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, but so have they. t fell aside 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 mixed reality VR headset 'to have eye tracking and iris recognition'

How Apple's Mixed Reality Headset Could Weigh Much Less Than Its Rivals

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 the way the headsets are controlled and their performance and features.

Oculus Quest 2 - Advanced All-in-One Virtual Reality Headset - 256GB

List price:

$399.00

New from:

$399.00

in stock

Used from: p>

$429.00

in stock

To help you better understand

VR headsets

and to figure out which one is right for you, here are 11 questions to ask yourself before you buy:

Fixed or wireless?

The Oculus Quest 2 is a wireless headset weighing just over 500 grams

In general, a

VR headset

attached to a high performance gaming PC 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 get the most out of them.

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 on the way.

in development for the PlayStation 5.

In contrast, wireless VR headsets have lower price and performance, but are more convenient and don't require a computer or game console to operate. They are self-contained, self-contained and ready to be picked up and enjoyed. 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, but offer a perfectly decent first step into the VR world.

VR Headset, Pecosso 3D Virtual Reality Glasses Compatible with iPhone & Android Phone New Movie Glasses Compatible 4.7"-6.53" Soft & Comfortable adjustable distance - Gift for children and adults

Price catalogue:

$24.99

New from:

$24.99

What are the minimum PC requirements?

If you opt for a tethered VR headset, also be prepared to buy a high-performance gaming PC to get the best. 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 at all, and PS VR works on any model of PlayStation 4.

What are base stations and lighthouses?

HTC Vive Cosmos Elite uses flagship base stations for motion tracking

HTC

This means placing them on a high shelf, using a tall tripod, or fixing them to the wall in some other way. They must also be plugged into a wall outlet for power.

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

Price catalogue:

$134.99

New from:

$134.99

in stock

Used from:

$124.19

in stock

What is field of view?

Field of view is one of the most important metrics when considering a VR headset. A wider view means the

VR content

wraps more around your peripheral vision, creating a more immersive experience.

The field of vision 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 more 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.< /p>

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 the visibility of individual pixels. A lower resolution makes the 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 a smoother game than with the rate more common refresh rate of 60Hz.

The tethered Valve Index 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

Sony PlayStation VR

Price catalogue:

$218.00

New from:

$309.99

in stock

Used from:

$218.00

in stock

How much does he 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 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 503g and the Valve Index tipping the scales at 809g. The PlayStation VR separates these two, at 610g.

It is said that Apple will seriously reduce these

with its headset, 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?

Wired 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's 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 one to watch 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 eyes, in addition to their view of the real world. Headsets like the Microsoft HoloLens use augmented reality to blend real and virtual environments, such as stitching together 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 are talking exclusively about virtual reality (VR) headsets.

Google Glass Explorer Edition XE V2 (BLACK/GREY)

Price catalogue:

$1104.99

New from:

$1104.99

in stock

How does audio work?

Standalone headsets like the Quest 2 have their own built-in audio system, with speakers positioned to cover your ears like headphones. The Valve Index and HTC Vive Cosmos also have built-in audio, unlike the PlayStation VR, so you'll need to use your gaming headset instead.

Does it have its own hand controllers?

Controllers for an HTC Vive VR system

HTC

Some

older VR headsets

lacked hand controllers, and were more like visual experiences than a conventional video game. Now, however, most headsets can be controlled with hand controllers.

Oculus headsets and

HTC

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 computer-connected headsets 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 widely. The Oculus Quest 2 is great value at $300, while the PlayStation VR can be had for a similar price, but usually comes with additional games and accessories and sells for a premium. You may also not want to use this headset for now, as Sony has planned a

new model designed to work with the PS5

. However, this likely means second-hand deals will be plentiful throughout the year.

When looking at captive helmets, the 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 good value for money at $600.

HTC VIVE Cosmos

HTC VIVE Cosmos

Price catalogue:

$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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