Best VR Headset for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2021

Better

VR Headset for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Windows Central

2021

Microsoft Flight Simulator now supports virtual reality

, and the

best VR headsets

for Flight Simulator can turn the game into something completely new. Want to feel like you're in the cockpit of any plane you're flying? Yes, you have to get into VR. Luckily, we have collected the best options here.

Best Overall:

Valve index

Source: Valve

valve index

system is currently the pinnacle of VR. It may not have the same visual fidelity as the HP Reverb G2 - check out our

Valve Index vs. HP Reverb G2

article for more - and it might not offer as much freedom as the Oculus Quest 2. However, the combination of precision tracking, a comfortable headset, and seamless Steam integration in makes a coveted item.

It has two 3.5-inch LCD screens with a combined resolution of 2880x1600, or about 1600x1440 per eye. The field of view is 130 degrees wide and the refresh rate is up to 144Hz. Those are some beefy specs made with the help of the

best desktop PCs for VR

.

The index finger features a manual interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment slider as well as adjustable eye relief, both with the aim of catering to as many people as possible. The helmet harness has multiple adjustable points so you can get a comfortable fit, and there's high-quality built-in audio. Two base stations handle precision tracking, and the Index motion controllers are the best available. Of course, you might want to check out the

best joysticks and flight sticks for Flight Simulator

instead.

The Index is available as a full package for around $1000, but you can also make the purchase if you have existing Vive hardware. It's an expensive solution, but it will ultimately deliver the ultimate VR experience. more complete inside and outside of Flight Simulator.

Advantages:

Impressive display meant to work for most people

Natural and realistic hand tracking

Comfortable fit with plenty of padding

Precision Motion Tracking with SteamVR 2.0 Base Stations

Tons of content via SteamVR

The inconvenients:

The high cost of virtual reality adds to the cost of the PC

Not very portable

Best overall

Valve index

Best option if you have the budget

Combine a powerful gaming PC, Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Valve Index for a high-quality virtual reality flight experience.

$999 on Steam

Best visuals:

HP Reverb G2

Source: Windows Central

While the Valve Index is a more complete package with external tracking and the best motion controllers, the

HP Reverb G2

focuses heavily on the headset experience. If you're sitting at a desk with your hands on the

best yoke for microsoft flight simulator

, maybe that's all that matters.

The Reverb G2 has two 2.89-inch LCD screens, each with a resolution of 2160x2160. That's a combined resolution of 4320x2160, which completely blows the Index. IPD settings are manual, allowing you to get an excellent visual experience. The FOV is a bit narrower than the index at around 90 degrees and the refresh rate reaches 90Hz; however, these specs require a powerful PC to achieve.

Valve actually helped HP design the Reverb G2, so the harness and audio system are familiar to Index users. You'll get great sound from the built-in headphones, and the straps are adjustable for comfort. There is no slight bleeding around the face seal and there is plenty of padding.

The downside of the Reverb G2 is its motion controllers. They're not as intuitive as the Index controllers, and they rely on tracking upside down from the headset. As mentioned, though, you might not be using controllers a lot if your focus is on Flight Simulator. If you just want the best visuals to experience the world from the air, this is the way to go.

Advantages

Spectacular viewing experience

Robust sound

Comfortable and snug fit

Full compatibility with SteamVR

20 foot tether

The inconvenients

Controllers could be much better

The field of vision could be wider

Motion tracking is spotty

Best visuals

HP Reverb G2

The best visual experience

The Reverb G2 offers the clearest visuals we've experienced in VR, with an audio system that adds significantly to the package.

$600 at HP

$646 on Amazon

$600 at B&H

Best value:

Oculus Quest 2

Source: Nick Sutrich/Windows Central

The

Oculus Quest 2

stands out from the other VR headsets in this collection with the ability to work without a PC. It packs a Snapdragon XR2 processor, 6 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage directly inside the head-mounted display (HMD). front is an LCD screen with a resolution of 1832x1920 per eye, and an integrated battery lasts about two or three hours before needing to be recharged.

Since we're focusing on Flight Simulator, you'll want to add

Oculus Link

to the package. This is a specialized USB-C cable that allows you to connect the Quest 2 to your PC, essentially turning it into an Oculus Rift. You will have access to the Oculus and Steam game libraries, as well as to full compatibility with the VR side of Flight Sim.

The Quest 2 comes with updated Oculus Touch motion controllers that rely on inverted headset tracking. They're comfortable and provide capacitive touch sensors for a realistic feel. There are a few downsides to the Quest 2 You need a Facebook account to use it, and there's no manual IPD adjustment. is the way to go.

Advantages

Excellent performance of the integrated processor

Impressive display clarity

Affordable price

very wearable

Can connect to your PC

The inconvenients

Forced Facebook Login

Disappointing autonomy

No manual IPD adjustment

Best value

Oculus Quest 2

take it with you

The Oculus Quest 2 is the latest standalone VR headset, and it offers a compelling way to get into VR gaming without the expense of a PC.

$299 on Amazon

Starting at $299 at Best Buy

From $299 at Newegg

At the end of the line

Microsoft Flight Simulator

is truly a futuristic gaming experience, made even better with a VR headset. Instead of staring into a monitor, you can inject yourself into a pilot's chair and look around as you fly through the world. from VR to Flight Simulator takes already intensive PC gaming and speeds things up. If you need an upgrade, be sure to check out the

best pre-built gaming PCs for Flight Simulator

as good as

best gaming laptops for Flight Simulator

.And the

best graphics cards

can add much-needed power to an aging system.

Any of the above VR headsets will do a great job of impressing you in-game, but the Valve Index is the best all-around system available right now. Visuals, audio, controls, and tracking all come together to create something special, and it will literally be a game-changer for all PC activities. If you want the best, this is it.

However, if you're focused exclusively on Flight Simulator and don't care as much about external tracking and motion controllers, the HP Reverb G2 makes a strong case. It offers the best visual fidelity I've ever seen and will transform the streaming world of Flight Simulator into a real treat.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Wedge Hunt

is a writer at Windows Central. He primarily focuses on coverage of PCs, laptops, and accessories, as well as the emerging world of virtual reality. He is an avid PC gamer and cross-platform user and spends most of his time tinkering or writing about technology.

Sean Endicott

is an app enthusiast even though he's used Windows Phone for years. He's on an eternal quest to convert every item in his house into something he can control from his phone. Oh yeah. virtual reality, in particular the Oculus Quest.

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