Best VR Headset 2021: Strap On The Best Virtual Reality Headset

VR headsets have gotten really impressive over the past few years. They offer more and more immersive ways to explore new worlds, allowing you to move freely and get a real sense of scale in your games. They're also the only way to experience amazing new games, including the recent masterpiece

Half Life: Alyx

.

Getting a Great Virtual Reality Experience However, it takes a little more than inserting your

smart phone

in a plastic holder. While these phone-based VR headsets were an interesting entry into VR, the experience of a dedicated headset is on another level. With advanced tracking and 6DoF (six degrees of freedom), your movements are accurately translated into the game world, letting you really feel there (for better or worse).

Quality VR headsets can be seriously demanding though, with some packing so many pixels and a refresh rate so fast you'd need a

beastly gaming pc

to perform them. Fortunately, there is something for everyone. Some more affordable models can run on modest hardware, and there are even a few that offer a compelling VR experience without needing a separate machine to run them. We've rounded up our top picks so you can find a quality VR headset that will deliver the realistic gaming experience you're looking for.

These are the best VR headsets:< /p>

Oculus Quest 2

Playstation-VR

Oculus Rift S

HTC Vive Cosmos

valve index

HTC Vive Pro 2

Pimax 5K Super

HP Reverb G2

1.Oculus Quest 2

Best VR Headset

OculusQuest

2

0

To see

on Amazon

View at Newegg

See at Walmart

View at Oculus

Platform:

Standalone, PC ●

Resolution (per eye):

1832x1920 ●

Refresh rate:

90Hz ●

Field of view:

100 degrees ●

Monitoring:

6DoF ●

Weight :

1.1 pounds

There's a new VR champion on the block, and it's the Oculus Quest 2 (read our

Oculus Quest 2 Review

). This new headset improves on just about every aspect of the original Oculus Quest that previously took our top spot. The new Quest 2 has a sharper resolution with 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye, and it can run its display up to 90Hz for a smoother VR experience.

The internals also get a power upgrade with the new Snapdragon XR2,w which can significantly outperform the Snapdragon 835 chip that was featured in the Oculus Quest. All of this makes for a capable headset that works completely independent of a PC while being lighter than its predecessor. But, when the extra power is needed, the Oculus Quest 2 can also connect to a PC via Oculus Link and run it as a tethered VR headset. The fact that the Oculus Quest 2 only costs $300 ($100 less than the original Quest) makes it the most attractive option on the market.

2. PlayStation VR

Best VR headset for console gamers

playstation

VR

0

To see

on Amazon

See the full set on Walmart

Platform:

PS4, PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro ●

Resolution (per eye):

960x1080 ●

Refresh rate:

120Hz ●

Field of view: p>

100 degrees ●

Monitoring:

6DoF ●

Weight:

1.34 pounds

PSVR Review

) offers PS4 owners a way to dive deeper into games than ever before. The PSVR is a somewhat humble system, lacking the highest resolution screens and not going for wild room-scale tracking. But, while it may lack those extreme features, it makes up for it with quality experiences. Most of

best VR games

were released on PSVR.

The PSVR has a resolution of 960 x 1080 per eye but offers a 120Hz refresh rate to keep experiences smooth. And, a 100 degree field of view is sufficient for immersion. The headset itself is a piece of the puzzle, as there's also a separate camera and motion controllers that can unlock even more immersive gameplay. And, while PSVR was designed for the PS4 and PS4 Pro, Sony has assured that it will also work on the PS5. There is even a

free adapter available

for the PlayStation Camera, showing Sony's commendable commitment to continuing to support its VR headset.

3. Oculus Rift S

Best VR headset for PC

Oculus Rift

S

0

See p>

on Amazon

View on Walmart

Platform:

PC ●

Resolution (per eye):

1280x1440 ●

Refresh rate:

80Hz ●

Field of view:

110- degrees ●

Monitoring:

6DoF ●

Weight:

1.2 pounds

While headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 and Valve Index show the limits of VR capability, the Oculus Rift S (read our review) still delivers a VR experience that has its niche. Since the launch of Quest 2, the price of the Rift S has dropped, making it the counterpart connected to this system. While you can tether a Quest 2 to a PC, the Rift S is specifically designed for PC connections, so you'll have more robust cabling with lower latency and higher bandwidth than if you don't mind your cables we have Quest.

The Oculus Rift S has a reasonably sharp resolution and delivers smoothness in VR with an 80Hz refresh rate. It also lets you see more of the virtual world around you with its 110-degree field of view. Unlike the original Oculus Rift

(CV1), this model uses upside-down tracking, meaning you don't need to set up external cameras and deal with major calibration these can be. And, since this headset is now only $300, you're getting really solid value.

4. HTC Vive Cosmos

Best Wireless VR PC

HTC Vive

Cosmos

0

To see

on Newegg

View on Walmart

Platform:

PC ●

Resolution (per eye):< /p>

1440x1700 ●

Refresh rate:

90Hz ●

Field of view:

110 degrees ●

Monitoring:

6DoF

HTC burst onto the VR scene with the first-gen Vive and the eventual

Vive Pro

, but the HTC Vive Cosmos (read our

HTC Vive Cosmos Review

) is the latest in the running for our virtual attention. The new model offers sharper resolution for each eye, delivering 1440 x 1700 per eye for a total of 2880 x 1700. This increased sharpness even exceeds the Valve Index and helps reduce the effect of lens flare. screen, without however eliminating it completely. The display uses small LCD panels running at 90Hz for the smooth playback required in VR.

The headset offers a comfortable halo-style headband that makes it easy to put on and take off momentarily. It also includes attached headphones for spatial audio. This new headset also ditches the older thumbsticks of the original Vive in favor of the more controller-like style seen on many other VR headsets. But, what really helps set the Vive Cosmos apart is its continued support for HTC's official wireless adapter.

, which provides a high-fidelity, low-latency stream of your VR content. you can really pass untethered. HTC also offers different versions of the Cosmos series, including the Cosmos Elite, XR, and Play, which have different tracking and camera setups as well as different controllers. It's actually possible to change which version of the Cosmos you're using by replacing the faceplate, controllers and any tracking base station, making this an extremely versatile headset.

5.Valve Index

Best high-end VR headset

Valve

Index

0

To see

on Steam

See on Amazon

Platform:

PC ●

Resolution (per-eye):< /p>

1440×1600 ●

Refresh rate:

120 Hz (144 Hz in experimental mode) ●

Field of view:

Monitoring:

6DoF ●

Weight:

1.79 pounds

Valve The Index headset is the latest and greatest in PC VR that will fill each of your eyeballs with 1440 x 1600 pixels at a 120Hz refresh rate. The Index also uses new base stations that support a larger play area and a new set of controllers supporting full finger tracking.

In other words, it's better than the last-gen Oculus Rift and HTC Vive in just about every way... except price. The Index currently costs $1,000 for the entire kit, but thanks to the versatility of SteamVR, you can mix and match components from the older, cheaper Vive if you want to save some cash.

Only interested in tracked finger? Pair Index controllers with a Vive headset and hit the town. Do you prefer the high resolution headset? Buy the Index headset on its own and use it with your old Vive setup. Or buy it all together for the best possible experience - it's not cheap, but if you want the absolute best VR the PC has to offer, it's right now.

6.HTC Vive Pro 2

Best High-Resolution VR Headset

HTC Vive Pro

2

0

To see

on Amazon

Platform:

PC ●

Resolution (per eye):

2448×2448 ●

Refresh rate:

120Hz ●

Field of view:

120degrees ●

Monitoring:

6DoF ●

Weight:

1.9 pounds

If clarity is what you're looking for, you'll want the HTC Vive Pro 2. This VR headset is built on the long-standing prowess in VR that HTC has established, but it packs in some display refinement that will push your VR experience further. far than ever. With a resolution of 2448 x 2448 per eye, the HTC Vive Pro 2 will allow you to forget about the screen door effect.

Naturally, this premium headset comes with additional benefits beyond resolution. That same crisp display also runs at 120Hz smoothly, and it offers a 120-degree field of view – two things that will help you feel even more immersed in the virtual realm you're entering. The headphones also include Hi-Res certified headphones for quality sound straight to your ears. It'll take a powerful PC to get the most out of the HTC Vive Pro 2, but if you're looking for the ultimate VR experience, you've probably already worked out that part of the equation.

7 . Pimax 5K Super

VR with a wide field of view

Pimax 5K

Great

0

To see

on Pimax

Platform:

PC ●

Resolution (per eye):

2560x1440 ●

Refresh rate:

180Hz ●

Field of view:

200 degrees ●

Monitoring:

6DoF

If you're willing to put up with a real headset monster in order to get maximum immersion in VR, then you've probably seen Pimax in your peripheral vision when shopping for headsets. The Pimax 5K Super is an extreme headset that won't suit just any casual VR gamer. Its hefty starting price is enough to scare some away, and its specs should be enough of a warning that only those with the most beastly computers need apply.

The Pimax 5K Super efficiently runs two 1440p displays side-by-side, and they run at a 180Hz refresh rate. That's twice as fast as the older Pimax 5K XR. The crisp resolution and high refresh rate will deliver clear visuals if you have a machine that can handle games that quickly. For reference, two 1440p displays are 88% of the way to 4K in terms of pixel count, and there's not a whole lot of hardware running games in 4K at even 60fps. But, if you've got the rig, this headset will be a powerful accomplice in your virtual endeavors, and its 200-degree field of view will envelop you in your virtual worlds.

8.HP Reverb G2

Best Windows Mixed Reality Headset

HP Reverb

G2

0

See p>

on Amazon

View on HP

Platform:

PC ●

Resolution (per-eye):

2160x2160 ●

Refresh rate:

90Hz ●

Field of view:

114- degrees ●

Monitoring:

6DoF ●

Weight:

1.1 pounds

Some of the other headsets on this list may have more exciting gaming features or offer more advanced tracking, but the HP Reverb G2 (read our

Reverb G2 review

) is an extremely comfortable VR headset that will be easy on the head and on the eyes. The Reverb G2 has a higher resolution than any other headset on this list with a 2160 x 2160 screen per eye for a total of 4320 x 2160. The headset also has a physical IPD slider to help align everything perfectly with your eyes to eliminate focus issues. Combine that with the crisp displays eliminating the screen door effect, and you have exceptional viewing comfort.

The headset's screen offers a smooth 90Hz refresh rate which may not be as fast as others, but there isn't. many computers that might run faster than that at that resolution anyway. The headset also uses inside-out tracking, which makes setup much simpler than systems like the Valve Index which rely on external base stations to track the movement of the headset and controllers. This also helps it keep the price well below the Valve Index. HP even completes the experience with built-in headphones similar to those found on the Valve Index.

What to look for in a VR headset

These aren't the only headsets on the market, and they won't be the last - there are more on the horizon (including the upcoming

Long live Cosmos

from HTC). When deciding which VR headset is right for you, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Platform:

The best VR headset is the one you can actually use. If you already have a big

gaming pc

in your home and it's in a room big enough for room-scale virtual reality, get a SteamVR headset. If you're more likely to play a standalone system despite the lower graphics quality, don't doubt that instinct: go with the Oculus Quest.

Also, if there are any exclusive games you want to play, keep this in mind when narrowing down your platform of choice:

PSVR games

will be limited to the PlayStation, and Oculus also offers exclusive games for its headsets. SteamVR is pretty open, so it will work on just about any PC headset. Some Oculus-exclusive games may be playable on SteamVR devices with

Revive

, but this is not a guarantee.

Resolution and refresh rate:

When your eyes are glued to the screen, resolution matters. A lot. The lower the resolution, the more likely you are to get the "screen door effect", where you can see the space between each individual pixel, as if you were looking through a screen door.

Note, however, that resolution isn't the only indicator of visual quality. The Oculus Quest, for example, has lower quality graphics than the HTC Vive, despite its higher resolution. It just has less of that screen door effect. (Within a given platform, however, resolution can give you an idea of ​​which headsets will look better than others.)

If the refresh rate is lower than 90Hz, things may seem a little more choppy, and may even cause severe motion sickness.

“

Don't discount the frame rate either: high resolution can be nice, but if the refresh rate is below 90Hz, things can feel a bit choppier and can even cause severe motion sickness for some. , although this can vary greatly from person to person. (I found the Oculus Quest at 72Hz more than smooth enough, for example.)

Stationary vs Room Scale Game:

The best VR experiences involve room-scale play, allowing you to walk around your play space, crouch, jump, and turn your head in any way imaginable - that level of tracking of motion is known as the "six degrees of freedom". Most of the helmets in the list above fall into this category.

Other headsets, like the Oculus Go or the smartphone

Samsung Gear VR

and

Google DaydreamView

, supports fewer degrees of freedom, only follows the swivel and tilt of your head rather than following you as you move. If you're just watching movies or playing games sitting in VR, these cheaper headsets are fine, but for the best experience, you want something that supports room-scale gaming.

Tracking system:

Some recent headsets, like the Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift S, and HP Reverb, support “inside-out” tracking, meaning you can play room-scale without no external sensor or camera. Other systems, like the HTC Vive and Valve Index, require you to place a few base stations around the room to track your movements. These systems can be more accurate than reverse systems for advanced gamers, but they're also a bit more intrusive, so you'll need to weigh up what's best for your living space.

Wired vs Wireless:

Finally, you will want to determine how ready you are to be “tethered” in a space. The best VR headsets usually require a wire connected to your PC, while standalone solutions allow you to roam freely. (The HTC Vive and Vive Pro also have an optional wireless adapter for untethered PC-powered virtual reality.)

Being wired is by no means the worst thing in the world, especially if you're just gaming in a room anyway, and you'll see the best resolution and picture quality possible. Going wireless means less tripping, but it also adds the strain of battery life.

Virtual reality is still in its infancy, but it has come a long way in just a few years. No VR headset is perfect for everyone just yet, but with these things in mind, you should be able to find one that's just right for you. Just be careful not to put your arm through the wall or anything.

Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who's been building PCs for 10 years. He eats crisps with chopsticks so as not to grease his mechanical keyboard.