before buying
The virtual reality industry has changed dramatically since the days of inserting a smartphone into a Google Cardboard, a headset literally made out of cardboard. Now performance, display resolution and field of view have improved, and there's more VR content than ever before.
The industry hasn't taken off like smartphones and even smartwatches have, but neither has it been abandoned like 3D TV. With rumors that Apple is planning to release its own
mixed reality headset
(potentially capable of virtual and augmented reality) in 2021, one could argue that the story of virtual reality has only just begun.
Read more:
Apple's mixed reality VR headset 'to have eye tracking and iris recognition'
How Apple's Mixed Reality Headset Could Weigh Significantly Less Than Its Competitors
Microsoft is dashing hopes of an Xbox VR headset (again)
There are many variables between different
types of VR headset
.Some are wireless, while others need to be connected to a computer or game console.Prices also vary widely, as well as how the headsets are controlled and their performance and features.
Oculus Quest 2 — Advanced All-in-One Virtual Reality Headset — 256 GB
List of prices:
$399.00
New from:
$399.00
in stock
Used from:
$429.00
in stock
To help you better understand
VR headsets
, and figure out what's right for you, here are 11 questions you should ask yourself before buying:
Connected or wireless?
The Oculus Quest 2 is a wireless headset weighing just over 500 grams
Oculus
In general, a
VR headset
connected to a high-performance gaming computer is going to provide a better experience, with higher quality graphics and more immersive gameplay. However, these headsets (like HP, Valve, and HTC) tend to be expensive, as is the PC needed to make the most of it.
Another connected option is the PS VR, which connects to the PlayStation 4 game console. Although this remains on sale today, Sony said a new model is currently available.
in development for the PlayStation 5.
In contrast, wireless VR headsets have lower prices and less performance, but they're more convenient and don't require a computer or game console to operate. They're self-contained, self-contained, and ready to pick up and enjoy. .A great example of a wireless VR headset is the Oculus Quest 2.
Wireless VR headsets allow more freedom of movement, while tethered headsets don't have a battery that needs to be recharged every two hours.
An inexpensive alternative to standalone headsets like the Quest 2 are ones that use your smartphone as the display and processor. These can cost as little as $25, and still offer a perfectly decent first step into the world of VR.
VR Headset, Pecosso 3D Virtual Reality Glasses Compatible with iPhone and Android Phone New Compatible Movie Glasses 4.7"-6.53" Soft and Comfortable Adjustable Distance - Gift for Kids and Adults
List of prices:
$24.99
New from:
$24.99
in stock
What are the minimum PC requirements?
If you're going for a tethered VR headset, be prepared to buy a high-performance gaming PC as well to get the most out of it. Take Steam's Valve Index headset for example. This requires at a minimum:
Dual-Core processor with hyper-threading
8 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 / AMD RX480 graphics card
DisplayPort 1.2 or newer and USB 2.0 or newer ports
However, for a better experience, Steam recommends the following:
Quad-Core+ processor
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 or better
USB 3.0 port required for helmet pass-through camera
Standalone headsets don't require a computer, and PS VR works on any PlayStation 4 model.
What are Base Stations and Lighthouses?
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite uses flagship base stations for motion tracking
HTC
Some VR headsets connected to gaming PCs require devices called beacon boxes or base stations. These are used to allow the headset to follow your movements around the room and should generally be installed in the upper corners of the area in which you want to use your headphones.
This means placing them on a high shelf, using a tall tripod, or mounting them to the wall in some other way. They also need to be plugged into a wall outlet to be powered.
High-end headsets like those in the HTC Vive line use base stations, as does the Valve Index. Wireless options like the Oculus Quest instead use cameras and sensors mounted on the headset itself to track its surroundings. The Oculus Rift S falls between the two, as it's a PC-tethered headset but doesn't use base stations.
As an example of what base stations can do, the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite with its two base stations can be used in an area of up to 160 square feet.
HTC Vive base station
List of prices:
$134.99
New from:
$134.99
in stock
Used from:
$124.19
in stock
What is the field of view?
Field of view is one of the most important metrics when reviewing a VR headset. A wider view means that
VR content
wraps your peripheral vision further, creating a more immersive experience.
Field of view can be measured in three different ways; horizontal, vertical and diagonal. For example, the hugely popular Oculus Quest 2 has a field of view of 89 degrees horizontally, 90 degrees vertically and 127 degrees diagonally.
Sticking with the most commonly used horizontal field of view, the more expensive Valve Index is the current market leader at 130 degrees, followed by the HP Reverb G2 at 114 degrees and the HTC Vive Pro at 110 degrees.
For console gamers, the PlayStation VR has a viewing angle of 100 degrees.
What is the resolution?
The PlayStation VR has a resolution of 1920 x 1080
sony
Another key metric for VR headsets is their resolution. Because screens are right in front of your eyes, high resolution is important to reduce the size and therefore visibility of individual pixels. Lower resolution makes pixels larger and more visible , and therefore creates a less smooth and more pixelated image.
If we look again at the popular Oculus Quest 2, we have a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye and a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz. This last figure is important because it allows for smoother gameplay than with the rate more common refresh rate of 60 Hz.
The Valve Index Tethered Headset has a slightly lower resolution of 1440 x 1600 per eye and a high refresh rate of up to 144Hz, with 80, 90 and 120Hz also available.
The current resolution champion, as of early 2021, is the HP Reverb G2, which has a resolution of 2160 x 2160 per eye
The PlayStation VR has a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 and refresh rate options of 90 and 120 Hz.
Sony PlayStation VR
List of prices:
$218.00
New from:
$309.99
in stock
Used from:
$218.00
in stock
How much does it weigh?
Comfort is an important factor for
VR headsets
.Some can be quite heavy, but help offset that weight by using padded foam and comfortable straps that easily distribute the weight across your head and the bridge of your nose.
Headsets have gotten lighter over the years and today's are better balanced than previous models like the Samsung Gear VR which used a smartphone for its display. But they're still quite substantial, with the Oculus Quest 2 weighing in 503g and the Valve Index tipping the scales at 809g. PlayStation VR separates these two, at 610g.
It is whispered that
Apple will seriously undermine these
with its helmet, which according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo will weigh less than 150g, making it even lighter than an iPhone.
If wireless, what is the battery life?
Tethered headsets are powered by connecting them to your computer or a wall outlet, so battery life isn't an issue. Wireless headsets have built-in batteries, and the Quest 2 lasts between two and three hours per charge, depending on how it is used.
What about mixed reality and augmented reality?
The Microsoft HoloLens is an augmented reality headset
Microsoft
Virtual reality is about completely replacing your view of the outside world with an environment created by the headset (however, some headsets have a camera to provide a view when you're not playing a VR game).
Augmented reality
is like what smart glasses like Google Glass offer, where a digital interface is projected into the wearer's eyes, above their view of the real world. Headsets like the Microsoft HoloLens use augmented reality to blend real environments and virtual, for example by assembling virtual videos on the real walls of your room.
Mixed reality refers to headsets that can handle both virtual and augmented reality. For this article, we're talking exclusively about virtual reality (VR) headsets.
Google Glass Explorer Edition XE V2 (BLACK/GREY)
List of prices:
$1104.99
New from:
$1104.99
in stock
How does audio work?
Standalone headsets like the Quest 2 have their own built-in sound system, with speakers positioned to cover your ears like headphones. The Valve Index and HTC Vive Cosmos also have built-in sound, unlike the PlayStation VR, so you'll have to use your gaming headset instead.
Does it have its own hand controllers?
Hand controllers for an HTC Vive VR system
HTC
Some
old VR headsets
didn't have a hand controller and looked more like visual experiences than a conventional video game. Now, however, most headsets can be controlled with hand controllers.
Oculus and
HTC headsets
all work with their manufacturers' handheld controllers, which themselves include motion-sensing technology, and can even be viewed virtually from the headset. The PlayStation VR headset works with your PS4 controller, and headsets connected to computers are controlled with keyboard and mouse, or any other gaming accessory you already own, like a steering wheel or joystick.
How much do they cost?
Prices for VR headsets in 2021 vary quite widely. The Oculus Quest 2 is great value at $300, while the PlayStation VR can be had for a similar price, but usually comes bundled with games and additional accessories and sold at a higher price. You might also want to put the headset on hold for now, since Sony has plans for a
new model designed to work with the PS5
.However, this probably means second-hand deals will be plentiful throughout the year.
When looking at tethered headsets, prices start to climb. The HTC Vive Cosmos is currently $700 and the Cosmos Elite (two controllers and base stations) is $900, and the Valve Index is $1,000. The high-resolution HP Reverb G2 is a good value at $600.
HTC VIVE Cosmos
HTC VIVE Cosmos
List of prices:
$699.99
New from:
$699.99
in stock
Used from:
$492.99
in stock
Best VR Headsets Under $100 by GearBrain
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