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 VR experience takes a little more than inserting your
smartphone
in a plastic stand, however. While those 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, allowing you to truly feel there (for better or for worse).
Quality VR headsets can be very demanding though, with some packed with so many pixels and such a fast refresh rate that you'd need a
gaming pc
to run them. Luckily, there's 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. perform them. We've rounded up our top picks so you can find a quality VR headset that will deliver the realistic gaming experience you've been looking for.
Here are the best VR headsets:
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
Oculus Quest
2
0
To see
on Amazon
View at Newegg
See at Walmart
To see 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
Reviews on Oculus Quest 2
). 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 1832 x 1920 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 performs fully 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. that the Oculus Quest 2 is only $300 ($100 cheaper than the original Quest) makes it the best 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:
100 degrees ●
Monitoring:
6DoF ●
Weight:
1.34 pounds
Virtual reality has become more accessible than ever, especially for PC gamers, but console gamers are no slouch in the chill of normal reality. The PlayStation VR (read our
PSVR Review
) gives PS4 owners a way to dive deeper into games than ever. of the room. But, while it may lack those extreme features, it makes up for it with quality experiences. Lots 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 enough for immersion. The headset itself is a piece of the puzzle, as there is also a separate camera and motion controllers that can unlock even more immersive gameplay. And while PSVR was designed for PS4 and PS4 Pro, Sony has assured that it would also work on the PS5. There's even a
free adapter available
for the PlayStation Camera, showing a commendable commitment from Sony to continue supporting its VR headset.
3. Oculus Rift S
Best VR headset for PC
Oculus Rift
S
0
To see
on Amazon
See at Walmart
Platform:
computer ●
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. Although you can link a Quest 2 to a PC, the Rift S is specifically designed for PC connections, so you will have more robust cabling with a lower latency and higher bandwidth than if you don't pay attention to your questing cables.
The Oculus Rift S has a reasonably sharp resolution and offers smoothness in VR with an 80Hz refresh rate. It also lets you see more of the virtual world around you thanks to its 110-degree field of view. Unlike the original
Oculus Rift
(CV1). 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
See at Walmart
Platform:
computer ●
Resolution (per eye):
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 index of valve and helps to reduce the effect of the screen door, without eliminating it completely. The screen uses small LCD panels operating at 90Hz for the smooth playback required in VR.
The headset offers a comfortable halo-style headband that makes it easy to wear and momentarily remove. a controller seen on many other VR headsets. But what really helps set the Vive Cosmos apart is its continued support for
Official HTC wireless adapter
, which provides a high-fidelity, low-latency stream of your VR content so you can truly go wireless. HTC also offers different versions of the Cosmos series, including the Cosmos Elite, XR, and Play, which have different tracking configurations and camera as well as different controllers. It is indeed possible to change which version of the Cosmos you are 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
Hint
0
To see
on Steam
To see on Amazon
Platform:
computer ●
Resolution (per eye):
1440×1600 ●
Refresh rate:
120 Hz (144 Hz in experimental mode) ●
Field of view:
130 degrees ●
Monitoring:
6DoF ●
Weight:
1.79 pounds
Valve's Index headset is the latest and greatest in PC virtual reality that will fill each of your eyeballs with 1440 x 1600 pixels at a 120Hz refresh rate. base supporting 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 the price. The Index is currently $1,000 for the set of the 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 finger tracking? Pair Index controllers with a Vive headset and hit the town. Prefer the high-res 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 there.
6.HTC Vive Pro 2
Best High-Resolution VR Headset
HTC Vive Pro
2
0
To see
on Amazon
Platform:
computer ●
Resolution (per eye):
2448 × 2448 ●
Refresh rate:
120Hz ●
Field of view:
120 degrees ●
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. farther than ever. With a resolution of 2448 x 2448 per eye, the HTC Vive Pro 2 will make you forget about the screen door effect.
Naturally, this premium headset comes with additional benefits beyond resolution. That same crisp display also operates at 120Hz and offers a 120-degree field of view – two things that will help you feel even more immersed. into the virtual realm you're entering. The headset also includes Hi-Res certified earphones for great sound right in 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:
computer ●
Resolution (per eye):
2560x1440 ●
Refresh rate:
180Hz ●
Field of view:
200 degrees ●
Monitoring:
6DoF
If you're willing to put up with a true monster of a headset in order to achieve 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 will only fit not 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 refresh rate of 180Hz. That's twice as fast as the older Pimax 5K XR. to get 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 aren't many 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
To see
on Amazon
To see on HP
Platform:
computer ●
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 won't spare your head and eyes. The Reverb G2 has a higher resolution than all the other headsets on this list with a 2160 x 2160 screen per eye for a total of 4320 x 2,160.The headset also has a physical IPD slider to help align everything perfectly with your eyes to eliminate focusing issues.Combine this with sharp displays eliminating the screen door effect, and you get exceptional visual comfort.
The headset's screen offers a smooth 90Hz refresh rate which may not be as fast as others, but anyway, few computers could run faster than that at this resolution. The headset uses also has inside-out tracking, which makes setup much easier than systems like the Valve Index which rely on external base stations to track the movement of the headset and controllers. It also helps it maintain priced well below the valve index.HP even rounds out 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 HTC
Long live Cosmos
).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 in a room large enough for room-scale virtual reality, grab a SteamVR headset. If you're more likely to play a standalone system despite the lower graphics quality, don't guess that instinct, go for the Oculus Quest.
Also, if there are any exclusive games you want to play, keep that 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 headset on PC. Some Oculus exclusive games may be playable on SteamVR devices with
To restart
, 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 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 effect. of screen door. (Within a given platform, however, resolution can give you an idea of which helmets will look better than others.)
If the refresh rate is lower than 90Hz, things can feel a bit choppier and can 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. nobody. (I found the Oculus Quest 72Hz more than smooth enough, for example.)
Stationary vs Room Scale Game:
The best VR experiences involve room-scale play, where you walk around your play space, crouch, jump, and turn your head in every way imaginable. This level of motion tracking is known as “six degrees of freedom.” Most of the headsets in the list above fall into this category.
Other headsets, like the Oculus Go or the smartphone
Samsung Gear VR
and
Google Daydream View
, support fewer degrees of freedom, only following the panning and tilting of your head rather than following you as you move. If you only watch movies or play seated games in VR, those cheaper headsets are fine, but for the best experience, you want something that supports room-scale play.
Tracking system:
Some recent headsets, like the Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift S, and HP Reverb, support "inside-out" tracking, i.e. you can achieve a game at scale without external sensors or cameras. Other systems, like the HTC Vive and Valve Index, require you to place a few base stations around the room to track your movements. reversed for advanced gamers, but they're also a bit more intrusive, so you'll have to weigh up what makes the most sense for your living space.
Wired vs Wireless:
Finally, you'll want to consider how willing you are to be “tethered” in a space. The best VR headsets typically require a wire connected to your PC, while standalone solutions allow you to roam freely. (The HTC Vive and the Vive Pro also have an optional wireless adapter for untethered PC-powered VR.)
Being wired is by no means the worst thing in the world, especially if you're only playing in one room anyway, and you'll see the best resolution and picture quality possible. Going wireless makes tripping one less thing to worry about, but it also adds the constraints of battery life.
Virtual reality is still in its infancy, but it has come a long way in a few years. No VR headset is perfect for everyone yet, but with these things in mind, you should be able to find one that fits you perfectly. 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 chips with chopsticks so he doesn't get grease on his mechanical keyboard.