanical adjustment, like with the Valve Index or with a glasses spacer, like with the Oculus Quest 2.

Best VR Headsets You Can Buy Today

Easy to use and well-priced, the Oculus Quest 2 is the best VR headset. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

1. Oculus Quest 2

Best VR Headset

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Specifications

Connectivity: None required

Display: 1x Fast-switch LCD

Per-eye Resolution: 1832 x 1920

Refresh Rate: 90 or 120 Hz (experimental)

FOV: Not disclosed

Weight: 1.1 pounds (503g)

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Reasons to buy

Amazing resolution

Much more powerful than original Quest

Reasons to avoid

White picks up dirt and grime

Poor controller ergonomics

The Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as Oculus Quest 2) is the best VR headset to buy for most people. It offers the most versatility and the best value in the most affordable package available.

As mentioned above, the Quest 2 is powered by a Qualcomm SnapDragon XR-2 SoC, a processor and graphics chip derived from the company’s flagship smartphone processors but optimized for VR andAR capabilities. The Quest 2 is a self-contained device that doesn’t need a computer. However, it also offers the ability to play PC VR content through a USB tether or a Wi-Fi connection, giving you the best of both worlds.

Quest 2 offers a high-resolution VR experience without the need for a computer. The headset provides 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, a higher resolution than theValve Index and HTC Vive Cosmos tethered PC headsets. Quest 2 also offers variable refresh rates, with developers able to target 60hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz configurations depending on the performance demands of the games.

Meta Quest 2 is currently available in a 128GB entry model and a larger 256GB model. The original 64GB edition is no longer sold. If you find one on the shelf, we recommend leaving it unless it’s an outstanding deal. Some of the newest Quest games barely fit on the smaller 64GB model. Headsets manufactured after August 2021 will also include anupdated face cover for better hygiene.

Read: Oculus Quest 2 review

For PC-powered VR, opt for the advanced Valve Index. (Image credit: Valve)